Telegonus -
If the demise of Universal's gothic horror was due to a change in how post WW-2 Americans viewed Europe, then how do you account for Hammer's rise and popularity with gothic horror set in Europe? Personally, and with all due respect, I can't buy your scenario. I don't think American's view of Europe changed all that much after WW-2. It's just the general tastes switched to sci-fi reflecting the post-Hiroshima/Nagasaki cultural neurosis. Then Hammer brought gothic horror back with a vengeance by infusing the genre with fresh blood (both figuratively and literally). In the years 57-68 we didn't seem to view vampires, werewolves, mummies and whatnot stalking in Europe as outmoded.