Reviews (12)

A Good Suspense Thriller
Done in a film-noir style, this movie is entertaining with a neat plot twist. Lucille Ball looks lovely and does a good job as the dancer who ecomes a police decoy to catch a killer. She has great chemistry with George Sanders (it was rumored they had a real-life affair). Boris Karloff also has a small part as a crazy fashion designer. If you're a Lucy fan, you'll want to own this movie.

PERSONAL COLUMN
A long over-looked suspence thriller by the once highly esteemed Douglas Sirk - his films of the fifties were better known - i.e. MAGNIFICENT OBSESSION & IMITATION OF LIFE, et. al. I just recently viewed this film last week and now realise my previous review didn't do it justice. Lucy gave a surprisingly good dramatic performance as an American taxi-dancer working in London. La Ball helps the police catch a madman who's out on the loose by posing as a decoy! Lucy co-stars with the elegantly sinister George Sanders and Charles Coburn is super in his offbeat role as Inspecter Temple. George Sanders (as a trivia note, Lucy and Sanders supposedly had a brief affair during this time) is exceedingly suave as Robert Fleming, Sandra's protective nightclub owner boyfriend. Ball, who had already appeared in dozens of films by this time, displays the inimitable spark which she would ignite into dynamite four years later doing I LOVE LUCY. The supporting cast is quite good : Boris Karloff, Sir Cedric Hardwicke and George Zucco. Our Lucyball even gets to sing! (alas, she is dubbed by Annette Warren).

"I was on guard against everyone except myself."
In the Douglas Sirk film "Lured" a series of young girls disappear after responding to personal ads. The killer taunts Scotland Yard by sending poems describing the girl and announcing the upcoming murder. The police are left with a handful of clues--the personal ads, the flaws of the typewriter used for the poems, and the fact that the killer has a penchant for Baudelaire.

Sandra Carpenter (Lucille Ball) plays an unflappable dance-hall girl whose friend is the latest victim of the killer. Inspector Temple (Charles Coburn) recruits Sandra to operate undercover through the personal ads. Sandra meets a lot of peculiar men through the ads, and soon she's juggling dates with bizarre dress designer Charles van Druten (Boris Karloff) and smooth playboy Robert Fleming (George Sanders).

This is an interesting role for Lucille Ball. Here she's worldly-wise and savvy to every pick-up line in the book. Inspector Temple sagaciously assesses Sandra's character and realizing she can handle men effectively, he adds her talent to his investigation. Lucille Ball fans will be pleasantly surprised by her role in "Lured," and Douglas Sirk fans should enjoy the film too. The characters are well defined, and the plot kept my attention throughout. It's in glorious black and white, and that complements the story and the setting--displacedhuman

Lucille Ball as a beautiful detec¿ive
"Lured" is a forgotten thriller of a movie, starring Lucille Ball as an American in London who helps Scotland Yard capture a serial killer. The subtle plotting is fast-paced and satisfying. Ball sparkles with wit and sophistication and makes the movie special.

You will be kept in suspense until the very end. If you know Ball only through her most famous manifestation as zany Lucy Ricardo, this movie will reveal her ability to fulfill a dramatic/romantic role. Although the real-life chemistry that sizzled between Ball and Desi Arnaz on the tv show is missing here, the supporting cast is splendid, and the city of London as it was in the 40s provides an interesting backdrop. Highly recommended.

not a typical Lucy movie
this is not your typical Lucy movie. but dont get me wrong it was still very good. its good to see that Lucille Ball can do something besdies comide. even though comdey is what she is remembered for. this movie is deffinitly recommened for a lucy fan or a murder mystry fan or both of that matter. it keeps you guessing until the very end. you think its one thing but they throw a cerve ball and its the total oppisite. i'm going to tell you what you can expect because then you wont get it. but i would recommend it. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

A Much better sequel than "Tomb" and "Ghost"
This final film in the series chronicling the adventures of Kharis the Mummy (still played by Lon Chaney) as he continues his quest to find princess Ananka. The is the best of the Mummy sequels Everything in it is perfect, just like in "The Mummy's Hand."

The mummy's on the loose and he's dancin' with the devil
Universal had pretty much milked the whole Kharis the mummy thing dry by the time this fourth and final Kharis movie was released in 1944. Even Lon Chaney doesn't seem to care a whole lot about the project as he slides and stumbles his plodding way through the swamps of Louisiana. It's really best not to question how Kharis and the ancient Egyptian princess Ananka wound up buried in a swamp in Cajun country; just accept it and go from there. Ananka, once she rises from the muck and gets herself cleaned off, is quite the dish this time around, although her whole schizophrenic, dual identity, amnesia thing can be a little off-putting. The beauty and doe-like eyes Virginia Christine brings to the role of Ananka helps explain why Kharis is still stubbornly pursuing her after more than three millennia. I mean this guy just won't give up, nor will he take no for an answer. Every time he approaches Ananka, she runs away screaming, yet he just bows his filthy bandaged head and starts the whole search over again. At least the supporting cast is pretty good. You can't help but like a guy called Cajun Joe - well, unless you're an ancient mummy, anyway. And then there is my favorite character, the wide-eyed Goobie (Napoleon Simpson) who runs around hollering "The mummy's on the loose and he's dancin' with the devil" every time something bad happens.

The plot of this particular quartet of mummy films was really starting to wear thin by this point. You've got two Egyptian mummies calling Louisiana home, then you've got this new high priest who has come over to find Kharis and keep giving him the old "three Tana leaves" juice that keeps him going. You can't even feel sorry for Kharis' millennia-old love problems anymore because Ananka clearly wants nothing to do with the filthy, tongue-less collection of dirty linen strips. The fact that the film runs for barely an hour is indicative of the fact that the magic was all but gone by this point; there comes a time when the same old same old begins to sound rather silly, and The Mummy's Curse comes close to crossing that line on several occasions.

The Mummy's Final Universal Feature
"The Mummy's Curse", was the last of the four Mummy films that Universal released in the early 1940's and coming hot on the heels of their previous release "The Mummy's Ghost", this installment suffered a little from the feeling that alot that was covered in its story had been done effectively before. While all the Universal Mummy films indeed have a familiar feel to their storylines this last film still managed to keep a little individuality to it and certainly contained a couple of startling scenes that still impress today. Universal had a way with their horror films and it constantly impresses me just what they could do with limited budgets and very short shooting schedules which still managed to create a polished looking final product.

The tale of the doomed high priest Kharis and his eternal quest for his lost love the Princess Anana is well known to horror fans and in "The Mummy's Curse", Lon Chaney Jnr plays for the final time the Mummy who has become one of the most famous of the Universal monsters. This film continues on from the conclusion of the previous film and despite the confusing change in the locale of where Kharis was buried at the previous films conclusion (he is now found in a dried up swamp in Louisiana)the story flows along with good elements of mystery thrown in. A land works excavation team are draining the whole area for redevelopment when a strange coffin shaped recess is found in the ground. Immediately the workmen start to get frightened fearing that they have unearthed the resting place of the mummy which terrorised the area years before. Their fears seem to be justified as despite the warnings of Dr. Zandaad to stop developing the area, a number of weird sightings are reported and then a strange girl emerges out of the bayou (in the most visually stunning scene in the whole film) who is unsure of who she is, but who in actual fact is the Princess Ananka risen from her swampy grave. With Kharis in hot pursuit of the Princess the murders in the area begin and it is revealed that Dr. Zandaad (Peter Coe in a wonderfully eerie performance) is in actual fact the latest of the high priests from the Temple of Karnak who is hiding Kharis among the ruins of an old Monastery in the area while he attempts to seek out the Princess. Ananka in the mean time stumbles into the camp of some of the local workers and it is there that Kharis comes in his quest to find her and murders happen as the unfortunate men encounter the Mummy. After the Mummy abducts Ananka and takes her back to the Monastery one of the female workers who befriended Ananka, Betty Walsh is led there by Dr. Zandaab's secret assistant Ragheb (Martin Kosleck), who has developed a passion for her. When other members of the team catch up to her a fight develops which sees Dr. Zandaab killed and the Mummy bring down the whole building on top of himself and Ananka as he kills Ragheb. The team then decide to dig out the two Mummies at a later date and take them back to the Museum from where they were originally taken by the earlier High Priests.

Despite being the last of the Mummy series this entry has a good eerie feel to it. Virginia Christine makes a stunningly beautiful Ananka and Peter Coe's performance as the usual sinister High Priest is also of much interest. Lon Chaney Jnr by this stage had played the Mummy three times and despite his well publicised hatred for playing this role he still manages within the obvious limitations of such a role to instill a bit of sympathy into an otherwise unlikeable horror character. His visual look as Kharis is top notch and really has been the bench mark for how all subsequent Mummies should appear with the mouldering bandages, dry dusty features and killer arm that can strangle anyone within reaching distance. The visual settings of "The Mummy's Curse", are it's real strong point and are very much above those of the previous entry in the Mummy series. The misty swamp scenes of the deep South, the Monastery set and best of all Ananka's wonderful rise from the mud in the swamp at the beginning of the story really make this one of the better efforts by Universal in their saga of Kharis the Mummy.

"The Mummy's Curse", makes light entertaining viewing and was just the escapism that wartime audiences lapped up before the war's conclusion. This film marked the real end of the Mummy films however until Hammer Studios embraced and revived the Mummy for their own series of films in the late 1950's and early 1960's. The film is short in running time and takes little time in getting into the main action of the story and the dramatic ending to Kharis's sad story is well worth waiting for. A "B" film it may be but it ranks as a worthy horror addition to any horror buff's collection. Enjoy Kharis searching one last time for his lost love the Princess Ananka in Universal's "The Mummy's Curse".

A really good ending
This film, featuring Kharis's fourth appearance, is more exciting that most of them, because the really good parts come sooner, but at the slowly building beginning, people can squirm and shiver as they see the spooky bayou and the characters talk about the mummy.

Now, when the action is real close to happening, Ananka appears, and the scene is represented beautifully. Also, the sun was coming out of a camera lens, but it still looked real.

Then, as the story ends, it settles down, and we see Kharis's fate. But, like in most movies, the scene is more exciting then it sounds, so, if you like the classic 1940-50's horror shows, this is one to watch.

Don't believe the box
In reading the cover for this video, I read that the mummy Kharis will meet his princess Ananka and the two will "wreak havoc together." I don't know what the writer of these words saw, but it was not this movie. Although the mummy attacks those who get in his way, there is no duo of mummies doing anything.

In this film, a public works crew is working to drain a swamp in the American South. Given the character of Cajun Joe, we can assume that this is Louisiana. As the crew is draining the swamp, the mummy is retrieved by his acolytes. With their knowledge of the sacred tanna leaves, they work to help Kharis find his princess. The movie gives us the battle between the modern age and the mystical times long ago.

Lon Chaney, Jr. plays the mummy in this film. For the most part, he plays it well and sets the pace for any actor playing a mummy. The outstretched arm with the other arm close to the chest and the dragging foot all give us the standard for a mummy.

I would recommend seeing this movie. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Another "Wong" Winner!
This is a terrific DVD for the atmosphere, the clever Mr. Wong, This is a B picture, to be sure, shot on a budget, but its great fun as Mr. Wong solves his case. The transfer is very good considering there is no restoration. The sound is very good as well. I love this series and Boris is the man to play the character.

Mr. Wong solves the murder of a shipping magnate
Boris Karloff does his fifth film as Mr. Wong, the Chinese detective in this 1940 film directed by William Nigh. Shipping magnate Cyrus Wentworth (Melvin Lang) is mysteriously murdered after one of his ships is sunk with over $1 million in bonds. Captain Street (Grant Withers) arrests Dick Fleming (William Sterling), the son of the dead man's rival since he was the last person to see Wentworth alive. But reporter Bobby Logan (Marjorie Reynolds) believes Dick is innocent and brings Mr. Wong into the case. This is one of the lesser films in the series. The mystery is rather obvious and the only real fun in the film is Mr. Wong having to deal with Bobby, who keeps trying in vain to outwit the ace detective. ... Read more

Reviews (53)

The Original "Monsters Inc."
If you grew up on "The Munsters", "The Addams Family", old MAD magazines, and "Monster Mash", don't miss "Mad Monster Party", a great and goofy animated monster spoof from the late '60s. I never heard of it until recently, but this is good stuff and quite sophisticated for its day. Rankin/Bass, known for their many holiday-season shows ("Rudolph", "Frosty The Snowman"), pulled out the stops here with their animatronic horror-movie characters. MAD regulars Jack Davis (artist) and Harvey Kurtzman (writer) were involved. So were Boris Karloff as Dr. Frankenstein, and Phyllis Diller as- well- Phyllis Diller in a Bride-of-Frankenstein cape! Trust me, it works. This is "Monsters Inc." three decades early, complete with cool Henry Mancini-ish monster-movie jazz and classic movie-monster caricatures. The unsung hero is Allen Swift, one of the best voice-over guys of the '60s and a fantastic Hollywood-legends impressionist. Allen does all the male voices except Karloff: Jimmy Stewart (for Felix, "Uncle Boris"' nephew), Bela Lugosi (for Dracula), Alec Guinness (for Dr. Jekyll), and an absolutely fantastic Peter Lorre (as "Yetch", Frankenstein's leering butler). All this and King Kong too! I think this might have gone right over the heads of kiddie-show audiences in the '60s, making it a cult item now. But I read that this was Tim Burton's favorite movie before he did "Batman" and other neo-monster hits.
Me? I'm not sure whether I want to follow up with the original
"Bride of Frankenstein", "Young Frankenstein", or go find "The Maltese Falcon" to see the real Peter Lorre! Anyway, if an animated movie from the '60s wakes up all kinds of memories for a big kid of 47, it's worth a look. "Mad Monster Party": it's the real "Monster Mash"!

A MONSTER MASH
This is a much sought after title by horror fans who grew up with the UNIVERSAL CLASSICS in the 60s & 70s. No FREDDY, JASON or MICHAEL here just good clean fun. TNT used to show this until there copy was stolen from there video archives & the film hasn't been seen on TV in several years. The movie is a RANKIN/BASS production (famous for their CHRISTMAS movies) from 1968, with monster designs by top "MAD MAGAZINE" artist JACK HARRIS. Originally BORIS KARLOFF was not to play himself but after he saw clips from the film he joined the team of creative talent behind the first true HALLOWEEN (""Animagic") cartoon. It's a classic tale of suspense, love & skullduggery with a lot of cornieness thrown in to boot. Hey it was made in the 60s! The plot involves DR. FRANKENSTEIN (who it just so happens has recently created the most deadly chemical compound to date) planning his retirement party. He along with his beautiful assistant FRANCHESSCA invite all the old gang (the old gang just so happens to be all the CLASSIC UNIVERSAL MONSTERS) to his island retreat in the middle of nowhere & also his normal human(?) nephew FELIX gets an invitation. FELIX of course has no clue what his UNCLE does nor who he keeps company with. The quirks of his shipmates goes completly unnoticed by him as he bumps into them one by one on the journey to DR. FRANKENSTEIN's castle. All goes well until DR. FRANKENSTEIN reveals who he's going to entrust his duties to upon his retirement. What ensues is a murder attempt on the unsuspecting heir by those that feel they should recieve DR. FRANKENSTEIN's duties. PHYLLIS DILLER gives a top notch-over the top performance as THE BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN as only she is capable of. DRACULA, THE WOLFMAN, THE INVISIBLE MAN, THE CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON, FRANKENSTEIN, THE BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN, THE MUMMY, A ROCKIN' SKELETON BAND, KING KONG (oddly enough refered to as IT...maybe to keep him a surprise or possibly avoid copyright infringment), ZOMBIES, DR.JECKYLL & MR. HYDE & even a nod to PETER LORRE as portrayed by the love struck-head loosing butler YETCH this movie has it all! It even has a TWILIGHT ZONE ending & big explosions. The trip to the island, the party scene & the sleeping arrangements are classic scenes not to be missed.

LOST CHILDHOOD
I have mixed feelings about this movie. Like everyone else I remember seeing this as a kid, but I only saw the last 15 minutes. I was mezmerized by it and for some years always searched for it on TV. It was my white whale. I never did see it until I purchased this DVD.

The quality is terrific. The colors are vivid and the image is crystal clear. There are great extras, a thick booklet and some monster cards. This is a bargain. An absolute steal.

Having said all this I was sorta disappointed in the movie. The story is just O.K., but nothing special. After all these years I guess I just expected to be blown away or have it rekindle memories. I still give it 5 stars, but I did not find my childhood in it.

My advice is that if this movie was special to you when you were a kid either don't purchase or buy it knowing it will not be as good as you remember.

A Rollercoaster of Monster Proportions
I had never seen a model/puppet movie before in my life because at first I thought they were rubbish but when my parents came home one day they had bought me Mad Monster Party on video , when I saw the box I was quite intrigued and put it on straight away and DAMN THIS MOVIE IS AWESOME its got everything a monster buff wants its got EERIE MUSIC , COOL SCENERY , (...), WELL MADE PUPPETS AND SOME ABSOLUTELY HYSTERICAL MOMENTS LIKE FOR INSTANCE WHEN THE MONSTERS MATE TOLD 'FANG' WHAT IS HE GOING TO DO WHEN CAPTURED BY IT AND HE BURST INTO TEARS this movie may be too scary for young children so I recomend an older person watch it with them first time through You have got too see it too believe it

Those Mad, Mad, Mad Monsters!
Doctor Baron Von Frankenstein has discovered the secret to total destruction, and, after previously discovering the secret of life, he now feels it is time to retire as head of the Worldwide Organization of Monsters. But who will be his successor? The Baron keeps it a secret that he intends to bestow that honor on his nephew, pharmacist/soda jerk Felix Flankin. He soon invites all his Monster friends to his secluded island home for a Monster Convention, where he will reveal their new leader. Dracula, the Wolfman, the Invisible Man, the Creature, the Mummy, and plenty of others show up for the wild event, including the level-headed, young Mr. Flankin. All seems to be going well for the Baron, but little does he know that his trusted assistant, the lovely Miss Francesca, is conspiring against his wishes. She wants to be the one who inherits the Doctor's position, and all his secrets!

Mad Monster Party was one of Rankin/Bass's rare, theatrically released Animagic feature films. While it doesn't quite have the charm or timelessness of their better known productions, such as the sacred Rudolph and Frosty classic specials, Mad Monster Party is still an entertaining treat, especially for R&B fanatics and classic monster lovers. The film is often mistakenly regarded now as a Rankin/Bass Halloween Special that somehow got lost, along with all those other classic Halloween Specials, until recently. But while the film was not made as an annual TV treat, and has no mention of Halloween, it certainly could be enjoyed as such. The DVD is excellent, especially for the price, including some nice extras on and off the disc. As for the cast, Boris Karlof is outstanding as always, and so is everyone else. But, while I sometimes do enjoy Phyllis Diller, I have to admit that I found her performance as the Monster's Mate a wee bit annoying, especially when she bursts into song early on. Some of the songs are as good as the beloved Rankin/Bass Christmas fare, but a couple didn't sit quite well with me, and Diller's was one of them. Aside from that, it's all great Monster fun and I highly recommend it to those feeling nostalgic for R&B or some classic monster comedy! And if this one isn't enough for you, look for Rankin/Bass's Mad, Mad, Mad Monsters! Made a while later, and sort of a Mad Monster Party prequel, it tells the story of the Monster's wedding to his newly created Mate in traditional R&B animation. Currently it can be found only on VHS. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

"This is another fine mess you've gotten me into!"
Vincent Price and Peter Lorre were the Laurel & Hardy of horror films. Their by-play in this film and in THE RAVEN and TALES OF TERROR is priceless (sorry). And when you add Boris Karloff to the mix, you suddenly have Moe, Larry and Curly, with Basil Rathbone more-than-ably filling in the Vernon Dent/Bud Jamison role.

Why all this comedy name-dropping? Simply to underscore the fact that this is a classic comedy. "Why did I ever escape from prison?" mourns Lorre when forced into another murderous midnight recruitment venture for their undertaking establishment. "It was so nice and peaceful!" And watch Vincent's face as he suddenly wipes off his hands when giving Lorre a leg-up, growling, "What DID you step in? Wipe your feet, for pity's sake!"

Watch Boris' graphic maunderings about Egyptian mummification processes ("they yank out the brain with a hook!") at the dinner table and the excellent, underrated Joyce Jameson's grossed-out reactions. Watch Basil's oh-so-superior sneers as he threatens to evict Vincent & Co. in orotund dialogue worthy of a Snidely Whiplash meller-drammer. Watch the dead Rathbone return to life again. . .and again . . .and again . . . and again . . .and again, with Vincent's facial reactions getting broader each time. Watch Lorre carry on with the shapely Jameson as the romantic lead (that alone is worth the price of admission!)

The film's comic premise is richly endowed with black humor, put-downs, slapstick, a frenetic, prolonged chase, and a first-rate cast that makes the most of every line, pratfall and bit of business ("time for your medicine, old man!") Watch and enjoy.

"What Place Is This?"
This is a hilarious movie! I love it. Vincent Price plays an undertaker, as he has taken over his father-in-law's business. Peter Lorre plays his assistant, Boris Karloff plays the hard of hearing father-in-law, & Basil Rathbone wants the rent money. And of course there is Rhubarb (the cat) playing the role of Cleopatra! Oh, & you may want to wear ear plugs during the singing! Yikes! And just when you think everyone is dead, well you thought wrong! You have to see it to know what I'm getting at.

Brrrrr!
This movie is a great.
Vincent Price, Peter Lorre, Boris KArloff, and last but not least, BASIL RATHBONE star in this hilarious black comedy about two aspiring undertakers who are having trouble getting customers, so they kill people just so they can give them a funeral. This movie had me laughin so hard I was crying, especially the part where Basil Rathbone chases Peter Lorre out of his house, quoting lines from Macbeth all the while. And who could forget the utter disgust on Vincent Price's face as he cries in absolute horror "What did you STEP in?!?"Absolutely hilarious.

Classic Video Fun!
This is a great movie if you like to see the classic horror stars letting their hair down.
There's nothing serious in this film but the fun.
Vincent Price and Peter Lorre are the center of attention with Boris Karloff and Basil Rathbone playing the comedy role you never expected to see.
The sets are 1960's B movie stuff, but it just adds to the atmosphere.
If you're looking for something entertaining to watch on movie night this is one to put in the lineup.
I got this and "The Raven" at the same time. Both are funny!

Drunk again, huh?
I LOVE this film!! Vincent Price is just hysterical as the undertaker who needs to drum up some business, Peter Lorre is great as the assistant, Basil Rathbone is the landlord who wants his year's rent, and Boris Karloff just can't hear a thing. "What? Sugar?? There ya go!" Basil just keeps on coming back to life, quoting from "Hamlet" as he goes along, and Peter Lorre laments about his dear Annabel. Joyce Jamison is Annabel, who is Felix Gillie's love interest. Annabel is married to Waldo (Vincent Price) and Boris Karloff is her father. The funeral speech by Karloff is just priceless. Needless to say, as soon as Rathbone's character is buried we hear: "What place is this??" Great. If you haven't seen this movie yet, YOU HAVE TO!! And I agree with the comment: "Where is the DVD??" Get with it MGM, we still need this one and The Raven, and The Tomb of Ligeia....I have to finish my Vincent Price DVD collection! ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Christopher Lee at your service
"call them fantasy films...but please don't call them horror" is one of the lines given by the host, Christopher Lee, jokingly looking in utter disgust that the public would call these films 'horror'. his performance is hilarious because of his sophisticated and always serious approach to acting and yet he's offering a self-parody much in the tradition of Vincent Price. although he doesn't go over-the-top, Lee's participation/narration was vital for this program's legitimacy. clips of horror and Sci-Fi films are shown throughout...there's also clips of interviews with Vincent Price, Boris Karloff, and Roger Corman among others...the so-called drive-in horror titans of the '60s are also spotlighted: American International and Hammer, the two companies that were responsible for 90% of the horror output in the '50s, '60s, and early '70s. this is a great look at horror films and Lee's commanding voice and screen appearances keep it from being too tedious, as it may have been had a contemporary hot shot with little to no affiliation with the genre narrated the show.

Bad Beginning but the middle and the end are really good.
Don't turn it off! But first you need to watch at least five of these movies to enjoy it. With Christopher Lee being your host this makes the movie very fun. It talks about little trivia and cool things to know about tese films.->

1. Halloween
2. Frankenstein, 1931
3. Dracula, 1931
4. The Mummy, 1959
5. Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein
6. Psycho, 1960
7. Mary Shelly's Frankenstein
8. Mummy's Hand
9. Nightmare On Elm Street
10. The Bride of Frankenstein
11. House of Frankenstein

12. House of Dracula
13. The Lost World, 1925
14. The Mummy's Tomb
15. Tales of Tomorrow: Frankenstein
16. Phantom of The Opera
17. Mystery of The Wax Museum
18. Curse of Frankenstein
19. Werewolf of London
20. 1,000,000 Years B.C.

Only for The Most Desperate of "Horror" Fans
Unfortunately, the folks who put this "documentary" together seem to think horror is confined to cheezy Grade Z movies full of excessive "knife across the eyeball" style gore. A somewhat comatose Christopher Lee seems ashamed to be hosting this mess.

Great documentary (saw the DVD version)!
I saw the DVD version of this video and, being a horror film buff, found it very entertaining. The problem with documentaries like these, however, is that they do tend to get sort of dated in just a few years (e.g. although fairly recent films such as Bram Stoker's Dracula, Jurrasic Park and Wolf were discussed, more recent films such as the Mummy remake were not) especially in this genre wherein advances in make-up and special effects play an important role. Still, I would recommend this series to any serious horror film afficionado. Unlike many documentaries which seem to be made up of 90% interviews and 10% (movie) scenes, this is composed primarily of scenes with Christopher Lee's voice-over, interspersed with a few interviews. Notable highlights include hilarious outtakes from the film Abbot & Costello Meet Frankenstein as well as footage from obscure movies such as the 1960 version of Lost World. There are also interviews with John Carpenter, Peter Cushing and Claude Rains. I found this very enjoyable, although I'm giving just 4 stars for the DVD version since the sound quality was not very good for this medium (for VHS I'd probably let it off with 5 stars). ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Boris Karloff Is The Main Attraction
In DICK TRACY MEETS GRUESOME the famous detective is able to trick Gruesome by placing a false story in the newspapers about another criminal who is going to squeal on Gruesome. Boris Karloff plays the part of Gruesome and he dominates the movie. Ralph Byrd has the role of Dick Tracy and Anne Gwynne is Tess Truehart.

The film was a big success for a "B" movie in both the United States and in Great Britain.

Dick Tracy takes on Gruesom Boris Karloff
In "Dick Tracy Meets Gruesome," the 1947 RKO film based on Chester Gould's comic strip detective, Ralph Byrd and Boris Karloff play the title characters. L. E. Thal (Edward Ashley), a disreputable doctor, gains possession of a gas, which temporarily paralyzes people. Gruesome uses the gas to stage a daring bank robbery, but the crime is witnessed by Tess Truehart (Anne Gwynne) who calls Tracy. At that point the entire affair becomes standard cops and robbers, although I have to admit that Karloff steals every scene from the hero. Director John Rawlins creates a serial-style with a series of episodes of varying degrees of excitement until the climax. It just seems to be that Gruesome does not look that, well, gruesome. Given all the times they insisted on burying the actor beneath makeup, it is rather ironic that there do not put much on Karloff to play "Gruesome."

Will Dick Tracy be a match for Boris Karloff? Yes, BUT...
In "Dick Tracy Meets Gruesome," the 1947 RKO film based on Chester Gould's comic strip detective, Ralph Byrd and Boris Karloff play the title characters. L. E. Thal (Edward Ashley), a disreputable doctor, gains possession of a gas, which temporarily paralyzes people. Gruesome uses the gas to stage a daring bank robbery, but the crime is witnessed by Tess Truehart (Anne Gwynne) who calls Tracy. At that point the entire affair becomes standard cops and robbers, although I have to admit that Karloff steals every scene from the hero. Director John Rawlins creates a serial-style with a series of episodes of varying degrees of excitement until the climax. It just seems to be that Gruesome does not look that, well, gruesome. Given all the times they insisted on burying the actor beneath makeup, it is rather ironic that there do not put much on Karloff to play "Gruesome."

1940's Nostalgia
Boris Karloff certainly looks the part as the recently released convict named Gruesome. The nerve gas story is corny as is the bank robbery scene especially when one bloke is frozen just as he is about to sneeze. Ralph Byrd returns as Dick Tracy and he later starred in the early 50's TV series. People who are familiar with the B movies of the 1940's will recognise character actors Milton Parsons and Skelton Knaggs as a professor and his assistant respectively. If you feel like going on a nostalgia trip watch this. ... Read more

Reviews (17)

Victims of the Screen World
Peter Bogdanovich produced, directed, edited and wrote the screenplay to TARGETS. The film has a curious and dichotomous quality to it. On one hand Bogdanovich handled the sniper (a very clean-cut Tim O'Kelly) in a very real, threatening and unprecedented way for its time. O'Kelly looks so much like the all-American kid from next door that he is all the more frightening making the film very unsettling. O'Kelly munches on a sandwich and guzzles down soda in-between his targets. Moreover the sniper is ferreted out by a famous horror film idol (Boris Karloff) from the golden age of Hollywood. The confrontation comes at a drive-in theatre of all places in an unusual climax. The film is suspenseful and alluring. Once you start watching it you're hooked. Is there a message to this film? Perhaps there is. The finale is almost pure hokum, but perhaps that is the point. Leave the killings, the violence and horror up on the screen. Don't let it escape into the real world. Get your jollies at the movies then drive home and lead a normal life. Perhaps that was true 30 years ago.

A Forgotten Gem.
TARGETS was the directorial debut of Peter Bogdanovich and was one of the last films that Boris Karloff ever made. The movie ties two seemingly separate stories together and unites them in a climax at a drive-in movie theatre. Karloff plays an aged actor famous for his roles in horror movies who decides to retire. He agrees to make one last public performance before moving back to Europe permanently. Meanwhile, Tim O'Kelly plays a psychopath who murders his wife and mother before going on a shooting rampage with a sniper rifle. It's quite intriguing how the two stories connect and are finally tied together in the end.
The movie causes one to think and is a good film to watch nowadays to consider the impact media may or may not have upon violence.

There are several scenes in the film worthy of discussion, but two particularly stick out in my mind. The first one is when Karloff awakens in the morning and startles himself in the mirror. It makes me wonder how much of a success he might have had as a comedian. The second scene is when Karloff's character is discussing what to do at the drive-in as his swan song and he decides to tell a story. The story he tells is "Death Speaks" by W. Somerset Maugham. Hearing the story told by Karloff can give one the chills just by listening to it.

Overall, a fine little movie worth watching.

a grand exit (well cose to an exit)
corman wows here and reminds us that we really lost a very good director when he decided to devote all of his time to producing.
regardless, forget those last, depressing mexican horror quickies that karloff wheezed his poor dying self through. keep this as his bow. it's a nice summation of a glorious career.

Ahead of Its Time
Peter Bogdanovich produced, directed, edited and wrote the screenplay to TARGETS. The film has a curious and dichotomous quality to it. On one hand Bogdanovich handled the sniper (a very clean-cut Tim O'Kelly) in a very real, threatening and unprecedented way for its time. O'Kelly looks so much like the all-American kid from next door that he is all the more frightening making the film very unsettling. O'Kelly munches on a sandwich and guzzles down soda in-between his targets. Moreover the sniper is ferreted out by a famous horror film idol (Boris Karloff) from the golden age of Hollywood. The confrontation comes at a drive-in theatre of all places in an unusual climax. The film is suspenseful and alluring. Once you start watching it you're hooked. Is there a message to this film? Perhaps there is. The finale is almost pure hokum, but perhaps that is the point. Leave the killings, the violence and horror up on the screen. Don't let it escape into the real world. Get your jollies at the movies then drive home and lead a normal life. Perhaps that was true 30 years ago.

Lost Treasure
Boris Karloff gave one of his finest performances in this film and proved that he didn't have to be the movie's monster to be the star. The transfer quality is excellent, the special features aren't much but they provide great value. It was a kick for me seeing LA in the '60s and ztill recognizing landmarks. I was especially impressed with the funky 60's decor in the killer's house - it looked like the house I grew up in! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A Haunting Mr. Wong!
This is a terrific DVD for the atmosphere, the clever Mr. Wong and the great transfer. This is a B picture, to be sure, shot on a budget, but its great fun as Mr. Wong solves his case. The transfer is very good considering there is no restoration. The sound is very good as well. I love this series and Boris is the man to play the character.

loved it
I have found these Mr Wong movies very addictive! I'm glad Alpha has made these available! Mr Wong In Chinatown isn't the best mystery in the series, but it is still one of my favorites of the series. This one is a little stranger that other entries. Very unusual!

Mr. Wong searches for the murderer of Princess Lin Hwa
This film is third of Boris Karloff's turns as the Chinese detective James Lee Wong. Princess Lin Hwa (Lotus Long) visits Mr. Wong for help and is killed by a poisoned arrow. This time Mr. Wong is joined not only by Captain Street (Grant Withers) but the policeman's fiance, reporter Bobby Logan (Marjorie Reynolds). When the trio check out the apartment of the princess they find her maid murdered and the only witness a mute dwarf (Angelo Rosita) who suddenly disappears. This is a below average mystery which gives Karloff very little to do besides maintain his unruffled demeanor. The last reel picks up a bit as Mr. Wong falls into the hands of the murderer and has to be rescued by his companions. Like the other films in this series, this 1939 film was directed by William Nigh and based on the stories of Hugh Wiley. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Charming but uneven
As has been previously written, this film is by Rankin and Bass the team responsible for the holiday classics Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and Santa Claus is Coming to Town. This fillm is more ambitious and more uneven than either of those two favorites. They simply expanded on holiday legends/songs in a bright highly satisfying way. This film is a partial live action drama which features Chris (Paul O'Keefe) a young Hans Christian Anderson, whose father (Jack Gilford) is a penniless cobbler, escaping his desperate life to search for the Garden of Paradise and dropping into three Hans Christian Anderson stories (The Little Mermaid, The Emperor's New Clothes and Thumbelina all in the company's signature puppet inspired Animagic) on the way. This material has a lot of potential and the film does have some lovely sequences particularly during the Little Mermaid and Thumbelina sections. Maury Laws' songs don't reach the heights of Santa Claus or his wonderful work on The Little Drummer Boy but are tuneful and create a mood of wistful wonder. The character of Chris is fascinating too in that he initially seems simply a good hearted boy but often unintentionally betrays and abandons the characters around him and the animated sections have a darker tone than most children's programming. The religous tones (which are true to the Hans Christian Anderson original tales) in several of the stories also make this darker than the usual Rankin and Bass holiday fare.

There are problems. Often the film resorts to silly musical comedy routines to pull the audience out of the darker edges of the animated material. Jack Gilford performs in an almost vaudevillian broad comedy style and seems so powerless and impotent as Chris' father that one hopes that Chris is never forced to return home. Ray Bolger's charm is utterly wasted in his performance as the pieman and Paul O'Keefe's pleasant voice is undermined by the improbability of the situation (he's been captured for poaching and being led by rope down the middle of the town's square as the townsfolk cavort in the clearly underfunded big production number) that he's found himself stranded in. And the questions about Chris' character and his family's desperate financial straits are never resolved.

Still despite these qualms the film has undeniable charm and a certain magic pull in places. I still felt a magic shiver when Chris, caught in a seemingly inescapable situation, spies a flower magically opening up to reveal Thumbelina and a way to escape. I would certainly recommend this film to families to view together--just don't expect a seamless masterpiece or a film even as satisfying the Rankin and Bass Christmas specials.

I remember seeing this film as a child on television. I remember, even then, the print being muddy and the colors being washed out and skips cutting out moments of dialogue. What a pleasure it is to see this new DVD version of this film. The colors are full and bright and there is no bleeding and the sound is free of any pops and scratches. Not quite the labor of love their Mad Monster Party disc was but does include a brief history of the film in the insert.

Fascinating! Not your typical animated kiddie fare
This film was produced by the wonderful Rankin/Bass team - best known for their holiday masterpieces "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer", "Frosty the Snowman" and "Mad Monster Party", just to name a few. The wraparound story (which is live-action) deals with a young Hans Christian Anderson struggling to find The Garden of Paradise. On his journey, we are treated to four haunting stories, each filmed in Rankin/Bass's trademark stop-motion "Animagic". The stories are unusual in that they all end on a low note rather than a typical "Disney happy ending" - keeping true to Anderson's original tales. Included here are "The Little Mermaid", "The Emperor's New Clothes", "Thumbelina" and "The Garden of Paradise". Once again Arthur Rankin and Jules Bass have created a fantasyland of wonder and imagination filled to the brim with beautiful tunes.

Ah, to daydream...
This is another wonderful childhood movie, full of the joys and woes that come to a young boy who dares to daydream, perhaps a little to obsession. He gets into all sorts of adventures and trouble. What also trully shines is Ray Bolger as the pieman, who dances around like a playful kitten, darting about the rest of the cast with his armful of pies, and his humerous gestures. You also get to see a little Rankin/Bass version of Ray, which is equally as charming. Great movie, great to watch when you're bored, or with he family, all year round.

The Enchanted World of Hans Christian Andersen
"The Daydreamer" has some really cool animagic sequences. Boris Karloff's song and dance bit with the Rat and the Mole is one of the best things I have seen from Rankin/Bass. The underwater sequence is great, with Burl Ives, Hayley Mills and Tallulah Bankhead playing the leads of The Little Mermaid, Father Neptune and the Sea Witch.

However, overall "The Daydreamer" is a mediocre film. The live action bits are pretty bad, with nothing really passing for acting or a storyline on display. The producer went the wrong direction, buy banking on the large cast of stars who are mostly unknown today.

Given that this is a mediocre film, I would have wished for a better DVD to make up the difference. "The Daydreamer" just doesn't have the punch necessary to pull of a DVD without accompaniment. Paired with "The Enchanted World of Danny Kaye: The Emperor's New Clothes" and you would have had a must-buy. The addition of any other Rankin/Bass animagic special would have been appreciated.

animation parts are fun, live action puts you to sleep
I know there are a lot of people who love this movie. I personally enjoyed all the talented people who lent their voices to the animated characters. And sure, the DVD image is as flawless as a new release print can be. Yet the combination of several Anderson Fairy Tales and poorly written live action dialogue connecting all the animation left me wishing that about 15 minutes had been trimmed. The story of a real boy who learns about how to become an unselfish person is basically a good one and he meets lots of interesting animated characters along the way, but some actors are wasted (Ray Bolger & Margaret Hamilton). It feels like the producers had access to these people and tried any way they could to fit them into the production, unfortunately at the expense of good pacing. If you are a Rankin/Bass completist, then pick this up, you won't be disappointed. Otherwise for most of us it will make a decent rental. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Boris Karloff Is The Main Attraction
In DICK TRACY MEETS GRUESOME the famous detective is able to trick Gruesome by placing a false story in the newspapers about another criminal who is going to squeal on Gruesome. Boris Karloff plays the part of Gruesome and he dominates the movie. Ralph Byrd has the role of Dick Tracy and Anne Gwynne is Tess Truehart.

The film was a big success for a "B" movie in both the United States and in Great Britain.

Dick Tracy takes on Gruesom Boris Karloff
In "Dick Tracy Meets Gruesome," the 1947 RKO film based on Chester Gould's comic strip detective, Ralph Byrd and Boris Karloff play the title characters. L. E. Thal (Edward Ashley), a disreputable doctor, gains possession of a gas, which temporarily paralyzes people. Gruesome uses the gas to stage a daring bank robbery, but the crime is witnessed by Tess Truehart (Anne Gwynne) who calls Tracy. At that point the entire affair becomes standard cops and robbers, although I have to admit that Karloff steals every scene from the hero. Director John Rawlins creates a serial-style with a series of episodes of varying degrees of excitement until the climax. It just seems to be that Gruesome does not look that, well, gruesome. Given all the times they insisted on burying the actor beneath makeup, it is rather ironic that there do not put much on Karloff to play "Gruesome."

Will Dick Tracy be a match for Boris Karloff? Yes, BUT...
In "Dick Tracy Meets Gruesome," the 1947 RKO film based on Chester Gould's comic strip detective, Ralph Byrd and Boris Karloff play the title characters. L. E. Thal (Edward Ashley), a disreputable doctor, gains possession of a gas, which temporarily paralyzes people. Gruesome uses the gas to stage a daring bank robbery, but the crime is witnessed by Tess Truehart (Anne Gwynne) who calls Tracy. At that point the entire affair becomes standard cops and robbers, although I have to admit that Karloff steals every scene from the hero. Director John Rawlins creates a serial-style with a series of episodes of varying degrees of excitement until the climax. It just seems to be that Gruesome does not look that, well, gruesome. Given all the times they insisted on burying the actor beneath makeup, it is rather ironic that there do not put much on Karloff to play "Gruesome."

1940's Nostalgia
Boris Karloff certainly looks the part as the recently released convict named Gruesome. The nerve gas story is corny as is the bank robbery scene especially when one bloke is frozen just as he is about to sneeze. Ralph Byrd returns as Dick Tracy and he later starred in the early 50's TV series. People who are familiar with the B movies of the 1940's will recognise character actors Milton Parsons and Skelton Knaggs as a professor and his assistant respectively. If you feel like going on a nostalgia trip watch this. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

"This is another fine mess you've gotten me into!"
Vincent Price and Peter Lorre were the Laurel & Hardy of horror films. Their by-play in this film and in THE RAVEN and TALES OF TERROR is priceless (sorry). And when you add Boris Karloff to the mix, you suddenly have Moe, Larry and Curly, with Basil Rathbone more-than-ably filling in the Vernon Dent/Bud Jamison role.

Why all this comedy name-dropping? Simply to underscore the fact that this is a classic comedy. "Why did I ever escape from prison?" mourns Lorre when forced into another murderous midnight recruitment venture for their undertaking establishment. "It was so nice and peaceful!" And watch Vincent's face as he suddenly wipes off his hands when giving Lorre a leg-up, growling, "What DID you step in? Wipe your feet, for pity's sake!"

Watch Boris' graphic maunderings about Egyptian mummification processes ("they yank out the brain with a hook!") at the dinner table and the excellent, underrated Joyce Jameson's grossed-out reactions. Watch Basil's oh-so-superior sneers as he threatens to evict Vincent & Co. in orotund dialogue worthy of a Snidely Whiplash meller-drammer. Watch the dead Rathbone return to life again. . .and again . . .and again . . . and again . . .and again, with Vincent's facial reactions getting broader each time. Watch Lorre carry on with the shapely Jameson as the romantic lead (that alone is worth the price of admission!)

The film's comic premise is richly endowed with black humor, put-downs, slapstick, a frenetic, prolonged chase, and a first-rate cast that makes the most of every line, pratfall and bit of business ("time for your medicine, old man!") Watch and enjoy.

"What Place Is This?"
This is a hilarious movie! I love it. Vincent Price plays an undertaker, as he has taken over his father-in-law's business. Peter Lorre plays his assistant, Boris Karloff plays the hard of hearing father-in-law, & Basil Rathbone wants the rent money. And of course there is Rhubarb (the cat) playing the role of Cleopatra! Oh, & you may want to wear ear plugs during the singing! Yikes! And just when you think everyone is dead, well you thought wrong! You have to see it to know what I'm getting at.

Brrrrr!
This movie is a great.
Vincent Price, Peter Lorre, Boris KArloff, and last but not least, BASIL RATHBONE star in this hilarious black comedy about two aspiring undertakers who are having trouble getting customers, so they kill people just so they can give them a funeral. This movie had me laughin so hard I was crying, especially the part where Basil Rathbone chases Peter Lorre out of his house, quoting lines from Macbeth all the while. And who could forget the utter disgust on Vincent Price's face as he cries in absolute horror "What did you STEP in?!?"Absolutely hilarious.

Classic Video Fun!
This is a great movie if you like to see the classic horror stars letting their hair down.
There's nothing serious in this film but the fun.
Vincent Price and Peter Lorre are the center of attention with Boris Karloff and Basil Rathbone playing the comedy role you never expected to see.
The sets are 1960's B movie stuff, but it just adds to the atmosphere.
If you're looking for something entertaining to watch on movie night this is one to put in the lineup.
I got this and "The Raven" at the same time. Both are funny!

Drunk again, huh?
I LOVE this film!! Vincent Price is just hysterical as the undertaker who needs to drum up some business, Peter Lorre is great as the assistant, Basil Rathbone is the landlord who wants his year's rent, and Boris Karloff just can't hear a thing. "What? Sugar?? There ya go!" Basil just keeps on coming back to life, quoting from "Hamlet" as he goes along, and Peter Lorre laments about his dear Annabel. Joyce Jamison is Annabel, who is Felix Gillie's love interest. Annabel is married to Waldo (Vincent Price) and Boris Karloff is her father. The funeral speech by Karloff is just priceless. Needless to say, as soon as Rathbone's character is buried we hear: "What place is this??" Great. If you haven't seen this movie yet, YOU HAVE TO!! And I agree with the comment: "Where is the DVD??" Get with it MGM, we still need this one and The Raven, and The Tomb of Ligeia....I have to finish my Vincent Price DVD collection! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

The best of Boris Karloff's final low-budget horror films
"Dance of Death" begins with the relatives of a recently deceased man meeting at his castle for a reading of the will. At the castle they meet a sinister man played by Boris Karloff. Besides playing the piano, he makes murderous toys which he uses to bump off the heirs one by one. "Dance of Death," known variously as "House of Evil" and "Macabre Serenade," is one of the four films Boris Karloff made more Mexican producer Luis Vergara. Because of his emphysema, all of Karloff's scenes for the four films were shot in Hollywood during a five-week period in 1968 before the crews returned to Mexico to complete the films. This film, directed by Jack Hill and Juan Ibanez, was the only one of the four released in 1968, the rest emerged in 1971. While this is a bad movie it is certainly the best of the quartet. However, you should go check out one of Karloff's lesser known horror films from the 1930s, like "The Ghoul" instead.

A Sad Farewell
"Dance of Death" is one of Boris Karloff's last films and it's a depressing experience. Those who ridicule Bela Lugosi for his final appearances in Ed Wood films should take a look at this shabby Mexican production. It's hard to believe, but Karloff sunk even lower than Lugosi when he agreed to appear in this exploitation trash. He needn't have bothered. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Boris Karloff Is The Main Attraction
In DICK TRACY MEETS GRUESOME the famous detective is able to trick Gruesome by placing a false story in the newspapers about another criminal who is going to squeal on Gruesome. Boris Karloff plays the part of Gruesome and he dominates the movie. Ralph Byrd has the role of Dick Tracy and Anne Gwynne is Tess Truehart.

The film was a big success for a "B" movie in both the United States and in Great Britain.

Dick Tracy takes on Gruesom Boris Karloff
In "Dick Tracy Meets Gruesome," the 1947 RKO film based on Chester Gould's comic strip detective, Ralph Byrd and Boris Karloff play the title characters. L. E. Thal (Edward Ashley), a disreputable doctor, gains possession of a gas, which temporarily paralyzes people. Gruesome uses the gas to stage a daring bank robbery, but the crime is witnessed by Tess Truehart (Anne Gwynne) who calls Tracy. At that point the entire affair becomes standard cops and robbers, although I have to admit that Karloff steals every scene from the hero. Director John Rawlins creates a serial-style with a series of episodes of varying degrees of excitement until the climax. It just seems to be that Gruesome does not look that, well, gruesome. Given all the times they insisted on burying the actor beneath makeup, it is rather ironic that there do not put much on Karloff to play "Gruesome."

Will Dick Tracy be a match for Boris Karloff? Yes, BUT...
In "Dick Tracy Meets Gruesome," the 1947 RKO film based on Chester Gould's comic strip detective, Ralph Byrd and Boris Karloff play the title characters. L. E. Thal (Edward Ashley), a disreputable doctor, gains possession of a gas, which temporarily paralyzes people. Gruesome uses the gas to stage a daring bank robbery, but the crime is witnessed by Tess Truehart (Anne Gwynne) who calls Tracy. At that point the entire affair becomes standard cops and robbers, although I have to admit that Karloff steals every scene from the hero. Director John Rawlins creates a serial-style with a series of episodes of varying degrees of excitement until the climax. It just seems to be that Gruesome does not look that, well, gruesome. Given all the times they insisted on burying the actor beneath makeup, it is rather ironic that there do not put much on Karloff to play "Gruesome."

1940's Nostalgia
Boris Karloff certainly looks the part as the recently released convict named Gruesome. The nerve gas story is corny as is the bank robbery scene especially when one bloke is frozen just as he is about to sneeze. Ralph Byrd returns as Dick Tracy and he later starred in the early 50's TV series. People who are familiar with the B movies of the 1940's will recognise character actors Milton Parsons and Skelton Knaggs as a professor and his assistant respectively. If you feel like going on a nostalgia trip watch this. ... Read more

Reviews (19)

Boris Karloff and an Egyptian gem that grants immortality
A valuable gem known as "The Eternal Light" is stolen from a Egyptian tomb and ends up in the possession of Professor Morlant (Boris Karloff). The Professor is dying, but believes the powers of the ancient Egyptian gods will give him immortality through the gem. Before he dies, Morlant tells his servant, Laing (Ernest Thesiger) to bind the gem in his hand when he is dead. He also warns Laing that if the jewel is stolen, he will rise from the dead and seek revenge. Of course, Laing steals the gem after Morlant's death and as the professor's heirs and others arrive at the estate to search for the jewel, the Professor rises from his tomb.

"The Ghoul" was really the first major horror film produced in England and obviously tries to follow-up on his previous success in Universal's "The Mummy." A rather simple tale that moves too slow for the most part, the film does show that even when his makeup is relatively simple, there is something about the way Karloff stares and the way he walks that is more suggestive of the dead than the living. Directed in 1933 by T. Hayes Hunter, the film features future Knights of the Empire Cedric Hardwicke and Ralph Richardson. Based on the novel and play by Dr. Frank King and Leonard J. Hines, "The Ghoul" was actually remade as a comedy in 1962 called "No Place Like Homicide!" with Philip O'Flynn of the Carry On gang in the Karloff role.

Boris is great, but ...
... this British horror film shot in March/April of 1933 and released in October of that same year isn't quite up to snuff. Karloff plays Egyptologist Professor Morlant, who believes that, if at the first full moon following his death, his soul brings a jewel called The Eternal Light to the god Anubis, he will be rewarded with eternal life. When Morlant dies, the jewel is bandaged to his left hand and his body is entombed with the statute of Anubis.

But his servant (played by Ernest Thesiger, later of "Bride of Frankenstein") steals the jewel and, when Morlant awakes (the shot of his arm reaching straight up into the air from the sarcophagus is most striking) and finds the jewel missing, he breaks out of his grave, murdering a few people (I think - the way the strangulation scenes are shot, Karloff's efforts seem weak, and after awhile the victims get back up again) until he finds his jewel.

Karloff isn't allowed many lines or chances to redeem this minor picture. His character dies quickly in the beginning (though his death scene is impressive, with the actor's pantomime skills and broken speech well suggestive of a dying man, not to mention a great-looking make-up job), so you never get to know him. Once he comes back to life, he utters not a word, just staggers around chasing after his jewel.

There is a running attempt at humor in the form of a female friend of the heroine, who is fascinated by an Arab who also wants to lay his hands on The Eternal Light. He orders her around and she loves it, but the scenes and the humor stick out like a sore thumb and lack the amusing touch of director James Whale ("The Ghoul" was directed by T. Hayes Hunter, whom several in the cast apparently disliked).

As Paul Jensen notes in his book, "Boris Karloff and His Films", "The Ghoul" merely becomes "a variation on the familiar reading-of-the-will eccentric household, non-supernatural melodrama" and not a very memorable one at that. One does, however, get to see a VERY young Sir Ralph Richardson - he plays the local vicar, Nigel Hartley, who has his own interest in the jewel.

Only for die-hard Karloff fans - like myself.

Enjoyable British chiller
"The ghoul" is a pleasant horror movie without being a masterpiece. This British chiller tells the story of a professor of Egyptology (Boris Karloff) who is in possession of a mysterious jewel called "the eternal light". When the professor dies, the jewel is stolen by his servant (Ernest Thesiger). The professor will step out from his grave for revenge. The atmosphere of this film is most of the time enjoyable, but unfortunately it becomes too talky sometimes. Karloff is very impressive as a walking dead. The first minutes just before he dies are particulary thrilling. Foggy London adds to the general impression of mystery. And of course there is Ernest Thesiger who gives a great performance. Two years later he will be the excentric and diabolical Dr. Pretorius in "Brides of Frankenstein"! The direction of T.Hayes Hunter is perhaps too academic and we're missing the touch of Universal studios. It would have been a nice subject for film directors like Tod Browning or James Whale.
The quality of this DVD is very good - don't forget the film was made in 1933. I can only recommand this rarely seen horror movie from Great Britain.

Not the Czech print
Despite what previous reviewers have said, this DVD of The Ghoul is NOT from the print that turned up in Eastern Europe in the late '60's. The person put in charge of making the DVD was told to see what he could do with it. He made a few cursory calls just to cover the bases, including a call to the British Film Institute. Turns out that they were sitting on a copy that had not been screened in decades. It is overuse of a copy of a film that gives it the "beat" look; it we could take a first generation copy print of Frankenstein today, it could in theory look this good without a total overall. The print was so good that a typical transfer looked like it was made yesterday.

The Ghoul dates from a time when the studios had not yet wholeheartedly committed to making supernatural horror. They felt that audiences needed a final logical explanation to buy into it. The Universal films of the 30's turned that tide around, but this movie was still not fully into that realm. So if you go in expecting a super shock, you will be disappointed. However, if you like atmosphere and good acting, and want to see an amazing transfer of a 30's movie that looks like it was filmed yesterday, look no further. The plusses outweigh the minuses in this case.

Dead on Arrival
I've tried watching this movie over the years and found it boring,cold and so confusing that I could never understand what was happening. With this new DVD, I decided to give it another chance. Verdict: it's just as boring, cold and confusing as before. Technically, it looks great. Wonderful shadows and lighting. But this film moves soooooo slow. And poor Boris Karloff. He does what he can in the role of the glaring, stumbling old ghoul but he acts embarassed by the whole stunt. Great Britian simply didn't have the know-how in the early thirties to make a great horror flick like those being turned out by Universal. Don't waste your time on this one. Watch the l932 "The Mummy" instead to see how a real classic looks. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Boris Karloff as the secret leader of a zombie/snake cult
The natives on Coaibi Island are being terrorized by an evil snake cult. While some are scarified to the poisonous snake of Kalaea (Tongolele) the Reptile Woman, others are turned into zombies by the mysterious Damballah. Police Captain Labiche (Rafael Bertrand) investigates the cult and questions wealthy landowner Karl Van Molder (Boris Karloff), whose niece Anabella (Julissa) is kidnapped by the cult. You will never guess who the mysterious Damballah ends up being...

"La Muerte Viviente," known variously as "The Snake People," "Cult of the Dead" and "Isle of the Living Dead," is one of the four films Boris Karloff made more Mexican producer Luis Vergara. Because of his emphysema, all of Karloff's scenes for the four films were shot in Hollywood during a five-week perio