“The Master Of Horror In His Most Frightening Roles!” claims the DVD box cover. Of the 5 films here only TOWER OF LONDON is a bonafide classic. More about that later. THE CLIMAX is Boris’ first film in color (which clearly shows his East Indian heritage) while two others (THE STRANGE DOOR, THE BLACK CASTLE) are old school historical melodramas in which Karloff plays less sinister supporting roles. The final film, NIGHT KEY, while a nice change of pace allowing Boris to play the first of his grandfather roles, has no business being here at all. It’s a modest crime picture with nothing frightening about it at all except the fact that it was included in this set.
The discovery of Richard III’s skeleton should create new interest in TOWER OF LONDON. Now that we know that he had no withered arm and no serious hunchback, Basil Rathbone’s look for the much maligned monarch is spot on. His performance, while excellent, is in the grand Shakespearen tradition minus the Elizabethan dialogue. I was struck by the similarity between his plans to eliminate those standing in his way and those of Dennis Price in KIND HEARTS & CORONETS which is 10 years later. The entire film is a delight with Karloff playing his most unsympathetic role as club footed executioner Mord. The drinking scene between Rathbone and a young Vincent Price as Clarence is popular on You Tube.
These are not great films by any stretch of the imagination but they are very good ones which are well made in the best Old Hollywood tradition. There’s also the added bonus of Charles Laughton in THE STRANGE DOOR. If you like Boris Karloff then you’ll want this set to add to your collection but it’s worth having for the inclusion of TOWER OF LONDON and Basil Rathbone’s chilling, methodical portrayal of Richard III. He rarely had the opportunity of playing so plum a role and he makes the most of it.
The Capsule Critic 