Author Archives: chipkaufmann

Carl Theodor Dreyer’s VAMPYR has long been one of my favorite early horror films but until just a few years ago it was impossible to see it in a decent print. The old Image DVD had the best picture quality but was marred by black box subtitles in Gothic script. Still it was the bestContinue reading “VAMPYR (1932): Atmospheric Horror At Its Best”

ET MOURIR DE PLAISIR (And Die Of Pleasure) known in England and America as BLOOD AND ROSES is a remarkable little film from director Roger Vadim that was released in 1960. It is Vadim’s take on the classic female vampire novella CARMILLA by Sheridan Le Fanu which has been filmed many times most notably asContinue reading “BLOOD & ROSES (1960): The “Plaisir” Is All Mine”

TERROR IN THE CRYPT, which is what it is called here, is the same film that I first saw on TV back in 1965. It, not BLACK SUNDAY, was my very first exposure to the film genre known as Italian Gothic Cinema. Atmospheric music, moody black & white photography, 18th or 19th century settings, andContinue reading “TERROR IN THE CRYPT: This Version of CARMILLA Was My Introduction To Italian Gothic Cinema”

Watching an old interview with Ingrid Pitt recently (she died in 2010), I just had to weigh in on these two films especially THE VAMPIRE LOVERS as it had quite an impact on me when I first saw it in 1970. It was October of that year. I was a freshman at the University ofContinue reading “THE VAMPIRE LOVERS / COUNTESS DRACULA: Remembering Ingrid Pitt”

I have been collecting silent films on DVD for over 20 years and it’s very gratifying to see more titles from 1910-1920 become available on the home market. Case in point is this satisfying 1916 double bill from Kino Lorber starring Douglas Fairbanks 4 years before his breakthrough film, THE MARK OF ZORRO. I hadContinue reading “THE HALF BREED / THE GOOD BAD MAN (1916): Fairbanks Double Feature Is Satisfying & Gratifying”

For years we have only known the Douglas Fairbanks of the swashbucklers which has done this true pioneer of cinema a huge disservice. Some of it can be attributed to Doug himself who embraced his new swashbuckler image and wanted nothing to do with his contemporary comedy character. That combined with the virtual disappearance ofContinue reading “A MODERN MUSKETEER: This Douglas Fairbanks Set Is Absolutely Eye Opening”

…well, not quite. The way it was meant to be seen, of course, was up on a giant screen with a live orchestra performing full throttle. Then this larger than life fantasy would be transformed into a work of art. However this Cohen Group release of the Photoplay restoration is the next best thing. JustContinue reading “THE THIEF OF BAGDAD (1924): The Way It Was Meant To Be Seen…”

Having finally read Jeffrey Vance’s marvelous biography DOUGLAS FAIRBANKS, it made me realize that roughly half of his 1920s action-adventure films are available in recently restored editions. THE MARK OF ZORRO, THE THIEF OF BAGDAD, THE BLACK PIRATE, & THE IRON MASK have been given the deluxe home video treatment they deserve. What about THEContinue reading “THE GAUCHO (1927): Time For A New Restoration”

This has always been my favorite Douglas Fairbanks feature as well as one of my favorite silent films. It has everything. Comedy! Drama! Spectacle! Adventure! Pathos! And in this new restoration grand sweeping music from the John Williams of the silent film score, Carl Davis. For years this film was available in an abridged 1952Continue reading “THE IRON MASK Is The Swan Song Of The Silent Film”

The 1921 version of LITTLE LORD FAUNTLEROY was one of Mary Pickford’s biggest hits and it’s easy to see why. It features her in a dual role as the little lord and his mother giving her the opportunity to showcase her acting talent in two very different roles as well as letting us see theContinue reading “LITTLE LORD FAUNTLEROY (1921): The Ideal Introduction To Mary Pickford”