KARLOFF & LUGOSI HORROR CLASSICS: Great For Fans Of The Horror Icons And A Chance To See Kay Kyser & His Band In Their Prime

When this set first appeared in 2009, it fulfilled a long standing need for a decent print of one of Boris Karloff’s best 1930s non-Universal horror films. That movie was THE WALKING DEAD made for Warner Brothers in 1936 by Michael Curtiz just before he hit the big time with THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD.Continue reading “KARLOFF & LUGOSI HORROR CLASSICS: Great For Fans Of The Horror Icons And A Chance To See Kay Kyser & His Band In Their Prime”

THE THING THAT COULDN’T DIE (1958): Too Little, Too Late

By 1958 the Golden Age of the American B movie, especially those in the horror and sci-fi genres, was all but over. At Universal-International, THE THING THAT COULDN’T DIE represented a last ditch effort. It was shot in less than two weeks on the back lot and was intended as a shorter companion piece toContinue reading “THE THING THAT COULDN’T DIE (1958): Too Little, Too Late”

THE HAUNTED STRANGLER: At Age 70, Boris Karloff Could Still Deliver The Goods

Having completed the British TV series COLONEL MARCH (1952-1956), Boris Karloff was approached by writer Jan Read to do a screenplay he had written for the actor called STRANGLEHOLD. Karloff read the script and readily agreed as it gave him the opportunity to continue working in England. American producer Richard Gordon set up Amalgamated ProductionsContinue reading “THE HAUNTED STRANGLER: At Age 70, Boris Karloff Could Still Deliver The Goods”

WHISTLE AT EATON FALLS: Long Lost Labor Docu-Drama Makes A Triumphant Return

THE WHISTLE AT EATON FILES (1951) is a real time capsule of turn of the 20th century America and that is its greatest asset. Shot almost entirely in the town of Portsmouth, NH and a couple of other New England locations, it gives us the look and feel of what is was like back then.Continue reading “WHISTLE AT EATON FALLS: Long Lost Labor Docu-Drama Makes A Triumphant Return”

REPEAT PERFORMANCE: In Praise Of Eagle-Lion Films

It has been over 70 years since the last Eagle-Lion film was made and the company was quickly forgotten as almost all of their movies became public domain property. Thanks to the recent renewed interest in American Film Noir, the company has been resurrected and several of their best titles are now available in qualityContinue reading “REPEAT PERFORMANCE: In Praise Of Eagle-Lion Films”

RARITIES FROM RENOWN PICTURES

Of the nine films featured in this collection, I had only seen two (TROLLENBERG TERROR, BLOOD OF THE VAMPIRE) and read about two others (HOUSE IN MARSH ROAD, CURSE OF THE WRAYDONS). The remaining five movies I had never heard of which isn’t surprising as they weren’t shown on American TV until recently. There areContinue reading “RARITIES FROM RENOWN PICTURES”

DEAD RECKONING: Pretty Good Noir Let Down By Rambling Screenplay

My wife and I have recently been working our way through the films of Lizabeth Scott, one of our favorite Noir actresses, starting with our personal favorite THE LOVE OF MARTHA IVERS. Others we have viewed include STOLEN FACE, TOO LATE FOR TEARS, PITFALL, DARK CITY, and now DEAD RECKONING. Of that group, we foundContinue reading “DEAD RECKONING: Pretty Good Noir Let Down By Rambling Screenplay”

THE MECHANIC (1972): Flawed But Fascinating Charles Bronson Flick

THE MECHANIC is the best of the 6 movies that Charles Bronson made with director Michael Winner. They were filmed between 1972 and 1985. It was the second film made right after CHATO’S LAND and just before THE STONE KILLER (1973). The notorious and wildly successful DEATH WISH (it spawned two sequels) would follow aContinue reading “THE MECHANIC (1972): Flawed But Fascinating Charles Bronson Flick”

THE BRASHER DOUBLOON: 1947 Philip Marlowe B Movie Is Pretty Good

I love Philip Marlowe movies. I especially love those from the 1940s when Raymond Chandler was still new and the Marlowe character was a hot property. Dick Powell got it started in 1944 for RKO with MURDER, MY SWEET (changed from FAREWELL MY LOVELY so his 1930s fans wouldn’t think it was a musical). It’sContinue reading “THE BRASHER DOUBLOON: 1947 Philip Marlowe B Movie Is Pretty Good”

THE TELL-TALE HEART Is A Forgotten Gem That Should Be Better Known

I first saw THE TELL-TALE HEART in the mid 1960s on one of those ubiquitous late night horror shows. In my hometown of Greenville SC. It was called INFERNO with the tagline “The meeting place of the Supernatural AND the Unknown”. The print was rather murky but several scenes stood out such as the murderContinue reading “THE TELL-TALE HEART Is A Forgotten Gem That Should Be Better Known”