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…has a lot going for it, if you are willing to take it on its own terms. Like Gaston Leroux’s original novel, the 1943 film with Claude Rains, and the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, this version emphasises the tragic love story angle not the horror one. It should be noted that the original Lon ChaneyContinue reading “PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (1962): Much Maligned Hammer Version…”

No redeeming qualities is how you would describe the character of Baron Frankenstein in this 5th entry in the series and that takes it down in my estimation. This is a return to the original characterization in 1957’s THE CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN after years of Peter Cushing gradually developing the character into the role ofContinue reading “FRANKENSTEIN MUST BE DESTROYED (1969) Has Few Redeeming Qualities”

1973’s FRANKENSTEIN & THE MONSTER FROM HELL is the final installment in Hammer’s long running FRANKENSTEIN series which created a revolution in horror films back in 1957 by introducing color with THE CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN. Between these two titles were 5 other films ranging from first class (1967’s FRANKENSTEIN CREATED WOMAN – the title beingContinue reading “FRANKENSTEIN & THE MONSTER FROM HELL (1974): The End Of The Line”

That was the title given to a British collection of Edgar Allan Poe’s short stories that was published in 1902 and it has been with us ever since. It is also a perfect phrase for describing Roger Corman’s 8 movie adaptations of Poe that he did in the early 1960s for American International Pictures. TheContinue reading “HOUSE OF USHER / PIT & THE PENDULUM: “Tales Of Mystery & Imagination””

THE BLUE BIRD is based on an allegorical fantasy by the Belgian poet & playwright Maurice Maeterlinck (PELLEAS & MELISANDE), a leading member of the Symbolist movement. This story of two children searching for the Blue Bird of Happiness made its debut on stage in 1908 to great success. It was a made into aContinue reading “THE BLUE BIRD (1940): Fond Memories Despite Its Shortcomings”

This version is a remake of the 1924 Douglas Fairbanks silent epic that was a benchmark for cinematic fantasy in its day. While the central figure is the same, there are big changes in the characters and the events that take place. The biggest difference is the inclusion of the genie of the lamp andContinue reading “THE THIEF OF BAGDAD: The 1940 Version”

As I continue working my way through several old style horror films of the 1950s and 60s, I just have to weigh in on this double feature which I found to be among the best of the many retro horror twofers that are out there on the market. I somehow managed to miss both ofContinue reading “IT! / SHUTTERED ROOM: Eccentric Horror Double Bill Makes For Fascinating Viewing”

Warner Brothers, trying to compete with MGM/Fox’s MIDNITE MOVIE series, began releasing a number of DVDs of Sci-Fi/Horror/Cult films from the 1950s and 60s. The Sci-Fi and the Cult Camp Classic series are still with us but the Horror Double Features are now available only as individual DVD-Rs. The presentations are bare bones (not evenContinue reading “CHAMBER OF HORRORS / BRIDES OF FU MANCHU: Another Eccentric Horror Combo From Warner Brothers”

Hammer Fillms was adrift in the late 1960s. 1969 to be exact with MOON ZERO TWO and in 1970 with WHEN DINOSAURS RULED THE EARTH. You have no doubt noticed the outrageous asking price for this single no frills DVD. This is because of the scarcity of the item. Originally issued as part of WarnerContinue reading “MOON ZERO TWO / WHEN DINOSAURS RULED THE EARTH Is An Eccentric Sci-Fi Double Bill From Hammer Films”

To anyone who hung out at the drive-ins in the early 1960s or watched late night TV later in the decade, most of the titles in this 8 movie 4 disc collection will bring back fond memories. Crown International specialized in cheap fare for the drive-in crowd. Compared to them, American International was MGM butContinue reading “THE RETURN OF CROWN INTERNATIONAL”