Category Archives: Uncategorized

After writing and directing a string of hits for Paramount (THE LADY EVE, CHRISTMAS IN JULY, SULLIVAN’S TRAVELS, THE PALM BEACH STORY to name a few) and becoming the top comedy director of the 1940s, Preston Sturges’ career faded very quickly after he left that studio. Anxious to be an independent filmmaker, he signed withContinue reading “UNFAITHFULLY YOURS (1948): Preston Sturges’ Neglected Comic Masterpiece”

It’s really too bad about the print quality as COLONEL MARCH INVESTIGATES gives you the opportunity to see BK thoroughly enjoying himself portraying the one eyed Scotland Yard detective who heads up the one-man “Department Of Queer Complaints” (a name that certainly wouldn’t fly today). The overall tone is slightly humorous even though 3 murdersContinue reading “COLONEL MARCH INVESTIGATES (1952): Boris Karloff Is Great But The Print Quality Is Only So-So”

As a self proclaimed authority on silent films and as a Mary Pickford enthusiast who has written reviews for several of her movies, I was beyond surprised to realize that I had not composed a review of one of her greatest accomplishments. STELLA MARIS, released in January of 1918, features Pickford in dual roles asContinue reading “STELLA MARIS (1918): Mary Pickford’s Two Best Performances In One Movie”

If you read over the reviews for APPOINTMENT WITH DEATH you will discover that more people like it than dislike it but those that do, really dislike it. Although I align myself with the former, there are certain things that I don’t like and number one on that list is the score by Pino Donaggio.Continue reading “APPOINTMENT WITH DEATH (1988): Not Bad But It Could Have Been Better”

That antiquated phrase is the perfect description not only for its subject but for this new Blu-Ray set as well. After years and years of substandard prints especially in America, you can finally see Tod Slaughter in all his hand rubbing, lip smacking, fiendish cackling glory. For those of you who don’t know (mostly all ofContinue reading “TOD SLAUGHTER GETS HIS “JUST DESSERTS” AT LAST & IT’S ABOUT TIME”

The MR WONG series was not the first time that Boris Karloff had played an Asian character but it was the last. In 1932 he was the evil Fu Manchu for MGM and just before the WONG movies, he was a Chinese warlord in WEST OF SHANGHAI (1937) for Warner Brothers. He played detective JamesContinue reading “THE MR WONG COLLECTION (1938-1940): B Movie Mysteries With Boris Karloff”

I In the late 1960s after a long and productive career, Boris Karloff who was then in his late 70s and in poor health was asked if he planned to retire. His reply was “He who rests…rots! Not me. I plan to die in harness.” And that’s just what he did…almost. He died at 81 justContinue reading “THE BORIS KARLOFF COLLECTION (1968): His Last Cinematic Efforts & Definitely His Least”

BARON BLOOD was the only Mario Bava film that I saw in a movie theater during its initial run. That was in 1972. All of his other movies were either seen at a drive-in or on TV. It marked Bava’s return to his Italian Gothic roots which had begun with BLACK SUNDAY back in 1960Continue reading “BARON BLOOD (1972): Mario Bava Pays Tribute To Himself And To The 1953 HOUSE OF WAX”

Director Tod Browning has been well represented on DVD and Blu-Ray over the years. However that is mostly because of his star performers rather than for his name as a director. In addition to the ubiquitous DRACULA with Bela Lugosi, there are many collaborations with Lon Chaney. There are also his late Teens and earlyContinue reading “Tod Browning Triple Feature: FREAKS (1932) Gets The Criterion Treatment”

The AIP version of Mario Bava’s 1963 THREE FACES OF FEAR, renamed BLACK SABBATH, has recently been issued by KL Studio Classics This release features a high quality transfer but is not fully restored. No matter, it’s still nice to have Boris Karloff speaking in his own voice. The earlier Image and/or Anchor Bay editionsContinue reading “BLACK SABBATH (1963): KL’s Updated Release of the AIP Version”