Warner Archive Collection have been releasing classic horror tales on Blu-ray for quite a while now. Now just in time for Halloween season, in case you missed these individual Blu-ray releases, Warner Archive has bundled some horror classics in one set. This new Blu-ray set is entitled Hollywood Legends of Horror Collection. Take a look at the films included in this set.
Movie Rating:
****=Don’t Miss it!
***=Worth a look.
**=An Ok way to spend some time.
*=You haven’t missed anything.
Doctor X (1932) A New York City reporter Lee Taylor (Lee Tracy) who is doing a piece on a series of grisly, cannibalistic murders that have all been committed under a full moon. Police soon begin to suspect that the murderer works at the lab of Dr. Jerry Xavier, a mysterious researcher who is doing an investigation of his own. ***
The Mask of Fu Manchu (1932) Boris Karloff takes one his most celebrated cinematics turn as the diabolical fiend Dr. Fu Manchu, and Myrna Loy plays his exotic daughter in this 1932 cult horror classic. This time, the evil Fu Manchu patiently awaits the discovery of Genghis Khan's tomb. For he is certain that possession of Khan's mask and sword will enable him to rule the East and lead it to victory over the hated Western world. When British scientists in the Gobi Desert discover the tomb, Fu captures and tortures them in his elaborate Torture Garden, hoping they will take him to the treasure he craves. But an unexpected traitor has other plans for the doctor. Based on Sax Rohmer's original story "The Mask of Fu Manchu" is "fast moving and humorous" (Halliwell's Film Guide) and full of pre-code suspenseful horror. ***
Mark of the Vampire (1935) In a remote village in Central Europe, a nobleman's body is found drained of it's blood and with two small punctures on the neck-the Mark of the Vampire. An ancient terror, a horror that won't die, haunts the village: the long undead Count Mora (Bela Lugosi, Dracula) and his daughter, Luna (Carroll Borland, Scalps), rule the night. But the vampires have not fed on the people of the village for a very long time. Now, with the help of an expert in the occult, Professor Zelen (Lionel Barrymore, it's a Wonderful Life), and local Baron Otto (Jean Hersholt, Heidi), police inspector Neumann (Lionel Atwill, Doctor X) unearths a mystery far stranger and more terrifying than anyone could have imagined! ***
Mad Love (1935) Yvonne Orlac (Frances Drake) is a theater actress married to concert pianist Stephen (Colin Clive). She has big plans to quit acting and tour with Stephen. Dr. Gogol (Peter Lorre) is her biggest fan and is totally upset with her decision. In a horrific accident Stephen's hands are destroyed. The great surgeon Dr. Gogol comes to Yvonne's rescue and replaces Stephen's hands. Only thing it is with the hands of a knife-wielding murderer and soon, Stephen's new hands develop a mind of their own. ***
The Devil-Doll (1936) Paul Lavond (Lionel Barrymore) is a wrongfully accused escaped convict who uses a mad scientist shrinking serum to create tiny people. He then disguises himself as a kindly old lady running a toy store, so he can secretly send his tiny assassins out to exact a terrifying revenge on the men who framed him. ***
The Return of Doctor X (1939) In a bizarre but fascinating bit of casting, Humphrey Bogart stars as a vampire in his only horror film role. After a murderous doctor is executed, he is revived with human blood--and soon people with that blood type begin to disappear. When an eager reporter stumbles across a popular actress who was thought to be dead, he can't help noticing that her skin is unnaturally pale and that she keeps her face concealed beneath a long black veil. Suspecting that evil is afoot, he investigates the terrifying world of a psychotic doctor (Bogart) and is drawn into a series of unsolved murders. ***
These six horror classics have been transferred to Blu-ray in 1080p and these films are presented in their original aspect ratio 1.37:1. The audio tracks are English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono. Finally, there is the option for English Subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing.
When you think that these films are approaching a century old and you watch these new restorations, and Blu-ray transfers it is mind blowing how good they look. Especially when you think other films around the same age are destroyed. But beautiful restorations are not all that these discs have going for them. These discs have bonus features. take a look at the bonus features included on these discs.
Doctor X Bonus Feature:
* Alternate B&W version
* “Doctor X” theatrical trailer
* “Doctor X: Before and After Restoration Reel” with comments by Scott MacQueen.
* 2 commentary tracks. One by author/film historian Alan K. Rode and the other by UCLA Film and Television Archive preservationist Scott MacQueen.
* “Madness And Mystery: The Horror Films Of Michael Curtiz”- An almost 30 minute featurette.
The Return of Doctor X Bonus Features:
* Archival commentary by director Vincent Sherman and Author/Film Historian Dr. Steve Haberman. A commentary that Sherman recorded at the age of 99.
* Classic WB cartoons:
- Doggone Modern (1939) Two curious puppies visit a model home with all the modern inventions. There is even a robot maid that sweeps up anything that touches the floor.
- Porky's Hotel (1939) A goat with gout checks into a hotel run by Porky for a rest. An annoying duck child prevents that rest with his endless talking and chasing after a fly with a hammer.
* Original Theatrical Trailer
Mark of the Vampire Bonus Features:
* An insightful audio commentary by Kim Newman and Stephen Jones
* Short A Thrill for Thelma (1935) A young girl, desires a life of luxury, so she decides to takes the "easy way", and winds up in jail.
* Cartoon The Calico Dragon (1935) A little girl falls asleep, her doll rides off on a horse to battle a three-headed, singing calico dragon.
* Theatrical Trailer
The Mask of Fu Manchu Bonus Features:
* Commentary by Greg Mank
* Classic Black and White Cartoons
- Freddy the Freshman (1932) Raccoon coat-clad Freddy "the freshest kid in town" is "big man on campus". He crashes a college pep rally, and then becomes the star of the big football game.
- The Queen was in the Parlor (1932) When the king returns to the castle, he is surprised to find that the queen is in the parlor and won't see anyone.
Mad Love Bonus Features:
* Audio Commentary by film historian Steve Haberman
* Theatrical Trailer
Devil Doll Bonus Features:
* New feature commentary by Film Historian Dr. Steve Haberman and Filmmaker/Film Historian Constantin Nasr
* Classic WB Cartoons
- Milk and Money (1936) Porky's family are going to lose their farm, so Porky works a milk route, but is warned if he breaks a bottle he's fired.
- The Phantom Ship (1936) Uncle Beans and the kids visit a haunted ship named The Phantom. The ship is trapped in the ice and is thought to house a pirate treasure.
*Original Theatrical Trailer
Now as you can see the discs included in this collection is the exact discs that have been released previously. So, if you have already purchased these 6 Blu-rays before than there is really no need to buy this set.
For me I really love these collections. You get 6 Blu-ray movies in the space of one. This is perfect for massive physical media collectors that have limited space.
So, if you love classic horror films, this new Warner Archive Collection Blu-ray is a must own. Head over to MovieZyng or Amazon and order your copy. It will make perfect viewing for Halloween season.... ort any season for that matter.
Out of 4 films reels (4 being the best) Hollywood Legends of Horror Collection Blu-ray receives.....
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