B-Movie DVD Recommendations

[skuhn8]

Trying to put together a newbie's primer to horror at DeepDiscount and so far have City of the Dead and Hollywood's Legends of Horror Collection thanks to the goings on over at the Monsters/Madmen thread.

But I have a question regarding the transfers on this Val Lewton box set. On DVDBeaver the Warner edition, despite being described as a truly black and white film, has that greenish tinge that so many older FoxLorber discs used to sport (i.e. their breathless). Am I just not viewing this properly? Has anyone else got anything to say about these transfers now that the early glow of acquisition has worn off? I read the comments on the thread and their was some criticism of print damage and earlier on packaging.

What other essential titles at budget prices would you recommend? Anyone check out the House of Wax/Mystery of the Wax Museum double bill dvd? It's $7 at DeepDiscount.

[Scharphedin2]

Skuhn, I have been through the Lewton set recently, and I was blown away (then again, I am less technically exacting than most forum members). There are a few marks of damage here and there on most of the titles, but I did not see anything wrong with the transfers -- nothing that detracted from my viewing pleasure in any event.

Like you, I have not made a great study of the deeper levels of the Hollywood horror dungeons. I am very happy with Freaks, and in the spirit of the M&M thread, I think the Universal Legacy Collection series (Dracula, Frankenstein, Invisible Man, Wolfman, Mummy, Creature From Black Lagoon) are excellent value for the money, and certainly essential old school Hollywood horror flicks.

However, if like me, you have considered actually descending into the real catacombs, why not go all out and throw the technical criterions of excellence out the window. Take a thrawl through the Image, Alpha and VCI titles on offer (this is easily done at the DVDEmpire site). Tons of dirt cheap movies that fits this category, and you can actually find titles that look very nice (the City of Dead disc probably being the shining example). Post the titles of the ones that you think look interesting here on the site, and see if anyone have comments. I mean, it is hard to resist titles like: The Phantom Creeps, My Son the Vampire, Haunted House, Teenage Wolfpack, White Gorilla, The Beast of Yucca Flats, Devil Girls From Mars, The Monster Maker, She Gods of Shark Reef, Devil Bat's Daughter and The Strangler of the Swamp. Less than perfect prints and transfers almost would seem to add to the attractiveness of such titles. I have never seen any of these, but I know I can't rest until I have.

[skuhn8]

Crappy quality picture never adds anything for me, especially when they're being projected. And I don't think this fits into a Magnificent Amerberson scenario where we got to take what we can get because the movie is just so damn important.

At this point, given a choice between a great horror film with extras and excellent pic quality and a great horror film with a shitty pic and nothing, I'll take the former. I'm just dipping my toe in the water here. This whole thing was fueled by the price point discussion, what great material you can get for $6 or under type thing. And lo and behold, it looks like this is absolutely the case.

Nice list of titles. Have you personally seen those listed? What do you recommend most?

[Ornette]

You'll find most of the Image, Alpha and VCI titles a few bucks cheaper at DVD Pacific, plus cheaper shipping. I've never had a single problem with them during the years that I've been shopping from them and their customer service is also very friendly and helpful. They also write down the value on their packages.

[skuhn8]

You'll find most of the Image, Alpha and VCI titles a few bucks cheaper at DVD Pacific, plus cheaper shipping. I've never had a single problem with them during the years that I've been shopping from them and their customer service is also very friendly and helpful. They also write down the value on their packages.

I tried to use them but they put up such a barrier regarding my US credit card (I'm temporarily based in Hungary) that I finally gave up and am happily giving my meager custom to other purveyors of versatile discs of the digital variety.

[Mr Sausage]

Well, why not derail the thread just a bit further:

If you're looking to get into old horror, aside from the stuff already mentioned, you should definitely get Universal's The Bela Lugosi Collection and The Boris Karloff Collection. They're very cheap and come packed with great entertainment and decent transfers. Devil worshippers, live flayings, whole rooms dedicated to Edgar Allen Poe torture instruments, glowing hands that kill, bald and club-footed executioners, hypnosis, alligator pits--you can't go wrong. Finally, Columbia's Boris Karloff: Icons of Horror collection is another must have. I was extremely surprised at the quality of the transfers. The movies are all top notch too, from Karloff playing twin brothers (then playing one twin who is playing the other twin) to Karloff and Peter Lorre running around trying to make supermen out of travelling salesmen and repeatedly failing--it's stunning the comic timing these two have. My new impossible cinematic dream is to see Karloff and Lorre in the same roles going out and solving mysteries each week, in their own inept and ludicrous way.

And just to move slightly more on topic: buy the Lewton box, it's essential and looks quite good, although I must echo an earlier sentiment and say that when it comes to old horror I don't mind a poor transfer. The grain, the softness, the crackle and hiss of the soundtrack--there is nothing more appropriate, nor more mood enhancing, for an old horror film. It's almost requisite at least once.

[skuhn8]

Thanks for the input. Is there a better thread to continue this discussion on? More general. A B-movie thread not confined to horror but cheesy sci-fi as well?

[Mr Sausage]

Thanks for the input. Is there a better thread to continue this discussion on? More general. A B-movie thread not confined to horror but cheesy sci-fi as well?

There is now.

[manicsounds]

try some MGM Midnite Movies double bills for some cheesy AIP B-movie fun.

[ltfontaine]

Has anyone else got anything to say about these transfers now that the early glow of acquisition has worn off? I read the comments on the thread and their was some criticism of print damage and earlier on packaging.

It would have been swell if Warners had coughed up for full restorations of these great films, but as it is the prints and transfers rate a solid B+, though quality varies minimally from one title to the next. I do not perceive the "greenish tinge" you mention. Apart from that of Robert Wise, whose presentation is a bit dull if intermittently informative, the commentaries are well informed and engaging.

At the end of the day, this set is among the most richly satisfying collections I own. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it with enthusiasm.