Horrors! Scary Hammer films on DVD
"Icons of Horror Collection: Hammer Films" (Columbia, 1960-64, two discs, color and b/w, $24.96). England's Hammer studio specialized in horror and tried to shock audiences of the late '50s and early '60s by upping the ante for blood and sex often in garish color. But, as you might expect, it's all quite tame by today's standards. This set also boasts the presence of Hammer veterans Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing.
• "The Gorgon" (1964) Staid Peter Cushing and fiery Christopher Lee (playing older) square off in this terrific thriller about mythical Medusa coming to life and terrorizing a small village anyone who looks into her eyes turns to stone. Cushing, a doctor who runs an asylum, is complicit in covering up the killings; Lee is a professor who barges in halfway through the film to bring the mystery to light. Both stars are in especially good form. (DVD debut)
• "Scream of Fear" (1961, b/w) is a solid "Psycho"-ish thriller set in France with Susan Strasberg as a wheelchair-bound woman who returns to the family home after being away for 10 years. Her father is supposedly on a trip but when she begins to see his ghost the plot thickens. Christopher Lee plays the local doctor who may or may not be involved. Filled with atmosphere and excellent performances. (DVD debut)
• "The Curse of the Mummy's Tomb" (1964) This tale of an unearthed Egyptian mummy that kills those who have desecrated his tomb is a typically colorful Hammer production, but the script could have used more work. Capable cast helps. (Home-video debut)
• "The Two Faces of Dr. Jekyll" (1960) This over-the-top adaptation of "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" with the twist that Hyde is the handsome one is the weakest of this collection, undone by the silly performance of Paul Massie as the good doctor and his alter ego. Christopher Lee steals the show as the scalawag lover of Jekyll's wife. Look for Oliver Reed in a bit part. (DVD debut)
Extras: widescreen, trailers
"The Alice Faye Collection, Volume 2" (Fox, 1939-1944, five discs, b/w and color, $49.98). One of the great things about box sets of specific musical stars is that so many other great talents are also on hand often people whose film legacy has been neglected or ignored.
These films feature wonderful supporting performances by Buster Keaton, the Wiere Brothers, Al Jolson, Martha Raye, the Ink Spots, the Nicholas Brothers, Phil Silvers and many others as well as such stars in their prime as Don Ameche, Tyrone Power, John Payne, Jack Oakie, Carole Landis, Cesar Romero, Betty Grable and Carmen Miranda.
Comments
- North Korean cyberattacks? 10:39 a.m.
- China raises death toll from riots 10:37 a.m.
- 'Smart Home' block party in Provo 10:35 a.m.
- Man injured in Taylorsville stabbing 10:22 a.m.
- Dispose of old TVs 10:16 a.m.
- Man killed in motorcycle crash 10:16 a.m.
- Man pleads guilty in fatal crash 10:02 a.m.
- 16 killed in Somalia 9:23 a.m.
- Mass funeral for massacre victims 9:22 a.m.
- Obama: 'Africa not separate' 9:20 a.m.
- Jazz brass debate Millsap match
- LDS seminary principal arrested
- 2 men cited on LDS plaza
- Jazz finances not quite so bleak
- HBO defends U. logo use in 'Love'
- Reactions on Boozer speculation
- Cash for Clunkers to get rolling soon
- Utahns among Texans' investors
- Man spots his stolen car
- Jazz rookies quiet Thunder youngsters
- LDS seminary principal arrested
219 - Jazz brass debate Millsap match
144 - Bronco collecting a galaxy of recruits
141 - Jazz talking Boozer trade?
137 - Blazers may offer Millsap a contract
123 - Stadium of Fire flag burning was fake
95 - 2 men cited on LDS plaza
94 - Fairness of BCS debated
81 - Chaffetz eyes challenging Bennett
76 - Letters: Single-payer system best
75
There were some errors in the reporting of the University of Utah's...
to Mr. 9:52 Let's see if I have this correct. In order to show my compassion...
If this man was a teacher and wasn't Mormon the people on these boards would...
GM holds many US Military contracts, building vehicles such as the Humvee. ...
Does this mean they will be going back to the Countries they came from?
DUH! we do not tolerate inappropriate relations between adult males and...
53 Banks have failed this year, thousands more, including Utah banks, are on...
did a lot of good for a lot of folks. Unfortunately, his life will be forever...
Has Movsisyan said anything complimentary about RSL fans? If he has, I...
I won't comment at all on this case, since I don't know the details. But I'm...
If all the talk about moving Boozer is serious, then yes, Paul made a...



You can be the first to comment on this story.