Horrors! Scary Hammer films on DVD

Here's a look at four movie and TV collections on DVD for the first time, led by a quartet of '60s Hammer horror films just in time for Halloween. Also here are Alice Faye flicks and the TV series "Quark" and "Back to You."

"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.