Recent Posts

Please follow SCARLET THE FILM MAGAZINE
here

and on Facebook

Ouch! There go the piano lessons! Now my long term memory. oW!

1980s, ANTHONY PERKINS, Arrow Video, Blu Ray, Drama, erotic, exploitation, film, genre, Harry Alan Towers, Historical Drama, Horror, https://www.facebook.com/scarletthefilmmagazine/, international, Mystery, nudity, review, SCARLETTHEFILMMAGAZINE.WORDPRESS.COM, sex, slasher film, thriller, tv film radio books theatremusic storytelling horror mystery fantasy science fiction thrillers drama, Uncategorized

EDGE OF SANITY (Arrow Blu Ray)

EDGE OF SANITY (Blu Ray from Arrow Video) -original release 1989 . color. 85 minutes. Arrow U.S.Blu Ray release June 21,2022 . NTSC Widescreen 1.85:1 Region A s.r.p. $ 39.95

During the 1970s and 1980s, Anthony Perkins gave amazing performances on film (FFOLKES, Universal,1980 ), television (LES MISERABLES, CBS,1979 ; THE GLORY BOYS ,Yorkshire TV,1984) and on stage ( magnificent on Broadway as Dr Dysart in EQUUS,1975).

Yet, even with his wide body of work , he was still stalked by his own creation, that of the cinematic ideal of Norman Bates in Hitchcock’s masterpiece PSYCHO (Paramount) . So powerful and indelible was his portrayal that he could not escape it.

He accepted that was to be how people would see him and so he did two theatrical and one tv sequels, as was as spoofing himself on tv on Saturday Night Live to promote one of them. Thus, the remaining ten years of his life were mostly variants of his twitchy Norman Bates persona.

One of the better ones was in Ken Russell’s CRIMES OF PASSION (New World ,1984, , available on Blu Ray from Arrow ). Five years later, he added Norman to EDGE OF SANITY, adding it to a retelling of The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll & M Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson(1886) and a Jack The Ripper variant. In some territories, the film was known as DR. JEKYLL & MR. HYDE.

In EDGE OF SANITY , sex & cocaine are mixed into the formula of this 1880s set thriller. A young boy witnesses a couple having sex but is soon discovered & beaten for his voyeurism. During the beating , the young boy imagines the woman laughing at him is covered in blood . This is shown to be a dream memory , as an adult Dr Jekyll awakes in a sweat. His wife asks him if anything is wrong ,but he shrugs her away and, grabbing his cane, walks down to his laboratory.

Dr Jekyll (Perkins) has been working on an experiment to explore the human personality. To that end , he mixes unknown chemicals with cocaine and ether . The experiment seems to work, as he becomes a twisted , stringy haired paler faced version of himself who calls himself Edward Hyde. This new persona is also stronger, & no longer needs his walking stick ,though he makes other uses for it during the film.

Freed of his inhibitions, he goes down to the Whitechapel area of London. Hyde enjoys the pleasures of the bars & brothels ,too much so . His encounter with a prostitute result in him killing the woman. From then on, it is a sleazy mix of sex & violence.

Director Gerard Kikoine was better known for his soft porn & hardcore output . His work must have been stylish ( he did work with Radley Metzger, the auteur of soft & hardcore cinema ) since it caught the attention of Harry Alan Towers. Towers was a master of putting together international deals and getting recognizable names to appear in them. He collaborated again with the director & composer for the film BURIED ALIVE (21^st Century, 1989), a film notable as the last film that John Carradine directly worked upon.

Mixing Jekyll & Hyde with Jack the Ripper is not new. During the actual Ripper Murder spree ( April to November 1888). actor Richard Mansfield was portraying the dual role of Dr Jekyll & Mr. Hyde . He began the role in 1887 in his own adaptation of the story just 1 year after the story was published.

Mansfield in his adaptation made many of the changes still carried over into most adaptations since his play, including adding women to the piece, Dr Jekyll being a sympathetic character , and increasing the presence and importance of the law in the character of Inspector Newcomen. The show was a huge hit in its initial Boston & New York performances . Mansfield took his production to the Lyceum Théâtre in London. It too was well received ,at first. Then the Ripper killings began. Mansfield’s onstage transformation into the murderous Mr. Hyde had several of the more gullible convinced that he could not be able to portray such a character unless he himself was a dual personality, and possibly the Ripper himself! The terrible comments affected the box office & Mansfield closed the production. He did continue to play the roles on & off for almost two decades , including several Broadway revivals. He died on August 30,1907 at age 50.

Hammer Films mixed the two stories of Jack with Jekyll & Hyde while throwing in some Burke & Hare in their gender swapping Dr Jekyll & Sister Hyde (Hammer/AIP ,1971). This could have been a disaster or poor sex farce but the clever script by Brian (tv’s Avengers series)Clemens, skillful direction by Roy Ward Baker, beautiful top notch production design and cinematography, and the wonderful performers make this a sadly neglected Hammer gem.

EDGE OF SANITY was not as well crafted. It received mixed to negative reviews. It really did not find its audience until its release to home media , first by Virgin Video then in ep speed by Video Treasures. Both were cropped & foggy looking, the latter with increased grain.

MGM released a much better print on DVD , which was cropped on one side of the disc, & widescreen on the other (did anyone ever watch the cropped copy on these DVDS willingly?).

Now , Arrow continues finding and restoring obscure films for rediscovery and reappraisal.

First , they went to the original 35mm (remember 35mm ?) camera negative , cleaned it up and gave it a brand new Hi Def 1080p restoration. The difference is quite evident when watched in comparison to the MGM DVD. There seems to be more screen image on the side of the frames (1.85:1) , and the clarity, sharpness and colors really are superior to the older release.

The sound is also superior to the older prints. Perkins at times whispers his lines when not taking the crazy to eleven, and you ended up adjusting the levels throughout. Now, even his lower spoken lines are clear and audible. LPCM 2.0 stereo.

Just in case, there are easy to read SDH English subtitles .

There is an informative running commentary by filmmakers David Flint & Seth Hogan .

Other extras on this disc include :

Over The Edge – new interview for this release with Stephen Thrower, author of NIGHTMARE USA (FAB PRESS,2007).

Jack, Jekyll, & Other Screen Psychos – a new interview for this release with Dr Clare Smith, who wrote JACK THE RIPPER IN FILM & CULTURE ( Palgrave/MacMillan,2016)

Both interviews compliment each other, one covering the film , the other the fascination we have with Jack The Ripper.

TWO Interviews with the director

French Love- Gérard Kikoïne discusses his career

Staying Sane– the director focuses on EDGE OF SANITY

There is also an original theatrical trailer.

Not included with the review copy is the magnificent Graham Humphreys slipcover with reversible artwork.

Also not included with the review copy is film critic & film historian (Candyman (Auteur, 2018)) Jon Towlson’s illustrated collective booklet(included with first pressings only!)

I must admit watching this new release has given me a better appreciation of the film. For example, the score by Frederic Talgorn (it seems to have been his first) is lush and orchestral in a time when cheap synth scores were more the norm. Ditto too the cinematography by Tony Spratling is sharp and makes effective use of color in a style which hints at Argento. The costumes are good , though one character who plays a pimp looks like he just stepped out of a Culture Club music video . The Bucharest locations make the film look like a much bigger production than it really was .

Perkins sadly would pass away September 12, 1992, at age 60 . Perkins himself led a dual existence, having to hide his real personality ,and undergoing psychoanalysis to “cure” himself. He married actress Berry Berenson, had two sons , & were happy , though he could not deny who he was.

In 1990 , the sleazy National Enquirer gained access to a blood sample that Perkins had given in an unrelated test , and they sprayed the news ‘Psycho Star Has AIDS’. This is how the actor himself found out that he was infected. Before he passed , he issued this public statement :

“There are many who believe this disease is God’s vengeance. But I believe it was sent to teach people how to love and understand and have compassion for each other. I have learned more about love, selflessness and human understanding from people I have met in this great adventure in the world of AIDS, than I ever did in the cutthroat, competitive world in which I spent my life.”

Worth getting for fans of Anthony Perkins or / and the works of producer of Harry Alan Towers and those interested in Jack the Ripper, Jekyll & Hyde , and eighties horror.

–Kevin G Shinnick–

If you would like to contribute to

SCARLET THE FILM MAGAZINE,

contact Kevin at

https://scarletthefilmmagazine.wordpress.com

Please follow SCARLET THE FILM MAGAZINE
here

and on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/SCARLETreviews

1950s, astor, Blu Ray, CLASSIC, cult, dvd, film, Film Detective, FILM HISTORY, genre, Horror, https://www.facebook.com/scarletthefilmmagazine/, John Ashley, review, Richard E Cunha, Sandra Knight, SCARLETTHEFILMMAGAZINE.WORDPRESS.COM, tv film radio books theatremusic storytelling horror mystery fantasy science fiction thrillers drama, Uncategorized

FRANKENSTEIN’s DAUGHTER :S.E. Blu Ray (Film Detective )

FRANKENSTEIN’s DAUGHTER :S.E. (Film Detective ) Original film release Dec. 15 ,19 58 Astor Pictures. B&W . 85 mins. 1:85 aspect ratio. Blu Ray release Oct 26,2021. 2K 1080p DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono S.R.P. $24.95 https://www.amazon.com/Frankensteins-Daughter-Detective-Special-Blu-ray/dp/B096WK8KTJ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=11F62IPEFI3PG&keywords=frankenstein%27s+daughter+blu+ray&qid=1637845417&qsid=133-9648026-2913731&sprefix=frankenstein%27s+daughter+BLU%2Caps%2C165&sr=8-1&sres=B096WK8KTJ%2CB07SG7RM8R%2CB09G73317L%2CB07DV5NSM2%2CB08QLY97LW%2CB08FRSR16Q%2CB08KJ66H5B%2CB08Z4B13ZL%2CB096WNY182%2CB094L6WQRX%2CB0107GC9AU%2CB07WSKJCVP%2CB00A8KJN14%2CB08GJ7D1FN%2CB00945XF8Q%2CB00CXJR7AC

Also on DVD for $19.95
https://www.amazon.com/Frankensteins-Daughter-Film-Detective-Special/dp/B096WXL4BL/ref=tmm_dvd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1637845417&sr=8-1

Richard E. Cunha, the man who brought us GIANT FROM THE UNKNOWN (see review ),MISSLE TO THE MOON, SHE-DEMONS , all Astor horror/sci fi films , tried his hand with adding a new family (dis)member to the Frankenstein line.

The year prior, Hammer /WB and AIP both experienced boffo box office by reviving the creation from the mind of Mary Shelley. Both had small budgets (£ 65,000, or approximately $270,000 for CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN, with I WAS A TEENAGE FRANKENSTEIN costing about half of that amount).

Astor wanted in , and with a budget of around $60 grand & a tight six- day shoot, FRANKENSTEIN’S DAUGHTER was born. This was Cunha’s longest film(his other clock in usually at 77-78 minutes) but the gonzo goings-on make it seem one of his fastest paced films.

Oliver Frank (Donald Murphy ,who played Virgil Earp in the William Castle directed MASTERSON OF KANSAS, Columbia, 1954) works for elderly Dr Morton (Swiss born Felix Locher, who was the real-life father of Jon Hall, but who himself didn’t start acting himself until he was 73 in HELL SHIP MUTINY, Republic, 1957). Oliver Frank, it is revealed is the grandson of the original Dr Frankenstein (oddly, REVENGE OF FRANKENSTEIN ,Columbia ,1958, ends with the doctor using the alias of Dr Frank). However, the title Grandson of Frankenstein is a bit clunky, so it is his creation the film’s title refers.

Oliver has been experimenting on Trudy Morton (Sandra Knight, who later married & divorced her later costar Jack Nicholson whom she met on THE TERROR, AIP,1963, before she switched to being a painter https://www.sandraknight.com/# ), slipping her experimental drugs that make her change into hideous creature (that resembles Frida Kahlo with a nasty overbite )to roam the streets at night . She of course , thinks that she only is having nightmares .

Oliver’s big wish , however, is to create life from scratch, or stiches, just like grandpa did . Trudy’s friend (Sally Todd, the Feb 1957 Playmate of the Month)has the misfortune to be run over by Oliver , who truly only wants her for her brains.

“We’re aware the female mind is conditioned to a man’s world. It therefore takes orders, where the other ones didn’t.”

Mad & misogynist Olivier Frank places the brain into his creation, & with the assist of Elsu the gardener (Wolfe Barzell ,who mostly appeared in small roles on TV) ,he creates …what is supposed to have been a female creation.

Oddly , no one seemed to have told casting or makeup artist Harry Thomas ,for the monster was portrayed by Harry Wilson. Besides playing character parts in films like ONE MILLION B.C.(Roach, 1940),the British born Wilson ,who ,like Rondo Hatton, was afflicted with acromegaly , also had a career as Wallace Beery’s stand in & double . Here, the ex-wrestler has work that resembles the half-melted face Tor Johnson had in Ed Wood’s NIGHT OF THE GHOULS (Atomic ,1959),which also had makeup by Harry Thomas. When they discovered the gender of the creature, a bit of lipstick was added. Still , the makeup is effective, especially with work created from only the contents of a make-up case.

Throw in a rather bland John Ashley as Johnny ,who’s acting grew MORE bored as the decades went on , Page Cavanaugh and His Trio performed the song “Special Date” with Harold Lloyd Jr. singing , & 2 rather ineffectual police officers and you have most of the people in this flick. Poor Harold Lloyd Jr lived in the shadow of his famous father, and he was alcoholic from an early age. Plus, he was a homosexual when it was socially unacceptable. He did have a singing career, which was interupted when he had a stroke in 1965, from which he never fully recovered, dying just 3 months after his father in 1971.

The film continues on its gonzo way, with Trudy transforming & getting bug eyes for a while, Elsu massaged on the shoulders to death, John Ashley fighting the monster, throwing Acid ,missing the creature but hitting Oliver(oops), giving him a melted face (the make up here is very effective , and better served by only showing it for a moment) ,then the poor creature ignites itself ,resulting in self-immolation(Oops!).

The film ends on a return to “normalcy,” with Johnny & Trudy swimming ,Johnny telling Trudy the wedding vows, emphasizing “OBEY!” Has Trudy avoided one man controlling her (albeit in a stitched together body) for another man expecting her servitude? We don’t get much time to think on this , as Johnny pushes Harold Lloyd Jr into the pool, and everyone laughs. THE END.

The funny thing is, I rather enjoyed this film because of its craziness . Trudy feels that she is dreaming, & perhaps she is ,bringing us along. It is like it is a cinematic haunted house ride , twisting & turning with various things happening as it clatters along . A guilty pleasure ,perhaps, but still a pleasure, hopelessly misogynistic as it is.

This film & indeed many of the Astor Studio releases have passed into public domain. The quality ,or lack thereof ,on late night tv or cheap vhs tapes made these films look less competently made then they were .

FILM DETECTIVE has already done a superb restoration of Richard E Cuhna’s GIANT FROM THE UNKNOWN ( GIANT FROM THE UNKNOWN -Film Detective Blu Ray | scarletthefilmmagazine (wordpress.com) ) . Now they bring us this incredibly sharp print of FRANKENSTEIN’S DAUGHTER.

The print that they use is from an original camera negative and given the 4K restoration treatment. The resulting image is sharp with nice gray scales and deep black tones. I do not recall any film damage or speckling upon the image.

The DTS-HD dual mono sound is crisp and clear.

Optional Easy to read subtitles are available in English & Spanish.

Extras include:
–a running commentary track .

–RICHARD E CUNHA: FILMMAKER OF THE UNKNOWN –Ballyhoo Motion Pictures creates another wonderful mini documentary , which includes footage of director Richard Cunha ( March 4, 1922 – September 18, 2005) himself commenting upon his work and career.

–JOHN ASHLEY : MAN FROM THE B’s – Film historian and writer /director C. Courtney Joyner (LURKING FEAR , Full Moon, 1994) comments upon the career of actor/singer/producer John Ashley (December 25, 1934 – October 3, 1997). A chance encounter with John Wayne led to his acting career starting in 1957, to becoming a producer in 1971, leading to him becoming one of the producers of the major tv hit ,THE A TEAM (Universal, 1983-87).

Is FRANKENSTEIN’S DAUGHTER a classic ? Heck no. Is it a fun film you will go back to again & again ?
I would think so !

Recommended .
–Kevin G Shinnick

Other Film Detective reviews
https://scarletthefilmmagazine.wordpress.com/2017/04/06/the-vampire-batrestored/

THE SIN OF NORA MORAN (Film Detective Blu Ray)

https://scarletthefilmmagazine.wordpress.com/2020/12/27/giant-from-the-unknown-film-detective-blu-ray/

https://scarletthefilmmagazine.wordpress.com/2021/08/04/flight-to-mars-1951-film-detective-blu-ray-s-e/

THE VAMPIRE BAT(Restored)

Please follow SCARLET THE FILM MAGAZINE
here

and on Facebook

Scarlet Street Forums – A Forum for fans of Horror and Mystery and other genres from the staff of Scarlet Street Magazine. (tapatalk.com)

plus

If you would like to contribute to SCARLET THE FILM MAGAZINE,

contact Kevin at

ScarletTheFilmMag

1980s, Blu Ray, cult, Horror, https://www.facebook.com/scarletthefilmmagazine/, MVD REWIND, Mystery, review, reviews, SCARLETTHEFILMMAGAZINE.WORDPRESS.COM, slasher film, thriller, tv film radio books theatremusic storytelling horror mystery fantasy science fiction thrillers drama, Uncategorized

THE HOUSE ON SORORITY ROW (MVD Blu Ray)

THE HOUSE ON SORORITY ROW (1983) (MVD Rewind Blu-ray S.E.) – Color. 91 mins. R. Regions A, B, C. $29.95 s.r.p.

THE HOUSE ON SORORITY ROW (Film Ventures) came out during the height of the slasher films of the 1980s. First time writer director Mark Rosman was partially inspired by the French Classic LES DIABOLIQUES (Cinedis,1955), though the killer was obviously inspired by the one in the successful FRIDAY THE 13^th (Paramount ,1980). Originally titled Seven Sisters, it was shot in Pikesville Maryland in the summer of 1980, with additional photography taking place in Los Angeles.

Given a limited release at first in late 1982, the distributor expanded it in January ,1983, where it reached Number One at the box office, earning $10.6 million at the box office, not to mention various video releases and cable showings. Not bad for a film that cost less than half a million to make.

The 2009 remake (Summit, the people who gave us the TWILIGHT films, need I say more?) was one of those films that was almost instantly forgettable WHILE you watched it. The original, though not perfect, is worth revisiting over and over.

The plot has 7 sorority sisters who, while celebrating their graduation, accidentally kill their house mother Dorothy Slater (Lois Marie Kelso, making her screen debut at age 53) when a prank goes wrong and she ends up dead in their pool.

While they decide what to do next, someone else is going around killing people. Can the women hide the crime, and uncover who is going around killing people, including whittling down the members of their society?

As stated, THE HOUSE ON SORORITY ROW has been available on Home Video in the U.S. from Vestron (VHS), DVD from Elite, then a 2- disc set from Scorpion, who then released the title on Blu Ray in 2018.

This new MVD REWIND Blu Ray release is markedly superior to the old Elite DVD (I do not have the Scorpion release for comparison). The picture is infinitely sharper with brighter colors. Flesh tones are superior in the new release, and the sound is ultra-sharp, with the dialogue, sound effects, and score by Richard Band coming through cleanly & hiss free.

The print used was given a good cleaning and a hi-def (1080p) release, in 1.78:1 aspect ratio. The film’s sound is available in LPCM 2.0 stereo, and an alternate version of the film presented in mono audio, with a new director approved pre credit sequence that was more to Roseman’s original vision.

Other extras are :

Audio Commentary with director Mark Rosman (still active, working on various tv productions), who gives an informative and honest history of the film.

A second commentary track with the director joined with two of the stars, Eileen Davidson (now a mainstay on the daytime soap opera THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, CBS, since 1984) and Kathryn McNeil (recently seen in the powerful mini-series THEM, Amazon,2021).

Short interviews with Roseman, Davidson, McNeil ,and fellow actress Jane Kozak ( recently on THE SHOW MUST GO ONLINE ,where actors from around the world did readings of Shakespeare’s plays in the order they are believed to have been written ),composer Band(still composing ,with DON’T LET HER IN just having been released by Full Moon in 2021) and producer Igo Kantor (who passed away in October ,2019 , having produced such films as MUTANT, Film Ventures,1984 where he replaced original director Rosman with John “Bud” Cardos , and KINGDOM OF THE SPIDERS, Dimension ,1977 ) .

Also available are storyboards with an alternate ending

The original theatrical trailer and tv spots.

Optional English subtitles.

Reversible cover art .

If you do not have this thriller in your collection, I suggest you may wish to add this Special Edition to your horror blu- ray library.

Recommended .

-Kevin G Shinnick

If you would like to contribute to SCARLET THE FILM MAGAZINE,

contact Kevin at

Please follow SCARLET THE FILM MAGAZINE
here

and on Facebook

https://www.amazon.com/Daimajin-Trilogy-3-Disc-Limited-Blu-ray/dp/B0942DX54S/ref=sr_1_1?crid=5BGL76YBKQJ5&dchild=1&keywords=daimajin+blu+ray&qid=1627433579&sprefix=daima%2Caps%2C191&sr=8-1

1960s, Action Adventure, Arrow Video, Art house, Blu Ray, cult, film, genre, giant monster, Horror, https://www.facebook.com/scarletthefilmmagazine/, international, Japanese, kaiju, review, SCARLETTHEFILMMAGAZINE.WORDPRESS.COM, tv film radio books theatremusic storytelling horror mystery fantasy science fiction thrillers drama, Uncategorized

THE DAIMAJIN TRILOGY -Arrow Films Blu Ray Ltd Ed

The Daimajin Trilogy (3-Disc Limited Edition) [Blu-ray] Ltd Edition $99.95

1966, Color. (250 min., individually 84,79,87mins) plus extras Arrow Video. Region 0.

Arrow Films is truly coming out with some remarkable foreign films, especially in the fantasy genre from Japan. Most of these gems from Japan come from Daiei Films .

Recently they released
THE INVISIBLE MAN APPEARS/THE INVISIBLE MAN VS THE HUMAN FLY https://www.amazon.com/Invisible-Man-Appears-Human-Blu-ray/dp/B08R27N3VN/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=THE+INVISIBLE+MAN+APPEARS&qid=1626446035&s=movies-tv&sr=1-1

as well as GAMERA : THE COMPLETE COLLECTION https://www.amazon.com/Gamera-Complete-Collection-Eiji-Funakoshi/dp/B084Z13QYD/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=gamera+collection&qid=1626446097&s=movies-tv&sr=1-3 .

Not only are these amazingly sharp and beautiful prints, they also come with a lot more extras and knowledgeable commentaries than you might expect .

Now ,added to this must have collection of the Daiei fantasy films is the magnificent DAIMAJIN trilogy .
The three films all were released it seems in quick succession in the year 1966 and then no further films followed . The film was perhaps harder to sell overseas and thus was a subject more focused upon the home market . The films did have some tv sales ( AIP-TV bought two of the films , retitling DAIMAJIN as MAJIN, MONSTER OF TERROR and DAINAJIN IKARU as RETURN OF GIANT MAJIN . They were dubbed into English by Titan Productions ,but in cropped and scanned prints .One wonders why AIP didn’t buy and release all three?

Retromedia released a DVD of these dubbed prints so you can judge for yourselves).

The films do not fit into the usual Kaiju (giant monster) films ,in that the title character doesn’t usually become active until the last third of the film, acting as the ultimate Deus ex machina , in which the gigantic stone god comes to life and rights wrongs, before returning to immobile stone.

Daiei Studios, founded in 1942 and producing war propaganda films ,in 1949 they revamped themselves and made their product internationally received with the likes of Akira Kurosawa’s RASHOMON (1950) .as well as the artistic haunting ghost story UGETSU (1953). The studio made films for both arthouse and fantasy films (the second film by the revamped studio was THE INVISIBLE MAN RETURNS,1949). Alternating between historical and fantasy films, they often combined the two with great success. The popularity of their Gamera films (starting in 1965, with two films in 1966 ,also available on Blu Ray from Arrow Films ) set the stage for the Daimajin films.

DAIMAJIN : In 18th Century Feudal Japan ,A cruel lord overthrows the rightful ruler . The children of the ruler escape . Years later, they encounter the vicious lord, who has been extreme in his cruelty to the people Capturing the two young people, he ties them upon crosses for execution . However, prayers to the stone idol Daimajin ,whom we earlier being worshipped and appeased after some natural disasters, now comes to life ,frees the two young people and goes on a rampage of destruction against the evil lord (who is killed in a very satisfying fashion) before a villager pleads for the destruction to end cries and the tears fall upon the giant’s feet . The rioting ends, and the giant returns to stone, before crumbling away.

RETURN OF DAIMAJIN (1966): Another evil warlord pops up (Japan seems rife with them) .This time he chases villagers to an island where there is a giant statue of the god. Is it the same one reassembled, or another one, like the giant stone heads of Easter Island , it is never made clear. The warlord must have seen the previous film, and orders the statue to be blown up. However, the pieces end up in the lake and the giant arises again to seek vengeance and chew Amonoya, and it is all out of Amonoya .Tears again summon the god and lay it to rest. This time ,it turns to water at the end of its mission .

DAIMAJIN STRIKES AGAIN-this time the story is set in a snowy mountain valley, where the statue is buried in snow (is it the same statue ,or are their several of these dumped around Japan?). Once again, Daimajin is summoned, the god rising from the layers of snow to defeat another evil Lord who is mistreating the people who the Lord almost dumps into a sulfur pit ,before he and his minions are disposed of . The god, his work finished now, his life force leaves him as he turns first to stone before he then turns to snow and blowing away

The three films use the elements of stone, water , and wind , making one wonder if a fourth film had happened, would he have turned to fire? Mind you ,I have not seen the 2010 tv series (DAIMAJIN KANON, 26 episodes, TV Tokyo) which retold the story ,only with it being set present day so I am unsure if they used that element .

The one other thing that struck me watching all three back to back was that it reminded me of the legend of the Golem , best known as the Jewish legend of a man of clay brought to life to avenge .

This Arrow Films Blu Ray release is a real treat. A limited edition (order yours now), this beautiful collection has all three films in a sharp colorful 1080p High Definition restoration.

Original Japanese print with clear sharp optional subtitles.

A new intro to the first film by fantasy cinema expert Kim Newman (also author of the must have horror series ANNO DRACULA)

Brand new commentaries by Japanese film expert Stuart Galbraith IV (The Toho Studios Story ,The Japanese Cinema Book, many others), Tom Mes, Jasper Sharp .and Jonathan Sharp .

These full-length running commentaries are fact filled but never overwhelming as he explores the films, it’s players, and their histories.

Original trailers.

Alternate tv credits for Majin-the Monster of Terror (TV title for the AIP release).

An interview with cinematographer Fujio Morita ( 1927-2014),who talks about his long career ,working at DAIEI STUDIOS on such films as RASHOMON ,and especially the Daimajin films. Morita worked as a cinematographer from 1950 to 1995 . His beautiful use of color makes these films stand out , as well as some wonderful compositions that make the effects even more impressive.

Image Galleries.

A plethora of new documentaries for this release :

MY SUMMER WITH DAIMJIN -film Professor Yoneo Ota talks about his summer job working on making the original film .

FROM STORYBOARD TO SCREEN-compares storyboards to actual scenes in the film RETURN OF DAIMAJIN .

BRINGING THE AVENGING GOD TO LIFE– a superlative explanation of how the still dazzling special effects were done on these movies, by Japanese film historian Ed Godziszewski .

Not included with the review discs but in the actual box set will be

Illustrated collector’s 100 page book featuring new essays by Jonathan Clements, Keith Aiken, Ed Godziszewski, Raffael Coronelli, Erik Homenick, Robin Gatto and Kevin Derendorf
Postcards featuring the original Japanese artwork for all three films

Reversible sleeves featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Matt Frank

Some fans of kaiju films may feel that these films are too slow and not enough stomping , but for those who want to see a beautiful series that is a bit different from the average stomp Tokyo films, I highly recommend this series.

–Kevin G Shinnick

ARROW FILMS Highly Recommended

DAIMAJIN TRILOGY
THE INVISIBLE MAN RETURNS
GAMERA COLLECTION

All available on Amazon and other fine Blu Ray dealers.

If you would like to contribute to SCARLET THE FILM MAGAZINE,

contact Kevin at

Please follow SCARLET THE FILM MAGAZINE
here

and on Facebook

2020, Action Adventure, Adventure, Blu Ray, CONTEST, SCIENCE FICTION, tv film radio books theatremusic storytelling horror mystery fantasy science fiction thrillers drama, Uncategorized, WELL GO USA

COSMOBALL Blu Ray Contest (Well Go USA (update 3.27.21 – contest over )

COSMOBALL Blu Ray Contest (Well GO USA).

(update- 3.27. 2021-contest over -winners have been notified .This contest is over .Follow Scarlet The Film Magazine

Congratulations to JAMES PHILLIPS and the other 2 winners who wish to remain anonymous )

The Breathtaking, Family-Friendly Sci-Fi Action Epic

Materializes on Digital, Blu-ray^™ & DVD March ,2021

Includes an All-New English Dub!

Now you can enter for a chance to win one of three Blu Ray copies of this new release.

(update- 3.27. 2021-contest over -winners have been notified .This contest is over .Follow Scarlet The Film Magazine

for future reviews, articles , and contests )

Send an email to ScarletTheFilmMag@yahoo.com

In the subject line write “COSMOBALL “

In the body of the email
Put in you name and address

Then answer this question :

What is your favorite FAMILY FRIENDLY Science Fiction Film ?

That’s all you need to do.

Only One Entry Per Person .

Include your name and mailing address so winners can be notified and their prize mailed.

DEADLINE is March 25 ,2021 . Winners will be notified and their prizes sent out shortly thereafter .

(update- 3.27. 2021-contest over -winners have been notified .This contest is over .Follow Scarlet The Film Magazine

Only one entry per person.
No purchase is necessary.
Void where prohibited.
All federal, state, and local regulations apply.
You must be at least 18 to enter.
You must live in the United States or Canada.
All prizes are awarded “as is.”
Prizes are nontransferable and cannot be exchanged. No substitute prize will be awarded to a winner who declines to accept a prize.
Three(3) winners will be selected randomly.

Please allow 4-8 weeks to receive the prize.

(update- 3.27. 2021-contest over -winners have been notified .This contest is over .Follow Scarlet The Film Magazine

Life on earth is desolate after a brutal intergalactic war, brightened only by a dangerous, high-flying sport … but no one knows that at each match, four gifted humans are fighting furiously to ensure the survival of humankind in the action-packed, sci-fi thriller COSMOBALL, from Well Go USA Entertainment. Top-notch visual effects result in a breathtaking, family-friendly sci-fi film from Director Dzhanik Fayziev (The Turkish Gambit, August Eighth). COSMOBALL stars Evgeniy Mironov (Spacewalk, The Lenin Factor, Space Dogs), Evgeniy Romantsov (Petropolis, Nu), Viktoriya Agalakova (The Bride, Mermaid: The Lake of the Dead, Rasputin), Maria Lisovaya (Guests) and newcomer Ivan Ivanovich in the post-apocalyptic superhero “space opera.”

Synopsis:

COSMOBALL, directed by Dzhanik Fayziev (The Turkish Gambit, August Eighth), takes place after an intergalactic battle that destroys Earth’s moon and causes worldwide devastation, leaving the human race desolate and clinging to survival. The film follows four athletes with the rare ability to teleport, which makes them the only humans capable of playing “cosmoball,” a dangerous sport requiring unimaginable speed, reflexes, and courage. While the rest of the world religiously scans the sky to catch the high-flying tournaments, no one suspects that with each match, they are actually witnessing four young humans fighting furiously to ensure the survival of humankind.

Country of Origin: Russia . (English Dub ).

COSMOBALL has a runtime of approximately 115 minutes and is not rated. The Blu Ray is in Audio: DTS HDMA 5.1 / Stereo

Thank you, https://www.wellgousa.com/home-entertainment

Art house, Blu Ray, BLU RAY /DVD COMBO, CLASSIC, Conrad Veidt, Creative, cult, Drama, dvd, DVD /BLU RAY COMBO, Emil Jannings, fantasy, film, FILM HISTORY, Flicker Alley, Foreign, genre, John Gottowt, Olga Belajeff, Paul Leni, rare, SCARLETTHEFILMMAGAZINE.WORDPRESS.COM, Silent, SILENTS, studio history, thriller, tv film radio books theatremusic storytelling horror mystery fantasy science fiction thrillers drama, Uncategorized, wax museum, Werner Krauss, William Dieterle

WAXWORKS-1924 (Flicker Alley Blu Ray)

WAXWORKS (Flicker Alley Blu Ray/DVD combo) Das Wachsfigurenkabinett, original release U.F.A. 1924 b&w /tinted. 81. Silent with original musical scores. Region Free $39.95 https://www.flickeralley.com/classic-movies-2/#!/Waxworks-Das-Wachsfigurenkabinett/p/226878548/category=20414531

Omnibus horror films are very tricky. The film is made up of several short stories and oft times the tales can feel truncated or a bad tale in the bunch can affect the overall effect.

When they work, they are cinema classics (DEAD OF NIGHT, Eagle Lion, 1945/Universal 1946). When they do not, you end up with DR TERROR’S GALLERY OF HORRORS (American General Pictures ,1967).

In the classic category is WAXWORKS / Das Wachsfigurenkabinett. The last German film directed by Paul Leni (co-directed with Leo Birinski) before he went to America to create such works as THE CAT & THE CANARY (Universal, 1927), it continues the Germanic fantasy horror films begun with films like THE STUDENT OF PRAGUE (Deutsche Bioscop ,1913) and is a superb example of the German Expressionism movement.

German expressionism had its start in Munich with avant-garde artists using bold exaggerated shapes and colors. It soon spread to both theatres, and even architecture. In theatre, it was a rejection of realism to use it archetypes as well as strong use of lines and exaggerated shadows to emphasize the mood of the scenes and characters.

*Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Potsdamer Platz, 1914*

In 1920 (101 years ago as I type this), Das Cabinet des Dr. Caligari (Decla-Bioscop) introduced cinema audiences to German Cinema expressionism. With the end of WW1, German films were once again being shown around the world.

The German cinema of the 1920s was some of the most creative at that time, with films like THE LAST LAUGH (UFA,1924) enthralling world wide audiences . WAXWORKS was another masterwork from the time.

The original screenplay by Henrik Galeen who wrote, directed and acted in THE GOLEM (Deutsche Bioscop, 1915) and the screenplay for NOSFERATU (Prana,1922) was reworked by director Leni, dropping a planned fourth story. The wax figure for the dropped tale still can be seen in the film, the character of Rinaldo Rinaldini from the Penny Dreadful story Rinaldo Rinaldini, the Robber Captain (1797) by Christian August Vulpius. Director Leni also designed the look of the film.

Cinematographer Helmar Lerski was quite busy in the teens and twenties, working upon Leni Riefensthal ‘s THE HOLY MOUNTAIN (Der heilige Berg, UFA, 1926), but in the 1930s became a documentary filmmaker covering the Zionist movement, leading up to the formation of Israel in 1948.

A young man (played by Wilhelm Dieterle, later famous as director WILLIAM Dieterle of such magnificent works as PORTRAIT OF JENNIE, Selznick, 1948) is hired by the owner of the Panoptikums (played by John Gottowt, who had played Professor Bulwer in NOSFERATU) to write background stories about his exhibits. Meeting the daughter of the exhibit’s owner (Olga Belajeff ) the author decides he will stay and write about the various wax pieces. However, as he writes, he and the young woman become characters in each tale.

The first tale is about Caliph Haroun-al-Raschid (Emil Jannings, a star of the Max Reinhardt Theatre Company, star of THE LAST LAUGH and later THE BLUE ANGEL(UFA,1930) a sound film shot in both English and German that introduced Marlene Dietrich to the cinema. Jannings sadly later worked on several pro-Nazi productions.). The author notices the statue is missing an arm, and his tale involves how the character lost his appendage.

This segment is the longest of the three (about 40 minutes) and is more a fantasy tale than horror story. It perhaps was inspired by the Douglas Fairbanks THIEF OF BAGHDAD (U.A.,1924) that opened in the U.S. in March, with WAXWORKS opening in Germany in November. Oddly, Conrad Veidt who appears in this film’s second tale, appeared in the 1940 remake of THIEF OF BAGHDAD (Korda/London Films/UA).

The second tale about Ivan The Terrible (Conrad Veidt) is a story of madness, cruelty, torture, and poisoning. Veidt is quite terrifying in the role, having made a name in film history as the somnambulist Cesare in THE CABINET OF DR CALIGARI and later in such roles as Major Heinrich Strasser in CASABLANCA (WB,1942). This story is about 37 minutes.

After writing the two-prior tales, the poet and Eva find themselves stalked by Jack the Ripper (Werner Krauss, Dr Caligari himself from that film) who chases them through the museum, ending with the writer waking up and realizing that it was all a dream, certainly one of the earliest uses of that device. This is not really a fully fleshed out segment but merely a good scary tag to the film.

The original German cut of the film, supposedly about 25 minutes longer sadly, does not survive. The version that is used here is an incredible collection of various prints (English, French, Czech) based upon a safety print in the B.F.I., that give us the best and most complete version currently available, running 81 minutes. The restoration was a joint effort by the Deutsche Kinemathek and Cineteca di Bologna, L’Immagine Ritrovata (with funding from the German Commission for Culture and the Media). The nearly 100-year-old film looks amazing, considering all this. The occasional scratch does not detract from the often remarkably sharp images throughout the film. The film elements were scanned in 4K resolution and restored in 2K. This Blu-Ray /DVD release is presented Flicker Alley and Eureka Entertainment.

This version has TWO new musical scores to choose from, both recorded in DTS-HD in either 2.0 Stereo or 5.1 surround. The first is a piano score while the second a fuller orchestral score. While both are quite good, I rather leaned into the second more (personal choice). There is also an informative audio commentary by Australian Art and Film Critic Adrian Martin (THE MAD MAX MOVIES, Currency Press Pty Ltd ,2003). Not bad for a “silent” film.

As for subtitles, you get a choice of German, French Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Arabic and Chinese subtitles for this Region Free release.

Other extras include.

Paul Leni’s Rebus-Films Nr. 1 (1925) – these were crossword puzzles that were shown before and after main features, representing a clue and then the answer. (This featurette was provided courtesy of Kino Lorber).

In search of the original version of Paul Leni’s Das Wachsfigurenkabinett (2020)– An interview Julia Wallmüller from Deutsche Kinemathek about the Homeric efforts to restore this film.

A Conversation with Kim Newman (2020) – the film historian puts the film ‘s importance into perspective and discusses other wax museum horror movies.

A DVD copy of the film.

Collector’s Edition Souvenir Booklet – A photo illustrated booklet with new essays by Phillip Kemp and Richard Combs on the film’s history and significance; notes on the restoration process by Julia Wallmüller.

Silent films are sometimes hard for today’s ADHD audiences. They demand your complete attention without distractions. That said, if you make this slight effort, the rewards are well worth it.

Kudos to FLICKER ALLEY for their preservation and presentation of these rare important films. They also offer such rarities as DER HUND VON BASKERVILLE (1929) https://www.flickeralley.com/classic-movies-2/#!/Der-Hund-von-Baskerville/p/125716170/category=20414531 and Leni‘s last film , THE LAST WARNING https://www.flickeralley.com/classic-movies-2/#!/The-Last-Warning/p/130760328/category=20414531 .

Highly Recommended.

Kevin G Shinnick

If you would like to contribute to SCARLET THE FILM MAGAZINE,

contact Kevin at

Please follow SCARLET THE FILM MAGAZINE
here

and on Facebook

2000s, 2020, Art house, Blu Ray, Creative, cult, film, Theatre, Uncategorized

NELSON ALGEN LIVE (Olive Films Blu Ray) Willem Dafoe

NELSON ALGEN LIVE (Olive Films Blu-Ray release December 2020). 88 minutes Not Rated. Region A. $24.95

tinyurl.com/6hafe4o5

I miss theatre. During this pandemic, Broadway, indeed, most theatre, like everything else shut down.

There have been a few musicals that have been shown on the internet that keeps the joy alive (HAMILTON on the Disney Plus Channel) but few stages plays per se. There are Zoom performances that have actors in different parts of the world performing but it is not quite the same as the energy when actors are performing together live.

Therefore, I was incredibly pleased to get this disc of NELSON ALGREN LIVE from Olive Films.

In 2009, the Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago premiered NELSON ALGREN LIVE as a staged reading (scripts upon podiums), starring among others Barry Gifford as Algren and Willem Dafoe as both a down and out car dealer “Frankie Machine “(from MAN WITH THE GOLDEN ARM) and as prize fighter “Blackie Cavanaugh” from a then newly discovered work by Algren, THE LIGHTLESS ROOM.

To be honest, I knew extraordinarily little about Algren, save that he had written the classic THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN ARM (Doubleday ,1949) that was made into the gritty Frank Sinatra starrer in 1955 that changed a lot of the novel ‘s story.

Nelson Ahlgren Abraham, (March 28, 1909 – May 9, 1981) wrote his first story in 1933. He stole a typewriter and spent several months in prison, an experience that helped him understand those who were considered outsiders. In 1935, he won the first of three O. Henry Awards for his short tale “The Brother’s House” published in Story Magazine.

(not the issue with Algren’s debut story)

His first novel was unsuccessful (SOMEBODY IN BOOTS, Vanguard,1935) and went out of print. His second novel NEVER COME MORNING, Beasley Books, 1942) won praise by no less than Ernest Hemingway.

His last successful novel, A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE (Farrar Straus and Cudahy,1956) was later made into a 1962 Columbia film, as well as inspiring the title of Lou Reed’s 1978 classic song. Algen passed away in Long Island NY in 1981.

Algren’s subjects were like those found in the writings of Charles Bukowski ,in his wonderfully detailed look at people in all walks of life, but especially those on the slide to obscurity. The language at times would not now be considered politically correct but is how the characters portrayed would have spoken.

It is therefore odd that Algren is not better known. The 2009 stage reading by Steppenwolf was a good step in bringing the writer’s work before a new audience. Taking passages from interviews and his stories, one can bask in the wonderfully descriptive writing that can go from sadly tragic (dealing with a young woman dying from drug addiction) to wonderfully humorous observations and comments.

Dafoe is of course the highlight of the evening and brings gusto to his performances as the two characters who he plays. His Irish accented prize fighter captures the sense of one who refuses to stay down.

Directed for the stage by David New, the cinematic record directed by Oscar Bucher intercuts photographs that help illustrate the tales and stories that are being told. The film was released in 2016 by a company called Pacific Film Archive, but this Olive Film Blu Ray release really is the first time that many people would be able to experience it.

The 1080 HD picture and DTS-HD Master Audio sound quality are fine, perfectly capturing the nuances of a live performance and the reactions of the audience. There are also optional English subtitles.

Extras include a teaser clip as well as a trailer. Best of all is a photo essay booklet by Art Shay, actor Barry Gifford, and Dan Simon. Indeed, I might suggest you flip through this booklet before watching the film.

An interesting performance that may make you seek out the author’s writings.

Recommended.

-Kevin G Shinnick

If you would like to contribute to SCARLET THE FILM MAGAZINE ,

contact Kevin at

Please follow SCARLET THE FILM MAGAZINE
here

and on Facebook