Product Description Three more tales of terror from the vaults of Universal Pictures, all starring the iconic Boris Karloff.Boris Karloff and Béla Lugosi both star In The Invisible Ray (dir. Lambert Hillyer, 1936), which sees Dr Janos Rukh (Karloff) exposed to a mysterious element that turns him into a deadly luminescent maniac who devises a plot to bump off his personal and professional rivals.Then, in Black Friday (dir. Arthur Lubin, 1940), Karloff is the amoral brain surgeon, Dr Sovac, who transplants part of a gangster’s brain into the body of his dying friend, creating a terrifying Jekyll-and-Hyde figure who starts murdering his former criminal associates (including, again, the wonderful Béla Lugosi).Finally, the incomparable Charles Laughton plays the sadistic Sire Alain de Maletroit in The Strange Door (dir. Joseph Pevney, 1951). Maletroit has kept his own brother locked in a dungeon for twenty years, and now wants to ruin the life of his niece by forcing her to marry a violent rogue. His plan is upset when the “rogue” is unexpectedly noble-hearted and attempts to rescue the girl, aided by an abused servant (Karloff).TWO-DISC BLU-RAY FEATURES1080p presentation of all three films across two Blu-ray discs | All films presented from 2K scans of the original film elements | Optional English SDH | Brand new audio commentary tracks on The Invisible Ray and The Strange Door with author Stephen Jones and author / critic Kim Newman | Brand new audio commentary track on Black Friday with Kevin Lyons and Jonathan Rigby | “The Sire de Maletroit’s Door” radio adaptations | Stills Galleries | Trailers | Review “(Black Friday) Karloff is in exquisite artistic form” – New York Times“(Black Friday) a fantastic movie… It has this wonderful Twilight Zone feel to the story and it will keep you guessing right up until the last moments of the film” – Flickering Myth“(The Invisible Ray) A lively early science-fiction horror tale, with innovative special effects for its era and the ever-dependable "gruesome twosome" supplying the thrills.” – Radio Times“The Strange Door has wonderful atmosphere... Gothic-era pubs, townsfolk chasing ne'er-do-wells with torches, a creepy mansion with a dank, shadowy basement... and, of course, it has Laughton and a crouching, wild-eyed, Karloff.” – DVD Beaver
M**S
Not the best
It's Boris Karloff, who don't love a Karloff movie, this set is not has best but still enjoyable.
W**D
Bonkers but fun films
As a fan of Boris Karloff and many of the Universal Horror films of the '30s and '40s, I was very happy when this Eureka Blu Ray set was announced. All three of these films are weird hybrids in that they are mash-ups with other genres.THE INVISIBLE RAY (1936) is a sci-fi horror with a lovely performance from Karloff at his most soulfully haunted. In tone and content it's probably the closest to the other Universal Horrors of the period in that it has Karloff paired with Bela Lugosi. Karloff is playing a "mad scientist" doomed by the hubris of dealing in areas "where man is not meant to go". It boasts some strong visuals considering the time when it was made and is entertaining enough, although compared to say THE BLACK CAT (1934) or THE INVISIBLE MAN (1933) for example, it's not an unalloyed masterpiece.BLACK FRIDAY (1940) also pairs Karloff with Lugosi and is a horror/gangster film (although sadly the two big horror icons do not share any scenes together). Whilst Karloff gives a good solid performance, the film really belongs to an barnstorming Jekyll and Hyde-like turn from Stanley Ridges. The science (or rather pseudo-science) on display is utterly and delightfully mad. Apparently a partial brain transplant will cause not only personality changes but also physical changes, for example in both hair style and colour! Nevertheless this is engaging material and works not in spite of, but surely because of its lunatic flights of fancy.THE STRANGE DOOR (1951) is a period piece with a strong Gothic flavour based on a story by Robert Louis Stevenson. Karloff is -rather sadly - a supporting player here, playing a role that a number of other actors could have easily taken on. On the other hand it has Charles Laughton at his brilliant scene-stealing best playing a "wicked squire"-type with a fascinatingly twisted motivation for his evil schemes. Almost everyone is upstaged by Laughton, but the rest of the cast are by no means feeble or lacklustre. It has to be said though, that try as they might, the actors playing the hero (a wastrel who comes good) and heroine just can't overcome the ludicrous plot device of their having to fall in love within the space of about 2 short scenes...Whilst basically a slightly up-market bodice ripper, this is still a very well directed and pacey film and the visuals and sets are impressive for a 1950's B-movie programmer. Horror fans will notice a lot of recycled sets and props from earlier Universal films.All 3 of the movies are beautifully restored and this especially pays off in THE STRANGE DOOR where many details are now crisp, sharp and clear.The set is a little thin on extras, although there are a couple of contemporary trailers, a glossy booklet and some good commentary tracks from the likes of Kim Newman, Stephen Jones and Jonathan Rigby.Overall then, this set is recommended, particularly if like me you're an admirer of Karloff or you like the other Black & White horror films of this period.
A**R
Present
Bought as gift but know it's one they wanted.
S**.
A decent collection
When compared to the bela lugosi Edgar Allen poe collection. This collection shows its faults. Coming out after 1935 studios wanted less violent films on screen and it shows. 1936s Invisible ray is great but doesn't live upto the films before it. Finally black friday doesn't have boris and lugosi meet each other once.Though these are fun films. They aren't as good as tye cheaper lugosi collection. Still worth the watch though.
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