Scott W. Davis
03-30-2003, 01:55 PM
[I 200w mgm03april1 I]MGM has announced even more Midnite Movies to fill the hearts of horror fans with enough joy to outshine an Old Navy commercial. Straight from the good folks at , these are the titles to be released in Region 1 (that's North America, folks) on August 26th. We've added some descriptions to help first-time viewers out:
THE GHOUL: 70th ANNIVERSARY RESTORED EDITION--Karloff fans rejoice! Available for years only in murky transfers made from a ragged, cropped Czechoslovakian print, MGM's new transfer is the first U.S. release utilizing the film's original 35mm elements held by the British Film Institute. Extensive digital restoration was used to remove thousands of instances of film damage and clean up the soundtrack. The result is a transfer of THE GHOUL that looks and sounds better than anything available for 70 years
RAW MEAT (a.k.a. DEATHLINE)-- Absolutely crazy little film about desperate cannibals living in London's tube system. I never thought we'd see this one!: 1.85:1, 16 x 9. Original uncut British version, featuring gory footage trimmed from the U.S. release
SQUIRM-- Eeeek! Killer worms in this camp classic: 1.85:1, 16 x 9. New high definition transfer of the original uncut version approved by director Jeff Lieberman. Audio commentary by Director Jeff Lieberman
BURNT OFFERINGS-- An absolutely classic haunted house film with Oliver Reed, Karen Black, Burgess Meredith and Bette Davis. Screenwriter Nolan wrote the original LOGAN'S RUN novels: 1.85:1, 16 x 9; audio commentary with Director Dan Curtis, Screenwriter William F. Nolan and star Karen Black; trailer
CLOWNHOUSE-- Victor Salva's (JEEPERS CREEPERS) controversial early horror film: 1.85:1, 16 x 9; trailer
I, MADMAN (a.k.a. HARDCOVER)-- A really great little film from Tibor Takis which pre-dated John Carpenter's IN THE MOUTH OF MADNESS: 1.85:1, 16 x 9; trailer
ONCE BITTEN-- 1980s sex comedy starring a young Jim Carrey, who gets the bite from aging vampire, Lauren Hutton: 1.85:1, 16 x 9; trailer
THE HOWLING: SPECIAL EDITION-- Joe Dante's classic werewolf movie gets the deluxe treatment, finally. 1.85:1, 16 x 9; 5.1sound mix; new 48-minute documentary; commentary track from the Image laserdisc; deleted scenes; outtakes; trailer; more
If all that isn't enough, they're also bringing us the following Double Feature discs:
COUNTESS DRACULA/THE VAMPIRE LOVERS--COUNTESS DRACULA in which Ingird Pitt plays the Countess Bathory: Letterbox 1.66:1; complete, uncensored British cut; commentary track with Director Peter Sasdy, Screenwriter Jeremy Paul and star Ingrid Pitt; trailer. THE VAMPIRE LOVERS is Hammer's brilliant take on Sheridan Le Fanu's "Carmilla" with Peter Cushing: l.85:1, 16x9; commentary track with Director Roy Ward Baker, Screenwriter Tudor Gates and star Ingrid Pitt; excerpts from "Carmilla" read by Ingrid Pitt, accompanied by stills gallery; trailer. This includes all of the restored footage from MGM's VHS edition, plus the full-frontal nude shot of Ingrid Pitt emerging from the bathtub that has never appeared on any previous U.S. video release! This transfer also corrects a day-for-night scene that was mistakenly presented as "day" on the VHS
COMEDY OF TERRORS/THE RAVEN--COMEDY OF TERRORS, directed by Jacques Tournier and written by Richard Mattheson, is a comedic horror film about an overzealous undertaker who tries to fill the cemetery. Starring Vincent Price, Boris Karloff, Peter Lorre and Basil Rathbone: 2.35:1, 16 x 9; interview with Screenwriter Richard Matheson; trailer. THE RAVEN is far removed from the dark poetry of Poe. Instead it's a comedic horror film, and a damn entertaining one at that. Starring Vincent Price, Boris Karloff, Peter Lorre and Jack Nicholson, who contorts his face a lot on a memorable carraige ride: 2.35:1, 16 x 9; interview with Director Roger Corman; interview with Screenwriter Richard Matheson; rare promotional record featuring the voices of Boris Karloff, Peter Lorre and Paul Frees; trailer
THE HAUNTED PALACE/TOWER OF LONDON--THE HAUNTED PALACE was billed as a Poe picture but is actually based on H.P. Lovecraft's "The Strange Case of Charles Dexter Ward." Stars Vincent Price and Lon Chaney, Jr.: 2.35:1, 16 x 9. New high definition transfer--first home video release in original widescreen aspect ratio! Interview with Director Roger Corman; trailer. TOWER OF LONDON is Corman's take on the classic tale with Richard III (Price yet again) murdering all those who oppose him, only to get his just desserts from their vengeful spirits: Letterbox 1.66:1; interview with Producer Gene Corman; trailer. (Note: Director Roger Corman was invited to participate in the discussion of this film, but chose to defer to his brother)
THE TOMB OF LIGEIA/AN EVENING OF EDGAR ALLEN POE--THE TOMB OF LIGEIA is one of Corman's lesser known, but all around better Edgar Allen Poe films. Vincent Price gets a new wife, but is still haunted by the spirit of his old one. Boasts a script by Robert Towne: 2.35:1, 16 x 9; two audio commentaries--commentary track # 1 with Director Roger Corman; commentary track # 2 with star Elizabeth Shepherd and film historian David Del Valle (from the Image laserdisc); trailer. AN EVENING OF EDGAR ALLEN POE was a one-hour 1972 television special, hosted by Vincent Price: 1.33:1 (original aspect ratio)
POLTERGEIST II/III-- POLTERGEIST II: THE OTHER SIDE features the ghosts still after Heather O'Rourke and features the first appearance of the mysterious old man. It also has a creature called the Vomit Monster. POLTERGEIST III, whose production was marked with tragedy, has O'Rourke going to a Chicago high-rise where the ghosts have followed her yet again.
GHOULIES/GHOULIES 2-- I love GHOULIES! A film about a Kyle Maclachlan lookalike who dabbles with the dark arts and raises some devious little demons. GHOULIES II is more GREMLINS-esque while still retaining some of the horror elements of the original. In that one, the Ghoulies are loosed upon a carnival. Both films are 1.85:1, 16 x 9, and include trailers
TROLL/TROLL 2-- TROLL is the Charles Band film with interesting creature effects from John Carl Beuchler. It involves an apartment building quickly becoming the stomping ground for medieval monsters. TROLL 2 is Joe D'Amato and Claudio Fragrasso's God-awful, hilarious film about a town of goblins with a very unhealthy appetite. Dear God, TROLL 2 goes digital! Both films are 1.85:1, 16 x 9, and include trailers
MGM will also be releasing THE PRIVATE LIFE OF SHERLOCK HOLMES with Christopher Lee on July 15th and Roger Corman's rarely seen western FIVE GUNS west on May 20th.
However, don't forget the April Midnite Movies featuring two horror films and numerous cult items. As reported here a couple months ago, these Double Features include:
CRY OF THE BANSHEE/MURDERS IN THE RUE MORGUE
ANGEL UNCHAINED/THE CYCLE SAVAGES
INVISIBLE INVADERS/JOURNEY TO THE SEVENTH PLANET
MUSCLE BEACH PARTY/SKI PARTY
PSYCH-OUT/THE TRIP
Look in our archives for the January 7th story, which featured full descriptions.
I don't know whether to cry because I'm so happy, or because I'll be going bankrupt from all of this.
While I compose myself, post in our !
THE GHOUL: 70th ANNIVERSARY RESTORED EDITION--Karloff fans rejoice! Available for years only in murky transfers made from a ragged, cropped Czechoslovakian print, MGM's new transfer is the first U.S. release utilizing the film's original 35mm elements held by the British Film Institute. Extensive digital restoration was used to remove thousands of instances of film damage and clean up the soundtrack. The result is a transfer of THE GHOUL that looks and sounds better than anything available for 70 years
RAW MEAT (a.k.a. DEATHLINE)-- Absolutely crazy little film about desperate cannibals living in London's tube system. I never thought we'd see this one!: 1.85:1, 16 x 9. Original uncut British version, featuring gory footage trimmed from the U.S. release
SQUIRM-- Eeeek! Killer worms in this camp classic: 1.85:1, 16 x 9. New high definition transfer of the original uncut version approved by director Jeff Lieberman. Audio commentary by Director Jeff Lieberman
BURNT OFFERINGS-- An absolutely classic haunted house film with Oliver Reed, Karen Black, Burgess Meredith and Bette Davis. Screenwriter Nolan wrote the original LOGAN'S RUN novels: 1.85:1, 16 x 9; audio commentary with Director Dan Curtis, Screenwriter William F. Nolan and star Karen Black; trailer
CLOWNHOUSE-- Victor Salva's (JEEPERS CREEPERS) controversial early horror film: 1.85:1, 16 x 9; trailer
I, MADMAN (a.k.a. HARDCOVER)-- A really great little film from Tibor Takis which pre-dated John Carpenter's IN THE MOUTH OF MADNESS: 1.85:1, 16 x 9; trailer
ONCE BITTEN-- 1980s sex comedy starring a young Jim Carrey, who gets the bite from aging vampire, Lauren Hutton: 1.85:1, 16 x 9; trailer
THE HOWLING: SPECIAL EDITION-- Joe Dante's classic werewolf movie gets the deluxe treatment, finally. 1.85:1, 16 x 9; 5.1sound mix; new 48-minute documentary; commentary track from the Image laserdisc; deleted scenes; outtakes; trailer; more
If all that isn't enough, they're also bringing us the following Double Feature discs:
COUNTESS DRACULA/THE VAMPIRE LOVERS--COUNTESS DRACULA in which Ingird Pitt plays the Countess Bathory: Letterbox 1.66:1; complete, uncensored British cut; commentary track with Director Peter Sasdy, Screenwriter Jeremy Paul and star Ingrid Pitt; trailer. THE VAMPIRE LOVERS is Hammer's brilliant take on Sheridan Le Fanu's "Carmilla" with Peter Cushing: l.85:1, 16x9; commentary track with Director Roy Ward Baker, Screenwriter Tudor Gates and star Ingrid Pitt; excerpts from "Carmilla" read by Ingrid Pitt, accompanied by stills gallery; trailer. This includes all of the restored footage from MGM's VHS edition, plus the full-frontal nude shot of Ingrid Pitt emerging from the bathtub that has never appeared on any previous U.S. video release! This transfer also corrects a day-for-night scene that was mistakenly presented as "day" on the VHS
COMEDY OF TERRORS/THE RAVEN--COMEDY OF TERRORS, directed by Jacques Tournier and written by Richard Mattheson, is a comedic horror film about an overzealous undertaker who tries to fill the cemetery. Starring Vincent Price, Boris Karloff, Peter Lorre and Basil Rathbone: 2.35:1, 16 x 9; interview with Screenwriter Richard Matheson; trailer. THE RAVEN is far removed from the dark poetry of Poe. Instead it's a comedic horror film, and a damn entertaining one at that. Starring Vincent Price, Boris Karloff, Peter Lorre and Jack Nicholson, who contorts his face a lot on a memorable carraige ride: 2.35:1, 16 x 9; interview with Director Roger Corman; interview with Screenwriter Richard Matheson; rare promotional record featuring the voices of Boris Karloff, Peter Lorre and Paul Frees; trailer
THE HAUNTED PALACE/TOWER OF LONDON--THE HAUNTED PALACE was billed as a Poe picture but is actually based on H.P. Lovecraft's "The Strange Case of Charles Dexter Ward." Stars Vincent Price and Lon Chaney, Jr.: 2.35:1, 16 x 9. New high definition transfer--first home video release in original widescreen aspect ratio! Interview with Director Roger Corman; trailer. TOWER OF LONDON is Corman's take on the classic tale with Richard III (Price yet again) murdering all those who oppose him, only to get his just desserts from their vengeful spirits: Letterbox 1.66:1; interview with Producer Gene Corman; trailer. (Note: Director Roger Corman was invited to participate in the discussion of this film, but chose to defer to his brother)
THE TOMB OF LIGEIA/AN EVENING OF EDGAR ALLEN POE--THE TOMB OF LIGEIA is one of Corman's lesser known, but all around better Edgar Allen Poe films. Vincent Price gets a new wife, but is still haunted by the spirit of his old one. Boasts a script by Robert Towne: 2.35:1, 16 x 9; two audio commentaries--commentary track # 1 with Director Roger Corman; commentary track # 2 with star Elizabeth Shepherd and film historian David Del Valle (from the Image laserdisc); trailer. AN EVENING OF EDGAR ALLEN POE was a one-hour 1972 television special, hosted by Vincent Price: 1.33:1 (original aspect ratio)
POLTERGEIST II/III-- POLTERGEIST II: THE OTHER SIDE features the ghosts still after Heather O'Rourke and features the first appearance of the mysterious old man. It also has a creature called the Vomit Monster. POLTERGEIST III, whose production was marked with tragedy, has O'Rourke going to a Chicago high-rise where the ghosts have followed her yet again.
GHOULIES/GHOULIES 2-- I love GHOULIES! A film about a Kyle Maclachlan lookalike who dabbles with the dark arts and raises some devious little demons. GHOULIES II is more GREMLINS-esque while still retaining some of the horror elements of the original. In that one, the Ghoulies are loosed upon a carnival. Both films are 1.85:1, 16 x 9, and include trailers
TROLL/TROLL 2-- TROLL is the Charles Band film with interesting creature effects from John Carl Beuchler. It involves an apartment building quickly becoming the stomping ground for medieval monsters. TROLL 2 is Joe D'Amato and Claudio Fragrasso's God-awful, hilarious film about a town of goblins with a very unhealthy appetite. Dear God, TROLL 2 goes digital! Both films are 1.85:1, 16 x 9, and include trailers
MGM will also be releasing THE PRIVATE LIFE OF SHERLOCK HOLMES with Christopher Lee on July 15th and Roger Corman's rarely seen western FIVE GUNS west on May 20th.
However, don't forget the April Midnite Movies featuring two horror films and numerous cult items. As reported here a couple months ago, these Double Features include:
CRY OF THE BANSHEE/MURDERS IN THE RUE MORGUE
ANGEL UNCHAINED/THE CYCLE SAVAGES
INVISIBLE INVADERS/JOURNEY TO THE SEVENTH PLANET
MUSCLE BEACH PARTY/SKI PARTY
PSYCH-OUT/THE TRIP
Look in our archives for the January 7th story, which featured full descriptions.
I don't know whether to cry because I'm so happy, or because I'll be going bankrupt from all of this.
While I compose myself, post in our !