Home Theater Forum › Home Theater Forum › Blu-ray, DVD, Streaming Video and Digital Downloads › DVD › WHV Press Release: Karloff & Lugosi Horror Classics
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

WHV Press Release: Karloff & Lugosi Horror Classics

post #1 of 46
Thread Starter 
KARLOFF & LUGOSI HORROR CLASSICS
The Walking Dead! Frankenstein-1970!
You’ll Find Out! Zombies on Broadway!

OCTOBER 6 FROM WARNER HOME VIDEO

Burbank, Calif., June 15, 2009 – Horror fans will again be screaming this Halloween when Warner Home Video debuts the Karloff & Lugosi Horror Classics October 6 -- four frightfully fun horror classics all in one collection and on DVD for the first time. Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi, iconic horror actors best known for creating the screen’s original Frankenstein and Dracula characters, star here in other roles in The Walking Dead, Frankenstein-1970, You’ll Find Out and Zombies on Broadway. The 2-disc set will be available for $26.98 SRP.

The Walking Dead (1936)
The Walking Dead is a unique blend of cinematic horror and the classic Warner Bros. gangster stylings. This long-admired cult favorite stars Boris Karloff, who gives an outstanding performance as John Ellman, an ex-con framed for murder who’s sentenced to the electric chair. When Ellman is brought back to life through the miracles of science, his only task is to seek revenge against those responsible for his death. Michael Curtiz (Casablanca) directs this eerie tale.

Special Feature:
--Commentary by historian Greg Mank

Frankenstein-1970 (1958)
Nearly twenty years after his final appearance as the Frankenstein monster in Son of Frankenstein, Boris Karloff returned to the screen in a new film derived from the Mary Shelley story that first catapulted him to stardom. In this 1958 horror classic, Karloff appears in the role of Dr. Victor Frankenstein, a descendent of the original doctor, whose depleted fortune forces him to grant a film crew access to the family castle to shoot a horror flick. It’s not all bad, though, since he now has a supply of fresh body parts ready for harvesting.

Special Feature:
--Commentary by historians Charlotte Austin and Tom Weaver

You’ll Find Out (1940)
Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi and Peter Lorre poke fun at their horror-genre personas in this wacky 1940 RKO mix of music, murder and mirth. The plot finds the trio of horror legends leaving a trail of terror and laughs along the way, as they plan a murder in order to nab a young heiress’ inheritance in a spooky, spoofy haunted house tale. The film was one of several hits of the era featuring the music and merriment of the then popular Kay Kyser and his band. The film’s original song, “I’d Know You Anywhere” was Oscar® nominated.

Zombies on Broadway (1945)
The emphasis is equally spread between horror and hi-jinx in this wacky RKO production that has endeared itself to generations of die-hard Lugosi fans. Here, Bela Lugosi stars as mad scientist Dr. Paul Renault who ends up with more than he bargained for when he encounters
two inept Broadway press agents (Alan Carney and Wally Brown) looking for a real-life zombie to use for a publicity stunt in promoting a new nightclub.


KARLOFF & LUGOSI HORROR CLASSICS
Street Date: October 6, 2009
Collection Pricing: $26.98 SRP

Gear mentioned in this thread:

Karloff & Lugosi Horror Classics (The Walking Dead / Frankenstein 1970 / You'll Find Out / Zombies on Broadway)
post #2 of 46

Re: WHV Press Release: Karloff & Lugosi Horror Classics

Let me get this right, Warner is actually releasing some classic films onto dvd through the normal retailer route? No way, too many on this forum have stated they're through doing such releases.





Crawdaddy
post #3 of 46

Re: WHV Press Release: Karloff & Lugosi Horror Classics

Quote:
Originally Posted by Robert Crawford
Let me get this right, Warner is actually releasing some classic films onto dvd through the normal retailer route? No way, too many on this forum have stated they're through doing such releases.
Crawdaddy

Well, this set is a must-buy for me and I hope there will be more retail releases in autumn and winter otherwise the moaning won't stop.
post #4 of 46

Re: WHV Press Release: Karloff & Lugosi Horror Classics

Needless to say, I've been waiting for this release forever! Very pleased to get the official announcement, and I'm glad it's an "official" release. Very elated to see also that the commentaries previously prepared by Greg Mank and Tom Weaver will be included!

One question -- I wonder if FRANKENSTEIN-1970 will be presented in its original Widescreen ratio? Even if it isn't it won't be a deal breaker for me in this case, but I was just wondering.

P.S> -- Warner, if you're listening, there's also one more RKO comedy with Bela Lugosi, Brown & Carney, and Lionel Atwill --- 1946's GENIUS AT WORK ... if you can squeeze it in someplace, that is! Otherwise, there's another potential title for your Warner Archives.
post #5 of 46

Re: WHV Press Release: Karloff & Lugosi Horror Classics

Quote:
Originally Posted by Joe Karlosi

One question -- I wonder if FRANKENSTEIN-1970 will be presented in its original Widescreen ratio? Even if it isn't it won't be a deal breaker for me in this case, but I was just wondering.

According to this year's chat:

Quote:
All remastered and yes FRANKENSTEIN 1970 is 16x9!
post #6 of 46

Re: WHV Press Release: Karloff & Lugosi Horror Classics

Thanks for the confirmation of 16x9!

Too bad we didn't get Peter Lorre in THE BEAST WITH FIVE FINGERS as well (Karloff/Lugosi/Lorre Collection), but maybe Warner's planning a separate Peter Lorre Set down the line.
post #7 of 46

Re: WHV Press Release: Karloff & Lugosi Horror Classics

This is the way I like my classic releases. Thanks, Warner.
post #8 of 46

Re: WHV Press Release: Karloff & Lugosi Horror Classics

Glad to see this annoucement from WB . I hope they will continue to put out regular restored dvds . I am supporting the Archive program and have been happy with my purchases so far. But i hope they continue both venues in the future. My wallet may suffer, but i will be happy. This is a must buy for me. I like all four films. Walking dead is a good film. I also have a weakness for any horror comedy from the 30s-40s . Plus any film with Karloff as a mad scientist is a film i like to watch.
post #9 of 46

Re: WHV Press Release: Karloff & Lugosi Horror Classics

There were no classic pre-1960s films for April or May. Warners is still releasing nothing for June, July, August. There's one classic film coming in September. And now this box set timed for Halloween. How does that compare with previous years?
post #10 of 46

Re: WHV Press Release: Karloff & Lugosi Horror Classics

Excellent news! I'll grab my box set as soon as it is released.
Tks Warner!
post #11 of 46

Re: WHV Press Release: Karloff & Lugosi Horror Classics

Quote:
Originally Posted by Robert Crawford
No way, too many on this forum have stated they're through doing such releases.Crawdaddy

I have worked on enough contracts so I at least qualified my posts with the word "seems" ...........and though I am thrilled to see this box set and I will purchase it wouldn't you have thought that since A-List titles with Clark Gable, Lana Turner, Errol Flynn and Gene Kelly ended up in the archives , these films - especially these films - would have been prime archive material?
post #12 of 46

Re: WHV Press Release: Karloff & Lugosi Horror Classics

I'm very pleased to see this announcement and I hope there's more on the way. Four movies and a couple of commentaries for $27 is more like it.
post #13 of 46

Re: WHV Press Release: Karloff & Lugosi Horror Classics

Quote:
Originally Posted by Richard M S
I have worked on enough contracts so I at least qualified my posts with the word "seems" ...........and though I am thrilled to see this box set and I will purchase it wouldn't you have thought that since A-List titles with Clark Gable, Lana Turner, Errol Flynn and Gene Kelly ended up in the archives , these films - especially these films - would have been prime archive material?



Apparently Warner considers Karloff and Lugosi to be bigger sellers than Clark Gable, Joan Crawford, Lana Turner, Robert Taylor, John Garfield, Cary Grant, Gary Copper, James Cagney, Spencer Tracy, Randolph Scott, or Rosalind Russell. I guess the people buying horror DVDs are a larger group than those that buy the pre-1960s classic Hollywood non-horror stuff.
post #14 of 46

Re: WHV Press Release: Karloff & Lugosi Horror Classics

Good news indeed - it's worth getting for THE WALKING DEAD alone in my book, a weird conflation of plots and motifs from Karloff's BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN and CHARLIE CHAN AT THE OPERA handled with bags of style by Michael Curtiz - can't wait!
post #15 of 46

Re: WHV Press Release: Karloff & Lugosi Horror Classics

Quote:
Originally Posted by Richard M S
though I am thrilled to see this box set and I will purchase it wouldn't you have thought that since A-List titles with Clark Gable, Lana Turner, Errol Flynn and Gene Kelly ended up in the archives , these films - especially these films - would have been prime archive material?

Shhhhhh... don't give 'em any ideas!

I also think maybe part of the reason (just guessing) is that these titles have been in the pipeline for a while already, and the commentary tracks were done some time ago. I'm thinking this was already a given.
post #16 of 46

Re: WHV Press Release: Karloff & Lugosi Horror Classics

Quote:
Originally Posted by jdee28
Apparently Warner considers Karloff and Lugosi to be bigger sellers than Clark Gable, Joan Crawford, Lana Turner, Robert Taylor, John Garfield, Cary Grant, Gary Copper, James Cagney, Spencer Tracy, Randolph Scott, or Rosalind Russell. I guess the people buying horror DVDs are a larger group than those that buy the pre-1960s classic Hollywood non-horror stuff.
Sometimes a genre (horror) is an easier sell than a name (your list), especially when you start getting to titles that are not very well known. Warner had no problem releasing many titles of those actors when the titles were more saturated in the public knowledge.
post #17 of 46

Re: WHV Press Release: Karloff & Lugosi Horror Classics

Well isn't this a breath of good news?
post #18 of 46

Re: WHV Press Release: Karloff & Lugosi Horror Classics

This is a must buy. Thanks, WB.
post #19 of 46

Re: WHV Press Release: Karloff & Lugosi Horror Classics

Here's the cover art from classicflix:
post #20 of 46

Re: WHV Press Release: Karloff & Lugosi Horror Classics

people are always looking for fresh vintage horror in October.
post #21 of 46

Re: WHV Press Release: Karloff & Lugosi Horror Classics

Well, I'm glad I didn't spend all my money on their Archive editions.

No matter what anyone says in all the threads about the the Archive editions...no one knows jack about what goes on at WB...
post #22 of 46

Re: WHV Press Release: Karloff & Lugosi Horror Classics

Iit would have been nice if they had tucked THE THIRTEENTH CHAIR and THE UNHOLY NIGHT into the package. Since obviously there's not going to be a KARLOFF/LUGOSI II.
post #23 of 46

Re: WHV Press Release: Karloff & Lugosi Horror Classics

I am very happy about this of course.

But for those of you that think this means that Warner is back to normal, forgot about it. This Horror set has been in the works for a long time. It's just a dead cat bounce.

If you have been in Big Lots the past few months or if you have looked at what Amazon is selling Warner Classics for lately, you will start to realize there must be gazillions of unsold Warner Classic films gathering dust in warehouses. But Warner has now taken steps to never let that happen again. Now they won't make anything unless you pay for it first. No more overstock! It's a manufacturer's dream. I'll bet you General Motors wish they would have thought of this idea.
post #24 of 46

Re: WHV Press Release: Karloff & Lugosi Horror Classics

Quote:
Originally Posted by Charles H
Iit would have been nice if they had tucked THE THIRTEENTH CHAIR and THE UNHOLY NIGHT into the package. Since obviously there's not going to be a KARLOFF/LUGOSI II.


It would've been doubly nice if they could've also added The Beast with 5 Fingers, The Mad Genius, Svengali, Kongo and West of Zanzibar. Coin it Hollywood Legends of Horror Vol #2 and go out with a bang.

Since this is probably the last chance for most of these to be included in a Warner classic horror set, this just seems like a missed opportunity. As it stands I guess they'll be dumped in the Archive pile sometime in the future. Too bad.

Oh and I will buy this set, if nothing else just for The Walking Dead which is a genuine minor Horror classic.
post #25 of 46

Re: WHV Press Release: Karloff & Lugosi Horror Classics

All four films are classics in their own right. I do wish Warner's would release the rest of the Kay Kyser films and of course "Sh! The Octopus" I would take then as a WA release.

Where is Raintree County. And by the way, Movie Unlimited announced that Fox said not to expect any more classic releases after "Diary of Ann Frank" this year. They said no Betty Grable, no Film Noir, and no Horror.

So let's embrace this and support this release.
post #26 of 46

Re: WHV Press Release: Karloff & Lugosi Horror Classics

It's too bad GENIUS AT WORK has been left off as I find it better than all of the other comedies in the set, although I actually enjoy all the movies except 1970. It's doubtful another box would be made for something like GENIUS so it'll probably end up the DVD-R route.

Jim mentioned several other titles worth a release. WEST is rumored to be part of a Chaney Vol. 2 set but who knows where that stands now. If WEST and KONGO don't make a double feature perhaps K can go in a future pre-code set.
post #27 of 46

Re: WHV Press Release: Karloff & Lugosi Horror Classics

This is just fantastic news, I can't wait for this set! Now, what's stopping MGM (besides Fox's ignorance) from releasing their own Karloff box set with the AIP cut of BLACK SABBATH, THE CRIMSON CULT and CAULDRON OF BLOOD? Are we still blaming it on the economy?
post #28 of 46

Re: WHV Press Release: Karloff & Lugosi Horror Classics

BLACK SABBATH will probably never be released in its American form. There's a nice SE of CULT overseas but who know if it will ever show up here.
post #29 of 46

Re: WHV Press Release: Karloff & Lugosi Horror Classics

Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael Elliott
BLACK SABBATH will probably never be released in its American form. There's a nice SE of CULT overseas but who know if it will ever show up here.

Both have been fully remastered by MGM, and CRIMSON CULT is rumored to be a longer version of the film than ever seen before. Too bad Fox/MGM is taking a long nap now.
post #30 of 46

Re: WHV Press Release: Karloff & Lugosi Horror Classics

I thought I had read (perhaps just a rumor) that Anchor Bay tried to get the rights for the American version to release with their original and were turned down or told that there were legal issues with it. I might be wrong on that though or the rumor might have been just some made up stuff.
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: DVD

Gear mentioned in this thread:

Karloff & Lugosi Horror Classics (The Walking Dead / Frankenstein 1970 / You'll Find Out / Zombies on Broadway)
Home Theater Forum › Home Theater Forum › Blu-ray, DVD, Streaming Video and Digital Downloads › DVD › WHV Press Release: Karloff & Lugosi Horror Classics