- Joined
- Feb 8, 1999
- Messages
- 18,422
- Real Name
- Robert Harris
You're probably asking yourselves, "who is this John Brahm?"
Actually, probably not.
Only the most hardened cinephiles have a clue.
Mr. Brahm was a German emigre, who arrived in Hollywood by way of the UK, after directing a re-make of D.W. Griffith's Broken Blossoms there, when Mr. G decided not to partake.
After spending a few years at Columbia, he moved across town to Fox, where he spent the next five years or so, directing eight films, three of which were the basis for what those above-mentioned cinephiles consider his true style, and probably his true calling.
German expressionism.
The Undying Monster (1942), The Lodger (1944), and its "sequel" Hangover Square (1945), the latter two both starring troubled star Laird Cregar, are the keys to his cinema kingdom.
While he directed other film in the 1950s, and one in the 1960s, during that era, he made a rather different name for himself in episodic television. Naked City, The Outer Limits, The Twilight Zone, The Alfred Hitchcock Hour (and Presents), Thriller, The Defenders, Wagon Train, Medic, The Millionaire, Dr, Kildare, The Man (and Girl) from U.N.C.L.E.
One can only dream of what Mr. Brahm's career might have taken, had he gone the noir route.
Undying Monster is a "B" picture, but rises above its budget, to give Fox a taste of what was occurring on the other side of the hill, at Universal, with their long-term series involving lycanthrope.
As a Blu-ray, Kino Lorber's release is a quality affair. With original negative no longer surviving, we get is the 2007 digital restoration, which stabilized and cleaned the best surviving elements.
No problems here, as it looks and sounds fine.
Hopefully, Kino Lorber will (or already has) licensed The Lodger and Hangover Square, as they're essential to the history of 1940s cinema.
Image - 4
Audio - 4
4k Up-rez - 4.25
Pass / Fail - Pass
Recommended
RAH
Actually, probably not.
Only the most hardened cinephiles have a clue.
Mr. Brahm was a German emigre, who arrived in Hollywood by way of the UK, after directing a re-make of D.W. Griffith's Broken Blossoms there, when Mr. G decided not to partake.
After spending a few years at Columbia, he moved across town to Fox, where he spent the next five years or so, directing eight films, three of which were the basis for what those above-mentioned cinephiles consider his true style, and probably his true calling.
German expressionism.
The Undying Monster (1942), The Lodger (1944), and its "sequel" Hangover Square (1945), the latter two both starring troubled star Laird Cregar, are the keys to his cinema kingdom.
While he directed other film in the 1950s, and one in the 1960s, during that era, he made a rather different name for himself in episodic television. Naked City, The Outer Limits, The Twilight Zone, The Alfred Hitchcock Hour (and Presents), Thriller, The Defenders, Wagon Train, Medic, The Millionaire, Dr, Kildare, The Man (and Girl) from U.N.C.L.E.
One can only dream of what Mr. Brahm's career might have taken, had he gone the noir route.
Undying Monster is a "B" picture, but rises above its budget, to give Fox a taste of what was occurring on the other side of the hill, at Universal, with their long-term series involving lycanthrope.
As a Blu-ray, Kino Lorber's release is a quality affair. With original negative no longer surviving, we get is the 2007 digital restoration, which stabilized and cleaned the best surviving elements.
No problems here, as it looks and sounds fine.
Hopefully, Kino Lorber will (or already has) licensed The Lodger and Hangover Square, as they're essential to the history of 1940s cinema.
Image - 4
Audio - 4
4k Up-rez - 4.25
Pass / Fail - Pass
Recommended
RAH
