Classic Horrors Rewind, Eerie Essentials

Read Time:4 Minute, 50 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Republic Pictures Horror Collection (BLU-RAY)
The Lady and The Monster –
The Phantom Speaks –
The Catman of Paris –
Valley of The Zombies –

Genre: Horror, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Year Released: 1944-1946
Runtime: 4h 35m
Director(s): George Sherman, John English, Lesley Selander, Philip Ford
Writer(s): Dane Lussier, Frederick Kohner, Curt Siodmak, John K. Butler, Sherman L. Lowe, Dorrell McGowan, Stuart E. McGowan, Royal K. Cole, Sherman L. Lowe
Cast: Vera Ralston, Richard Arlen, Robert Livingston, Erich von Stroheim, Carl Esmond, Lenore Aubert, Lorna Gray, Adele Mara, Mary Nash, Stanley Ridges, Lynne Roberts, Douglas Dumbrille, Gerald Mohr, Ian Keith, LeRoy Mason
Where To Watch: available now here www.kinolorber.com or www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: Kino Lorber's REPUBLIC PICTURES HORROR COLLECTION focuses on four timeless fright fests with their incredible HD restorations, directly sourced from Paramount Pictures' 4K masters. This collection dives into the dark corners of mid-20th-century horror, delivering a quartet of creepy classics: THE LADY AND THE MONSTER, THE PHANTOM SPEAKS, THE CATMAN OF PARIS, and VALLEY OF THE ZOMBIES.

Unlocking the vault of classic horror, Kino Lorber presents REPUBLIC PICTURES HORROR COLLECTION—a lineup that mixes chills with the cinema style of the day. With plots as rich as a vampire's velvet cloak, this compilation showcases genre-defining suspense and shadow.

THE LADY AND THE MONSTER set the eerie tone, unveiling the blurred lines between genius and insanity through the riveting portrayal by Erich von Stroheim as Professor Mueller. His daring experiments in a shadow-laden castle venture deep into the terror of the human psyche rather than mere creature features. The 1944 classic is enriched by John Alton's cinematography, which envelops every frame in deep, menacing shadows, enhancing the sinister narrative woven by Vera Ralston and Richard Arlen as they grapple with their scientific and ethical boundaries.

Following this unnerving beginning, THE PHANTOM SPEAKS ramps up the supernatural stakes. This 1945 production merges a hard-boiled detective vibe with a ghostly revenge saga. The specter of a murdered gangster taking over a doctor to fulfill his evil deeds ensures that the eerie essence seeps up beyond the grave. Stanley Ridges and Tom Powers give intriguing performances that make the interplay between the spectral and the real as palpable as the thick fog on a London night.

Transitioning to psychological suspense, THE CATMAN OF PARIS adds a layer of mental mirage to the mix. Carl Esmond portrays Charles Regnier, tormented by the fear that he will become a monstrous creature by night. Although shot entirely in Los Angeles, the film, under Lesley Selander's direction, cleverly masquerades its sets to resemble the enigmatic streets of post-war Paris, crafting a narrative thick with tension and haunted by doubt.

The compilation concludes with VALLEY OF THE ZOMBIES, in which Ian Keith transforms the traditional zombie into something more sinister and cerebral. The 1946 film steers from familiar undead narratives to focus on a vampiric quest for survival by blending noir and mystery elements. The storyline navigates medical mysteries and detective investigations, centering on Murks' unsettling existence rather than an undead onslaught.

Republic Pictures' legacy of richly crafted productions shines brightly across this collection. These films are a nod to an era when horror thrived on atmospheric tension rather than high-tech effects, and their restoration allows both new audiences and horror enthusiasts to appreciate their artistic merit and historical significance.

The REPUBLIC PICTURES HORROR COLLECTION is not merely a reanimation of classic films but a celebratory reinvigoration of the horror genre's foundational tales. These films remind us why we peek through our fingers during scary scenes and why shadows in a dark room can make our hearts race. Each movie makes its mark as the collection moves from gothic castles to shadow-filled streets, proving that true horror knows no age. This set is essential viewing for anyone eager to revisit the roots of horror; all wrapped up in the crisp clarity of modern film technology.

Product Extras:
HD Masters by Paramount Pictures – From 4K Scans
NEW Audio Commentary for THE LADY AND THE MONSTER by Film Historian Stephen Bissette
Audio Commentary for THE PHANTOM SPEAKS by Novelist and Critic Tim Lucas
NEW Audio Commentary for THE CATMAN OF PARIS by Film Historians David Del Valle and Miles Hunter
NEW Audio Commentary for VALLEY OF THE ZOMBIES by Historians David Del Valle and Miles Hunter
Audio Commentary for VALLEY OF THE ZOMBIES by Novelist and Critic Tim Lucas
Sidebar on THE LADY AND THE MONSTER On-Camera with Tim Lucas and Steven Bissette
Optional English Subtitles

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[photo courtesy of KINO LORBER]

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