Directed by Charles Marquis Warren
Starring Peggie Castle, Arthur Franz, Marsha Hunt, Don Haggerty
You don’t hear many folks saying they’re going to miss 2023. But not many seem all that hopeful about 2024, either. So any kind of good news is a real blessing. For old movie nuts like me (and surely most of you), we can see plenty of coolness in Kino Lorber’s announcement of Back From The Dead (q957), one of the best of the Regalscope pictures, coming to Blu-Ray.
RegalScope is black and white CinemaScope, nothing more. Robert Lippert’s Regal Films made around 50 RegalScope features between 1956 and 1959 — all of them cheap, most of them Westerns or horror movies. I absolutely love the RegalScope pictures.
Charles Marquis Warren directed, not long after leaving Gunsmoke. It’s a tale of the occult and possession with the great Peggie Castle possessed by the first wife of her husband Arthur Franz and causing all kinds of havoc.
It’s got a great cast, some nice coastal California location stuff and that supercool B&W ‘Scope aesthetic.
In some cities, rather than playing backup to a color-‘Scope 20th Century Fox film, Back From The Dead played with another Reglascope horror movie, The Unknown Terror (1957) starring Mala Powers — also directed by Charles Marquis Warren. Warren did a few RegalScope Westerns, too.
It’s great to know Kino Lorber has access to some of the Regalscope films. Hope this one is followed by more. Highly recommended!
The Hannibal 8 
Fox or Fox Disney as they are now seem to have given up on releasing vintage movies. As luck would have it several RegalScope titles ended up with Republic or Paramount as things stand now.
Imprint’s sensational version of UNKNOWN TERROR made one wonder why it’s maligned reputation stood for so many years when actually it’s pretty good and had a bigger budget than the usual RegalScope film.
If BACK FROM THE DEAD looks half as good as the Imprint version of UNKNOWN TERROR (now OOP) then it’s going to look wonderful.
I hope Kino consider a later release of UNKNOWN TERROR.
I understand Paramount only own a handful of RegalScope titles and it would be wonderful to see one of their finest Westerns STAGECOACH TO FURY get the same HD treatment.
With Horror being such a good seller despite the quality of the films I’ve often wondered why Columbia’s vintage thrillers CRY OF THE WEREWOLF and SON OF DR JEKYLL have never had an official release-the market certainly exists for that type of fare.
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GREAT news indeed
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I remember seeing an Amazon listing years back advertising a RegalScope double bill including STAGECOACH TO FURY issued by Republic Video so it’s a sure thing that Paramount own the film. Paramount/Republic only own a handful of RegalScope titles most of which have been released on Blu Ray by Olive Films and Imprint. I’m not too sure who owns SPACEMASTER X7 or STORM RIDER both sought after titles and superior films.
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Walter…..I’m sure you are reading this and please forgive me Toby but Walter’s e-mail is disabled right now.
I did try to e-mail you last night and again this morning but it failed.
To cut to the chase I DID receive your lengthy e-mail regarding Hugo Haas and I did reply to it and all of the links worked including the Scorsese clip and the bit from the delightful Dana Delany.
I liked Scorsese’s quote that Haas’s films are not great film but great “art” and it’s always comforting to meet other fans.
As much as I enjoy Cleo Moore I do prefer Beverly Michaels as Hugo’s “muse”
I watched PICKUP over the Holidays and found it sensational in both meanings of the word.
I also enjoyed Beverly in Russell Rouse’s WICKED WOMAN one of the trashiest dames in all of film Noir.
Beverly had great talent and considerable range and should have had a much better career.
I’d love to track down the original English version of Elmo Williams’ WOMEN WITHOUT MEN without the added on scenes with the likes of Jim Davis.
WOMEN WITHOUT MEN was I believe an original Hammer Film and would make a welcome addition to Studio Canal’s “Cult Classics” imprint presuming that they do own the film considering they own the rights to most Hammer productions.
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I just saw that today Kino Lorber announced a set of 3 films including THE UNKNOWN TERROR! The others are THE COLOSSUS OF NEW YORK and DESTINATION INNER SPACE.
I recently saw on a chat board that Kino has a new deal for some Paramount and Republic films, which now connect with John’s comment as the explanation for these Regalscope releases. I read on the board that there will be some additional Dark Side of Cinema sets with Paramount/Republic films.
A few months ago Paramount’s THE HOUR BEFORE THE DAWN (1944) with Veronica Lake was announced…still waiting on that one.
I thought THE STORM RIDER was great, it made my “Favorite Discoveries” the year I first saw it, and I’d love to have a nice copy!
Saw WICKED WOMAN at a Noir City fest and it was great fun, wonderful audience response to Beverly Michaels’ trashy character. PICKUP will be shown on TCM’s Noir Alley franchise next weekend.
Was Walter hacked? I got an “uncharacteristic” email from him a couple weeks ago but didn’t know how to let him know, other than responding and hoping he might see it.
Happy New Year!
Best wishes,
Laura
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Yes, Laura sadly Walter was hacked.
That’s always good news when new deals are made with Paramount/Republic because the master elements are in such good shape.
There are just so many Republic B’s that fit right into Noir territory.
I watched a lovely little Republic Noir over the holidays
FORGOTTEN GIRLS (1940) with Louise Platt.
Railroaded to prison by her evil stepmother Louise actually prefers life in prison which is incredibly “progressive” to say the least. The film then morphs into a full blown Noir as the horrible stepmother and her even more horrible boyfriend spring Louise from prison to murder her and claim the insurance.
A hugely entertaining film which I would love a Kino Lorber restored version of-there’s hundreds of these in the vaults.
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Thank you for confirming the hacking, John. I hope he’s able to get things squared away with his account soon.
FORGOTTEN GIRLS sounds good!
Best wishes,
Laura
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