Directed by Walter Colmes
Starring John Loder, Nancy Kelly, Otto Kruger
On her way to the New England town where she once lived, Nancy Kelly meets an old woman on the bus, right before the bus crashes. Kelly becomes convinced she’s a reincarnated witch — and the little town gets more creeped out and paranoid as time goes on.
The fine folks at ViaVision have brought this creepy little gem to Blu-Ray as part of their Imprint collection, from a 4K scan of the nitrate negative and with their customary wealth of supplemental stuff. Highly, highly recommended.
The Hannibal 8 
For me the best of Republic’s trip into Val Lewton territory. As much as I love THE VAMPIRE’S GHOST and CATMAN OF PARIS this film is the closest to the spirit of Lewton.
Walter Colmes is certainly no Jacques Tourneur but Henry Sharp’s (MINISTRY OF FEAR; THE MAN IN HALF MOON STREET) wonderful cinematography adds much to the Gothic feel. Oddly enough the master neg was supplied by Studio Canal perhaps the Paramount source for once was below par. I never knew Studio Canal held Republic titles-perhaps this remains from the fact that British Lion (their library is held by Studio Canal) distributed many Republic titles in the UK.
A vintage Republic title making it’s way to Blu Ray is always a major event in my book. WOMAN WHO CAME BACK also marks John Loder’s short spell as a B Movie Horror star other excellent Loder titles include GORILLA MAN BRIGHTON STRANGLER and THE MYSTERIOUS DOCTOR (also shot by Sharp.)
I have not listened to the commentary for WOMAN WHO CAME BACK but I will. I must admit I was a tad disappointed with the two commentaries for BACK FROM THE DEAD hoping to learn far much more regarding Regal Films in general and Robert L Lippert in particular. Instead I learned much about the original source material and the music which is of little interest to me. The bit I did love was Tom Weaver’s stellar efforts to interview the very prickly Arthur Franz. Franz was notorious in avoiding fans and journos especially if they wanted to talk about his many fantasy films which he obviously despised. Weaver’s first encounter with Franz was as expected despite many warning him not to approach the actor. Weaver tried again having got hold of INVADERS FROM MARS; A&C MEET THE INVISIBLE MAN and MONSTER ON THE CAMPUS. The furious actor raged “I don’t like them and I don’t want to see them”
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Recently revisited The Sniper — Franz is so good in that!
Woman Who Came Back is terrific. While it certainly owes a lot to the Lewton films, I always think it’d make a great twin-bill with Horror Hotel/City Of The Dead.
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It would also make a great double bill with Arch Oboler’s BEWITCHED that’s one really scary movie.
In his BACK FROM THE DEAD commentary Weaver also trashes the generally unloved SOUL OF A MONSTER, but not by me, another film that would be great doubled with WOMAN WHO CAME BACK.
All of these films should also appeal to Noir addicts.
Totally agree regarding THE SNIPER.
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The dozen or more Republic releases from producers Walter Colmes and W. Lee Wilder in the mid-1940s never seemed to become a permanent part of the Republic library. Even going back to early-1950s tv-syndication, they were under a different umbrella, a separate package. Some good b-films in this mix. I’d always worried a bit as to whether decent elements survived on these films, so it was a happy and almost surprising relief when I heard “Woman Who Came Back” (1945) was making it to blu. Haven’t gotten my copy yet, but looking forward to it, alongside the effectively disquieting “Black Moon” (1934-Col). Really hope ViaVision continues to mine this territory!
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Bert-I keep asking them to. Some of the most interesting Republic titles are in bad shape like OUT OF THE STORM.
I guess the reason Imprint sourced this film from Studio Canal rather than Paramount is that I guess Studio Canal hold the rights to the Walter Colmes titles which also include IDENTITY UNKNOWN with Richard Arlen. Colmes also directed the PRC Noir ACCOMPLICE also with Arlen
A company in Wales-UK called Trip Discs have just released a stunning DVD version of the W Lee Wilder production THE GREAT FLAMARION directed by Anthony Mann; sadly Trip Discs do not post overseas.
Regarding BLACK MOON the Imprint Blu Ray is stunning-far more grain than we are used to from Sony. The Imprint release also includes the rare tinted version which alternates from orange to green once the action starts.
Finally I find it quiet depressing about the lack of Jack Holt’s 30’s and 40’s films available.
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