4K News #382: Hatari (1962).

Directed by Howard Hawks
Starring John Wayne, Hardy Krüger, Elsa Martinelli, Red Buttons, Gérard Blain, Bruce Cabot

With its incredible Technicolor location scenes in Africa — such as John Wayne strapped to the front of a truck actually trying to catch a rhinoceros, Howard Hawks’ Hatari! (1962) is the kind of film you’d think Blu-Ray was made for.

But when it was released on Blu-Ray a few years ago, word quickly spread that it looked terrible — and many of us decided to stick with our old DVDs and hope something better would come along. Well, it looks like some better has come along — Kino Lorber has announced an upcoming 4K release. The announcement does not mention a Blu-Ray disc being included.

Hatari! is a cool movie, Hawks’ usual “group of people doing a difficult job thing.” Recommending it comes down to transfer and format, not the film itself.

4K/Blu-Ray News #381: Dr. Terror’s House Of Horrors (1965).

Directed by Freddie Francis
Starring Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee, Bernard Lee, Jeremy Kemp, Michael Gough, Donald Sutherland

I’ve been on a bit of a Peter Cushing – Freddie Francis kick of late (watch for some upcoming posts on ’em), so I was really excited to hear about Vineger Syndrome’s upcoming 4K/Blu-Ray release of Cushing in Francis’ Dr. Terror’s House Of Horrors (1965). Packed with extras and transferred from the 35mm (Technicolor and Techniscope) camera negative, the set will include both a Blu-Ray and 4K disc.

It was shot by Alan Hume, who’d go on to do a few things you might’ve heard of — Eye Of The Needle (1981), For Your Eyes Only (1981) and Return Of The Jedi (1983).

Dr. Terror was the first of Amicus’ run of anthology horror pictures. Francis would direct a couple more, Torture Garden (1967) and Tales From The Crypt (1972), while Cushing would appear in almost all of them. This is maybe the best of the bunch, though I’m quite fond of Tales From The Crypt, so it’s easy to recommend this one very, very highly.

Note in the ad up top that it was sent out with Antonio Margheriti’s Horror Castle (1963) or George Pal’s War Of The Worlds (1953). Wow.

Blu-Ray News #375: The President’s Analyst (1967).

Written & Directed by Theodore J. Flicker
Starring James Coburn, Godfrey Cambridge, Severn Darden, Joan Delaney, Pat Harrington, Jr., Barry McGuire, Will Geer

Kino Lorber is bringing Theodore J. Flicker’s The President’s Analyst (1967) to Blu-Ray. And that’s a happenin’ thing indeed.

The President is under a lot of stress, so an analyst (James Coburn) is enlisted to give him someone to talk to. But who’s Coburn gonna talk to — especially after he’s sought after for the many secrets he’s learned. It’s all very satirical — and at times, a bit prophetic. 

There were some music rights issues that effected the old VHS tapes. Those were cleared up for the DVD, but some folks claim there’s another sequence missing. I’m not not sure what the story is on that, but since Kino Lorber is promising a 4K transfer from the camera negative, there’s a good chance it’s the whole thing. Coming in March. Highly recommended.

Blu-Ray News #372: Sci-Fi Chillers Collection (1957-1966).

Kino Lorber have announced a terrific Blu-Ray set of science fiction films called, appropriately enough, Sci-Fi Chillers Collection. 

The Unknown Terror (1957)
Directed by Charles Marquis Warren
Starring John Howard, Mala Powers, Paul Richards, May Wynn

The Unknown Terror is a solid horror picture made on the typically-tight Regalscope (B&W ‘Scope) budget and schedule. Three American explorers (one of them is the lovely Mala Powers) travel to the Caribbean in search of a friend who went down there to find the Cave Of The Dead — and never came back. This leads to an American scientist and a gaggle of fungus-infested mutants. This played in a twin bill with Back From The Dead (1957), another Regalscope picture from Charles Marquis Warren — and also coming to Blu-Ray from Kino Lorber.

I wrote about this one a while back.

The Colossus Of New York (1958)
Directed by Eugène Lourié
Starring John Baragrey, Mala Powers, Otto Kruger, Robert Hutton, Ross Martin

Mala Powers is back in The Colossus Of New York. Brilliant surgeon Otto Kruger puts the brain of his dead son (and Mala Powers’ husband) into a robot — with the kind of results we expect (and long for) from movies like this. The piano score by Van Cleave is very cool. The Colossus Of New York was available from Olive Films back in the day, and it’s nice to see it coming back around.

Destination Inner Space (1966)
Directed by Francis D. Lyon
Starring Scott Brady, Gary Merrill, Sheree North, Wende Wagner, Roy Barcroft

A monster “hatches” inside an underwater research lab — the first in what looks like an invasion. It’s up to the Navy (represented by Scott Brady) and a team of scientists (lead by Gary Merrill) to save mankind.

An underwater facility, a monster (clearly patterned after the Creature From The Black Lagoon) and Sheree North (not to mention Roy Barcroft). I’m in!

Can’t wait to get ahold of this thing! Let’s hope this becomes a series like Kino Lorber’s wonderful noir sets. Highly, highly recommended.

The Olive Films, The Non-Westerns Checklist.

A few days ago, over on 50 Westerns From The 50s, I posted a list of the Westerns released on DVD and Blu-Rays by Olive Films. Turns out a number of us are looking to fill some gaps in our collections — before they’re either gone or going for crazy collectors’ prices. And now, here’s a list of some of their other titles. This is by no means everything — just the stuff that falls within the scope of this blog.

Some of these titles have already been re-issued (or are on the way) by other companies. But some may never see the light of day again, given the current state of physical media. From a couple of Republic serials to a handful of Regalscope pictures, there are some real jewels here.

As very special thanks (again) to Laura from Laura’s Miscellaneous Musings, who was a HUGE help with bringing this together. 

Betty Boop, Vols. 1-4
Sabotage (1939)
S.O.S. Tidal Wave (1939)
Lady From Louisiana (1941)
A Man Betrayed (1941)
One Of Our Aircraft Is Missing (1942)
Flying Tigers (1942)
Lady For A Night (1942)
Johnny Come Lately (1943)
Strangers In The Night (1944)
Voodoo Man (1944)
Fighting Seabees (1944)

The Return Of The Ape Man (1944)
The Strange Affair Of Uncle Harry (1945)
Flame Of Barbary Coast (1945)
The Vampire’s Ghost (1945)
The Dark Mirror (1946)
The Private Affairs Of Bel Ami (1946)
Appointment With Crime (1946)
Copacabana (1947)
Ruthless (1948)
So This Is New York (1948)
Force Of Evil (1948)
Mr. Peabody And The Mermaid (1948)
Wake Of The Red Witch (1948)
Sands Of Iwo Jima (1949)
The Red Menace (1949)
The Kid From Cleveland (1949)
Love Happy (1949)
The File On Thelma Jordon (1950)
Appointment With Danger (1950)
No Man of Her Own (1950)
The Lawless (1950)
Captain Carey U.S.A. (1950)
Union Station (1950)
Three Secrets (1950)
Dark City (1950)

Flying Disc Man From Mars (1950, serial)
The Invisible Monster (1950)
Cry Danger (1951)
My Favorite Spy (1951)
Flat Top (1952)
Hoodlum Empire (1952)
The Atomic City (1952)
The Quiet Man (1952)
Retreat, Hell! (1952)
City That Never Sleeps (1953)
Commando Cody: Sky Marshal Of The Universe (1953, serial)
The Sun Shines Bright (1953)
Hell’s Half Acre (1954)
Private Hell 36 (1954)
Panther Girl Of The Kongo (1954, serial)
The Shanghai Story (1954)
Cry Vengeance (1954)
Dragonfly Squadron (1954)
Young At Heart (1955)
The Big Combo (1955)
Shack Out On 101 (1955)
The Eternal Sea (1955)
No Man’s Woman (1955)
The Americano (1955)
Strategic Air Command (1955)
The Weapon (1956)
Fire Maidens Of Outer Space (1956)
Invasion Of The Body Snatchers (1956)
China Gate (1957)
Plunder Road (1957)
She Devil (1957)

High School Confidential! (1958)
Indiscreet (1958)
Hell’s Five Hours (1958)
The Colossus Of New York (1958)
The Space Children (1958)
It! The Terror From Beyond Space (1958)
The Return Of Dracula (1958)
The Beat Generation (1959)
Operation Petticoat (1959)
Pork Chop Hill (1959)
The Big Operator (1959)
Odds Against Tomorrow (1959)
The Monster Of Piedras Blancas (1959)
A Bucket Of Blood (1959)

The Horrible Dr. Hichcock (1962)
That Touch Of Mink (1962)
Father Goose (1964)
Muscle Beach Party (1964)
Beach Blanket Bingo (1965)
How To Stuff A Wild Bikini (1965)
Crack In The World (1965)
Dr. Terror’s House Of Horrors (1965)
The Wild Angels (1966)
The Trip (1967)
Cauldron Of Blood (1967)
The Spirit Is Willing (1967)
Project X (1968)
Little Fauss And Big Halsey (1970)
Badge 373 (1973)

Take a glance at this list. Olive Films put some terrific movies in our hot little hands. It’s a shame they didn’t make it. This proves the point that’s been made over and over on this blog — if we don’t support the companies that put these things out, they won’t be putting them out anymore. Okay, now I’ll climb down from my soapbox and put The Return Of Dracula back on.

Blu-Ray News #344: Money From Home (1953) In 3-D.

Directed by George Marshall
Starring Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, Marjie Millar, Pat Crowley, Richard Haydn, Robert Strauss, Gerald Mohr, Sheldon Leonard

Bob Furmanek from The 3-D Film Archive has announced that they’re working with Kino Lorber on a 3-D Blu-Ray release of Money From Home (1953).

This was set to be the Cadillac of 3-D movies, with a big budget and the goal to deliver a top-notch 3-D experience. But by the time it was ready for release, 3-D was on its way out and very few theaters booked stereoscopic prints.

In 2-D it’s still one of Martin & Lewis’s funnier movies, and the opportunity to see it in 3-D is too cool for school — especially since we know The 3-D Film Archive will put together a terrific package. The release date is TBD. Click on the half sheet above to get the full scoop from Bob Furmanek. This one’s gonna be awesome!

Blu-Ray News #333: Max Fleischer’s Superman (1941-43).

As I see it, there’s an inverse relationship with between time and the quality of what movies and TV do to Superman. In other words, give me Max Fleischer, Sam Katzman, Kirk Alyn and George Reeves any day!

Though they’ve been on DVD and Blu-Ray for quite a while, I’m really excited about Warner Brothers’ upcoming Max Fleischer’s Superman Blu-Ray set. These 17 animated theatrical shorts, originally produced by Paramount, deserve the level of restoration and presentation WB has been turning out of late. (Warner Archive’s new Rancho Notorious Blu-Ray is a glaring example.)

Superman was pretty new when Max Fleischer and brother Dave made the first of these cartoons (and it won an Oscar). They probably shaped how The Man Of Steel would be portrayed on the screen (both big and small) for decades. In fact, Sam Katzman’s serials switch to animation when Superman flies. Was that due to money, or because these cartoons proved how effective it could be?

You’re probably familiar with these 17 shorts, so I don’t have to try to convince you how cool they are. But with the new level of film transfers we’re seeing, and with a promised stack of feaurettes, I’ll just say these things are pretty essential. Coming in May.

Blu-Ray News #328: Tales Of Adventure Collection (1942-1957).

Imprint has scooped up five tales of Arabian fantasy, romance and adventure, hailing from Universal, Columbia and Paramount.

Arabian Nights (1942)
Directed by John Rawlins
Starring Maria Montez, Jon Hall, Sabu, Shemp Howard

Universal’s first film in Technicolor — and they made up for lost time by creating a sparkling, eye-popping 87-minute piece of eye candy. It’s not even remotely faithful to its source material, but it’s a hoot and it boasts a Stooge (Shemp).

The Desert Hawk (1950)
Directed by Frederick De Cordova
Starring Yvonne De Carlo, Richard Greene, Jackie Gleason, George Macready, Rock Hudson, Carl Esmond, Joe Besser

For this Yvonne De Darlo showcase, the Richard Greene part was intended for Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.

Jackie Gleason in Arabia? Yep, with a future Stooge (Joe Besser) thrown in for good measure!

Zarak (1956)
Directed by Terence Young
Starring Victor Mature, Michael Wilding, Anita Ekberg, Bonar Colleano

This has always been a bit of a curio for James Bond fans, since so many of its personnel (director Young, producer Albert R. Broccoli, writer Richard Maibaum, DP Ted Moore) would go on to do the early 007 pictures.

A Thousand And One Nights (1945)
Directed by Alfred E. Green
Starring Cornel Wilde, Evelyn Keyes, Phil Silvers, Nestor Paiva, Rex Ingram

More a spoof of these things than an actual Arabian adventure film itself, with Cornell Wilde as Aladdin, Vasquez Rocks as Arabia (above) — and Phil Silvers with glasses. Gorgeous color art direction.

Omar Khayyam (1957)
Directed by William Dieterle
Starring Raymond Massey, Anthony Caruso, Cornel Wilde, Michael Rennie, Debra Paget, John Derek, Yma Sumac

Cornel Wilde is back for more romance and adventure, this time at Paramount and in VistaVision.

You can always count on Impact for near-perfect transfers and a hefty pile of extras. This is going to be a nice set. Recommended.

DVD/Blu-Ray News #315: Secret Of The Incas (1954).

Directed by Jerry Hopper
Starring Charlton Heston, Robert Young, Nicole Maurey, Thomas Mitchell, Yma Sumac

Secret Of The Incas (1954) has been MIA on video forever, so it’s really cool that Kino Lorber has dug it up and is giving it a proper DVD and Blu-Ray release in early 2023.

In a lot of ways, the picture plays as a prototype for Raiders Of The Lost Ark (1981), the most obvious being the outfit Charlton Heston wears. Shot on location on location at Machu Picchu in Peru, it’s a gorgeous movie — and will look splendid on Blu-Ray. I did a commentary for it, and the file they sent me to work from was lovely. Highly recommended.

Blu-Ray News #407: Hustle (1975).

Directed by Robert Aldrich
Starring Burt Reynolds, Catherine Deneuve, Ben Johnson, Paul Winfield, Eileen Brennan, Ernest Borgnine, Catherine Bach, Jack Carter

Glad to see this one getting some attention. Kino Lorber is bringing Robert Aldrich’s Hustle (1975) to Blu-Ray later this year. It’s a cool movie with a great cast.