Monday, March 06, 2006

The Val Lewton Box Set (Mostly)

Isle of the Dead – 1945

Boris Karloff is great as a general in the Greek army of the war of 1912. The first scene we see is him suggesting that someone kill themselves for their failure on the battlefield (and he does!). He’s a hard guy. A journalist suggests that he’s too hard, and the general decides to show him that he’s not a monster by taking him to an island where his wife is buried. Unfortunately, while there, there’s an outbreak of the plague, and so they are stranded on the island, waiting for the wind to change (don’t ask, you’ll have to watch).

This is an EXCELLENT character study, where a crazy person seems to infect the general with her insanity/superstition. We see the disintegration of rationality in the face of the fear of uncertainty and the specter of death.

This is great stuff. And it’s short. And there are subtitles. This is pure gold. If you think that nothing besides the Universal classic monsters was good in the 30’s and 40’s, check out this set, and see what the initial “B” movies were about, and how excellent they were.

Four beers out of five.

Bedlam – 1946

More Karloff goodness. This time, he’s the creepy, conniving master of an asylum for the insane during the “Age of Reason” (i.e., the French revolution). Back then, of course, the asylums were as bad as the prisons. It’s sort of the tale of a woman who started a reform movement. But it’s also the story of the political struggle between Karloff and the reigning “powers that be”.

This is another excellent character study, nice and short, with great writing and directing. It too has subtitles, and an EXCELLENT commentary by Tom Weaver, who is one of my favorite film historians. He did a commentary on the Creature from the Black Lagoon box set. His commentaries are always well researched, but never dry. He rocks.

Four beers out of five. And neither has nary a hint of nudity. See, it’s not required.

Cat People - 1942

Those who have only seen the 1982 remake are in for a shock. In place of all the gore and overt sexuality, is a subtle tale of fear and mania. You are not sure in the first 45 minutes if she will actually change, or if she just "thinks" she will. And the idea that ANY guy would forego congical rights because his wife says "she needs time" is a little wierd. But wait he does. I don't care how hot the woman. If she's frigid, then its time for an annulment.

This is a great flick as well, with on one that you know (probably), but everyone does a great job. And considering that we are told on the commentary that this movie was made in 18 days! Thats cheapie independent movie time. I cannot imagine how they did that with film and such. There is absolutely no doubt that Val Lewton was a genius. I am enjoying these movies a lot.

Four beers out of five.