Gotham

Starring:Bauhaus
Studio: Metropolis Records
Product Type: DVD

Customer Reviews:

Great nostalgia.......2007-02-18

As a child of the 50's it was fun getting to watch Sky King again. There were even some old ads included. I doubt my grandkids would sit still for any of these but I sure enjoyed seeing Sky and Penny. There is a good website devoted to the show, do a Google search for it and you'll find it.

Sky King Vol. 1 review.......2007-02-14

My Husband and I were both very pleased with the quality of this DVD. It brought back memories of when we were children growing up with this series. We both sat together along with our son of 16 and enjoyed watching it once again. Thank you for the availabiltie of this DVD. Looking forward to more in the near future.

Sky King:Vol 1 TV Series.......2007-02-07

I'm sure I'm not the first to say that "Sky King" doesn't live up to my remembrance of it as a kid. There may not be a more annoying character then "niece Penny" and the stories are pretty lame but the Cessna that King flies is still a cool plane for aviation buffs.

Warning.......2006-11-30

Episodes include The Wild Man, Sky Robbers, A Dog Named Barney and Bullet Bait 1958/b&w/105 min/NR.

This is the same DVD as the other SKY King DVD that has the black and white cover. They have the same four episodes.

Memories from the living room rug.......2006-07-07

There's never any doubt with Sky who's gonna swoop down and
make the varmit pay. The four half hour segments hold true
to our values. Suitable for children of all ages with story
lines that are interesting and good to the last frame. TV the way it used to be - 100%.

Average customer rating:

Rates "Classic" status
Gotham
Wonderful 80's-Noir...Madsen & Jones in a hot preview for Keillor's "Praire Home"...
Wonderful gem
off-beat film that has so many layers

Gotham
Starring: Tommy Lee Jones , Virginia Madsen , Colin Bruce , Denise Stephenson , and Kevin Jarre
Director: Lloyd Fonvielle
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0002CR03G
Release Date: 2004-09-07

Description

Betrayal, lust and greed are the main ingredients of this "stylish" (Films and Filming) and "fascinating" (Monthly Film Bulletin) supernatural thriller starring OscarÂ(r) winner* Tommy Lee Jones (The Fugitive), Virginia Madsen (Ghosts of Mississippi) and Colin Bruce (Chariots of Fire). Down-on-his-luck P.I. Eddie Mallard (Jones) eagerly accepts money from millionaire Charlie Rand (Bruce) to make Rand's socialite wife Rachel (Madsen) leave him alone. There's just one small problem'the woman has been dead for ten years. When Eddie encounters Rachel's glamorous ghost, he is immediately seduced by her otherworldly charms and becomes embroiled in a dangerous love affair with only one logical way out! *1993: Supporting Actor, The Fugitive

Customer Reviews:

Rates "Classic" status.......2007-01-16

To anyone who is a fan of ghost stories, I have to say this one is particularly well done. It certainly ranks as one of my all time favorite filmic treatments of the genre. It is done with rare humor, but at the same time gives one a feeling of 1940's style film noir. It could have been filmed in black and white and still been very effective in promoting that dark, mysterious atmosphere.
Tommy Lee Jones portrayal of seedy private eye Eddie Mallard is one of his best performances in my opinion. He is at first understandably condescending to the rich client who wants him to follow his dead wife. After all, he is desperately in need of what he views as "easy money". It becomes and engrossing portrait of a man gradually coming to realize he has fallen hopelessly in love with a phantom. Virginia Madsen, in another marvelously suited role for her, is at once sexy and mysterious, while, at the same time showing us a vulnerable side. She also depicts the venal side of the spirit in a most remarkable fashion. Great characterization is a hallmark of this film, both in the writing and acting, and the rendition of "Danny Boy", sung by a street musician, is the most hauntingly beautiful version of that old song I have ever heard. It actually brought tears to my eyes! In fact, all of the music in this film is near perfect in its suitability to the story. I wish there were a soundtrack available on CD. It is that good.
Do yourself a favor and buy or rent this little known film. I do not think you will regret it.

Gotham.......2006-09-30

Gotham is not the original title of this movie. I feel the original title caputured the essence of the movie and it was a mistake to change the title. There is a lot to like about this movie and I only wish it had recieved the credit it deserved when it was first released. Gotham is a tightly woeven story full of suspense and intrigue that keeps the viewer guessing till the end. The actors have done a supurb job, I especially like the character played by Tommy Lee Jones. It is one of the rare opportunities that you get to see him playing the romantic leading man. I especially enjoyed watching his character unravel as he becomes captavated by the 'ghost' he is meant to be investigating. I only wish that the ending was as good as the rest of the movie, as I feel it lets the movie down slightly.

Wonderful 80's-Noir...Madsen & Jones in a hot preview for Keillor's "Praire Home"..........2006-07-16

I'm not sure how I missed 'Gotham' [1988] when it came out in the late 80's, except for, well, it was still the 80's after all...I found this by accident and enjoyed watching it late one night. I can't agree more with the other comments/reviews already listed praising this film.

I have two suggestions though...one you can do nothing about and one you can.

The format is full-screen, and there are many instances during the film when it's painfully obvious that a wide-screen format would add immensely to the atmosphere and mood. There's not much you can do about that though until a widescreen format is released, if ever. What you can do, is turn your TV's 'Color' off, or desaturate the color, and add a little 'Contrast', to enjoy this film in B/W.

Fonvielle's 'The Mummy' [1999] DVD is also a fun-filled thrill not to be missed and 'Cherry 2000' [1987] DVD has Melanie Griffith in her finest form [maybe ever!]. I've seen all of his other writing credits as well, and while each is worthy of mention, both 'The Bride' [1985] DVD and 'The Lords of Discipline' [1983] DVD do not seem to have been given the production or directorial justice that Fonvielle's work deeply deserved.

Most recently Fonvielle produced and lent his voice to the independent 'Hopscotch' [2004; not to be confused with the 1980 Walter Matthau comedy-spy vehicle, or the 2006 Eric Lewis contemporary jazz concert, of the same US titles], an adapation of the 1963 novel, la 'Rayuela', by the acclaimed Latin-American [born in Brussels, Belgium to Argentinean parents and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina and later settling in Paris, France] writer Julio Cortazar [1914-1984], or aka 'Grandísimo Cronopio'.

Wonderful gem.......2005-01-02

This is a wonderful little movie that, I think, was made originally for cable. I saw it when it came out and it has always been a favorite. What I love most about the film is the haunting tone, which is reflected in the noir storyline, visuals, and music. I especially liked the music -- the noted version of Danny Boy is the best rendition I've ever heard, and the torch music is great and fits the cosmopolitan "feel" of the movie. Since it was a little seen film, you won't get a lot of reviews. Don't let the fact that it was not widely seen scare you off -- it is a keeper. Tommy Lee Jones gives a great performance and Virginia Madsen has never been more beautiful.

off-beat film that has so many layers.......2004-10-07

Chances are you have missed this devilish delightful gem and that is a shame. With Tommy Lee Jones being one of the best actors around, I was sorry this film is totally ignored. I think the few that saw it was not entirely sure what to make of it. For those who have found it, they generally adore this quirky, sexy thriller, a who dun it, who stole the jewels, and if half the cast are alive or not!

Tommy Lee Jones gives a great performance (when does he not) as Eddie Mallard. Eddie is a down-on-his-lucky, so-so gumshoe in the Sam Spade tradition. When a friend wants to be a client with the tale he wants Eddie to persuade his ex-wife Rachel Carlyle (sexy Virginia Madsen) to leave him alone, Eddie says yes. All in a days business. Well, problems soon become apparent that is "ex" wife was not an "ex" because his friend divorced her, but rather he killed her and then stole all her jewelry. When this fact comes to light, Eddie's client insists he still wants Eddie to convince Rachel to go away. Befuddled by his friends insistence he wants the dead woman to leave him alone, Eddie thinks, what the heck, easy money, eh? However, Rachel soon turns up and she hardly looks like a ghost. She is a very sexy bombshell. Soon Eddie is drawn into Rachel's web and into an affair.

It's done with a ton of symbolism that requires the viewer to watch this one a dozen times to catch all the little nuances. The moody atmospheric lensing adds to the teasing, tantalizing feel, with two strong performances by two very amazing actors. I have always adored Virginia Madsen. She is the epitome blonde bombshell, yet intelligence radiated, snapping from her eyes challenging you to dare call her a dumb blonde.

In one very poignant scene, Madsen and Jones stop before a street singer and asks him to sing a song. And he says there is only one song. He signs the most beautiful version of Danny Boy. I defy anyone not have a tear in their eye after the haunting melody. The singer ends the song in tears himself, wipes them and says "Mercy." saying it just does not get any better than this.

That sums up this whole beautiful, quirky film. Mercy!

Average customer rating:

Crooked Circle
Starring: Zasu Pitts , James Gleason , Ben Lyon , Irene Purcell , and C. Henry Gordon
Director: H. Bruce Humberstone
Manufacturer: Gotham Distribution
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B0007OP1AS
Release Date: 2005-03-29

Average customer rating:

Rock, not Goth
An incredible live spectacle
Too bad for those who were not there!
Poetical Review
the creators and masters of the goth' sound

Gotham
Starring: Bauhaus
Manufacturer: Metropolis Records
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Goth | Goth & Industrial | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

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Unshattered
Singles: 1979-1983, Volume 2
Burning from the Inside
Rest in Peace: The Final Concert
Ministry - Tapes of Wrath

ASIN: B00004RF7Y
Release Date: 2000-03-14

Description

This first ever DVD realease by Bauhaus is a reunion conce rt performance featuring 16 tracks including: Double Dare, In the Flat Field, Passion of Lovers, All We Ever Wanted, Ziggy Stardust, The Passenger, Bela Lugos i's Dead and much more.

Customer Reviews:

Rock, not Goth.......2006-03-16

From the very get-go this dvd rocks. The boys from Love & Rockets reunite with Peter Murphy and put on a great show. The sound production reveals more of a gritty rock band than a goth/cult group resting on its past laurels. I was never aware just how good a guitar player Daniel Ash was until I saw this dvd. And Peter Murphy is at his theatrical best and I cannot think of a better voice in rock music. He compares only to Bono in power but his emotions are more intense and explosive. From beginning to end, this dvd is loaded with all the great Bauhaus songs. They even took a couple of their somewhat annoying older songs and reinvented them to make them even better. There simply is nothing bad to say about this release.

An incredible live spectacle.......2004-12-05

I saw both San Francisco shows, the first from the balcony, the second from the floor -- and was amazed at how well this DVD captured the sights, sounds, and intensity of this incredible band. Beginning with 'Double Dare' and the eyes and face of Peter appearing on a television at the center of the stage. It was a great minimalistic effect; stark, frenetic, and powerful. Most ands start a show with a big bang, but this was more of a rising thunder before the storm hits with the second song, 'In The Flat Field' when Peter emerges from back stage.

If you missed this tour, you missed an incredible opportunity to see one of the best live shows I've ever seen. If at all possible, view this DVD from a projector and crank it up as loud as possible.

Too bad for those who were not there!.......2004-11-05

Let me begin by saying that I did indeed catch Bauhaus live during the 1998 tour. From the looks of it, their performance in New Orleans was much better than their New York show (where this particular one is filmed). This is probably not true, however, so the problem is essentially in the production of this performance. It seems quite likely that there were "four guys [tumbling] on the cutting room floor" while this one was in the works.
To begin with there is the sound --- or, rather, the lack thereof. Not only is the sound rather suppressed, it's actually very poorly recorded overall. It almost sounds as if some "bootlegger" brought in a pocket-sized cassette recorder to record the show. I was there in New Orleans and the sound was great, so I'm certain that sound at the famous Hammersmith had to be at least equal if not even better. The problem is not with the "sound man" for the band, but whoever recorded this show.
My second gripe is with the length. I was in no way inebriated at the show I attended and I certainly possess no degree of memory loss, so I can say with little reservation that this is a "condensed" version of the actual live show. I realize that the producers obviously cut most of the dialogue out between songs, but I'm convinced they cut out a few songs from the set list as well.
Finally, where is the nice little "booklet" you normally get with a DVD? Couldn't they have put a fold out poster or even a condensed tour program with the packaging? Of course they could have! But they didn't! All you get when you open it up is a DVD and a DVD only. Cheapskates!
Alright, should an old school Goth like myself buy this DVD? Of course! We all relish every morsel we can get. Will you be gravely disappointed? Probably not. Will you come away feeling as though you've gotten your money's worth? Well, that's a different matter entirely.

Poetical Review.......2004-04-14

Flowered Intentions
Freshly Bloom In Sobriety
Within A Light Of Serene Blue.

No Terrible Downgrade
Calls From A Surrendered Voice
Awake Within Unity.

Crystals Of Clarity
In A Momentum Of Beauty
Illume In Shadows Of Light.

And Petals Of Powerful Serenity
Scent Towards
The Kingdom Of The Rose.

While The Contented Sea
Is A Smile
A Heart Illumined
At This Resurrection.

the creators and masters of the goth' sound.......2004-03-20

I was turned onto Bauhaus in 1983, and they never left my blood stream. I never saw them live. I purchased this DVD and was mesmerized. Now, I truly regret never having physically experienced one of their shows.

It's beautiful; it's powerful and, of course, dark. I doubt there will ever be another band that can create the haunting sounds of Bauhaus. They are natural, not contrived; in that, lies the beauty of Bauhaus.

The sound quality is excellent. The filming is artistic and stylish without being overdone.

Customer Reviews:

another Hercules type film.......2007-02-12

Only for the Hercules movie fan as the effects aren't as good as they could have been. A low budget production. but the locations are great.

The Gods Of War.......2005-08-24

I thought that I would never get a chance to view these films of my early youth. I found them a joy to watch and they brought back a lot of happy memories. If you are a fan of sword and sandal films from the early 60's then I am sure that you will find these films as enjoyable as I did myself. Apart from nostalgia, the stories are probably a bit coy for the youth of today but lets face it. What isn't!
If I had anything of a critical nature to say about these films then I would say that they should have been protected much earlier than they were. Films like these shouldn't be left to rot in some basement, they should be treasured and protected.

Average customer rating:

Chinatown After Dark
Starring: Carmel Myers , Rex Lease , Barbara Kent , Edmund Breese , and Frank Mayo
Director: Stuart Paton
Manufacturer: Gotham Distribution
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B0007OP18K
Release Date: 2005-03-29

Average customer rating:

Silly Subject Matter For A Silly Film.
An average haunted house whodunit mystery

Midnight Faces:Silent
Starring: Rocky Aoki , Francis X. Bushman , Kathrun McGuire , and Jack Perrin
Manufacturer: Gotham Distribution
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ASIN: B0007OP16C
Release Date: 2005-03-29

Customer Reviews:

Silly Subject Matter For A Silly Film........2005-08-30

This melodrama finds itself changing in tone throughout, from mystery to comedy to romance to horror, and fails on all counts to produce a reasonable degree of entertainment. Set in, on and about a deserted house in Florida's Bayou region, the plot involves inheritance of the house by Lynn Claymore, (Francis X Bushman, Jr.) from an uncle of whom he was unaware and his arrival at the property to take possession, while having to deal with a hotchpotch of odd characters, each of whom presents an unknown agenda. These include a damsel in apparent distress, played by Kathryn McGuire, a favorite leading lady of Buster Keaton, a lawyer, a Chinaman, a negro valet, a united and sinister butler and housekeeper, a paralytic gentleman, and others. In addition, the influence of a cloaked individual must be mentioned, as he is continually skulking about, disappearing into secret passages, and generally making the rest of the cast quite uneasy. The valet is played by Martin Turner who must have influenced Eddie (Rochester) Anderson's style, as the latter's mannerisms are virtually interchangeable with those of the whimsical Turner, upon whose scenes one becomes increasingly willing to invest attention, as they are a welcome shift from the preposterous and cliche-beholden script. The editing is indifferent at best, with some scenes being switched in continuity, and the direction by Bennett Cohen is by the numbers. Those minutes when Bushman, and Jack Perrin as the probate lawyer, are alone and in conversation are effective due to their relaxed rapport and, if there were more of such, the grotesquerie would have been more palatable. The film includes a most quaint fight sequence with the large and athletic Bushman having an extraordinarily difficult time in subduing a somewhat unprepossessing rival, with the action, because of odd editing, continuing for about 20 minutes, while the other players remain determined to go about their business. The engagingly original and motific score is played in witty fashion at the Wurlitzer by the talented Rosa Rio, who began her career in the 1920s in large theatres about New York and who achieved widespread and national acclaim for her musicality as accompanist to silent cinema. Her contribution and the efforts by Turner are not enough aid in suppressing feelings of ennui for most viewers of this cartoonish mishmash.

An average haunted house whodunit mystery.......2005-06-27

There are pros and cons to this DVD, and I'd actually give it 3 ½ stars, to be exact. For a start, the picture quality is a little poor and blurry at times, but considering this is a budget label, it's not all that bad, either. The film jumps and goes in and out of focus for the opening credits, but then settles down and is overall in good condition - just that little bit weak, but probably not too bad to the experienced silent film viewer. The music, while quite good in itself using synthesizers and the sounds of a harpsichord to match the eerie haunted house setting, somehow doesn't always enhance or match the scenes, and I can imagine it might not be to everyone's liking. On the upside, the story itself is not too bad, and it reminded me of both "The Cat and the Canary" (1927) and "The Bat" (1926). The setting is an eerie house on a Florida swap which a young man inherits from an uncle he didn't even know he had. Right from the start various strange characters appear to make a rather complex mystery; from a damsel in distress who is connected to the Chinaman who keeps peering through the window, to a phantom-like being in hat and cape who seems to disappear through walls; all taking place at midnight, of course. As a result there are certainly no dull moments, and in fact, I thought some scenes which were done with long, intense shadows are very good. The build-up to the climax and the final unraveling of the whole mystery isn't too bad either, and I'm pretty sure that haunted house whodunit buffs won't be disappointed. But there are no special highlights or brilliant performances so that, to me at least, this film doesn't stand out or warrant a 4-star rating, and might not appeal too much to the general silent film viewer.

Average customer rating:

Fun documentary about a fringe community

Gotham Fish Tales
Director: Robert Maass
Manufacturer: Passion River
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Fishing With John - Criterion Collection

ASIN: B000ASAU70
Release Date: 2005-07-25

Description

Catch the subway to go fishing? Only in New York. A subway car turned into an artificial reef? Only in New York.

Gotham is famed for its eccentrics. But in the shadow of the Statue of Liberty thrives a little known subculture. "New York City is a playground for the rich and famous," says one of its members, "but for me it's just a big ol' fishing hole, and I catch plenty of fish."

Once dead waters now harbor 370 species of fish. But the most interesting species are the people. The fishing cabbie who uses spark plugs for sinkers. The professional fisherman struggling to hold onto his livelihood. First-rate storytellers all, they share their love of their passion -- and their city.

With "buoyant bravado" (New York Times), filmmaker Robert Maass delivers a charming love letter to anyone who enjoys fishing, cities, and life itself.

Customer Reviews:

Fun documentary about a fringe community.......2006-04-20

My friend insisted I watch this film and even gave me a copy as a present - knowing that I love NYC and funky movies. One night, after dinner, I sat and watched it end to end. I expected to fall asleep half way through it and man was I shocked when it held my attention for the whole film. Basically, it's about people in NYC fishing in the waters around the City. They come in all shapes, sizes, ages, and ethnic backgrounds. Men and women too. Really a diverse group.

I laughed. I learned things I didn't know. I enjoyed it completely. Can't ask more from a documentary can you?

Like NYC and want to see a nice little movie? Give Gotham Fish Tales a try.

Average customer rating:

Strange little curio from the early talkie era

Great Gabbo
Starring: Betty Compson , Donald Douglas , Helen Kane , Marjorie "Babe" Kane , and Erich Von Stroheim
Director: James Cruze
Manufacturer: Gotham Distribution
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Magic
Queen Kelly

ASIN: B00082ZRGC
Release Date: 2005-05-31

Customer Reviews:

Strange little curio from the early talkie era.......2007-04-05

This movie will probably be enjoyable mainly to those of us interested in the early talkie era of films. This movie is an odd combination of a Ziegfeld-like musical revue and a psychological study of a man's descent into madness, and was based on a story by Ben Hecht. It is not your melodrama set to music that you would typically see in 1929.

Gabbo (Erich Von Stroheim) is a ventriloquist, apparently living with his girlfriend Mary (Betty Compson) who also helps him in his act. His mannequin, Otto, seems to take on a life of his own. At first you believe that Gabbo is only imagining Otto is talking, but very shortly you see that Otto is moving and talking from several feet away from Gabbo - but always in Gabbo's presence - regardless of whether other people are around or not, and these other people see Otto move and speak too. Everyone just attributes this to Gabbo's talent and eccentricity, nothing else. Gabbo is constantly berating Mary, complaining that his coffee is too hot or too cold, blaming his lack of success on her, and finally daring her to leave, which she does. Time passes, and Gabbo becomes the star of the Manhattan Revue, a successful Ziegfeld-like Broadway production, and a show in which Mary is also starring as a singer and dancer with her partner and boyfriend, Frank (Donald Douglas). Mary begins to make some friendly gestures towards Gabbo, which Gabbo happily interprets as Mary's desire to reunite with him. However, things are not as they appear in more ways than one, and when Mary tells Gabbo a secret she has been keeping he goes completely mad. Gabbo even punches Otto saying it is his fault that Mary has left him.

The musical part of the film has some lavish musical numbers that appear very typical of Ziegfeld's productions, although the famous showman had nothing to do with this movie. Besides the pre-Busby Berkeley dances in which the people in the chorus descend a staircase and then proceed to dance on the stage in a straight line with the camera either focusing on the dancer's feet or costumes but seldom both, there are some rather inventive numbers. One involves the dancers performing with some giant pinwheels raised in the background. Another one has the performers dressed as spiders that first sing while raised on a giant spider web, then some of them climb down and perform the rest of the act on stage. The odd staging and costumes in the musical numbers just add to the surrealistic mood of Gabbo's growing insanity.

It seems that since Otto's speech and motion are not figments of Gabbo's imagination, that perhaps Otto's personality is the "human side" of Gabbo. Otto is what Gabbo would be like if he was less self-involved. Mary seems to hint at this several times early in the film when she says that the only kind words Gabbo ever said to her came from Otto. At the end of the film, after Mary makes clear to Gabbo she will never return to him and why, Otto never moves or speaks again. It is as though Otto's lifelessness shows that any remaining humanity in Gabbo has burned out for good. Erich Von Stroheim was particularly good as Gabbo. Being both a director and an actor himself in both the silent and talking era might have helped him in this. If you are interested in obscure early talkies, I'm sure you'll like this movie. Just be prepared for the less than stellar audio and video quality. This movie has not been restored, so you have to deal with the typical technical problems of the early talkie era.

Average customer rating:

"15 Frightful Horror Films ... Bela Lugosi ... Passport Video"
Hey, Bela Lugosi's not evil in this one!

Chandu on the Magic Island:Feature
Starring: Bela Lugosi , Maria Alba , Clara Kimball Young , Dean Benton , and Phyllis Ludwig
Director: Ray Taylor
Manufacturer: Gotham Distribution
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0007OP1EY
Release Date: 2005-03-29

Customer Reviews:

"15 Frightful Horror Films ... Bela Lugosi ... Passport Video".......2006-10-15

Passport Video presents "The Bela Lugosi Box - 15 Frightful Films" (1942) --- (Dolby digitally remastered) --- Béla Lugosi was the stage name of actor Béla Ferenc Dezs Blaskó (October 20, 1882 - August 16, 1956) --- Lugosi was born in Lugos, Hungary, at the time part of Austria-Hungary (now Lugoj, Romania), the youngest of four children of a baker --- best known for his portrayal of "Dracula" in the American Broadway stage production, and subsequent film, of Bram Stoker's classic vampire story.

Late in his life, he again received star billing in movies when filmmaker Edward D. Wood, Jr., a fan of Lugosi, found him living in obscurity and near-poverty and offered him roles in his films, such as "GLEN OR GLENDA?" (1953) (in which his role made no more sense than the rest of the movie) and as a Dr. Frankenstein-like mad scientist in "BRIDE OF THE MONSTER" (1955), during post-production of the latter, Lugosi entered treatment for his addiction, and the premier of the film was ostensibly intended to help pay for his treatment expenses. The extras on an early DVD release of "PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE" (1959) include an impromptu interview with Lugosi upon his exit from the treatment center, which provide some rare personal insights into the man --- this was one of Lugosi's most infamous roles was released after he was dead. Ed Wood (Director) features footage of Lugosi interspersed with a double --- Wood had taken a few minutes of silent footage of Lugosi, in his Dracula cape, for a planned vampire picture but was unable to find financing for the project --- Wood later conceived of Plan 9, Wood wrote the script to incorporate the Lugosi footage and hired his wife's chiropractor to double for Lugosi in additional shots --- notice however the "double" is thinner than Lugosi, and covers the lower half of his face with his cape in every shot --- Leonard Maltin (Famous Film Critic) was quoted - "Lugosi died during production, and it shows."

Lugosi died of a heart attack on August 16, 1956 while lying in bed in his Los Angeles home. He was 73 --- Bela Lugosi was buried wearing one of the many capes from the Dracula stageplay, as per the request of his son and fifth wife, in the Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, California --- Contrary to popular belief, Lugosi never requested to be buried in his famous cloak; Bela Lugosi, Jr. has confirmed on numerous occasions that he and his mother, Lillian, arrived at their decision independently.

BIOS:
1. Bela Lugosi (aka: Béla Ferenc Dezsõ Blaskó)
Date of birth: 20 October 1882 - Lugos, Austria-Hungary. [now Lugoj, Romania]
Date of death: 16 August 1956 - Los Angeles, California
2. Edward D. Wood Jr. (Director, Writer and Producer)
Date of birth: 10 October 1924 - Poughkeepsie, New York
Date of death: 10 December 1978 - North Hollywood, California

This collection of "The Bela Lugosi Box - 15 Frightful Films" (1942) --- still has the magic that we remember from those bygone years --- but as long as we have the labels and networks who play and show these wonderful films of yesteryear, they will never be forgotten ... Plus the half-hour tribute "100 Years of Horror: Bela Lugosi", hosted by Christopher Lee --- and a great job by Passport Video for this release --- looking forward to more of the same from the '20s and '50s vintage...order your copy now from Amazon or Passport Video, stay tuned once again for more remarkable films from the vaults of classic television and Hollywood during the Golden Era of Entertaiment.

Total Time: 1034 mins on DVD ~ Passport Video #5260 ~ (9/05/2006)

Hey, Bela Lugosi's not evil in this one!.......2006-07-15

This black and white 1935 release is short at 66 minutes but is a ton of fun for the nostalgia buffs. For those grown-ups still nurturing an inner child, and who hearken back to a time when cliffhanger serials ruled the cinema, this one's right up the alley. Chandu on the Magic Island tells a strange tale of the occult and the battle between White and Black magic.

Bela Lugosi, more famed for portraying Count Dracula, reprises the role of turban-wearing Frank Chandler, better known as the White Magic sorcerer Chandu. In this one, Chandu must prevent harm from befalling the beautiful Egyptian Princess Nadji, who has been targeted as sacrifice by the depraved feline-worshiping Ubasti cult from the mysterious isle of Lemuria. Then, the stakes go up even higher when Chandu's sister, niece and nephew are kidnapped. Now, trapped in the vast, endless tunnels of Lemuria, Chandu finds his powers diminished. Will his magic be enough to win the day?

This is a nice change of pace for Lugosi, who has been pigeon-holed into portraying sinister characters for much of his film career. Here, he gets a chance to flex his "good guy" muscles, and acquits himself quite well, proving to be a charming and credible protagonist and even an adequate romantic figure. Still, there were moments where I expected him to burst out with a comment about his "chil-dren of the night."

A word to the wise: if the film seems abrupt and disjointed in certain areas, it's probably because of this: in 1934, a 12-part serial titled The Return of Chandu was released, later being edited and broken up into the 2 sequential cinematic pictures The Return of Chandu and this one, Chandu on the Magic Island. Still, while some scenes seem choppy, the exotic action sequences and a sense of high adventure remain intact. So sit back, relax, and sip from this mug of nostalgia.

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