Four hard-to-find horror films of the 1940s! The first three listed here have never had an official release on Blu-Ray, DVD, or even VHS:
THE LADY & THE MONSTER (1944) First film version of DONOVAN'S BRAIN. Stars Richard Arlen Erich von Stroheim (as nasty as ever!) and Vera Ralston. This version is much more Gothic/film noir with an old castle and lots of under lighting. Excellent.
THE PHANTOM SPEAKS (1945) Stanley Ridges reprises his role in BLACK FRIDAY as an innocent man possessed by a gangster. Where BLACK FRIDAY took the brain transplant route, this film is based in mental power and supernatural possession. For a small studio, this is an excellent programmer with solid acting, good direction and an excellent music score. Some creepy moments with the ghost of a gangster tormenting Ridges. Richard Arlen stars with Ridges.
VALLEY OF THE ZOMBIES (1946) Ian Keith stars in what is more a vampire story of a never-aging man who needs blood to stay young. A moody, well-done low budget picture. Keith was one of many considered for the role of Dracula in the classic 1931 film. Here you see him as a caped, shadowy figure in need of blood, to give a hint of what might have been. No Lugosi, but pretty darn sinister!
THE CATMAN OF PARIS (1946) Republic Studio's version of THE WOLF MAN. There's a half-cat, half-man running around Paris killing people who are involved with an aristocrat. Part mystery (who's The Catman!), part all-out horror! Some fairly graphic scenes for 1946. Pretty nasty looking make-up with The Catman in top hat and cape.
Plus, extras!
