Tag: Adaptation
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The War of the Worlds (1953)
In the Movie Archaeologists bonus feature on Criterion’s beautiful new Blu-ray edition of The War of the Worlds (1953), Craig Barron and Ben Burtt mention an original Variety review in which the critic called the movie, “socko entertainment.” I had to find and read this review. Sure enough: War of the Worlds is a socko…
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The World, The Flesh and The Devil (1959)
Besides wanting to watch it ever since I read its synopsis, I was encouraged when TCM host Ben Mankiewicz spoke highly of The World, The Flesh and The Devil in its introduction prior to a recent airing. Sadly, I was disappointed on both fronts. While there are interesting elements of the “last man on earth”…
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The Raven (1935)
When I recently re-watched The Raven (1935), I didn’t remember liking it as much the first time I saw it. In fact, if comparing it to my memories of The Black Cat (1934), I might like The Raven even more. It’s a nasty little thriller, letting Bela Lugosi shine as an evil madman, while letting…
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A Place of One’s Own (1945)
Henry Smedhurst (James Mason) and his wife (Barbara Mullen) have always wanted a place of their own and, at retirement age, they are finally able to buy one… for a steal. While they’re aware that Bellingham House has sat vacant for 40 years, if they knew its reputation, I’m not sure they wouldn’t have bought…
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The Phantom from 10,000 Leagues (1955)
You’d think I would learn by now. With its reputation (and a 3.5 IMDb rating), The Phantom from 10,000 Leagues (1955) has always been at the bottom of my watch list. When Cathy Downs was nominated for a 2019 Monster Rally Retro Award (http://tinyurl.com/rallies2019) on Monster Kid Radio, I decided I needed to watch it…
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And Then There Were None (1945)
ABOUT OUR GUEST Another colleague from the We Belong Dead/Unsung Horrors group and another great contribution to the countdown! Matthew Banks first said while he would like to participate, he wasn’t sure he’d have time. Yet look what he sent! It’s a fine example of his writing and I hope it whets your appetite for…
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A Page of Madness (1926)
Written by Yasunari Kawabata & Teinosuke Kinugasa & Minoru Inuzuka & Banko Sawada Based on the short story by Yasunari Kawabata Directed by Teinosuke Kinugasa Starring Masuo Inoue, Ayako Iijima, Yoshie Nakagawa Released September 24, 1926 (Japan) RT 78 min. Home Video Flicker Alley (Blu-ray) Classic Horrors rating = 5 (out of 10) How Wikipedia can offer two complete…
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Vampyr (1932)
Written by Christen Jul and Carl Theodor Dreyer Directed by Carl Theodor Dreyer Starring Julian West, Maurice Schutz, Rena Mandel, Sybille Schmitz, Jan Hieronimko, Henriette Gerard Released May 6, 1932 (Germany) RT 83 min. Home Video The Criterion Collection Classic Horrors rating = 7 (out of 10) Reflecting on an article I wrote some time ago about film adaptations of…
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The Fall of the House of Usher (1928)
Written by Luis Bunuel, Jean Epstein Based on the short story by Edgar Allan Poe Directed by Jean Epstein Starring Jean Debucourt, Marguerite Gance, Charles Lamy, Fournez-Goffard Released October 5, 1928 (France) RT 63 min. Home Video Amazon Video (streaming), YouTube Classic Horrors rating = 7 (out of 10) This time I know what version of a silent film I…
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The Clairvoyant (1935)
Written by Charles Bennett & Bryan Edgar Wallace Based on the novel by Ernest Lothar Directed by Maurice Elvey Starring Claude Rains, Fay Wray, Jane Baxter US Release July 15, 1935 RT 81 min. Home Video Synergy Ent. Classic Horrors rating = 7 (out of 10) Faux mind-reader Maximus (Claude Rains) discovers he can really see the…
Classic Horrors Club 