Frequently Bought Together
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 16 people found the following review helpful
By ciaran moore
Format:DVD
the movies have been well reviewed by a previous reviewer,so i will let you know about the extras."hangover square"has two commentaries,one features actress faye marlowe,both are by film historians.It also has a featurette on laird cregar(20mins),a vintage radio show,trailer and galleries."the lodger" has a commentary,making of featurette(16mins),radio show,restoration comparison,trailer and galleries."the undying monster"has a featurette, on director, of all three movies,john brahm(15mins),restoration featurette,trailer and galleries but sadly no commentary.A very tidy package indeed.
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By K. Pickering
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Beautifully packaged in slim cases, well designed covers and interesting bonus features, including commentaries, documentaries and radio versions from the period. The films are classy productions holding the suspense and atmosphere well and what hasn't been mentioned in the product descriptions is that each of the three DVD's in the package contains a couple of photographic post cards depicting scenes from the film, in addition to a glossy pamphlet about the Fox horror classics. The Lodger (1944) and Hangover Square (1945) feature the great acting talents of Laird Cregar, while the were wolf featured Undying monster (1942) despite not a lot happening has some atmospheric well shot horror themes. Three noir classics that did not disappoint. (Keith Pickering)
9 of 11 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Fine acting by Laird Cregar in two, and creepy atmosphere in all three. Not bad.
27 Oct 2007
Format:DVD
Hangover Square:
Can Hollywood make an engrossing movie about a murderous schizophrenic who is a big, fleshy sad sack? Director John Brahm, cinematographer Joseph LaShelle and lead actor Laird Cregar come close. The movie has a great title and such an atmospheric turn-of-the-century London look about it -- with plenty of gas lights and foggy night-time streets -- that we almost expect composer George Harvey Bone (Cregar) to walk by Sherlock Holmes as he returns dazed from another murder. The movie also benefits, if that's the word, by the story of Cregar's death. Cregar was a large man, well over 6 feet and often over 300 pounds. With Hangover Square, Cregar saw his chance to escape being cast as a character actor and turn himself into a leading man. In weeks he lost over 100 pounds with the help of amphetamines and a strict diet. Shortly after finishing Hangover Square, he was dead of a heart attack at 28.
Bone is a Victorian-era composer who is subject to blackouts. He puts his chance for serious musical acclaim at risk when he meets the dance hall singer Netta Longdon (Linda Darnell). He always was something of a weakling, but now he is becoming a sad creature manipulated by a selfish woman. When he learns Netta was simply using him, he has a seizure that leads to a spectacular Guy Fawkes bonfire which leaves Netta done to a crisp. Bone almost welcomes the insistence by Dr. Alex Middleton (George Sanders), a medical man who consults with Scotland Yard, that Bone must turn himself over to the police. But first Bone must play his finished concerto macabre, even as the flames of a burning salon engulf him.
Is this horror? No. Is it sad? Yes. But more than anything, Hangover Square is melodrama...... Read more ›
Can Hollywood make an engrossing movie about a murderous schizophrenic who is a big, fleshy sad sack? Director John Brahm, cinematographer Joseph LaShelle and lead actor Laird Cregar come close. The movie has a great title and such an atmospheric turn-of-the-century London look about it -- with plenty of gas lights and foggy night-time streets -- that we almost expect composer George Harvey Bone (Cregar) to walk by Sherlock Holmes as he returns dazed from another murder. The movie also benefits, if that's the word, by the story of Cregar's death. Cregar was a large man, well over 6 feet and often over 300 pounds. With Hangover Square, Cregar saw his chance to escape being cast as a character actor and turn himself into a leading man. In weeks he lost over 100 pounds with the help of amphetamines and a strict diet. Shortly after finishing Hangover Square, he was dead of a heart attack at 28.
Bone is a Victorian-era composer who is subject to blackouts. He puts his chance for serious musical acclaim at risk when he meets the dance hall singer Netta Longdon (Linda Darnell). He always was something of a weakling, but now he is becoming a sad creature manipulated by a selfish woman. When he learns Netta was simply using him, he has a seizure that leads to a spectacular Guy Fawkes bonfire which leaves Netta done to a crisp. Bone almost welcomes the insistence by Dr. Alex Middleton (George Sanders), a medical man who consults with Scotland Yard, that Bone must turn himself over to the police. But first Bone must play his finished concerto macabre, even as the flames of a burning salon engulf him.
Is this horror? No. Is it sad? Yes. But more than anything, Hangover Square is melodrama...... Read more ›
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By Spike Owen
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
The Undying Monster
Many superstitions are based on fact.
*** This review may contain spoilers ***
John Brahm's film is an adaptation of the novel written by Jessie Douglas Kerruish. Following the success for Universal with The Wolf Man a year earlier, 20th Century Fox clearly saw an opportunity to cash in on the renewed interest in Lycanthropic creatures. Brahm's film deals with one such legendary creature that is said to terrorise members of the cursed Hammond family. Roping in master photographer Lucien Ballard, Brahm sets the film up with the creepy ancestral home atop of a cliff, the sea on one side, the foggy moor on the other. Then with minimal budget and a cast of largely minor players-and a short 23 day production schedule, Brahm crafted a tight, eerie mystery that deserves far better appraisal than it's currently getting.
Atmosphere is of paramount importance when making a Gothic type picture, The Undying Monster has it by the bucket load. Aided by Ballard's adroit skills, Brahm excellently uses shadows and light to garner unease, be it the interiors that are gorgeously designed, or the foggy exteriors perhaps hiding dark secrets, atmosphere is high quality here. The film has been chided in certain quarters for either being too talky, or for daring to be jovial at times. Yes these charges are fair if one is expecting an outright horror film and not the creepy mystery that it actually is. This is no boo jump bonanza, the creature is purposely kept from us so as to keep us, and the characters wondering when, or if, it will show up. Thus the conversations become crucial and of high interest.... Read more ›
Many superstitions are based on fact.
*** This review may contain spoilers ***
John Brahm's film is an adaptation of the novel written by Jessie Douglas Kerruish. Following the success for Universal with The Wolf Man a year earlier, 20th Century Fox clearly saw an opportunity to cash in on the renewed interest in Lycanthropic creatures. Brahm's film deals with one such legendary creature that is said to terrorise members of the cursed Hammond family. Roping in master photographer Lucien Ballard, Brahm sets the film up with the creepy ancestral home atop of a cliff, the sea on one side, the foggy moor on the other. Then with minimal budget and a cast of largely minor players-and a short 23 day production schedule, Brahm crafted a tight, eerie mystery that deserves far better appraisal than it's currently getting.
Atmosphere is of paramount importance when making a Gothic type picture, The Undying Monster has it by the bucket load. Aided by Ballard's adroit skills, Brahm excellently uses shadows and light to garner unease, be it the interiors that are gorgeously designed, or the foggy exteriors perhaps hiding dark secrets, atmosphere is high quality here. The film has been chided in certain quarters for either being too talky, or for daring to be jovial at times. Yes these charges are fair if one is expecting an outright horror film and not the creepy mystery that it actually is. This is no boo jump bonanza, the creature is purposely kept from us so as to keep us, and the characters wondering when, or if, it will show up. Thus the conversations become crucial and of high interest.... Read more ›
By sebquest
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Laird Cregar is marvelous in 'The Lodger', which, to my mind. is for once an improvement on a Hitchcock version, not least because Hitchcock's film has a completely different premise. The commentary is a good one, containing much interesting info on the film, the actors, director etc. however the commentators' frequent querying why the inhabitants don't realize they're sitting down with a homicidal lunatic is a little trying - what they evidently don't realize is the film is set in the latter days of the 19th century and people simply hadn't seen as many films or straight-to-video movies on homicidal lunatic serial killers as today's audience!
Despite being described by a number of reviewers as the better film I think Hangover Square is very much the lesser film and too contrived a sequel to 'The Lodger', but watchable never-the-less. Includes good Laird Cregar featurette.
The little gem of this box set is 'The Undying Monster' - a classic werewolf tale, but then I'm a sucker for werewolf movies. Although from 'Werewolf of London' to 'Wolf' the premise is the same it's the style with which the tale is told that spells a good werewolf movie and 'The Undying Monster' [thank goodness the studio didn't go with 'The Hammond Mystery'] crams in all the sacred elements despite only having a touch over an hour's running time.
With three excellent films, directed with eerie elegance by John Brahm, informative commentaries & featurettes, plus the box set is nicely packaged with an additional 6-page booklet of production detail you certainly get your money's worth - if only region 2 issues were as well presented.
Despite being described by a number of reviewers as the better film I think Hangover Square is very much the lesser film and too contrived a sequel to 'The Lodger', but watchable never-the-less. Includes good Laird Cregar featurette.
The little gem of this box set is 'The Undying Monster' - a classic werewolf tale, but then I'm a sucker for werewolf movies. Although from 'Werewolf of London' to 'Wolf' the premise is the same it's the style with which the tale is told that spells a good werewolf movie and 'The Undying Monster' [thank goodness the studio didn't go with 'The Hammond Mystery'] crams in all the sacred elements despite only having a touch over an hour's running time.
With three excellent films, directed with eerie elegance by John Brahm, informative commentaries & featurettes, plus the box set is nicely packaged with an additional 6-page booklet of production detail you certainly get your money's worth - if only region 2 issues were as well presented.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 35 reviews
4.5 out of 5 stars
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
FOX HORROR CLASSICS
EXCELLENT MOVIES!!! LAIRD CREGAR'S EXTREMELY GOOD AND EXUDES SUBTLE MENACE!!! HE REMINDS ME OF JAMES DEAN IN THE WAY HE DIED VERY VERY YOUNG JUST AS HIS (DEANS) CAREER WAS TAKING... Read more
Published on 13 Jan 2010 by D. C. Liburd
5.0 out of 5 stars
A reeeeeeeal chiller of a flick
This is without doubt an outstanding film. The direction is excellent, the storyline just brilliant and the supporting cast adds the icing in the cake. Read more
Published on 27 Nov 2009 by K. Stawpert
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
- Film & TV > Action & Adventure > Heroes & Heroines
- Film & TV > Classics > Crime
- Film & TV > Classics > Drama
- Film & TV > Classics > Horror & Suspense
- Film & TV > Crime, Thrillers & Mystery
- Film & TV > Drama
- Film & TV > English Subtitles
- Film & TV > Horror
- Film & TV > Region 1
- Film & TV > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Fantasy & Futuristic
- Film & TV > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Science Fiction
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
