Vampires Mummies & Monsters Collection [DVD] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]

Shout! has pulled off a good set of movies grouped as a foursome. Shout! has been releasing classic low budget drive-in classics on DVD. The main reason I got this was the great looking Stephanie Rothman classic from 1971 Velvet Vampire. I am a big fan of Stephanie Rothman early '70s flicks. Code Red has released several of her films. Thanks to Shout! for releasing a great anamorphic widescreen print of Velvet Vampire.
Lady Frankenstein is a bad horror movie from 1970 that has never been treated good on home video. Shout! has released two versions of the film. The original at 83 minutes and an extended cut that runs 95 minutes. The extra scenes are noticed by a slight pause in the print, but its not too annoying. Both versions are presented in anamorphic widescreen and look really good for this low budget movie (compared to the Alpha video release).
The last two films are from the '80s and Time Walker isn't too bad. It is laughable in some scenes. But this anamorphic widescreen print is the best looking of this set. Grotesque is piller boxed at 1.33 aspect ratio, while the other three are 1.78/1.85.
Not much in way of special features on this two disc set, except commentary from the star of Velvet Vampire. There are trailers, poster galleries, tv spots and that is about it. These classics stand on their own where special features aren't needed.
Just glad to see the under appreciated Lady Frankenstein finally get a decent home video release. Velvet Vampire has had a decent DVD out, but this print is much better.
You can definately tell these cheap movies are Roger Corman fun!

Shout Factory has released a 2 disc package of US/Euro Horrors in which 2 have been available through discount companies and 2 released for the first time in DVD format. Director Stephanie Rothman's 'THE VELVET VAMPIRE'-1971 I have already reviewed a year ago in its Cheezy Flicks release although the transfer included here is a big improvement with brilliant colors and a gorgeous 1.85 transfer making it the definitive release for this underrated vampire film. It includes a wonderful audio commentary with actress Celeste Yarnall who has a great memory of the shoot as a special feature and an original theatrical trailer. Disc Two has Director Joe Tornatore's 'GROTESQUE'-1988 and Director Tom Kennedy's 'TIME WALKER'-1982 both of which were staples of Cable television and budget VHS bins in the early nineties. 'TIME WALKER' is an enjoyable mummy movie blending Horror and Sci-Fi the likes of which low budget filmmakers of the fifties used to crank out in their sleep. With a great cameo from cult favorite Antoinette Bower, its a fast moving time waster. 'GROTESQUE' is a nasty blend of slasher and deformed monster antics cameoed with actors Guy Stockwell and Tab Hunter and peppered with an above average Linda Blair performance. The film has kudos for being lensed on you-are-there locations giving it a reality TV-like atmosphere throughout and also mixes the neo-punk 'MAD MAX' look to the villains in the piece. Both films include their original trailers and 'TIME WALKER' also has an interview with Kevin Brophy and Producer Dimitri Villard. The highlight of the smorgasbord is the definitive transfer of Director Mel Welles's Euro Cult classic 'LADY FRANKENSTEIN'-1972 which shows off the beauty and talents of Rosalba Neri billed here as Sara Bey. If you have seen my other Euro reviews, Rosalba is one of my favorite actresses and nowhere does she shine more than in this film. Boasting performances good and bad by venerable Joseph Cotten, Mickey Hargitay, and Paul Muller who graced many Euro Westerns and Horror films, it emerges as Euro Trash of the first order with Rosalba dominating the screen clothed and unclothed in every scene she's in. Included here is an extended version with inserted scenes apparently trimmed from the US version and seems to be transfered from 2 sources: a television broadcast with a prominent 3 SAT logo in the upper left hand corner which interupts the flow of the film with jerky movements when they appear and also culled from a washed out transfer from a German broadcast where the footage has German subtitles but is in English. The extra footage comprises of scenes which enhance? the story line and makes the film flow a bit better but the extended version is no great shakes for added Horror scenes or fans expecting more nudity. The conclusion, however, still ends with an abrupt THE END title appearing within the climactic mayhem. The 1.85 transfer is utilized throughout and the jerkiness may be distracting for first time viewers but for this fan it was a revelation so throw out your budget releases from other companies. For bad cinema purists, 'LADY FRANKENSTEIN ' is a jewel. Shout Factory continues to release superior transfers of Corman's Concorde and New World features and they are a must for all Horror fans and future low budget filmmakers.

What a grab bag of drive-in cinema we have here. GROTESQUE and TIME WALKER are pretty bad. GROTESQUE has Linda Blair and a familiar blonde from JAWS 2 but the story is pretty disjointed and I got the feeling that the film got made because it was written around the collection of rubber monster masks somebody owned. TIME WALKER...I've to be honest, I haven't made it all the way through that one yet. If it gets better, I'll be shocked (and will amend this review).

LADY FRANKENSTEIN is fun because it clearly follows the Corman philosophy: blood and nudity sell the picture. It's a little jarring to see a monster movie with naked chicks in it, but Corman knew what he was doing. The funnest part? Watching the completely over-the-top trailer for LADY FRANKENSTEIN first, noting all the leering hints that Lady Frankenstein is creating a monster (in every sense of the word) for her own fiendish and perverted pleasures...then watch the movie. Technically, the trailer is correct in what its delivering. But just not the ghoulish orgy hinted at in the trailer. (Plus, I've always loved that 70's schlock narrator featured in the trailer. I think John Landis used him as well for KENTUCKY FRIED MOVIE).

But the real reason to get this collection is for THE VELVET VAMPIRE. Produced by Corman and probably on a very thin budget, THE VELVET VAMPIRE actually ascends to the level of an art film. If I sound surprised, it's because I am: you usually didn't think "art film" and Roger Corman in the same sentence. Directed by Stephanie Rothman, this may be, I believe, the first genuinely erotic vampire tale. Many would came later, from Hammer's THE VAMPIRE LOVERS and COUNTESS DRACULA to the bloody orgy of 1975's VAMPYRES, but I think THE VELVET VAMPIRE is the first vampire film that brazenly uses seduction and nudity in the storyline.

Celeste Yarnall, the 60's babe who also appeared on the original "Star Trek" and with Elvis (he sings "A Little Less Conversation" to her in LIVE A LITTLE, LOVE A LITTLE), provides a commentary that sheds light on the film's production and insight into the Corman moving-making machine.

I have another DVD of THE VELVET VAMPIRE but I think this is the only one with Celeste's commentary on it. That is reason enough to get this collection.

There's a reason Shout Factory issued these as a 4-for-1 set...they're pretty darn awful. But if T & A, 70s/80s exploitation elements, bad makeup/effects and some atrocious acting are your things--this set is for you.

The Velvet Vampire--a fairly cool desert setting and copious amounts of nudity (both female and male) elevate this somewhat. It's still not very good, and the blonde (Sherry Miles) is stupendously annoying.

Lady Frankenstein--the worst film in the set, and that's saying a lot. There are two versions available here--the U.S. theatrical version and the "international cut," which is approximately 15 minutes longer. The 'cut' scenes have been restored in such an awkward, haphazard manner that I found myself wishing I'd skipped it and watched the edited version instead. The re-inserted scenes are noticeably fuzzier, and there's an international tv logo in the upper left side of the frame during these scenes, which I assume means they were copied from a foreign television presentation and re-edited back into the film with a hacksaw. Joseph Cotton, scraping the absolute bottom of the barrel, is featured. Awful, by any standards (and dubbed too--I believe this was made in Italy). So bad it's....just bad.

Grotesque--Linda Blair (who I actually like, she was such a trooper) in full 80s regalia...a couple of linebackers could fit into those shoulder pads. This has a home invasion theme, and is quite violent, though the "grotesque" finally makes an appearance to even the score. I won't spoil who, or what, the 'grotesque' is--but rest assured it's one of the worst makeup jobs I've ever seen. Also stars Tab Hunter, which might alert you to what's in store here. This film has not been given a new transfer and is presented in a 4:3 aspect ratio (all of the other films in this set have new anamorphic transfers). So there's that, too..

Time Walker--I actually kinda sorta liked this one. It sports some cool visuals, a fairly interesting script, and also a decent performance from Ben Murphy. The mummy/alien concept got my attention and held it, though be assured this is still a 'B' movie at best. However, it is in my opinion the most polished and interesting film in this rogue's gallery.

Shout Factory once again outdoes itself with the presentation of three of these films...they look great, allowing the cheese to shine through like never before on home video. Proceed, however, at your own risk...you have been warned!

I could not believe how bad "The Velvet Vampire" is. Very weak and boring film. Buy this dvd for "Lady Frankenstein" with Rosalba Neri (3.5 stars). It's a funny and campy horror film. Watch the standard version not the longer. The transfers are good, but they could be better!