SEVERIN FILMS JUST RELEASED A NEW BLU-RAY/CD COMBO OF PAOLO HEUSCH'S 1961 HORROR-MYSTERY!
I gotta say, Severin Films has been knocking it out of the park in recent years, with fantastic releases of WAX MASK, KILLER CROCODILE, ALL THE COLORS OF THE DARK, THE CHANGELING, THE BLOOD ISLAND COLLECTION, and MORE! And now they've added the Italian/Australian co-production of WEREWOLF IN A GIRLS' DORMITORY to their growing catalog of exploitation cinema! The film is featured uncut with a new 2K restoration, several new special features, and a bonus CD containing the film's soundtrack! If that sounds absolutely mouth-watering to you, then continue reading for the full details of Severin's latest Blu-ray release!
Synopsis: Twisted Italian horror meets lurid German krimi in the 1961 EuroShocker filled with "genuinely eerie scenes and rather graphic maulings" (DVD Drive-In), now restored like you've never seen or heard it before! When an all-girl reform school is rocked by a series of grisly murders, it will unleash a nightmare of sexual corruption and lupine depravity.
Carl Schell (THE BLUE MAX), Barbara Lass (aka Roman Polanski's first wife Barbara Kwiatkowska), and Luciano Pigozzi (CASTLE OF THE LIVING DEAD) star in this infamous Italian/Austrian co-production – originally titled LYCANTHROPUS – directed by Paolo Heusch (THE DAY THE SKY EXPLODED) from a screenplay by giallo maestro Ernesto Gastaldi (ALL THE COLORS OF THE DARK) with a classic score by Armando Trovajoli (STRANGE SHADOWS IN AN EMPTY ROOM), newly scanned in 2k from archival elements recently discovered in a Rome lab vault!
Disc Specs:
Not Rated | Black & White | 82 minutes | Region A
Video - 1080p Widescreen (1.66:1)
Audio - English & Italian DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono
Extras:
NEW! 2K RESTORATION OF THE FILM!
NEW! Bad Moon Rising: Interview with Screenwriter Ernesto Gastaldi!
Audio Commentary by actor Curt Lowens, moderated by film historian David Del Valle!
Alternate U.S. Opening
Italian Trailer
U.S. Trailer
BONUS: Exclusive CD Soundtrack!
Severin's new release of WEREWOLF IN A GIRLS' DORMITORY is now available wherever Blu-ray discs are sold, and should cost between $25 - $28! Order a copy today from AMAZON, BULL MOOSE, DIABOLIK DVD, or directly from SEVERIN FILMS!
THE WARNER ARCHIVE COLLECTION BRINGS ROMAN POLANSKI'S BLOODSUCKER SPOOF AND A CLASSIC AMICUS ANTHOLOGY TO BLU-RAY DISC!
Chalk up two more films that I just haven't gotten around to watching yet Vault Dwellers! Roman Polanski's comedic vampire tale makes its Blu-ray debut with a brand new HD remaster of the film's longer 107-minute cut! FROM BEYOND THE GRAVE, which was Amicus Productions' final Horror anthology, also comes to Blu-ray for the first time and receives an HD remaster! FROM BEYOND THE GRAVE was released on October 8th, and THE FEARLESS VAMPIRE KILLERS will be available on October 15th - continue reading to learn more about both releases!
THE FEARLESS VAMPIRE KILLERS (1967)
Synopsis: It's the living end, a fancy-dress ball for blood fiends in Count Von Krolock's Transylvanian castle. Surely no mortal would be foolish enough to infiltrate this "hemogobbling" horror of a soiree. But partygoers notice something in the ballroom mirrors: the reflections of humans – vampire killers – dancing among them.
Director/cowriter Roman Polanski (THE PIANIST, ROSEMARY'S BABY, CHINATOWN) spoofs vampire movies with this droll balancing act of shocks and laughs. He also portrays Alfred, mousy apprentice to a doddering researcher of vampirism (Jack MacGowran)... and the lovestruck defender of gorgeous Sarah (Sharon Tate) when the Count (Ferdy Mayne) tries to make her the ghoul of his dreams. It's all fang-tastic fun!
Disc Specs:
Not Rated | Color | 107 minutes | Region A
Video - 1080p Widescreen (2.35:1)
Audio - English DTS HD-Master Audio 2.0
Extras:
NEW! REMASTER OF THE FILM (LONGER 107-MINUTE VERSION)!
Vintage Making of Featurette - The Fearless Vampire Killers: Vampires 101
Alternate Animated Title Sequence
Theatrical Trailer (HD)
THE FEARLESS VAMPIRE KILLERS arrives on Blu-ray on October 15th, and will cost between $18 - $22! This upcoming Warner Archive title can easily be obtained from AMAZON, BULL MOOSE, DIABOLIK DVD, or directly from the WBSHOP!
FROM BEYOND THE GRAVE (1974)
Synopsis: Amicus Productions classic horror portmanteau makes its Blu-ray disc debut just in time for the horror-days! Bolt the door, lower the lights and settle in for a stylish five-episode supernatural shocker possessed of a shivery all-star cast and drenched in evil.
Welcome to Temptations Ltd., a decrepit antique shop whose unwary customers get more than they bargain for from the wily proprietor (Peter Cushing). Much more. Go to the head of the horror class if you can predict who'll join the ranks of the doomed from among this role call of distinguished British actors: Ian Bannen, Ian Carmichael, Diana Dors, Lesley-Anne Down, Margaret Leighton, Donald Pleasence, Nyree Dawn Porter, David Warner and more.
A mirror. A medal. A snuff box. An ornate door. All unleash novelty surprises for the characters – and you – in these wickedly horrific tales FROM BEYOND THE GRAVE!
Disc Specs:
Rated PG | Color | 97 minutes | Region A
Video - 1080p Widescreen (1.85:1)
Audio - English DTS HD-Master Audio 2.0
Extras:
NEW! HD REMASTER OF THE FILM!
Though it is a bare bones release, I would still very much like to add this Amicus title to my Blu-ray collection! FROM BEYOND THE GRAVE is currently available to own and should cost between $18 - $22. Order a copy today from AMAZON, BULL MOOSE, DIABOLIK DVD, or directly from the WBSHOP!
SEE WHAT'S HAUNTING "THE NURSERY" IN THE DIRECTORIAL DEBUT OF CHRISTOPHER A. MICKLOS AND JAY SAPIRO!
THE NURSERY seems like the type of film I'd normally avoid, if only because I'm not big on haunting/possession flicks (though there are various exceptions such as HOUSE, BURNT OFFERINGS, THE LEGEND OF HELL HOUSE, and THE CHANGELING). Essentially I'm just more of a mutants and monsters kind of guy!
That being said, every now and again I dip a toe back into the sub-genre so THE NURSERY might be a good fit. I dig the poster art, and I'm always down for helping out up and coming filmmakers when I can, so I'm ready to give it a chance! Let's take a closer look at this one Vault Dwellers!
Synopsis: From filmmakers Christopher A. Micklos and Jay Sapiro comes the story of a young woman whose run-of-the-mill Saturday night quickly turns into a confrontation with unspeakable horror!
When Ranae, a college student babysits for a family with a tragic history, she finds herself stalked by a sinister presence and haunted by ghosts from her own past. Soon, she and her friends must confront the angry, evil spirit hunting them down one-by-one on a deliberate march towards its ultimate prey.
Stills & Trailer: (Click on images to enlarge them.)
THE NURSERY stars Emmaline Friederichs, Madeline Conway, and Carly Rae
James Sauer, and is currently available
on VOD from Uncork’d Entertainment. Stream it instantly now, or wait until August 7th to pick up the DVD!
SHOUT! FACTORY AND ACE FILMS HK ACQUIRED NEW HORIZONS' ENORMOUS CATALOG OF 270 FILMS!
Ack! I got this news just before I had to head off to the day job, so I missed the opportunity of being one of the first to report it! This announcement is HUGE, because it looks like a large number of Corman flicks may finally make their way to Blu-ray Vault Dwellers!
It was announced earlier today that both Shout! Factory and China-based Ace Film HK Company Limited (henceforth known as ACE) purchased the entire New Horizons library of TWO-HUNDRED AND SEVENTY FILMS (plus an action Sci-Fi TV series) from Roger and Julie Corman. The deal gives Shout! distribution rights in North America, Europe, Australia, and Russia, while ACE will handle distribution in Asia, Africa, and South America!
Shout! Factory has already released a number of Roger Corman Cult Classics to DVD & Blu-ray in the past (e.g. BATTLE BEYOND THE STARS, PIRANHA, HUMANOIDS FROM THE DEEP, SLUMBER PARTY MASSACRE, DEATH RACE 2000, et al.), so I'm assuming that we can expect Blu-ray and DVD releases of these newly acquired titles! On top of that, both companies are planning to license the New Horizons catalog to video on demand and streaming platforms, and are planning on remaking several Corman classics (via Shout! Studios and/or ACE Films)!
Here's what all parties involved had to say about this massive acquisition:
SHOUT FACTORY
“We’ve been huge fans of the Cormans. Their great ingenuity and independent spirit have inspired us throughout our careers. We’ve loved working with them over the last eight years and are thrilled to now be the custodians of these beloved films, making sure that film buffs and fans everywhere discover them like we did."
HENRY LUK, CEO OF ACE
“We have been fortunate to be professionally and personally associated with Roger and Julie for the past decade and the purchase of their film library means our relationships will not only continue, but accelerate."
ROGER & JULIE CORMAN
"During the past decade our personal and professional relationships with Shout! Factory's Bob Emmer, Richard and Garson Foos, and Ace Film's Henry Luk and Adam Yuchen Ren have shown us that their independent, entrepreneurial spirit, respect for our work and creative methods of distribution and production make them especially well-suited to carry on with the New Horizons film library."
Roger and Julie signing over the New Horizons library.
(Image borrowed from Variety.)
I guess this means that Roger Corman is finally retiring from the film business, after a lengthy career of making and producing hundreds of movies and never losing a dime. While I realize the sad truth that Roger Corman is turning 92 years old in a few weeks, it is still sad to see this living legend call it quits. But on the bright side, we may finally get legit releases of various titles that have been long out of print! I'm not sure if any of the old New World Pictures-era films are part of the deal, but if they are, here's a brief list of Corman movies I'd love to see on Blu-ray:
THE CARNOSAUR TRILOGY
GNAW: FOOD OF THE GODS PART II
GODZILLA 1985 (Long out of print American cut!)
THE KILLER TOMATOES EAT FRANCE
MEET THE APPLEGATES
MUNCHIE & MUNCHIE STRIKES BACK (Guilty pleasures from my childhood!)
PIN
SATURDAY THE 14TH & SATURDAY THE 14TH STRIKES BACK
SUMMER CAMP NIGHTMARE
THINK BIG (Trucker comedy featuring The Barbarian Brothers!)
THE WATCHERS SERIES
MORE INFO ABOUT ROGER AND JULIE CORMAN:
The saga of legendary producer-director Roger Corman, recipient of a 2009 Honorary Academy Award, ranks as one of the most amazing motion picture success stories. Having produced more than 350 films and directed 60 others, his influence on American film goes far beyond his own energetic, creative low-budget movies. He is arguably one of Hollywood’s most gifted and masterful filmmakers, having launched the career of many others.
Noted for his keen ability to spot young talent, Corman’s most lasting legacy will undoubtedly be the legion of producers, directors, writers and actors he has fostered, among them: Jack Nicholson, Francis Ford Coppola, Robert De Niro, Martin Scorsese, James Cameron, Ron Howard, Peter Fonda, Jonathan Demme, Gale Anne Hurd, Diane Ladd, Tommy Lee Jones, Harry Dean Stanton, Sandra Bullock, Bruce Dern, Talia Shire, Charles Bronson, Joe Dante, Peter Bogdanovich, and Sally Kirkland.
Julie Corman's career spans 45 years with New Horizons. As the producer of over 35 films she has worked with: Jonathan Demme, John Sayles, Catherine Hardwicke, Robert King, Bill Pullman, Martin Sheen, Peter Billingsley, Jon Lovitz, and Mario Van Peebles, among others. She was Chair of the Graduate Film Department at NYU.
For a more complete history of Roger Corman and his colorful career as an independent Producer and Director, I highly suggest the documentary, CORMAN'S WORLD!
