Customer Reviews

Boris Karloff Collection 20 Movie Pack

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

With the exception of "The Ape" and "The Mr. Wong Series", the remaining movies are unknown. All the flicks in this package are "B" movies, some cheaper than the others. The color movies are washed out with horrid sound with the exception of the well-known "The Terror", Karloff made towards the end of his career. Included is an old serial with poor picture and sound (but interesting to watch), several silent movies (the best being "The Last of the Mohicans") and several gems. During the Depression we had three famous Chinese detectives (all played by non-orientals), Charlie Chan, Mr. Moto (Japanese) and Mr. Wong. The Mr. Wong series of the late 30's was made by a poverty row Studio, Monogram and didn't receive the recognition the Chan and Moto movies did. Karloff made 5 and became bored and left. These 5 movies are included throughout the 4 discs. The quality and sound are far superior to a special Mr. Wong set, I bought sometime back. Another Monogram flick, "The Ape", is stunningly preserved.

Karloff was the true movie monster but underneath some his most famous creations, was a highly cultured and kind man. This inexpensive box set gives us an example that he could play non menacing roles. He is mainly remembered for creating the Frankenstein Monster and The Mummy. But he an incredibly fine actor that was misused and stereotyped by Hollywood and rarely given a chance to display show his consummate acting ability. In all his villainous roles, he managed to convey empathy.

Karloff was not just the King of Horror, but a talented and highly skilled professional. He even manages to overcome some of the pretty rotten material presented here in this box set.

The cool thing about this set, in my opinion, are the early silent films in which Karloff appeared. I picked up this set for $5 brand new and am most gratified because it has greatly enhanced my Karloff collection! Here are the films in this box set:

The Last of the Mohicans (s)
His Majesty The American (s)
Dynamite Dan (s)
The Bells (s)
The Ape
The Terror
The Veil (tv; 3 episodes)
The Snake People
Island Monster
Sabaka
Juggernaut
Doomed To Die
The Fatal Hour
King of the Wild
Dick Tracy Meets Grusome
The Mystery of Mr. Wong
Mr. Wong-Detective
Mr. Wong in Chinatown

You can't go wrong with this collection--one of the best deals around on Karloff's films!

You think well this is just to damn old to appreciate. Well wine is not the only thing that gets better and Karloff is another. I love everything about this set. Quality seems excellent and will continue to enjoy these titles a long time I hope.

Boris Karloff, like fellow star Bela Lugosi, made some real quality movies for major studios and also some low budget efforts for minor studios. The silents being an exception, the work here is mostly the lower budget stuff for Monogram and studios like that. The prints are not pristine, but are quite watchable. I wanted this set because I had several of the Wong films but not all of them; it was nice to get them all in one set at such a bargain price. ( There was one Wong film made after Karloff left the series, which is NOT included here; too bad but then, with no Karloff in it, I suppose it doesn't really belong in this set. ) I haven't watched all of the other films. I did watch "Island Monster and have to admit; it's really terrible. The script is bad, the acting is awful, Karloff not being awful, but turning in a weak performance for him, and featuring one of the most obnoxious child performances ever put on film. The dubbing is so bad it's very hard to hear what people are saying. Still for this price, a clinker or two in the set isn't such a big deal. Again, lesser films but some of them are rare and well worth the small price tag.

From monsters to mad scientists Boris Karloff always gives an outstanding performance. These films are a great showcase for his talent. Ever classy with that distinctive voice Karloff is sure to deliver!

Because the movies were really old, the quality was not very good. I had seen a Boris Karloff movies as a kid that
i really liked but did not know the title. I had hoped it would be on this DVD. It was not.

Why is this offering still on Amazon? I ordered it & was told the dealer has none & canceled my order. So why is it still being offered?