Product Details

• Actors: Gene Tierney, Walter Huston, Vincent Price, Anne Revere, Spring Byington
• Directors: Joseph L. Mankiewicz
• Format: Box set, Color, NTSC, Restored
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 3
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: 20th Century Fox
• DVD Release Date: September 9, 2008
• Run Time: 232 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B001ARDBXU
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #25,612 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• Learn more about "Fox Horror Classics Collection Volume 2 (Dragonwyck / Chandu the Magician / Dr. Renault's Secret)" on IMDb

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Although only one of the '40s-era movies from the Fox library contained in this set can be called a genuine horror film, all three pictures offer enough excitement and suspense--as well as the presence of genre stalwarts like Bela Lugosi, Vincent Price, George Zucco and J. Carroll Naish--to warrant viewings by classic movie fans and broad-minded horror aficionados alike. Dr. Renault's Secret, from 1942, is the real article in terms of horror, with Zucco as the title scientist and J. Carroll Naish as, well, his secret, a brutish handyman with a monstrous heritage. It's a breezy B-picture on par with similar efforts like The Ape Man, although with stronger production value. The fantasy-adventure Chandu the Magician (1931) stars Edmund Lowe as the eponymous yogi, who is dispatched to save his brother from the evil magician Roxor (Lugosi). Based on a popular radio series from the '30s, Chandu benefits greatly from atmospheric cinematography by James Wong Howe and production design by William Cameron Menzies, who pull off some genuinely impressive special effects, and from the marvelous florid performance by Lugosi (who would go on to play Chandu in a subsequent serial). Dragonwyck (1946) is the volume's ringer; with its story of class struggle and forbidden marriage between wealthy Vincent Price and his less fortunate and distant relation Gene Tierney, it offers only the hint of chills in whispers about a ghost. It's also probably the best of the set's three films in regard to production value and performances, with Price taking top honors as the cold-hearted lord of the manor and Walter Huston as Tierney's suspicious father. But that probably means little to horror fans, who will probably pass over the film in favor of Renault's more upfront scares; similarly, classic drama fans may not wish to invest in all three pictures in order to enjoy Dragonwyck. But hope springs eternal that curiosity will introduce both sides to the merits of the other features included here. As with its predecessor, the Fox Horror Classics Collection Volume 2 includes a wealth of fine extras that give historical perspective to the features they accompany. Chandu and Dragonwyck feature commentary tracks by Lugosi biographer Gregory William Mank and writer Stephen Haberman and filmmaker Constantine Nasr, respectively; all three films are discussed in detail by a host of experts (authors Kim Newman, Rudy Behlmer and Lucy Chase Williams, among others, as well as effects legend Ray Harryhausen and collector extraordinaire Bob Burns) in 15-minute featurettes. The Dragonwyck disc also includes two radio adaptations, both starring Price, as well as an isolated audio track for Alfred Newman's evocative score. Trailers for Renault and Dragonwyck and an informative booklet of liner notes round out this eclectic set. --Paul Gaita

Product Description

Disk 1: Chandu the Magician **Commentary by Author Gregory William Mank **Masters of Magic: The World of Chandu **Chandu the Magician Radio Serial Episode **Restoration Comparison **Trailer **Still Gallery

Disc 2: Dr. Renault's Secret **By The Book: Horror, Suspense, and Literary Inspiration **Restoration Comparison **Trailer **Interactive Pressbook **Still Gallery

Disc 3: Dragonwyck **A House of Secrets: Exploring Dragonwyck **Dragonwyck Radio Show Performed by Vincent Price and Gene **Tierney - October 7, 1946 **Restoration Comparison **Trailer **Interactive Pressbook **Still Gallery

Episode Description: Disc 1: Chandu the Magician (1932) Disc 2: Dr. Renault's Secret (1942) Disc 3: Dragonwyck (1946)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 51 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars ODD COLLECTION OF "CLASSICS"..... June 10, 2008

By Mark Norvell

In Fox's second set of "horror classics", Gene Tierney and Vincent Price are in 1946's "Dragonwyck", a Gothic period thriller, not a horror film, directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz and set in the old mansion of title. It's based on a popular 1944 novel of the same name. Then there's 1932's "Chandu the Magician", based on the old serial, with Bela Lugosi in a battle over a death ray. Again, this film is more of an adventure (followed by sequels) and not really a horror film. And then there's 1942's "Dr.Renault's Secret" with horror vet George Zucco as the doctor and J.Carrol Naish as his "assistant" who's a tad on the simian side and capable of committing murder. This is a low budget affair, runs only around 58 minutes and it's played more like a drama--- not like a horror film. Of course, all of these films are worth a look for their casts (especially "Dragonwyck"), their rarity and their b&w restoration, but none of them really qualify as "classic horror". Except maybe "Dr.Renault's Secret", but judge for yourself. I was hoping for genuine classic horror films that Fox found and restored. Maybe next time.

32 of 36 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Worth the price for "Dr. Renault's Secret" alone! July 4, 2008

By Patrick W. Crabtree TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

I wanted to particularly express my enthusiasm for the rarely seen "Dr. Renault's Secret," a classic horror-mystery which has become something of a cult film these days. It was directed by Harry Lachman and is a Twentieth-Century Fox production.

I saw this movie for the first time on Turner Classic Movies a couple of years back and it's one of the superb old B&W horror-mystery flicks of the day ('40s). I tried to obtain it then but it wasn't available on either VHS or DVD... but it's available now!

Here's the story:

A dapper young brain surgeon, Larry Forbes, (played by John Shepperd) visits his fiancée ("Madeline Renault," played by Lynne Roberts) at her home in a remote French villa where her mad scientist father, Dr. Renault (played by George Zucco), resides and conducts horrific experiments in his lab. In fact, Zucco has created a man (of sorts) from an ape (reminiscent of "The Island of Dr. Moreau").

Forbes meets Noel (pronounced "no-ELL," and played by J. Carrol Naish) who functions as Dr. Renault's "Igor-like" assistant (and actually the ape-man), who harbors a dog-like devotion for Madeline, (Dr. Renault's daughter). Forbes, to his horror, soon learns Noel's true identity.

The main trouble begins at a local Inn where, during a Bastille celebration, we meet Rogell (played by Mike Mazurki), an ex-convict who is now Renault's gardener and Austin (played by Jack Norton), a drunken American who torments Noel (not a great idea!) with his insinuations about Forbes' upcoming marriage to Madeline. Austin is soon found dead, the result of a broken neck....

Local Police Inspector Duval suspects that Forbes was the intended victim and that Rogell was the perpetrator, (Forbes had involuntarily changed his sleeping arrangements with Austin) but Duval also ponders the possibility that Noel killed Austin because of his remarks about Madeline. Duval eventually releases all the witnesses and suspects and Noel drives Forbes to the Renault estate.

A sub-plot is that Rogell plots with Henri (Renault's butler, played by Jean Del Val) to kidnap Madeline and hold her for ransom.

I'll stop there to avoid any spoilers but there are indeed some surprises in the movie. This 1942 film is shot in black-and-white and the aspect is full-screen. I'm a huge George Zucco fan and this is one of his best movies, right up there with "The Flying Serpent" (1946) and "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" (1939). In fact, I liked it just slightly better than three other great Zucco vehicles, "Topper Returns" (1941), "The Black Raven" (1943) and, "Fog Island" (1945). None were more magnificent than Zucco at portraying the role of "The Mad Scientist". (See my Listmania List for many more of Zucco's great films, "George Zucco... Almost Live!!!")

If I have a problem with this film it's that it only runs for 58 minutes, but that is a common caveat of 1940s period B-movies.

As far as the "Chandu" (Bela Lugosi) entry goes, I can add no information except to say that there is the ADDITIONAL Chandu entry, (not on this DVD package) the 1934 SERIAL (shown in its entirety, 12 chapters), broken down into two parts, available on two separate DVDs:

The Return of Chandu the Magician, Vol. 1

The Return of Chandu the Magician, Vol. 2

This Lugosi serial was later edited into this 1935 film:

Chandu on the Magic Island:Feature

The SERIAL version is terrific (the movie is pretty good too but I prefer viewing the uncut version of the film) with Lugosi playing Frank Chandler, aka Chandu the Magician, as he battles on with the evil High Priest Vindhyan on the South Seas Island of Lemuria. It is on this island where Chandu's fiancée, the Egyptian Princess Nadji (played by the lovely Maria Alba) is being held captive until Chandu can rescue her. You'll love seeing the special effects as Chandu "vanishes" into thin air -- it really freaks out his adversaries too!

I apologise that I can shed no light on the other films of this package but I did wish to present enthusiasts with some details on both "Dr. Renault's Secret" and "Chandu". Read more ›

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Bargain price for some (at least one) good films! June 18, 2008

By R. Bailey

At $13.99 this is a bargain. I paid more than that for only a 'fair' VHS copy of Dr. Renault's Secret (a film I like very much). While I agree with another reviewer that there are other 'classics' out there I would like to see offered...I would have no problem paying this price just for Dr. Renault's Secret and consider the other 2 films a bonus.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Hardly horror but neat package December 2, 2008

By Douglas M VINE™ VOICE

Fox seem to have a very creative marketing team because it is a stretch of the imagination by any standards that this extraordinary package would be classified as a horror collection. True horror enthusiasts might be very disappointed.

First off is the 1932 "Changdu the Magician", a boys' own adventure which not surprisingly became a serial a few years later. The film has Bela Lugosi chewing the scenery with great aplomb as he steals a death ray and tortures its inventor to learn how to use it. Edmund Lowe, a matinee idol of yesteryear, is a stiff and far too proper hero but the film benefits from great photography and imaginative sets which help to overcome the dreadful script.

Next is "Dr Renault's Secret", a neatly directed programmer released in 1942 and with a fair gallery of supporting players, a moderately interesting story about the missing link between man and the ape and 2 fine central performances by the enigmatic George Zucco and the superb J Carroll Naish. It is a very polished "little" film with excellent sets and photography and the closest to a horror film of this trio.

The final film, released in 1946, is the gothic romance, "Dragonwyck", an expensively mounted vehicle for the rapidly rising Gene Tierney and a star making role for Vincent Price playing the sort of character he would make his own in subsequent years. This could not be classified as a horror film really (think of "Jane Eyre" or "Rebecca" and you'll get the idea) and while it is well made with good performances from the leads and the indispensible Walter Huston, it is quite dull and predictable. This was the first film directed by Joseph Mankiewicz....

The prints of the film are excellent, surprisingly so in the case of "Changdu" which is a very old Fox film, many of which have not survived. "Renault" is a very bright print preserving the outstanding Fox photography. Each film has a short documentary with the same group of dull historians. They tend to be repetitious. "Changdu" and "Dragonwyck" have good commentaries and Greg Mank is particuarly witty and entertaining with "Changdu". Theatrical trailers for the later films are also presented.

This is a very unusual set, nicely packaged with an insert about the films and also very cheap, possibly because it would appeal to a very limited audience. Accordingly, it is very good value if the films are of interest to you. Read more ›

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A great set of atmospheric B horror movies June 29, 2008

By calvinnme HALL OF FAMETOP 500 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

This really is a fine trio of B horror films from Fox. The usual problem with B horror films is that the sound is bad and the video is atrocious. Since these are being reissued by Fox, you don't have to worry about that. I have last year's volume one and all of the films were first rate in their presentation. The following are the films with their extra features:

Chandu The Magician (1932)
My favorite is "Chandu the Magician". Bela Lugosi plays Roxor, who has kidnapped Robert Regent and his death ray. Roxor wants to use the weapon to aid in his plan for world domination. Chandu the magician intervenes using his special power of being able to make men see whatever he wants them to see. There are a couple of sight gags that get used once too often, and towards the end the special effects are a little cheesy, but in horror that can just add to the fun.
Extra features:
Commentary by Author Gregory William Mank
Masters of Magic: The World of Chandu featurette
Restoration Comparison
Still Gallery

Dr. Renault's Secret (1942)
I haven't seen this one since grade school on Saturday mornings, but I remember it pretty well as a fine old horror film. Zucco plays the title role, but the centerpiece of the film is J. Carroll Naish who is an ape that has been turned into a man by Dr. Renault's experiments. Trouble begins when Renault brings his ape-man back to his villa in France and allows him to interact with other humans, most notably Renault's daughter....
Extra features:
By the Book: Horror, Suspense, and Literary Inspiration featurette
Restoration Comparison
Trailer
Still Gallery

Dragonwyck (1946)
Dragonwyck is more of a drama and thriller than a horror piece, but it is still quite moving and atmospheric, and I always enjoy Gene Tierney and Vincent Price in any film they do.
Extra features:
A House of Secrets: Exploring Dragonwyck featurette
"Dragonwyck" Radio Show Performed by Vincent Price and Gene Tierney - October 7, 1946
Isolated Score Track
Restoration Comparison
Trailer
Stills Galleries Read more ›