Customer Reviews

Heroes of Horror

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I highly recommend this DVD set to any fan of classic horror movies or of movie star biographies. This collection compiles the top notch A&E biographies of Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi, Lon Chaney Jr., Peter Lorre and Vincent Price. Each one is excellent and informative. While Karloff and Price had fine lives and seemed almost blessed, things did not fare quite so well for Chaney, Lorre and especially Lugosi. These features show some of the sadness of these lives without stooping to tabloid techniques.

In addition to the main features--this very reasonably priced 2 DVD collection features tons of extras including trailers for each of the 5 stars (I love watching trailers and these are all great classic 30s-60s trailers). There is a behind the scenes of Ed Wood featurette and a featurette on Vincent Price's Sears art collection (can you believe Sears once sold fine art?)

Also included are three hard to find Bela Lugosi interviews including the "Ship's Reporter" interview after his 1950's return from England, the interview after his release from the state hospital shortly before his death and the interview conducted at his home in the ealry 1930's.

But the real treasures are the much sought after Bela Lugosi/Boris Karloff Frankenstein vs Dracula ad promo and the "Hollwood on Parade" feature with Lugosi's Dracula biting none other than Betty Boop and informing her that "you have booped your last boop."

If you have any interest in this subject matter at all you simply cannot go wrong with Heroes of Horror. My only complaint is that it should have even more featured stars. I'd love to see an additional collection with Lon Chaney Sr, Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing and perhaps some great supporting stars like Dwight Frye and Lionel Atwill.

First of all, this was a GREAT idea. I always appreciate documentary material added onto my favorite movies. Now, here's five very well-made docs on five great stars of horror cinema. Each is about 45 min. long, for I believe these originally aired as hour-long (with commericals) specials on the A & E network.

Each documentary traces its star from birth to death, with scores of old photos and film clips, and recent interviews with family members, friends and co-stars. It's a measure of their success that 3 out of the 5 stories had me near tears near the end, whether the subject's life ended on life-affirming high note (Vincent Price) or ravaged by diseases of the body and mind (Chaney, Lugosi).

Just the five programs here would have been worth the very reasonable price, but that's far from all you get on these 2 discs. There are generous collections of film trailers for each star, as well as other featurettes to keep you busy for hours. I'd suggest calling in sick and just spending a whole day with your favorite HEROES of the silver scream.

Image Entertainment has done fright fans a great service with this release. Originally airing as individual segments on A & E
Biography, this two disk set is a treat for anyone who appreciates classic horror films. Featuring interviews with family members and friends, rare color home movies and some great first run & reissue trailers, each separate biography is a long overdue tribute to these legendary actors who have chilled and delighted fans worldwide.

With the exception of the often repeated falsehood regarding
Lon Chaney Sr's demise ..(which was due to cancer of the lungs
and not throat cancer), I would highly recommend this set to
anyone who spent their Saturday afternoons with their drapes
drawn, shades pulled down and in their favorite spot by the TV.

Highly recommended.

This title is an absolute must for fans of vintage horror. Five fabulous documentaries made in the mid 1990s, one each for Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi, Lon Chaney Jnr, Peter Lorre and Vincent Price. Touching input from family members make this release a fitting tribute to five genius actors who brought humanity to the horror genre. Some extras, including interviews and trailers provide the icing on the cake. Tremendous value for money.

If you're a fan of the horror genre, then you absolutely have to seek out everything with David J. Skal's name on it. Skal, perhaps best known for his chef d'oeuvre, "Hollywood Gothic," is one of the finest commentators to be found on the modern horror scene. David's tastes and observations go beyond film history to the study of what it is in the human psyche that seeks fright as a form of escape.

It this collection, David works with A&E to look at the lives of Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff, Lon Chaney Jr., Peter Lorre and Vincent Price. It's not always a pleasant view.

While each of these icons of cinema horror had their success, for most of them it was a fleeting and seldom satisfying experience. While Boris Karloff and Vincent Price achieved both financial success and celebrity that allowed them to break out of the constraints of their horror roles, others were not as fortunate.

Bela Lugosi, in particular, seems a man cast aside by a Hollywood system that, even today, uses his likeness to make tons and tons of money. Lugosi's tragic story was probably the best kept secret in Tinseltown until (strangely enough) it was revealed as one of the main story lines in "Ed Wood." It's a tragedy made for the screen that Martin Landau earned an Academy Award portraying the life of a man shunned, for the most part, by the Studios that became rich on his talents.

For any fan of the genre, this is a must-have resource. Now, go look-up everything (and anything) else with Skal's name on it.

I just love the old classic movie monsters that a dvd on their history was great.

If your a fan of classic black & white horror films and more so of the actors whom starred in them this DVD is a must !

A&E originally designed and aired these biographys in October of 1995 . It was a week long halloween special titled , "Tricks & Treat" week . The A&E website doesn't sell these biographys as a DVD , only as VHS . Which is why people should purchase this DVD . The quality is outstanding and far better than the VHS version I taped back then .

All five biographys are complied into two DVD 's , with pro interactive menu's and dolby sound . Each biography starts at the birth of each actor concluding to the very end of their careers . The biography's provide a good timeline of all starring roles and movies of each actor . Interviews of family , friends and co-stars are intermixed , rounding out the biograpghy . Extra's are included with classic movie trailers from each actor and along with some rare interviews .

Was a great Bio for all of the actors. Kind of depressing their stories of struggle. DVD was great. Reccomended for any classic monster/horror movie fan.

A really interesting view of the Horror Masters and their lives. Have been wanting to get this for quite some time.

At first glance, one might think this would be a low-budget production. This is NOT the case. It's an A&E Network- related project and absolutely first class! The Lugosi segment alone is ten times worth the price...Did I say "Price"? Yes, Vincent is here, too! I'm a 50-year or so fan of Karloff, Lugosi, Lon, Lorre and Mr. Price...and trust me, this is informative, fun, and extremely well-done."Even a man (or woman) who says their prayers by night will be thrilled watching this, whether or not the autumn moon is bright"! You'll LOVE it!