The Mummy's Hand/The Mummy's Tomb

Rating:
Summary: The Mummy's Hand/The Mummy's Tomb
Review: First of all, I want to point out that I rate the Mummy's Hand higher than The Mummy's Tomb, but as a 2 movie DVD I have to rate it 5 stars. Tom Tyler for me is the best mummy of the lot. I only wish he had continued on and done the rest in that era.
Tom Tylers performance in The Mummy's Hand was exceptional, he was scarrrrry, they chose to black out his eyes and I felt that added to his look of being one of the scariest of all time. The Mummy's hand is actually a romantic film in a strange kind of way, but I guess they all are when you come to think of it....saving the beautiful girl. The Mummy's Tomb is also a very fine mummy movie and with this package, you have to have if your a mummy movie lover.

Rating:
Summary: 1940's serial mummy films come to DVD!
Review: Having already purchased these films on VHS, plus "The Mummy Collection" laserdisc box set, I was eager for a DVD release of "The Mummy's Hand" starring Tom Tyler, George Zucco and Peggy Moran (who, very sadly, passed away recently) and "The Mummy's Tomb" starring George Zucco, Turban Bey, Lon Chaney, Jr. and Elyse Knox (Mark Harmon's Mom). Apparently, according to other reviews here, in the first run of this DVD there was a formatting error, with the two features not in the correct order on the DVD top menu or title page. However, it must have been corrected in subsequent runs because when I put the DVD in the player the Title Menu displayed the films correctly and defaulted to the "The Mummy's Hand" (1940) first on the left and displaying "The Mummy's Tomb" (1942), to be watched second, on the right of the screen. Also, I had no problem getting back to the title page menu to watch the second film (and sequel) "The Mummy's Tomb. I used the "Top menu" (or title button some players) button from the menu page with my Toshiba player.
I thought the prints used were in good condition with "Hand" showing a little more wear than "Tomb". The dvd prints seemed almost identical to the Laserdisc edition. Maybe some small further scratches on "The Mummy's Hand", but the film was over 60 years old when the transfer was done (2001) and Universal did a commendable job. There was a scene from "The Mummy's Tomb" that was censored in 1942 and deleted from some theatrical and TV prints as well as the 1993 VHS edition release. Over a minute of the film, where the elderly character actress and Universal player Mary Gordon is strangled by the mummy (Lon Chaney, Jr.) was cut. It was restored to the 1994 Laserdisc box set edition and is included here. The print of "Tomb" was also cleaned up and is in very good condition. Sound restoration work is obvious on the audio tracks of both films. Dolby digital two channel mono English and Spanish soundtracks are included for both movies, plus English and French Subtitles. While light on extras, the dvd is a lot of fun and I am glad these films are available again for kids of all ages.

Rating:
Summary: 1940's serial mummy films come to DVD!
Review: Having already purchased these films on VHS, plus "The Mummy Collection" laserdisc box set, I was eager for a DVD release of "The Mummy's Hand" starring Tom Tyler, George Zucco and Peggy Moran (who, very sadly, passed away recently) and "The Mummy's Tomb" starring George Zucco, Turban Bey, Lon Chaney, Jr. and Elyse Knox (Mark Harmon's Mom). Apparently, according to other reviews here, in the first run of this DVD there was a formatting error, with the two features not in the correct order on the DVD top menu or title page. However, it must have been corrected in subsequent runs because when I put the DVD in the player the Title Menu displayed the films correctly and defaulted to the "The Mummy's Hand" (1940) first on the left and displaying "The Mummy's Tomb" (1942), to be watched second, on the right of the screen. Also, I had no problem getting back to the title page menu to watch the second film (and sequel) "The Mummy's Tomb. I used the "Top menu" (or title button some players) button from the menu page with my Toshiba player.
I thought the prints used were in good condition with "Hand" showing a little more wear than "Tomb". The dvd prints seemed almost identical to the Laserdisc edition. Maybe some small further scratches on "The Mummy's Hand", but the film was over 60 years old when the transfer was done (2001) and Universal did a commendable job. There was a scene from "The Mummy's Tomb" that was censored in 1942 and deleted from some theatrical and TV prints as well as the 1993 VHS edition release. Over a minute of the film, where the elderly character actress and Universal player Mary Gordon is strangled by the mummy (Lon Chaney, Jr.) was cut. It was restored to the 1994 Laserdisc box set edition and is included here. The print of "Tomb" was also cleaned up and is in very good condition. Sound restoration work is obvious on the audio tracks of both films. Dolby digital two channel mono English and Spanish soundtracks are included for both movies, plus English and French Subtitles. While light on extras, the dvd is a lot of fun and I am glad these films are available again for kids of all ages.

Rating:
Summary: not a sequel
Review: i like all 4 films featuring kharis, the mummy. but why do some reviewers call this a "sequel" or "follow-up" to karloff's 1932 mummy? the kharis films have nothing to do with the 1932 film.

Rating:
Summary: Mummy's Hand a Classic --Mummy's Tomb has its moments
Review: I'm sorry that Universal has stopped producing its deluxe DVD editions of its classic horror films. While it's nice getting two films for the price of one, I would have preferred that several of these films be issued individually with commentaries and a documentary. OK, not all the films in this last batch deserve that treatment but such beloved classics as Son of Frankenstein, Son of Dracula and Frankenstein Meets the Wolfman certainly do. No question The Black Cat should also be released in a deluxe edition (when they get around to releasing it) as it is one of the very greatest of all horror films. I would also argue that The Mummy's Hand is worthy of special treatment as it is a benchmark horror film and easily the best of its series (if you don't include the original The Mummy). For one thing, it established the whole mythology of Kharis and has influenced every mummy film made since. Universal's latest remake starring Brandon Frasier owes more to The Mummy's Hand than it does The Mummy. In fact, it's a remake that follows the 1940 film's storyline very closely. The films features a top-notch cast including George Zucco in what is arguably his most memorable role. The script combines horror and humor in a manner not unlike its 1999 remake. No actor has ever made a more frightening mummy than Tom Tyler - tremendous care was taken with the make-up and optical effects to make him look very ghoulish - and his facial expressions are much more restrained and effective than Chaney or the CGI mummy in the new films. Most of the music is lifted from Frank Skinner's score for Son of Frankenstein however H.J. Salter did contribute a few unforgettable cues that are now indelibly linked with Kharis and his romantic story. Fortunately, the film's lead actress is still with us and I wish Universal had taken advantage of the opportunity to interview Peggy Moran about her memories making this film as well as her other films at Universal in the early 40s. So few actors survive from these films that it seems a shame not to capture their stories on tape if they are willing to do so. Imagine the audio commentary she could have given us! I can't get very excited when it comes to the three Chaney mummy films although here again the studio should have invited Turhan Bey to record his recollections of working on the film. That would have been interesting - probably more so than the film itself. There are individual scenes in these Chaney films that I enjoy watching (the cemetery scenes in Tomb are beautifully done) but I can't sit through them complete without getting a little bored. Still, this is a very good DVD overall despite the lack of extras. I did notice a lot of wear on the print of Mummy's Hand. Maybe it's time Universal restore it. The Mummy's Tomb looked great.

Rating:
Summary: Adequate Entry into Universal's Classic Monsters DVD Series
Review: Not much has been made out of these new 'double-featurette' Monster set-ups yet. I picked this particular set up at a local store before buying any more. The transfers are very sharp looking and of high quality; there are sure no complaints about how the movies themselves look.

However, sad to say that these are pretty lacking in the cool extras that the original classic Monster releases had - track commentary, mini-documentaries and photo galleries are completely missing. What you do get for extras (assuming this set is indicative of the rest of the 2-for-1 releases) are sparse 'text only' production notes which may hold a little interest for fans; select cast bios and filmography; and vintage trailers for the movies (I do not recall seeing a 'Mummy's Tomb' trailer before so that was kind of cool). And for what little it is worth the jewel-box packaging art/design is also pretty disappointing (...). On the other hand, it is kind of nice of Universal to go for a somewhat more economically minded 'two for the price of one' format with these releases; I guess if they had to sacrifice some of the extras to acheive this.....personally I (like many serious fans) would rather have paid more and seen the documentaries and heard the commentary!

All things considered; the movies themselves are the bottom line and if this set is a fair representation of the rest of the new series, they look great and are definetely worth picking up. Sadly, a lack of cool extras as we had become used to with the original Classic Monsters DVD releases knock these a little bit down from 'Must Own' status.

Rating:
Summary: SOLID "B" MOVIE ENTERTAINMENT
Review: The Mummy's Hand is the first sequel to the Mummy although it would not appear until eight years after the original. It opens by re-using footage from the original with just a few scenes re-shot showing Kharis stealing tana leaves replacing the scene where Karloff as Imhotep steals the scroll of Thoth.

We are introduced to Horror vet George Zucco as Andoheb, high Priest of Karnak and guardian of the secret tomb of princess Ananka. We are shown how he can control the mummy Kharis by giving him a fluid made of tana leaves.

Cut to Dick Foran as "Steve Banning", a down on his luck archeologist and his partner Babe Jensen. Banning makes a discovery of the location of Ananka's tomb and puts together an expedition to uncover the tomb, funded by American Magician The Great Solvini and his daugher Marta.

Soon, Andoheb sets Kharis on their trail to kill them after they discover Ananka's tomb.

The Mummy's Hand, and the later three sequels would all be "B" movies, re-using much stock footage. There isn't really much of a plot here other than to give Zucco a change to let the Mummy (played by western star Tim Tyler) run wild...well, shamble wild. But hey..the second sycle of Horror was running wild at Universal so they were cranking these out fast.

Foran is the usual handsome hero and Wallace Ford as Babe jenson provides the usual sidekick comic relief so common in these movies.

Certainly no classic and director Christy Cabanne was NO Karl Freund...but it's still a fun movie and a quick watch at just over 60 minutes.

"The Mummy's Tomb" is a direct sequel to the "Mummy's Hand and takes place 30 years later. Almost the entire first 12 minutes of the movie uses footage from the Mummy's Hand as Steve Banning, now an old man, relates the events of discovering Anankas tomb and fighting the Mummy Kharis, as he speaks to his son, John and his fiancee Isabel.

Universal was never above trying to save a few bucks by re-using footage from previous films.

We also find out that the High Priest Andoheb (George Zucco) and the mummy were not killed and that Andoheb is passing on guardianship of Kharis on to Mehemet Bey (Turhan Bey). He is to go to America and destroy Banning and his family for desecrating Ananka's tomb.

We now cut to Mapleton, MA, as Kharis begins his nighly rampages of revenge. Wallace Ford Reprises his role as "Babe" although strangely his last name is changed from Jensen to Hanson.

The other big change is Lon Chaney Jr. taking over in his first go as the Mummy, Kharis. He cuts a more imposing figure than Tim Tyler and the makeup was far superior as he appeared much more decrepit can decayed.

Overall it was a refreshing change to move the setting to the States where everyday people were encountering the Mummy in a terror.

Rating:
Summary: Not as classic as the Karloff version, but still fun
Review: THE MUMMY'S HAND/THE MUMMY'S TOMB were the 1st 2 sequels of Universal's classic THE MUMMY, which starred Boris Karloff. However, while the original had Karloff's Imhotep in bandages for only about 5 minutes before appearing as a VERY wrinkled wizard, the sequels had the Mummy fully wrapped in these 2 flicks. Basically the films tell the tale of Kharis, who basically had the same back story as Imhotep: being buried alive for trying revive his dead lover, called Ananka here. The films also tell of a expedition that dig up Ananka's tomb, and occur the wrath of the Mummy. Obviously, both films end up using stock footage in padding their stories...you even see the villagers of the original FRANKENSTEIN waving their torches at one point in THE MUMMY'S TOMB. Tom Tyler, who plays the Mummy in the first film, lends a chilling presence. It also helps that his eyes are blacked-out in the editing room, adding to the creep factor. His successor, Lon Chaney, Jr., is somewhat less successful. With what looks more like a mask, Cheney seems less scary in comparison. At a little over than an hour each, the movies definitely do not drag in pacing. The DVD transfers are very sharp, but the lack of special features is disappointing. However, this is a fun double feature for fans of the Universal monsters.

Rating:
Summary: Horror Clasic's
Review: The Mummy's Tomb, simply put it's more then a classic. Dick Foran, as Steve Banning, wonderful actor, and not forgetting Mr. George Zucco, also, of Sherlock Holmes, 1940's famed classic's. Mummy's Hand, a stand up movie in it's own right. Should I lose this DVD version I now own, I would purchase another! If your a true horror classic fan then this is a movie for you. I love it...

Rating:
Summary: Arise, Mighty Kharis!!
Review: Whether you know it or not, most of what we think of when we think of the Mummy comes not from 1932's "The Mummy" with Boris Karloff, but rather from its sequals. Boris was only wrapped in the cloth for the first ten minutes of the movie as "Im-ho-tep", and then assumed the name "Ardath Bey," who was dressed and talked for the rest of the movie. But the limping, right-hand-wrapped-to-the-body, rampaging Mummy we know and love is Kharis.

"The Mummy's Hand" is not a sequel to the original "Mummy," but rather a whole new story. When a troup of American scientists (Dick Foran, Wallce Ford) discover the Princess Ananka, they venture farther on in the dusty, ancient catacombs of Egypt to find the 3,000 year old Kharis (minor cowboy actor Tom Tyler). Both mummies are prepared to go to America, but the mummies have a keeper, and when he discovers the plans of the archaeologists, the high priest brings Kharis to life with tana leaf tea.

Kharis and the high priest follow the Americans to New England, in order to retrieve Ananka, Kharis' love. Wandering the eerie countryside, all the while creating havoc, Kharis meets up with the Americans and Ananka in an exciting climax (watch for the cool "glowing eye" trick on the Mummy).

Overall, a great, creepy Universal monster movie with plenty of comic relief to keep things interesting.

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Screenwriter Griffin Jay, who would co-write the rest of the sequal's screenplays, co-penned "The Mummy's Tomb" to follow up "The Mummy's Hand." This movie is more of a re-make of the previous movie, with the same basic plot. It starts with Steve Banning (Dick Foran), years later, regaling his story of the Mummy's discovery, and his apparent demise. What Banning didn't know was that the high priest (George Zucco again) appointed a new keeper for the Mummy (Turhan Bey). The high priest falls in love with a local girl, and wants Kharis to capture her. Kharis, revived with tana leaf tea, looks for her, scaring and killing several people throughout the towns.

All parties meet at the end, for the classic showdown.

"The Mummy's Tomb" is a great movie, albeit not the most original from a story perspective. But the biggest news about this movie, as well as for the remaining two "Mummy" sequals, is that Universal wisely got the incredible Lon Chaney Jr. to play Kharis!

These first two "Mummy" sequals are great monster movies, and classics in their own rights!