The Terror

Rating:
Summary: Passable Old Dark House Mystery...
Review: 1939's "The Terror" is essentially a stagebound affair, but intriguing nonetheless.

Three men hold up a gold shipment, and the mysterious ringleader disappears with the swag while pointing the police at his two fellow crooks. Ten years later, the crooks are released from prison and swear revenge on their former boss, whom even the police think non-existant. Naturally, the crooks track down the bad guy, and everyone winds up at the haunted monastery-turned-mansion/hotel. The guests stopping at the hotel face ghosts, dark stormy nights, mysterious organ music, and murder.

"The Terror" is notable for two things; first, it has an early role for Bernard Lee, who later found lasting fame as "M" in the James Bond movies. It's fun to see him play a mystery man/drunk/hero in comparison to his more famous role. Second, we have a good turn by Alistair Sim as a supporting character, the the crook called "Soapy". Sim is poorly represented on DVD, although he was a simply phenominal actor. His lasting fame is the definitive portrayal of Ebeneezer Scrooge in the 1951 classic "A Christmas Carol", but he was also outstanding in "Hue and Cry" and "Green for Danger", both currently unavailable.

The movie is slightly a cut above the usual programmer, and there's a spot or two of comedy to help things along.

Rating:
Summary: Neat Little Edgar Wallace Thriller
Review: Not a bad little crime/old dark house thriller. This is a British movie made in 1939 and starring Bernard Lee who was to find cult status 21 years later as "M" is the James Bond movies. Two guys meet a mysterious third to perform the perfect gold heist. They never see his face because gas masks are used in the robbery. He ends up betraying his accomplices and vanishing without a trace. Ten years later, in a spooky old mansion their paths cross again. Typically, as with most Edgar Wallace stories, there is a stormy night, a spectral monk, creepy midnight organ music, a black-gloved killer on the loose... you get the picture. I don't want to ruin the plot because it's worth a look if only to see a young Bernard Lee along with Arthur (Sherlock Holmes) Wontner, and Alistair Sim strut their stuff. At 70 minutes, it's not much of a commitment. The el cheapo Alpha DVD is second rate VHS quality with substantial audio hiss. The print has little or no scratches and no splices but since it was mastered from a VHS tape there are some video dropouts. Not really what DVD is supposed to be about but hey, where else are ya gonna see this stuff for under 10 bucks?? Quality aside, at least it wont wear out when it's on disc.

Rating:
Summary: Neat Little Edgar Wallace Thriller
Review: Not a bad little crime/old dark house thriller. This is a British movie made in 1939 and starring Bernard Lee who was to find cult status 21 years later as "M" is the James Bond movies. Two guys meet a mysterious third to perform the perfect gold heist. They never see his face because gas masks are used in the robbery. He ends up betraying his accomplices and vanishing without a trace. Ten years later, in a spooky old mansion their paths cross again. Typically, as with most Edgar Wallace stories, there is a stormy night, a spectral monk, creepy midnight organ music, a black-gloved killer on the loose... you get the picture. I don't want to ruin the plot because it's worth a look if only to see a young Bernard Lee along with Arthur (Sherlock Holmes) Wontner, and Alistair Sim strut their stuff. At 70 minutes, it's not much of a commitment. The el cheapo Alpha DVD is second rate VHS quality with substantial audio hiss. The print has little or no scratches and no splices but since it was mastered from a VHS tape there are some video dropouts. Not really what DVD is supposed to be about but hey, where else are ya gonna see this stuff for under 10 bucks?? Quality aside, at least it wont wear out when it's on disc.