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The Ghoul

The Ghoul

List Price: $14.95
Your Price: $13.46
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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The GHOUL '34 PRISTINE TRANSFER AT LAST!
Review: Long thought lost,(because suppposedly all prints and negatives were destroyed when a version of the Ghoul was re-made as the 1962 horror comedy No Place Like Homicide) M.G.M. has released a version of the Ghoul that looks as good as the day it was filmed! For years the only available way to see the Ghoul was on an awful looking transfer made from what looked like a third generation dupe on VHS without main titles and severely edited. I saw the un-impressive cover art online and thought "What the heck, it can't be worse then that vhs video". What a pleasantly AMAZING surprise. A crisp, clean unblemised picture awaited me! I would think that someone at M.G.M. home video would have mentioned that this new, pristine source transfer was being made available for the first time on their new DVD version!. Would love to be hired by M.G.M. Home Video to make sure that truly rare films were made known to the public. I cannot recommend the GHOUL enough to fellow Horror Film/Karloff fans. John

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A rarely seen Karloff gem
Review: Looking at the artwork on the case, you might think this was a newer film, say, one made in the last 20 years, but that is not so. This movie was actually made in the early 30's, and is an excellent companion to the Universal horror movies of the time.

Boris Karloff stars as a professor/Egyptologist who is soon to pass into the great beyond. Through his studies, he believes he's found the key to immortality, in a ancient gem called The Eternal Light. Now, there is a little confusion on my part as to what possesion of this gem is supposed to do, if it makes one immortal or opens a passage to a wonderous paradise in the afterlife, but the gem in question is highly sought after due to its' monetary and supernatural value.

Karloff's character passes on, and guess what? The gem is stolen! This prompts Karloff's corpse to come back to life and seek out the gem. Things get a tad confusing, as Karloff's heirs get involved, along with a butler, an unscrupulous accountant, a couple of Egyptians, a priest, and so on. If you follow closely, you should be able to keep things straight, but if your attention wanders, you will miss something. Karloff's make up was kept minimal, which I thought worked really well, and the quality of the production seemed fairly high, even though I am sure the actual production budget was pretty modest. A great example of making the most of what you have. The atmosphere was thoroughly creepy, and even the comic relief, who I found annoying at first, sort of grew on me. But, in the end, see this movie for Karloff, as he's in his prime. He may not have a lot of dialogue, but his actions and facial expressions speak louder than words. I would say this movie is a combonation of The Mummy and The Old Dark House.

There are no extras, but the print and sound are both excellent, and, from reading other reviews on the rarity of this movie, sounds like this excellent print has been on many peoples wishlist for a long time. I give a lot of credit to MGM, not only for releasing movies from their catalog in a timely manner, but also keeping an eye towards the quailty of the prints of the films they put on DVD.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: The Eternal Light
Review: Professor Morlant (Boris Karloff) believes he can achieve immortality with a sacred jewel known as the eternal light, which has been stolen from an Egyptian tomb. Believing that the jewel will give him immortality, Morlant instruct his servant Laing (Ernest Thesiger - who played Dr. Pretorious in the Bride of Frankenstein) to bind the jewel in his hand after his death. After Morlant's death, Laing steals the jewel, and then Morlant rises from the dead looking for the jewel.

Karloff's makeup is effective; he looks more dead than alive.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: SLOW, MOODY, ATMOSPHERIC
Review: THE GHOUL (MGM) is about a dying profesor (Boris Karloff) who has a gemstone called "The Eternal Light" that was looted from an Egyptian tomb. He believes the god Anubis will grant immortality through the jewel and makes his servant promise to bind the gem in his hand when he dies. "If it's stolen, I'll return from the dead and seek revenge." Naturally, the servant steals the stone. You get the idea. The 1933 UK film features a young Ralph Richardson. Slowly paced with moody cinematography.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Boris Rises Again!
Review: THE GHOUL is a good little story about an egyptologist (Karloff) who wants to live forever. He believes he can achieve immortality by having a sacred jewel placed in the hand of Anubis (he has the statue in his bedroom) after his demise. Unfortunately, several others want the precious gem for themselves! Treachery abounds until Boris rises from his grave. He is NOT happy to find his jewel missing! THE GHOUL is creepy enough to overcome some of it's dull moments. Check out (sirs) Cedric Hardwicke and Ralph Richardson in early roles! Richardson plays a preacher who just might be a bit too "good". This is a great movie for all Karloff fans...

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: The Mummy - Episode 1
Review: This is a very interesting old movie. The quality and sound is not the greatest. The film was lost for years and and old copy was eventually found a few years ago. It's a little scratchy, so you'll have to pay attention to the dialog. But it definitely has the look and feel of an old Universal Horror Karloff flick. He plays a dying Archeologist who believes if he dies clutching an Egyptian medalion he will be granted immortality by the god Anubus (see other Mummy movies). Well, to life he does come, and with him death. He looks like a mummy without all the wrappings. You'll also see Ernest Thesiger of Dr Pretorius (Bride of Frankenstein) fame.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: couldn't believe my eyes
Review: This little seen Karloff obscurity has been given an amazing restoration by MGM. There is literally not a scratch on this 70 year old horror from Gaumont British studios. My only slight quibble is that the contrast varies slightly - sometimes appearing a bit washed out. The sound too is excellent with good clear dialogue and no background hiss that usually accompanies films of this vintage.
The film itself is an incredibly talky affair and only really kicks in during the final half hour or so - but it's worth the wait.


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