Comments on: The Undying Monster

by: Livius

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 20:18:29 +0000

What John said. Don’t just think about buying that set, do it. I don’t know about the R1 set but the R2 has never given me anything but satisfaction.

by: paulwjm

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 19:32:41 +0000

I’m getting square eyes here… I’ll keep it in mind though

by: John Hodson

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 18:20:06 +0000

I’ve heard it said that the transfers on the R1 Holmes films are marginally better, but having read many, many views, I would venture to suggest that the differences are very minor indeed, and, of coursem the R2 set is a damn sight cheaper than what I shelled out for the R1 discs (and that includes what I thought then was a DVDSoon mis-price on one of the collections).

Buy it Paul, you won’t regret it, the transfers are mostly excellent and while the set is not exactly replete with extras, the commentaries are interesting, and of course Rathbone and Bruce, Sondergaard, Zucco, Atwill; need I say more.

I nominate you to review the set, BTW…

by: paulwjm

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 17:54:36 +0000

Cheers! What do you guys think about the Rathbone Holmes set released in the UK? I’ve thought about picking it up once or twice (maybe somebody should do a series of reviews from those films). You’re right about many of those 40s B pictures, John - they’re often fairly undemanding and pretty enjoyable.

by: John Hodson

Sun, 30 Mar 2008 22:07:01 +0000

It’s undemanding, but I really enjoy stuff like this - a Universal horror / Sherlock Holmes hybrid - and all credit to Fox not just for ‘The Undying Monster’, but for the quality presentation of their back catalogue as a whole of late. Bravo. I watched this and the ‘Michael Shayne’ box in tandem (threw in a couple of Rathbone Holmes pics), late at night recently as a sort of ‘Midnight Movie’ feast and had a whale of a time; these ’40s ‘B’ pictures are an absolute joy aren’t they?

BTW, anyone else have fun with the ex-pat Brits in the cast attempting a ‘Northumbrian’ accent?

Thanks again for another fine piece Paul.

by: paulwjm

Sun, 30 Mar 2008 15:55:25 +0000

Thanks. You didn’t get the postcards? That’s a real shame, Colin - that’s the trouble buying non-UK products, it’s a bit of a problem to exchange! Still it’s an ace set either way. I’d seen Undying Monster years ago but the other two are fresh and hopefully I’ll be watching them soon (unfortunately the featurette on the Undying Monster disc gave a bit too much away about them). I’d pretty much guessed who the guilty party was too - they didn’t exactly need Sherlock Holmes did they!

by: Livius

Sun, 30 Mar 2008 15:22:27 +0000

Another nice piece Paul.
I enjoyed this quite a lot for the mixing of genres that you pointed out, the camerawork (that through-the-smoke-and-fire shot you mentioned is a real standout),and the set design. However, as a mystery, it didn’t really work for me since I thought it was obvious right from the off who the monster was. All things considered, though, it’s still a pretty successful bit of film-making and a good deal better than some of Universal’s product at the time.

Agreed on Fox’s packaging and presentation of this, ‘The Lodger’ and ‘Hangover Square’ - a real gem of a set… except I didn’t get any postcards with mine, oh well.