Bela Lugosi Collection, DVD

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Scene Index

Disc #1, Side A --The Bela Lugosi Collection: Murders in the Rue Morgue/The Black Cat/The Raven
1. Main Titles [1:26]
2. On Display [2:47]
3. Carnival Hocus-Pocus [1:17]
4. Sideshow Charlatan [7:16]
5. Lady in Distress [3:56]
6. No Match [3:52]
7. Three Women [4:13]
8. Foreign Substance [4:39]
9. Alluring Invitation [2:47]
10. Gratuitous Gift [2:13]
11. One-Sided Conversation [3:30]
12. Safety Locked Inside [2:36]
13. Visitor in the Night [2:36]
14. Carrried Away [4:15]
15. Knowing Too Much [5:36]
16. Perfect Blood [6:09]
17. Cause of Death [:42]
18. End Titles [:35]
1. Main Titles [1:18]
2. Terrible Mistake [4:11]
3. Roadside Accident [4:12]
4. Tender Case [4:29]
5. Atmosphere of Death [6:15]
6. Mysticism of the Black Cat [3:59]
7. Something to Settle [2:48]
8. The Living Dead [4:39]
9. Under a Spell [1:59]
10. Charming Guest [2:14]
11. Bold Challenge [:48]
12. A Game of Chess [2:04]
13. Winner Takes All [5:29]
14. Strange Possession [3:46]
15. Satanic Ritual [4:25]
16. Skinning An Animal [3:26]
17. Melodramatic Imagination [7:45]
18. End Credits [1:09]
1. Main Titles [1:12]
2. Sudden Accident [1:18]
3. Morbid Fascination [3:13]
4. A Matter of Competence [1:36]
5. Extraordinary Man [2:26]
6. The Spirit of Poe [2:44]
7. Prior Engagement [3:49]
8. Corrective Surgery [5:26]
9. Nerve Ends [1:15]
10. Unpleasant Surprise [3:47]
11. Saving Face [2:13]
12. Symbol of Death [7:50]
13. Dangerous Doctor [5:33]
14. Man in the Floor [3:25]
15. Tortuous Monster [2:58]
16. No Way in, No Way Out [4:35]
17. The Pendulum [7:02]
18. End Titles [:36]
Disc #1, Side B -- The Bela Lugosi Collection: The Invisible Ray/Black Friday
1. Main Titles [1:16]
2. Secrets of the Universe [4:30]
3. Incredible Demonstration [10:15]
4. Extended Research [1:32]
5. Radium X [4:03]
6. Startling Discovery [5:21]
7. The Excavation [2:38]
8. Poisonous Transformation [5:15]
9. Touch of Death [3:02]
10. Miraculous Recovery [2:12]
11. Harnessing the Power [4:21]
12. The Gift of Power [2:59]
13. Extraordinary Healing [6:25]
14. Hideous Sight [7:20]
15. Fighting the Invisible [6:06]
16. Setting a Trap [5:34]
17. Breaking the Laws of Science [5:42]
18. End Credits [:33]
1. Main Titles [1:15]
2. Deliverance From Evil [1:57]
3. Unlucky Day [5:24]
4. Illegal Operation [2:34]
5. Miraculous Recovery [8:12]
6. Headaches [2:19]
7. Criminal Activity [10:08]
8. Mob Justice [5:23]
9. Red Is Black [2:54]
10. systematic Killing [2:37]
11. Doctor's Orders [5:34]
12. Gradual Awakening [2:43]
13. Alluring Setup [5:23]
14. Fatal Secret [3:33]
15. Something's Happened to My Mind [3:40]
16. The Wrong Man [2:21]
17. Mental Relapse [2:53]
18. End Titles [1:03]

Scene Index

Editorial Reviews

1941's The Black Cat is neither a remake of the 1934 Karloff-Lugosi film of the same name, nor does it bear the slightest relation to the same-named Edgar Allan Poe story (as if the 1934 picture did!) The fact that the heroes are played by Hugh Herbert and Broderick Crawford is indication enough that the 1941 film wasn't meant to be taken entirely seriously. It all begins when elderly cat fancier Henrietta Winslow (played by legendary vaudeville impressionist Cecilia Loftus) is murdered by a scheming relative. At the reading of the will, Henrietta's heirs discover that the old dear has left her entire fortune to her pet felines. No one will get a penny until all the cats join their ancestors in Tabby Heaven. Several more murders occur, as suspicion is cast on such shady types as Mr. Hartley (Basil Rathbone), Abigail Doone (Gale Sondergaard) and family butler Eduardo (Bela Lugosi in yet another red-herring role). By the time that bumbling Mr. Penny (Herbert) and Hubert Smith (Crawford) figure out who the real killer is, heroine Elaine Winslow (Anne Gwynne) is on the verge of meeting her doom as well. Billed last, Alan Ladd has practically nothing to do as one of the heirs. Hardly one of the classic Universal horror efforts, The Black Cat at least has the advantage of some spook camerawork, courtesy of Stanley Cortez (Magnificent Ambersons). Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

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Bela Lugosi Collectionby Anonymous

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February 18, 2007: This set features the three Edgar Allen Poe inspired films (Murders at Rue Morgue, The Black Cat, and The Raven) and two of Universal's "post-horror" films (The Invisible Ray and Black Friday). "The Raven" was so macabre for its day, it resulted in a four year hiatus of horror films from Universal. Four of the five films co-star horror legend Boris Karloff as well.

All Movie Guide

1941's The Black Cat is neither a remake of the 1934 Karloff-Lugosi film of the same name, nor does it bear the slightest relation to the same-named Edgar Allan Poe story (as if the 1934 picture did!) The fact that the heroes are played by Hugh Herbert and Broderick Crawford is indication enough that the 1941 film wasn't meant to be taken entirely seriously. It all begins when elderly cat fancier Henrietta Winslow (played by legendary vaudeville impressionist Cecilia Loftus) is murdered by a scheming relative. At the reading of the will, Henrietta's heirs discover that the old dear has left her entire fortune to her pet felines. No one will get a penny until all the cats join their ancestors in Tabby Heaven. Several more murders occur, as suspicion is cast on such shady types as Mr. Hartley (Basil Rathbone), Abigail Doone (Gale Sondergaard) and family butler Eduardo (Bela Lugosi in yet another red-herring role). By the time that bumbling Mr. Penny (Herbert) and Hubert Smith (Crawford) figure out who the real killer is, heroine Elaine Winslow (Anne Gwynne) is on the verge of meeting her doom as well. Billed last, Alan Ladd has practically nothing to do as one of the heirs. Hardly one of the classic Universal horror efforts, The Black Cat at least has the advantage of some spook camerawork, courtesy of Stanley Cortez (Magnificent Ambersons). Hal Erickson

All Movie Guide

Told in flashback as Dr. Ernest Sovac (Boris Karloff) is marched into the gas chamber, Black Friday concerns kindly history teacher George Kingsley (Stanley Ridges), who is seriously injured when he is caught in the middle of a gangster shootout. Kingsley's best friend Sovac performs an emergency "brain-ectomy," replacing Kingsley's graymatter with that of dying gangster Red Cannon. Though the operation is successful, the mild-mannered Kingsley occasionally lapses into Cannon's more brutal personality, and it is during one of these spells that he reveals the existence of a cache of stolen money. Hoping to use these ill-gotten funds to finance his neurological research, Sovac hypnotizes Kingsley into "becoming" Cannon, and while thus entranced the poor fellow commits several murders, including the elimination of his chief rival, mobster Eric Marnay (Bela Lugosi). Ultimately, Sovac is forced to kill Kingsley/Cannon "for the good of mankind," which brings us full circle to Death Row. Hal Erickson

All Movie Guide

The last of Universal's three Boris Karloff-Bela Lugosi teamings of the mid-1930s, The Invisible Ray is dominated by Karloff as Dr. Janos Rukh, the inventor of a laser-like heat ray. Despite the scoffing of his colleagues, Rukh intends to use the ray for the benefit of mankind, but first he requires a new element called "Radium X" to perfect his invention. Before long, he has embarked upon an expedition to Africa in search of a radium source, accompanied by his beautiful young wife Diane (Frances Drake), handsome young scientist Ronald Drake (Frank Lawton) and financiers Sir Francis and Lady Arabella Stevens (Walter Kingsford, Beulah Bondi). His system poisoned by increased exposure to radium, Rukh begins acting strangely, virtually forcing Diane into Ronald's arms. Apparently killed during the expedition, Rukh is actually alive, dementedly determined to use his "invisible" radium ray to do away with all his enemies. Soon he is able to kill with the mere touch of his hand, and this is how he disposes of his severest critic (and greatest supporter), humanitarian doctor Benet (Bela Lugosi). Rukh later tries to kill Diane as well but is unable to go through with it. The mad doctor meets his Waterloo when he is confronted by his own avenging-angel mother (Violet Kemble-Cooper). Not as lively as previous Karloff-Lugosi efforts, The Invisible Ray is nonetheless an effective melodrama. Hal Erickson

All Movie Guide

Having missed the opportunity to direct Frankenstein for Universal, Robert Florey was offered Murders in the Rue Morgue as a consolation, whereupon he transformed a pedestrian property into a minor classic. Owing more to Cabinet of Dr. Caligari than to Edgar Allen Poe, the film stars Bela Lugosi as Doctor Mirakle (accent on the second syllable), a carnival sideshow entertainer who doubles as a mad scientist. Kidnapping prostitutes off the Paris streets, Mirakle endeavors to mix their blood with that of his pet gorilla. His experiments will forever be doomed to failure, however, until he is able to obtain the blood of a virgin -- and that's where Camille L'Espanye (Sidney Fox) comes into the picture. When Mirakle's monkey kidnaps Camille and murders her mother, suspicion immediately falls upon the girl's sweetheart, starving artist Pierre Dupin (Leon Waycoff, later known as Leon Ames). But by using the deductive skills displayed in the original story by Poe's master detective C. Auguste Dupin, our hero not only proves his innocence, but rescues the helpless heroine from Mirakle's clutches. Hal Erickson

All Movie Guide

The Raven is a real treat for fans of old horror movies. It features two of the top stars of the genre, it's preposterous enough for campy enjoyment, and it isn't a completely dreadful movie either. Granted, it's not in the same league as Bride of Frankenstein, for example, but it's still fun to watch. The filmmakers go to absurd lengths to compensate for the plot's limited connection to Edgar Allan Poe; not only does Dr. Vollin have an insane obsession with Poe's work (although he doesn't seem to understand its meaning), but the film even includes a Poe-inspired interpretive dance. Indeed, the most unbelievable part of the movie isn't Dr. Vollin's crazed plan or the assortment of weird devices in his mansion, but rather the overwhelming ovation that the dancer receives for her performance. In addition to fans of modern dance, people who enjoy watching portentous close-ups of Bela Lugosi's stare should also be pleased with this film, which proves conclusively that this underrated thespian needed only his eyeballs to overact. His performance may be stagy and hammy, but it's also dynamic; he knows how to raise his eyebrows or cackle insanely for maximum effect. Karloff's less theatrical acting style provides a nice balance to Lugosi as well as the film's dollop of pathos. Not surprisingly, the supporting cast is a lot less interesting to watch, a problem that isn't helped by uninspired generic dialogue (e.g., "Oh darling, isn't it wonderful?"). The suspenseful ending seems a bit slow by modern standards, perhaps because the characters have a tendency to face danger by huddling together in apparent fear of stepping on Lugosi's or Karloff's lines. Nonetheless, this movie is fun as long as you don't take it seriously.

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UPC: 025192829529
Source: UNIVERSAL STUDIOS
Region Code: 1
Aspect Ratio: Pre-1954 Standard (1.33.1)
Language: English
Subtitles: Espa�ol, Fran�ais
Time: 5:37:00
Sales Rank: 5,779

This set contains DVDs which may be available separately:

Murders in the Rue Morgue
The Black Cat
The Raven
The Invisible Ray
Black Friday

Features:

[None specified]

Scene Index

Disc #1, Side A --The Bela Lugosi Collection: Murders in the Rue Morgue/The Black Cat/The Raven
1. Main Titles [1:26]
2. On Display [2:47]
3. Carnival Hocus-Pocus [1:17]
4. Sideshow Charlatan [7:16]
5. Lady in Distress [3:56]
6. No Match [3:52]
7. Three Women [4:13]
8. Foreign Substance [4:39]
9. Alluring Invitation [2:47]
10. Gratuitous Gift [2:13]
11. One-Sided Conversation [3:30]
12. Safety Locked Inside [2:36]
13. Visitor in the Night [2:36]
14. Carrried Away [4:15]
15. Knowing Too Much [5:36]
16. Perfect Blood [6:09]
17. Cause of Death [:42]
18. End Titles [:35]
1. Main Titles [1:18]
2. Terrible Mistake [4:11]
3. Roadside Accident [4:12]
4. Tender Case [4:29]
5. Atmosphere of Death [6:15]
6. Mysticism of the Black Cat [3:59]
7. Something to Settle [2:48]
8. The Living Dead [4:39]
9. Under a Spell [1:59]
10. Charming Guest [2:14]
11. Bold Challenge [:48]
12. A Game of Chess [2:04]
13. Winner Takes All [5:29]
14. Strange Possession [3:46]
15. Satanic Ritual [4:25]
16. Skinning An Animal [3:26]
17. Melodramatic Imagination [7:45]
18. End Credits [1:09]
1. Main Titles [1:12]
2. Sudden Accident [1:18]
3. Morbid Fascination [3:13]
4. A Matter of Competence [1:36]
5. Extraordinary Man [2:26]
6. The Spirit of Poe [2:44]
7. Prior Engagement [3:49]
8. Corrective Surgery [5:26]
9. Nerve Ends [1:15]
10. Unpleasant Surprise [3:47]
11. Saving Face [2:13]
12. Symbol of Death [7:50]
13. Dangerous Doctor [5:33]
14. Man in the Floor [3:25]
15. Tortuous Monster [2:58]
16. No Way in, No Way Out [4:35]
17. The Pendulum [7:02]
18. End Titles [:36]
Disc #1, Side B -- The Bela Lugosi Collection: The Invisible Ray/Black Friday
1. Main Titles [1:16]
2. Secrets of the Universe [4:30]
3. Incredible Demonstration [10:15]
4. Extended Research [1:32]
5. Radium X [4:03]
6. Startling Discovery [5:21]
7. The Excavation [2:38]
8. Poisonous Transformation [5:15]
9. Touch of Death [3:02]
10. Miraculous Recovery [2:12]
11. Harnessing the Power [4:21]
12. The Gift of Power [2:59]
13. Extraordinary Healing [6:25]
14. Hideous Sight [7:20]
15. Fighting the Invisible [6:06]
16. Setting a Trap [5:34]
17. Breaking the Laws of Science [5:42]
18. End Credits [:33]
1. Main Titles [1:15]
2. Deliverance From Evil [1:57]
3. Unlucky Day [5:24]
4. Illegal Operation [2:34]
5. Miraculous Recovery [8:12]
6. Headaches [2:19]
7. Criminal Activity [10:08]
8. Mob Justice [5:23]
9. Red Is Black [2:54]
10. systematic Killing [2:37]
11. Doctor's Orders [5:34]
12. Gradual Awakening [2:43]
13. Alluring Setup [5:23]
14. Fatal Secret [3:33]
15. Something's Happened to My Mind [3:40]
16. The Wrong Man [2:21]
17. Mental Relapse [2:53]
18. End Titles [1:03]

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Disc #1, Side A --The Bela Lugosi Collection: Murders in the Rue Morgue/The Black Cat/The Raven
Murders in the Rue Morgue
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The Black Cat
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The Raven
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Disc #1, Side B -- The Bela Lugosi Collection: The Invisible Ray/Black Friday
The Invisible Ray
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Black Friday
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