Fox Horror Classics Collection Volume 2 (Dragonwyck / Chandu the Magician / Dr. Renault's Secret)
by Joseph L. Mankiewicz
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Anne Revere, Gene Tierney, Spring Byington, Vincent Price, Walter HustonDirector: Joseph L. Mankiewicz
Brand: Fox
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language)
Format: Box set, Color, DVD, NTSC, Restored
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 232 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2008-09-09
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Movie Reviews of Fox Horror Classics Collection Volume 2 (Dragonwyck / Chandu the Magician / Dr. Renault's Secret)
Movie Review: Nice set of excellent, rare old films!
Summary: 5 Stars
The title of this attractive set of three DVDs might be a little misleading because none of the three movies could be described as horror by today's definition, but by 1930's and 1940's standards they do fit the bill. So the keyword here is "Classics" from the early Fox Studios, and some rare, unusual and charming ones they are indeed! Each one is very different, but they all feature an outstanding cast with some legendary stars, and they are all top quality films in every aspect of production. Furthermore, all three films have not been readily available for a long time, which makes this set an extra exciting and special treat. For me personally, the dynamic and legendary stars - Bela Lugosi in "Chandu the Magician" and Vincent Price in "Dragonwyck" immediately appealed to me and raised my expectations, but I found so much more in all three movies that I've enjoyed watching them many times over already.
Although not the actual hero or main star, it's Bela Lugosi who steals the show in "Chandu", playing the evil madman, Roxor, as only Lugosi can. Famous for his role as Count Dracula, Lugosi, alongside Boris Karloff, was the king of the horror genre in the 1930s, and while his acting might seem over-the-top in our day, his style can still win a modern audience. "Chandu" features many interesting aspects of 1930's filmmaking with some impressive special effects, beautiful sets designed by the famous and award-winning William Cameron Menzies, and an unusual story about a Western yogi mystic who saves the world from Roxor's evil clutches by using his special magic. Back in the 1920s and 30s the Western world was fascinated by India and its mysticism, which explains why "Chandu" was actually a popular children's radio show back then, and this innocent, childlike fun and fascination with magic is evident in this movie.
As Lugosi's crown began to fade, the next king of the horror genre prepared to take over, and "Dragonwyck" is the first film to feature Vincent Price as a sinister, evil character; a role he fully embraced some years later to become the best known horror actor of more recent decades. Unlike his later roles, in "Dragonwyck" Price plays a character who appears normal and charming at first, and his devious plan is only gradually revealed as the story progresses. As a rich nobleman in early 19th century America, Price plays the part perfectly, especially when his new young wife begins to realize what danger she is in, and more and more of his mentally warped character comes to the surface. Also rich in lavish set designs, "Dragonwyck" throws light on a little-known part of American history while weaving an intricate plot in which many talented stars of the day contribute and support Price, such as Gene Tierney, famous for Film Noir movies like "Laura" who plays Price's young wife, and Walter Huston as her religiously fundamental father. Unlike "Chandu" which is fun and playful, "Dragonwyck" is serious and for the most part quite believable, and is overall a first-class drama of the mid 1940s.
"Dr Renault's Secret" completes this perfect trio of unusual movies of the early horror genre, this time featuring another gifted performer, J. Carrol Naish, who plays the role of a man who has been transformed from a gorilla so convincingly, that one could almost believe it to be possible. The experiment of a doctor with good intentions, Noel, as he is named, struggles to be a man in the human world while retaining his memory of life in the Javanese jungle, along with various animal instincts. The angle I enjoyed most in this film is that the mind of the gorilla-turned-man is one of love and peace, rather than wild, savage and primitive instincts, which people generally believed. In a time when King Kong and other horror films featuring wild and dangerous apes were popular, "Dr Renault's Secret" must have been a refreshing and intelligent change, and it still has that effect today. In fact, for anyone tired of the modern horror film with excessive gore, frights and terror, this set will be a welcome change, as well as a very pleasant and educational insight into films of the 1930s and 40s, with the help of good notes and audio commentary with two of the films. There are other bonus features such as short documentaries about the films which serve as a good introduction, or simply to explain a few things for those not familiar with these older films and its stars. Picture and sound quality are perfect, and all three films provide a wonderful escape from the modern world.
More Fox Horror Classics Collection Volume 2 (Dragonwyck / Chandu the Magician / Dr. Renault's Secret) reviews:
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Summary of Fox Horror Classics Collection Volume 2 (Dragonwyck / Chandu the Magician / Dr. Renault's Secret)
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