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S E A R C H D V D B e a v e r |
The Ed Wood Box
Including "Bride of the Monster", "Jailbait", "Glen or Glenda",
"Night of the Ghouls", "Plan 9 From Outer Space" and "The Haunted World of Ed Wood Jr."
directed by Edward D. Wood Jr.
(sometime
credited as Daniel Davis, Edward Davis, Flint Holloway, Peter La Roche, Pete
LaRoche, Larry Lee, Don Miller, Akdon Telmig, Akdov Telmig, Dick Trent, Ed Wood,
Jr. Edw. D. Wood, Ed Woods)
USA 1953-59
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Edward D. Wood Jr. is a part of film history. Often chided as making the worst film of all time (Plan 9 From Outer Space) - this is totally inaccurate. It is bad, but not that bad. His unusual, hap-hazard, and often amateurish style has come to identify his films - giving him a unique place in Hollywood history. So much of his legacy appears to be genuinely depicted in Tim Burton's Ed Wood that I suspect Johnny Depp's portrayal is 'right on the money' (NOTE: The Haunted World of Ed Wood Jr. is a response to Burton's poetic license with some noted variations from the truth). A simple, yet at times scheming, and gregarious enthusiast who's love of film superseded his own capabilities and budgets.
There is a current trend with many people I know about attempting something... anything. As they feel they cannot do their absolute best - they rather do nothing at all. I hate this. Ed Wood did something - knowing it would be flawed and derided. It is those who mock him most that are the ones who never do anything with their lives but sit back and mock. I made a huge omission on our upcoming sweatshirts - not including the name of Edward D. Wood Jr. on the back. His passion and eccentric nature are a model for this website. To me he is close to a God! In fact I am going to try on my wife's angora sweater right now... |
Glen or Glenda
Jailbait Bride of the
Monster Plan 9 From Outer Space
Night of the Ghouls The
Haunted World of Ed Wood Jr.
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DVD Review: Image Entertainment Boxset - Region 1 - NTSC
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| Distribution | Image Entertainment - Region 1 - NTSC |
| Audio | English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono) |
| Subtitles | None |
| Features |
Release Information: Studio: Image Entertainment Aspect
Ratio: Edition Details: |
| Comments: |
Each individual release here can range from about $20-$25... yet this Boxset with these hard-to-find and eccentric films is only $29 US!
Great Boxset - our highest recommendation ! Each individual release is
worth the price of the entire set. Nothing is as fun than watching these
films at night with friends and big bowl of popcorn. Don't wait - it
will be out-of-print soon and selling used for 100's. Trust me.
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(aka "Glen or Glenda?" or "Glen or Glenda: Confessions of Ed Wood")
directed by Ed Wood
USA 1953
Theatrical Release: December 1st 1953 (limited release)
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The film is about a transvestite who commits suicide. The policeman that finds him then consults a doctor who informs him (and us) all about transvestitism. Bela Lugosi makes appearances and, if Tim Burton's Ed Wood, is an accurate depiction, he is under the influence of narcotics. The film expresses itself akin to a short documentary on transvestitism rather than a feature film. It is filled with inaccuracies but interesting to say the least. Prime Ed Wood fodder and a must see for his following. |
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Cover and Individual purchase link |
The individual DVD:
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But WE recommend the entire Boxset (GREAT deal!):
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| Runtime | 1:08:24 |
| Video |
1.33:1
Aspect Ratio Chapters : 16 |
| Bitrate:
NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes. |
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Comments:
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This is the film in the boxset with the most damage
showing, but it is sporadic and there is still some fine grain showing
through. I see a little saturation in the picture quality, but contrast is
not bad at all. Like all the releases in the Box there are no subtitles
and (in this case) only a rare theatrical trailer as an extra. But this
trailer is worth its weight in gold as ice-breaker for party guests.
 out
of Gary Tooze |
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directed by Ed Wood Jr.
USA 1954
(aka "Hidden Face")
Theatrical Release: Unknown
| Yes it has flawed direction, poor performances, illogical plot continuity but it is nonetheless a fascinating film akin to the Noir genre (if loosely associated). Lyle Talbot once again plays a kindly policeman (as he did in Glen of Glenda) also involving guns, small-time crooks and plastic surgery. Favorite things to watch for - In the doctor's office, since his desk is so huge, whenever anyone wants to sit down, the have to squeeze between a plant and chair. |
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Cover and Individual purchase link |
The individual DVD:
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But WE recommend the entire Boxset (GREAT deal!):
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| Runtime | 1:12:27 |
| Video |
1.33:1
Aspect Ratio Chapters : 12 |
| Bitrate:
NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes. |
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Excellent picture quality (no manipulation) and film
grain everywhere. now this is not Criterion - but a solid transfer
nonetheless. No subtitles and extras again only include the trailer. A
perfect film/DVD combination to own. Ohh how I long for a commentary
though - one day, one day...
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Gary Tooze |
Recommended Reading in Film Noir (CLICK COVERS or TITLES for more information)
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Film Noir: An Encyclopedia Reference to the American
Style by Alain Silver, Elizabeth Ward |
The Dark Side of the Screen: Film Noir by Foster Hirsch |
Somewhere in the Night: Film Noir and the American City by Nicholas Christopher |
Film Noir Reader 4 : The Crucial Films and Themes
(Film Noir Reader) by Alain Silver |
The Art of Noir: The Posters and Graphics from the
Classic Era of Film Noir by Eddie Muller |
The Little Black and White Book of Film Noir:
Quotations from Films of the 40's and 50's by Peg Thompson, Saeko Usukawa |
Film Noir by Alain Silver |
Film Noir Guide: 745 Films of the Classic Era,
1940-1959 by Michael F. Keaney |
Detours and Lost Highways: A Map of Neo-Noir by Foster Hirsch |
More Than Night: Film Noir in Its Contexts by James Naremore |
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directed by Ed Wood Jr.
USA 1955
(aka "The Atomic Monster or 'Bride of the Atom' or 'Monster of the Marshes')
Theatrical Release: May 11th, 1955 - Hollywood, Califormia
| Bride of the Monster is a very competent
B-movie! Bela Lugosi's performance as Dr. Eric Vornoff is hypnotic (literally) -
the stuff of legends. Wood's lack of attention to detail is paramount in this
film's high ranking in his ouvre. The stunning climax is packed full of Tor
Jonson at his "George-the-animal Steele" best... out of
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Poster
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Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews
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Cover and Individual purchase link |
The individual DVD:
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But WE recommend the entire Boxset (GREAT deal!):
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| Runtime | 1:10:09 |
| Video |
1.33:1
Aspect Ratio Chapters : 12 |
| Bitrate:
NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes. |
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Comments:
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This is one of my favorites from the boxset. Again
it has nice grain and limited extras (just a trailer), but the image
quality is quite good as is the contrast and sharpness, and I doubt anyone
would be disappointed. Audio is again weak point of these releases
and this is a shade better than "Glen or Glenda" but still I can't see you
doing much with it from a DVD production standpoint.
out of
Gary Tooze |
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(aka "Grave Robbers From Outer Space")
directed by Ed Wood Jr.
USA 1959
Theatrical Release: July 1959
| Firstly this is far from the worst film of all time... it is instead quintessential Ed Wood - meaning it has production weaknesses, but an overall feel of B-movie mood and setting. This guy just loved making films - you can see it, but he wasn't particularly adept at doing so. Regardless, THIS is the film he is most remembered for. It is also his longest project by a wide margin running at almost 2 hours. It is easily about the most fun a cinema scholar (not me) could have watching a film. It has gravitated itself (45 years after release) to pop-culture status - it's wooden performances and disjointed plot details are all so comforting to see - like returning to a good book. Yes, nothing in Ed Wood's methods have been altered - reused sets and ad-hock dialogue are cornerstones to this films infamy. seriously you are crazy if you don't watch this at least once in your life - but 2 and 3 times will give you a ride you don't want to forget. |
Poster
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Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews
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Cover and Individual purchase link |
The individual DVD:
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But WE recommend the entire Boxset (GREAT deal!):
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| Runtime | 1:51;16 |
| Video |
1.33:1
Aspect Ratio Chapters : 20 |
| Bitrate:
NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes. |
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Comments:
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NOTE: SEE
HERE for comparison to the Legend colorized version. **** The print for this film is in acceptable condition. Relatively sharp, with some slight contrast boosting. Audio is a bit better than in the previous releases, but nothing to rave about - it is a function of the filming process that Eddy used. Some real effort went into making this DVD with the addition of the "Plan 9 Companion" documentary. A trailer is also included. Great image and good extras. It screams for a commentary - and I suspect one will come one day. Gary Tooze |
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(aka 'Dr. Acula" or "Revenge of the Dead")
directed by Ed Wood Jr.
USA 1959
Theatrical Release: unknown
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To be fair the regular Wood performers have
improved with age and the performances in this, although far from award
nomination, and not as bad as they were in previous efforts. Considered perhaps
the least "Wood-like" film as it does have some semblance of organization in the
production. If you look closely many of the markers are still there though. ..out
of
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Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews
| Cover and Individual purchase link |
The individual DVD:
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|
But WE recommend the entire Boxset (GREAT deal!):
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| Runtime | 1:09:21 |
| Video |
1.33:1
Aspect Ratio Chapters : 12 |
| Bitrate:
NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes. |
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Comments:
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Softer than Plan 9, but still plenty of grain
(actually excessive in parts). The DVD looks almost like a new film was
transferred and it is hard to fault the image at all. The audio is
likewise strong, and perhaps the best of the films in the box.
Unfortunately there are no extras at all. Still a nice addition and
back-up to Plan 9...
out of
Gary Tooze |
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directed by Brett Thomson
USA 1996
Theatrical Release: May 1st, 1996 - USA
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The 1996 documentary provides a complete profile
of Wood's life and career, but it also branches out into extended profiles of
many of Wood's associates. The director, Brett Thompson, managed not only to
track down many of the surviving members of Wood's coterie, but he nudged them
into opening up, telling the stories of their experiences, resentments and joys
while working with Wood. |
Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews
| Cover and Individual purchase link |
The individual DVD:
|
|
But WE recommend the entire Boxset (GREAT deal!):
|
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| Runtime | 1:51:52 |
| Video |
1.33:1
Aspect Ratio Chapters : 18 |
| Bitrate:
NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes. |
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Comments:
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There are lost of good positive extras in this
documentary DVD release (rarely seen - Ed Wood's First film - 23 minutes -
audio commentary with Bela Lugosi Jr and Brett Thomson - AE biography
<unedited>, collection of outtakes and behind the scenes footage etc.
etc.) This DVD alone is worth the price of the whole boxset.
 out
of Gary Tooze |
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Gary Tooze
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Many Thanks...