NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: Film Masters Blu-ray (October 2023): Film Masters have transferred "The Filmgroup"s double feature of Monte Hellman's 1959 Beast from Haunted Cave, from a new 4k scan from 35mm archival elements, and Roger Corman's Ski Troop Attack made in 1960 from a new HD scan from original 16mm reduction print. Both films are on their own separate dual-layered Blu-ray discs in 1080P.  Retromedia's The Wasp Woman Blu-ray from 2017 included Beast from Haunted Cave and we have compared some captures below. Beast from Haunted Cave is offered in both theatrical 1.85:1 and extended TV, 1.33:1, HD presentations. There is information cropped. There is plenty of grain but these modest budgeted films exclude neither tightness nor gloss. They are both flat and unappealing - but clearly decent representations of the original productions and their obvious limitations. There is damage and speckles but it is not untoward. I was okay with the contrast and these comparisons may show the Retromedia to be brightened... or the Film Masters damped. I go with the former. Ski Troop Attack looks quite bad from 16mm and the stock footage sequences even weaker! There was an early jump-cut. To be honest I was expecting much and I appreciate the presentations - warts and all.    

NOTE: We have added 74 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Film Masters offer DTS-HD Master dual-mono track (24-bit) for each film plus a, superfluous, lossy Dolby option. Beast from Haunted Cave has few aggressive moments that come through with modest depth and score by Alexander Laszlo (Attack of the Giant Leeches, The Amazing Mr. X, The Great Flamarion, The Atomic Submarine) to, sometimes awkwardly, heighten tension. Ski Troop Attack has another rehash score by Fred Katz (The Wasp Woman, A Bucket of Blood, 1960's The Little Shop of Horrors) that does what it can to aid the proceedings but its fighting a losing battle. It does sound decent with a few inconsistencies in the lossless. Film Masters offer optional English subtitles for both features (and the TV version of 'Beast') and for both commentaries (samples below) on their two Region FREE Blu-rays.

The Film Masters Blu-rays offer a commentary on Beast from Haunted Cave by Tom Weaver (They Fought in the Creature Features: Interviews with 23 Classic Horror, Science Fiction and Serial Stars) with input from Larry Blamire (Tales of the Callamo Mountains.) Tom is always fun and educational. There is also a commentary on Ski Patrol Attack by C. Courtney Joyner (The Savage B's: A Tribute to B-Horror) and Howard S. Berger as they bravely seek positives. They talk about memorable Frank Wolff (Sgt. Potter in the film) who was in five Roger Corman productions from 1958–61, Michael Forest (ToS "Who Mourns for Adonais?") and cinematographer Andrew M. Costikyan... plus so much more. It was great to hear their Corman stories. Film Masters include part one (about 1/4 hour) of Daniel Griffith's Hollywood Intruders: The Filmgroup Story written by C. Courtney Joyner. It was a Ballyhoo Motion Pictures effort. They discuss the production company founded by filmmakers Roger Corman and Gene Corman in 1959, as they used it to make and distribute Roger's own movies, as opposed AIP which required unionized crews. Generally it was Corman's effort to move into distribution. It's informative and well-made. There is also an original trailer for Beast from Haunted Cave and a 2023 Recut trailers for both Beast from Haunted Cave and Ski Patrol Attack, plus there is a behind the scenes Beast gallery. The package has a color booklet with essays by C. Courtney Joyner and Tom Weaver.

Beast from Haunted Cave is considered a horror/heist film that was shot South Dakota adjacent to Ski Troop Attack - why it has most of the same same screenwriter and lead cast - Forest, Wolff, Campo and Sheila Noonan. Bank robbers stealing gold bars, and others get captured by a giant spider-like monster (said 'Beast') that feeds on humans. Monte Hellman claimed it was very cold and most of the equipment was all frozen - they were only given only 13 days to shoot. Beast from Haunted Cave was released as a double feature with The Wasp Woman (which is a favorite.) Ski Troop Attack involves a WW2 reconnaissance mission behind enemy lines by soldier-skiers. It was shot in the Black Hills of Deadwood, South Dakota over ten days. Both represent Corman ultra-slap-dash cinema - which can often be entertaining. Film Masters Blu-ray package has the essential extras with excellent choices of commentarists... and more. I'll be keeping it for Beast from Haunted Cave but will probably also re-watch Ski Troop Attack occasionally. To each his own.

Gary Tooze