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Directed by Victor Halperin
USA
1933
This atmospheric suspense film from the makers of White Zombie marked an unusual turn for glamorous Carole Lombard as heiress Roma Courtenay, who is approached by phony psychic Paul Bavian (Alan Dinehart), who claims to bear an important message from her recently deceased brother. After attending a bogus seance, Roma suddenly becomes possessed by the malevolent spirit of executed triple-murderess Ruth Rogen (Vivienne Osborne), whose unfinished business includes killing Bavian, her one-time lover. Fearing that Roma is actually under the charlatan's control, her fiancé (Randolph Crane Scott) sets out to rescue her -- and eventually discovers that the supernatural influence is quite real. Though too subdued to generate real suspense, this atmospheric film benefits from the visual style of director Victor Halperin. *** Supernatural stars Hollywood legend Carole Lombard as a woman possessed by a murderer’s dark soul. Roma (Lombard), whose twin brother has recently been murdered, becomes easy prey for a corrupt medium who arranges a séance to conjure up the lost twin’s supposedly troubled soul. Meanwhile, a murderess (Vivienne Osborne) accused of strangling her lovers awaits her fate in the electric chair. Before she dies, she agrees to donate her body to a scientist for his unique life-after-death research. Eerily, the doctor's first experiment on the now-deceased woman occurs at precisely the same time as the séance. In an evil twist of fate, Roma becomes possessed by the murderess' wicked spirit. In a race against time, the doctor and Roma's fiancé (Randolph Scott) struggle to undo the horrible curse in this compelling and inventive ghost story. |
Posters
Theatrical Release: May 12th, 1933
Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews
Comparison:
Universal - Region 0 - NTSC vs. Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray
Box Cover |
Bonus Captures: |
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Distribution | Universal (Vault Series) - Region 0 - NTSC | Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray |
Runtime | 1:04:16 | 1:04:15.852 |
Video |
1.33:1
Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 6.99 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s |
1. 37:1 1080P Single-layered Blu-rayDisc Size: 21,800,169,477 bytesFeature: 20,112,629,760 bytes Video Bitrate: 37.88 MbpsCodec: MPEG-4 AVC Video |
NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes. |
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Bitrate: |
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Bitrate Blu-ray: |
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Audio | English (Dolby Digital mono) |
DTS-HD Master
Audio English 1553 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1553 kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 /
48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 16-bit) Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps |
Subtitles | None | English, None |
Features |
Release Information: Edition Details: • None |
Release Information: Studio: Kino
1. 37:1 1080P Single-layered Blu-rayDisc Size: 21,800,169,477 bytesFeature: 20,112,629,760 bytes Video Bitrate: 37.88 MbpsCodec: MPEG-4 AVC Video
Edition Details:
• NEW Audio Commentary by Film Historian Tim Lucas
Standard Blu-ray Case Chapters 10 |
Comments: |
NOTE:
The below
Blu-ray
captures were taken directly from the
Blu-ray
disc.
NOTE: We have added 25 more large
resolution Blu-ray captures
(in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE
On their
Blu-ray,
Kino use a DTS-HD Master 2.0 channel mono track (16-bit) in the original
English language. It is another advancement in the film's production-limited
audio and the score
which can get quite boisterous from an uncredited trifecta of Karl Hajos (Summer
Storm), Howard Jackson (China
Gate) and Milan Roder (Murnau's
Tabu). When the music is utilized it can be dramatic and intense
exported with some pleasingly flat bass by the lossless. Kino offer optional English
subtitles (see sample below) on their Region 'A'
Blu-ray.
The Kino
Blu-ray
offers a new audio commentary by film historian Tim Lucas. We are
treated to his reassuring voice detailing specifics of the plot,
production and degrees of separation of the actors, director, composer
and producer. It's at his usual high level of instilling further
appreciation - digging deep into similar films and there connections to
Supernatural. There is also
a theatrical trailer
I still really enjoy Supernatural
and its Pre-Code fashion, decor, Carole Lombard and the 'eyes
close-ups' among other wonderful vintage era aspects. It can have a spooky edge if you can drift yourself back
almost 90-years. I only wish it was longer! The Kino Blu-ray
has immense value with the Lucas commentary and a purely delightful
horror-thriller from the early 30's. Essential!
Gary Tooze
ON THE DVD:
Supernatural is a great little, unbelievable, horror - and Carole
Lombard is perfect. Sure, the plot is a stretch but a great idea - a
shame it couldn't be fleshed-out with a longer flic. I was in the
perfect mood for this 'quickie' and now let's talk about the Universal MoD DVD; The disc is
single-layered but has no menus, or extras, and the transfer is interlaced
(see combing in last capture below) but no egregious chroma. Although,
it was noticeable in the opening credit sequence (see title above).
Aside from that expected condition weaknesses - speckles etc - that
aren't too bad - the condition is actually fairly strong
considering the age. Contrast seems respectable and there is some
pleasing detail in close-ups.
The audio is, also, quite respectable - very clear and consistent. There are no
subtitles and the SD MoD media is region FREE and NTSC.
I developed
a soft-spot for Supernatural as the film rolled along. I'm also a
Randolph Scott fan. Yes, it is imperfect by today's standards but the
decor, fashion and ridiculous plot will probably have me revisiting it
when the mood strikes. The Made-on-Demand disc certainly seems pricey at
the writing of this review. It lacks value and not even a progressive
transfer - so we can't endorse except to those willing to put up with
the sloppiness, lack of any digital disc value (menus, subs etc.), and
the high price just to see this vintage horror/thriller/mystery.
Gary Tooze |
Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray
CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION
1) Universal - Region 0 - NTSC TOP2) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM |
1) Universal - Region 0 - NTSC TOP2) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM |
1) Universal - Region 0 - NTSC TOP2) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM |
1) Universal - Region 0 - NTSC TOP2) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM |
1) Universal - Region 0 - NTSC TOP2) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM |
More full resolution (1920 X 1080) Blu-ray Captures for DVDBeaver Patreon Supporters HERE
Box Cover |
Bonus Captures: |
|
Distribution | Universal (Vault Series) - Region 0 - NTSC | Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray |
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