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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

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Comparison:

Universal - Region 0 - NTSC vs. Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray

Box Cover

  

Bonus Captures:

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-ray

Disc Size: 21,800,169,477 bytes

Feature: 20,112,629,760 bytes

Video Bitrate: 37.88 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.

Bitrate:

Bitrate Blu-ray:

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)
Commentary:

Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps

Subtitles None English, None
Features

Release Information:
Studio: Universal 'Vault Series'

Aspect Ratio:
Original Aspect Ratio 1.33:1

Edition Details:

• None

DVD Release Date: October 16th, 2014

Keep Case
Chapters: 8

Release Information:
Studio:
Kino

 

1.37:1 1080P Single-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 21,800,169,477 bytes

Feature: 20,112,629,760 bytes

Video Bitrate: 37.88 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

 

Edition Details:

• NEW Audio Commentary by Film Historian Tim Lucas
• Theatrical Trailer (2:04)


Blu-ray Release Date:
April 7th, 2020
Standard Blu-ray Case

Chapters 10

 

 

Comments:

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

ADDITION: Kino Blu-ray (March 2020): Kino have transferred the overlooked 1933 Pre-Code horror-mystery-thriller Supernatural with Carole Lombard to Blu-ray. It is cited as coming from a "Brand New 2K Master". There is a notable amount of additional information in the frame in this 1080P transfer. There is some light damage noticeable on the right edge in spots - just a bit more prevalent than the other speckles and surface scratches inherent in the source. It advances beyond the MOD (Made-On-Demand) DVD in every visual area (5X the bitrate of the menu-less DVD with a new max'ed out progressive rendering) - contrast is a significant improvement - darker black levels and more pure whites. The early chroma and combing-heavy SD looks a little green now beside the Blu-ray. Detail rises and the thick film-like textures remain in the 1.37:1 aspect ratio. I am extremely pleased with the improved viewing experience.  

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


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1) Universal - Region 0 - NTSC  TOP

2) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

 


1) Universal - Region 0 - NTSC  TOP

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1) Universal - Region 0 - NTSC  TOP

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1) Universal - Region 0 - NTSC  TOP

2) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

 


1) Universal - Region 0 - NTSC  TOP

2) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

 


1) Universal - Region 0 - NTSC  TOP

2) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

 


1) Universal - Region 0 - NTSC  TOP

2) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

 


1) Universal - Region 0 - NTSC  TOP

2) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

 


1) Universal - Region 0 - NTSC  TOP

2) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

 


1) Universal - Region 0 - NTSC  TOP

2) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

 


1) Universal - Region 0 - NTSC  TOP

2) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

 


1) Universal - Region 0 - NTSC  TOP

2) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

 


1) Universal - Region 0 - NTSC  TOP

2) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

 


1) Universal - Region 0 - NTSC  TOP

2) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

 


 

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Box Cover

  

Bonus Captures:

Distribution Universal (Vault Series) - Region 0 - NTSC Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray


 


 

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