WILLIAM CASTLE AT COLUMBIA VOLUME TWO [1962 / 1963 / 1963 / 1964] [Limited Edition] [Blu-ray] [UK Release] William Castle welcomes you to more of The Wildest Web of Evil ever Spun with The Magic Word for Fun!
Limited Edition Box set includes: ‘ZOTZ!’ [1962]; ‘13 FRIGHTENED GIRLS’ [1963]; ‘THE OLD DARK HOUSE’ [1963] and ‘STRAIT-JACKET’ [1964]
Renowned for his imaginative and eccentric marketing ploys, William Castle became synonymous with delivering lurid horror films backed-up by his trademark publicity gimmicks like “Illusion-O,” “Percepto,” and the “Punishment Poll,” “Fright Breaks” etc. WILLIAM CASTLE AT COLUMBIA VOLUME TWO features four more weird and wonderful films from the outrageous showman William Castle's illustrious career with Columbia Pictures, all presented on Blu-ray for the very first time in the United Kingdom. Containing a wealth of new and archival extras with this stunning Limited Edition Blu-ray Box Set from Powerhouse Films and Indicator is strictly limited to 6,000 units.
‘ZOTZ!’ [1962]
Cast: Tom Poston, Julia Meade, Jim Backus, Fred Clark, Cecil Kellaway, Zeme North, Margaret Dumont, James Millhollin, Carl Don, Mike Mazurki, Fred Aldrich (uncredited), Leon Alton (uncredited), Phil Arnold (uncredited), Ella Mae Brown (uncredited), Oliver Cross (uncredited), George DeNormand (uncredited), Susan Dorn (uncredited), Angus Duncan (uncredited), Bess Flowers (uncredited), Albert Grazer (uncredited), Jimmy Hawkins (uncredited), Chester Jones (uncredited), Elaine Martone (uncredited), George Moorman (uncredited), Judee Morton (uncredited), Louis Nye (uncredited), Monty O'Grady (uncredited), Bart Patton (uncredited), Murray Pollack (uncredited), William Remick (uncredited), Leoda Richards (uncredited), Walter Rode (uncredited), Frank J. Scannell (uncredited), Billy Snyder (uncredited), Hal Taggart (uncredited), Michael Westfield (uncredited) and Russ Whiteman (uncredited)
Director: William Castle
Producers: Dona Holloway and William Castle
Screenplay: Ray Russell (screenplay) and Walter Karig (novel)
Composer: Bernard Green
Make-up and Hair Department: Ben Lane (Make-up Supervisor), Joe DiBella (Make-up Artist) (uncredited) and Jean Austin (Hair stylist) (uncredited)
Cinematography: Gordon Avil, A.S.C. (Director of Photography)
Image Resolution: 1080p (Black and White)
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Audio: English: 1.0 LPCM Mono Audio
English: 2.0 Dolby Digital Stereo Audio
Orchestration and Sound Effects: 1.0 LPCM Mono Audio
Subtitles: English
Running Time: 85 minutes
Region: All Regions
Number of discs: 1
Studio: Columbia Pictures / Powerhouse Films / INDICATOR
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‘13 FRIGHTENED GIRLS’ [1963]
Cast: Kathy Dunn, Murray Hamilton, Joyce Taylor, Hugh Marlowe, Khigh Dhiegh, Charlie Briggs, Norma Varden, Garth Benton, María Cristina Servera, Janet Mary Prance, Penny Anne Mills, Alexandra Lendon Bastedo, Ariane Glaser, Ilona Schütze, Anna Baj, Aiko Sakamoto, Gina Trikonis, Judy Pace, Luz Gloria Hervias, Marie-Louise Bielke, Ignacia Farias Luque, Lynne Sue Moon, John Alvar (uncredited), Jimmy Dime (uncredited), George Nardelli (uncredited), Dorothy Neumann (uncredited), Walter Rode (uncredited) and Emil Sitka (uncredited)
Director: William Castle
Producers: Dona Holloway and William Castle
Screenplay: Otis L. Guernsey Jr. (story) and Robert Dillon (screenplay)
Composer: Van Alexander
Make-up Department: Ben Lane (Make-up Supervisor) and Joe DiBella (Make-up Artist) (uncredited)
Costume Design: Fashions by Lanz
Cinematography: Gordon Avil, A.S.C. (Director of Photography)
Image Resolution: 1080p (Eastman Color by Pathé)
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Audio: English: English: 1.0 LPCM Mono Audio
English: 2.0 Dolby Digital Stereo Audio
Orchestration and Sound Effects: 1.0 LPCM Mono Audio
Subtitles: English
Running Time:
‘13 FRIGHTENED GIRLS’ 87 minutes
‘THE CANDY WEB’ 87 minutes
William Castle “Danger Card” Messages 88 minutes
Region: All Regions
Number of discs: 1
Studio: Columbia Pictures / Powerhouse Films / INDICATOR
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‘THE OLD DARK HOUSE’ [1963]
Cast: Tom Poston, Robert Morley, Janette Scott, Joyce Grenfell, Mervyn Johns, Fenella Fielding, Peter Bull, Danny Green, John Harvey, John Adams (uncredited), Charles Addams (uncredited), Jack Arrow (uncredited), Jim Brady (uncredited), Amy Dalby (uncredited), Joyce Everson (uncredited), Angela Kay (uncredited), Aileen Lewis (uncredited), John Lynn (uncredited), Harry Phipps (uncredited) and Miles Silverton (uncredited)
Director: William Castle
Producers: Anthony Hinds (uncredited), Basil Keys (uncredited), Dona Holloway and William Castle
Screenplay: J.B. Priestley (based on “The Old Dark House”) and Robert Dillon (screenplay)
Composer: Benjamin Frankel
Make-up and Hair Department: Jimmy Evans (Assistant Make-up) (uncredited), Roy Ashton (Make-up Artist) and Frieda Steiger (Hair stylist)
Cinematography: Arthur Grant, B.S.C. (Director of Photography)
Special Effects: Les Bowie
Image Resolution: 1080p (Eastman Color by Pathé + Black and White)
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Audio: English: 1.0 LPCM Mono Audio
English: 2.0 Dolby Digital Stereo Audio
Orchestration and Sound Effects: 1.0 LPCM Mono Audio
Subtitles: English
Running Times:
‘THE OLD DARK HOUSE’ Colour Version: 86 minutes
‘THE OLD DARK HOUSE’ Black and White Version: 86 minutes
‘THE OLD DARK HOUSE’ UK “A” Certificate Version: 83 minutes
Region: All Regions
Number of discs: 1
Studio: Columbia Pictures/Hammer Film Productions Ltd. / Powerhouse Films / INDICATOR
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‘STRAIT-JACKET’ [1964]
Cast: Joan Crawford, Diane Baker, Leif Erickson, Howard St. John, John Anthony Hayes, Rochelle Hudson, George Kennedy, Edith Atwater, Mitchell Cox, Vicki Cos (uncredited), Patricia Crest (uncredited), Laura Hess (uncredited), Howard Hoffman (uncredited), Patty Lee (uncredited), Lynn Lundgren (uncredited), Lee Majors (uncredited) and Robert Ward (uncredited)
Director: William Castle
Producers: Dona Holloway and William Castle
Screenplay: Robert Bloch (written)
Composer: Van Alexander
Music Department: Paul Tanner (Musician: Electro-Theremin) (uncredited)
Make-up and Hair Department: Ben Lane, S.M.A. (Make-up creator), Monty Westmore (Make-up artist: Miss Crawford), Peggy Shannon (Hair styles: Miss Crawford) and Virginia Jones (Hair stylist)
Cinematography: Arthur E. Arling, A.S.C. (Director of Photography)
Special Effects: Richard Albain
Image Resolution: 1080p (Black and White)
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Audio: English: 1.0 LPCM Mono Audio
English: 2.0 Dolby Digital Stereo Audio
Orchestration and Sound Effects: 1.0 LPCM Mono Audio
Subtitles: English
Running Time: 92 minutes
Region: All Regions
Number of discs: 1
Studio: Columbia Pictures / Powerhouse Films / INDICATOR
Andrew’s Blu-ray Review: With this WILLIAM CASTLE AT COLUMBIA VOLUME TWO limited edition special Blu-ray Box Set, and includes several William Castle films from the early to mid-1960s, a period when he had started to move away from his gimmicks somewhat. However, they often had some sort of gimmicky aspect, and were often horror films, although two of William Castle films were not.
In this special Limited Edition box set we have the real guilty pleasure of the following films ‘ZOTZ!’ [1962]; ‘13 FRIGHTENED GIRLS’ [1963]; ‘THE OLD DARK HOUSE’ [1963] and ‘STRAIT-JACKET’ [1964] and to find out what each film is about, well here are short synopsis of what you will get to view with each film and be afraid, be very afraid, and the following is a list of some more of our favourite titles from William Castle's exploitation film catalogue, so really enjoy reading some really spooky William Castle “schlock” films, so now read on:
‘ZOTZ!’ Professor Jonathan Jones [Tom Poston] is given an ancient coin that provides him with new abilities. Jonathan can cause pain, slow time or kill, all through the mystical coin and a special word: “Zotz.” When Jonathan Jones tries to explain the power, few believe him, and he loses ground to a competing Professor Kellgore [Jim Backus]. However, Russian spies find out about the coin, and they kidnap Jonathan Jones's niece Cynthia Jones [Zeme North] as well as a female professor he likes Professor Virginia Fenster [Julia Meade].
ZOTZ! MUSIC TRACK LIST
YOU’RE IN THE ARMY NOW (uncredited) (Music by Isham Jones) [Lyrics by Tell Taylor and Ole Olsen] [Played in the Pentagon scenes]
RHAPSODY IN BLUE (uncredited) (Written by George Gershwin) [Snatches in the headlines montage scene]
Sur le Pont d'Avignon (uncredited) (Traditional French folk song) [Snatches in the headlines montage scene]
Largo al factotum (Figaro) from “The Barber of Seville” (uncredited) (Written by Gioachino Rossini) [Snatches in the headlines montage scene]
Ach Du Lieber Augustin (uncredited) (Written by Marx Augustin) [Snatches in the headlines montage scene]
Song of the Volga Boatmen (uncredited) (Traditional Russian folk song) [Snatches in the headlines montage scene]
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‘13 FRIGHTENED GIRLS’ After a 16-year-old girl Candy Hull develops a crush on intelligence agent Wally Sanders in London, she helps him to uncover a communist plot against the United States. William Castle, who was famous for promoting his films with gimmicks, generated publicity by advertising for girls from 13 countries to compete for parts as daughters of diplomats. However, not all of the 15 actresses were from the countries that they represented in the film; for example, American Judy Pace played a Liberian.
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‘THE OLD DARK HOUSE’ is a British-American comedy horror film directed by William Castle. Tom Penderel, an American car salesman in London, delivers a car to an old mansion on Dartmoor for his eccentric roommate Casper Femm. The car is damaged by a falling statue in a raging storm. Tom Penderel enters the house, and finds that his roommate Casper is dead. Tom is invited to stay at the house by members of Casper's family, including his twin brother Jasper, his cousins, the demure young Cecily and the seductive Morgana, and his Uncle Potiphar, who has been building an ark in anticipation of another great flood.
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‘STRAIT-JACKET’ we fine even though still mentally shaky, convicted axe-murderess Lucy Harbin [Joan Crawford] is released from the asylum where she was sent 20 years ago for slaying her unfaithful husband. Lucy Harbin goes to stay at her brother's farm and reconnect with her grown daughter, Carol Cutler [Diane Baker], who saw her mother chop her father to pieces as a tot. Carol Cutler helps Lucy Harbin regain her old glamorous look – but suspects that history might be repeating itself when anyone who angers her mother turns up hacked to death.
STRAIT-JACKET MUSIC TRACK LIST
THERE GOES THAT SONG AGAIN (Written by Jule Styne and Sammy Cahn) [Written for the film ‘Carolina Blues’ [1944] and performed by Harry Babbitt and Kay Kyser's orchestra]
Sleeping Beauty Waltz (uncredited) (Music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky)
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Blu-ray Image Quality – Columbia Pictures, Powerhouse Films and Indicator presents us with another lavish WILLIAM CASTLE AT COLUMBIA VOLUME TWO Limited Edition box set with four brilliant William Castle films in a stunning 1080p Eastman Color by Pathé and Black-and-White images and also enhanced with a 1.85:1 aspect ratio and the source looks flawless, and is in an exceptionally really good image condition and in excellent shape and the grain is finely managed. Black-and-white contrast looks also really good with deep black and a good looking greyscale throughout, especially for the age of all the films.
Blu-ray Audio Quality – Columbia Pictures, Powerhouse Films and Indicator brings us once again the WILLIAM CASTLE AT COLUMBIA VOLUME TWO Limited Edition box set with four more brilliant William Castle films with a choice of audio experiences, that includes 1.0 LPCM Mono Audio, 2.0 Dolby Digital Stereo Audio, and Orchestration and Sound Effects: 1.0 LPCM Mono Audio and that is very clean and very solid, and also you get no audio distortion, especially when the actors speak, and also what is very good is the composed film score for each of the films which is very clear and totally outstanding, but most of all, you will have a wonderful very spooky and especially a very scary experience throughout the four more brilliant William Castle films.
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Blu-ray Special Features and Extras:
‘ZOTZ!’ Special Features
Special Feature: ‘ZOTZ!’ Audio Commentary by Kat Ellinger [Audio only] [2018] [1080p] [1.85:1] [85:26] With this featurette, we get to hear from Diabolique Magazine’s Editor-in-chief Kat Ellinger and provides a totally fascinating and in-depth commentary about the film ‘ZOTZ!’ Kat Ellinger hopes you enjoyed the film and also says that at least we now know what ‘ZOTZ!’ and also says that I have really enjoyed talking about this 1962 William Caste film and at that point, the Kat Ellinger audio commentary comes to an end and I really enjoyed hearing Kat Ellinger very interesting comments about the William Castle film ‘ZOTZ!’
Special Feature: ‘ZOTZ!’ Introduction by Stephen Laws [2018] [1080p] [1.78:1] [6:06] With this featurette, we get an appreciation of the film ‘ZOTZ!’ by the acclaimed horror novelist Stephen Laws who is a totally massive fan of William Castle. We also hear from Stephen Laws that he recalls first seeing and loving the film when it was released in the UK with his brother and especially really liking the fact that the character finding a magic coin and being able to do all magical things like in the film would have been Stephen Laws dream come true, and Stephen Laws feels it was a big deal seeing the film as a 10 year old and made a big impression on him and his school friends. Stephen Laws bemoans the fact that the Zotz coins were only handed out to American audiences. As an added bonus, we get to view a few clips from the film ‘ZOTZ!’
Special Feature: The Horror of It All [2018] [1080p] [1.78:1] [24:00] With this featurette, we get to view an in-depth career-spanning appreciation of horror author and the film ‘ZOTZ!’ of the screenwriter Ray Russell with Kim Newman who is the author of “Nightmare Movies.” On top of all that, novelist and critic Kim Newman provides a detailed introduction to the work and career of ‘ZOTZ!’ screenwriter and novelist Ray Russell and talks in-depth about the iconic different horror genre novels of Ray Russell and the ones he mentioned were “The Case against Satan” [1962]; “The Colony” [1969]; “Sagittarius” [1971]; “Incubus” [1976; “The Bishop's Daughter” [1981]; “Absolute Power” [1992]; “Sardonicus” [1961]; “Unholy Trinity” [1964]; “Prince of Darkness” [1971]; “The Book of Hell” [1980]; “The Devil's Mirror” [1980] and “Haunted Castles” [1985]. But Kim New talks in-depth about Ray Russell and his involvement with “The Playboy Book of Horror and the Supernatural” [1967] which was an anthology of stories edited by Ray Russell.
Special Feature: ‘ZOTZ!’ Isolate Music and Sound Effects track [1962] [1080p] [1.85:1] [85:25] With this featurette, we get to hear the wonderful atmospheric isolated composed comedy music by Bernard Green and of course the sound effects track for the film ‘ZOTZ!’
Special Feature: Theatrical Trailer [1962] [1080p] [1.78:1] [2:41] With this featurette, we get to view the Original Theatrical Trailer for the film ‘ZOTZ!’
Special Feature: Image Gallery: With this featurette, we get to view 60 wonderful 1080p black-and-white and colour original promotional material for the on-set photography, poster art and archival materials for the 1962 William Castle film ‘ZOTZ!’ Please Note: Use the right hand NEXT button on your remote control to advance the images. Press MENU or TOP MENU to exit the featurette.
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‘13 FRIGHTENED GIRLS’ Special Features
Special Feature: ‘13 FRIGHTENED GIRLS’ Audio Commentary with Samm Deighan [Audio only] [2018] [1080p] [1.85:1] [87:24] With this featurette, we get to hear this audio commentary with Samm Deighan who is the Associate Editor of Diabolique Magazine and is also co-host of the Daughters of Darkness Podcast and is here to talk about the 1963 William Castle film ‘13 FRIGHTENED GIRLS’ and as the film starts Samm Deighan introduces herself and informs us that she is keen and very excited to be talking about the film ‘13 FRIGHTENED GIRLS.’ Samm Deighan wished William Castle had a chance to make sequel to the film ‘13 FRIGHTENED GIRLS,’ but despite this, Samm Deighan feels this 1963 film really stands on its own, because it is a really wonderful joyous film and deserves much more attention, and at that point this Samm Deighan audio commentary comes to an end.
Special Feature: ‘13 FRIGHTENED GIRLS’ Introduction with Stephen Laws [2018] [1080p] [1.78:1] [10:21] With this featurette, we get to hear a personal appreciation by the acclaimed horror genre author Stephen Laws and is here to talk about the William Castle film ‘13 FRIGHTENED GIRLS’ who informs us that he is a massive fan of William Castle and talks in-depth about the 1963 film and says that when the film was released in America, it was very difficult to find a cinema in the UK that showed the film ‘13 FRIGHTENED GIRLS’ in 1963, but finds the film ‘13 FRIGHTENED GIRLS’ very interesting, and goes onto inform us what he found fascinating about ‘13 FRIGHTENED GIRLS’ and feels the title of the film is not what you might expect from the usual William Castle genre fright films, and feels despite this, there are lots of things you see in the film that will enjoy about ‘13 FRIGHTENED GIRLS’ and highly recommends you check out this 1963 William Castle film.
Special Feature: William Castle “Danger Card” Messages [1963] [1080p] [1.85:1] [1:26] With this featurette, we get to view the opening and closing “Danger Card” personal messages from William Castle for the ‘13 FRIGHTENED GIRLS’ film.
Special Feature: Alternative ‘THE CANDY WEB’ Opening Scenes sequences: With this featurette, we get to view different countries ‘THE CANDY WEB’ Opening Scene sequences and thy are as follows:
British Opening Scene [1963] [1080p] [1.85:1] [3:55]
French Opening Scene [1963] [1080p] [1.85:1] [3:56]
German Opening Scene [1963] [1080p] [1.85:1] [3:56]
Swedish Opening Scene [1963] [1080p] [1.85:1] [3:55]
Special Feature: ‘13 FRIGHTENED GIRLS’ Isolated Music and Sound Effects Track [1963] [1080p] [1.85:1] [87:30] With this featurette, we get to hear the wonderful comical isolated composed music by Van Alexander and of course the sound effects for the film ‘13 FRIGHTENED GIRLS.’
Special Feature: ‘13 FRIGHTENED GIRLS’ British Trailer Introduction [1963] [1080p] [1.78:1] [0:38] With this featurette, we get to view and introduction from the actress Alexandra Bastedo of Sussex who won a contest from the London Evening News to take a trip out to Hollywood to appear in the film ‘13 FRIGHTENED GIRLS.’
Special Feature: ‘13 FRIGHTENED GIRLS’ Trailer [1963] [1080i] [1.78:1] [2:35] With this featurette, we get to view the Original Theatrical Trailer for the film ‘13 FRIGHTENED GIRLS.’
Special Feature: ‘THE CANDY WEB’ Trailer [1963] [1080i] [1.781] [2:31] With this featurette, we get to view the Original Theatrical Trailer for the film ‘THE CANDY WEB.’
Special Feature: Image Gallery: With this featurette, we get to view 23 wonderful 1080p black-and-white and colour images of promotional on-set photography, poster art and archival materials for the film ‘13 FRIGHTENED GIRLS.’ Please Note: Use the right hand NEXT button on your remote control to advance the images. Press MENU or TOP MENU to exit the featurette.
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‘THE OLD DARK HOUSE’ Special Features
Special Feature: ‘THE OLD DARK HOUSE’ Audio Commentary with Kim Newman and Stephen Jones [2018] [1080p] [1.85:1] [86:08] With this featurette, we get to hear this personal audio commentary with horror and fantasy authors Kim Newman and Stephen Jones and of course are here to talk about the William Castle/Hammer Film Productions Inc. 1963 film ‘THE OLD DARK HOUSE.’ Kim Newman says that it was a joy doing it with you Stephen Jones and they both say here’s to the next audio commentary with both of us together, and thanks everyone for listening to their audio commentary and hopes you enjoyed it with both of us, and goodbye. At that point the Kim Newman and Stephen Jones audio commentary comes to an end.
Special Feature: Not Too Spooky [2018] [1080p] [1.78:1] [28:37] With this featurette, we get an appreciation of the film ‘THE OLD DARK HOUSE’ with Jonathan Rigby the author of English Gothic: Classic Horror Cinema 1897 – 2015. Jonathan Rigby goes into great details about the history of the 1963 film ‘THE OLD DARK HOUSE’ as well as the director William Castle and the joint collaboration between Columbia Pictures/Hammer Film Productions Ltd. As an added bonus we get to view a few clips from the 1963 film ‘THE OLD DARK HOUSE.’
Special Feature: House and Castle [2018] [1080p] [1.78:1] [7:22] With this featurette, Dr. Paul Frith, Senior Research Associate, School of Art, Media and American Studies at University of East Anglia discusses the film's cinematography and also does an in-depth look at the master of horror gothic films William Castle, the ‘THE OLD DARK HOUSE,’ Hammer Film Productions Ltd., and Eastman Color by Pathé. Once again, as an added bonus we get to view a few clips from the 1963 film ‘THE OLD DARK HOUSE.’
Special Feature: Isolated Music and Effects track [1963] [1080p] [1.85:1] [86:23] With this featurette, we get to hear the wonderful atmospheric isolated composed music score by Benjamin Frankel and of course the ghostly horrific sound effects for the film ‘THE OLD DARK HOUSE.’
Special Feature: Theatrical Trailer [1963] [1080i] [1.78:1] [2:47] With this featurette, we get to view the Original Theatrical Trailer for the film ‘THE OLD DARK HOUSE.’
Special Feature: Image Gallery: With this featurette, we get to view 68 wonderful 1080p black-and-white and colour images of on-set and promotional photography, poster art and other archival promotional materials for the film ‘THE OLD DARK HOUSE.’ Please Note: Use the right hand NEXT button on your remote control to advance the images. Press MENU or TOP MENU to exit the featurette.
Special Feature: Press Books and Promotional Material: With this featurette, we get to view 70 wonderful 1080p images from the ‘THE OLD DARK HOUSE’ Columbia Pictures/Hammer Film Productions Ltd. Pressbook that were sent to cinema operators and generally contain images from the film, film posters, unpublished info, and a synopsis of ‘THE OLD DARK HOUSE’ film, plus it also shows relevant behind-the-scene about the William Castle 1963 film, also lots of in-depth information about the cast of actors, filmed locations and lots of black-and-white images from the ‘THE OLD DARK HOUSE.’
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‘STRAIT-JACKET’ Special Features
Special Feature: ‘STRAIT-JACKET’ Audio Commentary with Lee Gambin and Emma Westwood [2018] [1080p] [1.85:1] [00:00] With this featurette, we get to hear this special audio commentary with Lee Gambin and Emma Westwood who are here to talk about the film ‘STRAIT-JACKET’ and first to introduce themselves is Lee Gambin who informs us that he is a Writer and Film Historian and says sitting next to him is Emma Westwood who also is a Writer and Film Historian and of course are here to talk about the brilliant 1964 William Castle film ‘STRAIT-JACKET’ and both inform us that they really love this film, and feels William Castle really executed this film really well. Of course as we listen to this audio commentary, both of them talk in-depth about all the actors that appear in the film and also give an in-depth historic aspect about the director/producer William Castle and the input he put into all of his films like a true showman that he was. As we get near to the end of this special audio commentary, they both sum up this 1964 film ‘STRAIT-JACKET’ and they also praise William Castle for a brilliant concept of the film and to also getting this top Hollywood actress Joan Crawford to appear in the film and also did a brilliant job for her last ever film. But they both say that they hope you enjoyed our audio commentary, and please folks enjoy the brilliant ‘STRAIT-JACKET’ film. At that point this audio commentary comes to an end.
Special Feature: Mirror Images [2018] [1080p] [1.78:1] [27:19] With this featurette, we get a new appreciation of the 1964 film ‘STRAIT-JACKET’ by Jonathan Rigby, author of American Gothic: Sixty Years of Horror Cinema. Jonathan Rigby talks in-depth about all aspect of the film ‘STRAIT-JACKET’ and also about William Castle’s career. Jonathan Rigby also gives great praise about the composed film score by Van Alexander who originally was a band leader and feels Van Alexander captures the atmosphere of the film ‘STRAIT-JACKET’ really well and also talks about Paul Tanner who was a musician and also used the new Electro-Theremin that could emulate the human voice in the film. Jonathan Rigby also says that what also helped the film was the dramatic film poster that said “WARNING! ‘STRAIT-JACKET’ VIVIDLY DEPICTS AX MURDERS!”
Special Feature: Joan Had Me Fired [2018] [1080i] [1.37:1] [6:45] With this featurette, we get to view an interview with actress Ann Helm on why the actress Joan Crawford fired Ann Helm from the 1963 film ‘STRAIT-JACKET.’ With this heavily edited interview, Ann Helm talks about meeting William Castle and says he had a real twinkle in his eye, and acted like being a big kid. Ann Helm goes into having a wonderful chummy night hanging out with Joan Crawford at her Hollywood apartment before rehearsals started and how Joan Crawford turned into a completely different “mechanical” person on the film set and became cold and obviously didn’t like Ann Helm. One day Ann Helm overhead Joan Crawford shouting to William Castle that she wanted her off the movie to which William Castle personally sadly had to let Ann Helm go.
Special Feature: On the Road with Joan Crawford [2018] [1080i] [1.37:1] [6:33] With this featurette, we get to view an interesting interview with Richard Kahn who use to work in the Columbia Pictures Publicity Department. Richard Kahn talks in-depth about being personally involved with the actress Joan Crawford and her long acting career and talks about how Richard Kahn brought William Castle together with the legendary Joan Crawford to appear in the film ‘STRAIT-JACKET.’ When the film ‘STRAIT-JACKET’ finally got released, Joan Crawford wanted to personally go on the publicity to promote the film ‘STRAIT-JACKET’ and William Castle just sat back and let Joan Crawford be her own publicity machine, and the whole of Joan Crawford’s publicity machine was a massive great success.
Special Feature: Battle-Axe: The Making of ‘STRAIT-JACKET’ [2002] [480i / 1080i] [1.37:1] [14:39] With this featurette, we get to view an interesting documentary featuring interviews with actress Diane Baker and author/screenwriter Robert Bloch. We also take a look back at the classic ‘STRAIT-JACKET’ horror film of suspense starring Joan Crawford as an axe-murderer just released from the mental hospital. Includes footage of the ‘STRAIT-JACKET’ filming and interviews with several of those involved with the film, as well as a look at the movies it was influenced by and those that were in turn influenced by the film ‘STRAIT-JACKET.’ Contributors include: William Castle [Archival footage], Don Glut [Film Historian], Michael Schlesinger [Columbia Pictures Repertory], David Del Valle [Film Historian] and Carol Baker [Carol Harbin]. As an added bonus, we get to view several clips from the 1964 film ‘STRAIT-JACKET.’
Special Feature: How to Plan a Movie Murder [1964] [1080i] [1.37:1] [4:34] With this featurette, we get to view a rare black-and-white short promotional film featuring the actress Joan Crawford, screenwriter/author Robert Bloch and director/producer William Castle in a humorous featurette in which they plan “the perfect murder.” Includes clips from the dim ‘STRAIT-JACKET.’
Special Feature: Joan Crawford ‘STRAIT-JACKET’ Screen Tests: With this featurette, we get to view the following:
Joan Crawford Wardrobe Test [1964] [480i] [1.37:1] [3:27]
Joan Crawford Axe Test [1964] [480i] [1.37:1] [0:37]
Special Feature: Isolated Music and Sound Effects Track [1964] [1080p] [1.85:1] [92:50] With this featurette, we get to hear the wonderful atmospheric isolated composed music by Van Alexander and of course the very spooky horrific sound effects for the film ‘STRAIT-JACKET.’
Special Feature: Super 8mm version [1964] [480i] [1.37:1] [19:35] With this featurette, we get to view an original cut-down home cinema presentation of the film ‘STRAIT-JACKET,’ with a rare bonus audio commentary. A word of warning, the quality of the image presentation is atrocious.
Special Feature: Trailers: With this featurette, we get to view three special trailers for the film ‘STRAIT-JACKET’ and they are as follows:
TV Spots [1964] [480i] [1.37:] [0:33]
Theatrical Trailer [1964] [1080i] [1.78:1] [2:14]
David DeCoteau Trailer Commentary [1964] [1080i] [1.78:1] [2:17]
Special Feature: Image Gallery: With this featurette, we get to view 40 wonderful 1080p black-and-white and colour images from the film ‘STRAIT-JACKET’ and includes on-set promotional photographs, film posters and archival materials, as well as scenes from the 1964 film. Please Note: Use the right hand NEXT button on your remote control to advance the images. Press MENU or TOP MENU to exit the featurette.
Finally, WILLIAM CASTLE AT COLUMBIA VOLUME TWO is the second Limited Edition Blu-ray box set from Powerhouse Films + INDICATOR and is a totally pure delight. This set is a continuing love letter to the master of gimmicky horror William Castle who was the ultimate showman of the highest order, and this wonderful second Blu-ray set, is about as essential as it gets for enthusiastic B-movie film fans. Very Highly Recommended!
Andrew C. Miller – Your Ultimate No.1 Film Aficionado
Le Cinema Paradiso
United Kingdom
