ABBOTT AND COSTELLO MEET DR. JECKYL AND MR. HYDE As a Boris Karloff fan, and an Abbott and Costello fan, its hard not to like this movie. Boris of course plays Dr. Jeckyl and Mr. Hyde in this parody of horor movie films (there's more about this movie in my parody of horror films section). Abbott and Costello are at their prime form. Though the comedy lags a little bit in the middle, (and that's why the three skull rating is deserved), Boris is excellent in the film. A must se for Boris fans.
ABBOTT AND COSTELLO MEET THE KILLER, BORIS KARLOFF.
A slightly better done movie than A and C meet Dr. Jeckyl and Mr. Hyde, this movie is surely decadent and delightful. Karloff plays a phoney spiritualist who is trying to knock off Lou Costello (I hope you weren't expecting a reason. This is an Abbott and Costello movie afterall. They all have one script). Boris as the mystic shows a comical side that we don't often see, and this makes the movie positively delectable.
Alien Terror
A so-so sci-fi flick (as all sci fi generally is. Sorry Trekkies...I'm not a big fan). Basically, Karloff summons aliens through some experiments and of course it backfires. The plot is barely there. The only reason this would be worth seeing is because it is Boris's last film.
The Bells
This is Boris's version of the Edgar Allan Poe story, The Bells. Quite sinister for an old flick. As always, the story does suffer a bit as it moves from the page to the big sceen, but all and all it's decent.
The Black Castle
The movie is decent, but a disappointment for Boris fans. The actual plot is a man looking for his missing friends in the castle of a very sinister count. The story moves good, but Boris is shown for maybe 15 minutes out of the whole film.
The Black Cat
This is one of my favorite Boris films because it's so evil. :) (I have a thing for demonic animals). I coudn't explain the plot to you if I tried. Its suppose to be another Edgar Allan Poe story, but from what I remember, this is nothing like it. This is the first Bela/Boris team up though. VERY WORTH SEEING!
Black Friday
Not a bad horror movie. Boris plays a doctor that buts a mobsters brain into the skull of a college professor. The results seem more hysterical than scary (what can you expect...its a classic horror movie). Bela Lugosi has a small (almost cameo) role in the movie. Well worth seeing.
The Black Room
This is one of the best Boris movies ever! Unfortunately...not many people know about it! In this movie, Boris plays a double role as twin brothers trying to fight a curse that has been put on their family. The plot is excellent and the acting is so well done. This should be your first choice after Frankenstein and The Mummy.
Black Sabbath
I guess the word "BLACK" in the title is a prerequisite for all of Boris's films. This is a decent horro about vampires taking over a family. Not one of his best and easily forgettable. Though I must admit, it is entertaining.
Cauldron of Blood
"A blind sculptor uses the bodies of people his wife murdered as the frames for his works. His gruesome secret is eventually uncovered by a magazine writer." That's the description on the video box. And yes, it is actually as stupid as it sounds.
The Climax
Boris plays a mad doctor on the loose. The story is as predictable as a Danielle Steel book. If I could give it a half of a skull, I would.
Corridors of Blood
"Set in London during the 1840's, a doctor experimenting with anesthesia becomes addicted to drugs and gets blackmailed by two vile grave robbers. " This is he description on the back of the video. I loved the movie because I thought it was weird (though actually, a little too weird). Kinda slow moving in the beginning...but it does pick up pace.
Cult of the Dead
snake worshippers. Voodoo. And who do they call? The police. This movie seems very contrived. It's almost too hysterical for horror....but I rate it as a two simply because Boris was outstanding. Though I would imagine, this is not one of his prized works.
Dance of Death
Boris plays a man trying to figure out which family member brings the family curse. When he figures out who it is, he intends on murdering them. I appreciated the effort of the film, because the concept is truly bizarre. I just felt it wasn't carried out well enough.
Frankenstein 1970
I appreciate the effort...but the story didn't live up to expectations. Boris plays the last of the Frankensteins. I think if they stuck with the original story instead of trying to modernize it...they would have been better off. The plot was weak and it moved really slow. Boris was excellent of course, so it is a somewhat worthwhile view.
The Haunted Strangler
I LOVE THIS MOVIE! It's so bizarre and evil! A mystery writer tries to solve a muder from 20 years ago.....with very sinister results! This movie is spectacular! A must see!!!!!!
House of Frankenstein
Disturbing at the most....but very enjoyable. And really....Boris is indeed the real Frankenstein here. Can you really go wrong?
The Man They Could Not Hang
Man gets hung. Man comes back from dead. Man wants to get revenge on his executioners. Again, you can't really go wrong.
The Raven
This is one of my favorites by Boris. It's suppose to be an adaption from Edgar Allan Poe's poem. Bela Lugosi plays a Poe obsessed doctor, and Boris is the victim in all of his experiments. Excellent. Excellent stuff.
Bride of Frankenstein
I'm giving this and Frankenstein both five stars, but there is little doubt that this sequel is by far superior. Dr. Frankenstein attempts to make a "bride" if you will for the monster and of course, bedlam ensues. The story is much more intact and the horror quality is superior than that of the first. This is one of those rare delightful surprises when the second film in the series exceeds the expectations brought on by the first.
Frankenstein
My favorite Boris movie of all time. This movie flows the Mary Shelley book quite closely actually. The plot doesn't drag and the story progresses nicely. This isn't a "scary" movie per say, but a well-written "thriller". The movie has no musical score and that actually makes the suspense even better.
The Mummy
It's movies like these that make me hate remakes even more. Boris plays "The Mummy" in this movie, and very well. I've always thought this as on of the best of the classic monster movies because the plot is quite intricate. This movie has moe of a disturbing feel of it (don't expect the Mummy to jump out at you that much) and it works well with this film. This is definately a must see, even just to lauh at how slow the Mummy moves in comparison to everyone else in the movie.
