Chamber of Horrors Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		2.5
Audio		2.5
Extras		2.0
Overall		2.5

Chamber of Horrors Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf March 30, 2017

1940’s “Chamber of Horrors” is saddled with fairly misleading title. Sure, some chambers are present, but horrors are few and far between in this murder mystery (which was titled “The Door with the Seven Locks” internationally), which is more dialogue-driven endeavor than a chilling one, almost coming across as a filmed play instead of a suspenseful genre offering. Director Norman Lee keeps to the basics in whodunit cinema here, arranging a full “Clue” game of suspects and motivations, and every now and then, something macabre will sneak into the frame to keep the effort rolling along to an energetic finale.

Adapted from an Edgar Wallace novel, “Chamber of Horrors” retains literary inspiration through its rather complex network of evildoing and investigation. A mysterious tomb and its contents is the focus of the tale, but there are plenty of characters to manage here, each adding some personality and combustibility to the story. However, liveliness isn’t achieved throughout much of “Chamber of Horrors,” which is more talkative than demonstrative, looking to inspect many of its complications and antagonisms through dialogue exchanges, which doesn’t exactly boost the murderous mood of the picture.

Chamber of Horrors Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.37:1 aspect ratio) presentation for the 1940 film is put together from aged source materials that display plenty of wear and tear. Scratches are common, along with debris, judder, and a few missing frames. Contrast is out of whack, with troubling inconsistency throughout, finding blacks solidifying at times, while whites are blown out. Problem areas range in intensity, but detail suffers along the way, only retaining moments of texture. However, due to the feature's age and obscurity, perhaps this is as good as it's going to get. This certainly isn't a restored title, and lowered expectations might help.

Chamber of Horrors Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix is also hit hard with age-related issues, including the occasional disruption of sound quality. Think of it as someone switching between AM and FM radio stations, and that's what the abrupt loss in volume and precision found throughout "Chamber of Horrors" is like. A few audio dropouts remain and the track carries hiss and pops throughout. When the elements line up, dialogue exchanges sound very nice, with distinct voices and emotional levels. Scoring isn't as confident, but it comes through adequately.

Chamber of Horrors Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features film historian David Del Valle and filmmaker Kenneth J. Hall.

• A Theatrical Trailer has not been included.

Chamber of Horrors Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Chamber of Horrors" has some highlights, including a few "we didn't choreograph this" fights where the actors roll across the floor and hurl themselves into furniture. And when the movie finally arrives at a climax, some sinister business breaks through, giving the picture a necessary kick. However, craziness is limited in "Chamber of Horrors," and while performances are engaged and surprisingly comedic at times, they can't shake the effort out of its frustrating stillness.