6.5 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
Faded Hollywood star Katharine Packard lives a lonely, secluded life in a sprawling mansion, battling the bottle. After a drunken reverie leads to a broken leg, her doctor advertises for a live-in nurse to help care for the former actress. An intense, sarcastic young man named Vic arrives to claim the assignment, and is hired despite the concerns of Ms. Packard's secretary. She's right to suspect the worst, for not only is Vic lying about his medical credentials, he's also a psychopathic killer who preys exclusively on older women.
Starring: Miriam Hopkins, David Garfield (I), Gale Sondergaard, Florence Lake, Lester MatthewsHorror | 100% |
Thriller | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono (48kHz, 24-bit)
English: Dolby Digital 2.0 (224 kbps)
BDInfo
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (1 BD, 1 DVD)
DVD copy
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 3.0 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
While 1970’s “Hollywood Horror House” provides a lively cult movie viewing experience, it never quite tops its opening sequence. Writer/director Donald Wolfe introduces the audience to the Hollywood of yesterday, which was fueled by star power, with actors selling their glamour and polish to the masses, creating a unique time in the entertainment industry when such incredible fame could be achieved just by appearing in features, creating tremendous excitement. Wolfe cooks up an introductory montage of glitz before cutting to the then-current state of the Hollywood Sign, carefully photographed by the production, using main title time to study its rusted, peeling appearance, signaling the end of Old Hollywood and the dead splendor of the town. It’s a powerful statement on the changing times, and the last bit of intelligent commentary from Wolfe, who quickly leaps into the B-movie muck with this riff on multiple dramas and thrillers, endeavoring to create a nightmare for the drive-in audience using the remnants of a bygone era of stardom and filmmaking.
Billed as "Newly scanned & restored in 4K from its 35mm original camera negative," "Hollywood Horror House" enjoys some unexpected love from Vinegar Syndrome. The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation is bright and clear, offering a defined look at frame particulars, which includes plenty of decorative additions in the household. Facial particulars are sharp, and costuming is fibrous, ranging from staff uniforms to more ornate eveningwear, fully bejeweled. Colors are explosive, with a full blast of acid hues with psychedelic lighting and poster art. Primaries are just as deep, focusing intensively on reds and blues. Skintones are natural. Delineation is secure, losing nothing to evening events. Source is in strong condition. Grain is fine and film-like.
The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix contributes a clear understanding of dialogue exchanges, handling Hopkins and her preference to yell her performance quite well. Intelligibility isn't threatened, with strong voices supporting dramatic endeavors. Scoring handles with satisfactory instrumentation, offering a bit more rock music oomph for party sequences. Sound effects are direct.
"Hollywood Horror House" isn't a scary movie, it's more psychological and cultural than simply frightening. It's also not made with the greatest care, as editing is a tad confusing at times, limiting momentum. The screenplay doesn't have a terrific second half as well, leading to an underwhelming ending. However, with cult film goggles on, there's something to appreciate with the campy extremes of the picture, and its defined performances, which grow to support sinister business when Wolfe fails it. It's not richly detailed, but as something junky and specifically attentive to California ills, "Hollywood Horror House" is quite entertaining.
Collector's Edition
1978
1998
2014
Director's Cut
1963
1980
1987
Special Edition
1980
2009
Unrated Version
2008
2018
Limited Edition
1980
2016
2004
2015
2014
Dario Argento's Trauma
1993
2013
Terror Eyes / Warner Archive Collection
1981
2009
1968