Rating summary
| Movie |  | 4.5 |
| Video |  | 3.5 |
| Audio |  | 4.0 |
| Extras | | 4.5 |
| Overall | | 4.0 |
The Black Cat Blu-ray Movie Review
Reviewed by Brian Orndorf June 25, 2019
Although both actors made their name in the cinematic realm of monsters, Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi attempt a different style of menace for
1934’s “The Black Cat.” Director Edgar G. Ulmer has two incredible faces to utilize for this adaptation of an Edgar Allan Poe short story (“suggested
by” is the actual credit), and he gives the talent a little more room to detail distorted personalities with their distinctive styles, infusing the picture
with a remarkable level of menace as the tale swings into unexpectedly bleak areas of revenge and higher power.
Satanism is the star of the show, with “The Black Cat” detailing a showdown between war veterans who only seek to destroy one another in the
politest ways possible. Manners tend to lead the charge in the picture, allowing Lugosi (making a rare appearance as the protagonist) and Karloff to
dig into charged encounters, lifting the feature up with their command of close-ups. While chess is offered a symbolic battle of wits, “The Black Cat” is
a bit more graphic when it comes time to present showdowns, dealing with forbidden tastes in human possession, giving the endeavor an enjoyably
sicko presence. Even for 1934, the effort delivers a substantial amount of unease as characters reveal their motivations and personal quests to ruin
lives.
The Black Cat Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality
The AVC encoded image (1.39:1 aspect ratio) presentation supplies a decent look at the artistic highlights of "The Black Cat." Detail is capable overall,
with acceptable facial particulars, securing performance nuance. Costuming is also textured, along with house interiors, which maintain their expanse
and
mystery. Delineation is satisfactory, preserving shadowy events. Grain is thick, with a slightly processed appearance. Source showcases some
understandable wear and tear,
with a few frame blemishes and plenty of scratches and speckling.
The Black Cat Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality
The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix handles "The Black Cat" with appreciable clarity, preserving dialogue exchanges, which help to grasp intended menace
and follow Lugosi's performance, with the actor losing his way with English when excited. Scoring is thin but acceptable, supporting the feature's
intended mood with some mild scratchiness. Hiss is present, along with periodic pops.
The Black Cat Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras
- Commentary #1 features author Gregory William Mank.
- Commentary #2 features author Steve Haberman.
- "A Good Game: Karloff and Lugosi at Universal: Part 1 – 'The Black Cat'" (23:34, HD) features authors Gary D. Rhodes
and Gregory William Mank, who
discuss the unusual relationship between the genre icons. A short assessment of "The Black Cat" is provided, with the movie an early pre-Hayes
Code
offering that push the limits with its dark subject matter. Career positions for Lugosi and Karloff are examined, with the men using the production to
work out some competitiveness and embrace the marquee value of their team-up. Lugosi's connection to Edgar Allan Poe is explored, along with
personal history, while professionalism is highlighted through a few anecdotes. The interviewees close with an overview of "The Black Cat" and its
creative successes, and share their favorite scenes.
- "Dreams Within a Dream: The Classic Cinema of Edgar Allan Poe" (56:02, HD) provides an overview of the author's
cinematic adaptations, from D.W.
Griffith to Roger Corman's run of releases in the 1960s. Narration is provided by Doug Bradley.
- "The Black Cat Contest" (:49, HD) is a silent clip of a cat pageant, with little kids showing reluctant felines to judges
Karloff and Lugosi.
- Still Gallery (8:47) collects film stills, BTS snaps, publicity shots, poster art, lobby cards, theater displays, and newspaper
ads.
- A Trailer is not included.
The Black Cat Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation
"The Black Cat" offers grand mid-budget style, considered cinematography (with a few weird blunders), and a soundtrack that supports the feature
with classical selections, which helps to keep the endeavor on its feet. And there's Karloff and Lugosi, who dine on the screenplay, making their
performances as sinister and helpless as possible without losing the flow of the movie. There are twists and defined twistedness in "The Black Cat," and
while Ulmer doesn't pursue gloom in full, there's still a healthy amount of ghoulishness to devour here, sold with outstanding concentration.
