6.5 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
A mad scientist is forced to leave San Francisco when his experiments become known. He lands on a tropical island, takes control and terrorizes the local populace. The survivor of a shipwreck washes ashore on the island, sees what is happening and determines to free the natives from his rule.
Starring: Una Merkel, Lionel Atwill, Nat Pendleton, Claire Dodd, Anne NagelHorror | 100% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.37:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.37:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (48kHz, 24-bit)
BDInfo
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 3.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 1.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
1942’s “The Mad Doctor of Market Street” doesn’t remain at the titular location for very long. In fact, it doesn’t really remain anywhere for an extended amount of time, with the first act making promises for horror and suspense the rest of the movie doesn’t keep. Screenwriter Al Martin has a fine idea for encouraging chills with a tale of a deranged doctor (Lionel Atwill) who pushes his research on suspended animation into death, only to turn the feature into a chase that reaches a luxury ship bound for New Zealand. And then, even with a large setting to work with, the film eventually makes its way to a South Seas island. “The Mad Doctor of Market Street” is a restless picture, always in a hurry to trade decent ideas for bad ones.
The AVC encoded image (1.37:1 aspect ratio) presentation secures most facial surfaces, delivering detailed appearances with a variety of characters. Costuming also emerges with comfort, going from heavy eveningwear to the simple cotton wraps found on the natives. Interiors are open for study, and island exteriors reach as far as the original cinematography allows. Delineation is acceptable, preserving frame information. Grain is fine and film- like. Source is in decent condition, with some mild scratches.
The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix opens with loud scoring, setting the sinister mood with reasonably sharp instrumentation. Dialogue exchanges aren't nearly as cranked, requiring a little volume riding to find a comfortable balance after the main titles. Performances are defined, capturing comedic timing and more fearful encounters. Native music adds a little extra punch with stretches of percussion. Hiss is present throughout the listening experience.
"The Mad Doctor of Market Street" gets halfway to greatness before taking an extended rest. The performers deliver what's expected of them, but momentum crashes as attention moves from acts of murder to island life, where creepiness doesn't take and stabs at funny business make one wish more people were just being stabbed.
(Still not reliable for this title)
1943
1942
1933
1943
1945
Slipcover in Original Pressing
1985
2003
2019
Standard Edition
1988
Beast of the Dead
1971
1944
1935
1941
1977
2012
1976
2010
1989
Collector's Edition
2023
2016