Films/DVD Asylum

Posted by AudioHead (A) on September 05, 2004 at 13:23:21

In Reply to: Edgar G. Ulmer--------- posted by patrickU on September 05, 2004 at 10:09:09:

Patrick,

I've only seen a few of his films, so can only speak from that
paucity of viewing. Ulmer was noted for his 1934 interpretation of
Poe's "The Black Cat", he directed and scripted that '2nd Tier' horror
classic. Regarded fairly highly. Called 'creepy expressionistic'.
Karloff's and Lugosi's first film together with Bela as the white hat and Boris as bad hombre. Good performances. I watched that film
many years ago, so memories are vague, but I recall it as fairly entertaining, as I am a fan of the horror genre.
Have a DVD copy of "The Man From Planet X", a 1951 sci-fi low budgie
which may have the distinction of being the first full length alien
invasion film. ("The Thing From Another World" came out a little
later that year.) TMFPX was made on a (I believe) $60 grand
budget on leftover "Joan of Arc" sets in 5 or 6 days. I was very
impressed with Ulmer's imaginative, expressionist style and what he
do to produce such atmosphere and mood with so little to work with. I wrote a brief review on this
film a while back on this site and at www.imdb.com. As a 1950s sci-fi
fan, I found MFPX both a delight (via film's strengths) and a
disappointment (via its weaknesses).
I know you like at least some horror (Jaws) and suspense(Duel),
so you may want to view both these Ulmer films.

Best Cinematic Regards,
~ AH