Gothic Horror 2009 Horror Movie Review

ALPHA VIDEO’s GOTHIC HORROR consists of 10 DVDs packaged in a hardbound, cloth-covered case. As with most of this company’s product, film stock is unrestored and “extras” non-existent. With a couple of modern throwaways in the mix this one’s a padded collection of primarily mediocrities. Fans of Italian actress Barbara Steele will however be satisfied: she appears in three of these.



One worth singling out is CARNIVAL OF SOULS—an absolute classic that’s the lone directorial effort of Herk Harvey (he also plays a ghoulish character). This eerie tale of a woman who emerges from a river two hours after supposedly drowning grows in stature with each passing year.


Being the only 1930s frighter makes WHITE ZOMBIE the odd-man out. Here, Bela Lugosi is a witch doctor/owner of a zombie-powered mill.



Parenthetical numbers preceding titles are 1 to 10 imdb viewer poll ratings.


(4.9) The Blancheville Monster (Italy/Spain-1963) - Gérard Tichy/Leo Anchóriz/Ombretta Colli/Helga LinéIrán Eory/Harry Winter


(7.1) Carnival of Souls (1962) - Candace Hilligoss/Frances Feist/Sidney Berger/Art Ellison/Stan Leavitt


(3.3) A Chronicle of Corpses (2000) - Max Dusay/Oliver Wyman/Margot White/Ryan Foley


(6.2) Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde (2002) - Mark Redfield/Elena Torrez/Kosha Engler/Carl Randolph


(2.9) Dungeon of Harrow (1962) - Russ Harvey/Helen Hogan/William McNulty


(5.5) Nightmare Castle (Italy-1965) - Barbara Steele/Paul Muller/Helga Liné/Rik Battaglia


(3.7) The She Beast (UK/Italy-1966) - Barbara Steele/John Karlsen/Ian Ogilvy/Mel Welles


(6.1) The Tell-Tale Heart (UK-1960) - Laurence Payne/Adrienne Corri/Dermott Walsh


(5.6) Terror Creatures from the Grave (Italy/USA-1965) - Walter Brandt/Mirella Maravidi/Barbara Steele/Alfredo Rizzo


(6.5) White Zombie (1932) - Bela Lugosi/Madge Bellamy/Joseph Cawthorn/Robert Frazer