The duality of Roger Corman is on display, showcasing his spooky gothic side with The Terror (1963) — marking the 60th anniversary of its release this year — and his more whimsical side with The Little Shop of Horrors (1960) in this double-feature, special-edition, two-disc, collector’s set, on Blu-ray and DVD Dec. 12 from Film Masters.
In The Terror—with an all-new HD restoration from 35mm archival elements — an 18th century French Lieutenant in Napoleon’s army encounters the ghostly apparition of a young woman (Sandra Knight). Curiosity leads Lt. Andre Duvalier (Jack Nicholson) to the castle of Baron Von Leppe (Boris Karloff), where he notices a painting of the Baron’s late wife Ilsa, who looks identical to the ghostly woman. Determined to unravel the castle’s mystery, Duvalier learns that the Baron has many terrifying secrets. Though officially credited to Corman, The Terror had a total of five collaborative directors, including Nicholson, Monte Hellman and Francis Ford Coppola.
Said Film Masters President Phil Hopkins, “The Terror has languished in the public domain for decades. We’re delighted to have put together a celebratory and thought-provoking version with an award-winning team of contributors. Fans of the film will appreciate the editorial bonus features, which take a much-needed deep dive into this infamous Corman classic.”
If you’re young enough, this tale of a man-eating plant might scare you … If you’re old enough, it’ll make you laugh! In a newly restored HD version, The Little Shop of Horrors is the insane story of Seymour (Jonathan Haze), a lonely florist, and his hungry plant, Audrey, for whom he goes to great lengths to ensure that his green friend is fed and happy. With a cast that also includes Dick Miller, Jackie Joseph, Mel Welles and a very young Jack Nicholson as a scene-stealing dental patient with a high threshold for pain, Corman and screenwriter Charles Griffith give us a comic horror masterpiece for the ages. A film so enduring that it inspired a Broadway musical, which led to a remake of the film that was nominated for two Oscars. See the original that started it all!
SPECIAL FEATURES: C. Courtney Joyner and Dr. Steve Haberman join us for a commentary track on The Terror and author Justin Humphreys with the film’s star, Jonathan Haze, provide commentary for The Little Shop of Horrors; Joyner provides an essay on the Karloff/Poe connection; Mark McGee pens liner notes for The Little Shop of Horrors; Ballyhoo Motion Pictures continues Hollywood Intruders: The Filmgroup Story with part two of the featurette; a featurette by Howard S. Berger, “Ghosts in the Machine: Art & Artifice in Roger Corman’s Celluloid Castle” provides a fresh look at The Terror; and recut trailers, based on the original theatrical trailers.
Both films are presented with an aspect ratio of 1.85:1. Discs are region free and include English SDH. Audio is DTS-HD/Dolby AC3s.
About Film Masters:
Film Masters is a consortium of historians and enthusiasts who seek to celebrate the preservation and restoration of films. We are archivists, committed to storing film elements for future generations and reviving films that have been sitting dormant for decades. By scanning in 2K and 4K, we give these lesser-known films the red-carpet treatment they deserve. Leveraging modern means of distribution to release forgotten films back into the world, we also produce original bonus materials, including feature-length documentaries, which aid audiences in contextualizing and celebrating these works of art as they were meant to be. Visit us online at: www.FilmMasters.com
The Terror / The Little Shop of Horrors
- Film Masters
- Genre: Horror / Comedy
- Original Release: 1963 / 1960 (B+W)
- Not Rated
- Format: Blu-ray & DVD
- Running Time: 80 Minutes / 73 Minutes (Plus Special Features)
- Suggested Retail Price: Blu-ray $29.52 / DVD $19.95
- Pre-Order Now
- Street Date: Dec. 12, 2023
- Catalog #: Blu-ray SKU FMB004 / DVD SKU FMD004
- UPC Code: Blu-ray #760137137566 / DVD #760137137573
