Horrors of the Black Museum (1959) (VCI Entertainment)

[MifuneFan]

VCI Entertainment will be releasing Horrors of the Black Museum (1959) in a new "Restored Uncut Special Edition". I'm usually reluctant to make threads for VCI's releases, given their so-so quality, but to their credit, this release comes with several extras, including 2 commentary tracks, and the original Hypno-vista opening.

Bonus Materials

• Blu-ray produced from a new 2023 4K scan of the original 35mm film masters
• Archival Commentary by Writer/Producer Herman Cohen
• 2023 Commentary by Robert Kelly noted film historian and artist.
• Original U.S. Theatrical Trailer
• Original European Theatrical Trailer
• Photo Galery
• 2-sided coverwrap features original theatrical art and flip side with a new graphic design by Robert Kelly
• Video Tribute to Producer Herman Cohen
• Archival Phone Interview/Video Featurette with Herman Cohen
• Original U.S. Hypno-vista opening featuring psychologist, Emile Franchel

London is fear struck, and Scotland Yard is baffled by a series of strange murders that have plagued the city. Stories of the atrocities, by crime journalists Edmond Bancroft (Michael Gough -- yes, the same loveable 'Alfred Pennyworth' from the new Batman movies), come to their own conclusions missed by the "Yard". This is because of the fact that Edmond is behind these horrible crimes in order to create material for his writing. Along with his assistant, Rick (Graham Curnow) who helps him run a private "Black Museum" filled with murder and torture devices. We have also included the original American International introduction called Hypno-Vista, featuring Emile Franchel... Registered Psychologist, that greeted all American theatergoers on its initial release. Features the classic eyeball-gouging binoculars scene. REALLY GRUESOME!!!

Horrors of the Black Museum (1959) Trailer - YouTube

[Professor Echo]

Fingers crossed it looks at least watchable as far as VCI standards go.

This was a staple on Chicago's late Friday night horror showcase in the 70's, SCREAMING YELLOW THEATER, hosted by the original Svengoolie. Airing on a then lowly UHF channel which a lot of households still could not get, SYT was infamous for showing racy Euro thrillers and horror pictures. True that they may not have been as good as the competing TV channel's library of classic Universal Horrors, but to a 13 year old boy, those foreign entries sure wound up having an appeal of their own.

[Skorpius]

Originally Posted by Professor Echo

This was a staple on Chicago's late Friday night horror showcase in the 70's, SCREAMING YELLOW THEATER, hosted by the original Svengoolie.

Here ya' go.

[darkness2918]

Never heard of this one but it looks interesting so I might blind buy it.

[Mysteron Mayhem]

The Network dvd looked pretty good imo. I wonder how much they can improve on that.

[ij72]

Originally Posted by Professor Echo

Airing on a then lowly UHF channel which a lot of households still could not get, SYT was infamous for showing racy Euro thrillers and horror pictures.

As my faded memory seems to recall, by the late 70s/early 80s, a lot of those Eurocult flicks also popped up on Channel 44.

In my recollections, for a time 44 was one weird channel - I remember a mish-mash of films like HORROR RISES FROM THE TOMB and PANIC ON THE TRANS-SIBERIAN EXPRESS (HORROR EXPRESS), cartoons like SPEED RACER and the Beatles cartoon thing, and the subscription TV stuff for parts of the day (SelecTV or OnTV or something similar).

The likes of UHF weirdness will probably never be seen again...

[Mr. Thomsen]

Originally Posted by Professor Echo

Fingers crossed it looks at least watchable as far as VCI standards go.

You cross your fingers, I'll cross my toes (somehow). Together we can makes this happen!

[CountYorgaRules]

Wasn't Synapse Films still promising a Blu-ray of HORRORS OF BLACK MUSEUM? I guess you snooze, you loose. I will give VCI the benefit of the doubt and pick this up for sure.

[fatboyslim142]

Originally Posted by CountYorgaRules

Wasn't Synapse Films still promising a Blu-ray of HORRORS OF BLACK MUSEUM? I guess you snooze, you loose. I will give VCI the benefit of the doubt and pick this up for sure.

I reckon VCI will STILL find a way to feck it up.

[bruce holecheck]

Originally Posted by CountYorgaRules

Wasn't Synapse Films still promising a Blu-ray of HORRORS OF BLACK MUSEUM? I guess you snooze, you loose. I will give VCI the benefit of the doubt and pick this up for sure.

Actually talked with Don about this earlier this morning. Apparently the licensor kept promising materials and wouldn't deliver, so they let it go to concentrate on other projects. They'll be putting up a statement about it today clarifying.

[oddbox83]

VCI saying they’ve restored something brings me out in a cold sweat.

[jaws3dfan]

This will be a blind buy for me as well, looks like my kind of movie.

[sa5150]

Just pre-ordered . Was happy to sell my dvd UK disc .

[jaws3dfan]

Where can I pre-order this besides Amazon?

[Jobla]

Originally Posted by jaws3dfan

Where can I pre-order this besides Amazon?

Directly from VCI?

[sa5150]

Originally Posted by jaws3dfan

Where can I pre-order this besides Amazon?

Amazon best bet , free shipping , no problem returns . instant refund or exchange if anything wrong , not even a pre-order at VCI . Though you could wait for a Christmas sale from VCI if they have it in stock . Still got to pay for shipping. Nothing wrong with Amazon . pre ordered mine and should get here before sale date .

[jaws3dfan]

Now it's also listed on Deep Discount Click Here To Order

[zepol]

Originally Posted by Professor Echo

Fingers crossed it looks at least watchable as far as VCI standards go.

This was a staple on Chicago's late Friday night horror showcase in the 70's, SCREAMING YELLOW THEATER, hosted by the original Svengoolie. Airing on a then lowly UHF channel which a lot of households still could not get, SYT was infamous for showing racy Euro thrillers and horror pictures. True that they may not have been as good as the competing TV channel's library of classic Universal Horrors, but to a 13 year old boy, those foreign entries sure wound up having an appeal of their own.

Back then that Sevenghoulie didn't ruin the presentation of the schlock movie unlike today.

[zepol]

Originally Posted by Jobla

Directly from VCI?

What is the VCI site name?

[zepol]

Originally Posted by ij72

As my faded memory seems to recall, by the late 70s/early 80s, a lot of those Eurocult flicks also popped up on Channel 44.

In my recollections, for a time 44 was one weird channel - I remember a mish-mash of films like HORROR RISES FROM THE TOMB and PANIC ON THE TRANS-SIBERIAN EXPRESS (HORROR EXPRESS), cartoons like SPEED RACER and the Beatles cartoon thing, and the subscription TV stuff for parts of the day (SelecTV or OnTV or something similar).

The likes of UHF weirdness will probably never be seen again...

Buy the SPEED RACER blurays and other cartoons on dvd from that era and you are set.