Carnival of Souls (and some other stuff)
Annie Van Auken | Planet Earth | 12/26/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"CONTENTS of GHOST STORIES 4 Movie PACK:
The premise of CARNIVAL OF SOULS has been a standard literary device since Bierce's "Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" and even before. Anticipation of this story's denouement doesn't detract from the viewer's enjoyment of what is a minor classic of low budget cinema. Here, a car with four passengers plunges off a bridge and into a river. Hours later, a lone survivor emerges from the water in shock but physically unharmed. The experience leaves her alienated and introverted. She decides to take a church organist's job in another state. Nearby this new town is an ominous abandoned lakeside amusement park that the woman feels drawn to. In an unforgettably surrealistic scene at this remote location, she finally comes to understand her fate.
DEATH AT LOVE HOUSE-- A writer becomes obssessed with the long-dead actress he's doing book research on. Cast of this made-for-TVer includes several big names out of Hollywood's past.
DOMINIQUE IS DEAD-- A man scares his wife to death, but her spirit returns to exact revenge. Strong cast, weak script.
INVISIBLE GHOST is one of many undistinguished Lugosi 'B' flicks. Confusing storyline, cops without a clue to a series of murders, homicidal hypnotism and Lugosi as the supposed somnambulistic killer all play a part in this dull little film.
BRENTWOOD's 4-fers are nicely priced movie bundles. Video and sound quality of these digitally unrestored public domain films is generally fine. Discs are dual-side recorded.
KINGS OF CLASSIC HORROR is a similar BRENTWOOD fright film 4 movie pack.
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Parenthetical numbers preceding titles are 1 to 10 viewer poll ratings found at a film resource website.
(7.1) Carnival Of Souls (1962) - Candace Hilligoss/Frances Feist/Sidney Berger
(5.1) Death At Love House (TV-1976) - Robert Wagner/Kate Jackson/Sylvia Sidney/Joan Blondell/John Carradine/Dorothy Lamour/Bill Macy
(4.4) Dominique Is Dead ("Dominique") (UK-1978) - Cliff Robertson/Jean Simmons/Ron Moody/Judy Geeson/Flora Robson/David Tomlinson
(4.7) Invisible Ghost (1941) - Bela Lugosi/Polly Ann Young/John McGuire/Clarence Muse"