Kino Lorber is putting four 1940s horror movies from Republic Pictures into a Republic Pictures Horror Collection Blu-ray.
Republic Pictures existed between 1935 and 1967 and created almost a thousand movies in that time. These films come during its ”poverty row” era when it mostly made B-movies and serials. The studio turned its focus to television in 1958 before being bought out in 1967 by CBS.
Details of the four films included can be found below.
Republic Pictures Horror Collection Details
Lady and the Monster (1944) Erich von Stroheim, Vera Ralston & Richard Arlen: A millionaire’s brain is preserved after his death by a scientist and his two assistants, only to create a telepathic monster.
The Phantom Speaks (1945) Richard Arlen: The spirit of an executed murderer enters the body of a physician, and forces him to do its bidding–namely, murder.
The Catman of Paris (1946) Lenore Aubert & Adele Mara: When author Charles Regnier (Carl Esmond) returns to Paris with a best-selling book that criticizes the government, he’s tormented by frequent blackouts. After a mysterious cat-like creature slaughters people close to him, Charles is suspected of murder. Charles fears that he is the beast, but his paramour, Marie (Lenore Aubert), and best friend, Henry (Douglass Dumbrille), believe he’s innocent… until the creature begins to stalk Marie.
Valley of the Zombies (1946) Lorna Gray: A woman falls under the hypnotic spell of a resurrected madman.
The Republic Pictures Horror Collection Blu-ray is listed as coming soon for now and is a one-off collection as it stands, but Kino Lorber hasn’t ruled out more in future.
