Sam Katzman was one of the most successful film producers of all time. And yet you would be hard pressed to find anyone who knows his name with the exception of film fans. Katzman produced over 200 movies some of which you know even without knowing his name. Films like HARUM SCARUM and KISSIN COUSINS, both starring Elvis Presley. But exploitation fans know Katzman for the low budget horror films he made. And now Arrow Video is releasing a box set of four of those films.
COLD WAR CREATURES: FOUR FILMS FROM SAM KATZMAN contains four of his most famous films. None of them would be considered Oscar material but when released they did make a profit and that’s what Katzman was all about. He capitalized on what was taking place and made movies around it. In this case he took the science of atomic energy popular at the time and created monsters around it.
First up is CREATURE WITH THE ATOM BRAIN. Made in 1955 this film tells the story of gangster Frank Buchanan (Michael Granger) seeking revenge against those who had him deported. To do so he enlists the help of ex-Nazi scientist Wilhelm Steigg (Gregory Gaye) who has found a way of reanimating corpses using atomic radiation. Buchanan tries to take out the stool pigeons from his gang, the DA, the judge and anyone else who did him wrong. He just didn’t count on coroner Dr. Chet Walker (Richard Denning) standing in his way. Katzman lucked out here casting Denning who had a career in films like these, including CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON and TARGET EARTH.
Next is THE WEREWOLF. A stranger shows up in the backwoods town of Mountaintop. Dealing with a case of amnesia he has no ID or clue as to who he is. He stops in a bar and has a drink but after leaving is attacked by a mugger. The violent outburst has an effect on him, turning him into a werewolf. With the townspeople trying to find this killer the pair of scientists responsible for his condition show up looking for him as well. Having injected him with irradiated wolf serum he can change at any time, not limited to day, night or the full moon like werewolves of the past.
Third in the set is THE ZOMBIES OF MORA-TAU. Catchy name if nothing else. This time we have treasure hunters seeking a lost box of jewels off the coast of Africa. Led by a wealthy tycoon they had no idea that the treasure was cursed and protected by long dead sailors who keep watch over it. Only destroying the jewels or having the curse is lifted will stop these undead.
THE GIANT CLAW is that last film in this set and probably the most well-known of the four. Scientists are testing a new radar system near the North Pole when aeronautical engineer and pilot Mitch MacAfee (Jeff Morrow) sees a UFO fly by. Jets are scrambled to see what it is and one of those goes missing. More attacks take place and the UFO turns out to be a giant bird they believe came from some antimatter galaxy. Discovering a way to take down this monster becomes the focus of our heroes. Here again Katzman lucked into having Morrow in the cast. He’d just come off from successes with THIS ISLAND EARTH and THE CREATURE WALKS AMONG US.
All of these movies are in the very low budget end of films ever made. But they make up for it with enthusiasm and a love of the genre. The directors of each had long histories of successful films under their belts. The casts were always well chosen and made the stories, as ridiculous as some might seem, believable. These movies were made not to enlighten but to entertain and they do just that. And coming out of the 50s when the fear of nuclear weapons was at its height, they insert that into the stories well.
The box set is a little pricy for some but comes along with not just the four movies but a ton of extras as well. Extensive commentary tracks, documentaries about Katzman and more, image galleries, a fully illustrated 60 page booklet, 80 page collector’s art book and more are included. The movies are perfect for the whole family to watch without the gore factor that many children shouldn’t be exposed to.
Arrow Video has done their typical amazing job on this release from the extensive extras and packaging to the high end quality of the transfers of these films. They’ve never looked better. And they’re movies that you could be enjoying this Halloween if you pick up a copy.
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