This image is from DVDBeaver (click here for their review of this collection).
All other images were provided by WTFFILM.

DVD REVIEW: ICONS OF HORROR COLLECTION: SAM KATZMAN
DVD REVIEW: SONY [ 2007 ] 69' / 74' / 68' / 79'
DVD REVIEW: AVG. BITRATE: 4.13 / 4.10 / 4.16 / 4.13 Mb/sec
INCLUDED FILMS: CREATURE WITH THE ATOM BRAIN [1955]
INCLUDED FILMS: THE GIANT CLAW [1957]
INCLUDED FILMS: ZOMBIES OF MORA TAU [1957]
INCLUDED FILMS: THE WEREWOLF [1956]

A special thanks goes out to my girlfriend for this one - she's put up with my incessent raving and juvenile obssession over this DVD for months now. She was also kind enough to ensure that it was waiting for me when my birthday rolled around last Friday (26th).

It's difficult for me to quantify in words just how excited I was when first I heard that Sony Pictures Home Entertainment would finally be releasing THE GIANT CLAW [1957] - long available only through the out-of-print Goodtimes VHS or bootlegged DVDs thereof (including one once distributed by myself) - to DVD. It's no secret to friends and fans of this site and those who know me personally that the film is one of my absolute favorites. While THE GIANT CLAW alone would have justified the set, in my mind, the inclusion of three other Sam Katzman produced low-brow shockers (two of which figure prominently into my childhood) certainly doesn't hurt.

THE FEATURE PRESENTATION:
CREATURE WITH THE ATOM BRAIN:
THE GIANT CLAW:
ZOMBIES OF MORA TAU:
THE WEREWOLF:

With the mysterious exception of 1955's CREATURE WITH THE ATOM BRAIN, all of the films present in this collection are presented in their original theatrical aspect ratios (approx. 1.86:1) via new hi-definition anamorphically enhanced transfers. CREATURE WITH THE ATOM BRAIN is presented in a flat 1.33:1 open matte transfer - this film was quite obviously shot with the intent of being presented in matted widescreen like the rest of the films present. This accounts for the slightly lower presentation rating for this title versus the others. All films are in black and white and are encoded with average bitrates of 4.10 to 4.16 MB/sec - all of the encodes look solid and show a nice a mount of detail even when blown up to 2x or 3x their original resolution.

To be nitpicky about the image quality, THE WEREWOLF and THE GIANT CLAW fare the best out of all the titles with near-perfect transfers - damage is only present for the latter and, even then, is only present during the various giblits of stock footage. ZOMBIES OF MORA TAU boasts a transfer comparable to that of THE GIANT CLAW and THE WEREWOLF, but seemed a bit softer and grainier to me than either of those two. CREATURE WITH THE ATOM BRAIN's aspect ratio aside, all of these transfers are solid and any gripes I have with them are minor at the absolute worst.

All titles are present in beautiful progressive scan transfers with deep proper blacks and accurate contrast levels. There is a fine amount of grain present in all films - particularly (and understandably) during the stock footage segments of THE GIANT CLAW and CREATURE WITH THE ATOM BRAIN - and damage is kept to a bare minimum, stock footage aside. Audio is crisp and clear for all titles with only a monophonic English option available for each. English subtitles are also included (apparently the legend in THE GIANT CLAW is about the La Carcagne - good to know) for all of the films.











THE EXTRAS:

It's a pity that no commentary tracks are provided for any of these films (I'm sure someone like Bill Warren or Tom Weaver would have been up to the task), but I can't say I was really expecting any either. Trailers for all films (as well as for a few Harryhausen efforts) are provided and are in good condition - trailers for disc two are anamorphically enhanced. Disc one also comes with Part 2 of Sam Katzman's serial THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND (which looks something like what you'd imagine ED WOOD PRESENTS: THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND might have turned out to be). Disc two features a comedy short entitled MIDNIGHT BLUNDERS as well as a Mr. Magoo cartoon (TERROR FACES MAGOO). Nothing amazing, perhaps, but interesting and more than I'm accustomed to with these types of releases just the same.





THE OVERALL PRESENTATION:

This two disc set features two films per disc (dual layered, single sided). Packaging (see first image at the top of the page) consists of an attractive cardboard slipcase that houses two clear slim DVD cases - the backside of the DVD insert features colorful artwork for all four films. Menus are easy to navigate and better designed than like menus for the BestBuy exclusive Universal scifi sets. The artwork for the packaging is quite excellently designed (made to mimic old rotten film posters) and complements the release quite well. There's really nothing at all to complain about here.


THE VERDICT:

THE GIANT CLAW alone is worth the price of admission, but the inclusion of the near-classic THE WEREWOLF and the serviceably inept CREATURE WITH THE ATOM BRAIN and ZOMBIES OF MORA TAU make this one of the most exciting Halloween-timed releases of recent years. I know that I take pride in finally being able to view THE GIANT CLAW - string-suspended special effects prop after string-suspended special effects prop - in all its digitally remastered glory. Excellent work from Columbia on this one. Highly recommended.