The Boris Karloff Collection (DVD, 2006, 3 - Disc Franchise Collection)

This is a collection of 5 movies with Boris Karloff, ranging from the 1930's to the 1950's. As a whole, this is a good value to obtain, if you are a Karloff fan. This review will be in order of ranking; best to worse. The film quality and audio is pretty decent in all of the films.
THE TOWER OF LONDON (1939). What a cast for horror fans. Boris Karloff, Basil Rathbone, Vincent Price, and Leo G. Carroll all in one picture! Richard III, played by Rathbone, has a bloody rise to power in England. Rathbone does an absolutely wonderful performance of the King. Karloff is the Tower of London executioner, Mord, and Price is a conniving relative of Richard. This is a historical drama with pageantry, court intrigue, treachery, and deceit. There is torture and terror (but not graphic.) This is a very interesting version of English history and certainly one of Rathbone's greatest films.
THE NIGHT KEY. This is the oldest movie of the Boris Karloff collection, produced in 1937. Karloff plays Mallory, the nearly blind inventor of a new electronic alarm system that is the most technologically advanced in the world. The owner of Ranger Protection Systems steals the patent rights for the new device, just as he had done 20 years prior from Karloff. Karloff has a devise that can render the Ranger system ineffective, and he sets out to avenge both wrongs. This is not a horror movie at all; it is a crime drama. Karloff does a nice acting performance and it must be considered one of his best non-horror movies.
THE STRANGE DOOR(1951). This story is adapted from a story written by Robert Louis Stevenson "The Sire de Maletroit's Door." Charles Laughton plays an evil nobleman who imprisons his brother and others. Karloff is the good servant, who tries to save them. It takes a while for the plot to develop, but it is decent. Laughton does a good acting job portraying a nasty old guy with a sinister plan. It is a decent thriller.
THE BLACK CASTLE (1952). Richard Greene (a.k.a.Robin Hood) plays the male lead and Boris Karloff and Lon Chaney provide the supporting roles. Greene plays a nobleman who goes undercover to prove that a German count killed his two friends. The Count ruthlessly played by Stephan McNally, rules his province and castle with an cruel hand. There is suspense, romance, treachery and decent acting. It is an interesting costume drama with a surprise ending.
THE CLIMAX(1944). This film was the first Boris Karloff color feature. In fact, it was an Ocar Nominee for its lavish sets and art direction, and the color is quite good. The plot is familiar. Karloff plays a mad doctor who becomes insanely jealous over a beautiful opera singer. Rejected by her, he kills her and is not discovered. Years later, he meets another young opera singer whose exceptional voice threatens the memory of his loved one. The plot is predictable and the scenery pleasant, but it is a little slow in places.

I love the Middle Agees and History mustly then,it was a time of adventure.
I love collecting every DVD or VHS or film about the Middle Ages.Every one I
can get my hands on. I don't dislike one thing.
They don't make films like that anymore. Thats why I love buying them.
I hope to buy a lot more on ebay it is a good souce.