Film Masters is bringing the duality of Roger Corman to a new double-feature, special edition, two-disc collector’s set featuring his spooky gothic classic “The Terror” (1963) and his more whimsical “The Little Shop of Horrors” (1960), set for release on Blu-ray and DVD on December 12, 2023.
In celebration of the 60th anniversary of its release, “The Terror” is being released with an all-new HD restoration from 35mm archival elements. The film tells of an 18th-century French Lieutenant in Napoleon’s army who encounters the ghostly apparition of a young woman (Sandra Knight). Curiosity leads Lt. Andre Duvalier (Jack Nicholson) to the castle of Baron Von Leppe (Boris Karloff), where he notices a painting of the Baron’s late wife Ilsa, who looks identical to the ghostly woman. Determined to unravel the castle’s mystery, Duvalier learns that the Baron has many terrifying secrets. Though officially credited to Corman, “The Terror” had a total of five collaborative directors, including Nicholson, Monte Hellman, and Francis Ford Coppola.
“The Terror has languished in the public domain for decades,” said Film Masters President Phil Hopkins. “We’re delighted to have put together a celebratory and thought-provoking version with an award-winning team of contributors. Fans of the film will appreciate the editorial bonus features, which take a much-needed deep dive into this infamous Corman classic.”
“The Terror” is paired with a newly restored HD version of the original “The Little Shop of Horrors.” Released in 1960, the film inspired a Broadway musical, which led to the 1986 Academy Award-nominated remake. “The Little Shop of Horrors” tells the insane story of Seymour (Jonathan Haze), a lonely florist, and his hungry plant, Audrey, for whom he goes to great lengths to ensure that his green friend is fed and happy. With a cast that also includes Dick Miller, Jackie Joseph, Mel Welles, and a very young Jack Nicholson as a scene-stealing dental patient with a high threshold for pain. Corman and screenwriter Charles Griffith give us a comic horror masterpiece for the ages.
This collector’s edition features several special features:
- Audio commentary from C. Courtney Joyner and Dr. Steve Haberman on “The Terror”
- Audio commentary from author Justin Humphreys with the film’s star, Jonathan Haze, on “The Little Shop of Horrors”
- An essay on the Karloff/Poe connection from C. Courtney Joyner
- Liner notes for “The Little Shop of Horrors” from Mark McGee
- Ballyhoo Motion Pictures continues “Hollywood Intruders: The Filmgroup Story” with part two of the featurette (Part one appears on Film Masters’ “Beast From Haunted Cave” release)
- A featurette by Howard S. Berger, “Ghosts in the Machine: Art & Artifice in Roger Corman’s Celluloid Castle”
- Recut trailers, based on the original theatrical trailers
Both films are presented with an aspect ratio of 1.85:1. Discs are region free and include English SDH. Audio is DTS-HD/Dolby AC3s.
This collector’s edition double feature of “The Terror” and “The Little Shop of Horrors” is available for pre-order now from Amazon.
