Chamber Of Horrors (Roan Group)
Picture: C
Sound: C Extras: C- Film: C
Norman Lee’s Chamber Of Horrors (1940, aka The
Door With Seven Locks, a then-intriguing concept now ruined by the
realities of high crime as many doors in business and poor neighborhoods can
easily compete) is a strange and belated attempt to cash in on the 1932 B-movie
classic The Most Dangerous Game (once on an aged DVD from Criterion)
with comedy and a more formulaic plot as actor Leslie Banks returns as a
villain. He is bad, but not as
threatening, deadly or clever, though tricky nonetheless.
This was to cash in on a ban that British censors had on
the genre, so why not take a cash-in shot?
Unfortunately, though there are a few interesting moments scattered
throughout this Pathé Films production, it is just a predicable programmer only
saved by some fun moments as the villain seeks power and revenge. Lilli Palmer is also a plus as the female
lead.
The 1.33 X 1 image shows its age, but the disc was pressed
back in 2000. The print is not bad, but
is not from the negative, if that even exists anymore. The Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono also shows its
age, but that is a little better than Dolby 1.0 Mono. Extras include cast/crew and notes text on the film, plus the
U.S. Chamber Of Horrors original credits and event he original British
film board ratings certificate.
- Nicholas Sheffo
