Comments on: The Black Cat (1934): Erotic nightmare

By: Tony D'Ambra

Tony D'Ambra — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 22:02:39 +0000

Thanks John. The quality of the DVD print (for a 75yo movie) is amazing! Getting the clip onto YouTube reduces image quality significantly.

By: John Greco

John Greco — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:51:20 +0000

Tony, excellent summary. The Black Cat is wonderfully atmospheric and one of Ulmer’s best films. I have had this on VHS for years and glad to see it is getting a well-deserved DVD release.

By: DeeDee

DeeDee — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 12:14:38 +0000

Hi! Tony,
I hope to be watching the 1934 film The Black Cat very soon…considered the fact, that I just ordered the Bela Lugosi, box set over the weekend.

Once again, Thanks for pointing it out to me and your readers too!
DeeDee ;)

By: Tony D'Ambra

Tony D'Ambra — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 06:59:29 +0000

Hey Sam, yes I love how Karloff rolls his eyes wide on “cats” and turns pointedly to Lugosi. Those names are great! And Dr. Vitus Werdegast for Legosi :)

By: Sam Juliano

Sam Juliano — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 02:49:50 +0000

You certainly did eroticize this Tony! I have always loved that line that Karloff delivers when he intones “He has an all-consuming fear of cats.” THE BLACK CAT, with its art-deco backgrounds and hokey melodramatic trappings has always been my favorite Ulmer, and I was riveted to the images and dialogue you featured here in your very special homage. BTW, I just love the name of Karloff’s character in the film –Hjalmar Poelzig!

By: Tony D'Ambra

Tony D'Ambra — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 21:26:59 +0000

Thanks DeeDee and Ivan. Great that I have piqued your interest!

By: Ivan

Ivan — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:00:41 +0000

Thanks for the recommendation. This looks chilling… must see it!

- Ivan (a new subscriber)

By: DeeDee

DeeDee — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 14:32:03 +0000

Hi! Tony, What a very interesting and very concise review...with the added feature...the trailer. Which compliment your review very nicely...By the way; I have never watched Ulmer's 1934 film The Black Cat" Therefore, I must seek it out to watch sometime this week...perhaps(?!?) Tony said, “This trailer I have created focuses on the pervasive eroticism… see the shapely legs of the comely heroine get the Von Sternberg treatment! Oh! Yes, I remember that you pointed the Von Sternberg treatment out in the 1952 film "Macao" starring actress Jane Russell and actor Robert Mitchum. "Wow,...The Black Cat" Thanks, for sharing...as usual. DeeDee ;)