I had the opportunity to see this very fine work of Dennis Vincent and Cortlandt Hull on the big screen during a sneak preview before the DVD was released. It was amazing then as it is now on DVD. Clearly, Mr. Vincent and Mr. Hull understand the essence of the silver screen's classic and modern day horror films, and have captured it in their work.
This DVD gives the viewer the opportunity to see how it was done. Interviews with the make-up artists and the children of this genre's legends are priceless. Each story leaves the viewer with new and memorable image of an era gone by.
I was struck by the hours of work needed to prepare the actors for each role in this pre-synthetic age. Many of the actors did their own make-up work, some of which took the best part of a day; only to do it again the next day.
This DVD includes the magic of Lon Chaney, Henry Hull, Boris Karloff, Bella Lugosi, Vincent Price and Dick Smith, probably the greatest living make-up artist. Smith's work includes Hal Holbrook as Mark Twain, Dustin Hoffman as The Little Big Man, Jack Palance as My. Hyde, Marlon Brando as The Godfather, F. Murray Abrahams as Amadeus and more. Tom Savini's commentary is distinctive.
Mr. Hull's love of horror movies dates back to his childhood and has evolved into a collection of movie props and displays, which he opens up each Halloween season for a modest fee to benefit his non-profit museum. Lines of hundreds of visitors stretch around the block for the six minute tour. His display is aptly named, The Witch's Dungeon.
This DVD would make a wonderful television special.