This remake of Alfred Hitchcock's 1927 silent film about Jack the Ripper, and based on Marie Belloc Lowndes's book, was very well done. In addition to the terror plot, the scenes of London's Victorian actress Kitty Langley (Merle Oberon) performing are light-hearted with wonderful costumes, which provide a great counter balance to the drama. She even surprised the director when she pooh-poohed her stand-in and did a can-can herself. Merle Oberon actually married the film's cinematographer, Lucien Ballard.

Hollywood's early black and white horror films were the best for conjuring up intrigue and fear. Fox's Horror Classics Collection is at the top of the list. Making their debut on DVD, the 3-disc collection includes The Lodger (1942), Hangover Square (1945) and The Undying Monster (1942). Interestingly, it was Vincent Price who narrated these tales on the radio before they were made into movies.

Director John Brahm, who made more than 36 films or television productions (many with Alfred Hitchcock) over 31 years, was superb at layering every scene with suspicion and red herrings. Most everyone seems a suspect and even more of the characters are slightly off-kilter.

Credit for these chillers must also go to the cinematographers - in this case Lucien Ballard and Joseph LaShelle - who worked their craft exceptionally well using dark shadows and just the right lighting to create terror. Of course none of the films would have any impact without the great cast members including Laird Cregar, George Sanders, Merle Oberon, Cedric Hardwicke, and Linda Darnell.

Merle Oberon

Laird Cregar

As one woman after another is murdered, Slade (Laird Cregar) a mysterious man checks into the boarding house where Kitty lives. As Ellen (Sara Allgood) the owner of the house, shows Slade his room, he confesses his routine is not normal. "I enjoy the streets at night," he says.

Meanwhile Kitty is at the playhouse conversing with former actress Annie Rowley (Helena Pickard) who complains about Kitty replacing her. The sweet Kitty replies, "Having talent isn't enough; you have to have luck, too."

George Sanders

Kitty begins to spend more and more time with Inspector John Warwick (George Sanders), who is investigating the murders. Ellen's husband Robert (Cedric Hardwicke) keeps trying to squash his wife's mistrust of Slade, even though the clues continue to lead in his direction.

The filmmakers did an exceptional job of fitting the film's genre, especially considering the production code at the time did not allow any of the murders in Marie Belloc Lowndes' novel to be shown.

How will this film end? Even if you think you know, you're still glued to the end.

Special Features

€¢ Commentary by Film Historians Alain Silver & James Ursini - these pros take about this film and how it relates to other like it.

€¢ The Man in the Attic: The Making of The Lodger - several film critics, professors and authors discuss Jack the Ripper, his reputation and who he really was.

€¢ The Lodger Vintage Radio Show - Performed by Vincent Price and Cathy Lewis

€¢ Restoration Comparison

€¢ Trailer

€¢ Still Gallery

Directors: John Brahm

Cast: Laird Cregar, George Sanders, Merle Oberon, Cedric Hardwicke, Sara Allgood

Rating: Not Rated (subject matter okay for 13 and older)

DVD Release Date: 10/09/2007

Classic Movie Guide Rating: 4.5 our of 5 stars

Run Time: 84 minutes

Studio: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment

Format: Black & White

Photos © Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment