The Uninvited / The Unseen Blu Ray Review (Imprint Films)

The Uninvited is a 1944 horror film directed by Lewis Allen (Those Endearing Young Charms, Chicago Deadline, Appointment with Danger, and The Perfect Marriage). It’s written by Dodie Smith (101 Dalmatians, Cruella, and Call It A Day) and Frank Partos (The Snake Pit, College Scandal, Night of Mystery, and Rio). Composer Roderick Fitzgerald (played by: Ray Milland from The Lost Weekend, Dial M for Murder, Love Story, Blackout, The Uncanny, and Frogs) and his sister Pamela (played by: Ruth Hussey from The Women, Our Wife, The Facts of Life, and The Great Gatsby) find out that the real reason they are able to purchase a beautiful gothic seacoast mansion for almost nothing. The house’s unsavory and deadly past comes back for an unexpected visit. Was it all worth it???? This might be the greatest horror feature in the 40’s. It’s definitely one of my favorite ghost story movies and it’s haunting old school cinema. It has a little bit of everything including some romance and even a hint of comedy here. It’s a classic tale of if it’s too good to be true then it probably is. The first half leaves you comfortable and the second half hits you when you at least expect it. It has some nice surprises and it gets a little dark. The Uninvited really takes advantage of it’s creepy atmosphere that enhances the movie. The cinematography, production design, and the main location really add so much to The Uninvited. Ray Milland as Roderick is great in this. The legendary actor gives one of his best performances. He really drives this one with his presence. Ruth Hussey as Pamela provides a nice balance to this production. She brings something different compared to Ray but they have excellent chemistry together. The supporting cast includes Donald Crisp, Cornelia Otis Skinner, Dorothy Stickney, Barbara Everest, Alan Napier, and Gail Russell. This black and white mystery keeps you on your toes. This always gets better with each rewatch, the replay value is top much. RECOMMENDED!!!! The Unseen is a 1945 horror film directed by Lewis Allen (The Imperfect Lady, So Evil My Love, Sealed Verdict, and Desert Fury). It was written by Hagar Wilde (Bringing up Baby, Carefree, and Shadow of the Eagle) and Raymond Chandler (Double Indemnity Murder My Sweet, and The Big Sleep). Governess Elizabeth Howard (played by: Gail Russell from The Uninvited, Calcutta, The Lawless, and The Silent Call) fears that David Fielding (played by: Joel McCrea from Sullivan’s Travels, The Most Dangerous Game, Fort Massacre, and Ride the High Country), the man she loves, could be the mysterious strangler that’s stalking women in the small town where they live. So do the police. David’s son Barnaby (played by: Richard Lyon from The Great Lover, The Tender Years, and Secret Command) is the only one who really knows the true killer. Elizabeth is paranoid that the psychopath is now stalking her. Will she escape all this insanity???? Most people consider this one a follow up to The Uninvited. It’s not as good as that one but it’s from the same director. Don’t get me wrong, The Unseen has it’s quality moments. This mystery tries it’s best to keep up the tension, build up, and suspense. It’s very similar to The Innocents. Gail Russell as Elizabeth Howard is the best thing about this entire production. She’s the main reason to check this out. She looks great and grabs your attention right away. Joel McCrea as David Fielding keeps you curious in this with his character. He is mysterious, that role can really go either way here. It has a supporting cast that includes Phyllis Brooks, Herbert Marshall, Isobel Elsom, Norman Lloyd, Mikhail Rasumny, and Elisabeth Risdon. The script could have been better but luckily the talented cast really brings it to another level. The Unseen is solid but it’s one of the more average horror films from the 40’s. It’s still worth watching especially if you are fan of Gail Russell or Lewis Allen!!!!Let’s discuss this high definition presentation and special features from Imprint Films! These 1080p (1.37:1) transfers are both fantastic especially for their age. The Uninvited definitely looks better out of the two but The Unseen is much better than expected. The Uninvited is from a 2K restoration from the original camera negative and The Unseen is from a 2K digital restoration from a 35mm duplicate negative. Both of these horror films have never looked better. They have English: LPCM 2.0 tracks on the discs. The audio is awesome for The Uninvited and The Unseen is decent for it’s current shape. All of the dialogue is crystal clear, the wild visuals are elevated, and the music has a nice boost to them. It has English SDH subtitles. For the Uninvited, it has a brand new exclusive “Audio Commentary” with noir expert Alan K. Rode. It has a “Trailer”. It has “Original Radio Adaptations Starring Ray Milland” featuring the 30 minute Screen Guild Theater and the 30 minute Screen Director’s Playhouse. “Gail Russell: The Flame That Burned Twice as Bright” is a brand new exclusive video essay on actress Gail Russell from critic Imogen Sara Smith. “The Uninvited and the Female Gothic” is brand new exclusive 14 minute video essay by critic Kat Ellinger. For The Unseen, it has a brand new exclusive “Audio Commentary” with noir expert Alan K. Rode. “Gothic Noir: The Unseen Touch of Henry James” is a brand new 10 minute exclusive video essay from critics Imogen Sara Smith and Max Evry. It comes in a high quality hard box that holds both blu ray releases. Imprint Films continues to blow me away with their top notch home video releases. I’d prefer this one over the Criterion and I would almost never say that any label or disc. It’s available everywhere in Australia and select spots in the states right now, CHECK IT OUT!!!!