Updated 9/5/20
I enjoy my DVD/Blu-Ray collection a great deal, but there are a number of classic science fiction and horror films not yet available on those formats (at least in this country) that I'd like to be able to add to my collection someday. Some I've never seen, and some I have seen, and of those, some are very good, and some aren't all that great, but I think they're all worth owning someday. Here's a listing of those titles with some of my thoughts on the movies. I'll remove titles from the list as they become available.
The Amazing Colossal Man (1957)
Glen Langan stars as an Army colonel who's transformed into a 60-foot giant by an atomic blast. It's one of the best known movies from writer/director/special effects technician Bert I. Gordon, but surprisingly isn't on DVD, like most of his other films. Check out my review of the film here.
The Atomic Man/Timeslip (1955)
Gene Nelson and Faith Domergue star as a newspaper reporter and photographer respectively who discover a scientist has been affected by an atomic accident that has transported his mind into the future. This has been released in the UK but not stateside yet. Check out my review of the film here.
Back From The Dead (1957)
Arthur Franz stars as a newlywed whose bride (Peggie Castle) is possessed by the spirit of a vengeful woman, who doesn't make married life easy for him.
Bluebeard's 10 Honeymoons (1960)
George Sanders is the infamous killer who marries for money and then does away with his wives. I've never seen this one and have wanted to, but not expecting too much with W. Lee Wilder directing.
The Body Disappears (1941)
Jeffrey Lynn stars an an unfortunate man who on the eve of his wedding is accidentally turned invisible by wacky scientist Edward Everett Horton. Jane Wyman costars as Horton's attractive daughter. I saw this on TCM but don't think it's been on DVD yet, although it would be a natural release for the Warner Archive. Check out my review of the film here.
The Body Stealers (1969)
Another George Sanders movie with Maurice Evans (Planet Of The Apes) as well, with another aliens replacing human beings plot. I think this had a VHS release, and a DVD overseas but not here.
The Brain (1962)
A notable adaptation of the novel Donovan's Brain by famed screenwriter Curt Siodmak, which was one of British cinematographer Freddie Francis' first films as a director (Thanks to Troy Howarth for the correction). Peter Van Eyck stars as the scientist who gets possessed by the brain he saves from a deadly accident. Check out my review of the film here.
The Brain Eaters (1958)
Actor Bruno VeSota directed this intriguing science fiction tale about a strange object that looks like a spaceship found on the outskirts of a small town, which features an early film appearance by Star Trek's Leonard Nimoy. Check out my review of the film here.
The Cape Canaveral Monsters (1960)
As far as I know this was the only other film directed by Phil Tucker, who also helmed the notorious Robot Monster. I saw it years ago and don't remember it as very good, but would love to revisit it. The plot concerns aliens infiltrating our space program.
Captive Women (1952)
This is another sci-fi movie from the makers of a film I love, The Man From Planet X, with some of the same cast and crew, but about an apocalyptic future.
Castle Of Evil (1966)
Virginia Mayo (from James Cagney's White Heat) and Hugh Marlowe (The Day The Earth Stood Still) star in this film about some people who attend the funeral of a man they hated, only to find out he may not be actually be dead. Not a great movie, but has some interesting moments. Check out my review of the film here.
The Cat Creeps (1946)
A Universal mystery thriller, the film's a remake of an earlier silent classic that I believe is a lost film. It's populated with a bunch of familiar character actors, and stars Noah Beery, Jr. and Lois Collier.
Cat Girl (1957)
Barbara Shelley (of many a Hammer film) stars as a cursed woman who takes on the animal instincts of a cat, and tries to sink her claws into the wife of an old flame. Made in Britain, but written by Lou Rusoff of American International Pictures. Check out my review of the film here.
The Catman Of Paris (1946)
A rare horror film from Republic Pictures features the tale of an author who blacks out whenever a cat-man strikes, and the police try to determine if there really can be such a creature. Carl Esmond and Lenore Aubert (from Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein) star. I don't think this one's ever been released to video, but I saw it streaming on Netflix a few years ago.
The Cosmic Monsters (1958)
Forrest Tucker and Gaby Andre star in an interesting science fiction premise about experiments at a laboratory that end up allowing cosmic rays to infect a forest's creatures. I found it low-budget but entertaining, and a good companion piece to Tucker's The Crawling Eye. Check out my review of the film here.
Crazy Knights (1944)
Shemp Howard heads the cast in this old haunted house comedy/thriller. Never seen it.
Creature Of Comfort (1968)
This is a Canadian horror anthology I've never seen but only read about, but it sounds like a hoot. Apparently, the tales are presented in interactions between people in bed and a bed-covering that comes to life. Donald Pleasence and Arthur Adams star.
The Creeper (1948)
After Universal Pictures got out of the horror movie business, a bunch of their craftsmen worked on this picture. It was released to VHS by a small label I can't remember, and was able to see it before the tape snapped in my VCR when I tried to rewind it. It's not a great movie, and has a rather disappointing climax, but is interesting for the connection to Universal horror.
Curucu, Beast Of The Amazon (1956)
The aforementioned Curt Siodmak wrote and directed this jungle adventure film about a mythical creature, and I've heard the reveal at film's end is somewhat disappointing, but have never seen the movie and want to. John Bromfield and Beverly Garland star.
A Dangerous Game (1941)
A comic murder mystery from Universal Pictures, with the unlikely screen teaming of Richard Arlen and Andy Devine (Roy Rogers' sidekick with the high-pitched voice). I've seen the trailer but never have seen the movie and I'm fond of similar films from Universal during the same period.
Dark Streets Of Cairo (1940)
I understand this isn't a horror film, but returns George Zucco in a fez in a similar role to his part in The Mummy's Hand so I have to see it someday. I hope I'll see it on a Universal MOD disc someday.
Daughter Of The Mind (1969)
This is an excellent TV movie with Ray Milland as a man haunted by visions of his deceased daughter, but parapsychologist Don Murray isn't so sure they're genuine. Gene Tierney, Ed Asner and John Carradine are among the supporting cast. I saw it on Fox Movie Channel, but don't think it's ever been out on video. Check out my review of the film here.
The Devil's Mistress (1965)
A vampire tale of the Old West, this time featuring a lady as the undead creature. Joan Stapleton and Robert Gregory star.
Dr. Terror's House Of Horrors (1943)
Not the movie of the same name with Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee, but a spooky compilation of scenes from horror movies of the past, notably some silent classics, at least from what I've read about it.
Fingers At The Window (1942)
I really enjoy this thriller from MGM with the sinister voice of Basil Rathbone used to great effect. Lew Ayres and Laraine Day play the leads in a dark tale about psychotic ax-murderers manipulated by Rathbone's character. I saw it on TCM, and think this would be another natural release for the Warner Archive, but don't think they've put it out yet. Check out my review of the film here.
The Flame Barrier (1958)
Another film I've never seen, and I don't think it's ever been out on video, one of the few 1950s sci-fi films that hasn't. Arthur Franz and Mala Powers star in a tale about a weird wall of flame within the African jungle, if I'm not mistaken.
The Flight That Disappeared (1961)
I saw this streaming on Netflix a few years ago, and really enjoyed it, a low budget tale about atomic scientists on a plane that vanishes from radar, potentially manipulated by a higher power. Craig Hill and Paula Raymond star. Check out my review of the film here.
From The Earth To The Moon (1958)
Joseph Cotten and George Sanders star in this adaptation of the Jules Verne novel, and it's a disappointing movie, but that may partially be due to the fact that it was one of the last films of the RKO studio and had its budget slashed, eventually having to be released by Warner Brothers. I saw it on TCM, who airs it fairly often. Check out my review of the film here.
The Gamma People (1956)
This offbeat British sci-fi picture from director John Gilling (later to helm a number of memorable horror films) has an atypical star in American Paul Douglas (Angels In The Outfield) and some pretty spooky imagery. I have the Columbia VHS release, but waiting still for the DVD. Check out my review of the film here.
The Ghost Catchers (1944)
Another horror-comedy from Universal, this time featuring the comedy team of Olsen and Johnson (Hellzapoppin). Andy Devine's in this one too!
Girl In His Pocket (1958)
An interesting sci-fi farce from France, in which a scientist discovers the means of shrinking living creatures, and uses it to have a secret affair with his pretty assistant. Check out my review of the film here.
The Girl Who Dared (1944)
Not really a horror film, but this movie does have an interesting opening with a "ghost" popping up in a cemetery as I recall. It stars Lorna Gray and Peter Cookson, with a murder mystery plot. I saw it streaming on Netflix a few years back.
Half Human (1955/1958)
I've only seen the Americanized version of this Abominable Snowman film from Gojira director Ishiro Honda, which unfortunately replaces the original Japanese dialogue with narration from John Carradine, as well as inserts lengthy exposition scenes with Carradine. Still the visuals from Honda's footage are outstanding, and I'd love to see that original version someday, but haven't been able to find it on video. Check out my review of the film here.
The Hands Of Orlac (1960)
This is another version of the oft filmed story of a doctor who replaces a pianist's hands with a murderer's. Mel Ferrer and Christopher Lee star.
The Haunted House Of Horror (1969)
This was on TCM a while back but my DVR cut off the end of the movie, so never have seen if the killer gets caught or not. It's a British horror movie, not all that great, about teens in a haunted house, one of whom may be a murderer. Probably the only movie with both Frankie Avalon and Dennis Price in the cast. Check out my review of the film here.
The Horror Of It All (1964)
Pat Boone stars in a horror-comedy that's awfully similar to The Old Dark House although the credits don't mention that novel. I found it enjoyable when I saw it on Fox Movie Channel some years ago, and it's interesting as a non-Hammer credit for the prolific British director Terence Fisher. Check out my review of the film here.
The Human Duplicators (1965)
Futuristic sci-fi about aliens out to replace humanity with androids, the movie per Wikipedia was the last film for Hugh Beaumont. The giant Richard Kiel ("Jaws" in the James Bond movies) was also in the cast.
The Human Vapor (1960)
This is a Japanese sci-fi film from Godzilla director Ishiro Honda, about a man who gains the ability to turn into a gaseous state. Tatsuya Mihashi and Kaoru Yachigusa are the leads.
Invasion (1965)
Yoko Tani and Edward Judd head up this sci-fi thriller from England, concerning an alien crash landing near a British hospital. This one's been released in the UK but not here yet. Check out my review of the film here.
Invasion Of The Saucer Men (1957)
Paul Blaisdell's iconic alien creatures in this sci-fi comedy are quite memorable although the plot's rather silly, but I think it's a lot of fun, and offers a pre-Batman role for future Riddler Frank Gorshin. Check out my review of the film here.
The Invisible Man Vs. The Human Fly (1957)
In another Japanese entry, we have a hero who can turn invisible and a villain who can shrink people to the size of a fly. Ryuji Shinagawa and Yoshiro Kitahara star.
Island Of Lost Women (1959)
A couple of men find themselves stranded on an island with a scientist and his three beautiful daughters, who has been raising them in isolation from the real world. Jeff Richards and Alan Napier star.
It Conquered The World (1956)
One of Roger Corman's low-budget science fiction flicks with Peter Graves, Lee Van Cleef, and Beverly Garland in the cast. It's a lot of fun and miles better than Larry Buchanan's awful remake. Check out my review of the film here.
I Was A Teenage Frankenstein (1957)
One of Herman Cohen's teenage monster movies with Whit Bissell as a British descendant of Frankenstein without an accent who decides to make his own monster from teenage body parts. Check out my review of the film here.
I Was A Teenage Werewolf (1957)
This one's a little more surprising it hasn't come out on DVD, as it was one of successful TV actor Michael Landon's early credits. He's the teenage werewolf, and Whit Bissell is the evil psychologist who doesn't have the boy's best interests at heart. Check out my review of the film here.
The Lady And The Monster (1944)
Republic Pictures' version of Curt Siodmak's Donovan's Brain novel hasn't been out on video as far as I know, but I caught it streaming on Netflix some years ago. It's not one of the better versions, and as I recall, the evil brain doesn't really do anything all that evil.
The Lost Planet (1953)
One of Columbia's science fiction movie serials from the 1950s, I don't think it's ever been on video, and would like to see it someday. Judd Holdren and Vivian Mason star.
The Mad Doctor (1940)
Basil Rathbone stars as a doctor who has Bluebeard-like plans for the women in his life.
The Man In Half Moon Street (1945)
This film which I haven't seen was the basis for a remake I have seen, 1959's The Man Who Could Cheat Death, concerning a man who lives for decades beyond a normal life span. Helen Walker and Nils Asther star in the original.
Man Without A Body (1957)
George Coulouris stars as a millionaire with a brain tumor who wants to live on with his brain replaced by the smartest he can find, so he digs up Nostradamus...seriously. I saw this streaming on Netflix a while back but it's never been on video as far as I know. It's a really weird and wild movie.
Mission Mars (1968)
Darren McGavin and Nick Adams star in this film focusing on competing space flights to Mars from the U.S. and the Soviet Union.
The Mummy And The Curse Of The Jackals (1969)
It's mummy vs. jackal-man against the backdrop of Las Vegas in what I understand to be a lowly regarded film, but I still want to see it. Anthony Eisley and John Carradine star.
Murder In The Blue Room (1944)
This is another horror-comedy from Universal starring a trio of female entertainers, who find themselves performing in an old dark house where a man was once murdered.
Mutiny In Outer Space (1965)
William Leslie and Dolores Faith star in a sci-fi thriller about a plague that travels back on a spaceship returning to Earth. I don't think there's been an official video release of this one, but have seen the film and found it to be some low budget fun. Check out my review here.
The Mysterious Doctor (1943)
A wartime thriller with the supernatural hook of a headless ghost stalking a tin mine, I saw this movie on TCM, but it's never hit DVD. It's a modest and short programmer but is of interest for Matt Willis (The Return Of The Vampire) as a retarded man who becomes a suspect in killings that occur. The film also stars John Loder and Eleanor Parker. Check out my review here.
Mysterious Doctor Satan (1940)
One of my favorite movie serials, which was originally going to be an adaptation of the Superman comic book, but that didn't work out, so they replaced the Man of Steel with a new Batman-like hero, The Copperhead. Eduardo Ciannelli is wonderfully villainous as the title character and there's lots of great action throughout. Check out my review of the serial here.
1984 (1956)
Edmond O'Brien and Michael Redgrave star in a hard to find adaptation of George Orwell's classic novel about a future where the government's intrusion into personal lives mean that "Big Brother" is always watching you. I've seen it once several years ago but would like to revisit it.
Phantom Of The Rue Morgue (1954)
A 3-D adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe's classic Murders In The Rue Morgue features a pretty fearsome gorilla, and while it might not be one of the best versions of the story, it held my interest. Karl Malden, Claude Dauphin, Patricia Medina, and even Merv Griffin are in the cast. Check out my review of the film here.
The Phantom Speaks (1945)
Another Republic horror movie slightly modeled after the Karloff/Lugosi vehicle Black Friday with that film's Stanley Ridges as a "psychic scientist" whose mind is taken over by an executed criminal. It's not on video, but can be found on the "Paramount Vault" channel on YouTube. Check out my review of the film here.
Planets Against Us (1962)
A rare Italian sci-film that resembles a tribute to 1950s American sci-fi, involving alien cyborgs sabotaging Earth space missions. Shout Factory apparently has the rights to it as it's streaming on several platforms, so hopefully a disc will be released someday. My review of the film is here.
Port Sinister (1953)
I've been wanting to see this one for a long time but have never been able to find it on video- an earthquake brings a sunken city back up to the surface and smugglers are out to loot its riches, but then giant crabs show up. It sure sounds like my kind of movie. James Warren and Lynne Roberts star in another sci-fi adventure from the creators of The Man From Planet X.
Revenge Of The Zombies (1943)
John Carradine is an evil scientist who's turned his wife into a zombie along with a number of others. Robert Lowery, Gale Storm, and Mantan Moreland also star. It probably has the goofiest zombies you've ever seen in a horror film. Check out my review of the film here.
Riders To The Stars (1954)
William Lundigan and Martha Hyer star along with Richard Carlson in the first film Carlson ever directed, a sci-fi adventure about scientists recruited for a mission to capture chunks of a meteor. My review of the film is here.
Secret Of The Loch (1934)
I think this might have been the first film about the legend of the Loch Ness monster. I have seen it and the beast is rather poor special effects wise, but the build up to it's appearance at the climax makes for an interesting drama.
The Secret Of The Telegian (1960)
Japanese sci-fi about a man who uses a teleportation device to murder anyone who gets too close to his gold. Koji Suruta and Yumi Shirakawa star.
The Son Of Dr. Jekyll (1951)
The son of Dr. Jekyll gets in trouble for forbidden scientific experiments, following in his father's footsteps. My friend Dan Day Jr. saw this movie on Svengoolie earlier this year, and noted it wasn't a great movie, but I'd still like to see it someday on disc.
Spaceflight IC-1 (1965)
The ideas in this film are better presented than the low-budget special effects, concerning an adventure about a crew on a long space mission who want to turn back after a year away from Earth. Bill Williams and Kathleen Breck star. Check out my review of the film here.
Space Master X-7 (1958)
A woman traveling across the country doesn't realize she's carrying a virus from outer space, leading some government agents on a wild chase. All this, and Moe Howard as a taxi driver!
Space Probe Taurus/Space Monster (1965)
Francine York and James Brown (no, not that one :)) star in a sci-fi saga about a spaceship crew who encounter a hostile alien being.
The Spider Woman Strikes Back (1946)
Gale Sondergaard and Rondo Hatton appear in one of the last Universal Horror films which I've never seen and sure would like to. Apparently Gale has plans for Brenda Joyce's blood when she comes to stay with her.
Terror From The Year 5000 (1958)
Scientists succeed in opening a portal to a distant future, and attract the attention of an archaeologist after he examines a statue they retrieve. Ward Costello and Joyce Holden star.
The Terrornauts (1967)
Simon Oates and Zena Marshall star in this British sci-fi/horror hybrid with low-tech effects and a very Doctor Who vibe to it, at least I thought so. It's about scientists who are flung across space to a mysterious satellite. Check out my review of the film here.
The Twonky (1953)
Writer Arch Oboler was apparently not fond of television and made this satire about a professor played by Hans Conried who has to put up with a rebellious television set that won't leave him alone. Check out my review of the film here.
The Underwater City (1962)
I found this to be a perfectly charming little movie, and hope it gets a video release some day. It is currently streaming on Amazon. William Lundigan and Julie Adams star in this tale of an engineer who builds an undersea community after he misses out on an opportunity to construct a space station. Check out my review of the film here.
The Unearthly Stranger (1962)
This looks like a fascinating piece of science fiction about a scientist who discovers his wife is not from this Earth. John Neville and Gabriella Licudi star. I recently saw this via a British import DVD, and you can check out my review here.
The Unknown Terror (1957)
John Howard and Mala Powers appear in this film about a search for Powers' missing brother in a mysterious cavern. Calypso singer Sir Lancelot sings a memorable song about the cave I wish I could find on CD. The ending of the movie is a bit disappointing but I still enjoyed it, and hope to see it again someday.
Valley Of The Zombies (1946)
Another rare horror film from Republic Pictures in which we get to see actor Ian Keith (who some say was considered for the role of Dracula in the 1931 classic) as the imposing villain who may possibly be undead. Robert Livingston and Lorna Gray co-star.
Voodoo Woman (1956)
Actor Russ Bender co-wrote this horror movie in which Tom Conway (wearing a ridiculous native headdress) tries to turn Marla English into a hideous monster. At least the monster, courtesy of Paul Blaisdell, looked cool. Check out my review of the film here.
Voyage To The End Of The Universe/Ikarie XB-1 (1963)
A sci-fi epic from Czechoslovakia which has received raves from everyone I've seen write about it, I finally got to see this on a British import, although it's still not available in America. Check out my review of the film here.
The Vulture (1967)
Robert Hutton stars in what I fully expect to be a very cheesy horror movie about a scientist who turns into a bird-like monster. Akim Tamiroff and Broderick Crawford(!) co-star. Hope to be able to see it one day.
The Wacky World Of Dr. Morgus (1962)
Horror host Dr. Morgus (Sid Noel) takes center stage in this film in which he gets involved with a new invention spies are after.
Women Of The Prehistoric Planet (1966)
Wendell Corey and John Agar star in this low-budget sci-fi film which casts Asians as its aliens. It's not a great movie but has some interesting ideas from writer/director Arthur C. Pierce. Check out my review of the film here.
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