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Mickey Spillane’s Mike Hammer hit the big screen early in the 3-D craze, in a much tamed-down adaptation. The camera legend John Alton handled the lighting and likely called the shots on the camera setups as well. As a detective noir it’s definitely flat-footed, with a bum script, weak direction and a miscast Biff Elliot as the vengeful tough-guy hero. But compensating are the seductive Dran Hamilton, Margaret Sheridan and especially Peggie Castle — the key ‘dame’ in the pulp fiction finale. The United Artists release has been mostly Mia for decades,and this release presents it three ways: flat in both 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray, plus a beautiful restored 3-D Blu-ray encoding.

I, the Jury

4K Ultra HD + 3-D Blu-ray + Blu-ray

ClassicFlix

1953 / B&w / 1:37 Academy / 88 min. / Special Limited Edition / Street Date November 8, 2022 / Available from ClassicFlix / 34.99

Starring: Biff Elliot, Preston Foster, Peggie Castle, Margaret Sheridan, Alan Reed,...

Kino’s triple-threat Edgar Ulmer show has great commentaries plus HD debuts of his two ‘Texas’ movies, that likely have not been seen in their original widescreen aspect ratios since the 1960s. Ulmer’s first tale of a solo space invader has the pleasing look of a silent-era expressionist film. His take on a time travel paradox uses Air Force cooperation to project pilot Robert Clarke from 1959 to the far far future date of 2024 (ulp!). And Ulmer’s cut-rate invisible man is a master thief sprung from the pokey to help with a mad scheme to conquer the world — but the crook instead rushes to rob a bank! The excellent presentations will have special appeal for connoisseurs of exotic sci-fi thrillers.

Edgar G. Ulmer Sci-Fi Collection

The Man from Planet X, Beyond the Time Barrier, The Amazing Transparent Man

Blu-ray

Kl Studio Classics

1951-1960 / B&w / 1:85 widescreen, 1:37 Academy / 204 min.

There’s always somebody new in the rat race trenches whose motto is ‘how to make friends and deceive people.’ Howard Duff’s photographer uses his camera to extort money from criminals while polishing his image as a grabber of Pulitzer-worthy news photos. But how long can he maintain his charade with mobsters Brian Donlevy and Lawrence Tierney, and how soon will his kissing partners Peggy Dow and Anne Vernon see through his lies? This efficient noir was the first feature directing job from the prolific Joe Pevney.

Shakedown

Blu-ray

Kl Studio Classics

1950 / B&w / 1:37 Academy / 80 min. / Street Date March 29, 2022 / available through Kino Lorber / 24.95

Starring: Howard Duff, Brian Donlevy, Peggy Dow, Lawrence Tierney, Bruce Bennett, Anne Vernon, Peter Virgo, Charles Sherlock, Rock Hudson, Roy Engel, Gregg Martell, Joseph Pevney.

Cinematography: Irving Glassberg

Art Director: Robert Clatworthy, Bernard Herzbrun

Film Editor: Milton Carruth

Music director: Joseph Gershenson

Screenplay by Alfred Lewis Levitt,...

The only woman director to work in Hollywood in the 1950s, Ida Lupino earned full marks as a creative innovator and a positive force in the industry. It was a restrictive time for the movies: politically, socially, every which way. But Lupino’s independent film about a rape victim passed through the censorship gauntlet — as long as the ‘R’ word was never spoken, of course. Mala Powers is the distraught victim who tries to run away from life in the powerful drama, which remains valid and topical.

Outrage

Region-Free Blu-ray

Viavision [Imprint]

1950 / B&w / 1:37 Academy / 75 min. / Street Date December 29, 2021, January 7, 2022 / Available from Viavision, Available from Amazon

Starring: Mala Powers, Tod Andrews, Robert Clarke, Raymond Bond, Lillian Hamilton, Rita Lupino, Hal March, Kenneth Patterson, Jerry Paris, Angela Clarke, Roy Engel, William Challee, Joyce McCluskey, Albert Mellen, Vic Perrin.

Cinematography: Archie Stout

Production Designer: Harry Horner

Film Editor: Harvey Manger

Original...

After appearing in the satanic horror movie The Devil's Rain, William Shatner squared off against terrifying tarantulas in Kingdom of the Spiders. While Code Red previously released a limited edition Blu-ray of the 1977 horror movie, Kino Lorber is teaming up with Code Red to distribute another release of their Kingdom of the Spiders Blu-ray (with different cover art) this March.

You can view the cover art and official announcement from Kino Lorber below, and in case you missed it, read Scott Drebit's Drive-In Dust Offs column on Kingdom of the Spiders.

From Kino Lorber: "Coming March 26th From Code Red DVD!

Kingdom of the Spiders (1977)

• Audio commentary with director John 'Bud' Cardos, producer Igo Kantor and star Tiffany Bolling

• Interview with Tiffany Bolling

• Theatrical Trailer

(1977) Color 97 Minutes 1.85:1 Rated PG

Television legend William Shatner stars as vet "Rack" Hansen in this cult classic about an Arizona town infested with a...

This ’50s drug epic is not about hopheads on dope, but working folk frying their brains on amphetamines. Peter Graves’ undercover narc seeks the source of deadly pills that are wreaking havoc in the trucking industry; the film’s wild card is an unhinged Chuck Connors — yes, that Chuck Connors — as a deranged pill-popper running amuck on the highways. Seat belts recommended.

Death in Small Doses

DVD

The Warner Archive Collection

1957 / B&W / 1:85 enhanced widescreen / 79 min. / Street Date January 8, 2013 / available through the WBshop / 17.99

Starring: Peter Graves, Mala Powers, Chuck Connors, Merry Anders, Roy, Roy Engel, Robert Williams, Harry Lauter, Claire Carleton, John Dierkes, Robert Shayne.

Cinematography: Carl Guthrie

Film Editor: William Austin

Original Music: Robert Wiley Miller, Emil Newman

Written by John McGreevy, from an article by Arthur L. Davis

Produced by Richard V. Heermance

Directed by Joseph M. Newman

The picture that crosses the forbidden territory… of Thrill Pills!

The first visitor from outer space in the ’50s sci-fi boom is one very curious guy, dropping to Earth in a ship like a diving bell and scaring the bejesus out of Sally Field’s mother. Micro-budgeted space invasion fantasy gets off to a great start, thanks to the filmmaking genius of our old pal Edgar G. Ulmer.

The Man from Planet X

Blu-ray

Scream Factory / Shout! Factory

1951 / B&W / 1:37 flat Academy / 71 min. / Street Date July 11, 2017 / 27.99

Starring: Robert Clarke, Margaret Field, Raymond Bond, William Schallert, Roy Engel, David Ormont.

Cinematography: John L. Russell

Film Editor: Fred R. Feitshans, Jr.

Original Music: Charles Koff

Written and Produced by Aubrey Wisberg, Jack Pollexfen

Directed by Edgar G. Ulmer

One of the first features of the 1950s Sci-Fi boom, 1951’s The Man from Planet X set a lot of precedents, cementing the public impression of ‘little green men from Mars’ and...

We make no bones about it ... the original Kingdom of the Spiders is a big-time favorite here around the Dread Central offices. The flick was badass, starred William Shatner, and was home to one of the best endings we've ever seen in a horror film.

At this year's Afm we reported to you that a 3D (of course) remake was on the way from Stealth Media Group that will focus on ... you guessed it ... a town that is besieged by deadly spiders.

Nuala Barton and Rene Sheridan are producing the update of the 1977 cult classic. Producers Barton and Sheridan commented: "We are delighted to be working with Stealth Media’s Jason Piette, Sean O’Kelly and Michael Cowan to bring this cult classic back to larger than life, in 3D."

The original's film synopsis is as follows: William Shatner stars as veterinarian "Rack" Hansen in this cult film about an...

One of our favorite films around the DC offices is without question the William Shatner classic Kingdom of the Spiders. Word just broke that a 3D redux is on the way, and the potential for some good old fashioned skin crawling goodness is through the roof!

According to Screen Daily Stealth Media Group has come on board for the 3D remake of Kingdom of the Spiders. No other plot details are known at this point other than it will center on a small town that is infested with spiders.

Nuala Barton and Rene Sheridan are producing the update of the 1977 cult classic. Producers Barton and Sheridan commented: "We are delighted to be working with Stealth Media’s Jason Piette, Sean O’Kelly and Michael Cowan to bring this cult classic back to larger than life, in 3D."

The original's film synopsis is as follows: William Shatner stars as veterinarian "Rack...

William Shatner. Not since his iconic portrayal of Captain James Tiberius Kirk has he ever played as ridiculously masculine a character as he did in Kingdom of the Spiders. His character's name? "Rack" Hansen. That's right, "Rack" Friggin' Hansen, and he can take out your stupid eye and steal your woman with nothing more than a mere glance shot your way via his razor sharp animal magnetism!

Directed by John Bud Cardos and written by Richard Robinson and Alan Caillou, Kingdom of the Spiders was released in 1977, grossing a respectable $17 million against a $500,000 budget.

In celebration of the DVD's January 19th, 2010, release, Shout! Factory has assembled a video montage for the ages! Dig on it below!

Synopsis

William Shatner stars as veterinarian "Rack" Hansen in this cult film about an Arizona town infested with a horde of arachnids that turn on the humans whose insecticides have depleted their natural food supply.

As we said when the announcement first came that Kingdom of the Spiders was getting a special edition DVD release, if you've never seen William Shatner's portrayal of manly man Rack Hansen, shame on you! If you don't have any idea what I'm talking about, then you Need to watch the DVD trailer and clips for the film provided by Shout! Factory.

The film's synopsis is as follows: William Shatner stars as veterinarian "Rack" Hansen in this cult film about an Arizona town infested with a horde of arachnids that turn on the humans whose insecticides have depleted their natural food supply. After livestock belonging to Rack’s friend, rancher Walter Colby (Woody Strode), fall victim to a spider attack, entomologist Diane Ashley (Tiffany Bolling) arrives and tries to help Rack deal with the crisis — but with the big county fair fast approaching, Mayor Connors (Roy Engel) refuses to...

If you've never seen William Shatner's seminal portrayal of Rack Hansen in the 1977 film Kingdom of the Spiders, shame on you! However, come January, 2010, you'll be able to redeem yourself as Shout! Factory will be releasing a Special Edition Uncut version of the film on DVD.

The kind folks at Shout! Factory provided us with a list of what special features will be included, and I for one cannot wait to hear Item #1:

All new interview with William Shatner Audio commentary by director John Bud Cardos, producer Igor Kantor, spider wrangler Jim Brockett, and cinematographer John Morrill, moderated by Scott Spiegel and Lee Christian Jim Brockett: Spider Wrangler featurette Rare behind-the-scenes footage Poster gallery Original theatrical trailer

The film's synopsis is as follows: William Shatner stars as veterinarian "Rack" Hansen in this cult film about an Arizona town infested with a horde of arachnids that turn on...