101 Films, out now

A three-disc collection of Bob Clark’s early 1970s horror movies.

Before Porkies, Murder by Decree and A Christmas Story, director Bob Clark carved a niche in low budget horror with three early 70s movies, gathered here in a single collection on Blu-ray for the first time.

Black Christmas (1974) is a classic, informing so many subsequent holiday-based slashers in many different ways. With a cast including Margot Kidder, Olivia Hussey, Keir Dullea and John Saxon, it’s worth buying the set for this movie alone. The disc is boosted by commentaries from the late Clark, actors John Saxon, Keir Dullea and Nick Mancuso. There are also interviews with Art Hindle and Lynne Griffin, a look at the movie’s legacy, a reunion panel, Q&A event and more.

Children Shouldn’t Play with Dead Things (1972) is a zombie movie that follows a mean-spirited director, who takes his theatre troupe to an island where they humiliate the corpses of criminals. Understandably, the dead are having none of this, and rise to wipe the smiles off the faces of the smug intruders. It takes a while to get going, but it’s genuinely creepy and inventive, even if you have zero sympathy for the victims. There’s a commentary with actors Alan Ormsby, Jane Daly and Anya Cronin, interviews with Alan Ormsby and Ken Goch, a feature on Clark and some music videos.

Finally, in Deathdream (1973), we get a variation on W W Jacobs’ The Monkey’s Paw, as grief-stricken suburban parents refuse to accept that their son Andy has been killed in Vietnam, and he turns up on their doorstep. With some great performances and commentary on how a family will turn a blind eye when it suits their needs, it’s a little-seen but well-made thriller. For this release there’s a new commentary with actors Travis Crawford and Bill Ackerman and a feature-length documentary.

Verdict: A must-buy for fans of Bob Clark and/or early 70s exploitation movies. A great set. 9/10

Nick Joy

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