Network, out now on Blu-ray and DVD

A series of mysterious drownings in the Thames set Scotland Yard on the ghoulish trail of one of London’s most sinister murderers.

This beautifully-transferred 1939 horror film starts with the British Board of Film Censors card, certifying it as ‘H for Horrific’, with no children under 16 allowed. I think our teens are a little tougher nowadays, and could handle such celluloid terrors… and what fun this is.

A hybrid of the Edgar Wallace crime stories and Universal horror movies, we start with another body being washed up on the banks of the Thames. This is the fifth insured person to have died in these suspicious circumstances, with the insurance money going to the same person, Dr Feodor Orloff (Bela Lugosi, Dracula).

The dastardly Orloff, alongside his monstrous henchman Jake (Wilfred Walter), is running an undercover racket, fronted by a home for the homeless blind. One of the victims had a daughter (Greta Gynt), who goes undercover to help expose the plot, with the help of CID and an American detective.

It’s great fun, the plot helped immeasurably by being based on Edgar Wallace’s 1924 novel of the same name. Lugosi is very good as Orloff, and there’s even the chance you might be caught out by one of the twists.

Network’s release features a new High Definition remaster from original film elements in its original theatrical aspect ratio, a new audio commentary with Kim Newman and Stephen Jones, as well as chat between the two about Bela Lugosi’s work in the UK, filmed at the Edgar Wallace pub in London. There’s also US titles and trailer, an image gallery, a booklet written by Adrian Smith and some postcards.

Verdict: A great presentation of this lesser-known Lugosi horror film. Recommended. 9/10

Nick Joy

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