Film Masters' next title in The Filmgroup series features Roger Corman's 1961 horror cult classic The Devil's Partner newly restored in 4K and will be available on Blu-ray on January 16.

The release will also include Creature from the Haunted Sea (1961) plus a new interview with the legendary Roger Corman.

Release synopsis:

Corman and his brother, Gene, founded The Filmgroup to distribute their own films. While the company did produce the majority of its films, including the cult classic Creature From the Haunted Sea, it also occasionally acquired projects by other filmmakers, as is the case with The Devil's Partner (1961). From director Charles R. Rondeau, the film is a macabre tale of an elderly man who regains his youth after making a deal with the devil.  During the summer and fall of 1961, the two films were often paired as a double feature.

Half Man, Half Beast, He Sold his Soul for Passion — Director/actor Edgar Buchanan (best known as Uncle Joe on Petticoat Junction) appears in this supernatural thriller about an old codger trying to reclaim his youth, employing black magic to lure a woman away from his rival. The film also stars Jean Allison, Richard Crane and Ed Nelson. This well-crafted, independent feature has been hailed for its atmosphere and as a pioneering film in the devil worshiping subgenre made popular in the ‘70s.

Made in 1958, The Devil’s Partner languished with no release date until it was picked up and distributed by The Filmgroup, becoming a steady presence on the drive-in circuit, often appearing in tandem with Creature from Haunted Sea, another Corman classic from the golden age of drive-in schlock.

This spoof of spy/gangsters/monster movies stars Anthony Carbone as a gangster and smuggler who decides to kill members of the ship’s bungling crew and blame their deaths on a legendary sea creature. What he doesn’t know is that the creature is actually out there!  Also starring Betsy Jones-Moreland and Academy Award-winning screenwriter Robert Towne (Chinatown) under the pseudonym Edward Wain.

The film was conceived when Corman finished shooting The Last Woman on Earth in Puerto Rico and discovered he had enough film left over to make another film. He enlisted long-time associate Charles B. Griffith, who—legend goes—had six days to write the script. Ever the pragmatist when it came to budget, Corman recruited locals to appear in this film as extras.

The Devil's Partner + Creature From The Haunted Sea Double Feature 

The Blu-ray presents both films in their theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1 plus 1.37:1 television format and supplements include: 

• Commentary for The Devil’s Partner by Larry Strothe, James Gonis, Shawn Sheridan and Matt Weinhold of the Monster Party podcast
• Theatrical-length commentary for Creature From the Haunted Sea is by fan favorite Tom Weaver, with contributions from Roger Corman, Kinta Zertuche and Larry Blamire
• Ballyhoo Motion Pictures contributes Hollywood Intruders: The Filmgroup Story with Part III of the story, as well as their new interview with Roger Corman on the formation of The Filmgroup
• Recut trailers, based on the original theatrical trailers; original Creature From the Haunted Sea theatrical trailer (from 16mm archival elements scanned in 4k)
• Weaver also provides the liner notes for the film plus there will be a full essay for The Devil’s Partner by author Mark McGee.

Pre-orders for The Devil's Partner (1961) + Creature From The Haunted Sea (1961) Double Feature are up 

Roger Corman's classic The Terror starring Jack Nicholson and Boris Karloff has been newly restored from the 35mm archival elements for the film's 60th anniversary and will be released on Blu-ray on December 12. As a bonus, the Blu-ray will also include The Little Shop of Horrors (1960).

Film Masters is preparing Rogercorman's classics The Terror (1963) and Little Shop of Horrorsfor Blu-ray on December 12th.

The two sides of Roger Corman are represented with The Terror (1963) and The Little Shop of Horrors (1960). Corman's Gothic, spooky side is on display in The Terror, an atmospheric horror tale of a French soldier whose encounter with a ghostly woman leads him to a mysterious castle full of dark secrets. The pairing of a youthful Jack Nicholson as the soldier and veteran Boris Karloff as the castle's owner make The Terror a memorable example of Corman's mid-sixties Goth period. Though Corman is credited as director, several others took a turn behind the camera, including Nicholson himself, Monte Hellman, and Francis Ford Coppola. Meanwhile, Corman's more whimsical side is on display in The Little Shop of Horrors. This legendary cult film features a bumbling florist's assistant who creates a giant plant that happens to crave human blood. The usual Corman stock company is on hand, including Jonathan Haze and Dick Miller, plus a cameo by Nicholson as a dental patient with a high threshold for pain.

The Terror / The Little Shop of Horrors - Blu-ray

Besides a new HD transfer, supplements will include: Full length commentary for 'The Terror' by C. Courtney Joyner and Dr. Steve Haberman, Full length commentary for 'Little Shop of Horrors' by Justin Humphreys and Special Guest, Full color inserted booklet with original essays, Featurette by Howard S. Berger provides a fresh look at 'The Terror', 'Hollywood Intruders: The Filmgroup Story: Part Two'; an original Ballyhoo Motion Pictures Production.

Pre-orders for The Terror (1963): Special Edition (w/The Little Shop of Horrors) are up now and the release will be in stores on December 12th.

60^th Anniversary Edition of Roger Corman’s

The Terror on Blu-ray & DVD, Dec. 12^th

Two-Disc Collection Packed With Special Features, Including Bonus Film

The Little Shop of Horrors (1960) and Film Commentary by Star Jonathan Haze

ROCKPORT, Mass. — December 2023 — For Immediate Release — The duality of Roger Corman is on display, showcasing his spooky gothic side with The Terror (1963) — marking the 60^th anniversary of its release this year — and his more whimsical side with The Little Shop of Horrors (1960) in this double-feature, special-edition, two-disc, collector’s set, on Blu-ray and DVD Dec. 12 from Film Masters.

In The Terror—with an all-new HD restoration from 35mm archival elements — an 18^th century French Lieutenant in Napoleon's army encounters the ghostly apparition of a young woman (Sandra Knight). Curiosity leads Lt. Andre Duvalier (Jack Nicholson) to the castle of Baron Von Leppe (Boris Karloff), where he notices a painting of the Baron's late wife Ilsa, who looks identical to the ghostly woman. Determined to unravel the castle's mystery, Duvalier learns that the Baron has many terrifying secrets. Though officially credited to Corman, The Terror had a total of five collaborative directors, including Nicholson, Monte Hellman and Francis Ford Coppola.

Said Film Masters President Phil Hopkins, “The Terror has languished in the public domain for decades. We’re delighted to have put together a celebratory and thought-provoking version with an award-winning team of contributors. Fans of the film will appreciate the editorial bonus features, which take a much-needed deep dive into this infamous Corman classic.”

If you're young enough, this tale of a man-eating plant might scare you … If you're old enough, it'll make you laugh! In a newly restored HD version, The Little Shop of Horrors is the insane story of Seymour (Jonathan Haze), a lonely florist, and his hungry plant, Audrey, for whom he goes to great lengths to ensure that his green friend is fed and happy. With a cast that also includes Dick Miller, Jackie Joseph, Mel Welles and a very young Jack Nicholson as a scene-stealing dental patient with a high threshold for pain, Corman and screenwriter Charles Griffith give us a comic horror masterpiece for the ages. A film so enduring that it inspired a Broadway musical, which led to a remake of the film that was nominated for two Oscars. See the original that started it all!

SPECIAL FEATURES:  C. Courtney Joyner and Dr. Steve Haberman join us for a commentary track on The Terror and author Justin Humphreys with the film’s star, Jonathan Haze, provide commentary for The Little Shop of Horrors; Joyner provides an essay on the Karloff/Poe connection; Mark McGee pens liner notes for The Little Shop of Horrors; Ballyhoo Motion Pictures continues Hollywood Intruders: The Filmgroup Story with part two of the featurette; a featurette by Howard S. Berger, “Ghosts in the Machine: Art & Artifice in Roger Corman’s Celluloid Castle” provides a fresh look at The Terror; and recut trailers, based on the original theatrical trailers.

Both films are presented with an aspect ratio of 1.85:1. Discs are region free and include English SDH.  Audio is DTS-HD/Dolby AC3s.

About Film Masters:

Film Masters is a consortium of historians and enthusiasts who seek to celebrate the preservation and restoration of films. We are archivists, committed to storing film elements for future generations and reviving films that have been sitting dormant for decades. By scanning in 2K and 4K, we give these lesser-known films the red-carpet treatment they deserve. Leveraging modern means of distribution to release forgotten films back into the world, we also produce original bonus materials, including feature-length documentaries, which aid audiences in contextualizing and celebrating these works of art as they were meant to be.  Visit us online at: www.FilmMasters.com

The Terror / The Little Shop of Horrors

Film Masters

Genre: Horror / Comedy

Original Release: 1963 / 1960 (B+W)

Not Rated

Format: Blu-ray & DVD

Running Time: 80 Minutes / 73 Minutes (Plus Special Features)

Suggested Retail Price: Blu-ray $29.52 / DVD $19.95

Pre-Order Now

Street Date: Dec. 12, 2023

Catalog #:  Blu-ray SKU FMB004 / DVD SKU FMD004

UPC Code:  Blu-ray #760137137566 / DVD #760137137573

60^th Anniversary Edition of Roger Corman’s

The Terror on Blu-ray & DVD, Dec. 12^th

Two-Disc Collection Packed With Special Features, Including Bonus Film

The Little Shop of Horrors (1960) and Film Commentary by Star Jonathan Haze

ROCKPORT, Mass. — December 2023 — For Immediate Release — The duality of Roger Corman is on display, showcasing his spooky gothic side with The Terror (1963) — marking the 60^th anniversary of its release this year — and his more whimsical side with The Little Shop of Horrors (1960) in this double-feature, special-edition, two-disc, collector’s set, on Blu-ray and DVD Dec. 12 from Film Masters.

In The Terror—with an all-new HD restoration from 35mm archival elements — an 18^th century French Lieutenant in Napoleon's army encounters the ghostly apparition of a young woman (Sandra Knight). Curiosity leads Lt. Andre Duvalier (Jack Nicholson) to the castle of Baron Von Leppe (Boris Karloff), where he notices a painting of the Baron's late wife Ilsa, who looks identical to the ghostly woman. Determined to unravel the castle's mystery, Duvalier learns that the Baron has many terrifying secrets. Though officially credited to Corman, The Terror had a total of five collaborative directors, including Nicholson, Monte Hellman and Francis Ford Coppola.

Said Film Masters President Phil Hopkins, “The Terror has languished in the public domain for decades. We’re delighted to have put together a celebratory and thought-provoking version with an award-winning team of contributors. Fans of the film will appreciate the editorial bonus features, which take a much-needed deep dive into this infamous Corman classic.”

If you're young enough, this tale of a man-eating plant might scare you … If you're old enough, it'll make you laugh! In a newly restored HD version, The Little Shop of Horrors is the insane story of Seymour (Jonathan Haze), a lonely florist, and his hungry plant, Audrey, for whom he goes to great lengths to ensure that his green friend is fed and happy. With a cast that also includes Dick Miller, Jackie Joseph, Mel Welles and a very young Jack Nicholson as a scene-stealing dental patient with a high threshold for pain, Corman and screenwriter Charles Griffith give us a comic horror masterpiece for the ages. A film so enduring that it inspired a Broadway musical, which led to a remake of the film that was nominated for two Oscars. See the original that started it all!

SPECIAL FEATURES:  C. Courtney Joyner and Dr. Steve Haberman join us for a commentary track on The Terror and author Justin Humphreys with the film’s star, Jonathan Haze, provide commentary for The Little Shop of Horrors; Joyner provides an essay on the Karloff/Poe connection; Mark McGee pens liner notes for The Little Shop of Horrors; Ballyhoo Motion Pictures continues Hollywood Intruders: The Filmgroup Story with part two of the featurette; a featurette by Howard S. Berger, “Ghosts in the Machine: Art & Artifice in Roger Corman’s Celluloid Castle” provides a fresh look at The Terror; and recut trailers, based on the original theatrical trailers.

Both films are presented with an aspect ratio of 1.85:1. Discs are region free and include English SDH.  Audio is DTS-HD/Dolby AC3s.

About Film Masters:

Film Masters is a consortium of historians and enthusiasts who seek to celebrate the preservation and restoration of films. We are archivists, committed to storing film elements for future generations and reviving films that have been sitting dormant for decades. By scanning in 2K and 4K, we give these lesser-known films the red-carpet treatment they deserve. Leveraging modern means of distribution to release forgotten films back into the world, we also produce original bonus materials, including feature-length documentaries, which aid audiences in contextualizing and celebrating these works of art as they were meant to be.  Visit us online at: www.FilmMasters.com

The Terror / The Little Shop of Horrors

Film Masters

Genre: Horror / Comedy

Original Release: 1963 / 1960 (B+W)

Not Rated

Format: Blu-ray & DVD

Running Time: 80 Minutes / 73 Minutes (Plus Special Features)

Suggested Retail Price: Blu-ray $29.52 / DVD $19.95

Pre-Order Now

Street Date: Dec. 12, 2023

Catalog #:  Blu-ray SKU FMB004 / DVD SKU FMD004

UPC Code:  Blu-ray #760137137566 / DVD #760137137573