The Ed Wood Box (Glen or Glenda / Jail Bait / Bride of the Monster / Plan 9 from Outer Space / Night of the Ghouls / The Haunted World of Ed Wood)

Edward D. Wood Jr. was born in 1924 in Poughkeepsie, New York; spent his youth torn between comic books, pulp fiction, and movie matinees; and after a World War II stint in the Marines landed in Hollywood with an itch to wear women's clothing, drink to excess, and make movies. The result was a series of remarkably atrocious low-budget movies of the "so bad its good" variety, and this inexpensive box set offers not only the best know titles but unexpected bonuses as well.Filmed in 1953, GLEN OR GLENDA is Ed Wood's ode to the joys and tragedies of cross dressing, featuring Wood himself as the conflicted hero and Delores Fuller as the girlfriend who keeps wondering why her angora sweaters are stretched out of shape. The 1954 JAIL BAIT is a riff on teenagers gone bad and is often described as the best made of Wood's films--but the term "best made" is extremely comparative, to say the least. The 1955 BRIDE OF THE MONSTER is the only Wood film that actually made back its cost; featuring a desperate Bela Lugosi, Tor Johnson, a rubber octopus, and a laboratory helmet that looks suspiciously like a collander, it is easily a Wood fan favorite. The 1959 NIGHT OF THE GHOULS is a kinda-sorta sequel, featuring Tor Johnson once again in a remarkably silly story of fraudulent spiritualists who bite off more ghosts than they can chew.The most celebrated title, of course, is the 1959 PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE, infamous as the film built around about five minutes of film Wood took of Bela Lugosi shortly before Lugosi's death. Fans have attempted to catalogue every error in the film, but it is inexhaustible: no matter how many goofs, mistakes, and disasters you notice, you always see one or two more with every viewing. Day turns to night and then to day--all in the same scene. Cars unexpectedly change year and model from cut to cut. Flying saucers cast shadows in outer space. The list is endless.NIGHT OF THE GHOULS was never actually released during Wood's life time: he couldn't afford to pay the lab fees for a print of the film, and since the film was never issued the transfer is unexpectedly good. This is not the case with the other titles, all of which were pretty battered by the time video and DVD technology arrived on the scene--but this actually part of their charm. And the set includes an unexpected dollop of bonus material.The big bonus here is THE HAUNTED WORLD OF ED WOOD JR, a 1996 documentary that intercuts various bits of Wood movies with archeival footage of Wood and his circle and interviews with those who knew him, including his leading ladies Delores Fuller, Mona McKinnon, Loretta King, and Vampira (aka Maila Syrjaniemi.) Perhaps the most interesting subject is Bela Lugosi Jr., who is extremely forthright in his opinion of Ed Wood as a cheapjack opportunist who hitched his wagon to a fading and desperate, not out of genuine affection for Bela Lugosi Sr. but to further his own ends. Coming in a close second in bonus material is SAUCERS OVER HOLLYWOOD: THE PLAN 9 COMPANION, which draws from many of the same sources as HAUNTED but which focuses on this specific film.While it is true that the set does not include every scrap of Ed Wood material available--for a tenth rate director-writer-actor he was remarkably prolific, racking up fifty credits on such films as THE BRIDE AND THE BEAST and ORGY OF THE DEAD--it will hit the spot for all but the most diehard fan. Ed Wood will never appeal to a wide audience, but if you have the warped sense of humor required to appreciate his films, you'll find this set indispensible.GFT, Amazon Reviewer

If you liked Tim Burton's film "Ed Wood," then this is where it all began! This box set is a fine, very impressive example of Edward D. Wood, Jr.'s core film catalog, and the tranfer of "Plan 9 From Outer Space" looks especially gorgeous in monocromatic B&W. The films may or may not hold up, but if you're an Ed Wood fan then this box set is an absolute MUST to own. None of the discs have any extras (save for their respecive original trailers), however, "P9" has a terrific 2-hour documentary titled "Flying Saucers Over Hollywood: The Plan 9 Companion" which features interviews with surrviving cast members, other filmmakers, critics, etc. In my opinion, the best part features a modern-day discovery of the original run-down Hollywood movie studio/set where "P9" was actually shot. Co-star Conrad Brooks walks inside and surveys the shambled remains and fondly recalls his personal memories. Very nostalgic and incredibly moving. The last disc, "The Haunted World Of Edward D. Wood, Jr." is the best part of the set, and worth the price just for this 112 minute documentary film (it can be purchased as a stand-alone, but if you're interested enough in Wood's films, you'll obviously want the box set anyway). It's also packed with amazing extras, more interviews, behind the scenes, making-of's, ultra-rare(!) lost footage, etc. There are also some very clever (and a bit startling) Easter Eggs to be found, but I'll let the viewer find them on their own. All-in-all, a great box set at a great price. Ed Wood would have been proud. If only he were still alive to offer his own audio commentaries and personal insights.

I got interested in Ed Wood after seeing the Johnny Depp movie, which offers an entertaining but somewhat dubious storyline of Ed Wood's life. I was aware of Eddie and company's shortcomings prior to the purchase, but had to satisfy my "morbid curiosity". Initally, this box set could not hold my interest, in fact, I fell asleep about 3/4's the way through each title! The fun thing about these flicks is in determining which is worse, the directing, the acting, the soundtrack, or lack of continuity. Ed was a master exploiter, down to his utilization of Hollywood stock footage. I think the same lightning/thunder loop was used in many of the titles in this set. In particular, Eddie's group of regulars are pretty bad actors- but I knew that going in. This collection was everything I expected and more. I've watched each of the films several times now, and every time I discover more weirdness. You have to admire Ed's tenacity and talent for making films on a shoestring budget. Whatever Ed didn't have in directing and production, he made up in his ability to exploit and promote. If you are curious about Ed Wood's life this set is absolutely fundamental. Now I need to purchase a book or two on the man!

If you love bad films, if you love horror films, then this is the box set for you. I truly enjoyed watching all of these movies by Ed Wood, and was actually surprised at how good they were. This guy, say what you will about him, had a great imagination. He had a vision and nothing was going to keep him from making these movies. It's really quite inspiring. The nicest surprise was 'Glen or Glenda'. I expected to laugh a lot, which I did, but I didn't expect to be moved when I watched it. He really poured his soul out and exposed what it was like to be a transvestite. Ed Wood didn't hold anything back. Maybe that doesn't make for the most polished product in the end, but it makes for something that was truly unique. The Tim Burton film 'Ed Wood' is a perfect complement to this set. Oh, and if you love Bela Lugosi, then I think you'll find it quite the treat to see him in these wild roles! "Pull the strings!"

Arrived very quickly in the mail! Was everything I wanted!

Le degré zéro du cinéma.Le graal du nanard.Fou-rires garanti, et ce sans substances illicites ni même autorisées.Rien que la séance de spiritisme avec la trompette qui vole déclenche des spasmes incontrôlables aux moines trappistes sevrés de bière.Un succès assuré au prochain séminaire des croques-mort ou à la prochaine réunion du Medef.