New release: It was only a couple of weeks ago that I said how much I wished Eureka would release a box set of the 1960s Mabuse films... it turns out they are! This is such exciting news! Eureka announced today their upcoming set, Mabuse Lives!, which will include six feature films made between 1960-1964. From the press release: "MABUSE LIVES! DR MABUSE AT CCC: 1960–1964, six crime thrillers featuring the infamous master criminal, will be released on Blu-ray from 31 March 2025 in the UK and from 1 April 2025 in North America. Available as part of The Masters of Cinema Series, in a Limited edition Boxed set of 2000 copies (per territory) exclusively featuring a hardbound slipcase and collector’s book." At last! As I wrote recently in my post about Propaganda's Mabuse recording in the '80s, the arch-villain Doctor Mabuse was created by novelist Norbert Jacques and was popularized in a series of films, most notably by director Fritz Lang. After many decades Lang returned to Germany to create a Mabuse film for the Jet Age in 1960, which then sparked a series of films produced during the sixties krimi craze. The character was a diabolical mastermind, driven to tighten his grip on power by destabilizing society, sowing discord, spreading crime, and positioning himself as the master manipulator. The Doctor also had mesmeric powers, enabling him to implant ideas and visions in the minds of his followers. As I mentioned before, beware cult leaders! Spy Vibers will enjoy the films made in the sixties, which are filled with fun genre tropes, minions, and increasing nods to the spy boom. You can pre-order at Eureka and at major media outlets. I don't see the set listed yet at Amazon in the US, but I imagine it will appear soon.
If wishes are coming true, I'd also like to win the lottery, just saying. Another long-term wish is to see The 10th Victim (1965) receive a new Blu-ray release. Kino Lorber does have it planned for the new year! I contributed the image gallery to Blue Underground's edition and have offered to help Kino with images, essays, etc, but I haven't heard back from them. I've been writing extensively about that film's connections to sixties art & design for my upcoming book.
Mabuse Lives! box set features: The Thousand Eyes of Dr Mabuse, The Return of Dr Mabuse, The Invisible Dr Mabuse, The Testament of Dr Mabuse, Scotland Yard Hunts Dr Mabuse, The Death Ray of Dr Mabuse
Bonus material: 60-page book, art by Tony Stella, Commentary by David Kalat, introductions by Tim Lucas, and much more!