Kino Lorber has announced their August Blu-ray releases and it’s a good batch. Only a handful of horror titles, but there’s a number of classic westerns. The horror titles are Whoever Slew Auntie Roo? and Chandu the Magician, which are firmly in line with the type of horror films Kino Lorber gives us on a regular basis. August is shaping up to be another solid month of Blu-ray releases. Check out full details below!

THE MARK OF ZORRO (1940)

Blu-ray Street Date: August 2, 2016

Director: Rouben Mamoulian

Starring Tyrone Power, Linda Darnell, Basil Rathbone, Gale Sondergaard, Eugene Pallette

Synopsis: The Mark Of Zorro is regarded by most as the finest telling of the Zorro legend – screen icon Tyrone Power (Rawhide) stars as 19th century nobleman Don Diego de Vega, whose father, the mayor of Los Angeles, is removed from office by the sinister Captain Esteban Pasquale (Basil Rathbone, The Black Sleep), and a new corrupt regime. By day, the crooked politicians rob the citizenry at every turn, and at night, Don Diego, wearing a mask, defies their laws and avenges the innocents. As he leaves his trademark – the letter “Z” – wherever he goes, he also leaves an impression on the mayor’s niece (Linda Darnell, Hangover Square), who can’t help but love the hero in disguise. Featuring top-notch direction by the great Rouben Mamoulian (Love Me Tonight, Blood and Sand).

Special Features: Audio Commentary by Film Critic Richard Schickel | Tyrone Power: The Last Idol Documentary

RAWHIDE (1951)

Blu-ray Street Date: August 2, 2016

Director: Henry Hathaway

Starring Tyrone Power, Susan Hayward, Jack Elam, Dean Jagger, Hugh Marlowe, Edgar Buchanan, George Tobias, Jeff Corey

Synopsis:This riveting western filled with gripping action stars screen legends Tyrone Power (The Mark of Zorro) and Susan Hayward (I Want to Live!). With a band of outlaws on the loose, stationmaster Sam Todd (Edgar Buchanan) and his tenderfoot underling Tom Owens (Power), a woman passenger Vinnie Holt (Hayward) and her infant niece hideout in the safety of his station until law can be restored. But when the murderous bunch arrives to take control of the station, it will be up to the mild-mannered Owens to outsmart the outlaws before they can execute their deadly plans. The great Henry Hathaway (23 Paces to Baker Street) directed this suspenseful and thrilling western featuring a stellar cast that includes Hugh Marlowe, Dean Jagger, Jack Elam, George Tobias and Jeff Corey.

Special Features:Susan Hayward: Hollywood’s Straight Shooter Featurette | “Shoot it in the Lone Pine!” Featurette | Restoration Comparison

CANADIAN PACIFIC (1949) Newly restored in HD!

Blu-ray & DVD Street Date: August 9, 2016

Director: Edwin L. Marin

Starring Randolph Scott, Jane Wyatt, J. Carrol Naish, Victor Jory, Nancy Olson

Synopsis: Western legend Randolph Scott (Western Union, The Caribou Trail) is Tom Andrews, a man desperately trying save the railroad with the help of demolitions expert, Dynamite Dawson (J. Carrol Naish, Sahara). Opposing them is a band of trappers headed by Dirk Rourke (Victor Jory, The Miracle Worker) who sabotages the railroad construction and incites the local Indians to rebel against the project. Jane Wyatt (House by the River) and Nancy Olson (Sunset Boulevard) co-star in this action-packed western featuring wonderful direction by Edwin L. Marin (Colt .45) and rousing score from legendary composer Dimitri Tiomkin (Rio Bravo).

Special Features:Restoration Documentary: Recombining and restoring a 66 year-old Cinecolor puzzle of more than 400,000 pieces in HD. Canadian Pacific on 16mm: Excerpts from a very rare original 16mm CineColor print elements (reel 1A+B) (18 min. in HD) Canadian Pacific on 8mm: Rare short feature for home screening of the film on 8mm (B/W print) (8 min. in HD) 

THE CARIBOO TRAIL (1950) Newly restored in HD!

Blu-ray & DVD Street Date: August 9, 2016

Director: Edwin L. Marin

Starring Randolph Scott, George ‘Gabby’ Hayes, Victor Jory, Jim Davis, Dale Robertson, Bill Williams

Synopsis: Western icon Randolph Scott (Western Union, Canadian Pacific) co-stars with Bill Williams (TV’s The Adventures of Kit Carson) as cowboys leading a small herd of cattle from Montana to the Northwest Territories, one looking for rangeland the other for gold. While driving their cattle along The Caribou Trail, the two men encounter a toll bridge run by the local cattle king (Victor Jory, The Miracle Worker) and his henchmen. But when the men refuse to pay the toll, their cattle is stampeded and all hell breaks loose in this action-packed western that has it all. George ‘Gabby’ Hayes (Tall in the Saddle) leads the supporting cast that includes Karin Booth (Tobor the Great), Douglas Kennedy (The Amazing Transparent Man), Jim Davis (TV’s Dallas) and Dale Robertson (TV’s Tales of Wells Fargo). Directed by Hollywood veteran Edwin L. Marin (A Christmas Carol).

Special Features:Restoration Documentary: recombining and restoring two-strip CineColor components The Cariboo Trail on 8mm: rare short feature for home screening of the film on 8mm (B/W print) (8 min; in HD)

WHOEVER SLEW AUNTIE ROO? (1971) Newly Re-mastered in HD!

Blu-ray & DVD Street Date: August 16, 2016

Director: Curtis Harrington

Starring Shelly Winters, Mark Lester, Ralph Richardson, Lionel Jeffries, Hugh Griffith

Synopsis: Auntie Roo (Shelley Winters, He Ran All the Way) just loves children… to death. After the mysterious disappearance of her daughter, Auntie Roo has been looking for a ‘dead ringer’ replacement. And this time she found one… from the local orphanage! But what is she to do with the girl’s pesky brother when he discovers Roo’s terrible secret in the attic? Top-notch direction by cult filmmaker Curtis Harrington (Queen of Blood, Night Tide) and featuring great performances by Mark Lester (Oliver, Eyewitness), Chloe Franks (Tales from the Crypt), Lionel Jeffries (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang), Hugh Griffith (Ben-Hur) and the great Ralph Richardson (The Fallen Idol). Whoever Slew Auntie Roo? was the follow-up to What Ever Happened to Aunt Alice? and What’s the Matter with Helen?

Includes optional English subtitles

Special Features:Audio Commentary with Film Historian David Del Valle and Film Scholar Nathaniel Bell

CHANDU THE MAGICIAN (1932)

Blu-ray & DVD Street Date: August 23, 2016

Director: William Cameron Menzies, Marcel Varnel

Starring Bela Lugosi, Edmund Lowe, Irene Ware

Synopsis: Magic, mirth and mystery highlight this tale starring horror legend Bela Lugosi (Dracula, White Zombie) as an evil lunatic set on destroying mankind with a gigantic death-dealing device. Mankind’s only hope is Frank Chandler, a.k.a. Chandu The Magician (Edmund Lowe, Dinner at Eight), who calls upon mystical abilities to fight the megalomaniacal fiend. Adapted from the popular broadcast serial, this creepy classic conjures action and excitement at every turn. Co-starring Irene Ware (The Raven) – Directed by William Cameron Menzies (The Maze, Thing to Come) and Marcel Varnel (Convict 99).

Special Features:Audio Commentary by Bela Lugosi Biographer Gregory William Mank | Masters of Magic: The World of Chandu Featurette | Restoration Comparison

3 BAD MEN (1926)

Blu-ray & DVD Street Date: August 23, 2016

Director: John Ford

Starring George O’Brien, Olive Borden, Lou Tellegen

Synopsis: This classic western directed by the great John Ford (The Hurricane) stars George O’Brien (Sunrise) and a host of other greats from the silent era and beyond. When a trio of bandits discovers a young woman (Olive Borden) whose father was murdered by a ruthless gang, the “Three Bad Men” go from being partners in crime to comrades in chivalry. Willing to put their own lives on the line to protect her from a sinister sheriff (Lou Tellegen) and his deranged posse, the men prove that character isn’t always determined by which side of the law a man sits on. A grand, picturesque western, this epic stands as one of the legendary director’s finest.

Special Features:Audio Commentary by Film Historian Joseph McBride, the author of Searching For John Ford

MODESTY BLAISE (1966)

Blu-ray & DVD Street Date: August 23, 2016

Director: Joseph Losey

Starring Monica Vitti, Terence Stamp, Dirk Bogarde, Harry Andrews, Clive Revill, Alexander Knox, Rossella Falk

Synopsis: Her entire appearance changes in a finger snap. She thrashes villains without missing a spiked-heeled step. Welcome to the mad, mod world of sexy, stylish British super agent Modesty Blaise (Monica Vitti, L’Avventura, L’Eclisse). Hired by the government to prevent a diamond heist, Modesty recruits her wily sidekick Willie Garvin (Terence Stamp, The Limey) to help her battle crafty, colorful foes on the secluded island of a suave mastermind thief Gabriel (Dirk Bogarde, Death in Venice) and conniving partner Mrs. Fothergill (Rosella Falk, 8½). Grooving with mile-high hairdos and swinging, psychedelic wall patterns, Modesty Blaise is campy entertainment at its best. The great Joseph Losey (Eva, The Servant) directed this outrageous spy spoof featuring a stellar cast that includes Harry Andrews (Moby Dick), Clive Revill (Fathom) and Alexander Knox (The Vikings). 

Special Features:Interview with First Assistant Director Gavrik Losey, Interviews with Screenwriter Evan Jones and assistant art director Norman Dorme, Audio Commentary by Film Historian David Del Valle and Filmmaker Armand Mastroianni