I know as I get older and slowly move into Old Man Club, which I apparently have been doing for the past two decades, there are times that I never thought I would see the day. See that? That’s something an Old Man would say. But alas, it’s true. Severin Films had already announced their new 5-disc release of Dario Argento’s Opera (1987), featuring so many extras, including a CD of the soundtrack, so that alone was pretty damn amazing. And then came more recent announcement that had me staring at the notice with such a blank stare, as if to think that I should be waking up at any moment.

Years ago, back when I collected VHS tapes, I remember coming across a big box video of The Mummy and the Curse of the Jackals (1969), released by Academy Home Entertainment. Even though it starred John Carradine and Anthony Eisley, with that kind of title, and the fact that I had never heard of it before, I knew I had to add it to the collection. When I sat down with it . . . oof! How can it be a bad movie when you have a mummy AND a werewolf . . . or were-jackal, or something. While the movie is perfect for a Turkey Day marathon, which I did screen in 2016, the print quality wasn’t the greatest. In fact, you could barely see what was going on in some parts.

Now jump years ahead to earlier this week, when Severin Films announced they are releasing the film in a 4K scan from the original negative that was discovered at the estate sale of Ewing “Lucky” Brown. That’s right, kiddies, a 4K SCAN from an ORIGINAL NEGATIVE!!! Brown was an actor, producer, director, who usually worked in the world of low budget films, even working with Al Adamson a few times. This shows you that one never knows when a film print of a lost title, or a very rare one, will suddenly turn up. So, I say again, what a time to be alive!

Of course, Severin can’t just put just the film out by itself but need to add in over 2 hours of extras, including Angelica, The Young Vixen, a Vega International adult feature that was thought to be lost, but now scanned from the last surviving print.

We also get an interview with author and scholar Stephen Thrower on the Vega International Story, an interview with film historian C. Courtney Joyner, called Cowboys, Mummies, and Oliver Drake, and more. I honestly am very excited to be able to really watch The Mummy and the Curse of the Jackals and REALLY watch it! Well done, Severin. Well done, indeed.