The Yellow Sign (DVD)
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I hadn't heard of the Weird Tale Collection before receiving this first DVD in the set, nor had I heard of the vintage author who inspired the material on this disk, one Robert W. Chambers (1865—1933). If you are in the same yellow submarine as me, I suggest you watch the documentary on Chambers before viewing the main movie, The Yellow Sign. (I watched the centerpiece film first, not having any context, and I liked it — but I appreciated it much more after having viewed the biography section.)
Chambers' book, The King in Yellow, contained a story called The Yellow Sign and this 45-minute film is one interpretation of that nightmarish tale. Directed with a sure hand by visualist Aaron Vanek, the story follows a baby-faced art gallery owner, Tess Reardon (Shawna Waldron), in her pursuit of an elusive, reclusive fine artist, the temperamental Aubrey Scott (Dale Snowberger). Tess needs him to breathe life back into the failing family business, and he needs Tess to rekindle his artistic fire by posing for him.
Stark, low-budget and shot on digital camera, The Yellow Sign does a lot with a little. Sometimes the sets and locations look less-than believable and certainly Ms. Waldron's wardrobe and makeup leaves a lot to be desired; but the movie relies heavily on atmosphere and emotion, and in those aspects it paints quite a picture. There are some uncanny scenes involving a doll, dancing words on a book's page, and a portrait that almost comes to life.
The tale is simple, yet deceptively deep… the subject matter tackles such things as parallel universes, multiple lifetimes, the possession of an immortal soul, the dangers of dreams, and so much more.
The Weird Tale Collection Volume 1: The Yellow Sign DVD also includes:
• Short French film, Tupilak. During a polar expedition, Kelvin and Max leave their wounded Inuit guide behind them. Two years later, on the very same date, they meet by coincidence in a deserted museum. The past rears its ugly head and the evil shadow of the Tupilak arises to make sure Kelvin and Max's destinies are fulfilled. Creepy, crisp and atmospheric, Tupilak is well worth a look.
• Short Italian film, The King in Yellow. A young woman goes to an antique shop to buy a book for her friend who was admitted to a hospital; but on the way to see her, falls down into a nightmare world where she will meet the King in Yellow. Not a bad movie, but far too reliant on the J-horror look for its scares.
• A documentary on Robert W. Chambers, Chambers in Paris. Hosted by expert Christophe Thill, this low-budget doc manages to do a good job of keeping the pace moving right along, and visiting several of the same places in
• Slide shows, deleted scenes, audition footage, and more.
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Reviewed by Staci Layne Wilson