How does one critique a trailer compilation? Well, it certainly ain't easy, I'll tell you that much. Aside from listing out the content of the actual DVD (ie: which trailers are included etc.) there's really not much else to say...or is there? Quality is tough to discuss, because you know that the content has come from varying sources of varying ages. Opinion is limited to the appeal of the trailers at hand and really only on an individual basis at that...hmmm, maybe I should just call the whole thing off? My head hurts.

God knows I love trailers, but then again, who the hell doesn't? I mean, shit, half the time nowadays we get to the theater early enough, just so we can catch 10 minutes of trailers before and after the commercials that come before the feature itself. The beauty of the trailer lies within the fact that it's not only a sampling of what you may have in store for you (showing you some of the best bits in turn) but the fact of the matter is that in the instance of a lot of these 'types ' of films, the trailers are quite often more entertaining than the features themselves!

Ban 1 Productions presents 42nd Street Forever - Horror on 42nd Street a hodge podge of trailers, many of which do NOT fall under the horror banner (ironically enough) but still, an entertaining feast for the senses nonetheless. In my opinion, the fact the we have trailers mixed together for films like Aroused, Skidoo and I Dismember Mama makes this compilation all the more appealing. For the sake of consistency, I've listed out the trailers included on this compilation, sans my impressions. I mean they are trailers after all. Just bear in mind that some of these are alternate titles, for example Hooker's Revenge is Thriller a Cruel Picture due out soon from Synapse films. And now, on with the list:

FREAKS
THE CRIPPLED MASTERS
THE MUTATIONS
AROUSED
SKIDOO
THE WILD SCENE
THE WILD EYE
THE ANIMALS
HOOKER'S REVENGE/PHOTOGRAPHER'S MODEL
VIGILANTE FORCE
DIXIE DYNAMITE
FIGHTING MAD
WELCOME HOME, BROTHER CHARLES
SHANTYTOWN HONEYMOON
THE HOUSE OF MISSING GIRLS
SINS OF THE DAUGHTER
SCHOOL GIRL BRIDE
JOSIE'S CASTLE
CHATTERBOX
THE BLOOD SPATTERED BRIDE/I DISMEMBER MAMA
CARNIVOROUS
THE FOOD OF THE GODS
TALES OF THE BIZARRE
THE DEVIL'S RAIN
BLACK CHRISTMAS
THE CREATURE WITH THE BLUE HAND
MARK OF THE WITCH
MARK OF THE DEVIL PART 2
VIRGIN WITCH
WOMEN AND BLOODY TERROR
THE REVENGE OF THE BLOOD BEAST
WONDER WOMEN
SAVAGE SISTERS
SALO, OR THE 100 DAYS OF SODOM

So basically we've got a nice sampling of sex and violence on display here, delivered just the way we like it - in small doses. Like I said earlier, a lot of these trailers don't necessarily fall into the 'horror' category that the title of the DVD would suggest, but this is by no means a negative. I dug the ecclectic vibe that this DVD gives off, and the trailers are spaced out quite nicely by sub genre, making it all the more appealing in the end.

While quality and aspect ratios do vary, I have to say that overall Ban 1 has done a tremendous job with this release. While still wildly inconsistent, audio and video quality is generally far above average for such a release. Plus, it's nice to see trailers for a lot of these films (like The Crippled Masters for example) in their original aspect ratios - someone needs to remaster and release this title on DVD poste haste!

With such a smattering of trailers present, one wouldn't necessarily expect any bonus features to be included, but here we are. First up is a preview of Ban 1's next trailer compilation release, World Wide Trash (which looks equally as entertaining, if not more) followed by a fairly extensive still gallery and a some shots of advertising gimmicks meant to be used for the theatrical release of Food of the Gods. Of course the ability to watch the trailers one at a time, or all at once, is a valuable feature that is also included. Overall we've got a fun, fan friendly release that is sure to please. Highly recommended.

Limited to 1500 copies, 42nd Street Forever - Horror on 42nd Street can be purchased directly from Ban 1 Productions online at www.ban1productions.com