From the time traveling Rippster in Time After Time to the funny side of Jackie Boy in Shanghai Knights, no other real-life serial killer has had more fiction written about him than good-ol' Jack the Ripper. Far from being another flick about Mac Daddy Ripper, Rhino's DVD is actually a compilation of four poorly spliced together episodes of the failed 1958 anthology TV series The Veil, hosted by Boris Karloff.

We open with a man witnessing a murder in the apartment across the street, but when the police find it vacant they sick Karloff on him to shrink his head.

Next, the Haney Brothers battle over the inheritance from their recently deceased father. But Pa will have none of that, even from beyond the grave. The big K plays the kindly family Lawyer.

Follow the bouncing peepers!

In the third story Karloff plays a sinister sea Captain who murders his wife so he can woo the local widow that recently inherited 20,000 pounds. He soon finds his wife may have been a pushover in life, but in death she ain't taking it lying down.

The final story actually has something to do with Jack the Ripper. A clairvoyant has visions of The Ripper and attempts to track him down. I wouldn't be surprised if this influenced From Hell. Airing as the final episode of The Veil, it was actually "borrowed" it from an unknown British series, so Karloff only hosts.

There aren't any bonuses on the disc. If you want to create your own extras try "follow the bouncing eye" as Boris' peepers run across cue cards…or maybe a drinking game. Do a shot every time the clairvoyant says "and then..." as he recites his visions.

Made in the spirit of E.C. Comics, The Veil claimed each story was based on actual fact. No reference to the original series is mentioned on the disc or the packaging, but it's quite good considering its low production value.

If you're low on cash but curious about this lost classic I recommend you check this cheapie out. The hardcore Karloff fans that've got money to burn should pick up the full and un-cut run of the series released by Something Weird Video.

(Click Here for DVD's Technical Specs)

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