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Posted: |
Mar 27, 2013 - 6:49 AM
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By: |
johnjohnson
(Member)
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Universal Studios Home Entertainment has announced the individual Blu-ray releases of four classic horror movies originally available as part of the Universal Classic Monsters Essentials Collection box set: The Mummy (1932), The Invisible Man (1933), Phantom of the Opera (1943) and Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954). All four titles (dubbed Wave 1) street on June 4th.
Classic Monsters Wave 2 will presumably include Dracula (1931), Frankenstein (1931), Bride of Frankenstein (1935) and The Wolf Man (1941), and is currently expected to arrive this Fall, in time for Halloween.
The Mummy
Synopsis: The Mummy features horror icon Boris Karloff in a legendary performance as the Egyptian Imhotep who is accidentally revived by a team of archaeologists after 3,700 years. Imhotep was once a high priest, embalmed alive for trying to revive the vestal virgin whom he loved after she had been sacrificed. Alive again, he sets out on an obsessive and deadly quest to find his lost love. Featuring groundbreaking makeup by Jack Pierce and artful direction by Karl Freud to achieve a mysterious atmosphere, this terrifying classic inspired countless sequels, spoofs and spin-offs that continue to fuel the legacy of the monster to this day.
The Blu-ray edition of The Mummy features a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono track and the following extras:
Feature Commentary with Makeup Artist Rick Baker, Filmmaker Scott Essman, Screenwriter and Film Historian Steve Haberman, Sculpture Studio Owner Brent Armstrong and Collector Bob Burns
Feature Commentary with Film Historian Paul M. Jensen
Mummy Dearest: A Horror Tradition Unearthed
He Who Made Monsters: The Life and Art of Jack Pierce
Unraveling The Legacy of The Mummy
The Mummy Archives
Trailer Gallery
100 Years of Universal: The Carl Laemmle Era
The Invisible Man
Synopsis: The signature adaptation of H.G. Wells' novel of the same name stars Claude Rains as a mysterious scientist who discovers a serum that turns him invisible. Covered by bandages and dark glasses, the scientist arrives at a small English village and attempts to hide his amazing discovery. He soon discovers, however, that the same drug which renders him invisible is slowly driving him insane and making him capable of committing unspeakable acts of terror. Directed by James Whale, the horror classic features groundbreaking special effects by John P. Fulton that inspired many of the techniques that are still used today.
The Blu-ray edition of The Invisible Man features a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono track and the following extras:
Feature Commentary with Film Historian Rudy Behlmer
Now You See Him: The Invisible Man Revealed
Production Photographs
Trailer Gallery
100 Years of Universal: Unforgettable Characters
Phantom of the Opera
Synopsis: One of the most popular stories of all time, Gaston Leroux's The Phantom of the Opera is the legendary horror tale of the masked Phantom of the Paris Opera House. Following a tragic accident that leaves him disfigured, crazed composer Erique Claudin (Claude Rains) transforms into a masked phantom who schemes to make beautiful young soprano Christine Dubois (Susanna Foster) the star of the opera and wreak revenge on those who stole his music. A heroic baritone (Nelson Eddy) tries to win the affections of Christine as he tracks down the disfigured "monster" who has begun murdering those who resist his mad demands. Inspired by the original 1925 silent film, this lavish Technicolor production remains one of the most unforgettable adaptations ever to be filmed.
The Blu-ray edition of Phantom of the Opera features a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono track and the following extras:
Feature Commentary with Film Historian Scott MacQueen
The Opera Ghost: A Phantom Unmasked
Production Photographs
100 Years of Universal: The Lot
Creature from the Black Lagoon
Synopsis: Perfectly blending Universal's classic monster heritage with the science-fiction explosion of the 1950s, Creature from the Black Lagoon tells the mythical story of a dangerous half-human, half-fish creature lurking in the depths of the Amazon. After discovering a unique prehistoric claw fossil on an expedition deep in the jungle, archaeologists investigate its origins which lead them directly to a mysterious creature. Led by marine life specialist David Reed (Richard Carlson), the men try to capture the monster who has become obsessed with David's assistant, Kay (Julia Adams). Originally released in 3D, this thrilling adventure inspired sequels, TV series and more that continue to strengthen the monster's legacy to this day.
The Blu-ray edition of Creature from the Black Lagoon features 3D and 2D presentations of the film, a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono track and the following extras:
Feature Commentary with Film Historian Tom Weaver
Back to the Black Lagoon
Production Photographs
Trailer Gallery
100 Years of Universal: The Lot
http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=10778
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I went for the special coffin box designed set and have absolutely no regrets. These are my favorite films -- ones that I grew up with -- saw for the first time at Saturday matinees or watched for the first time on television with my parents -- and ones that made me love movies. The transfers are eyepopping in most cases.
Seeing "Dracula" and the Spanish "Dracula" in these sets was astonishing -- years of wear and tear in the image and sound miraculously fixed. "The Mummy" is one of my all time favorite films -- and to see it restored so that it looks like it was made yesterday -- so many visual details starkly and beautifully visible -- so many felicities in the soundtrack revealed clearly -- well it just took my breath away.
The box set made this 60 year old feel like a kid again -- a time machine jolt into the past and back again. Wondrous stuff.
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Posted: |
Jun 29, 2013 - 2:01 PM
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By: |
johnjohnson
(Member)
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Universal Studios Home Entertainment has announced and detailed the individual Blu-ray releases of four classic horror movies originally available as part of the Universal Classic Monsters Essentials Collection box set: Dracula (1931), Frankenstein (1931), The Bride of Frankenstein (1935) and The Wolf Man (1941). All four iconic horror titles, which Universal has dubbed Wave 2, street on September 17th.
(Wave 1 of Universal's Classic Monster movies included The Mummy (1932), The Invisible Man (1933), Phantom of the Opera (1943) and Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954), and arrived earlier this year.)
Dracula
Synopsis: The original Dracula, starring Bela Lugosi, launched the Hollywood horror genre and defined the iconic look and frightening character of the famed vampire. Towering ominously among the shadows of the Carpathian Mountains, Castle Dracula strikes fear in the hearts of the Transylvanian villagers below. After a naive real estate agent succumbs to the will of Count Dracula, the two head to London where the vampire hopes to stroll among respectable society by day and search for potential victims by night. The inspiration for hundreds of subsequent remakes and adaptations, this classic film directed by Tod Browning, is the signature adaptation of Bram Stoker's story with its eerie passion, shadowy atmosphere and thrilling cinematography.
The Blu-ray edition of Dracula features a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono track and the following extras:
Drácula (1931) - Spanish Version: Introduction by Lupita Tovar Kohner
Feature Commentary with Film Historian David J. Skal
Feature Commentary with Steve Haberman, Screenwriter of Dracula: Dead and Loving It
Alternate Score by Philip Glass - Performed by the Kronos Quartet
The Road to Dracula
Lugosi: The Dark Prince
Dracula: The Restoration
Monster Tracks
Dracula Archives
Trailer Gallery
Frankenstein
Synopsis: An unforgettable masterpiece, the original Frankenstein stars Boris Karloff as the screen's most tragic and iconic monster in what many consider to be the greatest horror film ever made. Tampering with life and death, Dr. Frankenstein (Colin Clive) pieces together salvaged body parts to bring a human monster to life. The mad scientist's dreams are shattered by his creation's violent rage as the monster awakens to a world in which he is unwelcome. Featuring groundbreaking makeup by Jack Pierce, director James Whale's adaptation of Mary Shelley's masterpiece novel blends themes of horror, isolation and compassion, and remains one of the most shocking movies of all time.
The Blu-ray edition of Frankenstein features a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono track and the following extras:
Feature Commentary with Film Historian Rudy Behlmer
Feature Commentary with Historian Sir Christopher Frayling
The Frankenstein Files: How Hollywood Made a Monster
Karloff: The Gentle Monster
Monster Tracks
Universal Horror
Frankenstein Archives
Boo! A Short Film
Trailer Gallery
100 Years of Universal: Restoring the Classics
The Bride of Frankenstein
Synopsis: In one of the most popular horror films of all time, The Bride of Frankenstein, Boris Karloff reprises his role as the silver screen's most misunderstood monster who now longs for a mate. Continuing exactly where the original left off, the critically acclaimed sequel introduces Dr. Pretorius (Ernest Thesiger) as a deranged scientist who forces Dr. Frankenstein (Colin Clive) to help him create a companion for the monster. Once again directed by James Whale and adapted from Mary Shelley's classic novel, the sequel features outstanding makeup and special effects, instantly making the Bride of Frankenstein (Elsa Lanchester).
The Blu-ray edition of The Bride of Frankenstein features a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono track and the following extras:
Feature Commentary with Scott MacQueen
She's Alive! Creating The Bride of Frankenstein
The Bride of Frankenstein Archive
Trailer Gallery
100 Years of Universal: Restoring the Classics
The Wolf Man
Synopsis: "Even a man who is pure in heart and says his prayers by night may become a wolf when the wolfbane blooms and the autumn moon is bright". In 1941, The Wolf Man introduced the world to a new Universal movie monster and the mythology of the werewolf was redefined forever. Featuring a heartbreaking performance by Lon Chaney Jr. and groundbreaking make-up by Jack Pierce, this story of a cursed man who transforms into a deadly werewolf when the moon is full has become a masterpiece of the horror genre.
The Blu-ray edition of The Wolf Man features a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono track and the following extras:
Feature Commentary with Film Historian Tom Weaver
Monster by Moonlight
The Wolf Man: From Ancient Curse to Modern Myth
Pure in Heart: The Life and Legacy of Lon Chaney, Jr.
He Who Made Monsters: The Life and Art of Jack Pierce
The Wolf Man Archives
Trailer Gallery
100 Years of Universal: The Lot
http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=11545
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Posted: |
Jul 15, 2016 - 9:48 AM
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By: |
RoryR
(Member)
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You could buy the French Blu-ray of Werewolf Of London, it's multi-region & apparently looks very good.
https://www.amazon.fr/Monstre-Londres-Combo-Blu-ray-DVD/dp/B01BE28M0C/ref=sr_1_1?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1468592602&sr=1-1&keywords=werewolf+of+london
...or just wait. I can see the Frankenstein set selling very well, the Wolf Man set not so much, the price could drop after Christmas.
There was a report over at the HTF last summer (June I think) about Universal doing new 4K restorations of all their Frankenstein films & Marx Brothers films...& One-Eyed Jacks.
Yeah, I ordered the French Blu-ray of FRANKENSTEIN MEETS THE WOLF MAN months ago. With shipping it came to $29, so I might as well wait and just buy the new US Blu-ray WOLF MAN collection. Besides, those French Blu-rays of the Universal Monsters are ten-year-old HD transfers from unrestored elements (those used on the old DVDs), but since FWTWM is my favorite of all the sequels, I just had to see it in HD anyway.
Yes, that report at HTF is correct. Universal has been working on 4K restorations of all these films for over a year now. Some have been scanned from original nitrate camera negatives and all have received complete digital cleanups, so these movies are going to look better than ever. So, despite all my moaning about it, I'll be biting the bullet and getting them anyway -- though I think I'm going to wait on the Wolf Man set, most definitely.
ONE-EYED JACKS, by the way, is going to be a Criterion release, but yes, fully restored from the original negatives. Martin Scorsese is financing much of it, I understand. He tried to get Brando involved while he was still alive, but Brando couldn't have cared less! Since it's one of my favorite westerns, thank goodness for Scorsese.
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Posted: |
Jul 16, 2016 - 10:44 AM
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By: |
RoryR
(Member)
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What! So where are all the classic horror fans here? The Son Of Frankenstein & Frankenstein Meets The Wolfman in new restored HD. Have a few friends around, a few drinks & have a real laugh enjoying The House Of Frankenstein/Dracula in great looking HD, some of that lovely 4x3 b/w goodness 
I'm not sure how many are active here. Most of the time it seems like only a few. Anyway, as far as these '30s and '40s movies go, it may just be a generational thing. I doubt there's anyone here that saw these when they first came out, though my dad, born in '38, remembers going to a few in the mid to late '40s.
Otherwise, we're talking about people born in the '50s and '60s and bitten by the Uni. Monster/horror craze late lasted from 1957 to around 1972. Like myself, a late baby boomer, we grew up with these things as a big part of our childhood. We're all getting old now, the former subscribers to "Famous Monsters of Filmland."
I'm not sure how those born since the mid-'70s and beyond relate to these old horror movies since they became extinct on broadcast TV after home video arrived. I'm sure they're still popular, what with Universal planning on rebooting these things, but I'm just not sure how much and with whom.
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Posted: |
Jul 16, 2016 - 8:38 PM
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By: |
RoryR
(Member)
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Yes, I sometimes forget that this isn't a movie forum, it's a general discussion part of a film soundtrack forum...but all those Frankenstein sequels & the 8 film Hammer set The best ever Halloween effort from Universal. I used to look forward to what soundtrack was being released, but as there's hardly anything I want these days (two, maybe three titles a year, which is why I tend to lurk on this part of the forum), I instead look forward to what catalogue film is being released on Blu-ray.
That's pretty much where I am these days, too.
Anyway, there's no reason why this can't be a movie forum. In fact, that's pretty much what I use it for. Most here have a good general film knowledge.
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ONE-EYED JACKS, by the way, is going to be a Criterion release, but yes, fully restored from the original negatives. Martin Scorsese is financing much of it, I understand. He tried to get Brando involved while he was still alive, but Brando couldn't have cared less! Since it's one of my favorite westerns, thank goodness for Scorsese.
Pardon me for going off-topic and especially if this has already been addressed, but where did you hear that Criterion would be releasing the restored One-Eyed Jacks?
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