Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection (1931-1954)

[Troy73]

Originally Posted by *PREACHER*

That's what Amazon.fr is showing...I'm wanting this as well...hope the menu's are somewhat user friendly to switch to english!

Really diggin' those retro looking covers!!!

I like the covers too. The idea that I can display this with the coffin and all the films surrounding it is beyond cool to me.

[Rich1983]

Originally Posted by NeoMaximuz

Heck yes!

All of these films rock, on their own merits.

Actually, as much as I've loved mummies since I was a kid, I have to say The Mummy is probably the slowest film on this set, and it still shines.

The Mummy is less of a "monster on the loose" film and more o a film about a romance that was so strong that not even death can keep the two lovers apart style film. I don't see it as slow compared to Frankenstein. I just see it as a different story. I think The Mummy offered Boris Karloff's finest performance because we got to see more of his face and he had plenty of dialogue that he delivered with true genius, every line. I also think The Mummy had one of the creepiest scenes in the history of cinema: his eyes slowly open while he lay standing up in the tomb, and then his arm begins to move. It is so subtle but I makes the skin crawl. Boris Karloff, Edward Van Sloan, and Zita Johan deliver amazing performances.

Now I'm not going to lie, the plot structure of this films was the same as Dracula, but the story itself was unique enough to make The Mummy an instant film classic. It, like Dracula, also was very atmospheric and ha great cinematography.

I would have to say the weakest film in this set is the 1943 version of Phantom of the Opera, yet I appreciate that film more now then I ever did. Eric has the same love sick motivation as Imhotep, while going through great lengths to attain his goals like Count Dracula, while having a rather sympathetic past and creation of his new ego by being a victim much like the Frankenstein monster.

[Adcatalano]

Originally Posted by hedliniv

I started to watch my DVD set to make sure that I actually like the movies enough to purchase the set day one (I know it's crazy talk!) Anyway I was amazed at how much better the Spanish version of Dracula was! I was truly bored and disappointed in the standard version. An hour into the movie I switched over to the Spanish version (started it from the beginning) and was amazed at the difference! If you have never seen the Spanish version I highly recommend it! I will be buying the set for that movie alone....

I'm excited to watch the Spanish version. I too thought the us Dracula was pretty boring and underwhelming in general.

Invisible man is by far my favorite with the wolf man a little behind. Frankenstein was good and the mummy was ok. Never seen bride or phantom. Fell asleep or stopped paying attention during creature, I'll give it another shot when I get the set

[charlieray1]

Originally Posted by Rich1983

There is truely something wrong with anyone who can say they don't like any of the movies in this set. The Lugosi film boring? If I was a police officer I would demand the name of your supplier. The Lugosi film is probably THE most classic and atmospheric horror film ever made. Bela Lugosi, Dwight Frye, and Edward Van Sloan deliver truely iconic performances that tell a brilliant story.

I LOVE Lugosi, and I consider his portrayal of Dracula to be absolutely the best ever. But despite his performance (and Van Sloan's and Fry's) the fiilm is weak. It starts off very well, but once it gets to London it gets very stagey and talky. I love it for the 3 main actors, and it has some great parts, but it's flawed.

It's also incredibly sloppy! How did that close-up of Lugosi with one pin-spot light on his eye . . . and one on his cheek ever get into the film? Or the 2 or 3 bedroom shots where a large piece of jagged cardboard is plainly seen taped to the bed-side lamp to stop the glare? Or the incomplete shot of Dwight Fry crawling over to the fainted maid? In the film the shot just ends with no explanation or pay-off -- it appears that he's about to attack her. In the Spanish version, the scene is complete . . . he crawls over to her and picks a tasty bug off of her to eat! (However, despite being better filmed and edited, the Spanish actors are no substitute for Lugosi, Van Sloan and Fry.)

It's a shame really -- I love the film and have seen it many times (and I'm really looking forward to the blu-ray) but Lugosi, the definitive Count, never got to make the definitive Dracula movie.

[Rich1983]

As far as the Renfield scene, it was MEANT to not be explained. You have to finish the image with your imagination. That is his these movies were back then. They didn't show Dracula biting a victim either. He just gets closer and closer and then it scene fades away. That Renfield scene was no mistake. It felt you in suspense on purpose.

With the eye ball and cheek thing, I have absolutely no idea what you are talkin about.

With the cardboard on the lamp thing...wait for it...REALLY? You are REALLY going to hold that against the film and call it an "incredibly sloppy film" because I that? You only see that in about two seconds of the film and let's be honest, most of us would have never even noticed it to this day had it not been for the audio commentary. In one second of Creature from the Black Lagoon you can see a telephone poll. I dont hold it against the film.

And...the film is "talkie" and "stagey?" Are you kidding me? Damn the movie for having a plot. As far as that "stagey" comment goes, sounds to me like you are just regurgitating things that have been said on the DVD documentaries for years.

Dracula is one if THE greatest horror films ever made. The cast, plot, sets, and atmosphere were all absolutely amazing. The criticism it gets is so weak that it saenz like people try TOO hard to find fault with it and wind up making themselves look silly.

[nycomet]

Originally Posted by Rich1983

Dracula is one if THE greatest horror films ever made. The cast, plot, sets, and atmosphere were all absolutely amazing.

You are so right. Dracula is a masterpiece. The original version has no music (save for the intro and outro). Even that adds to the spooky ambience.

[charlieray1]

Hey Rich1983 -- don't get so worked up! I love the film too, I just think that Todd Browning missed a few opportunities. However, I'm the first to admit that the film has great moments. (My favorite is when Lugosi slaps the mirror from Van Sloan's hand and says "For one that has not lived even a single lifetime, you are a wise man Van Helsing." Great stuff.)

As for the spotlight thing, check the photo. They used those little spotlights to great effect in The Mummy where Karloff's eyes seem to glow. But in Dracula, one light missed his eye completely in the big close-up. That's what I mean by sloppy -- that and the cardboard (which is in the other picture.)

Love Lugosi, and Dracula. But it could have been even better, IMO.

[hedliniv]

Wow! Don't disagree around here or you might get jumped on your way to the car!!! It was not my cup of tea - sorry if that offends you. Bride of Frankenstein in my opinion is the pinnacle of the monster movies and the only MUST have in my opinion.

Originally Posted by charlieray1

Hey Rich1983 -- don't get so worked up! I love the film too, I just think that Todd Browning missed a few opportunities. However, I'm the first to admit that the film has great moments. (My favorite is when Lugosi slaps the mirror from Van Sloan's hand and says "For one that has not lived even a single lifetime, you are a wise man Van Helsing." Great stuff.)

As for the spotlight thing, check the photo. They used those little spotlights to great effect in The Mummy where Karloff's eyes seem to glow. But in Dracula, one light missed his eye completely in the big close-up. That's what I mean by sloppy -- that and the cardboard (which is in the other picture.)

Love Lugosi, and Dracula. But it could have been even better, IMO.

[chipperloo]

Has anyone found confirmation that the FR set will contain the individual cases with the classic artwork? There aren't many other sources that I can find that shows them (other than this site). tanks!

[Terrorfirmer]

anyword yet on if the french set has hard subs?

[WolletBullet01]

Does anyone know if this will be the un-edited Dracula? Some of Dracula's death moans were cut out of the Legacy Collection version...

[KrugerIndustrial]

I can't wait to get this! Imagine if this would be released by Criterion...

[mport5150]

Originally Posted by KrugerIndustrial

I can't wait to get this! Imagine if this would be released by Criterion...

Yeah, it would be $800 MSRP! Lol!

[Movie Man Don]

Originally Posted by Rich1983

Dracula is one if THE greatest horror films ever made. The cast, plot, sets, and atmosphere were all absolutely amazing. The criticism it gets is so weak that it saenz like people try TOO hard to find fault with it and wind up making themselves look silly.

Absolutely!!! I've been watching Bela since I was a small child. As much as I love the Hammer remake there's nothing like the original.

I can't wait for this to delivered. I can only imagine how it's gonna look coming out of my 5010.

[rickah88]

Originally Posted by mport5150

Yeah, it would be $800 MSRP! Lol!

I would consider that!

[Adcatalano]

Originally Posted by Rich1983

As far as the Renfield scene, it was MEANT to not be explained. You have to finish the image with your imagination. That is his these movies were back then. They didn't show Dracula biting a victim either. He just gets closer and closer and then it scene fades away. That Renfield scene was no mistake. It felt you in suspense on purpose.

With the eye ball and cheek thing, I have absolutely no idea what you are talkin about.

With the cardboard on the lamp thing...wait for it...REALLY? You are REALLY going to hold that against the film and call it an "incredibly sloppy film" because I that? You only see that in about two seconds of the film and let's be honest, most of us would have never even noticed it to this day had it not been for the audio commentary. In one second of Creature from the Black Lagoon you can see a telephone poll. I dont hold it against the film.

And...the film is "talkie" and "stagey?" Are you kidding me? Damn the movie for having a plot. As far as that "stagey" comment goes, sounds to me like you are just regurgitating things that have been said on the DVD documentaries for years.

Dracula is one if THE greatest horror films ever made. The cast, plot, sets, and atmosphere were all absolutely amazing. The criticism it gets is so weak that it saenz like people try TOO hard to find fault with it and wind up making themselves look silly.

Taking it a little personal there?

[Rich1983]

As far as the restored Dracula, being that they have done a brand new restoration, I think it would be the uncut edition, though I dont know that for a fact.

[Sinthetic]

No brainer really:

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Unive...Blu-ray/51918/

Actually, I'm sure the "It'll take up too much space" comments are sure to follow.

[mzupeman]

Originally Posted by Sinthetic

No brainer really:

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Unive...Blu-ray/51918/

Actually, I'm sure the "It'll take up too much space" comments are sure to follow.

People have already been discussing the coffin release, and there were a couple of comments as to size already :-)

[Sinthetic]

Originally Posted by mzupeman

People have already been discussing the coffin release, and there were a couple of comments as to size already :-)

That's the French release isn't it? The one I posted is the UK release.