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

[Page14]

I'm wondering if a possible solution to preventing scratches from the cardboard sleeves found on the US version, might be to use some kind of very thin soft plastic inner sleeve ... to slip the blurays into, which in turn would be inserted into each movie's cardboard sleeve. If any of you have the Beatles mono CD box set, I'm thinking along those lines. The Beatle inner sleeves come with a rounded bottom (not square), which might work well with the way the US Monster set is constructed (with the rounded cardboard pocket).

Similar to this:

http://www.dustygroove.com/item.php?...amp%3Bgo_y%3D9

or this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/100-PCS-CD-D...item3f1d50ef25

I'm not sure if one would work better than the other as far as if one brand (or size) would fit better than another ... if at all. Just a thought.

(I have to run for a while ... be back later)

[dsman71]

My Coffin Set is still saying Departed from Croydon 10/2. SIGH
No panic, but I just wish the tracking would say something else...
This is my display set, I have the USA set, but Im waiting further down in October to watch.

[italy12]

Originally Posted by Dex Robinson

I very much doubt that the U.S. version will be "nicer". After a dozen years of buying 1200 DVDs and 520 Blu-rays, I've seen a lot of boxes and slip cases. I just checked my case with about 50 boxed sets and the UK Universal monsters box is constructed exactly the same as every other box. I don't why the U.S. box would suddenly be sturdier than the boxes they've been using for the last 12 years.

The UK Universal Monster's box is made similar in nature to the box sets Criterion releases. The cardboard is not as thick and is prone to creasing. I know because mine is creased, and the cardboard is physically thinner than other US boxsets I have purchased in the past.

The US Universal Monster's box is similar to the US releases of the Alien Anthology, the Star Wars 6 movie set, and the newly released Indy set. All come in a much much sturdier, thicker outer box.

That's why he said what he said. Because it is true.

[ilovenola2]

Originally Posted by italy12

My normal UK set arrived in NC today with the mail. The box was a little damaged, and the BD box set inside has some minor creases and a loose disc. Upon inspection, the creases are not too bad, and the loose disc was unscathed.

Royal Mail delivered as promised. The one extra day b/c of the holiday is of no concern.

Exactly the same for me in New Orleans. My UK set (not coffin) arrived Tuesday. I could repeat your next two sentences! I checked out "Lagoon" (2-d), "Phantom" and "Dracula" and they looked spectacular!! I'll be taking advantage of more UK Amazon deals if they are as good as this one! Bring on the Hitch!

[italy12]

Originally Posted by ilovenola2

Exactly the same for me in New Orleans. My UK set (not coffin) arrived Tuesday. I could repeat your next two sentences! I checked out "Lagoon" (2-d), "Phantom" and "Dracula" and they looked spectacular!! I'll be taking advantage of more UK Amazon deals if they are as good as this one! Bring on the Hitch!

Damn, for over $100 less, I'll take it! It also means I don't have to find something to do with the US North by Northwest disc that comes with the set.

[NoirFan]

DHL just updated my tracking - the set is in Franklin, MA, so I'm hoping for a Boston delivery tomorrow.

[nazdar]

Originally Posted by madlost1

Uh what??? My set arrived from the UK with 4 of the 8 discs loose and floating in the packaging. Every last one of them is perfectly fine. So how exactly does this packaging scratch discs.

it did by itself

[nazdar]

Originally Posted by Page14

I'm glad to see others chime in their thoughts on the packaging. It seems that the price difference has been by far the greatest motivator on choosing the UK version over the US version. The packaging difference seems to be getting a little bit overlooked.

I know you're all loving your new Monster sets whether you bought it from the US or the UK ... and I feel like I'm in the minority saying that I like the design of the US package better than the UK. It just looks classier and better constructed to me. That's strictly my own opinion. I DO NOT like slipping a bare disc into cardboard sleeves or the possibility of having bits of glue sticking to the edges of the discs though. That's what is mainly keeping me on the fence ... that and the much higher price. I might spring for the US set if it was closer to say $70 or $80 instead of over $100.

I'm a person that has enough "clutter" around the house that I don't see the need/want for separate postcards of each film. (For me, they would just be tossed aside anyway ... kind of like the way a person looks at birthday cards). I really like that the US set incorporates the postcard pics into the packaging. You still get to see them ... but they aren't floating around loose. Again just my personal opinion as I know many of you love having them separately. In the US set, I also like how the special features for each movie are printed on each movie's respective sleeve. And finally, it looks to be well constructed ... not too flimsy.

On the UK side, I like that they use the plastic hubs to hold the blurays in place much better than the dreaded cardboard sleeve found on the US version. And the design isn't that bad at all ... it just comes down to personal preference.

So for now, I guess I'm in my own little personal limbo.

In any case, enjoy your Monsters!!! Bwa-ha-ha-haaaaaah ...

good points ... ill try to adopt an "its all good philosophy and enjoy my rickity uk set ... happy halloween and anyone have an empty us set for sale? lol

[BrandonJF]

Originally Posted by italy12

The US Universal Monster's box is similar to the US releases of the Alien Anthology, the Star Wars 6 movie set, and the newly released Indy set. All come in a much much sturdier, thicker outer box.

It is similar to the Indy set, but not the Alien or Star Wars sets.

[LucasM2012]

Well, I finally tried the initial stages of ordering from Amazon.fr (clicking the 'add to cart' to see their exchange rate and shipping costs), and when it wouldn't let me even put a set of the individually-digi-pak'd films in my cart, I realized that it just wasn't worth the hassle to get that, try to sell the four I wasn't excited about owning individually on eBay to bring down the costs (of something I'd have to pay more for to begin with).

So I broke down and ordered the full set from Amazon.uk early this morning.

And I just got a confirmation. It said it was shipped by Royal Mail and I should receive it on the 17th: just one week's time.

Since 'Bride' and 'The Mummy' are both in my top 5 favorite films of all time, I am VERY excited about knowing they are on their way.

[Dex Robinson]

Originally Posted by nazdar

... anyone have an empty us set for sale? lol

In a way, I think you may have your request "backwards" .

I acknowledged a few pages back in this thread that I felt the U.S. set would have an advantage in shipping. With the discs in sleeves, there's no opportunity for them to get loose and rattle around.

However, I believe the UK set has the advantage in day-to-day use. It's very easy to access the individual discs and there is no concern about them sliding against the sleeves or getting fingerprints on the data side while trying to grasp them.

It is regrettable that some have had discs come loose from the UK set while in shipping. I'm fortunate not to have had that problem. But I prefer the UK system for long term ownership.

Ideally, this set would be shipped in U.S. sleeve packaging and then transferred to the UK hub style packaging for regular access.

Having it shipped on the UK hubs and THEN transferring to the U.S. sleeves is, in my opinion, the worst of both worlds.

[Aerodude73]

Originally Posted by NoirFan

DHL just updated my tracking - the set is in Franklin, MA, so I'm hoping for a Boston delivery tomorrow.

Homey!

Same here - hope it arrives tomorrow or Friday at the latest:

10/10/2012 08:05 AM ET Franklin, MA. - TENDERED TO USPS
10/9/2012 03:07 AM ET Secaucus, NJ - PROCESSED
10/8/2012 09:45 PM ET Secaucus, NJ - ARRIVAL ORIGIN DHL GLOBAL MAIL FACILITY

[john01824]

Originally Posted by Aerodude73

Homey!

Same here - hope it arrives tomorrow or Friday at the latest:

Mine is coming to Mass as well but still seeing the sights in New Jersey. Kind of aggravating it's still not in the USPS system as it arrived on Monday as well like the rest of you guys. I was hoping to get this by Friday/Saturday but not sure now considering it still has to get to Mass and then my local Post Office.

[aquababie]

received my UK standard set yesterday. everything arrived in great shape. i popped in Dracula and looked at the special features. So far so good and the the savings made up for the receiving it on the first like the US set.

[Akubrick1]

Got my UK set yesterday.. I have American package envy. FYI.. The Carla Laemmle intro to Dracula from the American version was not carried over to the Uk release either.

[FruityOatyBar]

I pre-ordered my set from Amazon UK (coffin version) in early September and had an arrival date of October 19 (I'm in Los Angeles). Ugh! But luck was on my side and I had the set in hand on Saturday October 6. Sweet!

I've only watched Dracula plus it's bonus features and the bonus features for Frankenstein so far, but I'm throughly impressed with the set. Incredible transfers, excellent features and eye-catching packaging. A real treasure of my collection.

[nycomet]

My UK Coffin (shipped Oct 1 via Royal Mail) is still not delivered as of today. It was "scheduled" for delivery October 8 –– today is October 10.

Seems like my coffin got buried in the mail. I will be happy if it arrives in time for weekend viewing.

On a positive note, my amazon France Titanic UCE (Shipped Sept 24th via DHL Global Mail) arrived today in perfect condition. It was estimated to arrive on October 10th and it's right on time.

[Nine18Pictures]

Still sitting in Croydon. Annoying.

[filmbuddy]

Originally Posted by nycomet

My UK Coffin (shipped Oct 1 via Royal Mail) is still not delivered as of today. It was "scheduled" for delivery October 8 –– today is October 10.

Seems like my coffin got buried in the mail. I will be happy if it arrives in time for weekend viewing.

On a positive note, my amazon France Titanic UCE (Shipped Sept 24th via DHL Global Mail) arrived today in perfect condition. It was estimated to arrive on October 10th and it's right on time.

Mine still hasn't come either. I was also expecting the Indiana Jones Steelbook set from Italy. That one was shipped DHL Global and had an expected arrival date for today, but it didn't come. According to tracking, it is now in USPS hands and has been sitting in Secaucus, NJ since Monday. That thing first shipped out Sept. 19th!

[nycomet]

Originally Posted by filmbuddy

Mine still hasn't come either. I was also expecting the Indiana Jones Steelbook set from Italy. That one was shipped DHL Global and had an expected arrival date for today, but it didn't come. According to tracking, it is now in USPS hands and has been sitting in Secaucus, NJ since Monday. That thing first shipped out Sept. 19th!

I love the great prices for the product. I like getting unique packaging from Europe. But I don't like the S-L-O-W shipping. Can't be that irritated though. fast shipping would cost a small fortune.