Dracula (1931-1948) / The Mummy (1932-1955) (Complete Legacy Collections)

[BrickWaters]

Originally Posted by RalphoR

Aren't there enough Abbott & Costello monster movies to garner its own set?

Frankenstein
Mummy
Invisible Man
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Am I missing any?

• Hold That Ghost (1941) One of their best films.
• The Time of Their Lives (1946) Costello plays a Revolutionary War era ghost. Their most unusual and underrated film.
• Abbott and Costello Meet the Killer, Boris Karloff (1949) Not a horror comedy but a murder mystery. I would include because of Karloff.
• Comin' Round the Mountain (1951) Not a horror comedy either but it does have a sequence where they meet a witch played by Margaret Hamilton.

[MJD64]

Now that I think about it, a "monsters" set consisting of the aforementioned four films would be fine...and a "mystery" themed set consisting of Hold That Ghost, Who Done It?, The Time of Their Lives ( a personal favorite) and The Killer, Boris Karloff would likewise be aces!

[Jimii70]

I have never watched the Spanish Version of Dracula in it's entirety because on my U.K Disc from the monsters box, the subtitles are for the hard of hearing and not English translation subs.
Was the U.S release the same? Or does that have proper subs?
Also does the U.S release of Dracula have both Commentaries?

[BrickWaters]

I'm hoping they just release Abbott and Costello The Complete Universal Collection on Blu-Ray. I've been holding off on buying the DVD set because I know as soon as I do they'll announce the BD release.



Sorry for getting off topic. Back to the monsters.

[1godzillafan]

That box set is awesome. So many great laughs, such great special features.

For anyone branching out from Abbott and Costello's monster films, Who Done It? is one of the best comedies ever made. And if you are open minded enough to enjoy them as individual characters, The Time of Their Lives is fabulous.

[Dex Robinson]

Originally Posted by BrickWaters

I'm hoping they just release Abbott and Costello The Complete Universal Collection on Blu-Ray. I've been holding off on buying the DVD set because I know as soon as I do they'll announce the BD release.
...

People are entitled to spend their money as they please and they have every right to hold off or hold out for as long as they want. But folks need to look at history and be realistic about the timelines involved.

The Complete Universal Collection on DVD dates to 2008 (2014 was a reissue). So we are talking about a movie set that has been out for nearly 9 years. So lets assume you keep holding out...what are the chances that, even if Universal releases more A&C on BD, they will release ONE big 28 movie set? Highly unlikely. They may release a Meet the Monsters set...and you'll have to hold out. Then they will release the "service comedies" in a set...and you'll have to hold out. Hopefully, in subsequent years, they will finally release that big A&C set you've been holding out for.

But, considering the DVD set has been out for nearly 9 years and it could easily be 5 or 6 years (if ever) before a full BD set is released...is that worth your wait? Maybe it is. And that's OK. A young, casual fan may find it perfectly OK to wait hold out for 15 years and save a few bucks to get the Blu-rays. I'm fine with that if they are happy with that.

The bad news is that we all get old. I'm a big Abbott & Costello fan and I'm 58 years old. I could hold out for a year...maybe two. But holding out for more than a decade is not an option for those of us on the bad side of middle age. I don't want to say, "Hey, I'm 73 years old but I saved $80.00 by not buying those DVDs when I was 58" .

I snicker (with a little sadness) when I read the thread for NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD which dates back to 2010. There are people who have held of buying the $21.00 region-free Japanese BD because they are convinced that a definitive North American release is just around the corner. Holding out for 7 years to save a twenty dollar bill?

I say again, people have every right to hold out. It's their money, not mine. However, folks holding out for 5, 10, or 15 years need to take a realistic look at the value of not only money but also time.

[StingingVelvet]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

They could of course always release them as Legacy sets after the fact (or at the same time even), but for everyone who got the initial Universal Monsters set, volumes would have been the best way to reduce overlap.

I just don't understand why overlap is bad. The price on these sets makes it a non-issue IMO. In the end we'll have paid around $140 for every movie which is more than fair. Is there a reason so many are bothered by it other than just collector quibbles?

[iamnoone]

Originally Posted by StingingVelvet

I just don't understand why overlap is bad. The price on these sets makes it a non-issue IMO. In the end we'll have paid around $140 for every movie which is more than fair. Is there a reason so many are bothered by it other than just collector quibbles?

I don't get it either. It's the same exact discussion when they released the first two Legacy sets - everyone complaining about overlap films, especially the A&C one. Just ignore the overlaps! Even if they deleted A&C or any of the other duplicates off the sets, these sets wouldn't be priced any less. Anyone really expecting a Volume 2 giant box with no overlap hasn't been paying attention as to how Universal has been releasing these films over the last close-to 20 years. And people wanting singles of titles like Son of Dracula are going to be waiting for eternity, good luck with that.

[javi92]

Originally Posted by StingingVelvet

I just don't understand why overlap is bad. The price on these sets makes it a non-issue IMO.

People have to have something to complain about.

[BrickWaters]

Originally Posted by Dex Robinson

People are entitled to spend their money as they please and they have every right to hold off or hold out for as long as they want. But folks need to look at history and be realistic about the timelines involved.

The Complete Universal Collection on DVD dates to 2008 (2014 was a reissue). So we are talking about a movie set that has been out for nearly 9 years. So lets assume you keep holding out...what are the chances that, even if Universal releases more A&C on BD, they will release ONE big 28 movie set? Highly unlikely. They may release a Meet the Monsters set...and you'll have to hold out. Then they will release the "service comedies" in a set...and you'll have to hold out. Hopefully, in subsequent years, they will finally release that big A&C set you've been holding out for.

But, considering the DVD set has been out for nearly 9 years and it could easily be 5 or 6 years (if ever) before a full BD set is released...is that worth your wait? Maybe it is. And that's OK. A young, casual fan may find it perfectly OK to wait hold out for 15 years and save a few bucks to get the Blu-rays. I'm fine with that if they are happy with that.

The bad news is that we all get old. I'm a big Abbott & Costello fan and I'm 58 years old. I could hold out for a year...maybe two. But holding out for more than a decade is not an option for those of us on the bad side of middle age. I don't want to say, "Hey, I'm 73 years old but I saved $80.00 by not buying those DVDs when I was 58" .

I snicker (with a little sadness) when I read the thread for NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD which dates back to 2010. There are people who have held of buying the $21.00 region-free Japanese BD because they are convinced that a definitive North American release is just around the corner. Holding out for 7 years to save a twenty dollar bill?

I say again, people have every right to hold out. It's their money, not mine. However, folks holding out for 5, 10, or 15 years need to take a realistic look at the value of not only money but also time.

I have the four volume Best of Abbott and Costello DVD sets Universal released in 2004 and 2005 so I'm not depriving myself of some A&C goodness.

The Complete Universal Collection is certainly a better overall set compared to the previous offerings. The films are not on double sided discs, 1943's "It Ain't Hay"is finally included after having to be withheld for legal reasons, and the packaging is great but if I'm going to spend the money to upgrade I'd rather upgrade from DVD to Blu-Ray then DVD to DVD.

A major blu-ray box set may not be forthcoming but if they broke the A&C films into smaller subsets like a Monster Collection I would certainly go that route. Even if it means I'll get another duplicate of A&C Meet Frankenstein.

[jimqk]

It's going to be really nice to own these two sets. Keep 'em coming Universal. I'm certain a Creature from the Black Lagoon set is in the works, which will include a 3D version of Revenge. Hopefully, a 50s sci-fi collection is in the works, too. Also, please throw in The Thing That Couldn't Die into one of the collections. I like that movie.

[1godzillafan]

Originally Posted by BrickWaters

Even if it means I'll get another duplicate of A&C Meet Frankenstein.

Hey, if I have to own twenty copies of a single movie, thank god it's Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein.

[BrickWaters]

Originally Posted by 1godzillafan

Hey, if I have to own twenty copies of a single movie, thank god it's Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein.

Everybody should take their extra copies and give them to friends, family, and even complete strangers. Do the Lord's work and spread the Gospel of A&C.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by StingingVelvet

I just don't understand why overlap is bad. The price on these sets makes it a non-issue IMO. In the end we'll have paid around $140 for every movie which is more than fair. Is there a reason so many are bothered by it other than just collector quibbles?

I'm personally planning to get them regardless, but it's just a preference thing. I do think from a sales point of view, it is clearly a harder pill to swallow when that $40 set amounts to just 2 unique films you don't have yet if you already bought just one of the previous legacy sets and own the original Monsters set, which is exactly the situation you have with the Dracula release.

I'm just pointing out a way in which more people would be happy, and I also believe sales wouldn't suffer either. I think a $60 volume set with only new stuff would lead to more sales than two $40 ones that have some significant overlap with others.

As I said, I'm going to get both, but likely not at the same time (barring a great deal or price mistake). I'm going for the Mummy set as it has the most new films included, while I'll probably wait for the Dracula one to get cheaper as it doesn't have as many.

[hendersd]

Been waiting for Dracula's Daughter for a long time. And even though Lon seems a bit over fed in Son of Dracula, it's still a favorite; great visuals in that one. Back in the 90s I found the big Mummy box set of laserdiscs in a bargain bin. It has very good package design. Still have all the classic monster lasers. Upgrading is a no-brainer at this point. Still waiting for Universal to do justice to their classic sci-fi gems.

[Bolty]

What's the deal with the two orders each for these releases? One with Fandngo cash and one without? I ordered the Mummy with the cash, but I don't get why they need two separate orders. Even if someone doesn't plan on seeing the new movie -- why not get the movie cash and give it away? Any chance either will be deleted?

Thanks!

[Robert Furmanek]

We provided aspect ratio documents to Universal several years ago. I'm pleased to report that A&C MEET THE MUMMY will be in widescreen (for the first time on home video) in the new Mummy set!

Hendersd; that's my Castle film box which I got as a present in 1970! I scanned the box and shared it online several years ago. It's amusing to see it posted as someone's photo. Here's a scan from an 8mm home movie when I got two 8mm sound films for my birthday.

The power of the internet!

[bigshot]

Originally Posted by Robert Furmanek

I'm pleased to report that A&C MEET THE MUMMY will be in widescreen (for the first time on home video) in the new Mummy set!

That will make it worth double dipping with the French version. Then I can put the US disc in the French box to replace the DVD and have it in open matte and widescreen. The sets in this movie are great. Well worth seeing in open matte.

[StingingVelvet]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

I'm personally planning to get them regardless, but it's just a preference thing. I do think from a sales point of view, it is clearly a harder pill to swallow when that $40 set amounts to just 2 unique films you don't have yet if you already bought just one of the previous legacy sets and own the original Monsters set, which is exactly the situation you have with the Dracula release.

I'm just pointing out a way in which more people would be happy, and I also believe sales wouldn't suffer either. I think a $60 volume set with only new stuff would lead to more sales than two $40 ones that have some significant overlap with others.

As I said, I'm going to get both, but likely not at the same time (barring a great deal or price mistake). I'm going for the Mummy set as it has the most new films included, while I'll probably wait for the Dracula one to get cheaper as it doesn't have as many.

Fair enough explanation. For me though I just look at it as $25ish for two movies, which is a more than fair price. I don't really focus on what could be. Also I never got the original set, so for me these are no-brainers, and that might taint my perspective.

I just wish we got more "oh wow these are coming already! Awesome!" posts rather than complaints I guess. Maybe I'm an optimist at heart. *my wife laughs in the background*

[Mystic]

If people want to ***** about the overlap of films or the price or whatever else there is to complain about, then let them. After all, this is a forum. It always amazes me when people attempt to influence the content of what appears on these forums.

I'm happy to learn these films will be available on blu ray in May. These sets will be day one purchases for me.