Universal Horrors Blu-Ray Collection (combined discussion) in The Universal Classic Monsters Blu-Ray Collection Forum

0 Points

Forum Jump

Universal Horrors Blu-Ray Collection (combined discussion)

Author	Comment
Jameson281	Universal Horrors Blu-Ray Collection (combined discussion)	Lead	[-]
Jun 28 12 12:53 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Tags : None I thought it might be good to have a thread devoted solely to the new BD set, since up to now discussion has been spread between the Sci-Fi thread and the JAWS thread, and it's getting a little confusing, especially with the announcements starting on Page 6 or so. So here's a thread just about the Uni Monsters BD set. (If the mods feel its a bad idea to start yet another thread, feel free to shut this down.) To kick things off, here's the text of the official press release: From Universal Studios Home Entertainment: Universal Classic Monsters: the Essential Collection http://photos.prnewswire....rnthumb/20120628/LA32327 property="og:image"> EIGHT CHILLING CLASSICS FROM THE STUDIO THAT PIONEERED THE HORROR GENRE, DIGITALLY RESTORED AND RELEASED ON BLU-RAY™ FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER IN CELEBRATION OF UNIVERSAL'S 100TH ANNIVERSARY THE ULTIMATE BOX SET WITH EIGHT FILMS PLUS OVER 12 HOURS OF BONUS FEATURES ARRIVES OCTOBER 2ND, JUST IN TIME FOR HALLOWEEN! UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., June 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- For the first time ever, eight of the most iconic cinematic masterpieces of the horror genre are available together on Blu-ray™ as *Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection* debuts on October 2, 2012 from Universal Studios Home Entertainment. Digitally restored from high resolution film elements in perfect high-definition picture and perfect high-definition sound for the first time ever, *Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection* brings together the very best of Universal's legendary monsters—imaginative and technically groundbreaking tales of terror that launched a uniquely American movie genre. This definitive collection features eight films on Blu-ray™, a collectible 48-page book featuring behind-the-scenes photographs, original posters, correspondence and much more. Each iconic film is accompanied by an array of bonus features that tell the fascinating story of its creation and history, including behind-the-scenes documentaries, filmmaker commentaries, interviews, storyboards, photo galleries, and trailers. Especially appealing for fans are a never-before-seen featurette about the restoration of Dracula and the first ever offering of Creature from the Black Lagoon in its restored Blu-ray™ 3D version. From the era of silent movies through the present day, Universal Pictures has been regarded as the home of the monsters. *Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection* honors the studio's accomplishments with the most iconic monsters in motion-picture history including Dracula, Frankenstein, The Mummy, The Invisible Man, Bride of Frankenstein, The Wolf Man, Phantom of the Opera and Creature from the Black Lagoon. Featuring performances by legends of the horror genre, including Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff, Lon Chaney, Jr., Claude Rains and Elsa Lanchester, these eight iconic films also feature groundbreaking special effects and innovative makeup that continue to influence filmmakers into the 21st century. Sure to be a Halloween favorite for years to come, *Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection* is the ideal gift for film buffs and horror aficionados alike. Synopses and Bonus Features *Dracula* (1931) The original 1931 movie version of Bram Stoker's classic tale has for generations defined the iconic look and terrifying persona of the famed vampire. Dracula owes its continued appeal in large part due to Bela Lugosi's indelible portrayal of the immortal Count Dracula and the flawless direction of horror auteur Tod Browning. The *Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection* includes the original version of this chilling and evocative tale, as well as the rarely seen Spanish version of Dracula. Filmed simultaneously with the English language version, the Spanish version of Dracula is an equally ominous vision of the horror classic shot with the same sets and script. Cinematographer George Robinson and a vibrant cast including Carlos Villarias and Lupita Tovar deliver a chilling and evocative tale filled with the same terror, mystery, and intrigue. Bonus Features: Dracula, the 1931 Spanish version, with Introduction by Lupita Tovar Kohner The Road to Dracula Lugosi: The Dark Prince Dracula: The Restoration – New Featurette Available for The First Time! Monster Tracks: Interactive Pop-Up Facts About the Making of Dracula Dracula Archives Score by Philip Glass performed by the Kronos Quartet Feature Commentary by Film Historian David J. Skal Feature Commentary by Steve Haberman, Screenwriter of Dracula: Dead and Loving It Trailer Gallery *Frankenstein* (1931) Boris Karloff stars as the screen's most tragic and iconic monster in what many consider to be the greatest horror film ever made. Dr. Henry Frankenstein (Colin Clive) dares to tamper with the essential nature of life and death by creating a monster (Karloff) out of lifeless human body parts. Director James Whale's adaptation of the Mary Shelley novel and Karloff's compassionate portrayal of a creature groping for identity make Frankenstein a timeless masterpiece. Bonus Features: The Frankenstein Files: How Hollywood Made a Monster Karloff: The Gentle Monster Monster Tracks: Interactive Pop-Up Facts About The Making of Frankenstein Universal Horror Frankenstein Archives Boo!: A Short Film Feature Commentary with Film Historian Rudy Behlmer Feature Commentary with Historian Sir Christopher Frayling 100 Years Of Universal: Restoring the Classics Trailer Gallery *The Mummy* (1932) Horror icon Boris Karloff stars in the original 1932 version of The Mummy in which a team of British archaeologists accidentally revives a mummified high priest after 3,700 years. Alive again, he sets out on an obsessive—and deadly—quest to find his lost love. Over 50 years after its first release, this brooding dream-like horror classic remains a cinematic masterpiece. Bonus Features: 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 Feature Commentary by Rick Baker, Scott Essman, Steve Haberman, Bob Burns and Brent Armstrong Feature Commentary by Film Historian Paul M. Jensen 100 Years Of Universal: The Carl Laemmle Era Trailer Gallery *The Invisible Man* (1933) Claude Rains delivers an unforgettable performance in his screen debut as a mysterious doctor who discovers a serum that makes him invisible. Covered by bandages and dark glasses, Rains arrives in a small English village and attempts to hide his amazing discovery, but the drug's side effects slowly drive him to commit acts of unspeakable terror. Based on H.G. Welles' classic novel and directed by the master of macabre, James Whale, The Invisible Man fueled a host of sequels and features revolutionary special effects that are still imitated today. Bonus Features: Now You See Him: The Invisible Man Revealed Production Photographs Feature Commentary with Film Historian Rudy Behlmer 100 Years of Universal: Unforgettable Characters *Bride of Frankenstein* (1935) The acclaimed sequel to the original Frankenstein has become one of the most popular horror classics in film history. The legendary Boris Karloff reprises his role as the screen's most misunderstood monster, now longing for a mate of his own. Colin Clive is back as the proud and overly ambitious Dr. Frankenstein, who creates the ill-fated bride (Elsa Lanchester). The last horror film directed by James Whale features a haunting musical score that helps make The Bride of Frankenstein one of the finest and most touching thrillers of its era. Bonus Features: She's Alive! Creating The Bride Of Frankenstein The Bride Of Frankenstein Archive Feature Commentary with Scott MacQueen 100 Years of Universal: Restoring the Classics Trailer Gallery *The Wolf Man* (1941) Originally released in 1941, The Wolf Man introduced the world to a new Universal movie monster and redefined the mythology of the werewolf forever. Featuring a heartbreaking performance by Lon Chaney Jr. and groundbreaking make-up by Jack Pierce, The Wolf Man is the saga of Larry Talbot, a cursed man who transforms into a deadly werewolf when the moon is full. The dreamlike atmospheres, elaborate settings and chilling musical score combine to make The Wolf Man a masterpiece of the genre. Bonus Features: 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 Feature Commentary with Film Historian Tom Weaver 100 Years of Universal: The Lot Trailer Gallery *Phantom of the Opera* (1943) This lavish retelling of Gaston Leroux's immortal horror tale stars Claude Rains as the masked phantom who haunts the Paris Opera House. A crazed composer who schemes to make beautiful young soprano Christine DuBois (Susanna Foster) the star of the opera company, the Phantom also wreaks revenge on those he believes stole his music. Nelson Eddy, as the heroic baritone, tries to win the affections of Christine as he tracks down the murderous, horribly disfigured Phantom. Bonus Features: The Opera Ghost: A Phantom Unmasked Production Photographs Feature Commentary with Film Historian Scott MacQueen 100 Years of Universal: The Lot Theatrical Trailer *Creature from the Black Lagoon* (1954) Captured and imprisoned for scientific study, a living "amphibious missing link" becomes enamored with the head researcher's female assistant (Julie Adams). When the hideous creature escapes and kidnaps the object of his affection, a crusade is launched to rescue the helpless woman and cast the terrifying creature back to the depths from which he came. Featuring legendary makeup artist Bud Westmore's brilliantly designed monster, Creature from the Black Lagoon is an enduring tribute to the imaginative genius of its Hollywood creators. Bonus Features: The Creature From The Black Lagoon in 3D Back to The Black Lagoon Production Photographs Feature Commentary with Film Historian Tom Weaver 100 Years of Universal: The Lot Trailer Gallery TECHNICAL INFORMATION BD Street Date: 10/2/2012 Copyright: 2012 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved. Selection Numbers: 61123308 (US); 61123470 (Canada) Source: PR Newswire (http://s.tt/1gc30)
	Remove this ad
Dr Mirakle32	The Definitive Universal Horrors on Blu-Ray	#1	[-]
Jul 17 11 5:35 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	As Blu-Ray Discs (BDs) of classic films become more commonplace, more and more vintage titles trickle their way onto high-definition. Like its sister thread, The Complete Universal Horrors on DVD, this will hopefully be a comprehensive list of every vintage genre film produced, or distributed by Universal on the BD format. Each title is linked to its corresponding BD on Amazon.com. 2010 Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves (1944) (Eureka, UK Exclusive) Psycho (1960): 50th Anniversary Edition Psycho: Special Edition Steelbook (UK Exclusive) Paranoiac (1963) (Hammer/Universal co-production. Eureka, UK Exclusive) 2011 The Complete Sherlock Holmes Collection (MPI): The Hound of the Baskervilles (20th Century Fox, 1939) Adventures of Sherlock Homes (20th Century Fox, 1939) The Voice of Terror (1942) The Secret Weapon (1943) Sherlock Holmes in Washington (1943) Sherlock Holmes Faces Death (1943) The Spider Woman (1944) The Scarlet Claw (1944) The Pearl of Death (1944) House of Fear (1945) Pursuit to Algiers (1945) The Woman in Green (1945) Terror by Night (1946) Dressed to Kill (1946) Cape Fear (1962) (UK Exclusive) Island of Lost Souls (1932) (The Criterion Collection) The Phantom of the Opera (1925/1929) (Image) 2012 Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948) (Sep. 4th) Alfred Hitchcock: The Masterpiece Collection (Sep. 25th) Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection: (Oct. 2nd) Dracula (1931) Dracula (1931, Spanish) Frankenstein (1931) The Mummy (1932) The Invisible Man (1933) The Bride of Frankenstein (1935) The Wolf Man (1941) Phantom of the Opera (1943) Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954) (3D) Last Edited By: Dr Mirakle32 Jun 29 12 10:30 PM. Edited 10 times.
Dr Mirakle32	Re: The Definitive Universal Horrors on Blu-Ray	#2	[-]
Aug 23 11 5:35 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Here's the official cover-art for Image's Phantom of the Opera Blu Ray due November 1st. Last Edited By: Dr Mirakle32 Oct 18 11 9:47 PM. Edited 1 times.
Badfinger	Re: The Definitive Universal Horrors on Blu-Ray	#3	[-]
Aug 23 11 10:54 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	It's a bit funny how the last upper echelon classic golden age horror film to be released on DVD will simultaneously be the first to appear on Blu-ray.
Victor Frankenstein	Re: The Definitive Universal Horrors on Blu-Ray	#4	[-]
Aug 24 11 9:18 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Of COURSE, Badfinger! This way we can whine and complain for the next 5-10 years that "All I want for Christmas/Halloween this year is Bride of Frankenstein/A&CMF/FMTW on Bluray!"
MacXoftheMounted	Re: The Definitive Universal Horrors on Blu-Ray	#5	[-]
Aug 25 11 11:34 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	>Here's the official cover-art for Image's Phantom of the Opera Blu Ray due November 1st. OMG... Talk about a SPOILER!!! ; ) MacXoftheMounted.....................formerly known as Professor Von X
dracsback	Re: The Definitive Universal Horrors on Blu-Ray	#6	[-]
Aug 25 11 1:37 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Regarding PHANTOM.... Great that it would be coming to Blu-Ray...but man, there are so many more CLASSIC HORROR titles out there. I wonder really how it will look? I hope that those who may release the more desirable titles don't look at Phantom's sales to determine whether to BLU or not to BLU. I could be wrong and hope that I am. "I saw what I saw when I saw it!"
Dr Mirakle32	Re: The Definitive Universal Horrors on Blu-Ray	#7	[-]
Oct 14 11 2:06 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Just added the original CAPE FEAR BD to the list. Once again, we have a UK exclusive. With the remake coming out stateside, I wonder why Universal hasn't announced a US release for the original. But at least we get IOLS! Last Edited By: Dr Mirakle32 Oct 18 11 9:47 PM. Edited 1 times.
looneyguy1985	Dracula in High Def	#8	[-]
Oct 14 11 11:26 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Having just recently watched Dracula in HD off of the playstation store I must say I am sold on getting these babies on the eventual blu ray release. That sucker looked absolutely amazing!! One thing I was a tad bit disapointed in was the audio department. IS there really nothing they can do to clean it up a bit or are we forever stuck with the constant hissing?
TServo4	Re: The Definitive Universal Horrors on Blu-Ray	#9	[-]
Oct 18 11 4:15 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Unfortunately, what I've been told is that Universal's HV department doesn't feel anything B&W will sell (let alone Academy ratio), and that even getting PSYCHO out was a chore. J. Theakston Capitol Theatre, Rome, NY
Dr Mirakle32	Re: The Definitive Universal Horrors on Blu-Ray	#10	[-]
Oct 18 11 9:48 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Good. Maybe they can lease them to Criterion instead.
	Remove this ad
Joe Karlosi	Re: The Definitive Universal Horrors on Blu-Ray	#11	[-]
Oct 19 11 3:36 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Yeah, Universal ought to inform Criterion, Image, Olive, Eureka, MPI, Fox, and Warner MOD that "black and white just doesn't sell". "Guy named Squeamy got thrown from the fifth floor. He's deader'n a mackerel."
dracsback	Re: The Definitive Universal Horrors on Blu-Ray	#12	[-]
Oct 19 11 4:28 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	looneyguy1985 wrote: Having just recently watched Dracula in HD off of the playstation store I must say I am sold on getting these babies on the eventual blu ray release. That sucker looked absolutely amazing!! One thing I was a tad bit disapointed in was the audio department. IS there really nothing they can do to clean it up a bit or are we forever stuck with the constant hissing? After I saw your post - I checked this out on the Playstation store too. In addition to Dracula, they had Creature flick, Frankenstein, The Mummy, and The Wolfman - all advertised in HIGH DEFINITION. About $4.50 for rental or get this - $17.99 to own. I don't know if that means you "own" the right to download the movie forever or if you download it to your Playstation and that is your digital copy. If it is true that these are HIGH DEF scans of the movies then than means they exist. The next logical question is - why not on BluRay media? I'm tempted to rent one just to see what it LOOKS like. "I saw what I saw when I saw it!"
looneyguy1985	Re: The Definitive Universal Horrors on Blu-Ray	#13	[-]
Oct 20 11 12:29 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Temptation is exactly what lured me into the rental of Dracula and I highly recommend checking it out. It is indeed true HD and watching it on my 50' plasma I was very impressed visually, however the audio seems to be untouched. From time to time I do purchase rentals off the PSN but I cannot recommend purchasing movies to own off of the PSN. Its a one time download that is associated with your account, which means that if you make a back up and port it over to another playstation, it can only be played if you are logged into your psn account on that machine. I dont even think they can be played on any other devices which makes these movies overpriced and not practical at all.
dracsback	FRANKENSTEIN in High Definition	#14	[-]
Oct 21 11 10:40 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Just rented FRANKENSTEIN in high defintiion off of the PSN. It looked great. In HD you see quite a bit of grain as expected. So, we know these are scanned in and ported to HD...just waiting to be burned to a BD. After viewing the HD version, I went back and put in my Legacy DVD of Frankenstein to see how much the difference in picture quality there is. The HD is sharper by far and has more contrast - the downside is that the some of the details are lost in the black areas but this could be corrected by adjusting the settings on the TV. The Legacy DVD has less contrast and is a bit softer for sure all around. I always thought the DVD looked fine upscaled on my PS3 but I have to say the HD version is definitely better. C'mon Universal - where is the BluRay?? "I saw what I saw when I saw it!" Last Edited By: dracsback Oct 22 11 10:48 AM. Edited 1 times.
timothymayer	Re: The Definitive Universal Horrors on Blu-Ray	#15	[-]
Oct 24 11 7:31 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I'd settle for THE MUMMY (1932). "It's alive!" Z7 Headquarters
Elisabeth	Re: The Definitive Universal Horrors on Blu-Ray	#16	[-]
Oct 28 11 6:00 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I watch all my regular DVDs right on my computer, and they come out in gorgeous H-Def. BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN is particularly lovely. Your Signature ... "....I do hope he won't upset Henry..."
clayking	Re: The Definitive Universal Horrors on Blu-Ray	#17	[-]
Oct 29 11 7:33 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Elisabeth wrote: "I watch all my regular DVDs right on my computer, and they come out in gorgeous H-Def. BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN is particularly lovely." If you really believe that then you're in denial or haven't seen how remarkable films can look on big screen HD. I watched some of AMC's apparently true-HD broadcast of Karloff's The Mummy this morning and the level of detail and richness of contrast make the DVD look inferior by comparison. The bad news: the 72 minute film was run in a 105 minute slot, with 33 minutes of commercials (every 5-7 minutes), making the film impossible to watch: one of the reasons I haven't watched AMC since they sold out to commercials some years back. I watched a minute of Bride of Frankenstein afterward but it did not look nearly as good - perhaps it was upconverted. Since Universal is transferring some legacy titles to HD there's hope that they may be released on blu-ray. Some titles are available for streaming but only in 720p so far. Last Edited By: clayking Oct 29 11 7:46 AM. Edited 3 times.
Joe Karlosi	Re: The Definitive Universal Horrors on Blu-Ray	#18	[-]
Oct 29 11 7:55 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Let's hope so, yes. HD movies are wasted when shown on TV or streamed, IMO. They belong on Blu-ray discs for the rabid collector to acquire and save. "Guy named Squeamy got thrown from the fifth floor. He's deader'n a mackerel."
bela lugosi	Re: The Definitive Universal Horrors on Blu-Ray	#19	[-]
Oct 29 11 9:17 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I couldn't stomach watching it on AMC, but now I wish I had given the quality mentioned.
Chesterbelloc	Re: The Definitive Universal Horrors on Blu-Ray	#20	[-]
Oct 29 11 2:20 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Joe Karlosi wrote: Let's hope so, yes. HD movies are wasted when shown on TV or streamed, IMO. They belong on Blu-ray discs for the rabid collector to acquire and save. I'm with you, Joe! Check out my movie collection at: http://www.dvdaf.com/search.html?where=larryw7&init_form=where_0_larryw7*mode_more
	Remove this ad