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The initial Universal Horror Classics DVD titles released were loaded with extras, and considering the age of the films, I'm sure this was no small feat.
Those initial titles: DRACULA(1931), FRANKENSTEIN(1931), THE INVISIBLE MAN(1933), BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN(1935), PHANTOM OF THE OPERA(1943), THE WOLFMAN(1941), and CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON(1954) all featured original documentaries running 30-45 minutes, trailers, text features, and various other extras. The DRACULA disc also included the Spanish version directed by George Melford and an alternate soundtrack option with a newly recorded score for the Bela Lugosi version. The documentaries are generally well done and feature some of the living cast members (such as Turhan Bey for PHANTOM) or relatives of deceased cast members (Claude Rains' daughter for example on PHANTOM). The hosts of these documentaries range from David Skaal to John Landis.
The next batch of films released this year were all double features with no real extras other than trailers and production notes/filmographies:
SON OF DRACULA(1943)/DRACULA'S DAUGHTER(1936)
THE MUMMY'S HAND(1940)/THE MUMMY'S TOMB(1942)
THE MUMMY'S GHOST(1944)/THE MUMMY'S CURSE(1944)
SON OF FRANKENSTEIN(1939)/GHOST OF F'STEIN(1942)
F'STEIN MEETS THE WOLFMAN(1943)/HOUSE OF F'STEIN('44)
WEREWOLF OF LONDON(1935)/SHE WOLF OF LONDON('46)
Curiously, they have omitted HOUSE OF DRACULA(1945), but I suspect it will eventually make it to DVD.
Universal has generally been very kind to the horror genre in terms of video release, so it isn't suprising that they plan the release of their Hammer holdings. They previously released their Hammer films on laserdisc in some very nice editions, letterboxed where appropriate (such as PARANOIAC). The transfers, therefore, already exist!
Hope this is helpful.
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