Universal Horror DVD Collection

[SoulMan]

I have heard that there is a collection of all the old Universal horror films on dvd with special features, I think its made up of around 7 or 8 films. As far as I know its region 1 only and also a very limited edition, I haven't seen it on any websites. Has anyone heard of it?

SoulMan

[Joe Skinnell]

They have indeed released a little over 2 dozen titles from Uni Classic Horror days. They can be found at any online etailer and most home video stores. They even sell them at the Kmart by me. So far they released the entire Frankenstein, Mummy, Dracula, and Wolfman series. A couple of the Abbott & Costello titles from the A&C Meets series and a handfull of other titles. Rumour has it they will be releasing several of their Hammer titles on DVD in the next 12 - 18 months. Scroll down this page linked here and you'll find the titles availabe.

Universal at DVDEmpire

[Frederick Bergstrom]

im not sure about the extra features I havent bought any ( although they are 29.99 so 15.00 per dvd) where I shop, but I read the back of most of them and I dont remember seeing much extra just the movies themselves.

[Jrcasey]

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.