USHE Press Release: Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection (Blu-ray) includes Creature (1 Viewer)

[Ken Volok]

I wish they had not opted to show us the til now invisible "wires and threads " in "The Invisible Man". Restoration is supposed to be about how a film was originally seen; Disney correctly decided to eliminate their wires for Mary Poppins that suddenly became visible in HD.

 

[John Morgan]

Can't wait for this set. I have read most of the reviews on various sites, but I wonder if someone could answer these questions?
1. Does THE INVISIBLE MAN now have the original dance orchestra playing on the radio, rather than that horrible piano rendition of HEARTS AND FLOWERS?
2. Is BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN properly framed? The best test of this, I think, is the crusifix shot in the hermit's hut.
3. Did they "unfix" the spelling of president on the DRACULA title card? (Asking because it was fixed in the DRACULA restoration video, but one of the sites that reviewed the blu ray had a screen grab with the misspelling) Also, did they go back and fix the DRACULA sound glitch in the main title with the same performance (from THE MUMMY or SECRETS OF THE BLUE ROOM), or did they, again as the restoration video claims, use the Spanish DRACULA version, which is a different performance from the 50s that sounds a bit out of whack to me?
4. And finally, did they get all the "censored" sound back in DRACULA and FRANKENSTEIN?
Thanks...

 

[Kevin EK]

John, I had not seen The Invisible Man before yesterday, so I'll have to research the radio music. I honestly don't know the answer.

Bride of Frankenstein looked properly framed to me, but I'll have to research the discussion about the framing to confirm this.

Dracula had what I understand to be the proper performance of the Overture from Swan Lake for its main title music. It is the same performance of the music heard on the Blu-ray of The Mummy. The performance on the Spanish Dracula sounds markedly different.

I'll have to research whether all the censored sound was put back. What I do know is that these sound mixes are new - using the original materials but cleaning them up to reduce hiss and deal with the distortion issues.

 

[Kevin EK]

John, I can confirm that the Dracula opening title card reads "Presient". I believe this is due to them going back to older materials from which to make the new transfer.

I'm not sure of the framing issues on Bride of Frankenstein. From what I can tell, the first DVD was cropped and the 2004 DVD fixed that issue. The new Blu-ray appears to have the same framing as the 2004 DVD but is a new transfer that looks much better. The crucifix to which you refer appears almost fully in the center of the upper part of the frame in the transition between the two scenes in the hut. The height of the crucifix and the figure on it can be seen clearly, although the uppermost part of the object is above the frame.

Regarding The Invisible Man, I've checked the scene of Kemp listening to the radio. It's "La Rosita", as performed by Gus Arnheim, and definitely not "Hearts and Flowers".

Regarding the sound on Dracula and Frankenstein, I can say that you can clearly hear Dracula groaning and moaning as Van Helsing rudely interrupts his sleep by staking him to death. You can also hear the first two of Renfield's screams as Dracula strangles him. I don't know if there were more because after those two screams, we cut away and when we return, his lifeless body is rolling down the stairs. In Frankenstein, you can clearly hear the good doctor declare "Now I know what it's like to be God!" - I turned to Joe at that point in our screening and commented that this was the whole point of the original book, which is why it is subtitled "The Modern Prometheus".

Hope this has been a help.

 

[FoxyMulder]

Originally Posted by Kevin EK /t/321849/ushe-press-release-universal-classic-monsters-the-essential-collection-blu-ray-includes-creature-in-3d/240#post_3981997
you can clearly hear Dracula groaning and moaning as Van Helsing rudely interrupts his sleep by staking him to death.

We humans can be so inconsiderate at times, i bet he was having a fabulous dream too.

 

[David Weicker]

We humans can be so inconsiderate at times, i bet he was having a fabulous dream too.

Serves him right. He has a couple of beautiful brides, and he goes off to sleep alone.

 

[FoxyMulder]

Originally Posted by David Weicker /t/321849/ushe-press-release-universal-classic-monsters-the-essential-collection-blu-ray-includes-creature-in-3d/240#post_3982039
Serves him right. He has a couple of beautiful brides, and he goes off to sleep alone.

Viagra wasn't invented back then.

 

[Mark Oates]

But just think how much relish Lugosi would have put into saying the word "Viagra".

 

[John Morgan]

But just think how much relish Lugosi would have put into saying the word "Viagra".

Thanks for the comments. Sounds like they fixed everything they could and I look forward to getting my shipped notice.
I think Lugosi was the only person that could make the word "Viagra" four syllables at least.

 

[bob kaplan]

Some one mentioned that THIS ISLAND EARTH might well be included as having one of UNIVERSALs great monsters with its bugged eyed mutants....i am not sure about that....but i would most certainly love an improved disc of the title. i think the title can use a big hug and a blu ray release....but i guess it boils to to money....and it probably would not be a big seller....i, however, will keep hoping.!!! Hope i have not side tracked the thread too much!!

 

[Worth]

In Canada, Cineplex will be showing a double-bill of Dracula and Frankenstein on October 21st, 24th and 31st:
http://www.cineplex.com/Events/ClassicFilmSeries/Home.aspx
Unrelated to this thread, but they're also showing The Shining on October 29th.

 

[dpippel]

I can supply the villagers.

Don't forget the pitchforks and shovels.

 

[Kevin EK]

Just make sure that when you throw the dirt with the shovel, you don't hit the back wall of the stage...

 

[Dick]

Some one mentioned that THIS ISLAND EARTH might well be included as having one of UNIVERSALs great monsters with its bugged eyed mutants....i am not sure about that....but i would most certainly love an improved disc of the title. i think the title can use a big hug and a blu ray release....but i guess it boils to to money....and it probably would not be a big seller....i, however, will keep hoping.!!! Hope i have not side tracked the thread too much!!

I am hoping Universal will offer us a multi-title Sci-Fi set in 2013 as a follow-up to the monster set, which would include THIS ISLAND EARTH, IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE (3-D), THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING MAN, REVENGE OF THE CREATURE (3-D) and maybe four others.

 

[Ruz-El]

Originally Posted by Dick /t/321849/ushe-press-release-universal-classic-monsters-the-essential-collection-blu-ray-includes-creature-in-3d/240#post_3982320
I am hoping Universal will offer us a multi-title Sci-Fi set in 2013 as a follow-up to the monster set, which would include THIS ISLAND EARTH, IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE (3-D), THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING MAN, REVENGE OF THE CREATURE (3-D) and maybe four others.

I'm hoping for a monster set vol 2 with all the sequels in it on double title blurays. So I want the Creature sequels in it, and the 3D versions will be a good sell point.

There's enough Sci-Fi stuff though for companion set, or they can make it more 50's with The Mole People and stuff like that. There was some set with Shrinking Man, Mole People, Monolith Monsters (which is pretty great for such a dumb concept) and a couple of others I forget. I'd take it on blu though.

Shrinking Man is showing at the art house that cocked up Frankenstein with a restored 35mm print, so a blu of that is surely in the works.

 

[Garysb]

I got my shipping notice from Amazon.UK today. Delivery estimate is next Monday but as that is Columbus Day, I am hoping it will get here by Saturday. If not then next Tuesday .

 

[Johnny Angell]

My estimated delivery date is 10/24. Does shipping a coffin take that much longer?

 

[Ruz-El]

Originally Posted by Johnny Angell /t/321849/ushe-press-release-universal-classic-monsters-the-essential-collection-blu-ray-includes-creature-in-3d/240#post_3982452
My estimated delivery date is 10/24. Does shipping a coffin take that much longer?

I'll let you know if my coffin set ever gets shipped. :S

 

[Kevin EK]

Depends if the delivery guy takes a Ricola. That usually stops the coffin.

 

[David Weicker]

My estimated delivery date is 10/24. Does shipping a coffin take that much longer?

Its probably coming by schooner - the Vesta.