I like every movie in both sets, with special kudos to MAN MADE MONSTER, NIGHT MONSTER and DR. CYCLOPS. I can't wait to get both of these sets. Perhaps Uni is holding ISLAND OF LOST SOULS for a future Paramount horror collection. I hope they release it soon.
Thanks for the info on the Kino DVD of The Old Dark House, John; however, I had read somewhere that it's from a 16mm print, which didn't sound too promising. Not 100% sure of that, though.
The Kino Old Dark Houseis the only disc available and does look pretty "iffy". There's supposed to be a perfect looking print out there (I think at the George Eastman House - ?). Would be great if this print could get a DVD release. But if it is at the Eastman House, don't hold your breath for that...!
According to Tom Weaver (on the CHFB), the laser disc/VHS of Island of Lost Souls didn't exactly set the cash registers on fire (i.e., they didn't sell squat), so Uni is probably not anxious to invest in a DVD release.
Good point, but I sure never ran into many VHS copies of LEECH WOMAN, CULT OF THE COBRA, BLACK CAT (1941), MAN-MADE MONSTER, CAPTIVE WILD WOMAN, etc. in my years and years of hitting video stores. I doubt any of those really sold that well either back in the laserdisc/VHS era. I've run into more copies of DR. CYCLOPS for some strange reason, though, and I've seen more copies of LOST SOULS for rent than most of those other titles. DVD is also a different era. People who would never buy VHS movies or would not pay the laserdisc prices would now immediately buy those same titles they once skipped if released on DVD. So there's no reason ISLAND OF LOST SOULS couldn't at least be a part of one of these collections if not an individual release. It remains the biggest gem in the unreleased on DVD Universal horror catalog as far as I'm concerned. No contest whatsoever.
EDIT:
PS - I am still thrilled with these upcoming releases. Sometimes getting some 'lesser'' films that you would never expect to see the light of day on DVD is reason to rejoice. Give us anything that's not out there as far as I'm concerned. ISLAND OF LOST SOULS and more established unreleased films will eventually see a release down the line. It's just having patience to wait for them.
Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure the Kino version is culled from both 16mm and 35mm elements. It's certainly worth getting if you can find it, for the time being. Plus it's got some great extra features.
Unbelievable. 10 Sci-Fi and Horror films in two collections, Island of Lost Souls could've been included in either set and it still didn't make the cut. Thanks Universal.
That's all right for you to say, Joe. On my part, I only have the most utter contempt for Universal and their fucking Best Buy exclusives! Thank God, I'm far more than just a classic horror junkie and Universal can stuff these sets up their oh-so-smart ass for all I care...
Thankfully, I have already acquired HORROR ISLAND (1941) and NIGHT MONSTER (1942) on DVD-R so I won't exactly miss them on DVD...but the same can't be said about MAN-MADE MONSTER (1941) and THE BLACK CAT (1941) - neither of which I've ever seen - or DR. CYCLOPS (1940) which I've only watched on Italian TV eons ago! Oh well, maybe in a year's time, Amazon will deign itself to offer it to its customers for a limited time period just like it did a few weeks ago with Universal's previous Best Buy exclusive, The Classic Sci-Fi Ultimate Collection.
By the way, I almost forgot...FUCK YOU UNIVERSAL AND BEST BUY!!
I wasn't planning on buying these sets since the titles are of minimal interest to me but after reading Mario Gauci's post, they're both definite purchases for me. Universal needs to know that some of us do appreciate their attempts to bring B cult movies to the DVD arena, whatever way possible whether thru the normal channels, Best Buy exclusives or stuffed into a cereal box.
By the way, I almost forgot...THANK YOU UNIVERSAL AND BEST BUY!!
I'm with Mario. Plus I totally missed that Amazon got a hold of this to sell. Piss on Universal and store exclusives. These titles don't sell shit if they aren't available everywhere.
If it will make anyone feel better, "The Black Cat" (1941) is a really awful movie, which is more unfunny comedy and unmysterious mystery than horror, anyway.
One would think making deals that result in a product being sold by only one chain would be illegal, wouldn't one? But I guess it isn't.
Whew...makes you know really quick who lives in the US, and has a Best Buy in the area. I am in the thanks Universal and Best Buy side. Also ,thank god they dont use DVD 18s...that would really suck!