Article by: Josh Blackburn
Universal Studios has announced that they will finally be bringing their classic monsters to Blu-ray as part of Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection, to be released October 2nd, 2012. In celebration of their 100th anniversary, Universal has digitally restored eight of their legendary monster films straight from the high-resolution film reels. Along with the high-definition transfers, the collection will also be accompanied by a ton of bonus features, a collectible 48-page book featuring behind-the-scenes photographs, original posters, correspondence and more.
Highlights of the bonus features include a featurette on the restoration of Dracula (see below for clip) and a restored Blu-ray 3D version of Creature from the Black Lagoon. I’m really interested to see how that turned out. No word yet as to technical aspects, but it looks like Universal went all out for this release. As a huge fan, I can’t wait to add this to my collection. Universal lists the set as $159.98, but you can pre-order on Amazon right now for $111.99.
Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection
Included films: Dracula, Frankenstein, The Mummy, The Invisible Man, Bride of Frankenstein, The Wolf Man, Phantom of the Opera, Creature from the Black Lagoon
Dracula (1931)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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
