Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection Blu-ray USA

Universal Pictures have announced the US Blu-ray release of Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection on 2 October 2012. This collection features eight films on Blu-ray, which the press release notes are "digitally restored from high resolution film elements in perfect high-definition picture and perfect high-definition sound for the first time ever". The collection also boasts a collectible 48-page book featuring behind-the-scenes photographs, original posters, correspondence and much more. Each film is accompanied by an array of bonus features that tell the story of its creation and history, including behind-the-scenes documentaries, filmmaker commentaries, interviews, storyboards, photo galleries, and trailers. Also included is a never-before-seen featurette about the restoration of Dracula and the first ever offering of Creature from the Black Lagoon in its restored Blu-ray 3D version.
The films and extras are outlined below...

Dracula (1931) - The original 1931 movie version of Bram Stoker’s classic tale has for generations defined the iconic look and terrifying persona of the famed vampire. Dracula owes its continued appeal in large part due to Bela Lugosi’s indelible portrayal of the immortal Count Dracula and the flawless direction of horror auteur Tod Browning. The Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection includes the original version of this chilling and evocative tale, as well as the rarely seen Spanish version of Dracula. Filmed simultaneously with the English language version, the Spanish version of Dracula is an equally ominous vision of the horror classic shot with the same sets and script. Cinematographer George Robinson and a vibrant cast including Carlos Villarias and Lupita Tovar deliver a chilling and evocative tale filled with the same terror, mystery, and intrigue.
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) - Boris Karloff stars as the screen’s most tragic and iconic monster in what many consider to be the greatest horror film ever made. Dr. Henry Frankenstein (Colin Clive) dares to tamper with the essential nature of life and death by creating a monster (Karloff) out of lifeless human body parts. Director James Whale’s adaptation of the Mary Shelley novel and Karloff’s compassionate portrayal of a creature groping for identity make Frankenstein a timeless masterpiece.
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) - Horror icon Boris Karloff stars in the original 1932 version of The Mummy in which a team of British archaeologists accidentally revives a mummified high priest after 3,700 years. Alive again, he sets out on an obsessive—and deadly—quest to find his lost love. Over 50 years after its first release, this brooding dream-like horror classic remains a cinematic masterpiece.
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) - Claude Rains delivers an unforgettable performance in his screen debut as a mysterious doctor who discovers a serum that makes him invisible. Covered by bandages and dark glasses, Rains arrives in a small English village and attempts to hide his amazing discovery, but the drug’s side effects slowly drive him to commit acts of unspeakable terror. Based on H.G. Welles’ classic novel and directed by the master of macabre, James Whale, The Invisible Man fueled a host of sequels and features revolutionary special effects that are still imitated today.
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) - The acclaimed sequel to the original Frankenstein has become one of the most popular horror classics in film history. The legendary Boris Karloff reprises his role as the screen’s most misunderstood monster, now longing for a mate of his own. Colin Clive is back as the proud and overly ambitious Dr. Frankenstein, who creates the ill-fated bride (Elsa Lanchester). The last horror film directed by James Whale features a haunting musical score that helps make The Bride of Frankenstein one of the finest and most touching thrillers of its era.
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) - Originally released in 1941, The Wolf Man introduced the world to a new Universal movie monster and redefined the mythology of the werewolf forever. Featuring a heartbreaking performance by Lon Chaney Jr. and groundbreaking make-up by Jack Pierce, The Wolf Man is the saga of Larry Talbot, a cursed man who transforms into a deadly werewolf when the moon is full. The dreamlike atmospheres, elaborate settings and chilling musical score combine to make The Wolf Man a masterpiece of the genre.
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) - This lavish retelling of Gaston Leroux's immortal horror tale stars Claude Rains as the masked phantom who haunts the Paris Opera House. A crazed composer who schemes to make beautiful young soprano Christine DuBois (Susanna Foster) the star of the opera company, the Phantom also wreaks revenge on those he believes stole his music. Nelson Eddy, as the heroic baritone, tries to win the affections of Christine as he tracks down the murderous, horribly disfigured Phantom.
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) - Captured and imprisoned for scientific study, a living “amphibious missing link” becomes enamored with the head researcher’s female assistant (Julie Adams). When the hideous creature escapes and kidnaps the object of his affection, a crusade is launched to rescue the helpless woman and cast the terrifying creature back to the depths from which he came. Featuring legendary makeup artist Bud Westmore’s brilliantly designed monster, Creature from the Black Lagoon is an enduring tribute to the imaginative genius of its Hollywood creators.
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

Below we have a video on the restoration carried out on Dracula followed by pictures of the set.

Esto es muy bueno realmente.
Personalmente siempre he tenido a THE INVISIBLE MAN por encima del resto.
Luego mis otras favoritas son Frankenstein, La Novia de Frankenstein y La Criatura de la Laguna Negra.
Drácula, La Momia, El Hombre Lobo y El Fantasma de la Opera nunca fueron mis versiones favoritas.
Las primeras dos les tengo más cariño a las versiones de la Hammer con Christopher Lee.
Las de El Hombre Lobo para mi son las de John Landis y Joe Dante que se hicieron en 1981.
Y la de El Fantasma de la Opera ha tenido 3 versiones en los últimos 20-25 años que les tengo más cariño que a esa vieja película del '43.
Una es de la Robert Englund de 1989 dirigida por Dwight H. Little, el mismo de Halloween 4; la segunda es de la de Dario Argento de 1998 basicamente por Asia Argento, la peli es mala; y por último la de Joel Schumacher del 2004.

Pero volviendo a EL HOMBRE INVISIBLE. Ese siempre ha sido uno de mis poderes favoritos.
El cine y la TV le han dedicado varias películas al tema...

- The Invisible Man Returns (1940) con Vincent Price.
- The Invisible Woman (1940).
- Invisible Agent (1942) y The Invisible Man's Revenge (1944).
- The Man Who Wasn't There (1983).
- Memoirs of an Invisible Man (1992) de John Carpenter con Chevy Chase.
- The Invisible Man (1998) para la TV con Kyle MacLachlan (me gustaría poder verla alguna vez para ver que onda).
- Hollow Man (2000) de PAul Verhoeven con Kevin Bacon.
- The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003) con Tony Curran.

Y siempre me acuerdo unas que eran "softcore" en donde había un hombre invisible que tenía sexo con un montón de mujeres que tenían que simular que había alguien en donde en realidad no había nadie. Me parecían super graciosas esas películas.

- The Erotic Misadventures of the Invisible Man (Video 2003) con Gabriella Hall

Aquí está para bajársela: http://fullsoftmovies.blogspot.com.ar/2 ... e-man.html

- También existe una llamada The Invisible Maniac (1990) que dice ser una comedia pero me parece que es más bien para llorar por lo mala.

Fuente: http://happyotter666.blogspot.com.ar/20 ... -1990.html

Dejo unos clips de estas 2 últimas que encontré en Youtube...



ENLACES/FUENTES:
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