Universal Classic Monsters: Complete 30-Film Collection First Time Ever on Blu-ray!

FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, A LANDMARK COLLECTION SHOWCASING THE LEGENDARY MONSTERS IN MOTION PICTURE HISTORY

UNIVERSAL CLASSIC MONSTERS: COMPLETE 30-FILM COLLECTION AVAILABLE ON BLU-RAY ON AUGUST 28, 2018 FROM UNIVERSAL PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMENT

Universal City, California, August 22, 2018 – Thirty of the most iconic cinematic masterpieces starring the most famous monsters of horror movie history come together on Blu-ray™ for the first time ever in the Universal Classic Monsters: Complete 30-Film Collection on August 28, 2018, from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. Featuring unforgettable make-up, ground-breaking special effects and outstanding performances, the Universal Classic Monsters: Complete 30-Film Collection includes all Universal Pictures’ legendary monsters from the studio that pioneered the horror genre with imaginative and technically groundbreaking tales of terror in unforgettable films from the 1930s to late-1950s.

From the era of silent movies through present day, Universal Pictures has been regarded as the home of the monsters. The Universal Classic Monsters: Complete 30-Film Collection showcases all the original films featuring the most iconic monsters in motion picture history including Dracula, Frankenstein, The Mummy, The Invisible Man, The Bride of Frankenstein, The Wolf Man, Phantom of the Opera and Creature from the Black Lagoon. Starring some of the most legendary actors including Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff, Lon Chaney Jr., Claude Rains and Elsa Lanchester in the roles that they made famous, these films set the standard for a new horror genre and showcase why these landmark movies that defined the horror genre are regarded as some of the most unforgettable ever to be filmed.

Universal Classic Monsters: Complete 30-Film Collection includes a 48-page collectible book filled with behind-the-scenes stories and rare production photographs and is accompanied by an array of bonus features including behind-the-scenes documentaries, the 1931 Spanish version of Dracula, Featurettes on Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff, Lon Chaney Jr., and Jack Pierce, 13 expert feature commentaries, archival footage, production photographs, theatrical trailers and more. The perfect gift for any scary movie fan, the collection offers an opportunity to experience some of the most memorable horror films of our time.

The Universal Classic Monsters: Complete 30-Film Collection includes Dracula(1931), Frankenstein (1931), The Mummy (1932), The Invisible Man (1933), The Bride of Frankenstein (1935), Werewolf of London (1935), Dracula’s Daughter (1936), Son of Frankenstein (1939), The Invisible Man Returns (1940), The Invisible Woman (1940), The Mummy’s Hand (1940), The Wolf Man (1941), The Ghost of Frankenstein (1942), The Mummy’s Ghost (1942), The Mummy’s Tomb (1942),Invisible Agent (1942), Phantom of the Opera (1943), Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man (1943), Son of Dracula (1943), House of Frankenstein (1944), The Mummy’s Curse (1944), The Invisible Man’s Revenge (1944), House of Dracula (1945), She-Wolf of London (1946), Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948)Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man (1951), Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954, and includes a 3D version), Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy (1955), Revenge of the Creature (1955 and includes a 3D version) and The Creature Walks Among Us (1956).

 

BONUS FEATURES:

  • Behind-the-Scenes Documentaries
  • 3D Versions of Creature from the Black Lagoon and Revenge of the Creature
  • 1931 Spanish Version of Dracula
  • Featurettes on Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff, Lon Chaney Jr., and Jack Pierce
  • 13 Expert Feature Commentaries
  • Archival Footage
  • Production Photographs
  • Theatrical Trailers

 

Blu-ray Review "Easter Parade (1948)"

Actors: Judy Garland, Fred Astaire, Peter Lawford, Ann Miller, Jules Munshin
Directors: Charles Walters
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Warner Home Video
DVD Release Date: February 19, 2013
Run Time: 107 minutes

Film: 4 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3.5 out of 5 stars

“Easter Parade” is hitting Blu-ray for the first time, thanks to Warner Brothers.   The talent in this film is completely overflowing with Judy Garland, Fred Astaire and the wonderful music of Irving Berlin. The film was originally set to star Gene Kelly but he was unable to star so Astaire came out of his recently announced retirement to take over. This really works with Astaire in the lead role. The film is celebrating its 65th Anniversary this year and this Blu-ray is a must purchase. I am looking forward to making this a yearly revisit each Easter season!

Official Synopsis: If you can’t join ’em, beat ’em! When his long-time dance partner abandons him for the Ziegfeld Follies, Don Hewes decides to show who’s who what’s what by choosing any girl out of a chorus line and transforming her into a star. So he makes his choice and takes his chances. Of course, since Fred Astaire portrays Don and Judy Garland plays the chorine, we know we’re in for an entertainment sure thing.

If you like music than this should be right up your alley, with seventeen musical numbers, all written by Berlin (ten of them are standards and seven are new specifically for the film). If you like dancing that you will love Fred Astaire’s dance solos, including “Drum Crazy” and “Steppin’ Out with My Baby”.  Judy Garland gets to shine those vocals with the song “Better Luck Next Time.” The music and dancing will leave you with a smile on your face and your toes tapping.

Warner really delivered a fantastic Blu-ray release.  The film has never looked better.  I originally saw this film on TCM and almost it claimed to be HD, it was a very poor print.  This 1080 transfer with an aspect ratio of 1.33:1 looking clearing stunning.  The film is 65 years old, so there is a little age to it but it only adds to the charm of its time.  Since the film is a musical, the DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 track really delivers the songs quite well and never fail to entertain. They are well balanced and have never sounded better.  There is also a Dolby Digital 1.0 track also available but obviously I prefer the HD track still.

Since this is the 65th Anniversary Edition, there is no storage of fantastic extras.  First up we have an nice audio commentary with Ava Astaire McKenzie, Fred’s granddaughter and John Fricke, a historian/author on The Wizard of Oz and Judy Garland. Very fun and entertaining. “Easter Parade: On the Avenue” is a fantastic 30 minutes featurette on this wonderful production. “American Masters – Judy Garland: By Myself” looks into the career of the actress.  There are an outtake and dailies from the scene “Mr. Monotony”.  There is an audio only vintage radio promo from the film, as well as a 3/11/1951 Screen Guild Theater Broadcast.  Lastly there is a theatrical trailer included.