Info: a Universal Monsters preservation discussion thread

thought id start a thread dedicated to preserving the varous uniquely different transfers that exist for the universal classic monsters

i know for a fact that the 1999 (“Universal Classic Monster collection”) dvds of frankenstein, dracula, and bride of frankenstein, contain an earlier restoration effort

would anyone here know if the other “classic monster collection” dvds use different restorations and if so, what would the main differences be?

(i have also heard that the original discovision lds of dracula/frankenstein/bride of frankenstein were taken from nitrate prints, can anyone confirm if this is indeed true? and or if they do indeed appear significantly different)

Just a short list

Dracula- Early video releases had the censored audio track that lacked Renfield’s death screams and Dracula’s death groans. This same track oddly was used for the 2004 DVD but aside from that most video releases from the 1990s onward have the restored audio track though the 1999 DVD for some reason is missing the musical cue at the end of the opera scene. Additionally the Blu-ray recreates portions of the opening credits to fix a jump cut

Frankenstein- Early releases featured the films censored film which cut a few scenes notably the Monster killing the little girl. Most of these cuts were restored around 1986 and have been intact ever since although it was until 1999 that Colin Clive’s line “Now I know what it feels like to be God” was fully restored. This film has also had a history of audio issues which you here about here…

https://originaltrilogy.com/topic/Frankenstein-1931-Audio-Preservation/id/47595

…and here.

https://forum.fanres.com/thread-712.html

The Mummy- Nothin significant offhand

The Invisible Man- The theatrical release had the piece “La Rosita” playing in one scene but most video releases replaced it with “Hearts and Flowers”. The BD restores “La Rosita”.

Bride of Frankenstein- The sequence of the Monster approaching the hermits cabin is re-edited on the BD.

The Wolf Man- Nothing significant offhand

Phantom of the Opera ‘43- Nothing significant offhand

Creature from the Black Lagoon- 1980 VHS has the film in 4:3 open matte and in the 1970s anaglyph format. Subsequent video releases have it 2D. The BD is the first to have the film in its theatrical widescreen version in both 2D and 3D so apparently the 3D effect is reversed in some shots.

There’s many more films I know but I’m at work and just wanted to name check a few things real fast.

crissrudd4554 said:

Just a short list

Dracula- Early video releases had the censored audio track that lacked Renfield’s death screams and Dracula’s death groans. This same track oddly was used for the 2004 DVD but aside from that most video releases from the 1990s onward have the restored audio track though the 1999 DVD for some reason is missing the musical cue at the end of the opera scene. Additionally the Blu-ray recreates portions of the opening credits to fix a jump cut

Frankenstein- Early releases featured the films censored film which cut a few scenes notably the Monster killing the little girl. Most of these cuts were restored around 1986 and have been intact ever since although it was until 1999 that Colin Clive’s line “Now I know what it feels like to be God” was fully restored. This film has also had a history of audio issues which you here about here…

https://originaltrilogy.com/topic/Frankenstein-1931-Audio-Preservation/id/47595

…and here.

https://forum.fanres.com/thread-712.html

The Mummy- Nothin significant offhand

The Invisible Man- The theatrical release had the piece “La Rosita” playing in one scene but most video releases replaced it with “Hearts and Flowers”. The BD restores “La Rosita”.

Bride of Frankenstein- The sequence of the Monster approaching the hermits cabin is re-edited on the BD.

The Wolf Man- Nothing significant offhand

Phantom of the Opera ‘43- Nothing significant offhand

Creature from the Black Lagoon- 1980 VHS has the film in 4:3 open matte and in the 1970s anaglyph format. Subsequent video releases have it 2D. The BD is the first to have the film in its theatrical widescreen version in both 2D and 3D so apparently the 3D effect is reversed in some shots.

There’s many more films I know but I’m at work and just wanted to name check a few things real fast.

thankyou so much for the fast reply, thats pretty much exactly aall the info i was looking for personally

Glad I could help! These videos might be helpful as well! Good luck! 👍👍👍👍

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=FREmhMcqzAI

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fD7mKJ0-td0&t=200s

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CQZkinC2-_E&t=5s

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dNhenEU7Vik&t=4s

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zmIP7xOGs7c

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bkCwwoZIm6U

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nvDtYwnr424&t=149s

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xrTP9TEZd4s&t=154s

Here’s a few others just to keep the discussion going 😃

Werewolf of London- The BD features an odd drop in volume during the last 15 or 20 minutes. This does not occur on the DVD versions

Dracula’s Daughter- Two different opening credit sequences

https://vimeo.com/166704816

Son of Frankenstein- The BD features a few extra scenes/takes not on the VHS/DVD version

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JSoAcmsPmmA

The Invisible Man Returns- Nothing significant offhand

The Mummy’s Hand- Nothing significant offhand

The Invisible Woman- Nothing significant offhand

Ghost of Frankenstein- Nothing significant offhand

Invisible Agent- Nothing significant offhand

The Mummy’s Tomb- Early pressings of the VHS lacked Kharis killing Mary Gordon’s character and his return to the crypt as seen here (skip to 34:57)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVsMznzH9pY

This was corrected on later pressings. The DVD and BD editions have the footage intact. The BD does skip 2-3 frames in the scene on the ship.

Frankenstein meets the Wolf Man- Nothing significant offhand

Son of Dracula- The 1991 VHS has a re-recorded version of the Universal globe theme. The DVD and BD versions have the correct recording. The BD removes the ad for war bonds at the end of the film seen on the DVD.

The Invisible Mans Revenge- Nothing significant offhand

The Mummy’s Ghost- Nothing significant offhand

House of Frankenstein- A glitch appeared in one scene where two shots repeated on the 2001 and 2004 DVDs. The 2014 DVD and 2016 BDs have the scene corrected. The BD has a few frames dropped in one scene.

The Mummy’s Curse- Nothing significant offhand

House of Dracula- Nothing significant offhand

Revenge of the Creature- VHS and DVD versions have it in open matte 2D. BD has it in widescreen in both 2D and 3D. Early pressings of the BD had the 3D version authored incorrectly. This was quickly corrected though many still complain the 2D looks too soft.

The Creature Walks Among Us- VHS and DVD versions have it in open matte. The BD have it in widescreen.