Classic Monsters Spotlight Collection

THIS REVIEW IS FOR "Classic Monsters Spotlight Collection [Dracula, Frankenstein, The Bride of Frankenstein, Creature from Black Lagoon] (Universal's 100th Anniversary)," BUT IT ALSO INCLUDES INFORMATION REGARDING ITS SISTER PURCHASE,  Classic Monsters Spotlight Collection (The Mummy (1932) / The Wolf Man / The Invisible Man / Phantom of the Opera (1943)) These 2 DVD's are on sale for $150.00 at TCM, in one box, with the same exact films, but with additional features about the making of the films, interviews, and whatever they could throw in. This is a gift for my Dad, who watches a lot of late night television, so I know that he's either either already seen the additional information about these films, or would Never bother to watch the additional information on the DVD's ("Special Features" is a swear word in our home). Paying @14.99 per DVD ($5 dollars cheaper than these individual DVD's on TCM as well) and saving me $120.00, makes me happy. My Dad gets the best 8 horror flicks of all times, and I get the happiness of giving him a gift I know he will use, in its entirety, not ignored, or tossed aside partially used. This is one of the best win-win presents I've ever given him.I may have failed to mention that my Dad and I were watching an old movie on Turner Classic Movies and he was saying that it was too bad they never show the black and white Horror Flicks he grew up loving, his particular favorite being Creature from the Black Lagoon, when an ad came on for the $150.00 box set of all 8 of these films. He went on and on for awhile about the ridiculous price, and who needs those Bleeping Spec*$^ Featu$@& anyway. He watches a lot of the Biography Channel, so he pretty much saw all the interviews they'd include. He went on about how they're selling them instead of showing them, and oh, what a waste. I was so pleased to find that not only could I get this very nice gift for him, but I could get it at a much lower price. Which, if I told him about, he'd be very proud of me. As it is, I know there's no chance he'll open the Special Features portion anyway, so it'll be our little secret.

"Dracula" (5) - The Count leaves his 3 wives behind in Transylvania and takes his coffins of native resting soil to Carfax Abbey, just outside of London, where he will have access to countless, supple feminine necks. . . .Includes a Spanish version ( it is not a dubbed version). Bonus Feature: "The Road to Dracula" is worth a watch.Menu quirk: You can not access the menu for Subtitles & Bonus Materials, until the movie begins playing."Frankenstein" (5) - Frankenstein was proud of what he had created, until Dr. Waldman revealed that the brain, Frankenstein's assistant had stolen, was that of a criminal. Frankenstein was soon to be horrified by what his new creation had done: the monster's first two murders were in self-defense, but the third ... was the death of innocence. . . .Bonus Feature: "The Frankenstein Films" is also worth a watch. Menu quirk: same."The Bride of Frankenstein" (5+) - As it turns out, Henry Frankenstein was not the only one to create life; Dr. Pretorius had created a collection of miniature human beings, but what he longed for was to create a new race; what was needed was a woman, and with Frankenstein's help, they could create a mate for the monster ... to be fruitful and multiply. . . .Menu quirk: same."Creature from the Black Lagoon" (3) - A webbed, clawed hand is found sticking out of a riverbank. A small group of scientists steam up an Amazon tributary to a lagoon to hunt for other prehistoric samples, but what they discover instead is that this species is not extinct, and now, it becomes a question of just who is hunting who. . . .Overall: Slow paced; many bubbling scuba swimming scenes; the creature is quiet detailed, even the soles of its feet.Picture (DVD-2012) for the first three films: 3, grainy; for the "Creature of the Black Lagoon": 3.5.

These four are classics as anyone can guess. Universal always finds the right atmosphere in their classic movies and the black and white adds to the beauty of these classics. There are four DVDs with up to five movies in Dracula, Spanish Dracula, Frankenstein, Bride of Frankenstein, and Creature from the Black Lagoon.Dracula is very similar to Nosferatu only with the best Dracula possible in Bela Lugosi. Bela owns this role and really steals the show. There is also a bonus of the Spanish Dracula added onto the Dracula disc. Spanish Dracula is superior to the American version in every way except in who plays Dracula. Carlos isn't quite on Bela's level, but he's not bad. The extra dialogue and better camerawork keep Spanish Dracula as the definite Dracula film(despite the lack of Lugosi). Both are moody films with a dark romantic element to them. Frankenstein has awesome scenery and legendary sets. This story despite its simplicity resonates with anyone. Frankenstein is driven by great character work and like Dracula relatively short. Bride of Frankenstein is superior to the original Frankenstein. I would say it is a little more similar to the book in a way. The inclusion of a possible female Monster makes the film even better with different complexities. It also has a lot of the same scenery. Lastly, we have Creature from the Black Lagoon. This film looks gorgeous and tells the simple story of an unknown species.All these films are classics that everyone in the family can enjoy. They all have unique sets and a dark atmosphere that is sure to entertain, and for 10-11 dollars you get four of the most classic movies ever.

Yes, I loved these films. I haven't watched them all yet but the ones I did watch were lovely and old fashioned. The trouble is, I thinkI have grown out of them. I haven't actually watched any TV for about 5 years and in fact find it pretty impossible to sit down and watch anything at all. I tried to watch them with my daughter aged about 11 at the time but I think she thought they were a bit , basically weird, being set in the 20's and 30's. I think I am waiting for the right moment, and if it never comes in my lifetime I will keep them just in case it comes in one of my children's..