Universal Horror Archive/Sci-Fi Classics vol. I & II

[HerrSchreck]

Just a heads up to fans of Universal Sci Fi & Classic Horror from the golden age:

Two new releases exclusive to Best Buy (God knows why they're doing this.).. you better get'em while they're out because SCi Fi Ultimate Pt1 is OOP and running for over $100 bucks on Ebay, and Part Two, which has been out for just 3 weeks, is already being auctioned on Ebay for 40 bucks (it cost me 17 bucks plus tax in Best Buy today).

UNIVERSAL HORROR CLASSIC MOVIEW ARCHIVE, and the UNIVERSAL SCI FI CLASSIC COLLECTION VOL 2.

In the HORROR box is 1941's THE BLACK CAT (not the '34 Ulmer, but this has Lugosi), MAN MADE MONSTER, HORROR ISLAND, NIGHT MONSTER, and CAPTIVE WILD WOMAN. All from early 40's, all from Universal, all previously unreleased.

On BOX 2 of the SF BOX, are DR CYCLOPS, CULT OF THE COBRA, THE LAND UNKNOWN, THE DEADLY MANTIS, and THE LEECH WOMAN.

Both boxes in hand and pure heaven. Grab this very quickly or kick yourself forever. I can't imagine not having box one with the sublime MOLE PEOPLE and the indispensable masterpiece AMAZING SHRINKING MAN (which quite frankly should not be in any box that can go out of print).

The question still remains.. what is going on with the great ISLAND OF LOST SOULS with Charles Laughton? I sometimes allow myself to dream of a CC release....

[My Man Godfrey]

Thanks for the heads-up. My local Best Buy hasn't heard of this Horror Archive collection, though. Is it possible that they just haven't arrived in stores yet?

[davebert]

The Sci-Fi one is highlighted briefly in this week's Weekly Ad circular/insert, but I saw no mention of the Horror box.

[HerrSchreck]

Thanks for the heads-up. My local Best Buy hasn't heard of this Horror Archive collection, though. Is it possible that they just haven't arrived in stores yet?

I have both in hand. Make sure you really push hard, none of the kids working the floor in the two Best Buys here in NYC I visited even knew what the F I was talking about. I bumped into the HORROR ARCHIVE by accident while looking on the shelves for the SCI FI 2, which thank god I saw the review for on Gary's site. Move fast-- SF2 was already sold out for good on 86th street, but for consolation I bumped into the Horror. After telling me that no-such thing existed, I found the thing in their own computers for them (it told me that there was 19pcs of the sf in the Best Buy at 44th & 5th, which is where I got it). Check the shelves eve if the kids say its' not in.

The Sci Fi is filed under "C" in the sf section, and the horror under U in the horror section. At least here in NY. Look hard and don't take anyones word for it who works there.

[Chull]

Anybody know if these can be gotten in Canada somehow?

[thethirdman]

The Sci-Fi one is highlighted briefly in this week's Weekly Ad circular/insert, but I saw no mention of the Horror box.

The Universal Horror Classic Movie Archive was featured in the Sept. 30 - Oct. 6 Best Buy ad. It was on sale last week for $17.99.

Links at Best Buy.com: Classic Sci-Fi Ultimate Collection Vol. 2 & Universal Horror Classic Movie Archive

[HerrSchreck]

Anybody know if these can be gotten in Canada somehow?

From the DVDTALK review listed above... (sorry to be the bearer of this, but this just emphasizes the stupidity of the clandestine nature of the whole affair):

The Classic Sci-Fi Ultimate Collection Vol. 2 comes in a folding plastic holder similar to last year's set. 'Unbelievers' won't find any unsung classics here -- Universal is plumb out of those -- but rabid monster addicts will get their desired fix. Who knows, there are probably plenty of fans who think the stumbling Tyranno-slob dinosaur is better than Jurassic Park! Okay, maybe not quite so many.

The big bother with this set is that it can only be purchased through Best Buy stores. Although it's an exclusive it wasn't promoted at all; investigation on the Best Buy website turned up nothing (ads may be there now). With no preorders and only word of mouth on a couple of dozen Monster Fan websites, only the cognoscenti even knew about the title. And because Best Buy doesn't ship overseas, foreign buyers are Out Of Luck. Marketing ploys are one thing; we can see how an order guarantee from a retailer like Best Buy would be a good for a studio. But it's not a kindness to the loyal fans (and customers) to make them jump through hoops like this.

[Cronenfly]

Screwed yet again. Not sure if Canada qualifies as foreign or not, but I sure as hell haven't been able to find them here. Enjoy, you damn Americans...

[Musashi219]

I'm going to Best Buy tomorrow to attempt finding a copy of the Sci-Fi Collection. I managed to pick up the Horror Collection along with the Twisted Terror Collection last week. Should I grab an extra copy or two for you international folks?

[Cosmic Bus]

I've really enjoyed (re)discovering the mostly goofy gems on the two sci-fi collections; picked up the horror set last week but haven't yet gotten around to opening it. Wish it was in the same style case as the others, though.

And I'm not above admitting to making about $500 on the Classic Sci-Fi Vol. 1 sets a few months ago...

[Harold Gervais]

I guess Best Buy broke their own street date a few weeks ago with the Sci-Fi v.2 but it was a chore for them to find it. I ended up pulling the UPC code off of DVD Spot to give to them when I tried again to get my hands on it. That helped them a lot and I walked out of there with it on my second try. The Horror Archive was out and plentiful in the New Orleans area store that I go to this morning. Also worth noting that the v.1 of the Sci-Fi set is OOP and can be pretty expensive on ebay and such places so if you are interested in it, I would pick it up while you can.

[pauling]

I picked both of these up last night and was just wondering if the Horror collection was a limited edition affair like the Sci-Fi. There seemed to be a lot more of the former in stock.

[HerrSchreck]

I picked both of these up last night and was just wondering if the Horror collection was a limited edition affair like the Sci-Fi. There seemed to be a lot more of the former in stock.

No, they're both limited editions exclusive to Best Buy. The reason for the larger amount of the Horror is that it streeted just a few days ago, whereas the SF2 streeted on 9/11/07. So inventory on the HORROR will naturally be fatter since it just came out.

[Cinephrenic]

Digital Bits:

Okay, we've got some interesting new announcements for you today. First up, Universal has set The Classic Sci-Fi Ultimate Collection: Volumes 1 & 2 for release on DVD on 5/13 (SRP $59.98). The set will feature 10 films on 6 discs, including Tarantula, The Mole People, The Incredible Shrinking Man, The Monolith Monsters, Monster on the Campus, Dr. Cyclops, Cult of the Cobra, The Land Unknown, The Deadly Mantis and The Leech Woman. All will be in their original aspect ratios, and the widescreen films will be anamorphic.

[LightBulbFilm]

Universal has set The Classic Sci-Fi Ultimate Collection: Volumes 1 & 2 for release on DVD on 5/13 (SRP $59.98). The set will feature 10 films on 6 discs, including Tarantula, The Mole People, The Incredible Shrinking Man, The Monolith Monsters, Monster on the Campus, Dr. Cyclops, Cult of the Cobra, The Land Unknown, The Deadly Mantis and The Leech Woman. All will be in their original aspect ratios, and the widescreen films will be anamorphic.

Kick ass! I missed these when they were LEs. Thank you Universal. You didn't fail me.... Yet!

[Person]

Digital Bits:

Okay, we've got some interesting new announcements for you today. First up, Universal has set The Classic Sci-Fi Ultimate Collection: Volumes 1 & 2 for release on DVD on 5/13 (SRP $59.98). The set will feature 10 films on 6 discs, including Tarantula, The Mole People, The Incredible Shrinking Man, The Monolith Monsters, Monster on the Campus, Dr. Cyclops, Cult of the Cobra, The Land Unknown, The Deadly Mantis and The Leech Woman. All will be in their original aspect ratios, and the widescreen films will be anamorphic.

Fairly good news, but fuck me, just release these films seperately, Universal. All I need is Monolith Monsters.

[HerrSchreck]

Dave you must surely have appreciated the near Arabian Nights-level Uni technicolor transfer on this film DR CYCLOPS. Universal have this shit down like almost no other inna biz nowadays...

[Props55]

David, DRUMS ALONG THE MOHAWK (1939) was Fox but TRAIL OF THE LONESOME PINE ('36?) is definately a pre-CLOPS Paramount. DR. CYCLOPS was 1940 (I think) and DeMille's NORTHWEST MOUNTED POLICE is also from around that time.

Schreko, Dekker also appears in a small part as a rebelious Legionaire in Wellman's BEAU GESTE. Interesting to see him shouted down by Brian Donlevy as the sadistic sargent as they both worked the same stock 'n trade heavy wise.

[Props55]

Aside from CYCLOPS, the Dekker performances that come most readily to mind are Colfax in THE KILLERS, Dr. Soberlin (it does sound like a drug!) in KISS ME DEADLY and Harrigan in THE WILD BUNCH. I've only seen EXPERIMENT PERILIOUS once about 30 years ago but I believe he was the heavy in that. Oddly the most "normal" character I recall him playing is that of the businessman who provides finiancial backing to James Dean in EAST OF EDEN. It's such a departure from his usual casting that it always takes me by surprise. Before I can mentally place him after seeing his name in the credits I'm swept up in a whirlwind of acting styles what with Dean, Jo Van Fleet (with Timothy Carey!) and Raymond Massey that I'm shocked when he finally appears as the least angst-ridden character in the whole film!

I've read the suicide scenario from HOLLYWOOD BABYLON but so much of Anger's material has proven spurious that I wonder. If I recall correctly not just the bondage gear but quotes from negative notices scralled in lipstick on his torso!

A capable and always interesting actor, Dekker was an integral component in at least a half dozen cult masterpieces.

Thanks for the delirious description of the Sirk several posts above. I've never had the chance to see it but your feverish capsule sketch tantalises.

[Props55]

Wow, thanks David! My interest in this film is really running high now. When I mentioned never having seen or read much about THERE'S ALWAYS TOMORROW I somehow forgot that Sarris championed it way back in the day. I don't recall him going into plot particulars in any great detail and certainly not the arresting visuals using the toys.

Hmmm. If there were more enlightened craniums at Universal HV could this be the cornerstone of a more "adult" Sci-fi set of Uni-Para library titles? Anything to get this material out before it becomes further ghettoized by the stampede to Blu-Ray.

[tryavna]

I've only seen EXPERIMENT PERILIOUS once about 30 years ago but I believe he was the heavy in that.

I'm afraid you're misremembering here. Paul Lukas plays the baddie in Experiment Perilous. Dekker plays the hero's (George Brent) best friend. He's an extremely unreliable friend, though. He gets drunk at a key moment and gives the game away. Yet another flawed character, I guess.

[Props55]

Well, there ya' go. Curmudgeon film buff loses more synapses! I stand corrected! It has been something like 30 years though and all I really remember is that Hedy Lamarr made a fetching heroine and Brent was his usual bland leading man. Also the AMBERSONS grand staircase had a pivotal supporting role and Tourneur's (and Masuraca's?) mood painting equalled their work for Lewton

I'll use this opportunity to muse further regarding casting choices and note again that Brent resumes his bland good-guy status (after being artfully used as a red herring and later revealed as the heavy in THE SPIRAL STAIRCASE) and that Lukas is recycled as a villain after spending most of WWII as a righteous anti-fascist defender of European freedom. Throwing the usually villainous Dekker into the mix as an undependable sidekick makes me think that someone in casting at RKO had a real knack for upsetting audience expectations for the betterment of the story arc. I really need to see this again.

[reaky]

Some bad news via the CHFB: it seems there won't be the annual archive Universal horror release this year. It looks as if I may never get to see ISLAND OF LOST SOULS.

[Cinephrenic]

I sent out a message to Criterion on this one, I'll post the response when I get an answer.

[HerrSchreck]

Just because they're not releasing a box (they've really swept the vault hampers to put together the last Horror box) doesn't mean we wont get Island of Lost Souls on dvd. If any film warrants a single release a la Frankenstein/Bride of/Drac / Mummy etc it's this one.

It looks as if I may never get to see ISLAND OF LOST SOULS.

is a quote no cineaste should ever hafta articulate. Even if it means going out and ordering this VHS... the film so seriously doesn't fuck around ( a real high point for not only Erle Kenton but Sunrise's-- and so many other masterworks'-- dp Karl Struss. He was the F.A. Wagner of the USA.