'Monster Legacy Collections' come to DVD!

Cinema's most famous monsters return in spectacular fashion as the must-have "Monster Legacy Collections" come to DVD for the first time on April 27, 2004. Universal Studios Home Video will unleash three comprehensive collections for $26.98 suggested retail each: "Dracula: The Legacy Collection," "Frankenstein: The Legacy Collection" and "The Wolf Man: The Legacy Collection." Each collection contains the original feature film that introduced the classic monster icon and bonus titles from the same classic monster family.

Starring the genre's definitive icons -- Bela Lugosi (Dracula), Boris Karloff (Frankenstein) and Lon Chaney, Jr. (The Wolf Man) -- the collections salute the most influential cinematic creatures in the history of horror, spanning generations of instant recognition. An essential part of every DVD collector's entertainment library, "The Monster Legacy Collections" also include an added bonus -- each set will contain a feature hosted by celebrated action-adventure director Stephen Sommers ("The Mummy," "The Mummy Returns") discussing how each film influenced his own lifelong love of the genre and their impact on his upcoming theatrical film, "Van Helsing," to be released by Universal Pictures on May 7, 2004. In addition, audio tracks for Dracula, Frankenstein and The Wolf Man have been completely remastered to restore their original clarity.

"The Monster Legacy" DVD Gift Set, comprised of all three collections plus exclusive commemorative busts of the three monster icons, developed by award-winning Sideshow Collectibles, is priced at $79.98 SRP.

"Dracula: The Legacy Collection"

The Los Angeles Times points out, "Bela Lugosi was the best Dracula ever," and viewers discover why with this special features-packed DVD of the original landmark film. "Dracula" (1931), starring Bela Lugosi, immortalized the ancient vampire Count Dracula, bringing to chilling life Bram Stoker's 1897 novel "Dracula." In this well-known classic, Dracula mysteriously arrives in England, where he begins to prey upon the virtuous young Mina. The film features the first ever on-screen appearance of the character Van Helsing (Edward Van Sloan), who wages a battle against the bloodthirsty vampire over Mina. As a whole, the titles in this collection forged the modern perception of vampires, with bonus titles including "Dracula's Daughter," "Son of Dracula," "House of Dracula" and "The Spanish Dracula," a fascinating film with a Spanish-speaking cast that was filmed simultaneously at night while the English language version was being filmed in the day. The English-speaking cast would leave and the Spanish-speaking cast would arrive utilizing the same sets and the same screenplay.

Special Features for "Dracula: The Legacy Collection" include the vintage "Dracula" and "Son of Dracula" theatrical trailers, special introduction by Stephen Sommers on Universal's Classic Monsters, the documentary "Road to Dracula," and a vintage poster montage. Horror aficionados can bone up with feature audio commentary provided by film historian David Skal. Additionally, world-renowned composer Philip Glass and the Kronos Quartet come together for a recording of the first score ever produced for this film.

"Frankenstein: The Legacy Collection"

"Boris Karloff's ... Frankenstein is still the greatest of all incarnations of monsterhood," says Newsweek. "Frankenstein" (1931), from acclaimed director James Whale ("The Invisible Man"), launched the iconic image of Boris Karloff with bolts in his neck and scar running down his forehead that has become the most famous monster of all time. The film begins with Dr. Frankenstein and his hunchback assistant Fritz stealing bodies from a grave and from the gallows, then a brain from a medical university, oblivious to the jar's label "abnormal brain." Dr. Frankenstein's tragic experiment, the creation of an artificial human being, goes awry as the scientist loses control over the creature to whom he has given life. Bonus titles in the collection include "The Bride of Frankenstein," "Son of Frankenstein," "Ghost of Frankenstein" and "House of Frankenstein."

"Frankenstein: The Legacy Collection" boasts a thrilling array of bonus features, including the documentaries "She's Alive: Creating the Bride of Frankenstein" and "Frankenstein Files." Horror fans will enjoy feature commentary from film historians Rudy Behlmer and Scott MacQueen and the "Frankenstein" still gallery. Additional highlights include monster feature "Boo!," "The Bride of Frankenstein" archives and original theatrical trailers.

"The Wolf Man: The Legacy Collection"

"The Wolf Man" (1941) is the unforgettable thriller that inspired the entire werewolf feature film genre. Universal Studios' interpretation of the werewolf in this film distilled all the myths of lycanthropy and put them into an original story which served to establish our culture's "rules" for werewolves. The film begins when a man, played by horror icon Lon Chaney, Jr., is attacked by a werewolf, and later discovers he is the victim of a terrible curse whenever the full moon appears. Co-starring Academy Award®-nominees Claude Rains ("Casablanca") and Ralph Bellamy ("The Awful Truth"), the classic film was directed by George Waggner. Bonus titles in the set include "Werewolf of London," "Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man" and "She-Wolf of London." Bonus features include the original documentary "Monster by Moonlight," feature audio commentary with Tom Weaver, Archives, and the theatrical trailer.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Street Date: April 27, 2004

Rating: Not rated

Suggested Retail Price: $26.98 SRP

DVD Gift Set $79.98 SRP

DVD Selection Number:

"Dracula: The Legacy Collection" Full Screen 24455

"Frankenstein: The Legacy Collection" Full Screen 24461

"The Wolf Man: The Legacy Collection" Full Screen 24458

"he Monster Legacy" DVD Gift Set Full Screen 24956

Running Times:

"Dracula" -- 1 hr. 15 mins