Classic Horror – The Universal Dracula Movies
Hi
When I was growing up in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s horror and science fiction movies were a rare sight on television in New Zealand. Of the classics, I can only recall King Kong, Dracula, and The Invisible Man (which was probably on a couple of times).
It was only with the arrival of DVDs, and the wonderful Boxed Set, that I was able to discover these films. Several of these sets I was able to find locally, but a couple I had to get from overseas.
The Universal Legacy Collection was available in a giant 30-movie boxed set; in sets by the lead monster; or individually. This is the 3-disc Dracula Legacy Collection.
You get the original Dracula (1931) with Bela Lugosi, and the Spanish-language version (1931). Before it was worked out how to dub sound films in to different languages, it was necessary to make an entire second movie in whatever language was required, usually with a different cast.
Spanish was a common choice for US film makers, aiming at the large Latin American market. The Spanish Dracula is longer than the English version, with some different scenes, and rats instead of Armadillos at Dracula's Castle, but without the great Bela Lugosi it suffers.
You also get Dracula's Daughter (1936), in which Dracula does not appear; Son of Dracula (1943), with Lon Chaney Jr.; and House of Dracula (1945), with John Carradine. Dracula also appeared in House of Frankenstein (1945) which is part of the Frankenstein set; and in Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948), again with Bela Lugosi as the Count.
There are original theatrical trailers for all the films, documentaries, and a gallery of film posters and photographs. A great set.
Paul Adams from New Zealand
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