Universal Horror Collection: Volume 4 Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Universal Horror Collection: Volume 4 Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf March 10, 2020

As with the last release of genre titles, “Universal Horror Collection: Volume 4” isn’t entirely focused on the essentials of fright pictures. This set is more about the oddities of Universal’s production history, with Shout Factory reaching into the vault to deliver 1937’s “Night Key,” 1942’s “Night Monster,” 1944’s “The Climax,” and 1946’s “House of Horrors” to fans eager to get their hands on filmmaking styles from a special time in Hollywood history. There are few scares to be found, but artistic achievements are plentiful in the selections, while two of the efforts feature Boris Karloff, an endlessly interesting actor who livens up whatever he appears in.

Click here for a review of Night Key

Click here for a review of Night Monster

Click here for a review of The Climax

Click here for a review of House of Horrors

Universal Horror Collection: Volume 4 Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

See above for reviews.

Universal Horror Collection: Volume 4 Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

See above for reviews.

Universal Horror Collection: Volume 4 Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Night Key

• Commentary features film historians Tom Weaver and Dr. Robert J. Kiss.

• Production Art Gallery (3:59) presents pictures of design achievements and pages of concept art.

• Image Gallery (3:27) collects film stills, publicity shots, poster art, and newspaper ads.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (1:39, HD) is included.

Night Monster

• Commentary features film historian Gary D. Rhodes.

• Image Gallery (3:59) collects publicity shots, film stills, poster art, and lobby cards.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (1:09, SD) is included.

The Climax

• Commentary features film historians Kim Newman and Stephen Jones.

• Image Gallery (4:26) collects film stills, publicity shots, poster art, and lobby cards.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:08, HD) is included.

House of Horror

• Commentary features film historian Scott Gallinghouse.

• "The Creeper: Rondo Hatton at Universal" (22:24, HD) is an overview of the "House of Horrors" star's life and times, offering input from experts such as Rick Baker and Fred Olen Ray. The details of Hatton's adolescence are shared, with the handsome young man soon pulled into the battlefield of World War I, finding exposure to mustard gas triggering the development of acromegaly, which slowly distorted his features. Trying to make a go of things as a journalist in Florida, Hatton was soon lured to Hollywood, using his extreme looks to commence an acting career. Early work is detailed, including the birth of The Creeper character. Also explored is Hatton's relationship with producers and the slow deterioration of his health. Some commentary on The Creeper as seen in 1991's "The Rocketeer" is offered as well.

• Image Gallery (5:19) collects film stills, publicity shots, BTS snaps, poster art, and lobby cards.

• A Trailer has not been included.

Universal Horror Collection: Volume 4 Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Universal Horror Collection: Volume 4" delivers appealingly varied styles of filmmaking, from the grandly operatic to more exploitive efforts, selling the range of productions the studio was offering during this era. Once again, the "Horror" label on the set is misleading, but the discs provide satisfying viewing experiences and a small offering of extras to help understand the history and motivation behind the construction of these offerings.