Universal Horror Collection: Volume 1 Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.5

Universal Horror Collection: Volume 1 Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf June 25, 2019

Throughout the 1930s, Universal Pictures wanted to capitalize on their most popular actors from the horror genre, using nationwide fame with smashes such as “Dracula” and “Frankenstein” to build a brand name with Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi. Their team-ups littered the decade, and four of those endeavors have been brought to Blu-ray via Shout Factory, who presents “Universal Horror Collection: Volume 1.” The set strives to give Lugosi and Karloff their due by including “The Black Cat,” “The Raven,” “The Invisible Ray,” and “Black Friday,” charting their creative ups and downs as they strived to become a screen duo audiences would run to the theaters to see.

Click here for a review of Black Cat

Click here for a review of The Raven

Click here for a review of The Invisible Ray

Click here for a review of Black Friday

Universal Horror Collection: Volume 1 Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

See above for individual reviews.

Universal Horror Collection: Volume 1 Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

See above for individual reviews.

Universal Horror Collection: Volume 1 Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Black Cat

• Commentary #1 features author Gregory William Mank.

• Commentary #2 features author Steve Haberman.

• "A Good Game: Karloff and Lugosi at Universal: Part 1 – 'The Black Cat'" (23:34, HD) features authors Gary D. Rhodes and Gregory William Mank, who discuss the unusual relationship between the genre icons. A short assessment of "The Black Cat" is provided, with the movie an early pre-Hayes Code offering that push the limits with its dark subject matter. Career positions for Lugosi and Karloff are examined, with the men using the production to work out some competitiveness and embrace the marquee value of their team-up. Lugosi's connection to Edgar Allan Poe is explored, along with personal history, while professionalism is highlighted through a few anecdotes. The interviewees close with an overview of "The Black Cat" and its creative successes, and share their favorite scenes.

• "Dreams Within a Dream: The Classic Cinema of Edgar Allan Poe" (56:02, HD) provides an overview of the author's cinematic adaptations, from D.W. Griffith to Roger Corman's run of releases in the 1960s. Narration is provided by Doug Bradley.

• "The Black Cat Contest" (:49, HD) is a silent clip of a cat pageant, with little kids showing reluctant felines to judges Karloff and Lugosi.

• Still Gallery (8:47) collects film stills, BTS snaps, publicity shots, poster art, lobby cards, theater displays, and newspaper ads.

• A Trailer is not included.

The Raven

• Commentary #1 features author Gregory William Mank.

• Commentary #2 features author Steve Haberman.

• "A Good Game: Karloff and Lugosi at Universal: Part 2 – 'The Raven'" (17:25, HD) features authors Gary D. Rhodes and Gregory William Mank, who build on their informational offering from "The Black Cat" to detail the next stage of Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff's career. It turns out, Karloff had very little interest in making "The Raven," showing disdain for the material, but he was smart enough to keep Universal suits happy with his contractual work. For Lugosi, the picture provided a chance at a lead role, offered the rare shot to command the work, while both men were aware of the project's monster connections. Status issues and special billing are examined, along with Hays Code control, which kept a very close eye on the screenplay. Character details are explored, and the personal relationship between the stars is highlighted. The interviewees close with an overview of "The Raven" (focusing on Lugosi's professional opportunity) and share their favorite scenes.

• Audio Recording (13:22) presents Bela Lugosi reading Edgar Allan Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart."

• Still Gallery (8:18) collects film stills, BTS snaps, publicity shots, poster art, lobby cards, theater displays, and newspaper ads.

• A Trailer is not included.

The Invisible Ray

• Commentary features authors Tom Weaver and Randall Larson.

• "A Good Game: Karloff and Lugosi at Universal: Part 3 – 'The Invisible Ray'" (23:34, HD) features authors Gary D. Rhodes and Gregory William Mank, who examine Boris Karloff's rising star around Hollywood, permitted to work outside of Universal, taking a great number of jobs which secure his marquee value. For Bela Lugosi, the future wasn't as bright. Changes at Universal find the company trying to inch away from horror, selling "The Invisible Ray" as a sci-fi experience, while spending more money to deliver a higher production value. Character interpretation is noted, with Lugosi trying to make his select moments count, and on-set behavior is recalled by a cast member, who enjoyed the company of both actors. The influence of evolving science is explored, with real-world discoveries guiding the spirit of the production. While the rivalry between Karloff and Lugosi is downplayed by the interviewees, changing times in the genre are spotlighted, with Universal's horror cycle coming to a close.

• Still Gallery (7:00) collects film stills, BTS snaps, publicity shots, poster art, lobby cards, theater displays, and newspaper ads and articles.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (1:44, SD) is included.

Black Friday

• Commentary features film historian Constantine Nasr.

• "A Good Game: Karloff and Lugosi at Universal: Part 4 – 'Black Friday'" (17:04, HD) features authors Gary D. Rhodes and Gregory William Mank, who dissect the final collaboration of Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi for Universal Pictures, trying to capitalize on the unexpected success of "Son of Frankenstein." With Karloff in control due to professional highs, the actor made a last-minute move to pull out of the lead role, giving Stanley Ridges a shot at the part, while Lugosi was demoted to "third banana," leaving him with little to do. The interviewees are sure this wasn't a vindictive move, with Lugosi subjecting himself to a hypnotism hoax to help attract some publicity. Once again, the personal relationship between the iconic thespians is inspected, with Karloff enjoying a substantial amount of career luck, making a fortune, while Lugosi watched his professional opportunities fade fast.

• "Inner Sanctum Mystery Radio Hour" (26:45) presents a performance of Edgar Allan Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart" by Boris Karloff.

• Still Gallery (8:47) collects film stills, BTS snaps, publicity shots, poster art, lobby cards, and newspaper ads.

• A Theatrical Trailer (1:55, SD) is included.

Universal Horror Collection: Volume 1 Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Universal Horror Collection: Volume 1" provides a decent starter pack for Karloff/Lugosi fandom, delivering a broad sense of their creative accomplishments and career trajectories during the 1930s. A/V is solid, and supplementary features are reasonably stacked for 80-year-old features.