Universal Horror Collection: Volume 2 Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		3.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.0

Universal Horror Collection: Volume 2 Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf July 25, 2019

Last month welcomed the release of “Universal Horror Collection: Volume 1,” which offered four collaborations from stars Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff, sampling their range and career highs and lows. The icons are missing from “Universal Horror Collection: Volume 2,” which searches the studio’s vault for slightly more obscure offerings of genre entertainment, bringing to Blu-ray “Murders in the Zoo,” “The Mad Ghoul,” “The Strange Case of Doctor Rx,” and “The Mad Doctor of Market Street.”

Click here for a review of Murders in the Zoo

Click here for a review of The Mad Ghoul

Click here for a review of The Mad Doctor of Market Street

Click here for a review of The Strange Case of Doctor Rx

Universal Horror Collection: Volume 2 Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

See above for individual reviews.

Universal Horror Collection: Volume 2 Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

See above for individual reviews.

Universal Horror Collection: Volume 2 Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Murders in the Zoo

• Commentary features film historian Greg Mank.

• Still Gallery (1:48) Collects film stills, publicity shots, lobby cards, and poster art.

• A Trailer has not been included.

The Mad Ghoul

• Commentary features film historian Thomas Reeder.

• Image Gallery (5:51) collects film stills, publicity shots, poster art, lobby cards, and a newspaper ad.

• Press Kit (1:01) includes pages from the Universal release.

• And a Trailer has not been included.

The Mad Doctor of Market Street

• Still Gallery (5:55) collects publicity shots, film stills, poster art, lobby cards, and newspaper ads.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (1:41, SD) is included.

The Strange Case of Doctor Rx

• "Gloriously Wicked: The Life and Legacy of Lionel Atwill" (19:02, HD) provides a career overview for the actor, with film historian Gregory William Mank providing information concerning biographical details and career ups and downs. A theater star, Atwill made his name with powerful performances, wowing audiences. However, Hollywood was too great a temptation, with Atwill heading west, and Mank points out professional successes with "Doctor X," "The Vampire Bat," and "Son of Frankenstein." Personal issues eventually cloud his film career, with sex addiction leading him to professional ruin, soon caught up in legal woes concerning the ownership of adult movies. A career rebound is highlighted, along with his final days. And Mank provides a summary of Atwill's thespian legacy.

• Image Gallery (5:16) collects film still, publicity snaps, and poster art.

• A Trailer has not been included.

Universal Horror Collection: Volume 2 Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

While Karloff and Lugosi are missed, there are some seriously strange events found throughout "Universal Horror Collection: Volume 2," which examines weird science, coldblooded acts of murder, and, unexpectedly, broad comedy. While some presentations aren't supported with fresh scans, and extras are disappointingly minimal, the set still offers an interesting range of titles for Universal admirers and genre fans.