Universal Studios Home Video has announced the release of three Monster Legacy DVD Collections on April 27.  Each of the collections contains four or five of the original classic Universal Monster horror movies (the inspiration for the new Van Helsing film) on two double-sided DVDs with a very reasonable suggested retail price of $26.98.  As more and more DVDs are issued every month, there has been a downward pressure on the retail price of catalog releases of older films, which is reflected in the approximate cost of $5 per film in these collections.  Many pop culture retailers are concentrating on fairly obscure horror and science fiction titles, which appeal to their customer base and are not likely candidates for heavy discounting at the big chains.  The Monster Legacy Collections, which actually contain more special DVD features than most DVDs of film classics, may be strong backlist sellers for years given their comprehensive nature.

 

The Dracula Legacy Collection, for example, includes: Dracula (1931), the Spanish version of Dracula, which was shot on the same sets in 1931 and which many horror buffs prefer, Dracula's Daughter, Son of Dracula (directed by the great Robert Siodmak), and House of Dracula.  The Collection also includes an original documentary, 'The Road to Dracula,' as well as feature film commentary from film historian David J. Skal.

 

The Frankenstein Legacy Collection includes Frankenstein, Bride of Frankenstein, Son of Frankenstein, Ghost of Frankenstein and House of Frankenstein plus two documentaries and commentary by film historian Rudy Behlmer, while the Wolf Man Legacy Collection includes The Wolf Man, Werewolf of London, Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man, and She-Wolf of London, plus a documentary on the making of the Wolf Man films and commentary from Tom Weaver.

 

The Monster Legacy DVD Gift Set includes all the DVDs from all three Monster Legacy Collections plus hand-painted busts of Dracula, Frankenstein, and the Wolf Man from Sideshow Collectibles -- all for a very reasonable retail price of $79.98.