Universal Classic Monsters
Universal Classic Monsters | |
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Production company | |
Distributed by | Universal Pictures |
Country | United States |
Universal Classic Monsters (also known as Universal Monsters and Universal Studios Monsters) is a home video line based on a series of horror films primarily produced by Universal Pictures from the 1930s to the 1950s. Although not initially conceived as a franchise, the enduring popularity and legacy of the films and the characters featured in them has led the studio to market them under the collective brand name of Universal Studios Monsters.[1] Steve Jones of USA Today described Universal's most famous monsters as "pop culture icons", specifically Dracula, Frankenstein, the Mummy, and the Wolf Man.[2]
Merchandising
After the Universal horror films were
Home video line
Louis Feola was the head of Worldwide Home Video for Universal Studios and said in 1999 that "a couple of years ago" he decided to "reinvigorate and re-market" Universal's Classic Monsters catalog which included the series Dracula, Frankenstein, The Invisible Man, The Phantom of the Opera, The Wolf Man, and The Mummy.[1] In 1992, in an interview with Billboard, Feola stated that to market and sell home video, the most important thing was the packaging of their sales which was "probably our single biggest priority and has been for a number of years", and that it was key to make the series of films "look like a line".[9]
In 1995, MCA/Universal released a collection of the films on home video under the title The Universal Studios Monsters Classic Collection.[10] This series included Frankenstein, Dracula, The Mummy, The Invisible Man, and the Creature from the Black Lagoon series.[10] A collection of stamps featuring Universal Classic Monsters were also released in September 1997 titled the "Universal Classic Movie Monsters series".[11] Other characters in the series included the Mummy, Frankenstein's monster (Boris Karloff), the Phantom of the Opera (Claude Rains), and the Wolf Man (Lon Chaney Jr.).[12]
Films
The columns show the subsequent home video releases.
- ^ a b Although originally produced and released by Paramount Pictures, Universal obtained the rights to the film in 1958 and branded it with Universal Studios Monsters in its 1991 home video release.[30]
Comics
Dark Horse Comics
Dark Horse Comics released comic adaptions of several of the films, featuring four one-shots and one collected edition, in 1993 and in 2006, respectively.[106][107]
Title | Creatives | Publication Date | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Writer | Artist(s) | Editor | Designer | ||
Universal Monsters: Frankenstein[108] | Den Beauvais | Den Beauvais | Dan Thorsland | Scott Tice | May 1, 1993 |
Universal Monsters: Creature from the Black Lagoon[109] | Steve Moncuse | Arthur Adams (Penciller, Cover); Terry Austin (Inker); Lois Buhalis (Letterer); Matt Hollingsworth (Colorist); Terry Austin (Cover) | Dan Thorsland | Scott Tice | August 1, 1993 |
Universal Monsters: Dracula[110] | Dan Vado | Jonathon D. Smith (Artist, Cover); Clem Robins (Letterer) | Dan Thorsland | Scott Tice | October 1, 1993 |
Universal Monsters: The Mummy[111] | Dan Jolley | Tony Harris (Artist, Cover); Lois Buhalis (Letterer); Matt Hollingsworth (Colorist) | Dan Thorsland | Scott Tice | November 1, 1993 |
Universal Monsters: Cavalcade of Horror[112] | Collected edition of the above; Eric Powell (Cover) | January 11, 2006 |
Skybound Entertainment
Skybound Entertainment, an Image Comics company, is recently publishing a new series of Universal Monsters comic books.
Title | Issue(s) | Creative team | Release schedule | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Writer(s) | Artist(s) | Colorist(s) | Premiere date | Finale date | ||
Universal Monsters: Dracula[113][114] | 1–4 | James Tynion IV | Martin Simmonds | October 25, 2023 | January 24, 2024 | |
Universal Monsters: Creature from the Black Lagoon Lives![115] | Dan Watters Ram V |
Matthew Roberts | Dave Stewart | April 24, 2024 | Present | |
Universal Monsters: Frankenstein[116] | Michael Walsh | Toni Marie Griiffin | August 28, 2024 | TBA |
References
- ^ a b Bessman, Jim (September 4, 1999). "Glass Scores 'Dracula' For Universal; Will Tour in Support". Billboard. Vol. 111, no. 36. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
- ^ Jones 2012.
- ^ Early & Malkowicz 2017.
- ^ Murray & Phipps 2012.
- ^ Gavin, Michael (October 24, 2017). "It's Alive! Universal Studios' Classic Monster Café gets updated with new life – and is ghoulishly gorgeous". insidethemagic.com. JAK Schmidt, Inc. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
- ^ "Unique Vintage Launches Universal Monsters Collection". Licesnse Global. August 19, 2020.
- ^ Kondrad, Jeremy (July 10, 2019). "Universal Monsters Ravensburger Game Horrified Coming August 1st". Bleedingcool. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
- ^ Stella, Alicia (26 December 2022). "Everything We Know About Epic Universe - Universal Monsters". Theme Park Stop.
- ^ McCullaugh 1992, p. 63.
- ^ a b Nye 1995, p. 6.
- The Herald Statesman. April 16, 1997. p. 3C.
- ^ "Send In a Monster". Los Angeles Times. June 19, 1997. p. 53. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
- ^ MCA Home Video. 1991.
- ^ Universal Studios Home Video. 1999.
- ^ Universal Studios Home Video. 2004.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection (Blu-ray). Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. 2012.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae Universal Classic Monsters: Complete 30-Film Collection (Blu-ray). Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. 2018.
- ^ Rhodes 2014, p. 245.
- ^ Rhodes 2014, p. 282.
- MCA Home Video. 1991.
- Universal Studios Home Video. 1999.
- ^ Universal Studios Home Video. 2004.
- ^ Weaver, Brunas & Brunas 2007, p. 38.
- MCA Home Video. 1991.
- ^ Mank 2010, p. 105.
- MCA Home Video. 1991.
- Universal Studios Home Video. 1999.
- ^ Universal Studios Home Video. 2004.
- ^ Weaver, Brunas & Brunas 2007, p. 63.
- ^ McDougal, Dennis (2001). The Last Mogul: Lew Wasserman, MCA, and the Hidden History of Hollywood (pp. 231–232). Da Capo Press.
- MCA Home Video. 1991.
- ^ "At the Theatres This Week". Arizona Daily Star. December 18, 1932. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
- MCA Home Video. 1991.
- Universal Studios Home Video. 1999.
- ^ Universal Studios Home Video. 2004.
- ^ a b Weaver, Brunas & Brunas 2007, p. 78.
- MCA Home Video. 1991.
- MCA Home Video. 1991.
- Universal Studios Home Video. 1999.
- ^ Weaver, Brunas & Brunas 2007, p. 120.
- MCA Home Video. 1991.
- ^ Universal Studios Home Video. 2004.
- ^ Weaver, Brunas & Brunas 2007, p. 129.
- MCA Home Video. 1991.
- ^ Weaver, Brunas & Brunas 2007, p. 138.
- MCA Home Video. 1991.
- ^ Weaver, Brunas & Brunas 2007, p. 162.
- MCA Home Video. 1991.
- ^ Weaver, Brunas & Brunas 2007, p. 182.
- MCA Home Video. 1991.
- ^ Weaver, Brunas & Brunas 2007, p. 200.
- MCA Home Video. 1991.
- ^ Weaver, Brunas & Brunas 2007, p. 207.
- MCA Home Video. 1991.
- ^ Weaver, Brunas & Brunas 2007, p. 229.
- MCA Home Video. 1991.
- ^ Weaver, Brunas & Brunas 2007, p. 237.
- MCA Home Video. 1991.
- ^ "The Monster and the Girl". American Film Institute. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
- MCA Home Video. 1991.
- ^ Weaver, Brunas & Brunas 2007, p. 241.
- MCA Home Video. 1991.
- Universal Studios Home Video. 1999.
- ^ Weaver, Brunas & Brunas 2007, p. 261.
- MCA Home Video. 1991.
- ^ Weaver, Brunas & Brunas 2007, p. 275.
- MCA Home Video. 1991.
- ^ Weaver, Brunas & Brunas 2007, p. 294.
- MCA Home Video. 1991.
- ^ Weaver, Brunas & Brunas 2007, p. 305.
- MCA Home Video. 1991.
- ^ Weaver, Brunas & Brunas 2007, p. 322.
- MCA Home Video. 1991.
- ^ Weaver, Brunas & Brunas 2007, p. 337.
- MCA Home Video. 1991.
- Universal Studios Home Video. 1999.
- ^ Weaver, Brunas & Brunas 2007, p. 345.
- MCA Home Video. 1991.
- ^ Kiss 2019, p. 95.
- MCA Home Video. 1991.
- ^ Weaver, Brunas & Brunas 2007, p. 373.
- MCA Home Video. 1991.
- ^ Weaver, Brunas & Brunas 2007, p. 400.
- MCA Home Video. 1991.
- ^ Weaver, Brunas & Brunas 2007, p. 417.
- MCA Home Video. 1991.
- ^ Weaver, Brunas & Brunas 2007, p. 447.
- MCA Home Video. 1991.
- ^ Weaver, Brunas & Brunas 2007, p. 456.
- MCA Home Video. 1991.
- ^ Weaver, Brunas & Brunas 2007, p. 501.
- MCA Home Video. 1991.
- ^ Weaver, Brunas & Brunas 2007, p. 525.
- ^ Weaver, Brunas & Brunas 2007, p. 539.
- ^ "Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet Frankenstein". American Film Institute. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
- ^ "Abbott and Costello Meet The Invisible Man". American Film Institute. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
- MCA Home Video. 1991.
- Universal Studios Home Video. 1999.
- ^ Universal Studios Home Video. 2004.
- ^ "Creature from the Black Lagoon". American Film Institute. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
- MCA Home Video. 1991.
- ^ "Revenge of the Creature". American Film Institute. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
- ^ "Abbott and Costello Meet The Mummy". American Film Institute. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
- MCA Home Video. 1991.
- ^ "The Creature Walks Among Us". American Film Institute. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
- ^ "Search :: Dark Horse Comics". www.darkhorse.com. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
- ^ "Search :: Dark Horse Comics". www.darkhorse.com. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
- ^ "Universal Monsters: Frankenstein :: Profile :: Dark Horse Comics". www.darkhorse.com. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
- ^ "Universal Monsters: Creature from the Black Lagoon :: Profile :: Dark Horse Comics". www.darkhorse.com. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
- ^ "Universal Monsters: Dracula :: Profile :: Dark Horse Comics". www.darkhorse.com. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
- ^ "Universal Monsters: The Mummy :: Profile :: Dark Horse Comics". www.darkhorse.com. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
- ^ "Universal Monsters: Cavalcade of Horror TPB Collection :: Profile :: Dark Horse Comics". www.darkhorse.com. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
- ^ Salmon, Will (2023-07-18). "Dracula bites back in the first of a new series of Universal Monsters comics from Skybound". gamesradar. Retrieved 2023-08-21.
- ^ First Comics News (2023-07-14). "James Tynion IV & Martin Simmonds Launch Universal Monsters: Dracula Comic Book Series". Retrieved 2023-08-21.
- ^ Kit, Borys (2024-01-12). "'Creature from the Black Lagoon' Comic Book Coming from Robert Kirkman's Skybound Entertainment (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2024-01-13.
- ^ Schedeen, Jesse (2024-02-29). "Universal Monsters: Frankenstein Reimagines the Iconic Movie Monster". IGN. Retrieved 2024-02-29.
Sources
- McCullaugh, Jim (October 24, 1992). "Sell-Thru Sales Judged by Cover". Billboard. Vol. 104, no. 43.
- Nye, Doug (August 18, 1995). "Horror films making a comeback". The News-Press. p. 6.
- Kiss, Dr. Robert J. (2019). "Son of Dracula: The Release History". Son of Dracula. BearManor Media. ISBN 978-1-62933-430-1.
- ISBN 978-0-9566834-5-8.
- Mank, Gregory William (2010). Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff: The Expanded Story of a Haunting Collaboration, with a Complete Filmography of Their Films Together. McFarland. ISBN 978-0786454723.
- Weaver, Tom; Brunas, Michael; Brunas, John (2007) [1990]. Universal Horrors (2 ed.). McFarland & Company. ISBN 978-0-7864-2974-5.
- Jones, Steve (October 5, 2012). "'Dracula', 'Frankenstein' in new Universal Blu-ray set". USA Today. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
- Early, Rosalind; Malkowicz, Tom (October 16, 2017). "Frankenstein's Monster in Popular Culture". Washington University in St. Louis. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
- Murray, Noel; Phipps, Keith (October 25, 2012). "A Guide to the Universal Studios Monster Movies, 1925–1955". The A.V. Club. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
- Reimann (February 26, 2020). "The Strange History of the Universal Monsters Franchise". Collider. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
- Brooks, Nicholas (February 26, 2021). "How Universal's Classic Monsters Launched the Cinematic Universe". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
- Young, Rob (October 16, 2015). "The Original Shared Universe: A Look Back At the Universal Monsters". Retrieved July 18, 2021.