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Date Posted: 02:40:26 10/08/06 Sun
Author: Rick
Subject: Your favorite Universal Horror films?


What are your favorite Universal horror films? When was the first time you saw them on TV and from what era. It seems today's remakes pale in comparison.




Rick

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Replies:

[> Re: Your favorite Universal Horror films? -- Tim, 08:13:47 10/08/06 Sun [1]

My Top 10 List
1. Frankenstein
2. Dracula
3. Bride of Frankenstein
4. Dracula's Daughter
5. The Invisible Man
6. The Wolf Man
7. The Black Cat
8. The Mummy
9. House of Frankenstein
10. The Old Dark House

My list of favorites is probably pretty typical of many Universal fans. However, unlike most fans and critics, I prefer Frankenstein to Bride of Frankenstein, although both pictures are timeless classics. I think Dracula's Daughter is one of the most underrated Universal horror films. And I guess most would choose Son of Frankenstein over the later House of Frankenstein, but I went with the House. I am also fond of Son of Dracula, despite the objections of many fans who dislike Lon Chaney's performance in the title role. I love all the Universal horror films, really.

I saw most of these films on television in the 1960s. The local late night horror show was "Fantastic Theater" and I have fond memories of staying up late to watch "scary movies".

Tim


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[> [> Re: Your favorite Universal Horror films? -- Rick, 08:53:56 10/08/06 Sun [1]


I haven't been able to view all these films yet, but of the ones I have tracked the music in includes:

"The Bride of Frankenstein", "The Invisible Man", "The Werewolf of London", "Mystery of Edwin Drood", "Dracula's Daughter", "Son of Frankenstein", "The Black Cat", "The Raven", and "Tower of London".

All great films made by Universal. I'm in agreement with you on "Dracula's Daughter" being underrated. Roemheld's last score for Universal, which is ominous and dismal with dark overtones, that was unlike any he composed before. The final film made under Carl Laemmle, Jr in 1936 which completed the studio's first cycle of horror films. It was an excellent film in all respects. The one question many ask is:

"Was the Countess really the daughter of Count Dracula or someone who just claimed to be his offspring?" I'd think the former would be acceptable. The latter question has always been open to speculation it seems, but interesting.

"Werewolf of London" was a good film. Henry Hull did another great job as a character actor in his first role in motion pictures. Hajos' moody score is excellent in all guises.

"The Black Cat" is as good as one gets. Lugosi and Karloff together pull no punches and do a superb job in the film. Roemheld's score is heavily derived from 19th century classics, a one-time treat only heard in this film. The 1941 remake is another version with Lugosi as a different character, but pales considerably next to the original 1934 film he starred in with Karloff.

The other films I listed are all equally as good in their own rights. One I plan to watch is "Murders in the Rue Morgue" with Bela Lugosi. "The Invisible Man" and "Mystery of Edwin Drood" were excellent films thanks to the talents of Claude Rains.

"Tower of London" is a great historical and intelligent depiction of Richard the III. Really not a horror film, but Karloff makes it seem like one. Vincent Price also delivers a good performance.

I look forward to viewing many of these and posting reviews in the future. I didn't see any of them when growing up in the 70's. I had school and they must have been on around 12 midnight. Years later, it's been wonderful to discover them all, in relation to the space serials.



Rick


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[> Re: Your favorite Universal Horror films? -- Tim, 13:53:54 10/08/06 Sun [1]

I agree Rick, the Universal horror pictures had some fantastic scores.

Although "Dracula" did not have a musical score, they did effectively use "Swan Lake" over the opening credits. Whenever I hear that music I cannot help but think of the 1931 version of Dracula.

I have seen the 1931 film with the 1999 Philip Glass score added to it. It is alright, but I prefer the original version without the score.

"Werewolf of London" is very atmospheric, and Henry Hull does indeed do a great job in it. I was just watching the Bonanza episode "The Gunmen" on a dollar DVD last night, with Henry Hull as a guest star.

"Tower of London" is one that I don't recall seeing in the 1960s and 1970s, I probably did not catch it until the late 1980s on cable (perhaps on one of AMC's old Monsterfests). It was worth the wait, a delightful picture with Karloff, Rathbone and Price in the cast.

Tim


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[> [> Re: Your favorite Universal Horror films? -- Rick, 05:59:28 10/09/06 Mon [1]

Tim,


Thanks for the information on the 31' film. I looked up the release date. February 12, 1931 in New York City. Nationwide release two days later on the 14th. That indicates they filmed it the year before in the second half of 1930.


It's only theatrical re-release was in 1947.




Rick


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[> Re: Your favorite Universal Horror films? -- Ray, 17:03:15 10/08/06 Sun [1]

Frankenstein was clearly my favorite Universal flick!

I dunno if this counts,but last week i purchased the Universal owned 'The Munsters'Two Movie Fright Fest'and last year purchased the complete 2nd season of the Munsters.

I enjoy the Two Movie Fright Fest because it's in color...Technicolor!

I enjoyed many of the same movies Tim mentioned.

I have an animated Warner bros.movie of Batman vs. Dracula.I love animation on dvd being a comic book fan as a kid


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[> Re: Your favorite Universal Horror films? -- Glenn, 16:18:40 10/10/06 Tue [1]

Back in the late 1960s and early 1970s, one of the local stations ran "Creature Features" Saturday nights at 8:30. We organized our Saturdays around those flicks!

Some of my favorites, in no particular order:

The Mummy (1940) - Wallace Ford and Dick Foran were terrific, as well as Universal (universal too!) bad guy George Zucco. Ford called Zucco an Egyptian Mickey Finn before shooting him and watching roll all the way down the steps!

Son of Frankenstein (1939) - you have to love the sets and the cast. Basil Rathbone, Bela Lugosi, Lionel Atwill, etc. I can watch this one over and over again. Never gets old.

Bride of Frankenstein (1935) - Elsa Lanchester doesn't appear until the final reel, but it's well worth the wait! The talking monster is excellent, shows growth. Unfortunately, he doesn't speak much after this entry.

The Wolf Man (1940) - Excellent acting, great cast, great sets, great story. Lon Chaney could act. Unjustly forgotten for his ability today, though his talent lives on through this flick.

Dracula (1931) - An all-timer, transcends the genre. Still spooky, still scary 75 years later. Bela Lugosi captured that role perfectly. None of the remakes have measured up to this standard.

House of Frankenstein (1945) - John Carradine was young once, wasn't he? Karloff finally gets to play the mad doctor instead of the monster. This is really an all-star monster movie - everybody is here!


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[> [> Re: Your favorite Universal Horror films? -- Ray, 20:16:09 10/10/06 Tue [1]

Thanks to Glenn,now my memory is really jogged.How could i ever forget Saturday ntes in my area on our local tv station where they broadcasted 'Creature Feature'with a local personality who hosted this late saturday nte monster/horror show who was called 'Doctor Sanguinary(sp)?

Man was this guy scary,but in a good natured,funny way.He had this real neat laboratory,the makeup,bloodshot eyes,red lips etc.and what a laugh,sorta like the old Wolfman Jack laugh!

Those were the good old days.Of course watching Frankenstein,Bride of Frankenstein,Werewolf,Invisible Man,and Dracula in the old b/w early 1930's or so horror film brings back great Saturday midnite memories! (sign)

John Carradine stars in a couple of Munsters episodes(Funeral parlor owner,Mr.Gateman) and in one of the 2 Munsters movies aka Munster,Go Home


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[> Not really my bag but... -- SWC, 16:52:28 10/10/06 Tue [1]

...I was a huge Abbott and Costello fan as a kid and I supposed I'd pick the ones where they teamed up with the famous characters and some of the famous actors. Universal was most famous for their horror films and for A&C and it was an inspired pairing to put there two seeming incompatable genres together, which breathed new life into both.


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[> Re: Your favorite Universal Horror films? -- Dan, 14:26:32 10/21/06 Sat [1]

Can't argue with Tim's list! The best one I thought was Frankenstein.We all stayed up late on Friday to see them as kids. Non better IMHO.


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