DVDizzy Forum

Is there any news of a second monster legacy set? I would think that it would include The Mummy, The Invisable Man and possible The Creature From the Black Lagoon.

I was watching the Phantm of the Opera (1943 Claude Rains version) and wondering the same thing...

I guess it will depend on sales of these sets, but I imagine we will probably see something along those lines. Phantom would be an obvious one, because there are at least 4 versions owned by Universal.

I forgot phantom and possibly The Hunchback of Notre Dam could be done.

I doubt Universal would release the original Phantom or Hunchback on DVD - they haven't to date. Phantom is public domain because Universal failed to renew a copyright at some point in the past, and Hunchback is public domain too. Both films have been released multiple times by other companies.

If you want what looks like being the definitive release of the original Phantom, go for the Milestone Collection Ultimate Edition. It's fantastic! I have an old Image Hunchback which is so-so (but the quality of the print is very good)

Phantom Details

I would imagine Vol 2 will include the Creature Films, the Mummy Films and possibly the Invisible Man films or a selection of Sci-Fi films (It Came From Outer Space, This Island Earth and Man-Made Monster could be included, as well as The Mole People, which wouldn't really fit anywhere else. I want the Mole People). If Universal are in a playful mood, they could also include The Wild Women films, but I'm not sure anybody could sit through all three!

I understand that Van Helsing has Frankenstein, Wolf Man, and Dracula in it but what is it based on or is basically original.

Ludwig Von Drake wrote:I understand that Van Helsing has Frankenstein, Wolf Man, and Dracula in it but what is it based on or is basically original.

It's basically original. Stephen Sommers was looking to do another monster movie after his Mummy films and decided to concentrate on the character of Van Helsing instead of the monsters. That way he could use a whole lot of different monsters and maybe he will make some sort of sequel perhaps?

But "Van Helsing"'s Van Helsing is nothing like the Van Helsing from the novel. I don't know why Sommers just didn't create a new character.

what was he like in the novel?

Well Ludwig, I assume you must have seen one version of Dracula on film. Like all of the movie adaptations, the Van Helsing of the novel is an old(ish) man, and almost a mentor for the other characters in the novel who are fighting Dracula. The Van Helsing of the novel does very little physical activity, and it mainly used as exposition. His knowledge of vampires is passed on to the other characters and therefore the reader too. He certainly doesn't run around with all sorts of fantastic weapons taking on hordes of Vampires single handedly!

Here's an interesting page on the character:
http://www.ucs.mun.ca/~emiller/VHelsing.htm

I've just found out Hugh Jackman is playing Gabriel Van Helsing, Abraham's (made up for this film) brother.

So yes, Sommers did create a new character - but really I still think he should have been totally new!

from the commercials I think that Bela Legosi made a much better Dracula

Ludwig Von Drake wrote:from the commercials I think that Bela Legosi made a much better Dracula

Well, from what I've seen Dickie Roxburgh looks more than a little naff (that's pissweak to Australians) as the Count.

Besides, someone tells me that RR has spoken out about his character, and reckons the end product is going to e crap (or something)...