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Universal Classic Monsters

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Universal Classic Monsters
Official franchise logo as displayed on home video releases
Production
company
Distributed byUniversal Pictures
CountryUnited States

Universal Classic Monsters (also known as Universal Monsters and Universal Studios Monsters) is a media franchise based on a series of horror films primarily produced by Universal Pictures from the 1930s to the 1950s.

While the early films such as Dracula (1931) were created as stand-alone films based on known novels, the success of that film led to further adaptations such as Frankenstein (1931). The film was made with plans to have its characters potentially reappearing in sequels for Universal. The studio would create further horror film characters such as The Wolf Man in the next two decades. The studio made their first transmedia properties in the 1940s and 1950s with the films Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man (1943), House of Frankenstein (1944) and Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948), which united several characters together.

Following screenings of the films on television in the 1950s, several household products and toys were made based on the likeness of the Universal characters starting appearing in the 1960s. In the 1990s, it became priority for Universal to promote their back catalogue with packaging that presented the film as a series. This led to releasing VHS editions of their older horror film properties between 1991 and 1995 as a themed-line. These releases were the first time the characters were officially marketed together as the "Classic Monster" banner. These released of the line was followed by new films based singular monsters such as Stephen Sommers' The Mummy (1999) and others featuring various Universal monster characters, such as Van Helsing (2004).

Steve Jones of USA Today described Universal's most famous monsters as "pop culture icons", specifically Dracula, Frankenstein, the Mummy, and the Wolf Man.[1]

History

[edit]

Universal's early horror films were adaptations of work from familiar authors and texts to give their films a prestige appeal. These included Dracula (1931), whose success led to the production of other works such as Frankenstein (1931).[2][3] Frankenstein's ending was changed by studio head Carl Laemmle Jr., who wanted Universal to be able deploy key characters from the film into subsequent Universal productions.[3] Following the release of other Universal films such as The Mummy (1932) and Bride of Frankenstein (1935) there was a dry spell of horror films.[4][5][6][7] Universal only returned to the style following a successful theatrical re-release of Dracula and Frankenstein which led to new works starting with Son of Frankenstein (1939).[4][5][6]

Film poster for Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948). Author Megan De Bruin-Molé said that it was one of the many 1940s films from Universal whose narrative suggested a world where all the characters from their earlier horror films may dwell.

Universal would only introduce a few new monsters in the 1940s, with the most famous being Lon Chaney Jr. as The Wolf Man.[8] The decade had Universal's horror output include many remakes and sequels, with films often directly reusing old sets, footage, and narratives to replicate moments in their earlier horror productions.[9]

Universal's first transmedia properties were from the 1940s and 1950s with the films Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man (1943), House of Frankenstein (1944) and Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948).[10] In these films, the monsters from the studio's earlier films "team up" against various characters. Author Megan De Bruin-Molé suggested that the Universal Classic Monsters films exist as a loose mash-up, which allowed for Dracula to exist and be watched separately from Frankenstein but allowed their characters to be systemically and consistently brought together and developed in other films and media.[11] These productions made were often crossovers and sequels, such as Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man (1943), House of Frankenstein and several occurrences in comedy films of Abbott and Costello meeting the monster starting with Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein and ending with Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy (1955).[11][12] De Bruin-Molé wrote that this approach from Universal was for commercial marketing terms, as it would establish the company as the "real" home of horror and that their films contain a world where potentially all monsters may dwell.[13] The sole new monster movies Universal produced in the 1950s were the Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954) and The Mummy (1959) which was co-produced with the British Hammer Film Productions.[14]

Towards the 1960s the Universal monsters grew beyond film and became more consistently transmedial. Initially, this began in 1957 when Universal struck a ten-year television deal with Screen Gems to distribute 52 of their own titles.[14] These television screenings and the films being included on Mel Jass' Mel's Matinee Movie (1958-1979) would also prove to be popular, with the director Stephen Sommers, director of The Mummy (1999) stating that his introduction to the series was on Jass's program.[15] Universal became part of Music Corporation of America (MCA) in 1962. By 1964, Universal Studios tours would eventually include appearances from Frankenstein's monster.[16] Several products based on the characters from Universal's film series were released, ranging from plastic model kits, Halloween masks, figures, plush dolls, toys, drinking glasses, coloring books and postage stamps. While some of these objects bare similarity to the actors who portray them, others are more generic interpretations.[17] Other mediums featured the Universal monsters in tandem, such as Bobby "Boris" Pickett's 1962 popular song "Monster Mash" and the television series The Munsters (1964) which was based on the Universal characters likeness.[16]

In 1990, Universal was part of a merger between Matsushita, now known as Panasonic, and several other corporations. Between 1991 and 1995, Universal released VHS home video editions from their catalogue of horror films. This was the first time these films were packed together as "Classic Monster" line with a newly designed logo.[16] Prior to this home video series, the Universal films that featured multiple monsters were called "Super-Shocker[s]" or "monster rallies".[18] Louis Feola was the head of Worldwide Home Video for Universal Studios said the most important thing was the packaging of their sales, and that it "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".[19][20] He added in a 1999 interview that creating the series was to "reinvigorate and re-market" the Universal catalog, specifically with their series of Dracula, Frankenstein, The Invisible Man, The Phantom of the Opera, The Wolf Man, and The Mummy.[20]

The 1990s also saw a trend in the merchandising of Universal Monsters material as part of a trend for the decade of recycling and reinventing old material from the past.[16] This led to the release of Sommer's The Mummy and a "monster rally"-styled film with Van Helsing (2004).[21] Merchandizing of the characters in formats such as clothing and board games has continued into the 21st century.[22][23] The franchise will be featured in the Dark Universe portion of Universal's upcoming Orlando theme park, Universal Epic Universe.[24]

Films

[edit]

The columns show the subsequent home video releases.

Universal Studios Monsters films
Year Title The Classic Collection
(1991–94) 		Classic Monster Collection
(1999) 		The Legacy Collection
(2004) 		Essential Collection
(2012) 		Complete Collection
(2018) 		Ref(s)
1931 Dracula Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes [25][26][27][28][29][30]
Dracula (Spanish) Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes [25][26][27][28][29][31]
Frankenstein Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes [32][33][34][28][29][35]
1932 Murders in the Rue Morgue Yes No No No No [36][37]
The Mummy Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes [38][39][40][28][29][4]
Island of Lost Souls[a] Yes No No No No [42][43]
1933 The Invisible Man Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes [44][45][46][28][29][47]
1934 The Black Cat Yes No No No No [48][47]
1935 The Bride of Frankenstein Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes [49][50][34][28][29][5]
Werewolf of London Yes No Yes No Yes [51][52][29][53]
The Raven Yes No No No No [54][55]
1936 Dracula's Daughter Yes No Yes No Yes [56][27][29][57]
1939 Son of Frankenstein Yes No Yes No Yes [58][34][29][59]
Tower of London Yes No No No No [60][61]
1940 The Invisible Man Returns Yes No Yes No Yes [62][46][29][63]
The Mummy's Hand Yes No Yes No Yes [64][40][29][65]
The Invisible Woman Yes No Yes No Yes [66][46][29][67]
1941 The Monster and the Girl[a] Yes No No No No [68][69]
Man-Made Monster Yes No No No No [70][71]
The Wolf Man Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes [72][73][52][28][29][74]
1942 The Ghost of Frankenstein Yes No Yes No Yes [75][34][29][76]
Invisible Agent Yes No Yes No Yes [77][46][29][78]
The Mummy's Tomb Yes No Yes No Yes [79][40][29][80]
1943 Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man Yes No Yes No Yes [81][52][29][82]
Captive Wild Woman Yes No No No No [83][84]
Phantom of the Opera Yes Yes No Yes Yes [85][86][28][29][87]
Son of Dracula Yes No Yes No Yes [88][27][29][89]
The Mad Ghoul Yes No No No No [90][91]
1944 The Invisible Man's Revenge Yes No Yes No Yes [92][46][29][93]
The Mummy's Ghost Yes No Yes No Yes [94][40][29][95]
House of Frankenstein Yes No Yes No Yes [96][34][29][97]
The Mummy's Curse Yes No Yes No Yes [98][40][29][99]
1945 House of Dracula Yes No Yes No Yes [100][27][29][101]
1946 House of Horrors Yes No No No No [102][103]
She-Wolf of London No No Yes No Yes [52][29][104]
1948 Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein No No No No Yes [29][105]
1951 Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man No No No No Yes [29][106]
1954 Creature from the Black Lagoon Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes [107][108][109][28][29][110]
1955 Revenge of the Creature Yes No Yes No Yes [111][109][29][112]
Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy No No No No Yes [29][113]
1956 The Creature Walks Among Us Yes No Yes No Yes [114][109][29][115]
  1. ^ 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.[41]

Comics

[edit]

Dark Horse Comics

[edit]

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.[116][117]

Dark Horse Universal Classic Monsters one-shots
Title Creatives Publication Date
Writer Artist(s) Editor Designer
Universal Monsters: Frankenstein[118] Den Beauvais Den Beauvais Dan Thorsland Scott Tice May 1, 1993
Universal Monsters: Creature from the Black Lagoon[119] 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[120] Dan Vado Jonathon D. Smith (Artist, Cover); Clem Robins (Letterer) Dan Thorsland Scott Tice October 1, 1993
Universal Monsters: The Mummy[121] Dan Jolley Tony Harris (Artist, Cover); Lois Buhalis (Letterer); Matt Hollingsworth (Colorist) Dan Thorsland Scott Tice November 1, 1993
Universal Monsters: Cavalcade of Horror[122] Collected edition of the above; Eric Powell (Cover) January 11, 2006

Skybound Entertainment

[edit]

Skybound Entertainment, an Image Comics company, is recently publishing a new series of Universal Monsters comic books.

Skybound Entertainment Universal Classic Monsters mini-series
Title Issue(s) Creative team Release schedule
Writer(s) Artist(s) Colorist(s) Premiere date Finale date
Universal Monsters: Dracula[123][124] 1–4 James Tynion IV Martin Simmonds October 25, 2023 January 24, 2024
Universal Monsters: Creature from the Black Lagoon Lives![125] Dan Watters
Ram V 		Matthew Roberts Dave Stewart April 24, 2024 July 24, 2024
Universal Monsters: Frankenstein[126] Michael Walsh Toni Marie Griiffin August 28, 2024 TBA

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Jones 2012.
  2. ^ Mank 1981, p. 13.
  3. ^ a b De Bruin-Molé 2022, p. 5.
  4. ^ a b c Weaver, Brunas & Brunas 2007, p. 63.
  5. ^ a b c Weaver, Brunas & Brunas 2007, p. 120.
  6. ^ a b Chibnall & Petley 2002, p. 59.
  7. ^ Worland 2007, p. 68.
  8. ^ De Bruin-Molé 2022, p. 8.
  9. ^ De Bruin-Molé 2022, p. 12.
  10. ^ De Bruin-Molé 2022, p. 3.
  11. ^ a b De Bruin-Molé 2022, p. 6.
  12. ^ De Bruin-Molé 2022, p. 9.
  13. ^ De Bruin-Molé 2022, p. 11.
  14. ^ a b De Bruin-Molé 2022, p. 13.
  15. ^ De Bruin-Molé 2022, p. 14.
  16. ^ a b c d De Bruin-Molé 2022, pp. 14–15.
  17. ^ Rue Morgue 2015, p. 110.
  18. ^ De Bruin-Molé 2022, p. 4.
  19. ^ McCullaugh 1992, p. 63.
  20. ^ a b Bessman 1999.
  21. ^ De Bruin-Molé 2022, pp. 15–16.
  22. ^ "Unique Vintage Launches Universal Monsters Collection". Licesnse Global. August 19, 2020.
  23. ^ Kondrad, Jeremy (July 10, 2019). "Universal Monsters Ravensburger Game Horrified Coming August 1st". Bleedingcool. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  24. ^ Stella, Alicia (26 December 2022). "Everything We Know About Epic Universe - Universal Monsters". Theme Park Stop.
  25. ^ a b Dracula (VHS). MCA Home Video. 1991.
  26. ^ a b Dracula (DVD). Universal Studios Home Video. 1999.
  27. ^ a b c d e Dracula: The Legacy Collection (DVD). Universal Studios Home Video. 2004.
  28. ^ a b c d e f g h i Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection (Blu-ray). Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. 2012.
  29. ^ 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.
  30. ^ Rhodes 2014, p. 245.
  31. ^ Rhodes 2014, p. 282.
  32. ^ Frankenstein (VHS). MCA Home Video. 1991.
  33. ^ Frankenstein (DVD). Universal Studios Home Video. 1999.
  34. ^ a b c d e Frankenstein: The Legacy Collection (DVD). Universal Studios Home Video. 2004.
  35. ^ Weaver, Brunas & Brunas 2007, p. 38.
  36. ^ Murders in the Rue Morgue (VHS). MCA Home Video. 1991.
  37. ^ Mank 2010, p. 105.
  38. ^ The Mummy (VHS). MCA Home Video. 1991.
  39. ^ The Mummy (DVD). Universal Studios Home Video. 1999.
  40. ^ a b c d e The Mummy: The Legacy Collection (DVD). Universal Studios Home Video. 2004.
  41. ^ McDougal, Dennis (2001). The Last Mogul: Lew Wasserman, MCA, and the Hidden History of Hollywood (pp. 231–232). Da Capo Press.
  42. ^ Island of Lost Souls (VHS). MCA Home Video. 1991.
  43. ^ "At the Theatres This Week". Arizona Daily Star. December 18, 1932. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
  44. ^ The Invisible Man (VHS). MCA Home Video. 1991.
  45. ^ The Invisible Man (DVD). Universal Studios Home Video. 1999.
  46. ^ a b c d e The Invisible Man: The Legacy Collection (DVD). Universal Studios Home Video. 2004.
  47. ^ a b Weaver, Brunas & Brunas 2007, p. 78.
  48. ^ The Black Cat (VHS). MCA Home Video. 1991.
  49. ^ Bride of Frankenstein (VHS). MCA Home Video. 1991.
  50. ^ Bride of Frankenstein (DVD). Universal Studios Home Video. 1999.
  51. ^ Werewolf of London (VHS). MCA Home Video. 1991.
  52. ^ a b c d The Wolf Man: The Legacy Collection (DVD). Universal Studios Home Video. 2004.
  53. ^ Weaver, Brunas & Brunas 2007, p. 129.
  54. ^ The Raven (VHS). MCA Home Video. 1991.
  55. ^ Weaver, Brunas & Brunas 2007, p. 138.
  56. ^ Dracula's Daughter (VHS). MCA Home Video. 1991.
  57. ^ Weaver, Brunas & Brunas 2007, p. 162.
  58. ^ Son of Frankenstein (VHS). MCA Home Video. 1991.
  59. ^ Weaver, Brunas & Brunas 2007, p. 182.
  60. ^ Tower of London (VHS). MCA Home Video. 1991.
  61. ^ Weaver, Brunas & Brunas 2007, p. 200.
  62. ^ The Invisible Man Returns (VHS). MCA Home Video. 1991.
  63. ^ Weaver, Brunas & Brunas 2007, p. 207.
  64. ^ The Mummy's Hand (VHS). MCA Home Video. 1991.
  65. ^ Weaver, Brunas & Brunas 2007, p. 229.
  66. ^ The Invisible Woman (VHS). MCA Home Video. 1991.
  67. ^ Weaver, Brunas & Brunas 2007, p. 237.
  68. ^ The Monster and the Girl (VHS). MCA Home Video. 1991.
  69. ^ "The Monster and the Girl". American Film Institute. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
  70. ^ Man-Made Monster (VHS). MCA Home Video. 1991.
  71. ^ Weaver, Brunas & Brunas 2007, p. 241.
  72. ^ The Wolf Man (VHS). MCA Home Video. 1991.
  73. ^ The Wolf Man (DVD). Universal Studios Home Video. 1999.
  74. ^ Weaver, Brunas & Brunas 2007, p. 261.
  75. ^ The Ghost of Frankenstein (VHS). MCA Home Video. 1991.
  76. ^ Weaver, Brunas & Brunas 2007, p. 275.
  77. ^ Invisible Agent (VHS). MCA Home Video. 1991.
  78. ^ Weaver, Brunas & Brunas 2007, p. 294.
  79. ^ The Mummy's Tomb (VHS). MCA Home Video. 1991.
  80. ^ Weaver, Brunas & Brunas 2007, p. 305.
  81. ^ Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man (VHS). MCA Home Video. 1991.
  82. ^ Weaver, Brunas & Brunas 2007, p. 322.
  83. ^ Captive Wild Woman (VHS). MCA Home Video. 1991.
  84. ^ Weaver, Brunas & Brunas 2007, p. 337.
  85. ^ Phantom of the Opera (VHS). MCA Home Video. 1991.
  86. ^ Phantom of the Opera (DVD). Universal Studios Home Video. 1999.
  87. ^ Weaver, Brunas & Brunas 2007, p. 345.
  88. ^ Son of Dracula (VHS). MCA Home Video. 1991.
  89. ^ Kiss 2019, p. 95.
  90. ^ The Mad Ghoul (VHS). MCA Home Video. 1991.
  91. ^ Weaver, Brunas & Brunas 2007, p. 373.
  92. ^ The Invisible Man's Revenge (VHS). MCA Home Video. 1991.
  93. ^ Weaver, Brunas & Brunas 2007, p. 400.
  94. ^ The Mummy's Ghost (VHS). MCA Home Video. 1991.
  95. ^ Weaver, Brunas & Brunas 2007, p. 417.
  96. ^ House of Frankenstein (VHS). MCA Home Video. 1991.
  97. ^ Weaver, Brunas & Brunas 2007, p. 447.
  98. ^ The Mummy's Curse (VHS). MCA Home Video. 1991.
  99. ^ Weaver, Brunas & Brunas 2007, p. 456.
  100. ^ House of Dracula (VHS). MCA Home Video. 1991.
  101. ^ Weaver, Brunas & Brunas 2007, p. 501.
  102. ^ House of Horrors (VHS). MCA Home Video. 1991.
  103. ^ Weaver, Brunas & Brunas 2007, p. 525.
  104. ^ Weaver, Brunas & Brunas 2007, p. 539.
  105. ^ "Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet Frankenstein". American Film Institute. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
  106. ^ "Abbott and Costello Meet The Invisible Man". American Film Institute. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
  107. ^ Creature from the Black Lagoon (VHS). MCA Home Video. 1991.
  108. ^ Creature from the Black Lagoon (DVD). Universal Studios Home Video. 1999.
  109. ^ a b c Creature from the Black Lagoon: The Legacy Collection (DVD). Universal Studios Home Video. 2004.
  110. ^ "Creature from the Black Lagoon". American Film Institute. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
  111. ^ Revenge of the Creature (VHS). MCA Home Video. 1991.
  112. ^ "Revenge of the Creature". American Film Institute. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
  113. ^ "Abbott and Costello Meet The Mummy". American Film Institute. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
  114. ^ The Creature Walks Among Us (VHS). MCA Home Video. 1991.
  115. ^ "The Creature Walks Among Us". American Film Institute. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
  116. ^ "Search :: Dark Horse Comics". www.darkhorse.com. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
  117. ^ "Search :: Dark Horse Comics". www.darkhorse.com. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
  118. ^ "Universal Monsters: Frankenstein :: Profile :: Dark Horse Comics". www.darkhorse.com. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
  119. ^ "Universal Monsters: Creature from the Black Lagoon :: Profile :: Dark Horse Comics". www.darkhorse.com. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
  120. ^ "Universal Monsters: Dracula :: Profile :: Dark Horse Comics". www.darkhorse.com. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
  121. ^ "Universal Monsters: The Mummy :: Profile :: Dark Horse Comics". www.darkhorse.com. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
  122. ^ "Universal Monsters: Cavalcade of Horror TPB Collection :: Profile :: Dark Horse Comics". www.darkhorse.com. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
  123. ^ 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.
  124. ^ First Comics News (2023-07-14). "James Tynion IV & Martin Simmonds Launch Universal Monsters: Dracula Comic Book Series". Retrieved 2023-08-21.
  125. ^ 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.
  126. ^ Schedeen, Jesse (2024-02-29). "Universal Monsters: Frankenstein Reimagines the Iconic Movie Monster". IGN. Retrieved 2024-02-29.

Sources

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