Universal Horror Films (advice needed)

[Carson]

With the release of The Wolfman featuring Benicio Del Toro and Anthony Hopkins next month I'm going through Universal's catalog to view these legendary greats that have created so much stir in the cinema world as well as poster collecting.

I have never seen one. What are the key Universal Horror films to see?

[Dr Hackenbush]

Dracula, Frankenstein, The Wolf Man, The Mummy, Bride Of Frankenstein, The Black Cat, The Invisible Man, Creature From The Black Lagoon.  If you can bear silent movies, then "Phantom Of The Opera" would be a must.  "Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein" is a personal favorite and a classic

[Harry Caul]

As someone else said in another thread, if you are comparing them to modern horror films, they will all seem dull and slow.  However, if you are viewing within the perspective of the time period... I loved White Zombie!  Frankenstein and Dracula were both pretty good, but Dracula does drag on a bit.  Bride of F is also probably superior to the original.  The Mummy was pretty bad, you can skip that one.  I'm a relative newbie, though, as I think that's all I've seen.

I still want to see The Walking Dead (mainly because I'm so enamored with the poster). 

[Dr Hackenbush]

"White Zombie" is a great movie, but it's UA and not Universal, Harry, otherwise I would've recommended it, too

[ddilts399]

I sat through most of them once to say I have seen them. Once viewing was enough for me. I like the Michael Bay blow stuff up type of film making 

[paul waines]

Here we go.......Karloff's Mummy is excellent, yes a bit slow, but it was 1932 sound had only been used a for couple of years. If you want fast paced movies forget the black & white era. If you like great movies dig all of these out. If you are not sticking to Universal you must watch the 1945, Karloff and Lugosi film, The body snatcher by R.K.O. possibly Karloff's greatest performance.  

The Doc has named a few I must add The Raven, Son of Frankenstein, infact the whole Frankenstein series. Maybe some fifty's stuff Tarantula, This island earth, Them, Creature from the black lagoon, there is a big list.

[paul waines]

Oh, forgot to add The Waking dead is a Warner bros film and quite a good film, but I am bias.

[CSM]

Here we go.......Karloff's Mummy is excellent, yes a bit slow, but it was 1932 sound had only been used a for couple of years. If you want fast paced movies forget the black & white era. If you like great movies dig all of these out. If you are not sticking to Universal you must watch the 1945, Karloff and Lugosi film, The body snatcher by R.K.O. possibly Karloff's greatest performance.  

The Doc has named a few I must add The Raven, Son of Frankenstein, infact the whole Frankenstein series. Maybe some fifty's stuff Tarantula, This island earth, Them, Creature from the black lagoon, there is a big list.

Yes.  If you are planning on going beyond just Universal.  These are all good choices. 

Particularly The Body Snatcher.  While you're at it, why not check out the rest of the Lewton goodies as well???

[theartofmovieposters]

And if you can I'd highly recommend the Spanish version of the original Dracula...GREAT!

Loved The Mummy too, and Paul is spot on with The Body Snatcher...GREAT GREAT movie.

And yes, please do go in with an open mind...

[erik1925]

I would have to add MURDERS IN THE RUE MORGUE (1932) with Lugosi and THE OLD DARK HOUSE (1932), with Karloff, Charles Laughton and Gloria Stewart.

   

[paul waines]

Murders in, is a jollyfine film, but...Old Dark House is fantastic. 

[brude]

And don't forget....

[CSM]

I would have to add MURDERS IN THE RUE MORGUE (1932) with Lugosi and THE OLD DARK HOUSE (1932), with Karloff, Charles Laughton and Gloria Stewart.

   

 

[erik1925]

And don't forget....

Except that SVENGALI was a Warner Bros production, not Universal. 

[brude]

Dohhhh.
Shoulda read the title of this thread,  I thought we were talking about all films from this era.
SVENGALI always gets overlooked.

[paul waines]

Well we did veer off slightly earlier on, but that's no excuse Ted, pull your socks up....    And I agree Svengali does need a mention..

[erik1925]

Any *good* horror does deserve mention. 

[erik1925]

A cool 13 min clip, called, "The Undying Monsters!" Short snippets, monsters, horror and interviews with people like Ron Borst and Forry Ackerman. 

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/iEcrlWjWT7M" target="_blank" class="new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/iEcrlWjWT7M</a>

[CSM]

Thanks Jeff

[paul waines]

Thanks Jeff, shame it wasn't longer...

[erik1925]

I know.. it ended just as I was getting ramped up and enjoying it, too.   

[erik1925]

Dusting off another thread from the dead....

One can not leave out Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man; the ending is still very good and exciting, considering it was made 74 years ago. It's pretty climactic, effects and all.