Frankenstein: The Legacy Collection

If for nothing else, let's thank the Hugh Jackman multi-monster-melee dud Van Helsing for spurring Universal to re-release the original “monster” classics in excellent value-added versions for The Legacy Collection (which, despite the somewhat redundant packaging claims of being released on DVD “for the first time ever” are making their second appearance on DVD, after being sold in the Classic Monster Collection). Boris Karloff made his immortal claim to fame as "The Monster” in James Whale's 1931 Frankenstein, the definitive film version of Mary Shelley's horror classic, in which the hubristic Dr. Henry Frankenstein (Colin Clive) plays God, with tragic results. Karloff returned in The Bride of Frankenstein four years later (Whale's wonderfully comic sequel), and Son of Frankenstein (1939), before handing down the neck bolts to Lon Chaney, Jr. in Ghost of Frankenstein (1942) and Glenn Strange in House of Frankenstein (1944); later the “frankenchise” would move to Hammer Films. Previously, you would need to purchase four separate DVDs to collect all five films; Frankenstein: The Legacy Collection features all five, and all of the original extras--including excellent commentary tracks on Frankenstein and The Bride of Frankenstein, by film scholars Rudy Behlmer and Scott MacQueen, respectively (as well as two wonderful retrospective “making of” documentaries on these films--the 39-minute “The Frankenstein Files: How Hollywood Made a Monster” and the 45-minute “She's Alive!”), and the vintage 1932 short “Boo!” Oh yeah, there's also a six-minute plug from Van Helsing director Stephen Sommers, but this--and $26.98--is a small price to pay for such a wonderful collection that boasts solid DVD transfers, fine Dolby Digital mono sound, and superb supplementary materials. Highly recommended. Editor's Choice. [Note: also newly available at the same price are Dracula: The Legacy Collection and The Wolf Man: The Legacy Collection.] (R. Pitman)[DVD Review—Oct. 3, 2006—Universal, 2 discs, 71 min., not rated, $26.98—Making its third appearance on DVD, 1931's Frankenstein (75th Anniversary Edition) features an improved transfer and Dolby Digital 2.0 sound. DVD extras include two audio commentaries (one with film historian Rudy Behlmer; the other with historian Sir Christopher Frayling), a 95-minute “Universal Horror” documentary on memorable monster films (narrated by filmmaker/actor Kenneth Branagh), the 45-minute “making-of” documentary “The Frankenstein Files: How Hollywood Made a Monster,” the 38-minute tribute “Karloff: The Gentle Monster” focusing on Karloff's work with director James Whale and actor Bela Lugosi, the 10-minute comedy short “Boo!,” a 10-minute “Frankenstein Archives” montage of posters and photos, a “Monster Tracks” viewing option with interactive popup facts, and trailers. Bottom line: a fine extras package for a horror classic, although some of this material also appears on the “Legacy Collection” edition.]