Keyed to the upcoming big-screen horror epic “Van Helsing,” Universal Studios Home Entertainment unleashes a megatreat for classic fright-film fans with The Monster Legacy gift set ($79.98), comprising three double-disc offerings — compilations of “Dracula,” “Frankenstein” and “The Wolf Man” — that are also available individually, at $26.98 each. They’re our …
DVD picks of the week
• The “Dracula” group assembles five fave fang films, beginning with the digital debut of the original 1931 Dracula, Bela Lugosi’s indelible showcase, and The Spanish Dracula, a Spanish-language variation. The latter, shot at the same time as the Lugosi “Dracula” and starring suitably menacing Mexican actor Carlos Villarias in the title role, represents an even more elaborate mounting of Bram Stoker’s enduring novel than the Lugosi version.
The sturdy celluloid spinoffs Dracula’s Daughter (1936), Son of Dracula (1943) and House of Dracula (1945) — starring Gloria Holden, Lon Chaney Jr. and John Carradine, respectively — complete the vampire lineup.
Extras include the documentary “The Road to ’Dracula’ “; composer Philip Glass’ 1999 score for the 1931 “Dracula,” as performed by the Kronos Quartet; an introduction to “The Spanish Dracula” by co-star Lupita Tovar; audio commentaries; and more.
• The creep quotient rises with the “Frankenstein” medley, containing the Boris Karloff terror troika Frankenstein (1931), Bride of Frankenstein (1935, both brilliantly directed by James Whale) and Son of Frankenstein (1939), plus the further sequels Ghost of Frankenstein (1942) and House of Frankenstein (1944).
Among the bonuses are two documentaries, “The Frankenstein Files: How Hollywood Made a Monster” and “She’s Alive!: Creating the ’Bride of Frankenstein,’ ” audio commentaries, original trailers and more.
• Lon Chaney Jr. has his day in the moon in 1941’s The Wolf Man and the equally furry 1943 follow-up Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man, yoked here with 1935’s Werewolf of London and 1946’s She-Wolf of London (the only mediocre movie in the Universal batch).
“The Wolf Man” compilation arrives with audio commentary by scare scholar Tom Weaver, the documentary “Monster by Moonlight” and, like its companion volumes, a behind-the-scenes segment hosted by “Van Helsing” director Stephen Sommers.
“The Monster Legacy” also comes equipped with figurines of the three major horror characters. It’s a monster-movie marathon to howl for.
The ’A’ list
Several high-profile theatrical releases hit vid-store shelves this week. Columbia-TriStar Home Entertainment lands Tim Burton’s comedy-adventure Big Fish ($28.95), with Albert Finney and Ewan McGregor as a strained father-son tandem. The release comes wrapped in an extras-packed edition featuring audio commentaries, featurettes and a trivia game.
Warner Home Video introduces the youthful romantic romp Love Don’t Cost a Thing ($27.95), with Nick Cannon, Christina Milian and Steve Harvey, while 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment debuts the double threat Stuck on You ($27.98), starring Matt Damon and Greg Kinnear as conjoined twins; the disc arrives with a Farrelly brothers audio commentary, behind-the-scenes segments and deleted scenes.
In a more sober-minded move, MGM Home Entertainment contributes the acclaimed Afghan import Osama ($29.98), an intimate look at life under oppressive Taliban rule.
Tele-video
Add to the ever-expanding TV-on-DVD lineup two fantasy adventure-oriented shows: Babylon 5: The Complete Fifth Season (Warner Home Video, $99.98 6-DVD) offers 22 episodes from the long-running sci-fi series, along with select audio commentary, behind-the-scenes documentaries, additional scenes, gag reel and more. Highlander The Series: Season 4 (Anchor Bay Home Entertainment, $89.98 9-DVD) collects 22 episodes, multiple cast and crew interviews, audio commentaries, previously unseen footage, outtakes, and CD-ROM content.
The King of Queens: The Complete Second Season (Columbia/TriStar Home Entertainment, $39.95 3-DVD) continues the misadventures of working-class hero Kevin James and clan in 25 episodes, along with audio commentaries and a featurette.
Collectors’ corner
Wellspring Media presents Ran: The Masterworks Edition, a digitally restored version of Akira Kurosawa’s lavish 1985 Japanese “King Lear” variation, with two separate expert commentary tracks, a restoration demo and trailers.
Koch Lorber contributes Stalingrad, director Joseph Vilsmaier’s harrowing account of the bloody battle between German and Russian forces during World War II. The DVDs are tagged at $34.98 each.
Video verite
In documentary developments, look for these:
• James Cameron’s Titanic exploration Ghosts of the Abyss in a gala double-disc edition from Walt Disney Home Entertainment ($29.99);
• Ira Wohl’s moving portrait Best Boy and the follow-up Best Man on a double-feature DVD from Docurama ($24.95);
• Ross McElwee’s cult classic Sherman’s March (First Run Features, $29.95).
Phan mail
Dear Phantom: Any hope of finding Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia on DVD?
— J. Brent, via e-mail
Currently out of circulation, Sam Peckinpah’s 1976 classic is available (VHS only) on a mail-order rental basis via Video Library (vlibrary.com). Let’s hope MGM will add the film to its DVD roster soon.
• Send your video comments and queries to Phantom of the Movies, The Washington Times, 3600 New York Ave. NE, Washington, DC 20002, or e-mail us at: phanmedia@aol.com. Check out our Web site at www.videoscopemag.com.
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