When Did You Last Watch A Classic Universal Monster Movie?

[Mike Scott]

It's supposed to be the best, but it still looks VERY scratched up to me.

Those are, supposedly, the best existing elements. Only a frame by frame digital restoration is going to make it better and I haven't heard anybody say "Ooo! Ooo! Take my money!"

[Mord]

Those are, supposedly, the best existing elements. Only a frame by frame digital restoration is going to make it better and I haven't heard anybody say "Ooo! Ooo! Take my money!"

Hey, I paid nearly $20 for the scratched up one. They already have my money.

[Mike Scott]

Hey, I paid nearly $20 for the scratched up one. They already have my money.

You get what you pay for!

[zombiehorror]

Oops wrong thread, I haven't watched a Universal flick in awhile.

[Anthony Caranci]

Hi, Anthony, which version do you have? I've never been able to find a clean print of that.

Hello Mord,
Believe it or not, I have several versions of this film. First the 12 inch laserdiscs:
I had the Republic 12 inch Laserdisc. It sucked, and I sold it. Then - the first version issued by Image Entertainment on Laserdisc in 1990 - the so-called Blackhawk Edition. In fact I have two of those. I know - insanity!

Another Image 12 inch Laserdisc in 1991 - The Special collector's Edition (Blue Cover and remastered from AN original tinted print). This version also came with a reproduction of the 1923 program. It is a really nice program, and the print was a cut above the previous version. I haven't viewed this one in a while, and will fire up the ol' Laserdisc machine. The same exact thing was done with The Phantom of the Opera - Blackhawk Laserdisc 1990, then in 1991 the Collector's Edition Laserdisc with souvenir program. The score was by Gabriel Thibaudoux. Pretty good. Then the DVD Editions.

The last version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame that I purchased was the DVD - The Ultimate Edition released by Image Entertainment in 2006. 

Last night - Chaney Sr.

The Phantom of the Opera 1925. I watched both versions (1925 & 1929) of the film. A friend had shown me the Blu-ray some time ago - I was not very impressed with it at all. I won't even consider spending the money for a Blu-ray of The Hunchback either. The "best surviving elements don't even justify it! At least to me they don't.

[Mord]

 I agree, Anthony, sometimes Blu-rays only magnify the flaws in these old prints.

[Memphremagog]

Abbott & Costello Meet Dr.Jekyll & Mr.Hyde(1953)..this afternoon.

[Anthony Caranci]

I agree, Anthony, sometimes Blu-rays only magnify the flaws in these old prints.

Hello All,

Well the DVD of the Phantom of the Opera that Image released in 2003 - The Milestone Edition - I have that one too. Both versions are included on that one, with the restored 1929 version that TCM always plays. Even though that version suffers from "motion blur," I would buy the Blu-ray of that version. The version that is on Blu-ray now - is not the restored version that we see on TCM. The motion blur does hamper it somewhat, but it is the best version of The Phantom that is there. At least in my opinion.

Last night:

The Man Who Laughs 1929

[Memphremagog]

Hello Mord,
Believe it or not, I have several versions of this film. First the 12 inch laserdiscs:
I had the Republic 12 inch Laserdisc. It sucked, and I sold it. Then - the first version issued by Image Entertainment on Laserdisc in 1990 - the so-called Blackhawk Edition. In fact I have two of those. I know - insanity!

Another Image 12 inch Laserdisc in 1991 - The Special collector's Edition (Blue Cover and remastered from AN original tinted print). This version also came with a reproduction of the 1923 program. It is a really nice program, and the print was a cut above the previous version. I haven't viewed this one in a while, and will fire up the ol' Laserdisc machine. The same exact thing was done with The Phantom of the Opera - Blackhawk Laserdisc 1990, then in 1991 the Collector's Edition Laserdisc with souvenir program. The score was by Gabriel Thibaudoux. Pretty good. Then the DVD Editions.

The last version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame that I purchased was the DVD - The Ultimate Edition released by Image Entertainment in 2006. 

Last night - Chaney Sr.

The Phantom of the Opera 1925. I watched both versions (1925 & 1929) of the film. A friend had shown me the Blu-ray some time ago - I was not very impressed with it at all. I won't even consider spending the money for a Blu-ray of The Hunchback either. The "best surviving elements don't even justify it! At least to me they don't.

Regarding a HUNCHBACK Blu-ray restoration:

http://www.flickeralley.com/catalog/item/the-hunchback-of-notre-dame-1923/hardgood

[Mord]

"The Incredible Shrinking Man" - Hadn't seen this in a while. Still holds up pretty well.

[Anthony Caranci]

Regarding The Hunchback of Notre Dame Blu-ray:

Thank you for the providing the link to the restoration video. I think it looks a "little better," but still not enough for ME to justify the $40.00. Perhaps that trailer for the restoration is not doing it enough justice. The score sounds like the same one on the Ultimate Edition. If someone wishes to purchase the Blu-ray -- then they have my blessings. I'm not trying to rain on anybody's parade. Like I said earlier - I have several versions, and the Ultimate Edition is the best of those, and I can live with it.

Mike Scott "hit the nail on the head" when he mentioned a frame by frame restoration. That is the way to go. However - the $$$$ - can they find it? Could they recoup the expenditure from the sales?

This morning:
The Mad Ghoul 1943
Currently viewing:
King Kong 1933 - Colorized - And before anyone says anything - I like the Colorized version!!!! Will listen to the recording of Max Steiner's score by John Morgan and William Stromberg. God Bless those guys! The Frankenstein, and other horror film scores they've done are just fantastic.
Will finish the day with The Son of Kong 1933 - then Peter Jackson's King Kong 2005 (Blu-ray).
Have a great day all!

[Anthony Caranci]

Last night:

Dracula 1931
Mighty Joe Young 1949 - RKO - Archival Version. Black & White with a video reconstruction of the Technicolor two-negative tinting and toning process of the Orphanage fire sequence.
Mighty Joe Young 1949 RKO - Colorized Version.

[Mord]

 The Invisible Agent - Fun B-movie

[horrorhunter]

The Invisible Ray (1936)

[Anthony Caranci]

This eve:

Frankenstein 1931 (Blu-ray).