Universal Monsters Ebook!

Tonight I have a special treat for you ghouls out there, a free 32 page ebook. This was written by Scott Essman at produced by the fine folks at Universal and it's a great overview of the history of the monsters and the studio that created them. Terrorific stuff here -  enjoy!!
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Universal Classic Monsters Essential Collection Blu Ray review

Got a copy of the new Blu Ray box Set, The Universal Monsters Essential Collection tonight, and shot a quick video reviewing the set, packaging and content. I watched the Wolf Man and it looked beautiful, especially on some of the little fine detail. Great looking set that you guys are going to love - can't wait to really dig into these!!

Belcourt October Horrors

WOW! Just check out all the awesome goodies Belcourt is showing in October! These Universal showings in particular have me excited!! AND best yet, there's more announcements of October goodness to come ! Stay tuned, Nashville!!

Edward Van Sloan - Is there a Doctor in the House?

Another actor who appeared in both FRANKENSTEIN and DRACULA is Edward Van Sloan. Van Sloan played Professor Van Helsing in Dracula and Dr. Waldman in Frankenstein, and also delivered the unforgettable opening dialogue before Frankenstein.



 The Universal version of Dracula wasn't the first time Van Sloan and Lugosi had worked together, however; the two had appeared together in the American stage version of Dracula years earlier, working together night after night.

I like to think the two were, while perhaps not close friends, at least friendly with one another. They were cast in two other productions together - THE DEATH KISS in 1932 and the serial THE PHANTOM CREEPS in 1939.

Like Dwight Frye, Van Sloan was somewhat typecast after Dracula, with the majority of his film roles being doctors, professors and wise men of some sort much like Van Helsing. Fortunately for him that provided many more opportunities than poor Dwight Frye was offered, and Van Sloan appeared in over 80 films, the last in 1950. Van Sloan also appeared in the Universal classics THE MUMMY, 1932, (as Dr. Muller) and DRACULA'S DAUGHTER, 1936, (as Professor Von Helsing). He passed away in 1964 at age 81. I consider Van Sloan one of the classic Universal horror actors, and a huge part of Dracula and Frankenstein, the two films we're celebrating this month. Here's to ya, Edward.

Jack Pierce Deserves a Star

I received word today of another campaign to grant a star on the Hollywood walk of fame, and this one is much more deserving than some of late (see my previous post about this topic). This time the proposed star would honor make-up legend Jack Pierce, someone who had a huge hand in shaping the horror landscape as we know it today. Pierce created some truly iconic makeup designs, from Chaney's Wolfman to Karloff's Monster and many more. Universal owes a debt of gratitude to Jack Pierce, and there is a proposed campaign to make this happen.



Spearheading the effort is Scott Essman, who is a Jack Pierce expert, and in fact produced a documentary on Pierce that Universal will include in the soon to be released DVD of THE MUMMY. Universal came close to following through on raising funds for a star in the past, but for various reasons something has always arisen that was a “higher priority” for the Publicity department, and the money earmarked for Pierce’s star was shifted to other purposes.

Scott has offered a solution to raise the money for this star and is presenting it to Universal. Whatever the price set for the new MUMMY DVD, he suggests Universal increase the amount by $1.00, and earmark these funds for the well-deserved recognition of Jack Pierce. This would allow fans to show their appreciation for Pierce and the star would be funded by proceeds from a film that contains not one but TWO Pierce masterpieces – what could be more perfect?

So Universal, how about it? Without the artistry of Jack Pierce, Universal as we know it would not in all probability exist today. It’s time to say thank you to Jack. It’s time he had a star. (For more information, please go to http://www.jackpierce.com/, Scott Essman’s website.)

75th Anniversary of THE MUMMY

To celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Universal classic THE MUMMY, a special Jack Pierce tribute will soon be released on dvd. The tribute was taped on October 20, 2007, and hosted by horror host Ivonna Cadaver. It included a recreation of the Im Ho Tep mummy makeup, as well as a portrayal of legendary makeup artist Jack Pierce himself. Ivonna Cadaver introduced Jack Pierce, the Mummy, and told the history of the Universal film.

The final dvd will also include a video interview with Sara Karloff, segments from Conor Timmis' Kreating Karloff documentary, as well as segments from Scott Essman's Jack Pierce Tribute from June of 2000.

More info coming soon!