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Universal Horrors: The Studio's Classic Films, 1931-1946
Universal Studios was to horror films what Warner Bros. was to gangster films during the Golden Age of Hollywood. This book is the definitive study of the 85 films produced during this era and presents a general overview as well. For each film, complete cast lists, credits, storyline, behind-the-scenes information, production history, commentary from the cast and crew, and in-depth critical analysis are included. Generously illustrated.
624 pages, Library Binding
First published April 1, 1990
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
May 6, 2016
Monsters from deep in the subconscious mind – such creatures occupy an important position in the human soul. What we call bad dreams are neither superfluous nor necessarily bad.
A mournful howl pieces the fog.
Slowly, the coffin lid begins to rise.
The creature’s eyes blink open, burning with dreadful purpose.
The shadows of seductive wraiths and lumbering behemoths have filled our most cherished nightmares since the first monster movie flickered across the first screen. Between the years 1931 and 1946, Universal Studios produced nearly 100 horror films, numbering among them most of the acknowledged classics of the genre, a lineup studded with titles like THE INVISIBLE MAN, THE WEREWOLF OF LONDON and THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. Many of the numerous volumes devoted to vintage movies have demonstrated a disappointing shallowness in both conception and execution, relying heavily on photographs or endless lists of credits, but “Universal Horrors” is worthy of shelf space next to fabled texts like Douglas Drake’s “Horror!” or Carlos Claren’s “An Illustrated History of the Horror Film.” Quoting extensively from interoffice memos, contracts, budget sheets and other marginalia somehow unearthed from the studio archives, the authors provide a stimulating account full of surprising details – a treasure trove for aficionados.
Hardly qualifying as traditionalists, these authors boast a bracing radicalism. For instance, they consider the generally revered 1931 version of DRACULA a “sacred cow,” Bela Lugosi’s performance “ridiculous,” and the famous source novel “a crashing bore.” Strong words indeed. (Castles have been burned for less.) Clearly, however, the authors venerate many of these cobwebbed masterpieces, waxing eloquent over gems like THE SPIDER WOMAN STRIKES BACK and SON OF FRANKENSTEIN. In dozens of chatty interviews, they coax scintillating anecdotes from a variety of luminaries, their cast of players ranging from commanding presences like Boris Karloff and Elsa Lanchester to great screamers like Evelyn Ankers. Deliciously, the text sometimes veers into just plain gossip, hinting darkly about the orgies that ruined Lionel Atwill’s career. And just how drunk was Lon Chaney, Jr. on the set of SON OF DRACULA when he smashed that vase over the director’s head? (Apparently, he didn’t care for foreign accents.) Imagine “Hollywood Babylon” with fangs and a cape.
A certain unevenness is perhaps to be expected in a work with three authors, and the prose here sometimes runs to bizarre constructions like “a disturbing underbelly of corruption sets in.” But if the complexities of language occasionally elude them, the authors’ passion for their subject burns through every sentence.
A mournful howl pieces the fog.
Slowly, the coffin lid begins to rise.
The creature’s eyes blink open, burning with dreadful purpose.
The shadows of seductive wraiths and lumbering behemoths have filled our most cherished nightmares since the first monster movie flickered across the first screen. Between the years 1931 and 1946, Universal Studios produced nearly 100 horror films, numbering among them most of the acknowledged classics of the genre, a lineup studded with titles like THE INVISIBLE MAN, THE WEREWOLF OF LONDON and THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. Many of the numerous volumes devoted to vintage movies have demonstrated a disappointing shallowness in both conception and execution, relying heavily on photographs or endless lists of credits, but “Universal Horrors” is worthy of shelf space next to fabled texts like Douglas Drake’s “Horror!” or Carlos Claren’s “An Illustrated History of the Horror Film.” Quoting extensively from interoffice memos, contracts, budget sheets and other marginalia somehow unearthed from the studio archives, the authors provide a stimulating account full of surprising details – a treasure trove for aficionados.
Hardly qualifying as traditionalists, these authors boast a bracing radicalism. For instance, they consider the generally revered 1931 version of DRACULA a “sacred cow,” Bela Lugosi’s performance “ridiculous,” and the famous source novel “a crashing bore.” Strong words indeed. (Castles have been burned for less.) Clearly, however, the authors venerate many of these cobwebbed masterpieces, waxing eloquent over gems like THE SPIDER WOMAN STRIKES BACK and SON OF FRANKENSTEIN. In dozens of chatty interviews, they coax scintillating anecdotes from a variety of luminaries, their cast of players ranging from commanding presences like Boris Karloff and Elsa Lanchester to great screamers like Evelyn Ankers. Deliciously, the text sometimes veers into just plain gossip, hinting darkly about the orgies that ruined Lionel Atwill’s career. And just how drunk was Lon Chaney, Jr. on the set of SON OF DRACULA when he smashed that vase over the director’s head? (Apparently, he didn’t care for foreign accents.) Imagine “Hollywood Babylon” with fangs and a cape.
A certain unevenness is perhaps to be expected in a work with three authors, and the prose here sometimes runs to bizarre constructions like “a disturbing underbelly of corruption sets in.” But if the complexities of language occasionally elude them, the authors’ passion for their subject burns through every sentence.
April 9, 2020
Never judge a book by it's cover.
No light reading here. This is an in-depth, encyclopedic study of Universal's classic horror films. The authors (Weaver, Brunas & Brunas) are serious film scholars who have cobbled together a tome of information and insight. Casual fans may find its 616 pages of small print a little tedious, but if you're the kind of film buff that just HAS TO KNOW why Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake was chosen to backdrop the opening credits of Dracula in 1931, this is your book!
No light reading here. This is an in-depth, encyclopedic study of Universal's classic horror films. The authors (Weaver, Brunas & Brunas) are serious film scholars who have cobbled together a tome of information and insight. Casual fans may find its 616 pages of small print a little tedious, but if you're the kind of film buff that just HAS TO KNOW why Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake was chosen to backdrop the opening credits of Dracula in 1931, this is your book!
March 18, 2018
Very few books get a 5 -star rating for me, but this one deserves it. A 600 plus page book, double columned on the history of Universal Studio's horror films, is filled with great research, reviews from the media, and interviews with some of the people on the set of the filming. There is not only the classics like "Dracula," "The Wolf Man," and "Frankenstein," but lesser known films as well. There is also coverage of science fiction and mystery films that were put in the "horror" category.
This book is a must have for horror and classic film fans.
A more in depth review can be found at: https://lancewrites.wordpress.com/201...
This book is a must have for horror and classic film fans.
A more in depth review can be found at: https://lancewrites.wordpress.com/201...
October 11, 2019
This is an excellent and comprehensive history of the horror movies released by Universal from 1931 to 1946. It's also a very good history of Universal Studios itself as well as many of the actors and actresses that worked for them. This is a must read for all horror fans.
January 29, 2010
This was my "between books" book. I read the first edition of this in college and felt that it was pretty definitive then. This revised and expanded edition is quite possibly the greatest resource on the Universal horror cycles.
November 10, 2010
One of the best reference books on the Universal Horror films ever written! Tom Weaver went on to distill the highly researched prose available here into commentaries on the Universal DVD releases.
October 31, 2013
Good overview, though the movies tend to blend into each other after a while... Which I'm sure the original movies did as well, given the tendencies to recycle footage in those days.
November 7, 2023
One Hollywood studio was responsible for introducing the masses to classic monsters and original horrors beginning in early 1931.
Universal Studios brought to life such horrors as Dracula, Frankenstein, The Wolfman and dozens of other demonic denizens of the night.
The revised and updated book: Universal Horrors The Studio’s Classic Films 1931-1946, by authors Tim Weaver, Michael and John Brunas and published by McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers, is a critical survey of the classic chiller films.
Eighty six films were produced during that period and included the classics I just mentioned along with The Creeper, The Mummy, The Invisible Man and other films of that genre.
Film coverage includes cast lists, credits, storylines, production history and insider information, analysis, cast and crew commentaries all accompanied with photos.
It’s absolutely intriguing, fascinating, informative and a real treat to anyone who loves classic horror films.
The second edition of the book is jam-packed with so much information it’s hard to take it all in.
Thoroughly researched and organized the book lists the movies by the years they were released. Be sure to check out the appendixes and glossary.
"For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?" — 1 Corinthians 4:7
Universal Studios brought to life such horrors as Dracula, Frankenstein, The Wolfman and dozens of other demonic denizens of the night.
The revised and updated book: Universal Horrors The Studio’s Classic Films 1931-1946, by authors Tim Weaver, Michael and John Brunas and published by McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers, is a critical survey of the classic chiller films.
Eighty six films were produced during that period and included the classics I just mentioned along with The Creeper, The Mummy, The Invisible Man and other films of that genre.
Film coverage includes cast lists, credits, storylines, production history and insider information, analysis, cast and crew commentaries all accompanied with photos.
It’s absolutely intriguing, fascinating, informative and a real treat to anyone who loves classic horror films.
The second edition of the book is jam-packed with so much information it’s hard to take it all in.
Thoroughly researched and organized the book lists the movies by the years they were released. Be sure to check out the appendixes and glossary.
"For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?" — 1 Corinthians 4:7
October 27, 2023
Exhaustive guide
The authors have really done their homework. This book includes every horror (and not so horror) movie I could think of and many, many more. Very interesting for Universal horror fans. The thirties were really the best decade for these movies, the forties, not so much. I would have given it five stars except for the many typos and for not letting up on the Dracula\Lugosi bashing. I happen to think Dracula was an excellent movie.
The authors have really done their homework. This book includes every horror (and not so horror) movie I could think of and many, many more. Very interesting for Universal horror fans. The thirties were really the best decade for these movies, the forties, not so much. I would have given it five stars except for the many typos and for not letting up on the Dracula\Lugosi bashing. I happen to think Dracula was an excellent movie.
June 16, 2018
Nostalgic
Written with a loving but not uncritical view, this is an essential reference book for anyone interested in the classic Universal horror movies. A fun read and filled with facts. Highly recommended
Written with a loving but not uncritical view, this is an essential reference book for anyone interested in the classic Universal horror movies. A fun read and filled with facts. Highly recommended
August 27, 2017
Easily one of my favourite books and essential for anyone interested in the early Universal horror movies. Great stories and some wonderful photos. A real gem.
October 9, 2019
A thorough dissection of every classic Universal Horror as well as entries on those films that touch on the fantastic. Whilst I've not read every entry, I'll certainly continue to dip in and out.
December 29, 2021
A real treat, so far the best book I have about the horror movies made by Universal Studios.
June 22, 2013
This is a good book, but a bit misleading. The book does indeed cover Universal Studios' classic horror films from 1931 - 1946, but it also includes many films that aren't horror films (although some were promoted by Universal as such - thus their inclusion). For instance, all of the Basil Rathbone - Nigel Bruce "Sherlock Holmes" films are covered in this book, as are other mysteries and thrillers. The coverage of these films, and the true horror films, is good, but the inclusion of the non-horror titles is baffling. The Sherlock Holmes films weren't promoted as horror, yet every one is detailed.
There are some nice promotional photos and behind-the-scenes shots throughout the book, and some nice interviews with some of the classic stars of the day.
There are some nice promotional photos and behind-the-scenes shots throughout the book, and some nice interviews with some of the classic stars of the day.
July 28, 2014
For over a year, this has been my "go-to" book when needing something to read on the Kindle. The chronological order of each and every Universal Horror Movie from 1931 to 1946 lent itself to the kind of reading where you can jump in and enjoy learning about a movie or two, and then let the book sit unopened for weeks at a time. As to be expected with Tom Weaver's name on the cover, this is exhaustively researched, with exclusive anecdotes from surviving actors and crew interviewed personally resting alongside vintage reviews, studio notes and interesting connections to previous films. Does a set seem familiar? This book will tell you where it first appeared! If you love the classic Universal monster movies, this is a MUST HAVE.
January 17, 2016
A must-read for all Universal Horror fans. This book proves all of the movies could have had some nice bonus features as they all have some interesting stories from the production. I do disagree with the author biases against Hammer Horror (I have nothing against Christopher Lee's athletic interpretation of Dracula), but its nothing that gets in the way of enjoying the book. A nice plus is the inclusion of the Sherlock Holmes movies, which I don't think fall under this category, but I found equally interesting to read about.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews