These classic horror films really need no introduction. This review will simply grade each for picture and sound quality, along with a summary of the set in general. Each disc in this set contains an original documentary on its making and origins, hosted by film historians and famous directors Joe Dante and John Landis. Each documentary is at least 30 minutes in length, and contains stills from Universal publicity, interviews with cast or family members of the cast, and is a fitting tribute to each film. Each disc has an original movie poster on the cover. The DVDs contain galleries of original stills from Universal, with movie posters, lobby cards and publicity photos, viewable in slide show format with soundtrack music playing in the background. Original trailers are also included on each DVD.

Dracula-Picture C+, Sound A, Extras A Universal's print of this Bela Lugosi classic is not in the best of shape with original negative damage. The transfer to DVD is sharp as can be expected for a 70 year old film. Many scenes are spotty, with vertical lines and major "snow". The sound is cleaned up with most hiss kept to a minimum. An additional soundtrack by Phillip Glass is also included but I prefer the original, as old as it is. Extras-The entire Spanish version of the film, which was made at the same time, using the same sets, is included on this DVD. This film is fascinating to watch with its Spanish cat, lead by Carlos Villarias and directed by George Melford. Commentary during the film is on a separate audio track provided by film historian David J. Skal. Frankenstein-Picture B+, Sound B, Extras A James Whale's signature film, which starred Boris Karloff (or Karloff the Uncanny), as he was known back then, is preserved well. Picture is sharp and sound is hiss free, thanks to Dolby technology. While some picture noise is present, it is in far better shape than Dracula. This restored version, also includes a documentary and commentary from Rudy Behlmer. Besides the documentary, another short film, "Boo" is also included. Bride Of Frankenstein-Picture B+, Sound B, Extras A The sequel James Whale didn't want to make has quite a reputation for hidden meanings. It is in better shape than the original technically and contains some classic scenes, including the monster learning to talk, his longing for a mate, and his heartbreak when he is rejected. Karloff brought more sympathy to his character with this film. Elsa Lanchester plays a duel role as Mary Shelly and also "The Bride". The Mummy-Picture A-, Sound B+, Extras A Karloff again plays the monster,set in Egypt and again longing for a mate. Karl Freund directed this tale of mystery and ancient civilization, capitalizing on the King Tut curse. Zita Johann costars and was actually personally interested in the occult. Karloff's makeup is carefully analyzed during the documentary, as well as the nasty feuds between cast and director on this film. Commentary is provided by film historian Paul M. Jensen. The Invisible Man-Picture B-, Sound A, Extras A James Whale followed up his hit Frankenstein with this HG Wells story. Wells actually had approval of the script. It stars an unknown Claude Rains, who had the task of acting the entire movie through his voice, as he is covered or invisible through most of the script. The picture is marred by vertical white lines in some scenes, as well as general specks of lost negative material. The extras documentary includes an explanation of how the invisible effect was created and unveils a lot of how other things were done in the film. Interviews include Rains daughter, who relates stories of seeing the film when she was nine with her father, and how his thick cockney accent had to be overcome. The Wolf Man-Picture A-, Sound B+, Content A The film that launched Lon Chaney Jr. at Universal, was first a vehicle fro Boris Karloff. When Karloff turned it down because he was busy, Chaney auditioned and got the role. Also starring Claude Rains as his father, this horror film has many great performers, including Bela Lugosi, Maria Ouspenskaya, Ralph Bellamy and Patric Knowles. The extras documentary, hosted by John Landis, goes into great details about the origins of the famous makeup applied to Chaney, son of the famous "Man Of A Thousand Faces". Commentary on the separate audio track is by film historian Tom Weaver. We also get the fantastic publicity stills from the film; forever emblazoning the Wolf Man's face in our minds. Phantom Of The Opera-Picture A, Sound B+, Content A This is the only disc in the set that is in Technicolor and it is rich in color. Details are sharp and very little "halo" effect from the older film, shot in 1943. This was the second of three productions of Phantom, first shot in 1925 with Lon Chaney Sr. The opera house set, first built for this early production is again used for the 1943 film. Claude Rains gets the role of Phantom in this version, which downplays the fantastic makeup of the original. Chaney's "living skull" makeup is one of the classic horror masks of all time. The extras documentary includes details about all three productions, with footage of the original film, and the later 1962 Hammer film version starring Herbert Lom as the Phantom. Commentary on this DVD is by film historian Scott McQueen, who also hosts the documentary. Creature From The Black Lagoon-Picture B+, Sound B, Extras A Lastly, the monster set finishes with this 1954 classic. Starring Richard Carlson, Julie Adams, and Richard Denning, this well acted horror film was originally shot as a 3-D film. I wish Universal had included the 3-D version as an extra, complete with red-blue glasses. The 3-D process is explained by experts in the extras documentary, which runs almost an hour in length. Julie Adams, the object of the Creature's affections, is interviewed along with the two men who played the Creature; one in the water and the other on land. The classic scene of Adams swimming in the water, parallel with the Creature, is explained as a very sexy scene for its time. Adams bathing suit was specially constructed for her part; most revealing for the time.

Universal has done an outstanding job of celebrating some of their best films ever produced by the studio with this DVD set. Conveniently packaged together, this will make every classic horror film buff thrilled for the quality of the film stock (with notable exceptions) and the extra documentaries and features are a true bonus for all the films, giving us a rich history of each film.