Frankenstein (1931) Audio Comparisons ADDED

[Christopher_Russo]

Hello everyone. First time poster so bare with me. Today i will be discussing some 'edits' that have been done to some of the video releases for Frankenstein (1931). To start off with Im not pleased with the mono track that has been used on every release of the film since 2004. I find it a bit 'muffled' and also bits of the soundtrack are missing which were present on previous video releases. The comparison page for Frankenstein on this site for the DVD releases notes that the 1999 DVD used noise reduction which eliminated parts of the soundtrack while the 2004 DVD is close to the original. Now please correct me if Im wrong but I think this information is backwards since again I noted the mono track used on each release since '04 is missing parts. Also i actually found the mono track on the 1999 DVD to be quite pleasing although it is rather quiet. I find it a bit more 'crisper' than the current mix. Below are links to two comparison videos I made 2-3 years ago. One is to compare how I found the current mix not as crisp as some previous versions, another points out the missing bits. Check them out and give your opinions. Note that i do respect ALL opinions but lets keep posts positive guys. Thanks everyone.

https://vimeo.com/56206935

https://vimeo.com/57318682

[James-Masaki_Ryan]

Frankenstein DVDcompare page

So apparently on our page it says the "older" soundtrack was the one with the noise reduction, but as you point out in your video comparison, the newer soundtrack is the one with noise reduction. I personally have the Universal Legacy (Green Case) version, and have always noticed the weakness of the soundtrack in general. Still had muffled sound and some crackling, but not as obvious as you posted with the VHS sound which was like a vinyl record with its hiss and noise.

The vimeo comparisons are with the VHS and BD versions only, but which other editions do you own?

With this and the debacle over the missing "Dracula" scream, Universal doesn't seem to know how to restore the Universal Monster soundtracks as well as they should.

[Christopher_Russo]

I own the 1999 DVD, 2004 DVD, 2006 DVD, and 2014 DVD. The soundtrack on the latter three releases is virtually identical to the one on the BluRay. As for Dracula, from what i know only the 2004 DVD and pre-1988 releases feature the soundtrack with the unrestored soundtrack.

[James-Masaki_Ryan]

Christopher, since I'm trying to fix up the "Frankenstein" listing, could you check the following:

"Karloff: The Gentle Giant" documentary - how long does it run?
Also, with the DVDs, how long are the runtimes for the DVDs you own for the actual film?

[Christopher_Russo]

1999 and 2004 DVDs- 1:10:00

2006 and 2014 DVDs- 1:10:09

Karloff: The Gentle Monster- 0:37:53

[James-Masaki_Ryan]

Thank you. As for the 2014 release, do you mean this:
http://www.amazon.com/Frankenstein-Comp ... B00L8QOYG6

If so, it is not in our database. If you could post the specs for the set, we will gladly add it.

[Christopher_Russo]

Yes I mean that one. Here's what I got.

Disc One:

Frankenstein (1931)
Run time: 1:10:09
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Audio: English Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
Subtitles: English
Extras:
The Frankenstein Files: How Hollywood Made a Monster Documentary
Karloff: The Gentle Monster
Boo! A Short Film
Frankenstein Archives
Theatrical Trailer
Feature Commentary by Rudy Behlmer
Feature Commentary by Sir Christopher Frayling

Disc Two:

The Bride of Frankenstein (1935)
Run time: 1:14:41
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Audio: English Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
Subtitles: English
Extras:
She's Alive! Creating The Bride of Frankenstein Documentary
The Bride of Frankenstein Archives
Theatrical Trailer
Feature Commentary by Scott MacQueen

Son of Frankenstein (1939)
Run time: 1:39:05
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Audio: English Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
Subtitles: English

Disc Three:

The Ghost of Frankenstein (1942)
Run time: 1:07:22
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Audio: English Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
Subtitles: English
Extras:
Theatrical Trailer

Frankenstein Meets The Wolf Man (1943)
Run time: 1:13:13
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Audio: English Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
Subtitles: English
Extras:
Theatrical Trailer

House of Frankenstein (1944)
Run time: 1:10:21
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Audio: English Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
Subtitles: English
Extras:
Theatrical Trailer

Disc Four:

House of Dracula (1945)
Run time: 1:06:56
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Audio: English Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
Subtitles: English
Extras:
Theatrical Trailer

Abbott And Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948)
Run time: 1:22:44
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Audio: English Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
Subtitles: English
Extras:
Abbott and Costello Meet the Monsters
Production Photographs
Theatrical Trailer
Feature Commentary by Gregory M. Mank

[James-Masaki_Ryan]

Thank you Christopher, but could you also list the runtimes for the extras, please?

[Christopher_Russo]

All bonus features are previously released so it should have the same run time. The only exception is the trailer for House of Dracula which runs at 0:01:28.

[James-Masaki_Ryan]

Thank you Christopher, it took a while to update all the specs for "Frankenstein" and "Bride", so it'll take some time to fix up the other listings, but they are in progress!

[James-Masaki_Ryan]

Added them all... thank you!

Additionally, if you or anyone has the other "Complete Legacy Collection" sets, please post them (in a new thread).

[Christopher_Russo]

I have the 2014 Complete Legacy DVD Collection box set so I have the additional sets. I'll posts the specs when I get the chance.

[James-Masaki_Ryan]

Take your time, please.
I have the R1 green Legacy sets of all the Universal Monsters, and updated all the Wolf Man titles last month. I would update the entries of all the movies there, but unfortunately I'm not at home for the next month and I don't have access to those discs. I will be able to get to those mid January (and update the little things like the theatrical trailer runtimes.)