Blockbuster movies demand special attention for home video releases, but cult classics deserve preservation, too. And Film Masters spares no effort to restore four iconic ’50s creature features together for the first time in Monster Mayhem Collection, a two-disc special edition Blu-ray collector’s set that will soon be available to purchase on April 7th.

Frankenstein’s Daughter, Giant from the Unknown, The Brain from Planet Arous and Monster from Green Hell all receive a high-quality 4K digitally restored scans from 35mm archival prints in their original, theatrical aspect ratios. The discs are presented in their original aspect ratio of 1.85:1 and they are region free (including English SDH), with their audio being DTS-HD/Dolby AC3s. Each film receives new liner notes by Tom Weaver, archival special features and film commentaries that cinephiles crave.

These sci-fi nightmare creatures have become available through an exclusive distribution agreement with the Wade Williams Collection. This initial release features a greatest-hits collection from the late filmmaker’s estate, with expected Blu-ray restorations including Plan 9 from Outer Space, The Crawling Eye, Champagne for Caesar and The Day IT Came to Earth to be released in the near future.

“You know, it’s the duty of every citizen to report monsters, whenever they see them.”

 

Frankenstein’s Daughter (1958) was the first must-see monster movie for me. At the conclusion of a hot date, Suzie (played by Sally Todd) is terrorized by a hideous female creature, but no one seems to believe her. Trudy (Sandra Knight) wakes up from a nightmare, which felt all too real. Is it possible these scary scenarios involving two cute co-eds actually involve her father, Carter (Felix Locher) and his assistant, Oliver (Donald Murphy), two mad scientists in the making?

Their scientific experiments intended to eradicate all destructive cells or organisms that plague mankind winds up beautifully backfiring as ulterior motives arise. After a secret identity is revealed, is it possible that wide-eyed evil is actually hereditary?

“Some things are more beautiful in death…”

Giant From the Unknown (1958) is up next. After an electrical storm awakens the Diablo Giant, Devil’s Crag will never be the same. You know, sometimes, 500-year-old legends are simply tall tales… and others resurrect a Spanish conquistador with a taste for blood. Don’t miss Jack Pierce’s monster makeup, made famous in Frankenstein (1931), The Mummy (1932) and The Wolf Man (1941).

“Sometimes crazy people know more than they get credit for…”

Giant irradiated mutant killer wasps torment Monster from Green Hell (1957), as atomic fears haunt humanity through low-budget charm. The stop-motion animation is a highlight, along with the blown-up footage of real-life creepy crawlies. 

The Brain from Planet Arous (1957) wraps up these tales of terrors with a giant, floating, megalomaniacal, sex-crazed brain from outer space possessing humans with evil intentions and threatening global destruction — Krang, eat your heart out! The main plot here follows more mad scientists, but it’s women’s intuition that eventually saves the day.

For me, the biggest highlights always come from Film Masters’ featurettes, and this two-disc set doesn’t disappoint. Ballyhoo Motion Pictures brings four mini documentaries to the Special Features menu. If the intro to “Richard E. Cunha: Filmmaker of the Unknown” is to be believed, monster movie fan Tom Weaver mailed a list of questions for an interview to the producer-director, who received this dated-looking VHS-type response. Here, he discusses his resume and some behind-the-scenes stories regarding multiple responsibilities behind the camera and flexing his microbudget sensibilities. This peek into early indie horror is incredibly fascinating.

“Missouri Born: Films of Jim Davis” is no different. C. Courtney Joyner displays his wealth of knowledge regarding the film industry as Davis’ past works are celebrated, from low-budget sci-fi to brief big-screen notoriety and later Westerns, as well as TV work. “The Man Before the Brain: Director Nathan Juran” describes a man who approached the film industry as a business, one which he wasn’t born into, and he eventually was surprised to receive recognition for his contributions, even though he simply considered himself a technician of the craft.

In “The Man Behind the Brain: The World of Nathan Juran,” author Nathan Humphreys takes a deep dive into the filmmaker’s notable productions but particularly focuses on Attack of the 50 Foot Woman, and now I really want to watch that film (with more notable trivia nuggets scattered about). Let’s do this, Film Masters, restore the movie!

Both film historians do a great job molding their stories around their related topics.

I expect more good things to come from the partnership with Film Masters and the Wade Williams Collection in the near future. As historians and enthusiasts who continue to restore classic films, this union gives great opportunities for future generations to enjoy previously dormant films in newly restored clarity.

The Monster Mayhem Collection clocks in at approximately 303 minutes (plus 379 minutes of special features) on Blu-ray discs with a suggested retail price of $39.95 releasing on April 7th. Get more information by visiting the Film Masters webpage.