Unmade Universal Monster Movies - Wolf Man vs Dracula

Following Phantom of the Opera (1943), in the middle of the Silver age of Universal Studio's monster movies, a new sequel to Frankenstein Meets the Wolfman was considered for a Technicolor production: Wolfman vs Dracula! Lon Chaney Jr., who was the only actor to portray Universal's four classic monster roles; Dracula, frankenstein's monster, the mummy and the wolfman. At first Chaney was to play both roles, as his father Lon Chaney Sr. had done in several of his famous silent films. But Larry Talbot in his human phase would look exactly like Count Dracula so the role of Dracula was given to it's originator Bela Lugosi. A script was prepared by Bernard Shubert, who had written the screenplay for Tod Browning's London After Midnight(MGM 1927) remake Mark of the Vampire (MGM 1935). Shubert kept the settings very tight in its scenes, to keep the cost down to balance out for the extra expense of technicolor. But by 1944 Bela Lugosi was in his 60s and would have had to play part of his role as a giant bat much like in the Copolla Bram Stoker's Dracula in the 90s - and that would have been too much for him. And they couldn't have the Wolfman fighting an animated bat much like John Carradine's depiction of the Count or even Lugosi's portrayal in Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein. So they decided to make one of their Arabian Nights film on the Technicolor contract and all that remained of Wolfman vs Dracula are some color 8x10s of Chaney in both parts.

The movie would have opened with the discovery of Larry Talbot's  body in a grave alongside the

skeleton of a woman. His clothes are rotted from the passage of years but Larry's body remains perfectly preserved. The body is taken to the hospital of Dr. Ziska where a bullet is discovered lodged next to his heart just enough to keep it from beating. The bullet is removed and Larry Talbot comes back to life. Larry sets out to find a cure for being a lycanthrope. He finds the local hangman, Anatole and begs him to end his life with a silver bullet. In a true Hollywood coincidence, Count Dracula happens to be paying Anatole a visit not only the same day, but the same time as Talbot looking  to add the hangman's daughter, Yvonne, to his list of brides. Anatole refuses to cooperate just as Yvonne refuses Dracula's request. Larry and Yvonne eventually decide the only way to save her is for them to be married immediately which makes very little sense but things get moving once Dracula is exposed as the vampire count and the full moon approaches.

In all it would have been a great addition to the Universal Monster movie series and unfortunately remains a might have been. 

Monster Prints

Yes I've decided to try and make some money selling prints and I've started a new series based on famous movie monsters, there are the first three and they are currently for sale on my Etsy site 

Frankenstein vs the Wolfman

Came across this on my internet travels, The animation is a little stiff but when you consider this was all done on a normal home computer you forgive the jerkiness of the movements. The design of the Monster is very well done and it's a solid short story,

Universal Monsters Online

hold on....gimme a minute... okay I am awake and not dreaming, this is really happening...

Look at that willya?

Aint that sumthin'?

Yes folks what we have here is a Free to Play MOBA featuring the Universal Monsters, and we all know how special these guys are to me and my late Uncle Freak. Basically you get to pick your monster from the sizable stable of Universal Monsters and beat the snot out of each other. That's right, pit Frankenstein against the Metaluna Mutant and see which freak of science is stronger. Let Dracula mix it up with the Mummy, The Bride take on the Invisible Man, Wolf Man sink his fangs into the Mole People. I'm so damn excited right now I could scream! Seriously this looks to be great with some seriously solid character designs for the main monsters check 'em out after the official press release...

“San Francisco – June 12, 2012—Bigpoint today released new information about its anticipated free-to-play (F2P) browser-based title, Universal Monsters Online. The game, which Bigpoint is developing in collaboration with Universal Partnerships & Licensing, will enable players to experience Universal’s iconic cast of classic monsters in a highly-competitive Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) setting.

Taking on the persona of Dracula, Frankenstein, The Wolf Man, and The Creature from the Black Lagoon – among many other notable monsters from Universal’s rich history – players compete with and against each other in a blend of combat and strategic game play.

Like all Bigpoint titles, Universal Monsters Online will be F2P. In-game currency can be used to purchase items such as new characters (after a free-trial period), unique character skins, and special abilities.

Bigpoint plans to begin closed beta testing shortly, and is now encouraging players to sign-up for early access at:http://www.universalmonstersonline.com/“

Man I am loving that Bride design, she's got that pretty girl that stomp ya into the dirt look to her! And that Creature is KILLER.

Now get yer butts over to the website and sign up for a chance to beta test, I have, ya can count on that. Oh and while your there go to the character section and drool over the animated models of some of the monsters. I did and now I have a puddle to clean up.

Universal Monsters Online Game

Found this while lurking about the interwebs, here's the write up

"All you PC horror lovers out there could finally jump in joy because there is a new free-to-play horror-themed game coming out soon. Developed by Universal Studios, Universal Monsters Online is an MMORPG that is fast-paced and action-packed! It combines the use of 3D isometric graphics, cinematic audio, and even includes a deep gameplay for those of you who wouldn’t mind a change in controls for once in a while.

Inspired by the Universal Monsters film, the game introduces classic characters including Frankenstein, Dracula, The Wolf Man and loads of other iconic monsters online. You can cooperate with your monster’s companion to terrorize and wreak havoc when you wander about in the village. It is really a crazy and stirring thing to see the innocent villagers run away from you as they have never experienced such profound fear before. Join us! Step on a dramatic journey along with your loyal companion, and prove to the world that you are not to be played with."

I have no idea if you're playing as the monsters or a human, I'm hoping monster... you can go to the website and sign up for updates, I did.

United Monster Talent Agency

Imagine a world where the monsters of Universal Studios were real...pretty cool world hunh? Anyway, imagine then that in that world when a movie studio needed a monster for a film then needed to higher that monster and they would do so through a talent agency that specializes in monstrous actors and actresses, they would go through the United Monster Talent Agency.

THE UNITED MONSTER TALENT AGENCY - Greg Nicotero by davehouseofhorrors

Countdown to Halloween - Famous Monsters of Legend Coloring Pages

Back when I still did artwork I had developed a coloring book of Famous Monsters of Legend, here's some of them...print 'em out and let the kids (or adults) at 'em with the crayons.

Halloween Countdown Begins Now!!

I'm kicking it off early, why? Because I can and to start it off I'm gonna showcase what are probably the coolest Halloween Decorations I've seen yet this year, topping the life size Frankenstein. Behold...

 The Universal Monsters Grave Walkers! Made by Rubies, these four beauties would look great displayed outside breaking free of graves...or a pond for the Creature, bushes for the Wolfman. Made of heavy duty foam like the usual assortment of unlicensed generic zombies and other grave burster type decorations but these babies ar officially licensed Universal products. Measuring 16 1/4 inches high, 36 inches long and 25 inches wide of pure monster goodness. Me, I really want to get them and mount them on the wall of my lab and make it look like they are bursting through the wall, that should make my daughter pee her pants.