World Famous Comics: The Monster Squad: The Complete Collection (2pc)
The Monster Squad: The Complete Collection (2pc)
Starring: Fred Gandy, Barry Dennen, Alice Ghostley, Vito Scotti, Henry Polic II Directed By: Herman Hoffman;James Sheldon Average Rating: Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated) Binding: DVD Format: Color, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC, Original recording remastered Number of Items: 2 Region Code: 1 Release Date: June 23, 2009 Running Time: 300 minutes Studio: Virgil Films and Entertainment Theatrical Release Date: 2009
THE ORIGINAL DRAC PACK ! ^ The Monster Squad television series ran for one season in 1976 compiling 13 episodes during its brief run. Thanks to Fabulous Films / Virgil films fans can now enjoy the "Monster Squad" the complete series on DVD. All 13 live action episodes are included on two single sided discs with great disc packaging and awesome disc artwork. According to the rear of the package the episodes have been completely restored for this DVD release and in my opinion the quality of both picture and sound is excellent. There is some minor grain here & there in some of the episodes but they are still better than anything I expected to see and hear. There isn't an episode booklet included however the Episode Synopsis does appear on the inside of the DVD case when you open it. You still have to remove the discs to see them.
Walter played by (Fred Grandy) is a criminology student who moonlights as a night watchman in Fred's wax museum. Because nothing ever happens while he's on duty Walter constructs a high tech "crime computer" to pass the time. Upon its completion Walter plugs in his new crime computer and something totally unexpected happens. Walter can hardly believe his eyes when he sees what has happened and he quickly realizes that life in the old Museum will never be the same.
It appears that the oscillating vibrations from Walter's new super crime computer have brought back to life three of the Museums most diabolical inhabitants. Dracula, the Werewolf and Frankenstein are now back amongst the living and they have Walter and his crime computer to thank for it. The Monsters with the help of Walter will now join forces and try to make amends for their past misdeeds by helping people instead of harming them. Now that the formation of the "Monster Squad" is complete, these unlikely heroes will use some very unconventional tactics to battle an assortment of outrageous villains. The "Monster Squad" has brought back some great childhood memories for me and I'm glad I bought the set.
The Main Cast:
Fred Grandy.......Walter Henry Polic II....Dracula Buck Kartalian....Bruce W. Wolf Mike Lane.........Frank N. Stein
Episodes Include:
Disc #1 Episode 1: Queen Bee Episode 2: Mr Mephisto Episode 3: The Tickler Episode 4: The Ringmaster Episode 5: Music Man Episode 6: No Face Episode 7: The Astrologer
Disc #2 Episode 8: Ultra Witch Episode 9: The Wizard Episode 10: The Skull Episode 11: The Weatherman Episode 12: Lawrence of Moravia Episode 13: Albert/Alberta
Special DVD features Include: -Stills Gallery -Episode Synopsis -Series Synopsis -Motion Menus
Fun show. Great for all ages. ^ I have DVD. It is single sided, 2 DVDs. No booklet, but a cursory episode guide on the inside cover. No extras, only same episode guide and some photos. I would say that the transfers are average; but it could also be that the series was made cheaply and it is an old series, so it could be the best to be expected. Ditto about audio quality. Bizarrely, the episodes are not indexed, can't skip the theme (etc.), so it's all or nothing. I'm not sure how much actually went into restoration or presentation, or if they had the original elements. I advise to lower your expectations!
The show is a bit cheesy after all these years, but it was a kids show after all. It is certainly a product of the 1970's. I thought the jokes were far more subversive than I remembered. The crime computer is a absolute howler! Adults can have fun with this series with their kids. And the guest stars we would recognize and enjoy. The theme tune is pretty good, kind of a action disco. Fred Grandy is funny, and we can see why he was popular on Love Boat soon after; he definitely understood the camp concept of the show as a monster crime squad. The Dracula character is great. I'm not sure they knew how to utilize Frankenstein and Werewolf, however. I wish the producers would have had a origin story at the beginning.
For 13 episodes, I think it is a charming and lighthearted family show. It's basically the 1960's camp Batman show redux, except the monsters are the good guys.
It may not appeal to everyone, but it is a different type of show than the usual boring Saturday Morning fare (then and now) that we are used to seeing. That is worth it for the viewing experience.
Better than I expected! ^ The last time I saw "The Monster Squad", I was seven. I couldn't remember much about the show other than I liked it at the time and I was bummed when it went off the air. I was thrilled to find that over 30 years later it was finally being released on DVD. Without hesitation, I ordered it. I wasn't expecting the show to be very good, or the transfer to look decent. To my surprise, the show isn't bad (though clearly aimed at kids), and the transfer is excellent. If you're even thinking about it...ORDER IT.
FINALLY!! ^ Not to be confused with the 80s movie of the same name, "The Monster Squad" was a fond memory from my childhood. This 70s NBC Saturday morning show featured a pre "Love Boat" Fred Grandy as Walt, a night watchman at a Hollywood-type wax museum who was also a criminology college student during the day. He built a "Crime Computer" to monitor police activity during his shift. The computer somehow brought to life the statues of the Frankenstein Monster, Dracula, and the Wolfman(not Laurence Talbot, but Bruce WW. The initials stood for WereWolf). To make up for past misdeeds, the three use their unique abilities to fight crime. The show featured "special guest villians" like Marty Allen, Alice Ghostly, Jonathan Harris, amoung others. If the show reminded you of the 60s "Batman" tv show, that's because both shows were produced by the same people. I can't wait for this DVD, and I still think an updated version of this show would work today.
Anything Goes Trivia
Megaton Man
Trevor
