Shout Factory to release Vincent Price collection! (1 Viewer)

[Bryan^H]

Bryan, it may be time for us to start selling our Midnight Movies of these titles. Not so easy for me to do though without knowing what extras, if any, are being carried over. Decisions, decisions.

Yes, now would be the time. Problem is I am still working on a complete set of the Midnight Movies. I think I am only missing two titles.

I will wait to see if the Corman commentaries are carried over as well.

 

[Jeffrey Nelson]

Great news, but I'm a bit worried about MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH, as the old MGM DVD was missing censored footage that was contained in the old widescreen LD, and also missing footage contained in the original British theatrical release.

In the uncensored version contained on the LD, Jane Asher says to Vinnie: "I beg of you mercy! Mercy in the name of God!" In the MGM DVD, Asher's dialogue is cut right before she says "...of God," which also cuts a few seconds of the guard pushing her to the ground, making for a ridiculous jump cut in the action. There's also a second or so of footage missing when Asher is tossed into the tub.

Also, the original British theatrical release (according to the UK continuity script and original shooting script) contained two scenes missing from American release prints that should be restored: an extra scene between the two dwarfs in which the male promises the female she won't be hit again (various sources have incorrectly claimed that this was an extra scene added for TV screenings), and about 20 seconds or so of extra dialogue at the beginning of the scene on the battlements between Price and Asher. These scenes turned up in a BBC screening a few years ago, along with the above-mentioned God line.

Here's the Classic Horror Film Board thread from which I cribbed some of the above details, which is a must-read for MASQUE fans who hope to see their fave Poe film restored to its original glory:

http://monsterkidclassichorrorforum.yuku.com/topic/3086

I really REALLY hope Scream Factory gets this missing footage restored, so I can finally retire my old laserdisc. Otherwise, what a missed opportunity.

 

[Derek M Germano]

It's about time some Vincent Price horror classic make their way to Blu-ray.Let's hope we get second helpings. If it hasn't been mentioned, add TWICE-TOLD TALES.Also I want to reiterate the great suggestions from above:THE TOMB OF LIEGIATHE COMEDY OF TERRORSTHE RAVENTALES OF TERRORSCREAM AND SCREAM AGAINDR. PHIBES RISES AGAINTHEATRE OF BLOODTHE OBLONG BOXand let us not forget THE PREMATURE BURIAL, even if Ray Milland is filling in for Vincent Price.

 

[JoeDoakes]

Excellent!

I hope they have the whole Corman/Poe-(ish) canon in their sights.

I would have rather seen a release of that plus something like Comedy of Terrors which fits into it so well, but this set is a must have for sure.

 

[Dave - A]

I'm a big fan of Dr. Phibes and I've always liked Pit & the Pendulum as well but I'm not familiar with the other films... though I think I saw Usher a LONG time ago.
Any comments on how those other films rate would help me decide on whether I should take the plunge when this box comes out. Thanks in adavnce!

 

[Ejanss]

It's about time some Vincent Price horror classic make their way to Blu-ray.Let's hope we get second helpings. If it hasn't been mentioned, add TWICE-TOLD TALES.

MGM might have that by now, but not too many know that TTT wasn't Corman AI picture but a copycat that came out from United Artists.
So wouldn't expect it in a Corman package, but wouldn't mind seeing it.

 

[Jobla]

Dave, the set is worth buying just for the four Edgar Allan Poe adaptations. PIT AND THE PENDULUM is a horror classic, and MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH is Corman's attempt at an Ingmar Bergman-styled medieval fantasy. The riotous colors of MASQUE should really pop out in Blu-ray.

 

[Charles Smith]

MGM might have that by now, but not too many know that TTT wasn't Corman AI picture but a copycat that came out from United Artists.
So wouldn't expect it in a Corman package, but wouldn't mind seeing it.

Would DIARY OF A MADMAN qualify along with TWICE TOLD TALES? Same production company, writer, composer, and star?

 

[ROclockCK]

PIT AND THE PENDULUM is a horror classic, and MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH is Corman's attempt at an Ingmar Bergman-styled medieval fantasy. The riotous colors of MASQUE should really pop out in Blu-ray.

...to which we can thank then-DP Mr. Nicolas Roeg. Even on DVD his work here was impressive.

 

[Stefan Andersson]

If Shout! decides to release Comedy of Terrors, they should compare the LD with the MGM DVD master. The LD contains approx. 1 second more footage, when Price jumps on the lid of a coffin (I think Lorre is in it). The DVD has a jump in the action. This was mentioned in an old HTF thread. The same thread had info about a transfer of Price´s one-man Poe show that was better than the one MGM used on their DVD.

 

[ROclockCK]

A whole "1 second" difference in running time???

We aren't talking about the 'bone' from 2001 here...

 

[Stefan Andersson]

Hi ROclockCK! The missing second ruins a sight gag. That´s why I chose to point it out. But generally i´m no stickler for missing frames, though I appreciate well done film restorations when they are needed.

 

[ROclockCK]

"Ruining a sight gag" in comedy isn't a minor thing though, so I take it back Stefan. If those trimmed frames still exist, an effort should be made to find them and reintegrate...or at least offer them in whatever SD form they survive as an outtake among the special features.

Aren't we getting ahead of ourselves though? I didn't think The Comedy of Terrors was part of this Price set.

 

[Tom M]

"Ruining a sight gag" in comedy isn't a minor thing though, so I take it back Stefan. If those trimmed frames still exist, an effort should be made to find them and reintegrate...or at least offer them in whatever SD form they survive as an outtake among the special features.

I have the UK DVD of Comedy Of Terrors and the missing frames are there. Likely, the source material used for the US DVD (different than the source material used for the UK) was damaged in that area so the frames were removed.

 

[PianoPlayer]

The previous DVD release of Theater of Blood was unusually poor -- it utilized a well-worn print, with muted color and equally muted sound.

Would love to see a Blu-ray release of this title, too.

 

[JoeDoakes]

I'm a big fan of Dr. Phibes and I've always liked Pit & the Pendulum as well but I'm not familiar with the other films... though I think I saw Usher a LONG time ago.
Any comments on how those other films rate would help me decide on whether I should take the plunge when this box comes out. Thanks in adavnce!

Witchfinder General has a lot of fans, but does not have the tone of the Corman films. I really like The Haunted Palace. I think it and Pit are the best films on the set, although I also like Usher and Masque. I have always been a Vincent Price fan and for me these are must buys. Personally, I think the set will be worth it just for the high def shots of the Pendulum alone!

 

[Stefan Andersson]

"Ruining a sight gag" in comedy isn't a minor thing though, so I take it back Stefan. If those trimmed frames still exist, an effort should be made to find them and reintegrate...or at least offer them in whatever SD form they survive as an outtake among the special features.

Aren't we getting ahead of ourselves though? I didn't think The Comedy of Terrors was part of this Price set.

Hi ROclockCK! Thank you for your courteous answeer! Yes, the missing footage should be reintegrated.

We are indeed getting ahead of ourselves. I don´t think Comedy of Terrors is immediately upcoming from Shout! I just wanted to point out some interesting stuff about available materials. Maybe Shout! follows this thread.

 

[Stefan Andersson]

I have the UK DVD of Comedy Of Terrors and the missing frames are there. Likely, the source material used for the US DVD (different than the source material used for the UK) was damaged in that area so the frames were removed.

Hi Tom M! Thanks for the update! Interesting to hear about different video masters.

 

[Ejanss]

Witchfinder General has a lot of fans, but does not have the tone of the Corman films. I really like The Haunted Palace. I think it and Pit are the best films on the set, although I also like Usher and Masque. I have always been a Vincent Price fan and for me these are must buys. Personally, I think the set will be worth it just for the high def shots of the Pendulum alone!

Witchfinder isn't really a horror film, it's more the first of what would become the "Inquisition Porn" trend out of the UK in the 70's, trying to shock 60's society with more disturbing images, and protest the obvious metaphor of misunderstood free-spirited people on the fringe being persecuted by a crazy and corrupt puritanical church/establishment. It's what eventually killed Hammer, but you can see why AI wanted to bill it as a Price Poe.

The others are more classic, though: Masque is the best-looking of the Poe films (if at times the nastiest), while Usher has the classic look of Poe text, but Vincent doesn't have his iconic mustache.

 

[FoxyMulder]

Good news and like Reed above already said i'd also love to see House On Haunted Hill and Theatre Of Blood on blu ray.