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The Invaders

#61
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Quote:
THE INVADERS is a much more worthier (and relevent) follow up to THE DEFINITIVE SERIES collection than THE FUGITIVE is.



Okay, I'm trying to find an acceptable way to say this in this forum and I'm at a loss for words at such a preposterous statement. The Fugitive is one of the greatest series of all time and may be the greatest drama series ever. If it's not, it's in the top 3. The Invaders was a good show but you are just diminishing it by comparing it to The Fugitive.


Quote:
That's mystery-crime-drama-suspense. What does that have to do with SF?



In spite of what you might think, most fans of 40 year old TV shows are not just fans of one genre. And if you recall, SciFi on TV was not exactly widespread in the sixties. You had what, Star Trek, the 4 Irwin Allen shows, Outer Limits and The Invaders. Don't say TZ because that's more fantasy than SciFi. I know a few Invaders fans and they are also fans of many other 60s series as well. You are also talking about a series that has been virtually invisible over the last 35 years. Other than the run for a couple of years in the early days of SciFi Channel, the show has hardly run anywhere. I remember when I started collecting in the early 80s it was running in New Orleans and Green Bay and that was about it. Is it a good show? Yes. But just because you love it doesn't make it any more important than many other great series laying in Paramount's vaults. And instead of telling others what methods they should use, have you written Paramount any letters yourself? Might be a good place to start.
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#62
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First, and above all, the statement is correct that NONE of the QM series are available on DVD, and none are announced or planned that I know of (please correct me if I'm wrong). So which one will come first is a matter of conjecture at best.

I believe there to be some truth to the argument about black & white versus color. Let me state that I personally have no gripes or qualms about black & white shows, in fact, I relish good black & white, and went out of my way to get the BEWITCHED season 1 set in its original black & white and not that abominable colorized stuff.

Should the folks at Paramount take a look in their vaults and see a number of QM series that they might consider marketing, the later, all-color series might get a preferential treatment. Not because of those of us who cherish the program's content, but for the casual masses out there to whom these sets are going to be marketed. Like it or not, many a young person today will go out of their way to avoid black & white program material. This is something the marketing heads are aware of, thus a series like THE INVADERS, *might* someday get an earlier release than THE FUGITIVE, simply because the latter has three full black & white seasons (arguably the best ones, too!).

Later, and IMHO lesser QM shows like BARNABY JONES and CANNON might also get favorable and earlier releases, simply because they're all in color.

I know how these marketing types think, and that's just the way of the world.

Whenever both THE FUGITIVE and/or THE INVADERS show up in the stores, I'll be there, with cash in hand, ready to fork over my hard-earned money for their shows.

I bought the 12 awful INVADERS VHS releases on Goodtimes, and the 20 somewhat better VHS releases of THE FUGITIVE, and I want both entire series on DVD.

Let's just hope that behind the scenes, there aren't people with crayons trying to colorize THE FUGITIVE!

Harry
My DVD Collection

A fugitive moves on, through anguished tunnels of time, down dim streets, into dark corners. And each new day offers fear and frustration, tastes of honey and hemlock. But if there is a hazard, there is also hope. - Closing narration to THE FUGITIVE, "Death Is The Door Prize".
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#63
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Re: The Invaders

We haven't talked about this for a while so how about bringing it back. With The Fugitive now being rumored at least, what about this show? Could we be talking about rights issues? ABC, Quinn Martin estate, perhaps both have some rights still. After all, Combat, which might be in a similar boat (ABC show, Worldvision syndicated) was licensed from ABC/Disney to Image. Paramount, although they are the current syndicator, held no home video rights. Maybe the same thing is at play here. Unless QM Productions sold their interests outright, his estate may have the final word on DVD.
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#64
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THE INVADERS ON DVD...WHEN?!!!!!

Both THE FUGITIVE (ABC 1963-67) and THE INVADERS (ABC 1967-68) have previously been made available on home video (VHS) in a limited capacity before so why would there be any rights issue problems with either now? I'm not saying that there isn't but definite information on this matter is just not known.

The only source that can (intelligently) answer such a question is Paramount Pictures Home Entertainment and they're (apparently) not doing any talking at present. They can't even be (conveniently) contacted online to be consulted.

There was at least one representative involved with THE TWILIGHT ZONE - THE DEFINITIVE EDITION multi-season DVD collection who is a (registered) member of this dialogue forum and I requested in a message post (perhaps in this very discussion thread) that the same creative talents behind the TZ collection which has been completed now turn their (thoughtful) attention and energies toward THE INVADERS as a worthy follow up...but to no avail!

You would think such a laudible proposal would inspire considerable interest and enthusiasm as both imaginative genre tv series have very much in common and no doubt share the identical consumer demographic as well.

If a DVD release of THE INVADERS is ever to become a reality then we need (influencial) allies who are willing to help out and extend themselves to the achievement of this important goal.

Jeff T.

THE INVADERS starring Roy Thinnes belongs in a DVD Collection.

Let them land!
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#65
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Re: The Invaders

Is there any precedent in the earlier Paramount releases for offering original time episodes and not the compressed for time versions?

JeffT. where did you get that great shot of Roy Thinnes on the desert with the lock box? I'm looking for as many high resolution images or pictures that I can get my hands on. If you have a better images of this, please send one my way if you can. Also, if you know where I can view or buy images, let me know. I'm a real Invaders fan.

Tom
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#66
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THE INVADERS STILL!!!!!

That particular promotional still of Roy Thinnes from THE INVADERS (ABC 1967-68) tv series came from the private collection of a South American fan and I never troubled to ask just where it originated from.

Yes, it is an outstanding still as THE INVADERS itself is a most exceptional 1960s SF tv series.

Jeff T.

THE INVADERS starring Roy Thinnes belongs in a DVD Collection.

Let them land!
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#67
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Re: The Invaders

Yes, it's a great show and we just need to have a release like the Time Tunnel. Is anyone talking officially or unofficially about this release? I'm getting desperate to hear anything. This show hold a strong place in my heart. I saw it when I was 6 and 7 years old and it stayed with me. Hard to believe when I was that young that it would register, but I was hooked.

I've been fascinated by the subject of UFO's ever since. I even got involved in a chapter of the Center for UFO Studies out of Chicago and became friends with Don Schmidt, one of the authors for "UFO Crash at Roswell".

This has to happen (crossed fingers).
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#68
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Re: The Invaders

Anyone know if The Time Tunnel is a non time compressed release? Or did they go with the commercial friendly version where it's time compressed? Just wondering how often the studios release titles that are compressed for time?

Tom
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#69
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Re: The Invaders

Quote:
Originally Posted by TomIXG
Anyone know if The Time Tunnel is a non time compressed release? Or did they go with the commercial friendly version where it's time compressed? Just wondering how often the studios release titles that are compressed for time?

Tom

Tom, you asked this question in a thread for The Invanders, not Time Tunnel. And i dont know.
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#70
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THE COMPLETE VIDEO TRANSFERS!!!!!

In response to Tom's inquiry, no they definitely weren't time compressed. Video transfers of the complete episodes (sans the preteaser bumpers) were provided for THE TIME TUNNEL, VOLUMES ONE and TWO 4-disc sets.

Presumably if THE INVADERS (ABC 1967-68) ever does make it onto a DVD release as well (in the foreseeable future) than the original, complete 35mm vault stored source elements fully restored and digitally remastered will be (similarly) used.

Are you listening Paramount Pictures Home Entertainment?

I'd like to think so!

Jeff T.

THE INVADERS starring Roy Thinnes belongs in a DVD Collection.

Let them land!
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#71
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Re: THE COMPLETE VIDEO TRANSFERS!!!!!

Jeff, Thanks for the response on the time compression. That's good news!
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#72
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Re: The Invaders

I liked THE INVADERS but I think I recall thinking as a kid that they blew all the special effects money on the first episode-the convincing saucer landing-and after that I dont recall seeing saucers, or if there were any, they looked pretty fake.
And of course, we all remember the little device the aliens used, to stick on the back of peoples necks-which caused them to die of a cerebral hemorrhage.

The Official HTF 'elitist'
"War is God's way of teaching Americans Geography"-Ambrose Bierce

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#73
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A QUINN MARTIN PRODUCTION

To this very day Quinn Martin Productions have a renown for being among the best mounted tv series ever shown on the broadcast airwaves...and that is especially true of THE INVADERS (ABC 1967-68)!

These shows typified the very finest in casting, scriptwriting, cinematography, direction and overall consummate quality...a rare distinction among most run-of-the-mill television series to be sure!

The impressive visuals for THE INVADERS were supervised by THE HOWARD A. ANDERSON COMPANY whose impeccible creditentials similarly include THE OUTER LIMITS (ABC 1963-65) and STAR TREK (NBC 1966-69).

In addition to the famed UFOs the stunning effects work (regularly) in evidence also encompassed the startling distintegrations of the extraterrestrials upon their death, the eerie glowing optical seen within the regeneration tubes and the spurts of plasmic energy bursts emitted by the distinctive Cubist-designed rayguns.

For that matter no other SF tv series of the period (the 1960s) ever utilized and exploited the (wonderous) advantages of colour in the brilliantly innovative manner in which THE INVADERS did...believe it!

Now THE INVADERS is an adult oriented SF-premised drama and since it is (primarily) tailored for a (much) more sophisticated and thoughtfully mature audience demographic it is not dependent upon (mere) special effects to attract and hold the interest of its intended viewership...an (odious) earmark of the more juvenile-oriented SF tv series potboilers!

Jeff T.

THE INVADERS starring Roy Thinnes belongs in a DVD Collection.

Let them land!
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#74
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Re: A QUINN MARTIN PRODUCTION

I would endorse these comments.
Here in the UK they recently screened 'The Invaders' in a late night slot & I was surprised how well the effects and storylines held up.
It really is time it was brought out on DVD.
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#75
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Re: The Invaders

I'm yet another "Jeff" at HTF that says: "Let 'em Land, Baby" That's a "10-4" on the post, JeffT

"Checkmate King Two Out"   Jeff Willis  "Combat! A Selmur Production"

I'm a 50's - mid-90's TV/DVD Collector. One DVD show since '96: Firefly 

The Fugitive/See Hollywood & Die: [Miles] "What, you think I'm crazy?!" [Kimble] "Next question."

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#76
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Re: The Invaders

I may not be a "Jeff" but I fully support JeffT's comments about the series (not that one couldn't surmise this already from my wish list). Roy Thinnes was a tremendous actor who really put his heart and soul into the role of David Vincent and was highly deserving of an Emmy award.

I have fond memories of watching "The Invaders" with my parents who also enjoyed the series and like me, appreciated the underrated talents of Mr. Thinnes. He didn't even have to speak--just that certain look he imparted towards people he suspected of being an alien--priceless!
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#77
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Re: A QUINN MARTIN PRODUCTION

Quote:
Originally Posted by silverking
I would endorse these comments.
Here in the UK they recently screened 'The Invaders' in a late night slot

Don't I know it. I spent over a year keeping myself awake all Saturday night (the show screened at 4am Sunday mornings) cos I didn't trust the video recorder's timer not to mess up. I didn't have a DVD recorder back then or the stuff would be on shiny discs!

Even then the tape broke whilst I was recording "The Saucer". Good job I had an old recording of that back from then it was shown on BBC2!

Worst night was watching NFL baseball all night, only to find it overran and they cancelled The Invaders. And then got the episodes in the wrong order for a month after that.

Still it was nice that despite being on a channel that usually has advert breaks, the slot was such a "graveyard" that The Invaders was shown without them. I guess the advertisers wouldn't pay for airtime at 4am Sundays!
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#78
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Re: The Invaders

I enjoyed The Invaders too when I first saw it in reruns 20 years ago and also from VHS tape trading at the time. While we're at it, I'd also like to see the show that was unofficially inspired by The Invaders, and that's First Wave. The aliens disgusing themselves as humans in that show were called Gua. The Canadian series that eventually made it's way into the USA (on the Sci-Fi Channel) lasted 3 full seasons and starred Sebastian Spence as Cade Foster, Rob LaBelle (now a regular in another sci-fi series "Eureka") as his conspiracy theorist buddy Crazy Eddie, and as one of the Gua who was willing to betray his own people, current "24" co-star Roger Cross (as Joshua). When First Wave started its final year in 2000, Traci Lords joined the cast as a young woman who helps Cade and Eddie in their quest to stop the aliens. Much more was seen of Joshua then in previous seasons. I don't know why Farscape was such a hit, considering that the well-acted First Wave was far superior.
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#79
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Re: The Invaders

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark_TS
I liked THE INVADERS but I think I recall thinking as a kid that they blew all the special effects money on the first episode-the convincing saucer landing-and after that I dont recall seeing saucers, or if there were any, they looked pretty fake.

Yea, i knew Jeff wouldnt let that slide.
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#80
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Re: The Invaders

Did anyone else ever notice that in the poorly-regarded musical film, XANADU, the opening Universal logo uses a model of the INVADERS ship?

The logo begins with a standard, old Universal globe with an old airliner circling it. On the next revolution, the airliner is updated to a modern jet, then we see the craft from THE INVADERS, finally an animated streak of light leading to the opening of the movie.



Harry

edited to add screenshot
My DVD Collection

A fugitive moves on, through anguished tunnels of time, down dim streets, into dark corners. And each new day offers fear and frustration, tastes of honey and hemlock. But if there is a hazard, there is also hope. - Closing narration to THE FUGITIVE, "Death Is The Door Prize".
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#81
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Re: The Invaders

Quote:
Did anyone else ever notice that in the poorly-regarded musical film, XANADU, the opening Universal logo uses a model of the INVADERS ship?

No, but would I be out of line to suggest that this opening might very well be the best part of the film? Maybe the musical could have been saved if they had they used the services of a certain brilliant composer by the name of Mr. Dominic Frontiere.
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#82
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Re: The Invaders

I have a soft spot for XANADU - it's one of mu guilty pleasures - but that's another topic for another board.

Harry
My DVD Collection

A fugitive moves on, through anguished tunnels of time, down dim streets, into dark corners. And each new day offers fear and frustration, tastes of honey and hemlock. But if there is a hazard, there is also hope. - Closing narration to THE FUGITIVE, "Death Is The Door Prize".
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#83
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Re: The Invaders

Dominic Frontiere's most outstanding music was the first season of The Outer Limits...which was recycled by ABC and Quinn Martin to be occasionally heard on the first season of 12 O' Clock High and much more on the final season of The Fugitive.

Frontiere's original music for The Invaders, however, is bland and forgettable except for the theme music....which is only bland.
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#84
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Re: The Invaders

Damn this was one of my favourite serials every once or so a week between 5pm and 6pm, not to sure if what the running time of the episodes where, but I surely liked this classic show, kinder like the X-files of the 1990’s.

I can’t remember what happened to “David Vincent” played by Roy Thinnes, what a chilling show it was. And those Invaders weren’t your average friendly E.T. phone home, these where nasty little green buggers as far as I remember.

Hmm I, have an idea, I have an idea.
http://www.fproj.com/images/smempire...ear_corner.jpg

The Empire Leicester Square cinema with 56Kw of JBL THX sound power!
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#85
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Re: The Invaders

Three posts were removed and deleted.
Will you guys please take personal gripes to PM or e-mail? They have no place on this forum.
Don't repeat this behaviour: next time we will take more serious measures.

Thanks for understanding!
HTF Rules (uhm ... and has Rules)
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#86
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WHEN IS 'THE INVADERS' GOING TO BE RELEASED ON DVD?!!!!!


"How does a nightmare begin? For David Vincent, architect, returning home from a business trip, it begins at a few minutes past four on a lost Tuesday morning, looking for a shortcut which he never found. It began with a welcoming sign that gave hope of black coffee. It began with a closed, deserted diner, and a man too long without sleep to continue his journey. In the weeks to come, David Vincent would go back to how it all began...many times!"--Opening narration from the premiere episode of THE INVADERS (ABC 1967-68) entitled "Beachhead" (10/01/1967) teleplay by George Eckstein from a submitted script by Anthony Wilson and directed by Joseph Sargent.

"Twenty-five years before THE X-FILES posited that aliens are already among us and up to no good. David Vincent began his lonely two-year quest to save the world. Alternately pursuer and pursued, openly unhappy about his role as a modern-day Paul Revere, and often pessimistic about his chances of success, Vincent proved a far more complex hero than 1960s television audiences were used to, and the perfect centerpiece of a SF series more downbeat and realistic than any that had preceded it. Using subterfuge to infiltrate human society, the aliens relied on humans' natural skepticism toward 'crackpots' like David Vincent to protect them from anyone who stumbled onto their existence and tried to blow the whistle on their invasion plan."--Stephen Bowie, SF Television Historian.

"It's an oft-repeated statement that KOLCHAK: THE NIGHT STALKER served as the inspiration for THE X-FILES, but Chris Carter's cult tv series owes a lot to Larry Cohen's 1967-68 series THE INVADERS. Carter should be thankful for THE INVADERS' mood, atmosphere, persistent paranoia, and not least, the alien conspiracies that abound in Earth's society without the knowledge of the general public. Although he's credited with creating the concept of the series, what's not so well known is that Cohen actually had no participation in the making of the series. Cohen left THE INVADERS in executive producer Quinn Martin's capable hands and departed, occupying himself with other projects. Martin's series focused on the life-changing events for architect David Vincent (actor Roy Thinnes), as he stumbled across the starkly cold and sober realization that extraterrestrial aliens were among us, and were preparing for an invasion of our planet. THE INVADERS lasted for two seasons and detailed the adventures of Vincent as he wandered throughout the United States, trying to penetrate the aliens' agenda on Earth. Frequently, he tried convincing important people that he's not crazy and that THE INVADERS are real and alive on the planet. Eventually, a group of 'believers' joined him in the crusade including a billionaire who helped on the financial side of things. But THE INVADERS went off the air, as many series do, without a resolution."--Frank Garcia, SF Television Historian.

"THE INVADERS was no kiddie SF outing like LOST IN SPACE. In fact, it was so unrelentingly serious, it made STAR TREK, which had a season's jump on THE INVADERS, look like CAPTAIN VIDEO. Where STAR TREK had fun amid its moralizing, THE INVADERS was a bleak, uncompromising examination of an obsessive hero trapped in a world-wide conspiracy. THE INVADERS was cancelled after two seasons. ABC-TV had a problem with it. It was too sophisticated for a SF show and too wild for the audience that enjoyed THE FUGITIVE."--Will Murray, Entertainment Media Writer and Interviewer, Author (DOC SAVAGE, THE SHADOW).

"We are theorizing with reality, theorizing as to who flies UFOs and why they are here. The 'other' shows are playing with dimension of time and space while THE INVADERS takes the hundreds of news reports that we have gotten and continue to get and goes a step further in that David Vincent knows why they are here. I've always wanted to star in my own series and now that I've got one I'd go anywhere and work and work any kind of hours to make it successful."--Roy Thinnes.

"We got more calls on THE INVADERS than any other of the QM shows. People were always asking what happened to it. It was a very popular show."--Debi Lehr Lawlor, Quinn Martin Productions Secretary.

With the (now) confirmed announcement that THE STREETS OF SAN FRANCISCO (ABC 1972-77) will be made available on DVD (in April 2007) and the (likely) imminent release of THE FUGITIVE (ABC 1963-67) pending let's draw our attention to yet another outstanding triumph in the distinguished canon of the Quinn Martin Productions tv catalogue.

Produced exclusively in colour, pioneering sophisticatedly complex visual effects unprecendented at the time for early television supervised by Darrell Anderson (of the legendary Howard A. Anderson Company), magnificently scored by Dominic Frontiere (THE OUTER LIMITS) comprising some of his most flamboyantly dynamic orchestrational compositional work and boasting a vertible galaxy of celebrated film, stage and television personalities notably marking early tv appearances of Gene Hackman, Barbara Hershey, Lou Gossett, Jr., Karen Black, Dabney Coleman, Wayne Rogers, Peggy Lipton and Carol Lynley.

THE INVADERS starring Roy Thinnes is a stellar dramatic landmark in the wonderous realm of Fantastic Television in addition to being one of the most universally acclaimed and internationally renowned classic SF tv series of the 1960s. A brilliantly innovative tv milestone significantly representing the late Quinn Martin's sole contribution to the field still enduring as a profound creative influence and source of inspiration for many latter day efforts aired on television (including THE X-FILES of which series creator Chris Carter is a self-admitted fan himself).

THE INVADERS enduringly timeless SF entertainment for the 21st Century! Bring on THE INVADERS starring Roy Thinnes in a DVD release for 2007!

THE INVADERS CLOSING TITLE THEME (Click Here).

"How does a nightmare end? Not here in the forgotten town of Kinney...perhaps in Bakersfield. Perhaps at some undiscovered beachhead in another state...or another continent. Perhaps for David Vincent it will never end!"--Closing narration from "Beachhead."

THE INVADERS FAN FORUM (Click Here).

Jeff T.

THE INVADERS starring Roy Thinnes belongs in a DVD Collection.

Let them land!
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#87
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Re: The Invaders

JeffT, great post! And cool picture! Is that an original ABC promo poster?

I have to figure that with the classic TV/DVD releases picking up momentum, as well as another QM release coming ("Streets....San Francisco"), we'll see the Invaders land soon.

"Let 'em land" (a Texas version of your signature )

"Checkmate King Two Out"   Jeff Willis  "Combat! A Selmur Production"

I'm a 50's - mid-90's TV/DVD Collector. One DVD show since '96: Firefly 

The Fugitive/See Hollywood & Die: [Miles] "What, you think I'm crazy?!" [Kimble] "Next question."

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#88
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Re: The Invaders

Wow, what a sales pitch. The Invaders makes Star Trek look like Capt. Video?!? Your entitled to your opinion, but i didnt see why you felt the need for that last post. You trash a few good shows, that do show up on TV, and are classics as well, at the expense of your pet show.

Guess you can tell what my pet show is.
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#89
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Re: The Invaders

Quote:
I have to figure that with the classic TV/DVD releases picking up momentum, as well as another QM release coming ("Streets....San Francisco"), we'll see the Invaders land soon.

Don't forget "The Untouchables" there too, Jeff! I have a very good feeling that "The Fugitive" and "The Invaders" are not far behind. Let's keep the classic TV momentum going studios... More! More!

"Let 'em land, pardner. Ah'm ready for 'em." (expanded Texas version)
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#90
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Re: The Invaders

10-4, Mike. To omit the Untouchables is "Unthinkable"

It looks like '07 will be a good year for us "old-timers". Remind me to stuff that nephew's stocking for his Crystal Ball rental time

Back to the Invaders, this one's a real jem IMO. I rate this one up with the best of the classic SciFi's. Another reason that I'd love to see this one released is that it is in the catagory (for me) of rarely-seen series since its original airing. Roy Thinnes did a great job in that role.

"Checkmate King Two Out"   Jeff Willis  "Combat! A Selmur Production"

I'm a 50's - mid-90's TV/DVD Collector. One DVD show since '96: Firefly 

The Fugitive/See Hollywood & Die: [Miles] "What, you think I'm crazy?!" [Kimble] "Next question."

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