Tales of the Gold Monkey in the works ?

I need to wait and see what I have left after bills and grocery shopping.  But I do hope to preorder this through Pat. 

Wow...I had completely forgotten about this show. My recollection is that I really enjoyed it when it was on, but back then there wasn't as much competition as there is now. Especially, if you include all the great vintage stuff on DVD.

Funny, how you just avoid a thread for a while thinking it won't have much interest, and then you step in for a glance and boom all of a sudden it brings back all these memories. I think I may just have to preorder this with the current discount.

I'm in the same boat, Brad.  I've just about talked myself into pre-ordering as well (with the help of some of the kind people here who have assured me the person running the web page is good to work with).

Gary "I remember myself and a couple of friends in high school would watch this together when we could, and definitely talk about it in school the next day" O.

The only question I have is when they charge the CC? I sent an email to the site to find out, unless someone here already knows and can save time responding. If they charge at time of purchase, I will probably hold out until the week before it is released. Otherwise, I wouldn't mind getting on the waiting list early.

     Quote:

We think so much alike it's scary, Brad. 

Gary "I'm with you all the way on those thoughts" O.

Hi Brad.  I didn't get your e-mail, but unfortunately, since I'm really just a small outfit, I only have PayPal for credit card processing, and they charge at the time of purchase.  But feel free to hold off for a while.  The DVDs aren't going anywhere right now.

It's great to hear that you guys are interested in buying the set.  I'm sure it'll be well worth the money.  Thanks.

Thank you, Pat.  I had never seen your site before it being mentioned in this thread a few days ago, but after looking at it I can tell a lot of blood, sweat and tears have gone into it.  It's clear you are a great fan of the show, and I look forward to ordering this set from you.  I will need to wait a couple of weeks before I order, but I definitely want a copy!

Gary "thanks for making these sets available here in the States" O.

I second Gary's motion. Thanks Pat.

+1 .    Many thanks, Pat.  Count me in on ordering this one,  I don't think I'll try to wait it out for a possible R1 release.

I knew I bought that region-free player for something

Time for a Gold Monkey news update.  The Region 2/4 set release date has been pushed back to November 9 (2 weeks) because the masters needed some restoration.  So Dave and Gord's sources were right.  But if it is only going to take a smaller outfit like Fabulous Films an additional 2 weeks, I would think it wouldn't be all that difficult or expensive for Universal to do the restoration.  Ah, the mystery of the long delayed, if not outright cancelled, Region 1 set continues.  Personally, I think the delay/cancellation is probably due to a number of issues (e.g. restoration time/costs, music clearances, poor sales for other Uni titles from that era, weak economy).

Also, the set is no longer available from Amazon.co.uk.  It's now an HMV exclusive for the first 3 months of release.  I can still sell them on my site though, since HMV only has an exclusive in the UK.  I'm waiting to hear back from Fabulous Films to find out if this means that I can't ship to UK customers.

And finally, a quote from Richard Walker of Fabulous Films: "The docco is finished and it is great. I think you will be impressed!!"  I can't wait to watch it!

Woohoo, region 1 is coming!

 

 

http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Tales-Gold-Monkey-DVDs-Planned/12971

 

Spring 2010.

 

I really hope this comes to be.  I'm not getting my hopes up after waiting over a year for this title that has been on again off again.  This is my 2nd most wanted show on DVD and it would be great to finally cross it off my list.

I vaguely remember the show and it's not on my list of shows to buy, but since it's only one release I'll blind buy it when it comes out.

Since it seemed it wasn't coming to Region 1, I haven't been following too closely.  Have the music issues been resolved for other regions?  Is there the sense that music will probably have to be replaced for R1?

According to Richard Walker of Fabulous Films, "Music rights have been sorted out."  I assume it means there weren't any substitutions.

What I'm worried about is the price.  A US price hasn't been set yet, and since music costs was the main reason that Universal halted plans for a Region 1 set a couple of years back and kept Shout! Factory from acquiring the rights, I fear that the SRP may be a bit higher than the typical season set.  But I'll do my best to get fans the best price on my web site (www.goldmonkey.com if you need reminding  ) when it becomes available.

Pat,

Many thanks from us collectors on this forum!  I'm looking forward to this one.

If the US price is too high, I may still order the region 2 set from my friend Pat.

I already ordered it mid-week so I will obviously be getting the region 2 set. I might have waited if I had heard about the region 1 coming, but then again we hear lots of times about something coming that doesn't quite materialize so I'll be happy enough having it now in region 2. But I'll probably bump it to close to the top of the queue so I can know I enjoyed it before it was released in region 1. I have to get some satistfaction for going this route.

I'm very leary of this whole music rights issue.  I honestly don't remember much music being used in the series.  Even if it was big band numbers, I really don't think that would keep Universal and/or Shout! from releasing it.  Personally I think Universal just dragged their feet on the project and gave out excuses why it wasn't being licensed out.  They probably finally decided they didn't want to release it themselves.  How could Shout! not handle music clearence for this title yet handle it for extremely music heavy toher shows?  First the excuse was the masters were in bad shape, then then music rights. Then Fabolous Films come along and everything seems to be able to be cleared.  Something just doesn't sound right and I blame Universal entirely.  I just really want this title to come to DVD in region 1 and I hope Fabulous Films does it correctly.

Brad,

You can't go wrong with this one regardless of region.  Unless the extras are different which makes a difference to some collectors, you'll love this show in R2. 

Sounds like you're not one that has problems with the PAL speedup difference as I don't as well.  The only time that I can hear the PAL speedup is during the opening or closing theme music.  I can never hear the difference in the show episodes.

Jeff,

Extra's are nice and I'll watch an interview here and their, but I'm not much for rewatching episodes to hear commentary. I'm pretty sure it will be fine with me whatever it has in that regard.

Guess I'm lucky, I have a few things in PAL and have yet to perceive any differences, even in the theme music. I have Combat!, Man in a Suitcase, Saint, and others with no issues. And to tell the truth I don't try either

Yep, I know what you mean :)  I played some of that Saint Complete B/W PAL set for friends and asked them if they heard something different about them.  No one noticed the PAL 4% speedup.

The Combat! Image sets are actually NTSC but most of the episodes in the S1-4 B/W seasons are time-compressed which comes out to about the same time/episode as a PAL version.  If you compare the few non-TC'ed eps that escaped TC to the ones that are TC'ed, you can tell the difference that way but it (for me) takes an A-B comparison to tell the difference.

Well...I got my "Tales of the Gold Monkey" today. I haven't had time to look real close yet but here are my initial impressions.

It comes in a double wide standard style DVD case (clear plastic) with a nice graphic that has been posetd before. The case sits inside a simple but sturdy enough box with the same graphic. The fit is maybe a bit too snug since it doesn't just slide out without a little shake or nudge. The plastic of the case is the type that offers a bit of flexibility which is good.

Now inside the case are three inserts that pivot on a multi hinged hub (typical arrangement). Unfortunately, they are made of the ultra clear stiff plastic, which makes them not very flexible to bend in getting the disk out with similarly stiff hubs. The fact that there are three also means they are thin without much space to work your fingers in around the disk. This is a bit of a confusing design since they put the first and last disk on the inside of the case itself, the second and third disks with each on a separate insert and the fourth and fifth sharing the front and back of an insert. They could have easily went a two insert design with thicker more pliable inserts and disks on each side, and the first and last on the inside of the case. Or used three inserts (front and back) with no disks on the inside of the front and back of the case. Just seems like this is the worst combination of the styles.

I had one floater (the one inside the fron tof the case) but no damage on the disk. However, my last insert broke at the hub meaning it doesn't want to stay in place anymore.

There include a nice colorful booklet inside. While I didn't really get a chance to look too closely, it looks like it contains a synopisis of the episodes and a bit more with pictures of the cast.

Having just received the new repackaged Dr. Quinn and Homicide sets from A&E, I can't understand why more don't use that design of case. It is perfect for this situation. It can hold up to 8 disks with inserts. It has one central hub instead of one for each inserts. The inserts adjust when flipping them so they don't put unnecessary pressure on each other. And the plastic used is much more pliable. The hubs are a little tight, but still a much better design.

Anyway, enough of the case, it is usable.

As for the video, I only had time to pop it in for a few minutes. It looked very clean and the colors looked fine at first glance, but the image was a bit soft on my screen. Probably not a surprise given the age and time period this was produced. I've seen better from 35mm transfers of TV shows, but I've also seen much worse. I would say it is more then acceptable.

I will try and take an opportunity to watch the pilot episode this weekend and provide more feedback. Others may have also received their sets so it would be interesting to here what others have to say.

Brad,

Thanks for the early info on this one.  I've decided to wait for an R1 release but if that doesn't happen, I'll get that R2 set in a few months.  Either way, it's a sure buy for me eventually.

Jeff,

I probably would have waited as well, but I ended up ordering it a day before the R1 news hit.

I'm glad I waited since I don't have a region free player.  I can't wait for the region 1 release.  I would not have been happy if I ended up buying a region free player and then the R2 set only to find out a R1 release was on the way.  Glad I waited.  It sounds as if the R1 release is going to be identical as the R2 release and so far it sounds like the R2 release is as good as I'm hoping for.

Chris,

Your player may be region-free capable after you enter a "hack" code from your Remote Control.  Most (std)  players already have the hardware internal to the player but the R-free function needs to be enabled via a # code.  There is a site on the net that lists a lot of the known hack codes for players here .

I  bought a hardware-modified player a few years ago and have enjoyed several TV/DVD sets and movies that aren't available in R1.  It's been the best player that I've ever bought.

For a lot of us, PAL DVD playback is the same as watching an NTSC/R1 DVD.  Some are able to detect the PAL 4% speedup but I've played my PAL DVD's for several friends and have yet for anyone to see or hear the difference unless they do a side-by-side comparison of a PAL and NTSC DVD simultaneously.

Jeff, thanks for the link.  It does appear there is a hack for my player.  At the moment I don't have anything to try it on, but now I have incentive if I ever come across DVDs I want that are outside R1.  At least now I don't have to worry if plans fall through with the TOTGM R1 release.

Chris,

Just to go a step further, it is not just the player that need to be PAL capable, it is also your TV or ouput device. If your DVD player can take a PAL disk and convert it to NTSC then no problem, you are set regardless in the states. However, if the hack allows your DVD player to just output PAL then you need to verify your TV set can accept PAL.

Like DVD players most sets can accept PAL internally so it is easy for them to be sold universally. Many support it right out of the box, just give them a signal and they will output either PAL or NTSC. However, some only have one or the other activated based on location, and it is not easy to switch them. So it is worth while to do a search on your set type to determine if anyone has verified PAL will work and on what inputs.

For example, my old projector could only output PAL using the S-Video input (my newer projector supports PAL on all inputs). My father-in-law's 72" Mitsubishi cannot support PAL without a system change that he would have to make each time. I bought a Marantz DVD player (4001) a year back for only $69 for its PAL output. It can ouput PAL on any ouput (HDMI, component), but it will only convert PAL to NTSC on the component output.

Like Jeff said, many have the hardware internally to do it so it is easier for them to sell in different markets. But some are easier to activate then others and so you need to make sure all necessary components are capable in the same way.

This is why I prefer to stick with R1 DVD's .  My DVD instructions says it can accept PAL but I would have to change it in the system menu first.  I doubt my TV could accept PAL though.  Oh well, I guess I'll worry about it if I ever get any DVDs that aren't region 1.