One Step Beyond - The Final Chapters coming from Mill Creek Entertainment

Here's a surprise . . . . .

On May 6, Mill Creek Entertainment will be releasing the final 47 episodes of "One Step Beyond" after having released a collection of 50 episodes early last year. What surprises me is that some of the episodes, perhaps a dozen or so, are not public domain as is the bulk of the series. I wonder if the copyright registrations lapsed on these episodes or if Mill Creek was able to get the rights. Regardless, this will be the first full commercial DVD release of the series. I'm guessing that Mill Creek will eventually put out all 97 episodes in a single collection. Details here:

Mill Creek Details Page

Re: One Step Beyond - The Final Chapters coming from Mill Creek Entertainment

Thanks for the heads up on this, Bob...I've always liked this series--I used to watch it Sunday afternoons on WGN when I was a mere sprat and found it very well done.

Re: One Step Beyond - The Final Chapters coming from Mill Creek Entertainment

Ivan, Mill Creek's initial, 50-episode set included the typical "worn but watchable" 16 mm prints that are associated with most releases of public domain television episodes and I'm expecting more of the same here, especially give the selling price. But since the vast majority of the episodes in this second collection are seeing their very first commercial DVD release, who knows, maybe they will look better. Any way you slice it, this will likely be a big seller for Mill Creek because the majority of these episodes haven't been previously released on commercially available DVDs and the opportunity to finally own the entire series will, I think, be a big drawing card.

Re: One Step Beyond - The Final Chapters coming from Mill Creek Entertainment

This is actually too bad as I was negotiating a deal for another company to gain access to a complete run of the series from a large television archive. Besides the full run, which although they would have been off 16, not 35, would have been cleaned up and made to look nice. In addition, some extras planned were an extended version of the pilot, the never released feature film version of the two-part Peter Hurkos Story as well as audio of some interviews I conducted with John Newland, Merwin Gerard and others. Oh well.

Re: One Step Beyond - The Final Chapters coming from Mill Creek Entertainment

Hank, that's very unfortunate. I wonder if there still would be some viability for your release if the episodes were of considerably better a/v quality than what has typically been released to date by the PD companies. The fact that you have interview material and other extras would enhance such a release. If nothing else, how about a "One Step Beyond" single disc, special edition with the extended pilot, Peter Hurkos feature film version and audio interviews? Nobody else has these (or, at least, has released them).

Re: One Step Beyond - The Final Chapters coming from Mill Creek Entertainment

I am glad to be seeing them come at least... as I just recently bought the first boxset as a blind buy and enjoyed what I seen so far... so looking forward to owning all the episodes.

Re: One Step Beyond - The Final Chapters coming from Mill Creek Entertainment

I noticed Mill Creek's list indicates run time of 25 minutes. Even if some or many of these are PD, at least they are fairly complete. Don't know for sure if the actual original run times were closer to 25:30. After years of cut syndicated episodes being shown on tv (eg. SCi Fi channel in the late 90's), these should be a significant upgrade.

A QUALITY DVD RELEASE OF ONE STEP BEYOND!!!!!

I will certainly second that!

What is needed is a good quality release of this marvellous anthology tv series and if there is still hope than by all means continue those all-important negotiations.

We don't need any more of those abysmally dreary public domain issues. As much as I like this show I am not buying that upcoming Mill Creek set.

Let's get something going for the more serious and discerning vintage tv series collector!

Jeff T.

Re: One Step Beyond - The Final Chapters coming from Mill Creek Entertainment

I noticed Mill Creek's website has removed the upcoming release of One Step Beyond: The Final Chapters. I emailed them about it and received the following message:

"Due to some production issues, the title has been removed from the release schedule and is being considered for release at a later date."

Re: One Step Beyond - The Final Chapters coming from Mill Creek Entertainment

Interesting. Mill Creek's initial DVD set of the series was strictly a release of public domain episodes. Many of the remaining episodes are also in the public domain, but about a dozen or so of them supposedly are still under copyright. I wonder if Mill Creek found out about this after making the announcement (and creating cover art) and is maybe now pulling back a little. Maybe the folks that Hank Dearborn mentioned in post #4 of this thread could reconsider, given this development.

KEEP THOSE NEGOTIATIONS GOING!!!!!

I am still in favour of Hank Dearborn's proposed DVD release of ONE STEP BEYOND. Take note of all the special bonus material that would be included in addition to better quality video transfers.

This should be attracting considerable interest!

Jeff T.

Re: One Step Beyond - The Final Chapters coming from Mill Creek Entertainment

I'd love to see some episodes with the original Alcoa Presents titles intact.

Re: One Step Beyond - The Final Chapters coming from Mill Creek Entertainment

Hi All,

Sorry that I am coming to this party late. I have just watched the last dvd of the 4 dvd set for the first 50 episodes of OSB. I purchased it at my local Wal-Mart for $5. I am not much of a purist when it comes to video acuity; I was more interested in the program content. I was not at all disappointed for my $5 investment. So far, my favorite episode is "Tidal Wave"; just as it was 48 years ago.

I also remember an episode [vaguely!] where young parents take their children to the country. Mom, son and daughter go off exploring and are gone an inordinate amount of time. Mom returns and tells Dad that there has been a collapse in the gold mine they were exploring and the kids are trapped.

Dad comes a'running and begins to throw off rock and debris in the search for his kids. The sheriff and posse finally come to assist. They are able to extricate the kids but find mom dead at the bottom of a rocky pile of debris!!!

Can't wait till I relive this one again! I'd also like to share one spooky story, regarding this episode with you.

I was a kid living in Newark, New Jersey while this series aired on Channel 7 [ABC] broadcasting from New York City. It was a very stormy night; thunder and lightning! During the show, a blast of lightning and thunder struck the power pole down the street AND...all the lights on the street went out!

I ran into the corner of the room and stayed there for a long time!

Anyway, back to the subject at hand...

There seems to be some speculation as to whether [or not] the second volume of the remaining shows will [ever] be issued by Mill Creek.

Has anyone seen this listing for the complete 98 episodes!? I heard no mention of it or any other website offering the full, three season DVD set, complete.

There is a website boasting a full 98 episode DVD set, but I can't post the URL until I have 9 more posts under my belt. You'll probably find it before that occurs!

All The Best!

Alain

Re: One Step Beyond - The Final Chapters coming from Mill Creek Entertainment

I own the fifty-episode set, and will probably spring for this set just to own the episodes I don't have in my collection at this point.

Re: One Step Beyond - The Final Chapters coming from Mill Creek Entertainment

There are a couple circulating on DVD. Off the top of my head, I don't remember which specific ones, but I think the recent Mill Creek set has at least two and that other one with the case that looks like a book had one. It's kind of frustrating that all releases have been public domain. On the other hand, it's interesting because with the varied source material, some odd variations have surfaced (like a few Alcoa versions). I got one of those Dollar DVDs in a cardboard sleeve which used syndicated prints with a red Worldvision logo at the end. It would be cool if someone who had a set of complete prints in good shape would put them together into a respectable release. It wouldn't be the same as an official release from the masters, but at least it would be better than tracking them down individually, episode by episode, having to wade through duplicate after duplicate...

Re: KEEP THOSE NEGOTIATIONS GOING!!!!!

I never really followed this show, just picked up a couple of PD releases on a whim (can't lose for a buck or two), but if Mr. Dearborn were to go ahead with his project, I'd be in too!

Re: One Step Beyond - The Final Chapters coming from Mill Creek Entertainment

I've just come across the url for the full 98 episode OSB on dvd. I have no pecuniary interest in this matter at all. Just trying to assist anyone interested.

Deleted by moderator; do not repost.

Alain

Re: One Step Beyond - The Final Chapters coming from Mill Creek Entertainment

I would remove that post if I was you... this forum is pretty strict when it comes to bootleg sites.

Re: One Step Beyond - The Final Chapters coming from Mill Creek Entertainment

Hi Pete,

How do you know it's a "bootleg" site?

How am I to confirm that?

Alain

Re: One Step Beyond - The Final Chapters coming from Mill Creek Entertainment

Alain, TVAddicts are notorious bootleggers and should not be discussed on this forum. While the vast majority of episodes of "One Step Beyond" are public domain (a legitimate topic to discuss), a small number of episodes, perhaps a dozen or so are supposedly still under copyright and are only authorized for release by the copyright holder (which TVAddicts is not). You can read about some of the problems people have encountered with TVAddicts here:

Complaints Board | TVAddicts.com

One way that you can determine if a site is selling legitmate releases or not is to check TVShowsonDVD.com. For example, if a site says its selling all nine seasons of a series and you only see the first three seasons listed at TVShowsonDVD.com, then in all probablility it's a bootleg release. Hope this helps.

Re: One Step Beyond - The Final Chapters coming from Mill Creek Entertainment

Well... a big clue should be that they have the Adam West Batman... we all know that is not on DVD yet... and it definitely not public domain or you would see cheap dvds of it all over the place.

Re: One Step Beyond - The Final Chapters coming from Mill Creek Entertainment

Please start by reading the thread stuck to the top of this forum:

http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htf/...leg-sites.html

If someone comes to us -- privately -- with evidence to the contrary with respect to a particular site, we'll review it. Until then, don't post links. It's a simple rule, and it's designed to be easy to follow.

M.

STILL LOBBYING FOR A 'QUALITY' DVD RELEASE!!!!!

Well I will certainly lend my vigorous support for a quality DVD release of ONE STEP BEYOND will all 98 black-and-white half hour presentations fully restored and digitally remastered from the original 35mm print negatives.

This is really a marvellous dramatic anthology in its own right and it would be terrific to see some of these more distinctive efforts with true stature associated with them make it out on DVD instead of the usual tiresomely inconsequential nonsense.

This is yet another instance where I once encountered an individual online who was really enamoured about this particular show and it obviously meant a great deal to him. Most of us here may not necessarily feel as strongly about ONE STEP BEYOND but I really had to respect his own interesting taste and enthusiasm...far more than a lot of the repellant stuff that is generally appreciated!

Jeff T.

Re: One Step Beyond - The Final Chapters coming from Mill Creek Entertainment

it would be nice if someone would put out the 70's follow-up series "NEXT STEP BEYOND".

Re: One Step Beyond - The Final Chapters coming from Mill Creek Entertainment

Hello All,

After reading the above posts, I offer my apologies to the the group and list-owners for my mentioning the bootlegged dvd's. No need to discuss worldwide copyright infringement problems here.

After reading the complaints lodged against them, I've some compassion for those who got ripped. I will be much more careful when reading about future deals from ANY retailer, which on the surface, seem ideal.

I have no interest in supporting such illegal activities!

Many thanks to everyone who enlightened me on the OSB dvd's.

Alain

Re: One Step Beyond - The Final Chapters coming from Mill Creek Entertainment

Alain, I think all of us in this thread are hopeful that we might one day see the entire series legitimately released on DVD. The Mill Creek set and others consist of episodes where the copyrights have lapsed and have fallen into the public domain. But there are still some episodes under copyright and no one except the copyright owner can release those episodes unless they are authorized to do so by the copyright holder; only the copyright holder can truly authorize a complete series release of "One Step Beyond." Just a guess, but that may be the very reason why Mill Creek pulled their follow-up set with the remaining episodes.

If you're looking for the best quality episodes, I'd recommend the VCI Entertainment set:

ONE STEP BEYOND Collection 1

If you're looking for the largest collection of episodes, Alpha Video has 60:

One Step Beyond - Volumes 1-15 (15-DVD) - Television on DVD Starring John Newland; Directed by John Newland; Alpha Video : OLDIES.com

Of course, the Mill Creek set is the best bargain priced set of the series.

Re: One Step Beyond - The Final Chapters coming from Mill Creek Entertainment

So just how many episodes of "One Step Beyond" ARE running around from the various PD companies?

It's so confusing

Re: One Step Beyond - The Final Chapters coming from Mill Creek Entertainment

I ran across a web page that listed all the available episodes, and where they were available. I think 68 episodes are out there.

I saved the link at home, so I'll post it later.

Re: One Step Beyond - The Final Chapters coming from Mill Creek Entertainment

So who owns the other episodes? And why would only part of the episodes be in the public domain? I figured it would be all or nothing.

THE VCI ENTERTAINMENT 'ONE STEP BEYOND' DVD RELEASE!!!!!

Why did VCI discontinue its ONE STEP BEYOND line after just a single volume release?!

The source elements were a trifle on the dark side but much better than what is generally being circulated.

The print literature (seemingly) indicated that additional sets would be made forthcoming...which several years now after this initial release unfortunately never came about!

Jeff T.