Hell Just Froze Over....

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It took less than 72 hours (from order to receipt) for The Skull to be in my hands. I watched it last night and it was like seeing the film again for the first time. Very creepy, beautiful film. The transfer is excellent, not over-done to remove details in the name of smoothness. I highly recommend it.

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What are folks impressions of the transfers of this first wave? Any problem titles so far?

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I purchased 9 titles. I am very pleased. They arrived within 3 days of my order. All are anamorphic. HURRICANE is in stereo. HOUDINI (the only title 1.33 original aspect ratio) MANDINGO, FRANCH POSTCARDS, POSSESSION OF JOEL DELANEY, BUSY BODY (2.35), SERIAL, VILLA RIDES (2.35), and WON TON TON. I look forward to watching in full these guilty pleasures.

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Very exciting.

Jekyll & Hyde...Together Again. Finally!!

If only I could get the old TV show Fridays to go along with it....

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I ordered and received 17 titles(I am a nut for the 60's and 70's films). I found each one of them to have a great transfer and more than acceptable sound. I do believe that they look better than when I saw them in the theatres during their original release when I was nothing but a child. I was very happy to finally see Those Daring Young Men and Their Jaunty Jalopies released. My thanks to Legend Films and hope they are able to continue with their Paramount agreement. I will be in line when the next wave of horror comes out in a month or so.

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This is great! I had no idea that Legend Films was offering most of the titles for ordering on their website already, and they were already shipping them out. I thought that I would just have to order what I wanted from Amazon or hope that one of the brick-and-mortar store chains would stock these, which might be unlikely. I had wondered if Legend Films would offer them directly, but even so, I was afraid they would ship them in June like everyone else. Looks like I don't have to wait until June, then. Great news!

I have a few questions, though, for those that ordered and received their DVDs. Everyone seems to be getting them fairly quickly. What kind of shipping speed / service and shipping carrier did Legend Films use?

Also, since Legend Films works with restoration and such, does that mean that all of these DVDs have had some cleanup done? Of course, I'm not expecting anything immaculate or extensive, considering many of these titles are "never thought they'd be on DVD," guilty pleasures, or non-award-winning movies, and they are very reasonably priced. Still, if they at least gave each film a quick scrubbing to remove some dirt and artifacts, that would be terrific.

So, I just ordered two of the films that I've really wanted on DVD. Depending on how things go, I just might place some more orders later. Seems like so far, everyone is happy with the DVDs and the service from Legend Films. Again, thanks for this thread! I'm glad that I could order already.

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Netflix has begun to add some of these titles.

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I wonder if the Legend/Paramount partnership might lead to a release of Jerzy Skolimowski's Deep End. It was recently revived in a new 35mm print. I suspect that the soundtrack, which includes Can and Cat Stevens, might be holding this one back. Thinking about it a little more, it's probably a title Criterion would want.

Anthology Film Archives film capsule

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I just ordered WON TON TON.

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I ordered 4 titles last Thursday..."The Busy Body", "Won-Ton-Ton", "Money From Home" and "Student Bodies".
I received all 4 yesterday (Monday 4-14). To say I was impressed with the fast service is a understatement
I watched "Busy Body" last night. It looked great. Tonight I'm watching Martin and Lewis.

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Are those titles available to rent already, or are they just available to Save for later in your queue? I know that I looked at the two titles I ordered (The Whoopee Boys and Some Kind of Hero), and they are available to Save, with the availability shown as Unknown.

What titles have you seen that Netflix started adding?

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They are under "Save" when I add them. I noticed they had The Skull, Houdini, The One and Only, King of the Gypsies, Mandingo, Villa Rides, Phase IV, ZPG and Student Bodies. I've added to my Queue The Skull, Villa Rides, Phase IV, and King of the Gypsies.

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It has been reported on a few other message boards that isolated Target Stores have all of the new Legend/Paramount titles in stock for $9.99.

The one store that definitely has them is located in Dardenne Prairie, Missouri which is in the far western St. Louis area. The person who reported he found them had to post a copy of his Target sales receipt to prove that he bought Houdini there because nobody believed him.

I just went to the Target store in Florissant, Missouri which is located in the far northern St. Louis area. They did not have them.

Let the wild goose chases begin!

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Thanks! I think I'm going to add The One and Only to my queue, and probably Almost an Angel whenever they add it. Then again, I might just end up buying those in the future. Anyway, I'm going to look at all those titles and see what sounds interesting.


Thanks for that info. I'll try to remember to look out for them if I happen to go to Target later this week. At least we know that whenever Target does carry these, they'll most likely be $9.99.

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A few more Paramount oddities from this era to add the Legend wishlist:
Deadhead Miles - written by Terrence Malick
Ladies and Gentlemen, the Fabulous Stains
American Hot Wax
Breaking Glass

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Paramount has alot of titles that could be candidates for Legend; "some" of which have never seen the light of day on VHS, Shanks, T.R. Baskin, Fear is the Key, Firstborn, Such Good Friends, Skidoo, The Spirit is Willing, Project X, Tropic of Cancer, W.U.S.A., First Love, Citizen's Band, Little Fauss and Big Halsey, Fraternity Row, Red Line 7000, Don't Give Up the Ship, The Sad Sack, Compromising Positions, Coast To Coast, Love with the Proper Stranger, Plain Clothes, The Slender Thread, The Keep, The Dove, Maroc 7, The Mountain, Fighting Back, Joy of Sex, Badge 373, The Friends of Eddie Coyle, Lucy Gallant, Let's Dance, Bloodline, Players, Sunburn, Ash Wednesday, The Bliss of Miss Blossom, Once is Not Enough etc. It will be interesting if any of these get released on Legend or perhaps Criterion.

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To answer an above question, it took three days for the care package from Legend Films to get me. Less time than it has taken me to watch the films. Again, I am very happy with the transfers.

There are a lot of Paramount films that need some sort of DVD release. I hope that the relationship continues with Legend or at least the sales of these DVD's are enough for Paramount to open it's Melrose gates and release them themselves.

Hey Columbia and Universal, are you watching this!

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I'll add The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz to the wish list ...

... and since the bulk of Legend's sales are likely to be online, surely they should be able to press and sell the Nigger Charley films without having to deal with skittish brick-and-mortar retailers.

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Lots of good ones on here, Bradley. I'll strongly second Eddie Coyle, Firstborn, Love With the Proper Stranger, and Citizen's Band (aka Handle With Care). Little Fauss and Big Halsy is of interest as evidence of Michael J. Pollard's brief stardom and for the sight of a nude Lauren Hutton crashing a motorcycle race. Votes for The Keep, Tropic of Cancer, Such Good Friends, Skidoo, and Fighting Back. Most of these seem to be Legend material. Eddie Coyle could be a Criterion.

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Good call on Duddy Kravitz. They are doing Mandingo so why not the Nigger Charley films. Hopefully, MGM/Fox will do right and put out Drum, if they still have the rights.

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I almost could see Citizen's Band as a Criterion title because of the cast and Jonathan Demme; ditto The Keep because of Michael Mann. This is all encouraging because maybe some very obscure films may come out of hiding. There are many Paramount films that have never even been on VHS and it looks like they are making it to DVD. I never remember seeing Won Ton Ton, Rhubarb, The Busy Body, Villa Rides on VHS.

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It is great to see so many movies that never even appeared on VHS come to DVD. You're right that the Demme and Mann pedigree might move those titles into Criterion territory. I would love to see Citizen's Band get the deluxe treatment. I could be wrong, but I think there may have been some music substitutions on the VHS, which came with the title Citizen's Band. Is this Demme's preferred title, or is it Handle With Care?

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I'm waiting for the other retailers to offer them, but when they do, I'll definitely be picking up:

PHASE IV
THE MAN WHO COULD CHEAT DEATH
THE SKULL
THE POSSESSION OF JOEL DELANEY
--and probably RHUBARB and THE SENDER, too.

My Paramount/Legend wish list:

CRACK IN THE WORLD (1965)
TARZAN'S GREATEST ADVENTURE (1959, if this isn't WB property now)
TARZAN THE MAGNIFICENT (1960, ditto)
MONTE WALSH (1970, if Criterion doesn't get it)
FRIENDS OF EDDIE COYLE (1973, ditto)
DARK CITY (1950, ditto)
UNION STATION (1950, ditto)
THE BLISS OF MRS. BLOSSOM (1968)
DR. TERROR'S HOUSE OF HORRORS (1965)
THE COLOSSUS OF NEW YORK (1958)
SPACE CHILDREN (1958)
FRAULEIN DOKTOR (1969)
UNMAN, WITTERING & ZIGO (1971)
BLOOD & ROSES (1960)
DARKER THAN AMBER (1970)
FEAR IS THE KEY (1972)
HELL’S ISLAND (1955)
ONLY WHEN I LARF (1968)
PROJECT X (1968)
SHANKS (1974)
'GATOR BAIT (1974)
THE KLANSMAN (1974)
HANNIE CAULDER (1971)
INNOCENT BYSTANDERS (1972)
MAN ON A SWING (1974)
THE DEVIL’S HAIRPIN (1957)
MARACAIBO (1958)
THE PSYCHOPATH (1966)
TALES THAT WITNESS MADNESS (1973)
THE SWINGER (1966)
THE OMEGANS (1968)

--also these, if they've fallen into Paramount's possession (or do they belong to WB, or perhaps another studio?):

DADDY’S GONE A-HUNTING (1969)
FIGURES IN A LANDSCAPE (1970)
THE TODD KILLINGS (1971)
EL CONDOR (1970)
HIRED KILLER (1967)
TWISTED NERVE (1968)

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A lot of great titles that I would definitely buy have been mentioned here, but my most wanted Paramount title has not - Looking for Mr. Goodbar.

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All I ask from Paramount/Legend are 8 films - some very long-shots in there though :

Mr. Music (50) - a fun Crosby feel-good musical with many guest stars
Let's Dance (50) - Astaire and Betty Hutton
Dark City (50) - Heston's first - great noir film
Knock on Wood (53) - Probably one THE greatest comedies ever made except that few people know it since it's been absolutely nowhere to see for ages!
About Mrs. Leslie (54) - superb offbeat romance, works better for me than The African Queen actually.
Three Ring Circus (54) - One of my favorite Martin & Lewis films.
The Rat Race (60) - a great drama with Curtis & Reynolds
Who's Been Sleeping in My Bed (63) - cute comedy with Dino and Elizabeth Montgomery

Are the 1949 films with Universal or Paramount???

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I've always wanted to see that ever since catching a few minutes in the middle on TCM (or some other cable channel). I never got to see it complete though and it looked hilarious. I'd have no problem buying any Danny Kaye film at all. Among my favorite actors of all time.

I'm sure it'll get released someday soon.

*knocks on wood*

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How about those "guilty pleasure" Preminger films.... HURRY SUNDOWN, SKIDOO, TELL ME THAT YOU LOVE ME JUNIE MOON, SUCH GOOD FRIENDS?

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I'm definitely with you, Jon. DEEP END is a neglected masterpiece, far ahead of its time. A Criterion release would be great, but I'd settle for one from Legend.

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I just wanted to shoot a quick post into here to add my praise to the pile that Legend Films has been receiving.

I ordered 2 DVDs from them early Tuesday morning, and they arrived today! I have my DVDs a little over 48 hours after ordering them! Considering that Tuesday was Tax Day and a very busy mail day, that's amazing!

For anyone wondering about the shipping of these DVDs, they arrived in a white protective cardboard packaging, and were sent via USPS Priority Mail, the same day I ordered. It looks like they have a great system, handling shipping labels and taking orders through PayPal. So, for anyone that has issues with the shipping costing $4.95 + $2.95 each additional title, just know that you are certainly getting your money's worth. It's not like they are charging you that and then shipping them USPS Media Mail.

I haven't watched the DVDs (Whoopee Boys / Some Kind of Hero) yet, of course, but if anyone's interested, I'll be happy to share my thoughts on them whenever I get around to it. I don't know if anyone was wondering about those titles.

I'm seriously impressed with the wonderful service from Legend Films! If anyone from there reads this thread, I'd like to say thank you. I'm going to look over the list of titles again, and see about ordering some more in the near future. After this great service, I'd be happy to spend a few more dollars and give my money directly to them and have the DVDs well before the regular retail dates in June.

Also, I have a few questions for everyone here. I haven't seen Student Bodies (well, I probably have, but I don't remember), but I know a lot of people seem to enjoy it. Are there any similar horror-comedies that it could be compared to, so that I could get an idea as to the type of humor and such is in the movie? It sounds like a fun, cheesy movie, and I might want to order it.

Also, about The One and Only: I'm pretty sure I've seen this movie, but I want to make sure. If it's the one I'm thinking of, I'll probably order it in the future. Are there some scenes like this, that I remember, in the movie (spoilers below)?


Warning Spoiler! Click to show


Warning Spoiler! Click to show

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I haven't seen TOAO in almost 30 years, but I remember the Winler character is a take off on Gorgeous George...and those two scenes you mention sound highly plausible being in the film. I seem to recall the character being hired to play various 'bad guys' in a bunch of wrestling bouts until stumbling upon the Gorgeous George persona which strikes a chord with audience. I remember really enjoying the film as a kid and can't wait to see it again. If money wasn't tight at the moment I wouldn't wait to order it.