Fox Announces Michael Shayne Mysteries Vol. 1

Mark VH · 01-12-2007, 10:40 AM

DVD Times has details and artwork (which is fantastic):

http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/content.php?contentid=63767

I think Fox kind of painted themselves into a corner with those Chan and Moto sets regarding packaging (having to model volume 2 of both after the original one-film-per-disc packaging in vol. 1), but it's good to see they're listening to the fans and changing up their style with regards to the Shayne series. Two discs, two films per disc, $29.98 MSRP (meaning cheaper online).

Ira Siegel · 01-12-2007, 12:35 PM

Thanks Mark. I know what I'll be watching on March 20th.
According to http://www.thrillingdetective.com/shaynemike.html
this is the list of Michael Shayne movies, with Producers Releasing Corporation (PRC) releasing the last five:

Quote:

MICHAEL SHAYNE, PRIVATE DETECTIVE
(1940, 20th Century Fox)
77 minutes
Based on by Dividend on Death by Brett Halliday
Screenplay: Stanley Rauh and Manning O'Connor
Directed by Eugene Forde
Starring Lloyd Nolan as MICHAEL SHAYNE
Also starring Marjorie Weaver, Joan Valerie, Walter Abel, Elizabeth Patterson, Donald MacBride
.
SLEEPER'S WEST
(1941, 20th Century Fox)
Based on characters created by Brett Halliday and Sleeper's East by Frederick Nebel
Starring Lloyd Nolan as MICHAEL SHAYNE
Also starring Mary Beth Hughes
.
DRESSED TO KILL
(1941, 20th Century Fox)
Based on characters created by Brett Halliday and Death Takes No Bows by Richard Burke
Screenplay by Stanley Rauh, Manning O'Connor
Directed by Eugene Forde
Starring Lloyd Nolan as MICHAEL SHAYNE
Also starring William Demarest, Mary Beth Hughes
.
BLUE, WHITE AND PERFECT
(1941, 20th Century Fox)
Based on characters created by Brett Halliday and an old pulp novel by Borden Chase
Screenplay by Samuel G. Engel
Directed by Herbert I. Leeds
Starring Lloyd Nolan as MICHAEL SHAYNE
Also starring Mary Beth Hughes
..
THE MAN WHO WOULDN'T DIE
(1942, 20th Century Fox)
65 minutes
Based on characters created by Brett Halliday and No Coffin for the Corpse by Clayton Rawson
Directed by Herbert I. Leeds
Starring Lloyd Nolan as MICHAEL SHAYNE
Also starring Marjorie Weaver, Helene Reynolds, Henry Wilcoxon
..
JUST OFF BROADWAY
(1942, 20th Century Fox)
66 minutes
Based on characters created by Brett Halliday
Directed by Herbert I. Leeds
Starring Lloyd Nolan as MICHAEL SHAYNE
Also starring Marjorie Weavers, Phil Silvers, Janis Carter
.
TIME TO KILL
(1942, 20th Century Fox)
61 minutes
Based on characters created by Brett Halliday and The High Window by Raymond Chandler
Screenplay by Clarence Upsom Young
Directed by Herbert I. Leeds
Produced by Sol M. Wurtzel
Starring Lloyd Nolan as MICHAEL SHAYNE
Also starring Heather Angel, Doris Merrick, Ralph Byrd, Richard Lane, Sheila Bromley, Morris Ankrum
.
MURDER IS MY BUSINESS
(1946, PRC)
64 minutes
Based on characters created by Brett Halliday
Directed by Sam Newfield
Starring Hugh Beaumont as MICHAEL SHAYNE
Also starring Lyle Talbot, Pierre Watkin, Cheryl Walker, George Meeker
.
LARCENCY IN HER HEART
(1946, PRC)
Based on characters created by Brett Halliday
Starring Hugh Beaumont as MICHAEL SHAYNE
.
BLONDE FOR A DAY
(1946, PRC)
Based on characters created by Brett Halliday
Starring Hugh Beaumont as MICHAEL SHAYNE
.
THREE ON A TICKET
(1947, PRC)
Based on characters created by Brett Halliday
Starring Hugh Beaumont as MICHAEL SHAYNE
.
TOO MANY WINNERS
(1947, PRC)
Based on characters created by Brett Halliday
Starring Hugh Beaumont as MICHAEL SHAYNE .

Paul_Scott · 01-12-2007, 04:47 PM

I've seen Sleepers West and Blue White and Perfect. Fun little programers!
I'm greatly looking forward to this set.

I remember at the time, I even thought Sleepers was more enjoyable than Narrow Margin, though I don't know if I would still feel the same way today.

_________

just saw the cover art to this- SUPERB! the likenesses aren't great for Nolan or Hughes, but McGuiness is a great illustrator and his presence makes this jacket art unique. I wonder if, given the hairstyle on the girl, this wasn't intended for a paperback cover for a 60s re-issue? Anyways, kudos to Fox on this one.

Steve...O · 03-15-2007, 08:01 PM

The Beaver has a very positive review of this set up. Hopefully my copy will arrive this weekend. The handful of Shaynes I've seen have been quite enjoyable and I look forward to watching this set, particularly with their strong A/V presentations.

Thanks to Fox for the lower price (I paid about $20 for these 4 films) and for using double features/slim cases.

Hopefully there will be a Vol 2 with JUST OFF BROADWAY and TIME TO KILL to complete the series. The single disc DRESSED TO KILL that Fox issued a couple of years ago is also quite good.

Steve

Tim Tucker · 03-16-2007, 11:05 AM

Seems kinda strange, though, to release a Volume 2 with just two films. Maybe they will add "Dressed to Kill" to the set. Or is there anything else Fox could use to fill it out?

**HTF Ads**

Steve...O · 03-16-2007, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Tucker

Seems kinda strange, though, to release a Volume 2 with just two films. Maybe they will add "Dressed to Kill" to the set. Or is there anything else Fox could use to fill it out?

It does seem strange that Fox wouldn't just add a third disc to round out the collection.

There has been some speculation that the later Shaynes, starring Hugh "Ward Cleaver" Beaumont could somehow be included. My inclination is that is not a likely scenario given that these were produced by poverty row PRC and are generally considered to be terrible films (although I've yet to see one).

My concern is whether there will be a Vol 2. (A) Vol 1 is being released with virtually no publicity and (B) TIME TO KILL is based on the same story that BRASHER DOUBLOON is. The latter is known to have rights problems.

Steve

Steve...O · 03-20-2007, 07:04 AM

Shayne Vol 1 arrived yesterday and from what I've been able to sample, the transfers do look very sharp. I've also watched the first bonus feature, a history on the character, and it was very well done. I presume it was done by John Cork, who did the features for the Chan/Moto sets, since it has the same "feel".

Lloyd Nolan is a very appealing actor and the Shayne films I've seen before have been highly entertaining so I look forward to seeing first rate copies of these films for the first time.

I also must commend Fox on the packaging. 4 films on two discs in slimline packaging with attractive cover art and liner notes. This collection is about half the size of one of Fox's 4 DVD collections and half the price but with all of the quality intact. Great job Fox!

Steve

Richard Gallagher · 03-20-2007, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve...O

Shayne Vol 1 arrived yesterday and from what I've been able to sample, the transfers do look very sharp. I've also watched the first bonus feature, a history on the character, and it was very well done. I presume it was done by John Cork, who did the features for the Chan/Moto sets, since it has the same "feel".

Lloyd Nolan is a very appealing actor and the Shayne films I've seen before have been highly entertaining so I look forward to seeing first rate copies of these films for the first time.

I also must commend Fox on the packaging. 4 films on two discs in slimline packaging with attractive cover art and liner notes. This collection is about half the size of one of Fox's 4 DVD collections and half the price but with all of the quality intact. Great job Fox!

Steve

I'm glad to hear that. Mine should be getting here later today.

In addition to the PRC Shaynes, I'd like to see the 1960-61 TV series issued in decent transfers.

RobertGr · 03-20-2007, 03:12 PM

Totally agree Steve-o, I got my copy today BEST BUY in my area was only supposed to get 3 copies. I got there at 10am sharp and gabbed it right away! Fox deserves kudos, they are listening to their customers big time. And the customers like you and many other are responding. I hope they will listen to our comments on THE GANG'S ALL HERE if they do not want to redo the one disc then they should put the correct wonderfully saturated version as a supplement on another FAYE box!