Dark Shadows: The Beginning Disc Problems - Page 3

DrzSF · 12-24-2007, 11:31 AM

Here's what I think: Who ever authored this for the DVD forgot to replace the kinescope last scene with the Live Feed version when they were stitching back in the original commercials from the kinescope copy. The same person who forgot to turn the stereo mode on when they transferred DS Music Videos for the Bloopers & Treasures release I suspect. Is anyone else noticing these things beside me?

Kevin Segura · 12-27-2007, 11:27 AM

I can't add much to this, other than from what I could gather, the LiveFeed restoration was going to be included as an **extra** on the disc, rather than as a part of the standard presentation.

However, since I don't have a copy of the set, I have to say that I don't know if that's what actually happened... anyone know for certain??

-Kevin
LiveFeed Video Imaging

Ockeghem · 01-15-2008, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Here's what I think: Who ever authored this for the DVD forgot to replace the kinescope last scene with the Live Feed version when they were stitching back in the original commercials from the kinescope copy. The same person who forgot to turn the stereo mode on when they transferred DS Music Videos for the Bloopers & Treasures release I suspect. Is anyone else noticing these things beside me?

I have noticed some of what you mention above. So you're not the only one that is noticing.

I received my Dark Shadows: The Beginning vol. 6 yesterday. I watched the restoration of episode 211, as well as the additional footage included for episode 191 (the burning of Laura Collins and David's reaction to it) and the remaining special features. The interviews with Malcolm Marmorstein and Ron Sproat were quite interesting, as were the (at times lengthy) promotional spots for the show and the News Reel for Joan Bennett. I found the interview with Marmorstein to be very informative and insightful.

The restoration for episode 211 does look very good. What I noticed was that the first two-thirds of the episode appears to be restored, yet the last third or so seems to be something between a kinescoped and a non-kinescoped episode, if that makes any sense. The quality of the final third was better than the other Dark Shadows kinescopes on DVD, yet not quite as good as the initial two-thirds of this restoration. I noticed a distinct difference between the two segments. Perhaps this is the live-feed that some have mentioned above? I cannot speak specifically to the technical aspects of the final segment (arrival of Barnabas); however, it does look excellent, and far superior to anything else I have seen with regard to that segment to date.

On another (yet related) note, I have been listening to the eight-disc set of Dark Shadows: Complete Soundtrack Music Collection (Orland Park, Illinois: MPI Home Video, 2006). It is a virtually exhaustive collection of the entire Dark Shadows music soundtrack. I am almost always suspicious of any collection that purports to be exhaustive. Although the collection is listed as complete, there are a few segments, particularly those occurring during some of the Blue Whale scenes, that are not included on this excellent soundtrack collection. I would recommend the collection to Dark Shadows fans, but would also add that it does not include everything heard on the original series.

Quote:

I can't add much to this, other than from what I could gather, the LiveFeed restoration was going to be included as an **extra** on the disc, rather than as a part of the standard presentation.

Episode 211 is included on Disc 4 as a special feature. It follows the additional footage included for episode 191. By standard presentation, do you mean episodes presented as consecutively-ordered on the discs? The 'regular' episodes end with no. 209 and then the special features are included after that. (Episode 211--non-restored--is furnished on The Dark Shadows DVD Collection 1.) I don't know if this is helpful or not.

Kevin Segura · 01-15-2008, 11:30 AM

Well, in connection with last year's "Dark Shadows Festival", I found this:

**********************

VIDEO SCREENINGS
On Friday evening, BARNABAS UNBOUND includes original DARK SHADOWS
episodes 209 and 211, which will be screened with original 1967
commercials. Additionally, episode 211 (the debut of Jonathan Frid as
Barnabas Collins) has been restored from the videotape master, which
hasn't been seen in 40 years. (A filmed kinescope copy has been
utilized since then.)

**********************

Given that information, it sounds as though there may have been some problem with the last portion of the recovered videotape master for episode 211, and that the LiveFeed clip that I did was substituted for the final few minutes of the show.

That would also explain the technical image differences noted in the previous posts-- although LiveFeed is a marvelous restoration process, nothing beats an actual videotape!

-Kevin

Ockeghem · 01-15-2008, 12:19 PM

^^^
Kevin,

Thanks. That info. is very helpful! :yes:

Now I have the urge to watch all of the iterations of episode 211 that I have (VHS tape, DVD, etc.) at my disposal.

BTW, while watching episode 191 (additional footage), I had this feeling that I had seen the 'new' footage before. I'm going to have to compare this footage as well with what I have on my VHS copy. If I recall correctly from some of the bonus material I've read about and watched over the years, this segment (w/Laura, David, and Victoria) is the ambitious one in which several cameras (more than usual) were used.

Brian Himes · 01-15-2008, 01:08 PM

I got my set last night. I'm glad to have finished this series (again). Hopefully this is the last time that I have to purchase it.

Ockeghem · 01-15-2008, 01:17 PM

^^^
I've ordered my Blue-Ray sets this morning.

Just kidding.

Brian Himes · 01-17-2008, 10:53 AM

Ok, I watched the restored Barnabas arrival episode last night and I must say I'm pretty impressed. It looked really, really good. How did they do this? Did they finally find the original master tape?

I did notice that the sound for the final segment was from the kinescope version of the episode, but the rest of the episode looked just like a master tape version. Does anyone have any information on how this was accomplished? If they could do this with the other kinescope episodes that would be fantastic.

Kevin Segura · 01-17-2008, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Himes

Ok, I watched the restored Barnabas arrival episode last night and I must say I'm pretty impressed. It looked really, really good. How did they do this? Did they finally find the original master tape?

I did notice that the sound for the final segment was from the kinescope version of the episode, but the rest of the episode looked just like a master tape version. Does anyone have any information on how this was accomplished? If they could do this with the other kinescope episodes that would be fantastic.

Brian:

See my earlier post in the thread (#64) -- I think that explains what you're seeing.

I wish I'd known that was what they were going to do-- I would have matched the sources a little better.

-Kevin
LiveFeed Video Imaging