THE REAL McCOYS - CC Season sets? - Page 2

Bob Hug · 07-23-2007, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug^Ch

I'm another who preordered the set and can't back out now, because it is on the way. I'm highly disapointed to say the least.

I'm in the exact same boat as you Doug; my copy was shipped last week and should arrive any day.

I wonder if Infinity actually knew what it had received from SFM Entertainment. Do full-length masters of this show even exist anymore? Seems odd that the first episode would be full length and the other episodes cut. I looked at the programming section over at SFM's web site and, interestingly, they're still showing the two Rhino releases but not the Infinity release.

SFM's web site: http://www.sfment.com/

**HTF Ads**

John Morgan · 07-23-2007, 12:27 PM

I really don't understand the process of putting these filmed series on video.
I know REAL McCOYS was syndicated for years, but that was many years ago (before being resurrected on TNN) and I think that was on 16mm film. And when they put them on video, wouldn't they transfer the entire episode to a master video and then do any syndication edits on a subsequent transfer? Perhaps the TNN were mastered from cut 16mm prints, as the quality wasn't all that great to begin with, and whoever did this new set didn't want to go into the expense of retransferring them from the 35mm material, which I assume and hope still exists. I like the program so much I would probably rebuy the 1st season if they were uncut.

MatthewA · 07-23-2007, 01:41 PM

They apparently can find uncut versions of Laugh-In, Flip Wilson, Good Morning World, and Lotsa Luck. It's possible they just didn't feel like paying for new telecine transfers.

Do they own the show outright?

Ivan G · 07-23-2007, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Hug

I'm in the exact same boat as you Doug; my copy was shipped last week and should arrive any day.

Looks like we're going to need a bigger boat...on the cloud-has-a-silver-lining side, I pre-ordered my McCoys set (along with the Suspense release) back in April, when VideoUniverse had it available for $16.44. I'm still steamed that the episodes are edited, but I paid about the same as I did for the similar Danny Thomas Show set...another casualty of SFM.

Steve...O · 07-23-2007, 07:44 PM

Those of you who pre-ordered can still back out if you return the package. You should be able to get the purchase price refunded.

Returning the purchase and following up with an e-mail to the distributor telling them why might get the message across.

John Morgan · 07-24-2007, 03:16 PM

Can anyone suggest who to contact about these cut releases? SFM or the actual distributor? Also, anyone have an email or snail mail address? I would just like to tell them that if they experience slow sales it is, in part, due to the fact that word got out about the syndicated cut episodes being offered, (with the exception of the first episode.) At four minutes cut on 38 episodes, that is 152 minutes of missing footage.

Bob Hug · 07-24-2007, 03:41 PM

John, Go to SFM's web site and go to the contact page (I couldn't copy and paste). They have all sorts of contact e-mail addresses and there is a snail mail address.

http://www.sfment.com/

SFM is the supplier of the prints so I'd start with them. As an independent releasing company, Infinity probably just took whatever SFM gave them. But perhaps they did ask SFM if full-length eps. were available. And, as Hank Dearborn mentioned in post #27, SFM also was behind the cut season 5 episodes of "Make Room for Daddy."

John Morgan · 07-24-2007, 05:08 PM

Thanks Bob...
I think I'll send a snail mail letter rather than an email. Emails are too easy to just delete.

John Morgan · 07-27-2007, 01:44 PM

Well, I sent a snail and e mail note to SFM this morning, and already heard back from them, which I quote below. Well, at least they answered my query. So, whether a form email or not, I appreciate hearing back from them.

**Thank you for your e-mail regarding "The Real McCoys".

We digitally re-mastered all 224 episodes, using the best materials
owned by the original copyright holders, which, in many instances, were
the 23-minute versions. Where the elements were available and the quality
was good, we did use the longer versions. I do know that the quality
of the series is superb and hope that you will enjoy all 224 episodes.

We prefer to release 'pristine', slightly edited, versions of these
shows, rather than 'poor' quality full versions. There is enough of that
with the so-called 'Public Domain' bootleggers. In every situation, we
do believe in preserving these great shows of the past and trust you
will be looking out for future SFM Entertainmnet product.

Thank you for your keen interest in what we do and how we do it. We
value your opinions. **

Bob Hug · 07-27-2007, 01:55 PM

Quote:

We digitally re-mastered all 224 episodes, using the best materials
owned by the original copyright holders, which, in many instances, were
the 23-minute versions. Where the elements were available and the quality
was good, we did use the longer versions. I do know that the quality
of the series is superb and hope that you will enjoy all 224 episodes.

It's discouraging to hear that the rights owners don't have full length versions in their possession. This appears to be similar to the situation with "The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet." I have kept my set rather than sending it back and the visuals do look comparatively good for a series of its vintage.

Ivan G · 07-27-2007, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Hug

It's discouraging to hear that the rights owners don't have full length versions in their possession. This appears to be similar to the situation with "The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet." I have kept my set rather than sending it back and the visuals do look comparatively good for a series of its vintage.

I received an e-mail today stating that the set I ordered is on backorder. I hope that's a positive sign for further releases...truncated though they may be.

DeWilson · 07-27-2007, 07:31 PM

Quote:

We prefer to release 'pristine', slightly edited, versions of these shows, rather than 'poor' quality full versions. There is enough of that with the so-called 'Public Domain' bootleggers.

This is just a poor excuse by SFM not to put more work than the have to do into this series? What do they consider a poor quality print - A 16mm print? A 16mm negative? A 35mm unedited negative that needed a little bit of work to bring it up to quality? Transferred right,a 16mm transfer can look nice - sure it's not 35mm,but it would be uncut!

Yes, there are times where edited programs have to be used - such as damaged negatives or changes needed for music clearances, but it seems to me by reading what they said,that they had access to uncut shows, but opted to use quality over completeness.

I second that they could take the time to locate uncut LAUGH-IN and FLIP WILSON episodes (Which hadn't been seen uncut since the 1970s - and were shot on video tape - eventually used for DVD release.

Again,seems to me another old B&W Show not getting the full treatment a color show would. Such as the Time Compressed B&W "COMBAT!" episodes and then full restored color episodes.

Also you got to love that reference to ..."the so-called 'Public Domain' bootleggers."

Joe Lugoff · 07-28-2007, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeWilson

Also you got to love that reference to ..."the so-called 'Public Domain' bootleggers."

Yes, that was unfair of them -- if something's in Public Domain, it's legal to release it, and you're not a bootlegger if you do. I must say, I don't like the attitude they show in that e-mail.