The Invaders - Page 19

Re: The Invaders

Great to hear so many enjoying this classic show. I have to get out and pick the set up myself. Its been a long time since I have seen it.

Re: The Invaders

Has a reason every come to light about the bad quality of those first few episodes? I bought the set based on what I was reading here, but I was taken aback at how bad the first two episodes look, especially given the fact that Paramount has been going back to the negatives - their Mod Squad discs look absolutely incredible, as if they were shot yesterday.

Re: THE GOLDEN AGE OF TELEVISION!!!!!

This reflects my feelings almost exactly.

That's not to say there weren't misfires - but overall I find television at this time to be a medium that was really hitting its stride in much the same way as the film medium did by the mid-late 1930s.

Re: The Invaders

I'm really enjoying seeing this show again! I well remember the fevered anticipation leading up to the premiere in January '67, it had heavy promo and every kid at school couldn't wait for it. My favourite episodes so far are " Wall of crystal", " the Inocent", "Doomsday minus 1". Now that I'm at a dead stop with the Fugitive like most fans, this at least gives me something new on DVD to watch (along with Rawhide and Burke's law). As much as I love 50s and 60s tv, I really like contemporary shows like "The Riches", "Mad Men" and "Breaking Bad" also, a little jarring in contrast to the great old shows and certainly representative of our changed culture, good and bad.

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Good writing and characters are timeless. The Riches was even better the second season than the first. Mad Men season 2 starts July 27 everyone. And no word yet on whether Breaking Bad got picked up past the shortened first season due to the writer's strike. All great shows. And we have a last season of The Shield coming up in September. There's a lot of classic TV DVDs to squeeze in before then.

Re: The Invaders

it's been established that THE INVADERS was not taken from the 35mm masters (wherever they may be) and little remastering was done. Yes, the first couple of episodes have a very bad color/saturation problem which is hard to correct even with the TV settings. Skin tone is coppertone tan orange The extended pilot actually looks better than the one on disc 1.

ANY 'MORE' INVADERS IN THE WORKS?

Roy Thinnes taped intros for all 43 colour hour long episode of THE INVADERS which (naturally) encompases the second season (1967-68) as well.

In addition to this there is more to the taped question session conducted with Roy that wasn't specifically featured in the first season (1967) DVD set.

Not to mention that the second season is already scheduled for release in Australia (Region 4) on July 31st, 2008 and that the AMAZON.COM and (especially) AMAZON.CA online retail sales were impressively strong for THE INVADERS - THE FIRST SEASON 5-disc set this all adds up to a persuasive defence that a second season DVD release of THE INVADERS is certain.

What is the big rush anyway? This initial set has only just been released and is still making money for Paramount Pictures-CBS Television Home Entertainment so give it a chance to do its job. I haven't even completely finished watching my own set yet!

While not perfect I know that "The Experiment" (17/01/1967) was in reasonably good shape and I can't recall any (serious) faults that caught my notice when I viewed it...with the (notable) exception that for the first time since its original primetime telecast I had the opportunity to see this splendid episode in its entirety!

This particular tv property is what I view as a perennial breadwinner for Paramount (like THE TWILIGHT ZONE and STAR TREK) and some where down the line we will (likely) see an improved DVD release.

Jeff T.

Re: The Invaders

Boy, I'm glad to be 99 and 44/100 % sure of the INVADERS second season coming sometime in the near future. The special effects laden episode "THE SAUCER" where Vincent actually captures a landed saucer and tries to hold onto it is exciting and my personal favourite. Great to see Anne Francis in that one too. Hollywoodaholic is so right about great acting, characters and compelling teleplays make for precious and timeless memories of specific episodes from any era. That's why I had vivid recall and affection for a old show I hadn't seen in years, like the INVADERS episodes I mentioned here, or for some of the contemporary shows that I enthusiastically collect on DVD. With a show like "The Riches", the dinnerparty episode from season 1 just blew me away and thus just "stays" with me. I'm glad to hear from Wayne that this show only gets better in season 2, I can't wait to see it. For me "Breaking bad" was a revelation too, the episodes where events in a suburban basement play themselves shockingly out. Tragically ironic and Incredibly great TV. I'm not going to criticize anyone for their total dedication to '50s-'70s shows. I love them too. In my opinion we may not see another golden age because of the sheer volume of toxic trash that is vomited up onto our TV screens, but for those open to giving some of these limited run cable shows a chance, you might end up with a DVD shelf like mine, where a show like THE INVADERS,COMBAT or RAWHIDE sit side by side with THE RICHES, CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM, EXTRAS, MAD MEN, THE SHIELD etc. any one as loved as the next. I of course realize that the newer shows might offend some of the classic TV fans with thematic, violence and language issues. I fully appreciate that and respect those views.

Re: The Invaders

Man, I just finished THE IVY CURTAIN and I think it's now my favorite (moving D DAY MINUS ONE down a notch). I love this show. So to me, the rush is, I want more--as soon as possible.

Re: The Invaders

This is my first post here. I've known about this site since reading the TVShowsOnDVD news article about the Home Theater Forum chat with Warner Brothers last year and the year before.

I received my copy of the first season boxset of The Invaders (Region 1) a couple of weeks ago and finished testing out the discs in the boxset last week. Very impressed. I do hope the 26 episode second and final season comes out on Region 1 before the end of this year, with the same care and attention to the presentation and extras given to the season 1 boxset.

I read recently on the web some complaints about the character's faces being yellow. I didn't notice this. I thought the colours on the screen looked normal.

Re: The Invaders

Hi Richard...on my tv when the color is set for "normal" broadcast color and I put in the first INVADERS disc the color is way too saturated and flesh tones are very orange-ish. This gets better after disc one. Usually any DVD I play matches the color of the broadcast settings my TV is set at. Probably the age of whatever masters they used for the DVD showing through. I wish they had accessed the 35 mm negatives for a full on restoration.(a/la STAR TREK)

Re: The Invaders and Other Sixties TV

Well, it all depends on point of view

Re: The Invaders

Regarding the color levels on THE INVADERS, one has to consider that the show was made in the era of color TV being a novelty. The networks pushed their program suppliers to provide very colorful images to best show off the new medium.

That said, I think the color levels from discs 2 on seem accurate for the era. Disc 1 is a little oversaturated.

Harry

Re: The Invaders

When testing disc 1 I found "Beachhead" to have a lot of colour and a different look to the next episode I tested, the first episode on disc 2 (when I test out DVDs/DVD boxsets I've bought I test out the first few seconds of the first few chapters). The 60 minute version of "Beachhead" on disc 5 seemed drained of colour compared to the shorter version on disc 1.

Was the 60 minute version of "Beachhead" supplied by a fan of The Invaders? That's what it was sounding like in a TVShowsOnDVD article. But on the DVD Roy Thinnes I think said Paramount had it in their vaults. If I'm wrong then I apologise.

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I'm down to four episodes on the season one set and really wishing a region one season two announcement would be made.

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I am really, really impressed with this set so far. I've only been through the interview with Mr.Thines. I must say he is the most professional actor I've seen in giving an interview like this. I wish other 60's tv sets had been able to get interviews and intros like this. It's especially a pity that some of the main actors have passed away and are unable to give commentary like this.

It's even more sad when some still living actors haven't been able to help out like this.

I do hope Mr. Thinnes is able to give more interesting highlights such as his favorite/least favorite episode of the Invaders. I know that's an often asked question, but still . . I would love to hear more of his input about the program.

For all those who helped out this release, I say bravo.

James Smith
carolyn@dia.net

THE UNAIRED PILOT!!!!!!

Sometimes the history behind the actual DVD release is just as interesting and exciting as the actual product itself!

Initially Paramount Pictures-CBS Television Home Entertainment made investigative inquiries if any private collector had an available print of the extended unaired pilot which at that formative period in time couldn't be located in the extensive Paramount Studios film and television storage vaults.

Apparently some individuals did indeed come forward with help on this. However as good fortune would have it at the last possible moment Paramount was not only able to secure its own mastercopy but the most complete version of the unaired pilot possible.

As I said before (in this discussion thread) THE INVADERS has a (deserved) stature and acclaim that distinguishes it from most run-of-mill tv series DVD releases. A lot of this stuff will be released once and will never be heard from again!

THE INVADERS is a bona fide cult fan classic, it is highly regarded by critics, SF film and tv historians and certainly SF aficionados and (just as importantly) it has successfully resonated with the younger aged consumer demographic insuring its popularity for generations yet to come.

The fact that Roy Thinnes and the series creator Larry Cohen have voluntarily affiliated themselves once again with this magnificent 1960s SF tv classic has further enhanced the show's respected reputation.

This weekend I went to my local downtown DVD retailer and was told that sales of THE INVADERS - THE FIRST SEASON 5-disc were outstanding with demand far outdistancing the available inventory. Indeed this totally unexpected phenomenon necessitated a surplus stock to accomodate this!

The point being that I am not only confident of an impending second season (1967-68) North American (Region 1) DVD release but likely somewhere down the road an upgraded fully restored and digitally remastered from the original 35mm print negatives incarnation sometime in the future (a la THE TWILIGHT ZONE - THE DEFINITIVE EDITION series).

And for the (additional) benefit of any Roy Thinnes fans here remember that this Tuesday, June 24th, 2008 the Universal Studios Home Entertainment JOURNEY TO THE FAR SIDE OF THE SUN (1969) single disc set will be released!

Jeff T.

Re: The Invaders

If another version of season one of The Invaders is going to be released, then I wish Paramount hadn't released the one which came out on Region 1 a few weeks ago.

A 'SLEEPER' HIT!!!!!

Well it's not going to happen tomorrow!

This is all just (reasonable) speculation on my part.

When Paramount went forward with a DVD release of THE INVADERS the company had absolutely no idea just well it would perform...as with any title that is commercially marketed! Just because a tv series is made available on DVD isn't an automatic guarantee of success as many of these major DVD distribution companies have learned through the risk-taking process of trial-and-error.

Just read some of the (pointed) skepticism expressed in this very discussion thread when an INVADERS DVD release was initially proposed!

But also take note of both THE TWILIGHT ZONE and the STAR TREK franchises and how many times Paramount has already commercially milked these two SF tv properties over the years since the advent of DVD.

Paramount is just getting itself organized with this long dormant and neglected tv property and in time who knows just what else may surface? Right now the current DVD release stands as an excellent start and an important revival of a great classic tv show.

Jeff T.

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Jeff, I wasn't having a go at you. I was just annoyed that another version might or could come out in the future of season 1.

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I wonder if the transfers in the upcoming region 4 season two release will be the same transfers used in the R1 S2 release.

Re: The Invaders

Just watched the first 3 episodes and they used a lot of sound effects from "Earth vs the Flying Saucers" and a bit of "Invaders from Mars!!!"

It's not a bad thing, it's just a litle annoying. Funny, I don't remember that when I was in high school when it premiered.

Re: The Invaders

what spots did you hear "Invaders From Mars" efx in?

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I heard some cues from WAR OF THE WORLDS, the Gene Barry movie.

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Just finished MOONSHOT and liked it. Only two episodes to go and then the extended pilot.

Gonna miss watching this show until the next set. Been looking forward to it every night.

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I doubt it, because the R4 will be in PAL.

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I would take that with a huge grain of salt. There has been nothing to suggest this, other than Jeff being fanfully-optimistic (not meant as an insult, BTW). I'm sure that Paramount absolutely did not have plans to put out a "plain" set now and unleash a "better" one later. I just think they're pleasantly surprised at how well it must be welling.

Although I agree that anything is possible, we should look at whether something is likely or not. If you want The Invaders, by all means, buy it, don't wait around for some "super-duper, hyper-deluxe edition" that many never, ever happen. the transfers are decent enough. Enjoy them today!

I can see skipping over what can be perceived as a "vanilla" release when it comes to Hollywood blockbusters. We all pretty much expect "new, improved" versions of those within a years' time. With TV releases, though, this rarely happens.

I'd say just go ahead, buy, and enjoy, and if something better is announced in a few years' time, flog your old ones on eBay (or wherever). You could even get your money back, especially if the set goes OOP.

NO PROBLEM!!!!!

Oh, I knew what was being referred to and took absolutely no offense...why should I?

Naturally it would be great if these things were done correctly the first time through, but, given the chance wouldn't you take advantage of the opportunity to secure THE INVADERS on a higher quality DVD release if it were reissued once again? I would!

Some day this particular edition will go completely out-of-print then that is the time that you will (possibly) see another edition hopefully with considerable improvements over the former.

Even THE OUTER LIMITS has been issued twice now!

To give a perhaps even more immediate example, I honestly believe that once the final season of VOYAGE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA tv series is released on DVD that 20th Century-Fox Home Entertainment will go back and rerelease LOST IN SPACE in a fully restored and digitally remastered edition. It has been some time now since the initial release.

Hypothetically speaking, if this does indeed come to pass what are people going to do? Not buy it?

But don't quote me on this for it is solely my own opinion not based on any "inside" information which time will either validate or disprove!

Jeff T.

Re: The Invaders

Just finished the set and was most impressed. I was about 12 when it first aired and was hooked back then.

Roy looks very good for a guy in his 70s (I think). He's still sharp and his memory on target. I'm surprised he is not working now. Last I saw was his two episode appearance in the X-Files back in the 90s. That was a welcome surprise.

My primary point to this post concerns listening to Larry Cohen's commentary on "The Innocent." I really enjoyed learning about this unsung writer from the 60s and 70s. In particular I was not aware he originated "Branded" and "Cornet Blue," two other series from the mid 60s. He did seem to have a preoccupation with lone men on the run or in search of something. I guess The Fugitive's impact was still strong in those years.

I vaguely remember Frank Converse in Cornet Blue and that it was a summer replacement series. Larry stated his ending for this series and the reveal of Converse's character. I would LOVE this one to make it to disc. I can really see the inspiration for the 90s series Nowhere Man, which I own now and enjoyed when it ran as well.

Re: The Invaders

I watched The Invaders (the four hour special) several months ago. I thought Thinnes looked good in that too. I only wished that they could have used him more in that film.

I would have to say that The Innocent is my favorite episode from the first season. Getting to see the inside of the aliens' spaceship was a highlight of the episode for me. As I mentioned in a previous post, the imagery was quite interesting. I was fooled into thinking that what was, actually was not.