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The Invaders - Page 20

post #571 of 819
6/23/08 at 2:02pm

Re: The Invaders

One of the things Paramount could do for a bonus feature in the second season set is locate Duane Tatro, who did a lot of the music for year 2, for an interview perhaps. I believe he's still around in L.A. and actively playing music. And Dominic Frontiere should also be interviewed of course (he lives in New Mexico)...make some sort of "Music Of the Invaders" mini documentary for the set. (an ideal bonus would be a music soundtrack CD!!!) There's also THE ALIENS ARE COMING, a 1980 "remake" tv movie of THE INVADERS by Quinn Martin which was nowhere near as successful, but could be added to the set as a bonus. There was also a Quinn Martin TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED called "The Nomads" which was almost an identical remake of "Beach Head" with a twist ending.
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post #572 of 819
6/23/08 at 2:55pm

Re: The Invaders

Quote:
Originally Posted by Charles Thaxton
what spots did you hear "Invaders From Mars" efx in?

Experiment...42:44/44:31= War of the Worlds

Mutation...39:50/40:13= Invaders from Mars
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post #573 of 819
6/25/08 at 3:37pm

Re: The Invaders

Quote:
Originally Posted by Charles Thaxton
One of the things Paramount could do for a bonus feature in the second season set is locate Duane Tatro, who did a lot of the music for year 2, for an interview perhaps. I believe he's still around in L.A. and actively playing music. And Dominic Frontiere should also be interviewed of course (he lives in New Mexico)...make some sort of "Music Of the Invaders" mini documentary for the set. (an ideal bonus would be a music soundtrack CD!!!) There's also THE ALIENS ARE COMING, a 1980 "remake" tv movie of THE INVADERS by Quinn Martin which was nowhere near as successful, but could be added to the set as a bonus.

I had a look at the IMDb page for The Aliens Are Coming yesterday. I didn't like the sound of it at all. I liked the suggestions in your post for DVD extras. I would like to see some archive interviews with Kent Smith (if there are any), who played an important part in the second half of season two.
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post #574 of 819
6/25/08 at 7:28pm

Re: The Invaders

I finished season one last night and have to say I'm going to miss looking forward to a new episode every night. The last two and a half weeks or so have been fun. I'm a fan now!

I'm not sure if I have the titles exactly right but my top 3 episodes from season one are:

Wall Of Crystal
The Ivy Curtain
Doomsday Minus One
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post #575 of 819
6/26/08 at 7:28am

Re: The Invaders

Kent Smith sighted in the film "The Disappearance Of Flight 412"...a 70s UFO tv film starring Glenn Ford. He plays an Air Force general with a real "Scoville" attitude. This film is in the Mill Creek 50 film set NIGHTMARE WORLDS (although you have to look at the actual disc 5 because the cardboard sleeve omits the title)
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post #576 of 819
6/26/08 at 8:08am

Re: The Invaders

Kent Smith is a favorite of mine. He's in a great episode of "Have Gun Will Travel" ("The Long Night") and gave a very memorable performance in "The Outer Limits" episode "It Crawled Out of the Woodwork", delivering one of the best lines in the series: "The vonderful questions are always answered at the cost of human life. Remember how vee vondered about ze atom bomb?"
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post #577 of 819
6/26/08 at 8:21am

Re: The Invaders

Quote:
Originally Posted by michael_ks
Kent Smith is a favorite of mine. He's in a great episode of "Have Gun Will Travel" ("The Long Night") and gave a very memorable performance in "The Outer Limits" episode "It Crawled Out of the Woodwork", delivering one of the best lines in the series: "The vonderful questions are always answered at the cost of human life. Remember how vee vondered about ze atom bomb?"

This is a favorite shot from Kent Smith in THE OUTER LIMITS. He's sitting in his office with a picture of an atomic blast behind him! I'd provided this photo to our Yahoo Time Tunnel group, but thought it fit in well with this discussion too.



Harry
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post #578 of 819
6/26/08 at 8:24am

Re: The Invaders

Just watched Wall of Crystal last night. This episode, along with Doomsday Minus One, are my absolute favorites from Season 1, although there are so many to choose from.
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post #579 of 819
6/26/08 at 8:37am

Re: The Invaders

Quote:
This is a favorite shot from Kent Smith in THE OUTER LIMITS. He's sitting in his office with a picture of an atomic blast behind him!

"And yet, here you are--doomed or not"

Odd that I never noticed the background photo before. Guess I was always distracted by his fiddling with the matchbook.

A good line for Edgar Scoville: "David, we really need to nuke these beings"!
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post #580 of 819
6/26/08 at 9:00am

Re: The Invaders

Quote:
Originally Posted by michael_ks

Odd that I never noticed the background photo before. Guess I was always distracted by his fiddling with the matchbook.

I hadn't noticed it all of those years either, but our "JeffT" is the one who prompted me for the shot. And it is amazing.

Harry
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post #581 of 819
6/26/08 at 9:45am

Re: The Invaders

That it is, Harry. It's being used as my backdrop for my HP at work--thanks!
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post #582 of 819
6/27/08 at 10:34pm

THE INVADERS - THE SECOND SEASON (REGION 4) 7-DISC SET!!!!!

The nightmare continues!

The finalized cover art for the impending THE INVADERS - THE SECOND SEASON (Region 4) 7-disc set has apparently now been finalized and can be seen on the EZYDVD.COM.AU online retail merchandise webpage.

It is a variation on the graphic design for the first season (1967) DVD release with the exception that it has a green hue to it.

We can likely expect something similar for the Region 1 DVD release.

INVADERS SECOND SEASON (REGION 2) DVD SET (Click Here).

On the topic of Kent Smith the gentleman previously made a guest appearance in the first season THE INVADERS episode "Moonshot" (18/04/1967).

Jeff T.
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post #583 of 819
6/28/08 at 4:48am

Re: THE INVADERS - THE SECOND SEASON (REGION 4) 7-DISC SET!!!!!

Quote:
Originally Posted by JeffT.
The nightmare continues!

The finalized cover art for the impending THE INVADERS - THE SECOND SEASON (Region 4) 7-disc set has apparently now been finalized and can be seen on the EZYDVD.COM.AU online retail merchandise webpage.


Yeeesh! What ARE they thinking?

The basic rule of thumb about DVD cover art is to A) make it recognizable to people who will buy it, and B) make it something that "pops" on the store shelf, to stand out among all the other releases.

I can't imagine that these designs for The Invaders fulfill either objective.
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post #584 of 819
6/28/08 at 10:03am

Re: The Invaders

How many months after season 1 was released on Region 4 did it come out on Region 1?
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post #585 of 819
6/28/08 at 11:55am

Re: The Invaders

According to ezdvd.com (Au) The Invaders S1 was released Thursday, 08 November 2007. That would make it about 6 months later in the states. The R2 set was released on Sept 17, 07. The UK set was the one that I came within a microsecond of buying but the subtitle bug stopped me from getting that set. Glad I waited for the R1.

Speaking of the R2 subtitle bugs in that set. has anyone seen any defects with the R1 set? Mine's on the way from the DD sale.
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post #586 of 819
6/28/08 at 1:00pm

Re: The Invaders

I'm about half way through the set and enjoying it quite a bit. Funny, I do remember watching the show on its initial run but can't remember any specific episodes so to some degree it's all new to me.
Watched "The Innocent" with Cohen's commentary though I'm not sure why he picked this specific episode to comment on as he rarely refers to it as it plays out(other than that he really, really likes Michael Rennie!). He might as well have run his commentary over the pilot...still his thoughts on the show(and others he worked on) are fairly interesting.
Thinnes's interview and pre-show introductions are very good and one does wonder why Thinnes never really seemed to achieve the big stardom his looks and talent suggest. Anyway glad he had good memories of it.

Looking forward to season 2, whenever that may come.
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post #587 of 819
6/29/08 at 1:40am

Re: The Invaders

I agree--he could have picked a better episode for commentary.
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post #588 of 819
6/29/08 at 7:55am

LARRY COHEN!!!!!

There is nothing wrong with this superb episode itself but (apparently) Larry Cohen really had no special knowledge of this particular segment. He had nothing to do with writing it so it remains a mystery just why it would be selected for him to participate in.

I believe that Mr. Cohen submitted an early draft for THE INVADERS pilot "Beachhead" (10/01/1967) and this would seem to be a more likely topic of discussion for him.

I haven't heard Mr. Cohen's audio commentary myself as yet (preferring to enjoy the episode itself) but from the sound of things it seems like Larry Cohen seized the opportunity to indulge in some self promotion...which I find amusing!

The success of any of these audio commentaries really depends upon the "interviewer" whose primary responsiblity is to orchestrate the discussion and draw out the vital information from the participant...which in this case obviously wasn't done!

Roy Thinnes would have probably been a much better selection to provide an audio commentary for "The Innocent" (14/03/1967) where Roy could have divulged so much interesting information and background on what it was like to actually work with SF royalty Michael Rennie.

Pertaining to the packaging design for THE INVADERS - THE SECOND SEASON (Region 4) 7-disc (which will likely similarily translate to the Region 2 DVD release) I am neither especially excited or disappointed by it but it will satisfactorily suffice.

At this late stage the prior familiarity with this outstanding tv property and good word-of-month about the first season (1967) DVD set will primarily sell it now!

Jeff T.
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post #589 of 819
6/30/08 at 12:27am

Re: The Invaders

I'm in the U.S. with a region free player and am trying to restrain myself from buying the Aussie set.

Someone talk some sense into me!
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post #590 of 819
6/30/08 at 5:21am

Re: The Invaders

Quote:
Originally Posted by Carabimero
I'm in the U.S. with a region free player and am trying to restrain myself from buying the Aussie set.

Someone talk some sense into me!

Okay... since the R4 set will be PAL format, the sound will play 4% faster than it should, making it slightly higher-pitched than it ought to be.

Oh, and it probably won't have any extras. As we saw with the R1, there's a chance that the US set will have something in the way of extras. Perhaps a Thinnes commentary this time?
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post #591 of 819
6/30/08 at 11:53am

Re: The Invaders

Quote:
Originally Posted by Carabimero
I'm in the U.S. with a region free player and am trying to restrain myself from buying the Aussie set.

Someone talk some sense into me!

If truthiness be told, it would be un-American and dis-patriotic for you to do so. Is I being clear?

-- Your President, George W.

P.S. And who are these 'invaders' you keep talking about? Do I need to get on my hotline to Homeland Security?
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post #592 of 819
6/30/08 at 12:33pm

Re: The Invaders

Ah think you meant "con-American," pilgrim.
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post #593 of 819
6/30/08 at 1:37pm

Re: The Invaders

I'll restrain myself. I wouldn't wanna get smoked outta my hole...etc.
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post #594 of 819
6/30/08 at 2:23pm

Re: The Invaders

I believe Cohen did pick that episode over the pilot to use for the commentary because it was a personal favorite. I strongly doubt that Cohen had any more involvement with the pilot than any other first season episode; my understanding is that he was out even before the pilot was scripted. As to whether the commentary might've benefitted more from a less discursive interview style, well, that's a matter of taste (I haven't even heard it yet myself).

Logically, Alan Armer might have made a better subject for a commentary or two, but he's a very soft-spoken, measured fellow, so his remarks might have been less vivid (if potentially more specific) than Cohen's. It would've been nice to have a commentary from Joseph Sargent, the director of the pilot, on "Beachhead," or from Tony Spinner (the story editor), but apparently there wasn't enough time before the deadline to consider going down that road.

I haven't heard anything about whether CBS is interested in pursuing those kinds of extras for S2, but again, one would hope....
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post #595 of 819
7/6/08 at 7:28pm

Re: The Invaders

I just finished my set and found it to be really well done. My favourite episodes are The Condemned and Wall of Crystal, there wasn't one episode that I didn't like and I can't think of one that I would consider to be my least favourite. I love the stories, the pacing of the episode, they don't drag at all, and the Special Effects. I love the way the Aliens disintegrate, especially when it happens when one or more of the Aliens are in motion. It's been so long since I last watched this series, that I had forgotten just how cool the title sequence is in the opening credits. The music highlights the revealing of the series' title very well.

The best thing about the series is Roy Thinnes' performance. He is just perfect as David Vincent. I also love his interview on disc 5, very interesting and informative, his intros were good too, hope there are more on season 2. The only thing I didn't like about this set is the cover art. Can't wait for season 2.
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post #596 of 819
7/7/08 at 5:45am

Re: The Invaders

I made my own front cover for my DVD set and slipped it in over their "artwork". From the looks of season 2 in Australia we won't like that artwork either. What's so hard about using THE INVADERS logo....readily available online in lots of places?

It's strange that Paramount chose to use the same intro sequence for every episode (same shot of UFO landing with visible blue screen lines....and the same shot of Roy Thinnes) except for BEACH HEAD. If you know the series there were different shots of Roy used in various intros...and sometimes they used alternate saucer shots which were NOT matted in but used more credible model work.
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post #597 of 819
7/7/08 at 6:18am

Re: The Invaders

Quote:
Originally Posted by Charles Thaxton
It's strange that Paramount chose to use the same intro sequence for every episode (same shot of UFO landing with visible blue screen lines....and the same shot of Roy Thinnes) except for BEACH HEAD. If you know the series there were different shots of Roy used in various intros...and sometimes they used alternate saucer shots which were NOT matted in but used more credible model work.

If they did any level of restoration, it's not so strange as it is a matter of cutting costs. Regrettable when, as you say, there are slight differences in various episodes.

I never had a complete run of the episodes, but did they start changing the shots of Thinnes in season one? I definitely remember differing shots of him in season 2 shows, but don't recall it for season one. Also don't recall alternate model shots. For years, I just assumed the title sequence was always the same except the shots of Thinnes and the guest cast.

Using one title sequence for all episodes isn't unusual at all, unfortunately. Universal did this on The Night Stalker which means that the first four (or so) episodes are incorrectly titled as Kolchak: The Night Stalker, whey they should have simply read The Night Stalker (they were correct on the R2 version, I've heard).

Speaking of differences, got a question for you (or anyone else who bought this already): on episode 3, did they use the "normal" theme music on the ending credits, or what I'd call an "overly melodramatic" alternate piece of music? I've seen this episode both ways over the years: with the regular music (in syndication) and with the melodramatic substitution on the Worldvision VHS (which I suspect is probably how it originally aired, given how the episode's storyline ended).
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post #598 of 819
7/7/08 at 6:31am

Re: The Invaders

they use the alternate music on the DVD. Frontiere really liked the theme and wanted to use it as the regular end title but QM vetoed the idea. I like that "Vicki" theme a lot! (That's how it was originally broadcast too) My favorite end title is the first season's which began with the next episode and has the loud ominous brass pitch bends. The second season end theme was too "subdued" IMO.

And don't you think it might've cost them MORE money to go thru every episode and replace the intros up to the "guest star" point and substitute the same shot of Roy, than just do a straight transfer of every intro?
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post #599 of 819
7/7/08 at 10:35am

SOME CHANGES MADE TO THE FIRST SEASON EPISODES!!!!!

I seem to recall that shots of Roy Thinnes were changed in the first season (1967) titles as well which obviously isn't the case in the DVD release of same.

I honestly don't recall the effects shot of the landing UFO being different though and this is exactly as I remember seeing it in the main opening titles when originally broadcast.

I also know that the tympani base drum roll heard in the "In Colour" preteaser bumpers also changed after the first few episodes but Paramount has generically used only an earlier incarnation of it for all 17 first season shows...which is somewhat annoying!

The differing closing title theme heard in THE INVADERS episode "The Mutation" (24/01/1967) at least to me sounds exactly like what was used in the second season (1967-68) closing titles (or very similar to it) and I much prefer the more ominous and grim sounding theme heard in the majority of first season episodes myself.

Well just two more episodes left to go for me to watch!

Jeff T.
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post #600 of 819
7/7/08 at 1:10pm

Re: The Invaders

Quote:
Originally Posted by Charles Thaxton

And don't you think it might've cost them MORE money to go thru every episode and replace the intros up to the "guest star" point and substitute the same shot of Roy, than just do a straight transfer of every intro?

Well, that's what I would've thought, too. Maybe when they were "remastered", (if not now, for syndication a decade earlier) the footage didn't match the rest of the episode and rather than clean up all 17(?) openings, they just did the one for the pilot (and show 2) and then remastered the "guest star" bits to match up (maybe they went back to the original negatives for those? Again, I'm only guessing, and allowing for the fact that any clean-up might've been over a decade ago). This, then, may be already "burnt into" the syndication (digital) tapes and would've taken going back to the 35mm films to fix (and in the process, might've taken more work to get everything to "match up").
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