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Universal Cult Horrors Collection 10/15/2009

post #1 of 85
9/25/09 at 8:53am
Thread Starter 
From the TCM site:

turnerclassic.moviesunlimited.com/product.asp


 

Universal Cult Horrors Collection

Now Accepting Advance Orders!
Five-disc set includes "Murders in the Zoo," "The Mad Doctor of Market Street," "The Strange Case of Doctor Rx," "The Mad Ghoul," and "House of Horrors."
Available: 10/15/2009
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post #2 of 85
9/25/09 at 9:45am
This doesn't ring true.

First of all, it sounds too good to be true (it's something I predicted, or hoped, they'd release, and I seldom get what I want.)

Second, isn't it very close to the release date to just first be announcing this?

Third, why would it be 5 discs at a $59.99 SRP?  None of the previous sets were anywhere near that expensive.

Fourth, and most ominously, when you click on the title on the Turner site, you get a page that says:  Sorry, this item is either discontinued or does not exist.
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post #3 of 85
9/25/09 at 9:49am
And you can't order it anyway....

I have grave doubts that Universal would choose Movies Unlimited to be their exclusive store (apparently, this is going to be yet another one of those crap "exclusive" deals); it sound smore like they are going to get hold of copes - just as they somehow manage to sell the Warner Archive range.
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post #4 of 85
9/25/09 at 9:51am
Oh, forgot to add: the release date, I could beleive. Universal did this with their first Cult-Sci-Fi set - exclusive to Best Buy - the news of that broke mere weeks before the release day.
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post #5 of 85
9/25/09 at 10:00am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nebiroth View Post

Oh, forgot to add: the release date, I could beleive. Universal did this with their first Cult-Sci-Fi set - exclusive to Best Buy - the news of that broke mere weeks before the release day.
 

Oh, yes, that's right, now that you mention it.

Now, Oct. 15 is a Thursday ... I usually expect release dates to be Tuesdays.

I'm holding on to a shred of hope, but not much.
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post #6 of 85
9/25/09 at 10:15am
Thread Starter 
FWIW, there's no skepticism about the reality of this release over on the Classic Horror Film Board, where the first hint of it was leaked by someone in the know back in August. New thread here: monsterkidclassichorrorforum.yuku.com/topic/26291
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post #7 of 85
9/25/09 at 11:59am
If it's for real, we'll probably know in the next week or so.  Not the first time that the early word on a release was chock full of errors.
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post #8 of 85
9/25/09 at 4:52pm
I'm rather upset that a lot of fans over at the Classic Horror Film Board are now complaining about the titles included in this new set, as well as the price for all 5 films. I'm coming to believe more than ever that it's true what some of you say: "People will always compain when it comes to DVD and are never satisfied".

The titles in this set are said to be:

MURDERS IN THE ZOO
THE MAD GHOUL
HOUSE OF HORRORS
MAD DOCTOR OF MARKET STREET (Never before on home video)
THE STRANGE CASE OF DR. Rx (Never before on home video)

Price is said to be $49.99 (down from $59.99?).

Other than the highly-wanted classic ISLAND OF LOST SOULS, I can't imagine what caliber of 30s and 40s Universal Horror Films the fans thought were left? What else did they want?

I know I'm reacting to the other forum's response at the moment (this one's hasn't kicked in yet) but I think it's very unfortunate if fans don't try to find the positive in this release. At least Universal is still opening their vaults at a time where old movies on DVD are very "iffy". 
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post #9 of 85
9/25/09 at 5:26pm
I think there were two kickers:

1. No Island of Lost Souls AGAIN, instead 2 or 3 fairly second string titles plus 1 year goodie.

2. The price is a lot to pay for a bare bones set in a time when people have less money for pleasures. Its also ludicrously overpriced compared to Universal's previous sets. More then 100% more!

Its unfair to expect everyone to suddenly magic up $50 for one particular set, and people who see this as an overpriced piss take or something that is outside their DVD allowance should not be looked down upon for chosing to spend their money elsewhere by certain egotistical commentators

I do want the set, I really do. Its just lost total priority because its far too expensive for me at the moment.
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post #10 of 85
9/25/09 at 5:38pm
MURDERS IN THE ZOO is a lot better than ISLAND in my opinion.  MAD DOCTOR and STRANGE CASE are decent at best.  I'm not sure if I've seen the other two but $50 is too much for me as well.  However, this is the price you pay for releasing unknown movies that only die-hards want and not having someone like Best Buy backing you up. 
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post #11 of 85
9/25/09 at 5:45pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael Elliott View Post

MURDERS IN THE ZOO is a lot better than ISLAND in my opinion.  MAD DOCTOR and STRANGE CASE are decent at best.  I'm not sure if I've seen the other two but $50 is too much for me as well.  However, this is the price you pay for releasing unknown movies that only die-hards want and not having someone like Best Buy backing you up. 

Yeah, I think its just a bad deal after the fair prices of Universal's other releases. If Universal always charged this much, I doubt you'd see the complaints. I know some people like to call that "spoiled" in order to shame those with an opposing view but I just don't think its good salesmanship. And since Universal is responsible for the shoddy DVD-18 sets, and two sets that could only be obtained from a very restrictive dealer; is it any wonder people chose to spend their money elsewhere?
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post #12 of 85
9/25/09 at 5:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by James 'Tiger' Lee View Post

I know some people like to call that "spoiled" in order to shame those with an opposing view but I just don't think its good salesmanship.

 

As you know, I'm one of those who feels it's because WE (which inlcudes ME) have been spoiled. And it's got nothing to do with trying to "shame" anyone, but rather an honest feeling about the situation. I include myself in there - we got DVDs too cheap for too long, so we feel hesitant to pay "a lot more".

Those of us who can remember back a long way can compare prices. Back in 1989 I'll never forget the day when I saw SON OF DRACULA and SON OF FRANKENSTEIN  first released on lousy VHS tapes for $29.99 each!  I bought both of them, and didn't blink an eye - and that was in 1989 dollars. I guess it was because I hadn't been spoiled at that point.

 
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post #13 of 85
9/25/09 at 5:59pm
I agree with you Jamie.  As much as I love MURDERS, there are dozens more would who buy ISLAND is a heartbeat.  I think they're really screwing themselves going this way but the fans cried about Best Buy so we're stuck with this.  It is strange that ISLAND and THE UNINVITED are two titles that could sell on their own yet they're still in the vault. 

If the set isn't available at Netflix then I'll just get HOUSE and and GHOUL on VHS somewhere cheap. 
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post #14 of 85
9/25/09 at 6:00pm
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post #15 of 85
9/25/09 at 6:04pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael Elliott View Post

I agree with you Jamie.  As much as I love MURDERS, there are dozens more would who buy ISLAND is a heartbeat.  I think they're really screwing themselves going this way but the fans cried about Best Buy so we're stuck with this.  It is strange that ISLAND and THE UNINVITED are two titles that could sell on their own yet they're still in the vault. 

If the set isn't available at Netflix then I'll just get HOUSE and and GHOUL on VHS somewhere cheap. 

Well the Best Buy deal was just totally ludicrous. You could not get the sets if you lived outside of the US, and even in the US it was fairly tricky. Had it been an Amazon exclusive, there would have been no problem. When you prevent people from buying your products, what can you expect? I only got the Best Buy set thanks to a kind member on CHFB. There was no other way of getting it without paying scalper prices.
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post #16 of 85
9/25/09 at 6:16pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael Elliott View Post


If the set isn't available at Netflix then I'll just get HOUSE and and GHOUL on VHS somewhere cheap. 

If I get this DVD set, I'll be wanting to unload the VHS tapes... they're in mint condition.
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post #17 of 85
9/25/09 at 7:27pm
Have Mad Ghoul ,House of Horrors and Murders in the Zoo on VHS. Like all 3. Ghoul and Murders more. have wanted to see Mad Doctor of Market Street and Strange case of Dr RX.Even if they are considered lesser films i still want them.I will shop around for the best price. I'm just thrilled they are coming out.
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post #18 of 85
9/26/09 at 5:26am
It's funny that there hasn't been as much of an uproar about Sony's new releases.  In the Warner Archive thread, everyone is using them as an example of what the other studios should be doing.

Columbia Film Noir:  5 movies, $59.95
Sam Fuller Collection:  7 movies, $79.95
William Castle Collection: 8 movies, $80.95

Like it or not, this looks to be the new model (for the time being, at least) for classic film releases.  They know they're not going to sell very many, so they raise the list price.  It's probably the only way for these older films to be profitable.  It's almost like people forget the studios release DVDs in order to make money.  Let's be honest -- these are obscure films with very limited appeal.  One inevitably pays a premium for something that lacks wide appeal, just like one would for a small print run of a rare book. 

Everyone seems to want the studios to empty their vaults, carefully restore all of their most obscure films, and release them immediately on DVD for less than $5 a disc.  But that's a fantasy.  If the current price is too expensive, just wait a couple of months for the Deep Discount sale and pick it up for $35 or so.  And if $7/film is too much for you, then you probably don't want this set in the first place.
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post #19 of 85
9/26/09 at 6:46am
You're assuming a general release. Apparently this one will follow the pattern of the last three "cult" ones from Universal and be exclusive; this time from TCM, rather than Best Buy. The Horror Archive set has taken two years to hit general release, and there's always the risk that if it;s a particularly bad seller, it won;t go on general release at all. And of course, no price competition means, the price stays high.
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post #20 of 85
9/26/09 at 7:07am
If these are real DVDs and no DVD-Rs, I'll probably buy it.
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post #21 of 85
9/26/09 at 7:23am
AARRRRRRRRRRRRRHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

WTF is up with this studio and it's inability and or reluctance to release Island of Lost Souls on disc?!

Murders in the Zoo is a fine Pre-Code Horror film from the Golden Age but it just ain't in the same league as IOLS.

I'll buy this but given the rareness of catalog title releases these days, this is a huge missed opportunity and big disappointment.
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post #22 of 85
9/26/09 at 7:32am
They're saving Island of Lost Souls for their next Pre-Code set. *scnr*
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post #23 of 85
9/26/09 at 7:39am
The previous ld and vhs incarnations of ISLAND OF LOST SOULS were in notoriously bad condition.
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post #24 of 85
9/26/09 at 7:57am
I still have the Island of Lost Souls LD and it was and is still one bad transfer.  I would guess that a lot of work is needed on the print.  I also would surmise that the original negative does not exist.

However my LD copy of The Uninvited is good pretty good.
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post #25 of 85
9/26/09 at 8:47am
[quote]WTF is up with this studio and it's inability and or reluctance to release Island of Lost Souls on disc?![/quote]

From what I've read, the film elements are in really sad shape.

I have no problem with the titles in this set(though I would have preferred MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD or SECRET OF THE BLUE ROOM over MAD DOCTOR). All are fun "B" movies, and MURDERS IN THE ZOO is a cut above the rest(it's on par with LOST SOULS and other thirties classics IMHO). It's just, as Joe said, we've been spoiled with low prices. That, plus the fact that money is tight these days, makes it tough to pony up fifty bucks for this set. But I'll probably do so, as I love Universal Horror flicks more than almost any other genre of film. They're my only weakness! ;)
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post #26 of 85
9/26/09 at 9:59am
Speculation at the CHFB that these may be DVD-Rs (they've shown up at TCM with individual 'TCM' cover art at $19.99 each); we'll know soon enough I guess.
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post #27 of 85
9/26/09 at 11:01am
Quote:
Originally Posted by John Hodson View Post

Speculation at the CHFB that these may be DVD-Rs (they've shown up at TCM with individual 'TCM' cover art at $19.99 each); we'll know soon enough I guess.

That would explain the high price point.  I recall the "Lost RKO" films from TCM were DVD-Rs and the price point was high (and I did not get them).  They were also TCM exclusives.  I would like for them to be pressed DVDs just because.
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post #28 of 85
9/26/09 at 11:46am
I have the Island LD ported on DVDR and yeah it's barely watchable.  Still can't help being disappointed that it wasn't included here.

I am looking forward to this set however if this does turn out to be DVDR's ala Warner Archives I'm probably going to pass unless I can get these much cheaper than $50 bucks.
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post #29 of 85
9/26/09 at 12:15pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Larry Sutliff View Post

[quote]WTF is up with this studio and it's inability and or reluctance to release Island of Lost Souls on disc?![/quote]

From what I've read, the film elements are in really sad shape.

I have no problem with the titles in this set(though I would have preferred MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD or SECRET OF THE BLUE ROOM over MAD DOCTOR). All are fun "B" movies, and MURDERS IN THE ZOO is a cut above the rest(it's on par with LOST SOULS and other thirties classics IMHO). It's just, as Joe said, we've been spoiled with low prices. That, plus the fact that money is tight these days, makes it tough to pony up fifty bucks for this set. But I'll probably do so, as I love Universal Horror flicks more than almost any other genre of film. They're my only weakness! ;)
 


I, too, would liked to have seen more picks from the early 30s. Bring on BLUE ROOM, MURDER ABOARD, MURDER BY THE CLOCK, and SUPERNATURAL!
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post #30 of 85
9/26/09 at 12:42pm
From a CHB member:

Quote:
I see the news has broke! The set is a TCM exclusive, but all DVDs sold on the TCM Web site are fulfilled through Movies Unlimited. I know they got a ton of stills from various sources so there may be some extras such as a still gallery. These are suppose to be pressed DVDs, not DVD-Rs. I currently on a cruise to Canada so I got the okay to break the news after the title appeared on TCM's Web site.
 
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