THE WHISTLER on Columbia Classics (1 Viewer)

Professor Echo · May 7, 2015

Classic Flix is reporting that two entries in the Columbia film series of the 1940's, THE WHISTLER, are headed to DVD. The only date given is when Classic Flix will have them available, May 26.

The films are the first movie in the series, THE WHISTLER (1944) and the third film THE POWER OF THE WHISTLER (1945). Though the films in the series are stand alone stories and do not feature any continuity or recurring characters other than the titular narrator, it's strange that they did not release the first two films in order. This harkens back to other series films Columbia Classics has randomly released with no rhyme or reason such as THE LONE WOLF and JUNGLE JIM.

What's disappointing is that this is one of the finest film series ever done and Columbia could have easily done a nice, complete four disc package with two movies per disc.

http://classicflix.com/COLUMBIA-CLASSICS-The-Whistler-and-Sequel-Debut-on-DVD-an-31225.html

JoHud · May 7, 2015

At this point I'm just glad the line is still breathing. It's really been straggling this year.

But you're right, they haven't been very good with their B-movie series in this regard. They'd much more likely make a better profit if they released full or partial collections of these. Also been an issue with their Boston Blackie films. Because most of the film series they been doing remain incomplete.

Steve...O · May 7, 2015

Thanks for the heads up, Glen. Insane pricing - BD price for a 60 minute movie. I agree that these would have done very well back in the day as a box set. Mike S hit the nail on the head in the other thread when he talked about the woman who destroyed Columbia's classics line because she hated old movies. The Whistler and Crime Doctor were some of the finest series of their era.

Since these are DVD-R I'll stick with my TCM burned discs

ponset · May 8, 2015

Never seen the movies but THE WHISTLER radio series is a favorite of mine to listen to on cool-rainy nights.

TheSteig · May 8, 2015

I ordered mine on Amazon and will be delivered on Monday

Im sure these will look much better than the black market releases. I also agree that as a set it might have been wiser to release them , but it is also possible that Sony simply is testing the waters to see how well these two sell before going forward with more. There are also other factors Im sure such as film elements.. but I think *will these sell?* is front and foremost

ValLewton · May 8, 2015

I ordered both about a month ago from ImportCDs and they have been shipped. I am glad to get these films in any way as an official release-the bootlegs are not good.

JoHud · May 8, 2015

Yes, the best thing about these releases is that the transfers are very high quality, which makes the steep prices easier to deal with.

Professor Echo · May 9, 2015

I have excellent copies from TCM on DVD-R which I made myself so I know the quality is superb. That eases my stress in having to have these at full price now, but at some point I would like to get the official releases since I know Columbia does good transfers. TCM has done a great job of showing quality prints for this series and I believe they have aired all of them a few times, though I might be missing one or two and can't say without checking. Anyway, I'll have to be content with those copies until the price comes down a bit on these releases.

And as Steve O alluded to above, I would love to have the entire LONE WOLF and CRIME DOCTOR series released. I have the whole of the latter from TCM and a fairly good copy from an old VHS of the one title that I think is tied up in litigation and TCM never shows. But the LONE WOLF set I compiled from TCM is missing a few titles.

I'm a big fan of series films, they were the television of their day, and I love that Warners has done such an admirable job of releasing their titles through the Archive. I wish Columbia would follow their lead, but it appears never to be.

Dick · May 11, 2015

Professor Echo said:
I have excellent copies from TCM on DVD-R which I made myself so I know the quality is superb. That eases my stress in having to have these at full price now, but at some point I would like to get the official releases since I know Columbia does good transfers. TCM has done a great job of showing quality prints for this series and I believe they have aired all of them a few times, though I might be missing one or two and can't say without checking. Anyway, I'll have to be content with those copies until the price comes down a bit on these releases.

And as Steve O alluded to above, I would love to have the entire LONE WOLF and CRIME DOCTOR series released. I have the whole of the latter from TCM and a fairly good copy from an old VHS of the one title that I think is tied up in litigation and TCM never shows. But the LONE WOLF set I compiled from TCM is missing a few titles.

I'm a big fan of series films, they were the television of their day, and I love that Warners has done such an admirable job of releasing their titles through the Archive. I wish Columbia would follow their lead, but it appears never to be.

A little more William Castle on DVD and Blu-ray can't hurt.

ValLewton · May 11, 2015

I watched The Whistler this weekend. Buy with confidence-an excellent print and a great transfer.

Professor Echo · May 11, 2015

ValLewton said:
I watched The Whistler this weekend. Buy with confidence-an excellent print and a great transfer.

I know it's a remote chance, but is the trailer included?

ValLewton · May 11, 2015

no trailer

TheSteig · May 12, 2015

I was very pleased with the Whistler.. good stuff from Sony. I wonder if they might do the rest of them at some point

Deleted member 372755 · May 12, 2015

Importcds is showing "Voice of the Whistler" number 4 in the series for release on 6/2/2015

http://www.importcds.com/voice-of-the-whistler/043396463271

JoHud · May 12, 2015

That's good news. Both that they are going to continue with Whistler releases instead of just leaving the consumer hanging, and that the Columbia Classics MOD line is still alive.

Professor Echo · May 12, 2015

Only five more to go. Maybe they'll complete it? I hope so.

DeWilson · May 13, 2015

While I can't recall which ones, TWO of the "Whistler" series films are tied up in some rights issues due to being based on Radio Scripts and have been pulled from the TV package years ago. This is why they never ran on TCM or GetTV.

In fact, they couldn't even show them at a William Castle Retrospective a few years ago.

Oh, they exist and are safe and sound in Culver City. (16mm dupes are running around "collector's circles" )

TheSteig · May 13, 2015

Feliz said:
Importcds is showing "Voice of the Whistler" number 4 in the series for release on 6/2/2015

http://www.importcds.com/voice-of-the-whistler/043396463271

Ill get this one too when Amazon lists it.. one by one theyre coming. I should probably watch the ones I havent seen to make sure I want the entire collection although it sounds like two of them might be difficult to license

ahollis · May 13, 2015

Guess I will have to put then all in a set and do a custom cover.

GregoryMesh · May 13, 2015

Mysterious Intruder is also being released in June, per listing at importcds

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