A few lines about ZULU (apologies to Mr Harris!) (1 Viewer)

[DP 70]

Thanks Nick for the info on Khartoum, looking forward to this and Zulu.

Like Oliver I have seen the 70mm Ultra Panavision DTS print and was very impressed.

Derek.

 

[JoeDoakes]

As a matter of curiosity, why did you start the 3-D line with Man In the Dark? It is the least well-known of Sony / Columbia's classic stereoscopic films. If sales of your first 3-D release are the determining factor to continue the line, I would have thought you'd have started with one of their most popular titles -- the Randolph Scott westerns, The Mad Magician with Vincent Price, William Castle's crowd-pleasers, the much-admired Miss Sadie Thompson, or Raoul Walsh's brilliant Gun Fury. No risk in releasing those. Not that I'm complaining. I'm confident Man In the Dark will sell okay. But I know the aforementioned titles will sell better.

I wanted to second that. I would not judge the popularity of 3-D films by Man in the Dark. I just bought Drums Along the Mohawk, and there are several of your upcoming releases that I will also want, but Man in the Dark probably won't make it for me. On the other hand, The Mad Magician would be a must buy.

 

[Richard--W]

But MAN IN THE DARK really comes alive in 3-D, Joe. Not only does the film boast atmospheric nighttime photography by the great Floyd Crosby, but spectacular Los Angeles locations including the Pacific Ocean Amusement Park with its gigantic ferris wheel and state-of-the-art stereoscopic lensing that easily surpasses most 3-D films today. This is deep depth applied as a story-telling tool in its staging and action. The filmmakers knew when to pull you in or push the action into the audience space. I've seen MAN IN THE DARK projected twice at the World 3-D Film Expos and I can testify that the film is a lot more fun and a story better told in 3-D. It's easy on the eyes, too.

If you've only seen it flat, you haven't seen it.

 

[Jeffrey Nelson]

But MAN IN THE DARK really comes alive in 3-D, Joe. Not only does the film boast atmospheric nighttime photography by the great Floyd Crosby, but spectacular Los Angeles locations including the Pacific Ocean Amusement Park with its gigantic ferris wheel and state-of-the-art stereoscopic lensing that easily surpasses most 3-D films today. This is deep depth applied as a story-telling tool in its staging and action. The filmmakers knew when to pull you in or push the action into the audience space. I've seen MAN IN THE DARK projected twice at the World 3-D Film Expos and I can testify that the film is a lot more fun and a story better told in 3-D. It's easy on the eyes, too.

If you've only seen it flat, you haven't seen it.

Agreed 100%. This film is fantastic; I saw it restored in 3-D at a screening in Seattle earlier this year. It may not be DOUBLE INDEMNITY, but who cares? It's never less than constantly compelling and incredibly entertaining, if a trifle hokey. And the 3-D is absolutely PHENOMENAL, some of the best I've ever seen, with incredible depth and a wealth of in-your-face stuff, which I always love to see.

 

[FoxyMulder]

the new transfer of TT may shed new light on some of the claims made including that regarding "pancake" makeup that I don't agree with at all.

I am looking forward to this new release too.

Is the 2 channel mix based on the 35mm magnetic 4 track stereo mix which is probably lost now, as is the 70mm 6 track mix.

 

[Todd J Moore]

To Todd -- yes, we do plan on doing a few more 50s 3D films especially if response to MAN IN THE DARK is positive. 1950s films in general we have discovered make for tough sledding sales-wise, but hopefully the novelty aspect of 3D will make a little bit of a difference!

N.

Thank you for the timely response. I can guarantee that any pre-2000 non-pornographic 3D Blu Ray you may release will get a sale from me personally and I suspect quite a number of people here. I, like Richard, am a little surprised you're leading off with this and not the guaranteed 3,000 sales of The Mad Magician, but I'm not going to complain. I personally kinda like this movie. As others have said, it has good depth and plenty of in your face effects. That may be why you chose it. Fort Ti would have done the same trick, though I understand there is not a DCP of Fort Ti yet and there is of this one. Still, I hope you sell out instantly (well, not before I order my copy) on this title and have another one down the line next year.

Incidentally, you may even want to toss a look at a couple of the 80s titles. They're all pretty much rotten movies, but fun in 3D. Spacehunter is one of the better ones and a Sony release. Just saying.

 

[Todd J Moore]

I wanted to second that. I would not judge the popularity of 3-D films by Man in the Dark. I just bought Drums Along the Mohawk, and there are several of your upcoming releases that I will also want, but Man in the Dark probably won't make it for me. On the other hand, The Mad Magician would be a must buy.

Joe, allow me to be the third person to recommend you change your mind regarding Man In The Dark. Obscurity is not an indication of quality. For example, one of the very best 3D films of the 50s, indeed of any decade, is not nearly as famous as it deserves to be: Second Chance with Robert Mitchum, Linda Darnell, and Jack Palance. It's an amazing movie directed by Rudolph Mate, with excellent depth, perfect performances, and a genuinely suspenseful storyline. In fact, I like it better than Mate's much better known D.O.A., that's how good it is.

Man in the Dark isn't quite on Second Chance's level of awesome, but for a film shot in one day less than Robot Monster, it's a damn fine film. The dialogue has some snap to it, the depth and gimmick shots are great, and O'Brien and Totter do a great job as the leads. If you're any sort of film noir fan you owe it to yourself to get this blu ray.

At any rate, I find it's a good idea to support these niche releases in the hope that others like them follow. But that's just me.

 

[Robert Harris]

Zulu was shot large format, Technirama. Original audio was stereo, both 4 and 6 track. Horizontal instability mentioned was probably a camera problem.

Presume all recent transfers are harvested from a 35 anamorphic dupe.

Are you quite certain that the original stereo mix no longer survives? Pity the owners don't seem to be giving the film the respect it deserves, as a new 8 perf image harvest from the OCN would be an easy task.

RAH

 

[Twilight Time]

Hi Robert--thanks for chiming in....we are not certain that the original stereo mix no longer survives, only that it is not in the possession of MGM/UA / Studio Canal...with regard to the owners of the movie, Paramount, there have been rumblings on the grapevine that something new was being planned, but obviously if there is, it won't be ready for the key January anniversaries.

All best,

Nick.

 

[haineshisway]

Zulu was shot large format, Technirama. Original audio was stereo, both 4 and 6 track. Horizontal instability mentioned was probably a camera problem.

Presume all recent transfers are harvested from a 35 anamorphic dupe.

Are you quite certain that the original stereo mix no longer survives? Pity the owners don't seem to be giving the film the respect it deserves, as a new 8 perf image harvest from the OCN would be an easy task.

RAH

Have you seen the UK Blu? It really seems like it was taken from the Technirama 8-perf, but you'd know better than I. And yes, Lem Dobbs is reason enough to get this new version!

 

[Wade Sowers]

But MAN IN THE DARK really comes alive in 3-D, Joe. Not only does the film boast atmospheric nighttime photography by the great Floyd Crosby, but spectacular Los Angeles locations including the Pacific Ocean Amusement Park with its gigantic ferris wheel and state-of-the-art stereoscopic lensing that easily surpasses most 3-D films today. This is deep depth applied as a story-telling tool in its staging and action. The filmmakers knew when to pull you in or push the action into the audience space. I've seen MAN IN THE DARK projected twice at the World 3-D Film Expos and I can testify that the film is a lot more fun and a story better told in 3-D. It's easy on the eyes, too.

If you've only seen it flat, you haven't seen it.

One of the reasons I am looking forward to seeing MAN IN THE DARK (besides 50s 3D) is the fact it was shot by Floyd Crosby - I have always thought he did a great job giving depth to rooms and other spaces in the Poe films he shot for Corman.

 

[bujaki]

Sidebar: Crosby won an Oscar for Murnau's Tabu in 1931. No slouch here.

 

[haineshisway]

And he shot High Noon.

 

[OliverK]

Have you seen the UK Blu? It really seems like it was taken from the Technirama 8-perf, but you'd know better than I. And yes, Lem Dobbs is reason enough to get this new version!

Back then it was said to have been prepared from reduction elements in a collaborative effort by Sky and Paramount.

 

[JoeDoakes]

Ok. I'm sold on Man in the Dark. Thanks for the input. I will say that this is one case where Twilight Time would be really benefited by a press release that explained why the film was special. I really would have like to see that 3-D expo.

 

[JoeDoakes]

Given how highly some of the posters here think of Man in the Dark, I'd really like to see Bob Furmanek's take on it. I found the stuff he and his website put together about House of Wax really fascinating, and I would love to see something similar on this title.

 

[BPullen]

Will the price point for Man in the Dark 3D (1953) be on par with Major Dundee (1965)? $34.95?

 

[Bob Furmanek]

Given how highly some of the posters here think of Man in the Dark, I'd really like to see Bob Furmanek's take on it. I found the stuff he and his website put together about House of Wax really fascinating, and I would love to see something similar on this title.

Ray, it has "quickie" written all over it but it's a VERY entertaining entry in the 1950's 3-D cannon.

Some people complain about the rear-screen roller coaster ride and a few other process shots, but the amazing black and white stereoscopic footage of Ocean Park in Santa Monica - and LAFFING SAL - more than makes up for it.

Like some other Columbia titles, it's pretty heavy on the gimmicks with the cigar "dotting the eye" being a real favorite. It's got a terrific cast and an interesting script plus the photography/lighting is quite good for such a fast shoot.

With that said, it was a new, un-tested camera rig and the film has a higher than average amount of baked-in vertical misalignment. I once had original 35mm left/right prints and it's been that way since day one. Hopefully, those errors have now been corrected.

We have lots of material on this film and hope to be talking with Mr. Redman very soon!

 

[Lromero1396]

That would be great. For me January 2014 is the most anticipated month so far for TT releases.

Mine as well. February is my second most anticipated somewhat because of The Eddy Duchin Story, but mostly because of The Blue Max. That Goldsmith score.....

 

[John Hermes]

Mine as well. February is my second most anticipated somewhat because of The Eddy Duchin Story, but mostly because of The Blue Max. That Goldsmith score.....

Hopefully, The Blue Max is a big upgrade from the German BD , which is underwhelming.