The Screaming Skull (1958) (Blu-ray) Available for Preorder (1 Viewer)

[Ronald Epstein]

The link below will take you directly to the product on Amazon. If you are using an adblocker you will not see link.

 

[Mark-W]

The Screaming Skull was one of the first featured films I experienced via Mystery Science Theater 3000. It is too bad this title does not have the MST3K version included as an alternate viewing & listening experience. I know I would pick it up in a heartbeat if that was case.

 

[Kyrsten Brad]

The Screaming Skull was one of the first featured films I experienced via Mystery Science Theater 3000. It too bad this title does not have the MST3K version included as an alternate viewing & listening experience. I know I would pick it up in a heartbeat if that was case.

Funny you mention MST3K/Rifftrax. The first and only time I saw this movie (and fell asleep before it ended) was on the Cleveland-area late night show "The Ghoul" (Ron Sweed). His show was kind of a predecessor to MST3K as he would insert some funny comments into the film over the film's original dialog.
And The Ghoul is still around.
Wiki article on The Ghoul



Might have to pick this one up.

 

[Patrick McCart]

Any word on whether Shout! Factory will honor AIP's offer to pay for the casket for any viewers that die of fright?

 

[JeffT.]

This is one of the handful of American-International Pictures 1950s SF-Horror-Fantasy B-film doublebill programmers that has (mercifully) escaped the avarice hands of either the Arkoff Estate or Susan Nicholson-Hofheinz (or whatever a number of varied non-de-plumes that she goes under). With the "other" unscrupulous parties (one of whom now is well known here) jockeying for possession (ie. "My good friend" Ha!).

There is a wise old expression which still resonates and applies here: No honour among thieves. This ilk would readily stab each other in the back to achieve their own ends.

Any competent lawyer should produce (compelling) evidence to back up their brief and I have it:

.

This is precisely why some individuals are against a free press.

THE SCREAMING SKULL (1958) is now under the auspices of MGM and it is being readily made available at a reason sale price and a quality blu-ray video source element release.

Would that the same could be said for IT CONQUERED THE WORLD (1956), I WAS A TEENAGE WEREWOLF (1957), INVASION OF THE SAUCER-MEN (1957), THE AMAZING COLOSSAL MAN (1957) and other elusive (former) late night fright classics.

Jeff T.

 

[Camps]

A DVD of It Conquered the World is scheduled for release from Italy's Golem Video later this month. Hard to say whether it's an "official" release (as we've seen, many catalog titles are issued overseas first if not exclusively), and Golem's quality has run the gamut from what I've heard:

https://www.amazon.it/gp/product/B01MQR8FGK/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A11IL2PNWYJU7H

I've seen folks say the prior Italian DVD (from a different distributor) of Invasion of the Saucer Men is an improvement over the rips of the old VHS release:

https://www.amazon.it/gp/product/B0041KW93Q/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A11IL2PNWYJU7H

 

[John Sparks]

This is one of the handful of American-International Pictures 1950s SF-Horror-Fantasy B-film doublebill programmers that has (mercifully) escaped the avarice hands of either the Arkoff Estate or Susan Nicholson-Hofheinz (or whatever a number of varied non-de-plumes that she goes under). With the "other" unscrupulous parties (one of whom now is well known here) jockeying for possession (ie. "My good friend" Ha!).

There is a wise old expression which still resonates and applies here: No honour among thieves. This ilk would readily stab each other in the back to achieve their own ends.

Any competent lawyer should produce (compelling) evidence to back up their brief and I have it:

.

This is precisely why some individuals are against a free press.

THE SCREAMING SKULL (1958) is now under the auspices of MGM and it is being readily made available at a reason sale price and a quality blu-ray video source element release.

Would that the same could be said for IT CONQUERED THE WORLD (1956), I WAS A TEENAGE WEREWOLF (1957), INVASION OF THE SAUCER-MEN (1957), THE AMAZING COLOSSAL MAN (1957) and other elusive (former) late night fright classics.

Jeff T.

I have all of these on DVD in my collection and they are pretty good prints. Would I like an authorized print, you betcha, will it ever happen in my lifetime...I doubt it!

 

[JeffT.]

Don't give up hope John.

In way we have egg on our faces asking for this stuff in the first place. How do you justify interest in a film with the unlikely title of I WAS A TEENAGE WEREWOLF (1957)? Our taste is seriously suspect.

There has to be some sort of happy medium here.

An individual grants licencing the films (now) in their possession and they rightly receive sort of reasonable renumeration for it. But not exploitively exorbitant!

The individuals who license these things for distribution really does all the work here. Including full restoration. Isn't that in itself a fringe benefit?

There's one specific private sore point 1950s AIP film library that has been notoriously far too ambitious in its unrealistic expectations. This has been substantiated by others personally involved with the negotiations in saying so.

I think it would help matters tremendously if one individual just butt out entirely who really has nothing to do with these 9 AIP films in question. Saying that you're the current film library holder's "friend" doesn't legitimize anything as far as I'm concerned.

In the 21st Century one just can't respect an elder generation that is so blatantly avarice. I have to feel that there is ultimately a special purgatory for these people.

When I hear about this "guy" who's suddenly SO interested in some else's film library there has to be something going on here that isn't right. He certainly didn't waste any time making a direct beeline to his "good friend." Good friend or attractively good film library for the taking? Which is it likely?

The posted article itself pertaining to the intended private screening of INVADERS FROM MARS (1953) that was cancelled clearly illustrates that he is most definitely not an altruistically charitable individual.

So Just what is his real game here? His grand design?

But it gets to the point where one just doesn't want to be involved with these people.

I will never really be able to look at (or enjoy) INVADERS FROM MARS (1953) the same way again because of a certain individual's intensely crassly commercialistic value of it. And there have been other examples of this. Like unlawfully confiscating private collections of IMS (posters, photos) with the threat of legal action.

Jeff T.

 

[Mark Booth]

I have The Screaming Skull on DVD on Drive-In Discs Volume 1 (along with The Giant Leeches). The best thing about the DVD version is the awesome supplemental material, including the "Countdown" and "Let's all go to the Lobby" snack bar trailers!

I would be awesome if we could get cleaner versions of those trailers!

Mark

 

[Patrick McCart]

Invaders from Mars and the 50s AIP films aren't held by the same rights holder, as far as I know.

 

[John Sparks]

Don't give up hope John.

In way we have egg on our faces asking for this stuff in the first place. How do you justify interest in a film with the unlikely title of I WAS A TEENAGE WEREWOLF (1957)? Our taste is seriously suspect.

There has to be some sort of happy medium here.

An individual grants licencing the films (now) in their possession and they rightly receive sort of reasonable renumeration for it. But not exploitively exorbitant!

The individuals who license these things for distribution really does all the work here. Including full restoration. Isn't that in itself a fringe benefit?

There's one specific private sore point 1950s AIP film library that has been notoriously far too ambitious in its unrealistic expectations. This has been substantiated by others personally involved with the negotiations in saying so.

I think it would help matters tremendously if one individual just butt out entirely who really has nothing to do with these 9 AIP films in question. Saying that you're the current film library holder's "friend" doesn't legitimize anything as far as I'm concerned.

In the 21st Century one just can't respect an elder generation that is so blatantly avarice. I have to feel that there is ultimately a special purgatory for these people.

When I hear about this "guy" who's suddenly SO interested in some else's film library there has to be something going on here that isn't right. He certainly didn't waste any time making a direct beeline to his "good friend." Good friend or attractively good film library for the taking? Which is it likely?

The posted article itself pertaining to the intended private screening of INVADERS FROM MARS (1953) that was cancelled clearly illustrates that he is most definitely not an altruistically charitable individual.

So Just what is his real game here? His grand design?

But it gets to the point where one just doesn't want to be involved with these people.

I will never really be able to look at (or enjoy) INVADERS FROM MARS (1953) the same way again because of a certain individual's intensely crassly commercialistic value of it. And there have been other examples of this. Like unlawfully confiscating private collections of IMS (posters, photos) with the threat of legal action.

Jeff T.

Unless both those suckers die (he/she) soon and their children take over their estate...we will not ever see those movies the way they should be shown!

IGM...the best that is out there!!!

 

[Johnny Angell]

This is one of the handful of American-International Pictures 1950s SF-Horror-Fantasy B-film doublebill programmers that has (mercifully) escaped the avarice hands of either the Arkoff Estate or Susan Nicholson-Hofheinz (or whatever a number of varied non-de-plumes that she goes under). With the "other" unscrupulous parties (one of whom now is well known here) jockeying for possession (ie. "My good friend" Ha!).

There is a wise old expression which still resonates and applies here: No honour among thieves. This ilk would readily stab each other in the back to achieve their own ends.

Any competent lawyer should produce (compelling) evidence to back up their brief and I have it:

.

This is precisely why some individuals are against a free press.

THE SCREAMING SKULL (1958) is now under the auspices of MGM and it is being readily made available at a reason sale price and a quality blu-ray video source element release.

Would that the same could be said for IT CONQUERED THE WORLD (1956), I WAS A TEENAGE WEREWOLF (1957), INVASION OF THE SAUCER-MEN (1957), THE AMAZING COLOSSAL MAN (1957) and other elusive (former) late night fright classics.

Jeff T.

Love that poster. A monster and damsel in distress. What more could you ask for. Besides the movie itself, of course.

 

[LouA]

If Bob Furmenek is reading this thread , he has had a lot of experience dealing with Ms. Nicholson , and "Mr. WW". Perhaps he can weigh in and give his opinion. The last time I talked to Bob , he told me that neither party would budge an inch and it didn't look good for future releases of the films they hold the rights to.

 

[Sa5150]

What is a good price for a shout factory bluray ? you can usually get Kino blus for $12 at the lowest with coupon codes etc... T.T and Criterion seem to be the highest and Millcreek the lowest (but there quality is not great either )

 

[Johnny Angell]

If Bob Furmenek is reading this thread , he has had a lot of experience dealing with Ms. Nicholson , and "Mr. WW". Perhaps he can weigh in and give his opinion. The last time I talked to Bob , he told me that neither party would budge an inch and it didn't look good for future releases of the films they hold the rights to.

It has always surprised me that some people would rather receive nothing than compromise. It tells me they take some pleasure out of denial of service.

 

[JeffT.]

I've been far too reactionary on this and it's not a good thing.

And I sincerely apologize to everyone here.

All I've really been addressing are the 9 1950s American-International Pictures films long since out-of-circulation. Nothing else.

My problem is that these specific films are so paltry. So minor. Just what is all the fuss over marketing them?

Someone here once (mistakenly) said that they were "special" titles.

Here they are. You can well judge for yourselves.

01) APACHE WOMAN (1955)
02) THE OKLAHOMA WOMAN (1956)
03) IT CONQUERED THE WORLD (1956)
04) I WAS A TEENAGE WEREWOLF (1957)
05) INVASION OF THE SAUCER-MEN (1957)
06) I WAS A TEENAGE FRANKENSTEIN (1957)
07) THE AMAZING COLOSSAL MAN (1957)
08) NAKED PARADISE (1957) in Colour.
09) TERROR FROM THE YEAR 5000 (1958)

Where are the special titles supposed to be?

When I specifically mentioned IT CONQUERED THE WORLD (1956) I (fully) expected someone to say that they much preferred ZONTAR, THE THING FROM VENUS (1966). It's happened!

When I was a kid I had to convince my (skeptical) parents that I had a right to see these films on tv. And I prevailed on this. Now as an adult I have to justify their release on blu-ray.

I really get tired of all this.

I still feel that reason will (ultimately) prevail and these will be brought out in their own good time.

I've only seen these films on tv and I have (definite) aspirations to actually see them in their original theatrical widescreen formats. It should a revelation!

The (problematic) tendency is to either over-evaluate them or under appreciate them. Neither extreme is really justified on this.

Anyway I much rather discuss THE SCREAMING SKULL (1958) which one astute forum member has noted is selling at a very reasonable price indeed. Would that these other AIP films were similarly packaged and marketed. This is the crux of the argument here!

Jeff T.

 

[Randy Korstick]

What is a good price for a shout factory bluray ? you can usually get Kino blus for $12 at the lowest with coupon codes etc... T.T and Criterion seem to be the highest and Millcreek the lowest (but there quality is not great either )

Unfortunately Shout/Scream factory Blus normally sell on Amazon for $20.-$23.00 and rarely ever drop much below $20.00. As much as I was excited to see Shout releasing these short Black and White Sci classics I was hoping for double features like they have done with their other AIP films. I don't think I can pay $20.00 a film for these too many other films I still need that are available at lower prices. I will probably stick with the DVD's on these.
Its currently selling for $27.99 on Amazon not what I would consider a reasonable price for a short black and White B movie. It will drop to $22-23 by release date but based on all previous Shout/Scream factory releases the best it will sell for is $20.00 with rare 1-2 day sales for $18 or $19. I really wish Kino had gotten these as they are frequently on sale for $15 dollars and occasionally $10-13. $15.00 is my max for this film and based on my huge want list of Scream factory titles based on that price point I don't think it will happen.

 

[Johnny Angell]

I've been far too reactionary on this and it's not a good thing.

And I sincerely apologize to everyone here.

All I've really been addressing are the 9 1950s American-International Pictures films long since out-of-circulation. Nothing else.

My problem is that these specific films are so paltry. So minor. Just what is all the fuss over marketing them?

Someone here once (mistakenly) said that they were "special" titles.

Here they are. You can well judge for yourselves.

01) APACHE WOMAN (1955)
02) THE OKLAHOMA WOMAN (1956)
03) IT CONQUERED THE WORLD (1956)
04) I WAS A TEENAGE WEREWOLF (1957)
05) INVASION OF THE SAUCER-MEN (1957)
06) I WAS A TEENAGE FRANKENSTEIN (1957)
07) THE AMAZING COLOSSAL MAN (1957)
08) NAKED PARADISE (1957) in Colour.
09) TERROR FROM THE YEAR 5000 (1958)

Where are the special titles supposed to be?

When I specifically mentioned IT CONQUERED THE WORLD (1956) I (fully) expected someone to say that they much preferred ZONTAR, THE THING FROM VENUS (1966). It's happened!

When I was a kid I had to convince my (skeptical) parents that I had a right to see these films on tv. And I prevailed on this. Now as an adult I have to justify their release on blu-ray.

I really get tired of all this.

I still feel that reason will (ultimately) prevail and these will be brought out in their own good time.

I've only seen these films on tv and I have (definite) aspirations to actually see them in their original theatrical widescreen formats. It should a revelation!

The (problematic) tendency is to either over-evaluate them or under appreciate them. Neither extreme is really justified on this.

Anyway I much rather discuss THE SCREAMING SKULL (1958) which one astute forum member has noted is selling at a very reasonable price indeed. Would that these other AIP films were similarly packaged and marketed. This is the crux of the argument here!

Jeff T.

Another great poster. I had already obtained this one have completed the pattern. It will be a pumpkin in 2017.

 

[Sa5150]

Barnes and Noble usually have a good pre-sale price and a coupon code added should get this under $20 . There is no link up yet .

 

[Sa5150]

The Vampire Lovers [Blu-ray] has been under $10 since it came out , How come other shout factory releases are selling much higher ?