Universal Vault Series - Amazon.com exclusive DVD-Rs (1 Viewer)

[Jeff Willis]

...seriously, without online forums who would ever have known these were in place? (I trust we'll keep each other informed on new developments.)

That's the truth. I wouldn't have known about this at all without this forum. Plus. I don't know where I could get any reviews about these archive releases without HTF.

 

[Robert Crawford]

Originally Posted by Jeff Willis /forum/thread/296971/universal-vault-series-amazon-com-exclusive-dvd-rs/120#post_3652815
Crawdaddy,
Which titles did you buy? Just curious.

They were Dragnet and The House of the Seven Gables.
Crawdaddy

 

[montag]

Well I just finished eating crow, because I took the dvd-r plunge. I stated I wasn't happy with the way the dvd market was going in my past postings. Well when Death Takes A Holiday was available as only a MOD I had to have it, especially at $18. I also picked up List of Adrian Messenger for the same price. There was also no shipping charge and received said titles in 3 days via regular postal service. The titles are not flawless,for instance Death Takes A Holiday has some minor scratches but not enough to spoil viewing. Having said this, the print is sharp, great black & white picture and the sound is excellent. The List of Adrian Messenger is also very good, although in certain indoor scenes the edge of a curtain or piece of furniture may have sort of a rainbow effect. The sound on this title is also excellent. Although there's no menu you can go from chapter to chapter. I plan on purchasing another title or so, probably Dragnet. The only drawback-won't play on my pc, therefore no screen captures--bummer. Going back to Amazon I noticed some titles are coming down in price. It'd be nice if Warner came down on thir prices and did the same with the shipping charges.

 

[Larry Sutliff]

I'll eventually get around to buying some of these(HOUSE OF SEVEN GABLES, DEATH... and RUGGLES). I'm hoping that Universal makes some more obscure titles available, such as director James Whale's non horror pictures and some of the CRIME CLUB mysteries from the late thirties.

 

[ahollis]

Originally Posted by Larry Sutliff /forum/thread/296971/universal-vault-series-amazon-com-exclusive-dvd-rs/120#post_3653012
I'll eventually get around to buying some of these(HOUSE OF SEVEN GABLES, DEATH... and RUGGLES). I'm hoping that Universal makes some more obscure titles available, such as director James Whale's non horror pictures and some of the CRIME CLUB mysteries from the late thirties.

THE HOUSE OF THE SEVEN GABLES has a good transfer. I think you will enjoy it and it is worth it if you can get it at the $14.99 cost.

 

[Matt Hough]

I ordered three of these DVD-Rs from Amazon yesterday. Today, in my Gold Box at the bottom with selections geared for me, there were about eight more all discounted about fifty cecnts from their Amazon sale prices of $14.99. So, those who have ordered these, don't forget to check the Gold Box to see if you're offered any others with a few more cents saved.

 

[Matt Stieg]

How is that boutique labels like Kino, Criterion, Image, Blue Underground and others can manage to survive but the studios act like no one wants to buy old movies?

 

[ahollis]

Originally Posted by Matt Stieg
How is that boutique labels like Kino, Criterion, Image, Blue Underground and others can manage to survive but the studios act like no one wants to buy old movies?

The studios expectation of higher profit margins is the blame. I really think that Sony may understand that now and that is why they are now my favorite company.

 

[Robert Crawford]

Originally Posted by ahollis /forum/thread/296971/universal-vault-series-amazon-com-exclusive-dvd-rs/120#post_3653090
The studios expectation of higher profit margins is the blame. I really think that Sony may understand that now and that is why they are now my favorite company.

Another point is those companies unlike the major studios don't have to finance filmmaking of current projects which is how these studios are able to afford such cost extensive projects like Avatar because software sales/rentals is a crucial revenue stream for them in financing future film projects. Also, they're much smaller companies with far less overhead beyond new film projects.
Crawdaddy

 

[Simon Howson]

Originally Posted by Robert Crawford /forum/thread/296971/universal-vault-series-amazon-com-exclusive-dvd-rs/120#post_3653099
Another point is those companies unlike the major studios don't have to finance filmmaking of current projects which is how these studios are able to afford such cost extensive projects like Avatar because software sales/rentals is a crucial revenue stream for them in financing future film projects. Also, they're much smaller companies with far less overhead beyond new film projects.
Crawdaddy

When Criterion releases a Fox title like Bigger Than Life on DVD and Blu-ray, it has to pay Fox a substantial licensing fee for the film. If Fox were to release it, as they did in France, they don't have to pay themselves a licensing fee.
It simply doesn't make sense that Criterion, via its Eclipse line, can release pressed DVDs featuring new transfers for US$12 each, yet Warner or Fox couldn't do the same for the same price or even cheaper, considering they don't have to license the film first.
There's only one explanation, the major media conglomerates (they aren't really studios anymore) can make a greater profit margin selling DVD-Rs based on old transfers, than selling new transfers on pressed discs, so that's what they do.

 

[Robert Crawford]

Originally Posted by Simon Howson /forum/thread/296971/universal-vault-series-amazon-com-exclusive-dvd-rs/120#post_3653105
When Criterion releases a Fox title like Bigger Than Life on DVD and Blu-ray, it has to pay Fox a substantial licensing fee for the film. If Fox were to release it, as they did in France, they don't have to pay themselves a licensing fee.
It simply doesn't make sense that Criterion, via its Eclipse line, can release pressed DVDs featuring new transfers for US$12 each, yet Warner or Fox couldn't do the same for the same price or even cheaper, considering they don't have to license the film first.
There's only one explanation, the major media conglomerates (they aren't really studios anymore) can make a greater profit margin selling DVD-Rs based on old transfers, than selling new transfers on pressed discs, so that's what they do.

Dude,
Those licensing feeds are chicken feed compared to financing filmmaking projects.
Furthermore, retailers here in America aren't interested in giving shelf space to lesser known DVD titles. As far as pricing, the market principle of supply and demand will determine the proper pricing of these DVD-R titles.
I agree with the bolded part of your post.

 

[John Morgan]

I ordered and received 3 titles from the Universal DVD-R series through Amazon. Haven't seen any of them from start to finish, but scanning the films, they look and sound wonderful. And they upconvert very nicely.
One things that makes this series exciting for me is the films haven't been played to death on cable. The transfers seem like new ones to me....especially compared to the Warner Archive of similar era vintage films.

SPAWN OF THE NORTH
Looks fine to me and is at least the quality of MURDERS ON THE ZOO. It is a 1938 Paramount film directed by Hathaway and has some marvelous special effects and a fine Dimitri Tiomkin score. Great cast: George Raft, Henry Fonda, John Barrymore, Dorothy Lamour, etc. Last time I saw this was on AMC many years ago.

THE HOUSE OF SEVEN GABLES
Good Universal 1940 film. The transfer looks bettter than the one used for the old VHS release. The sound is full and the picture has great contrast and detail.

THE LIST OF ADRIAN MESSENGER
I had made a DVDr from the old laser, which looked okay. I was worried with early reports that this might not be anamorphic, but it is and fills up the screen beautifully. Very good sound, with Jerry Goldsmith's score outstanding. Despite the makeup/guest star gimmick, the film is a very good mystery, directed by John Huston.

I certainly think this is the way things should be done, if this is the only way to get catalog titles. Amazon seems to have a fair price policy, but there are so many I want, I wish the retail would be closer to $10.00 a title. I am sure these films all will show up on TCM in the future, but glad to have the chance to get them.





My system:
Pioneer Elite BDF-05FD
Denon AVR3808CI
JVC DLA-RSI 1080p Projector
103 inch screen

 

[JoHud]

Yes, I was impressed with the quality of Spawn of the North and The House of Seven Gables. Spawn could have been better, but is nonetheless at least on par with the pressed discs of the 30s and 40s releases of Universal's Paramount library.

Also did anyone notice some lagging when the camera pans in Seven Gables in certain scenes? It seems to only occur then

However, a minor quibble is that these discs have no menu screen to speak of and don't include theatrical trailers.

 

[Bradley-E]

I have Tell Them Willie Boy is Here. The transfer is so-so but is anamorphic...even though the opening credits are not, which I still cannot figure out.

 

[Robert Crawford]

Originally Posted by Bradley-E /forum/thread/296971/universal-vault-series-amazon-com-exclusive-dvd-rs/120#post_3653880
I have Tell Them Willie Boy is Here. The transfer is so-so but is anamorphic...even though the opening credits are not, which I still cannot figure out.

I thought the video was better than so-so, but I agree with you about the opening credits not being anamorphic as strange to say the least.
I also viewed The List of Adrian Messenger and thought that video presentation was very good in it's anamorphic 1.85:1 ratio.
IMO, both titles looked better than any Warner Archive title I've viewed. I'll be watching Dragnet and The House of the Seven Gables sometime this week.
Crawdaddy

 

[ahollis]

Originally Posted by Robert Crawford /img/forum/go_quote.gif
I thought the video was better than so-so, but I agree with you about the opening credits not being anamorphic as strange to say the least.
I also viewed The List of Adrian Messenger and thought that video presentation was very good in it's anamorphic 1.85:1 ratio.
IMO, both titles looked better than any Warner Archive title I've viewed. I'll be watching Dragnet and The House of the Seven Gables sometime this week.
Crawdaddy

The opening titles on TELL THEM WILLIE BOY IS HERE are right up against the side of the frames. I thought the window-boxing effect was to compensate for over-scan. I remember when the film played the theatres that in one theatre the lens was not correct so it cut off the right and left part of the credits depending on which side they appeared. As I remember Robert Blake showed as bert Blake.
It is annoying on the DVD and I thought oh hell another CHALK GARDEN, but it righted itself when the titles ended. I also thought the transfer was better than so-so. I do remember that the colors were not sharp in the theatrical run and this transfer seems to follow that thought. A strange but enjoyable film.

 

[Bradley-E]

Re: Willie Boy

I only watched about the first 10 minutes. Guess I should watch the whole film before making final judgement on it. I was probably still scratching my head about the opening credits.

 

[ahollis]

Originally Posted by Bradley-E /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Re: Willie Boy
I only watched about the first 10 minutes. Guess I should watch the whole film before making final judgement on it. I was probably still scratching my head about the opening credits.

It is all in the eye of the beholder. There is not right or wrong.

 

[Jeff Willis]

Originally Posted by ahollis /img/forum/go_quote.gif
The BRASS BOTTLE is presented in widescreen OAR and is anamorphic. I found the transfer quality to be very good. The color looks good but does not pop out at you and I did not see any dirt or scratches. The mono sound is also in good shape. So far, THE CHALK GARDEN is the only title that is not anamorphic that I have found. To me that is a big disappointment.
I saw THE BRASS BOTTLE at a kiddie matinee many many years ago and have not seen it since until the other night. I had remembered it being very funny and loved Burl Ives in it, but now Mr. Ives role is a little annoying and is not as funny. Strange what our memories will do. I did enjoy the film again, just not as I did in my youth.

Allen,
Thanks for the Brass Bottle info! I missed this post the other day for some reason.
I last saw this one on Encore back around in '99 or so. It's one that held up for me and is one of the few movies I've been waiting for on DVD. Although I'm not a big archive (WB or Uni) archive buyer, I think the archive outlets are great for these titles what won't see a pressed release, imo.

 

[Bradley-E]

Originally Posted by ahollis /img/forum/go_quote.gif
It is all in the eye of the beholder. There is not right or wrong.

Yes. Otherwise I am happy to have the film on DVD at last. It is better than not having it at all.