Damn Fool Idealistic Crusader
Batman: Mask of the Phantasm Audio Commentary
updated
I read and review the immortal debut of the most legendary of all superheroes: The Shadow. 1931’s The Living Shadow was the first of the 325 novels that crystallized everything people think of in regards of hero and vigilante fiction.
With this one novel Street and Smith took a character who was merely the host of a radio anthology series and using the brilliance of writer Walter Gibson, created an entire industry in the world of pulp magazines. These were quickly mined by the emerging comic book industry at the end of the decade, and there is virtually not one aspect of comic book heroes that does not draw or borrow something from The Knight of Darkness. Batman fans who have never read a Shadow novel owe it to themselves to do so as the core DNA of Batman is The Shadow. Batman began life as a Shadow clone in an unauthorized adaptation of one of the novels.
Gibson himself was not just a brilliant writer, but someone who had the ability to write intricately crafted stories under unbelievable constraints and still kept up an astounding work effort. The Shadow novels are entirely different to the iconic radio series. The novels are truly literature and deserved to be studied as such.
I also review the beautiful reprint found in Volume 47 of the Sanctum book series. In addition to the wonderful scholarly and historical articles, beautiful reprinting and original artwork reconstruction – the sanctum volume reprints the entire text of the novel which is otherwise only found in the original 1931 issue of The Shadow Magazine. 
Try to find a copy of Volume 47 if you can here and on ebay: abebooks.com/9781608770489/Shadow-Double-Novel-Pulp-Reprints-%2347-1608770486/plp
00:00 Introduction to the pulp character and series
07:47 The never ending influence of The Shadow-the character who birthed
the hero pulp and comic books
14:09 The Living Shadow novel discussion
25:26 Sanctum Book reprint Volume 47 with full novel text
32:29 Final Summary
I review the pulp story often said to be the inspiration for the legendary Shadow. The story, The Shadow of Wall Street, was written by George Jenks for a 1929 issue of Fame and Fortune Magazine. This was a Street and Smith publication released two years before the first issue of The Shadow Magazine.
In spite of the name and having a vigilante type the story really doesn’t have anything to do with the Knight of Darkness. However, it is still fascinating to read and has been a VERY rare pulp issue to get hold of. This lovely reprint from Sanctum books was done as part of one of their limited Shadow multipacks and is a real collectors item for diehard fans to analyze. 
I review the ESSENTIAL tome by John Olsen which includes a detailed review of all 325 Shadow pulp novels. In addition this massive book includes detailed indexes, multiple appendices and reviews of other Shadow media.
It is THE book on the pulp Shadow done entirely is a labor of love. It is available on Lulu for such an absurdly cheap price that it belongs on the bookshelf of every pulp fiction reader. Every Shadow fan needs a copy of this to be able to reference whenever reading the novels. It is absolutely indispensable!
Order directly from Lulu here: lulu.com/shop/john-olsen/the-shadow-in-review/paperback/product-12jqkqww.html?q=&page=1&pageSize=4
This is my fourth haul of physical media with the pile of trade credit I received from McKays bookstore for their 50th anniversary.
The classics section had been restocked so I went nuts on Warner Archive titles mostly.
The best part: it was all free!
I review the stunning Del Rey volume collecting every Solomon Kane tale. This volume is part of the publisher’s essential Robert E. Howard series which gives readers gorgeously illustrated authoritative complete texts for an incredibly low price. Solomon Kane is a completely unique Howard creation who deserves much greater acclaim. Kane is an endlessly fascinating character blending the Puritan sense with that of a seemingly immortal knight battling the forces of evil on a never ending crusade.
I review the three incredible Del Rey volumes of every Conan tale restored to the orignal text and beautifully illustrated. Howard wrote like no one else and Conan is a completely original character. With these stories Howard practically invented the sword and sorcery genre. These Del Rey volumes correct decades of edited and altered collections and remain some of the greatest values in all of modern book publishing. These three volumes belong on any bookshelf!
I review and compare the two texts of book 18 in the classic Hardy Boys Canon: THE TWISTED CLAW. This is the second book in the John Button era of the original texts, which is often regarded as the weakest of the original series. This is due to not only a difference in writing style, but also the lesser quality of the outlines from the Stratemeyer syndicate. However, of this era of the books, The Twisted Claw is probably the strongest of them. The wild over the top elements of this era of the books goes well with the more pulpy two fisted flavor that sees the Hardy Boys battle against a ruthless gang of pirates.
The revised text keeps this basic plot idea, but dials down the intensity dramatically as it has an entirely new subplot. It is of course more action oriented and far more consistent AND better written. But it does miss that wild spark of what is I think easily the best of the John Button authored books.
00:00 Book and texts discussion
29:43 Cover artworks
37:52 Editions in my collection
42:36 Final Summary
For this year's re-read I analyze Ian Fleming's third James Bond novel, MOONRAKER (1955). This fan favorite novel is a departure form the previous two books and again shows Fleming's mastery of genre fiction and ability to grow as a writer. I also detail various adaptations in addition to book editions and cover artworks.
00:00 Introduction and Book discussion
06:14 Plot discussion and analysis
18:17 Book analysis
22:42 Ending Discussion-SPOILERS
25:25 Non-spoiler book analysis resumes
30:16 Summary of thoughts on the novel
33:45 The lost 1956 South African Radio Drama
35:37 Daily Express newspaper strip comic adaptation
39:44 The 1979 EON film
44:04 Christopher Wood's 1979 "novelization" Fleming pastiche
47:49 Moonraker novel elements used in Octopussy the film
49:29 Die Another Day becomes a Moonraker adaptation in the second act
53:22 Some influence on continuation novels
54:11 BBC Radio drama adaptation
01:00:51 Book editions and selected cover artwork
01:00:57 UK 1st Edition Johnathan Cape
01:01:32 US Macmillan 1st edition
01:02:50 UK Pan 1956 first cover
01:03:10 1958 Perma Books Americanized "Too Hot To Handle"
01:03:56 UK Pan 1960 second cover
01:02:24 US 1960 Signet Cover
01:04:55 UK Pan 1961 third cover
01:05:12 1965 UK Pan paperback
01:05:36 1965 US Signet paperback
01:06:51 1973 Bantam paperback
01:08:05 1985 Berkeley US paperback
01:08:42 1987 Jove paperback
01:09:11 2002 Penguin paperback
01:10:22 2002 generic UK Penguin paperback cover
01:11:11 2004 Penguin UK Modern Classics blurred car shot cover horrible
01:11:47 2009 Penguin nude ladies cover
01:12:22 2012 Vintage Classic Penguin paperback
01:13:04 Vintage 007 UK paperback
01:13:23 Thomas and Mercer paperback
01:13:53 Ian Fleming Publications UK Paperback censored text
01:15:54 US Harper Collins censored text generic cover with stock images-the worst James Bond cover of all time!
01:18:05 Folio Society Edition
01:18:39 Final Summary
I review the must purchase upgrade by Arrow video of the two Conan films: CONAN THE BARBARIAN and CONAN THE DESTROYER. Both films have been restored in 4K by Arrow with Dolby Vision HDR, new mono mix transfers and hours of new and legacy supplements. This is the kind of release fans had given up hope for after years of the terrible Universal Blu-rays. Sadly the mono tracks a re a tad processed and the is one very fleeting color error in Barbarian that holds this otherwise superb set back from absolute perfetion.
Still it remains an incredibly handsome effort topped off by stupendous Fidelity in Motion disc encoding. By Crom, it is a must!
00:00 Intro goof
00:01:04 Intro and discussion
03:16 Conan the Barbarian (1982) film discussion and analysis
20:25 Video history before Arrow and explaining the three cuts
22:25 Restoration and Picture Quality
26:07 The fleeting lone color error
28:05 Picture summary
29:16 Audio Quality
36:00 Packaging, Artwork and Lobby Card reproductions
37:28 Supplemental Features
47:42 Foldout double sided Poster
48:25 Conan The Destroyer film discussion and analysis
01:04:30 Picture Quality
01:08:05 Disc encoding sorcery by FiM
01:09:07 Audio Quality
01:15:00 Packaging Artwork and Lobby Cards
01:16:50 Supplemental Features
01:26:55 Foldout double sided Poster
01:27:19 Limited Edition Chronicles Boxset Artwork and Packaging and Reversible Case Art
01:29:28 LE Boxset Book
01:33:05 Final Summary BY CROM! A nearly perfect must purchase!
01:39:51 Outro goof
I review this expanded dream release of John Barry’s Octopussy score from La La Land Records. This set is an entirely new hires transfer of the best surviving master elements resulting in never before heard sound quality. It is amazing to finally hear the score outside of the original 1983 LP program and this set includes unused material that will make all Bond fans ecstatic. This will make anyone hear the score with completely fresh ears while gaining a newfound appreciation for Barry’s score.
I also compare this new release with the 1983 LP, 7” single and 2003 CD releases.
Order directly from La La Land here: lalalandrecords.com/octopussy-40th-anniversary-expanded-remastered-limited-edition-2-cd-set
Or from Screen archives Entertainment: www1.screenarchives.com/title_detail.cfm/ID/44855/OCTOPUSSY-–-40th-ANNIVERSARY-EXPANDED-2-CD-SET-LIMIT-ONE-COPY-PER-CUSTOMER
Neil S. Bulk podcast interview: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/asts-055-guest-neil-s-bulk-soundtrack-album-producer/id1317649943?i=1000645806336
ascoretosettle.podbean.com/e/asts-055
FSM forum thread on the release: filmscoremonthly.com/board/posts.cfm?threadID=153405&forumID=1&archive=0
Jon Burlingame's The Music of James Bond book: amzn.to/3WPhSkI
00:00 Score discussion
24:03 LLL 40th anniversary 2CD set
25:55 The search for tape masters
28:17 Contents of 2 CD set
33:41 Packaging, Booklet and Artwork
37:20 Sound and Overall Presentation Quality
44:29 Final Summary-The finest James Bond physical media releases since 2003
I review Jack Finney’s THE BODY SNATCHERS and make comparison to the primary two film adaptations. The novel is a very good read with many unique elements either inherent or not focused on in the film adaptations-with some never being used in any film. The 1956 film is a very close adaptation but also makes important changes to tighten the narrative which improve upon some of the weaknesses of the book’s plot. The novel’s themes and greater nuances make for fascinating reading. Most surprising is the ending which is a complete departure and has never been adapted into any version.
Book discussion: 00:00
Ending SPOILERS section: 23:00
Non-Spoiler Discussion resumes: 27:59
1978 revised text and paperback edition: 29:50
Final summary and more discussion: 31:51
From 1990 to 1994 German author Wolfgang Hohlbein produced eight Indiana Jones novels that sadly have never been re-issued or officially translated into English. These are the first official adventures of Indiana Jones in novel form as they predated the Bantam novels. 
For years, I didn’t know of their existence and figured I would never get the chance to read them. Thankfully, there are now wonderful fan translations so English language readers can give them a try.
This first novel sees Indy reeling from the death of an archaeologist friend, confronted by a strange amulet and many factions who seem hell bent on his destruction. 
This is the third of my hauls from the massive trade credit I got from McKay's 50th anniversary celebration.
I review the first ten episode season of Batman Caped Crusader, streaming currently on Amazon Prime video. This marks the return of Bruce Timm and others to the Batman mythos and means all of us BTAS fans have been awaiting this series with baited breath. This goes double for me since the series is specifically not repeating BTAS and being set entirely in the 1939 golden age Batman first year setting-but with the ability to tell gritty stories without any censorship.
The overall impact is a bit mixed for me. I discuss the heavy usage of 1930's pulp aesthetics, numerous callbacks to both Batman's history but also 1930's media at large, the highlights to be enjoyed in this solid series but also. the negatives, the writing feeling a bit too modern for the period setting at times and the general lack of dramatic resonance one feels overall. This is a solid series that feels more like setup for a second season. What it needs most is more of the 1930's classic pulp energy of the original pulp magazine heroes Batman and all comics were completely drawn from.
The streaming on Amazon prime had its own issues and further underlined why I detest streaming for its quality compromises. One can only hope this series will be granted a physical. media release.
It also underlines how badly we need a proper adaptation of The Knight of Darkness, The Shadow. Not to mention all of the iconic characters who would make for an incredible animated series. I'd give anything to do a Shadow, Doc Savage, Spider or any other classic character series.
I return to the incredible Batman the Animated Series novelizations and finally get to review all four in publication order. Geary Gravel did a remarkable job at adapting multiple episodes into cohesive new books. his Mask of the Phantasm novelization expands upon the action of the film and has some nice linkages to his other three volumes, making the four flow perfectly into one another. The real draw of these is their focus on character, expanding the iconic world of BTAS, crafting excellent bridging material to unite separate episodes and crucially expanding upon the texture of the stories to make them feel even more lived in.
These are easily the hidden gem of BTAS. The Adventures comics are lovely but never have the page count to get to this level of nuance. It's a shame the series was ended after only four books. Sadly all four are long out of print and fetch higher prices on the used market. I had been searching to no avail for decent used copies of the other two books. Amazingly, Mr. Gravel saw my previous video on the first two books and graciously sent me these copies. This video was entirely made possible by his generosity.
This is the second haul from the massive amount of trade credit I received for participating in McKay’s bookstore 50th anniversary celebration. As usual I’m amazed at the variety of physical media that appears on the store’s shelves and how far one’s dollar can go.
This haul includes series books, boutique label Blu-rays, Warner archive dvd sets and more.
I review the seventeenth Hardy Boys book in both text forms, THE SECRET WARNING. This was the first original text not to be written by Leslie MacFarlane and marks the beginning of the John Button era. Long derided by fans, these books are generally regarded as the lowest point of the original texts as they show the most severe tonal shifts from the rest of the series. The quality of the plots are also a bit odd as they meander and suddenly have incredibly over the top moments. The revised texts for the Button books are all significant improvements but lack the wild spark of the original texts.
00:00 Introduction
03:51 Book discussion and text comparison
26:13 Cover artworks
31:47 Editions in my collection
42:09 Final Summary
I review the rare ninth book in the long out of print Young Indiana Jones series from Random House. This was the first book to be published after the start of the Young Indy Chronicles TV series. The book makes one concession to the series and the continues on in the same wonderful tradition as the first eight books. This is essentially a means to get Indy onboard the Titanic’s fateful voyage. As much as that might sound like the tv series penchant for shoehorning in historical elements the book manages to execute a charming adventure that is just as good as the other books.
Each of these would make for a perfect Young I say tv episode or film. They are far better than the TV series at maintaining the spirit of the film trilogy. They read as if the opening sequence of Last Crusade never ended.
Unfortunately books 9-15 are quite rare and very expensive to obtain. You’ll have to be very patient to find them and not pay through the nose.
This is an unscripted video reaction to the recent comment by James Cameron in a Hollywood reporter interview about the 4K Masters of his catalog titles. As the first official statement about the negative response to the extreme case of revisionism to his back catalog…Cameron chose to just insult and dismiss everyone who rightfully pointed out that it was an act of film desecration.
Moreover, his actions have inspired others to follow his lead as we’ve seen with the recent Universal 4K master of Jaws 3 employing similar AI tools to hideous results. Also, the new 4K “restoration” of The Terminator is about to be released. It was supervised by Cameron himself and will unfortunately be more of the same as it was worked on by the dreaded Park Road Post and features a brand new Dolby Atmos remix.
Ultimately, the reason why film transfers get analyzed is entirely due to the actions of people like Cameron. I suggest that all of the various film guilds and societies take a look into these matters and instigate new rulings to prevent their members work being altered or eradicated without their consent.
As a contrast, I quote a letter Cameron wrote, which was included in the 1991 deluxe Terminator 2 CAV Laserdisc boxset. In it he talks about the importance for films to have proper transfers so that hundreds of years later, they can be seen in the best possible quality. A quality that is fully reflective of the time in which they were made. So I’m throwing his own words right back at him. 
I participated in the McKays bookstore roadtrip challenge and received hundreds in trade credit. This is the first of many hauls as I whittle down the massive amount of trade credit.
In this trip I found many books, DVDs, Blu-rays, comics, out of print items and other odds and ends….and all of them were free!😳
I review the James Bond fan dream release2 CD set of George Martin's LIVE AND LET DIE score. This release uses the same hires source transfer as the 2003 Capitol expanded remaster but somehow manages to sound astoundingly more detailed! The sequencing is far better with more track cues, Disc 2 recreates the original 1973 LP sequence and features crucial additional content including demoes, alternate takes, alternate edits and AMAZINGLY selections from the uber rare 1973 quadrophonic mix of the score which was only released on 8 track tape.
Produced by Neil Bulk, Mixed by Chris Malone and mastered by Doug Schwartz with the liner notes being taken from Jon Burlingame's book, this 50th Anniversary edition will blow any Bond fan's mind. It is a dream release and easily one of the finest James Bond physical media releases on any format. Including the film releases.
Order directly from La La Land here: lalalandrecords.com/live-and-let-die-50th-anniversary-expanded-remastered-limited-edition-2-cd-set
Or from Screen archives Entertainment: www1.screenarchives.com/title_detail.cfm/ID/44854/LIVE-AND-LET-DIE-50th-ANNIVERSARY-EXPANDED-&-REMASTERED-LIMITED-EDITION-2-CD-SET
Neil S. Bulk podcast interview: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/asts-055-guest-neil-s-bulk-soundtrack-album-producer/id1317649943?i=1000645806336
ascoretosettle.podbean.com/e/asts-055
Chris Malone's video @malonedigital on the score: youtu.be/8Dvmg6uJu2Y?si=cKRZydCJxNu_T-Ht
FSM forum thread on the release: filmscoremonthly.com/board/posts.cfm?pageID=1&forumID=1&threadID=153406&archive=0
Jon Burlingame's The Music of James Bond book: amzn.to/3WPhSkI
Quadrasonic 8 track capture on YouTube: youtu.be/a0HJ71eLFAU?si=S1IioJKRw8wv5NCx
00:00 Intro
00:00:46 2003 expanded remaster
02:05 Score and Film discussion
12:22 Recording and sound of the score
14:57 The Alternate Quadraphonic Stereo mix of the score only on 8 track
18:25 Score summary
22:07 The 2023 La La Land 2 CD Anniversary release
29:40 Contents of LaLa Land Anniversary release
33:30 Packaging, Artwork and Booklet
38:29 The La La Land CDs are the finest James Bond physical media releases since the 2003 Capitol expanded remaster CDs. FAR better than the film releases.
38:59 The best presentation of the film mono mix is the 1993 Laserdisc with isolated M&E track
42:15 Final Summary-STUNNING and ESSENTIAL! One of the best James Bond physical media releases OF ALL TIME.
I review the lovely new volume from The Shadowed Circle fan magazine. This Compendium features a selection of articles, pieces and artwork from the past two years of magazine issues plus all new and exclusive materials made just for this volume. Additionally the Compendium is in a larger size format (and in color too!) so the overall printing has a more premium feel. It is available as an ebook, but the physical editions are the real draw. The softcover and hardcover editions each feature unique cover artwork.
This project was a successful Kickstarter but is now available at a discounted rate directly from The Shadowed Circle Magazine's website: theshadowedcircle.com
All fans of comics and pulp characters will enjoy this. The mixture of contributors range from newcomers to pulp historians. (this volume even has a small bit of text by yours truly) This makes an ideal volume for longtime fans and even to those who have never read a Shadow tale.
This is a wonderful fan effort and an absolute labor of love. If it or subscribing to the magazine sounds even remotely interesting I highly encourage doing so and telling your friends.
This is my overview analysis of Ian Fleming’s second James Bond novel, 1954’s LIVE AND LET DIE. This is the first mission oriented pure adventure book Fleming wrote and arguably the most action oriented book of the series. The growth in the writer’s confidence is remarkable but readers to have to contend with the inherent racism throughout the book and other related aspects which resulted in the Fleming approved slightly altered 1955 American text which is now used in editions worldwide.
I discuss these elements plus the various adaptations in other media and how they compare to the source material. The 1973 film adaptation, the two comic versions and finally the BBC radio adaptation. I conclude with a discussion of the various editions of the novel, cover artworks and what I have in my own collection.
00:00 Introduction and status as the more confident second novel
07:13 Descriptions of 50’s America
8:21 style change from Casino Royale
09:18 Plot discussion and set pieces
10:07 Mr. Big-the first true Fleming supervillain
12:37 Smersh involvement and more plot summary
13:57 Felix Leiter
14:57 Solitaire as the Bond heroine
15:31 The Silver Phantom train to Florida section, Bond and Solitaire dynamic,
Solitaire is a conscious riff on the damsel in distress. Plus she's a bit spunky.
17:28 Transition to the Florida section
18:25 Transition to Jamaica for the final act, book nicely divided into sections
19:03 Book peppered with mentions of voodooism used by Mr. Big
20:10 little bit of inherent sexism, Bond in closed off battle mindset, Solitaire character analysis
22:36 Felix Leiter and his disagreeing with something...
24:19 Introducing Commander Stangways and Quarrel
25:52 Bond character analysis
29:20 Live And Let Die is a collection of setpieces instead of a central card game
32:56 The "Oh Dear" element: the inherent racism and other dated aspects
35:37 There are at least some positive characters
35:53 The big problem overall is the stereotyped dialogue for secondary characters
37:06 Fleming has both Bond and Leiter express some admiration for black culture
40:11 The 1955 American text version and changes requested, the main passage of contention
44:49 The chapter title change and the literary reference Fleming was making
49:53 Ian Fleming Publications used this example as an excuse to edit the other books randomly
52:33 Final thoughts on reading the novel for the umpteenth time
57:21 The 1973 Film Adaptation
58:45 Inherently echoing Dr. No
59:21 The unheralded GENIUS of Tom Mankiewicz
01:10:33 Unused moments repurposed in other EON films
01:13:08 The usage of Leiter in the films, the David Hedison version and Mank's genius
01:15:24 Mankiewicz wanted to push progressive elements even further-Diana Ross as Solitaire
01:17:00 Summary of film's impact and legacy
01:21:32 The best release of the film is the 1993 letterbox Laserdisc reissue with the best version of the mono mix and isolated M&E track
01:22:17 The Daily Express Newspaper Comic Strip adaptation
01:27:03 Dynamite Comics Adaptation
01:31:14 2019 BBC Radio drama adaptation
01:35:09 Book editions, artwork discussion and editions in my collection. UK 1st Cape
1:36:10 American 1st edition
01:37:33 Bluebook magazine cover painting
01:39:04 UK pan paperback covers
01:39:33 UK 1960's pan paperback
01:40:25 US Perma books paperback
01:42:17 Early Signet paperback covers
01:42:29 The iconic 1960's US Signet paperback
01:43:51 Jove books and Berkley/Charter paperbacks
01:46:01 James Bond Classic Library hardcover
01:46:50 2002 Penguin paperback, UK text debut in USA
01:48:34 The UK Penguin paperbacks
01:49:46 Thomas And Mercer 2014 paperbacks
01:50:20 UK vintage classics
01:51:02 Ian Fleming Publications 2023 UK Paperback
01:51:54 The APPALLINGLY BAD USA 2023 Harper Collins paperback-the WORST Bond book covers of all time!!!
01:53:54 Final Summary
Links and references:
All of my James Bond videos: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzJOW64UiyQLsSD7Fxavu6Jww8Pqc-b__&si=V1PLt_XBSIgfYf9F
My Literary Bond videos: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzJOW64UiyQIQ9kCYJJqbLsnSwpUaQI3G&si=q-LHYA57HnhoNZ_G
My Live And Let Die film audio commentary: youtu.be/rtPwU71mePE?si=PlQE6bAgygcM9Efv
My Fleming book collection: youtu.be/S5i4Gy5o8DY?si=eo0z5vDACfWsUS9k
BBC Radio drama adaptation: youtu.be/pBT0SLN6_ew?si=vogpC1_iGp9qyszX
Newspaper strip comic titan books reprints: titanbooks.com/catalog/?creator=john-mclusky&page=1
Dynamite comic: dynamite.com/htmlfiles/viewProduct.html?PRO=C1524112720
Carl Van Vechten novel: en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Van_Vechten
@TheBondExperience stream discussion: youtube.com/live/6oaC17Agq9E?si=petBJJXyYGpc3Dpf
@calvindyson review: youtu.be/C2YssH0o-u4?si=E4CU4Ul7qyg6AsZd
@DutchBondFan review: youtu.be/OVLmX7kffgw?si=OesFM6GtpvganzWN
This is my attempt to review and react to the absolutely baffling execution of Horizon An American Saga Chapter One. I have been thinking about this for over a week and the execution of this concept is still absolutely BAFFLING. This project whether it reaches completion or not will be studied and analyzed for years to come. It is an extremely admirable effort but seems to have been done with the least attention given to planning, structure and overall execution.
I also review the APPALLING AMC Theaters experience of seeing the film in a small hall with basic 2K projection which is how the vast majority of people have to see the film. The upcoming 4K UHD release in homes will be immeasurably superior and underlines how the film blurs the line between tv series and feature film.
00:00 Introduction and setup
03:29 Longstanding passion project, leaving Yellowstone, film precedents, Horizon has no literary or writer source
11:14 Open Range
13:40 Horizon itself-the production and odd factors are the star,blurring the lines between tv and feature films
16:53 This project should be studied for how baffling it is in execution
17:37 Extreme editing issues-no cohesion at all for the storylines
19:30 Took the wrong notes from How The West Was Won and doesn't understand that film's structure
21:34 Trying to describe the plot..is difficult..as they mixed script pages from TV episode scripts
22:22 The film is a sensory experience
22:56 There's not enough plot for 3 hours of runtime. Everyone and everything is shortchanged.
23:44 Not everything is properly setup. The audience has to pay extra attention. MANY things not properly executed.
24:28 Example of the boy with two horses during night chase
27:50 Rough location captions only
28:29 The editing is a gigantic problem-it really doesn't work
28:44 The photography is always close, few open shots, impossible to get visual orientation throughout..looks very TVish.
31:54 Used 1.85:1 and a digital shoot with modern color grading
33:27 The STUPID decision to employ an analog intermediate! MANY shots look odd and processed.
39:17 The VERY quick 52 day shoot for the whole film. They rushed it.
40:40 Even decent setpieces are subdivided into different storylines
41:33 There are some practical effects, but plenty of obvious digital work thrown in.
43:05 All the performances are good. But they are shortchanged entirely by the film itself!!!
44:20 My own plan for better implementing this "saga" across multiple films and better allocating the budget
48:52 It seems enough lined up to go do this now and they went off half cocked
50:50 The line is blurred between tv and film-it would play better as a tv series
51:24 Constant referencing or echoing of iconic landmark and classic Westerns seemingly for no reason which feel empty and only remind you of what once was that you could be watching instead
56:03 I'm reminded of the inherent story issues of Red Dead Redemption II. But at least it's consistent in how it tells its story.
58:53 You still admire the film and the balls of putting your own money in. BUT this is BADLY flawed from the execution.
01:01:58 The ending sudden montage of the next chapter
01:04:45 Intermission and display change...
01:04:57 The POOR QUALITY Theatrical presentations at chains with no premium showings and AMC MAKES MOVIES WORSE. The quality is better at home.
01:19:47 If Costner walked into any average theater and saw the presentation he would lose it. We HAVE to get the industry to care about presentation quality
1:20:29 The home presentation will be technically better to such a degree the theater experience is worthless
01:24:36 Final Summary of sorts-a strange baffling project that one supports for the audacity of the project and not the film
A few suggestions and titles to avoid in the Kino summer sale. These are merely some highlights of the hundreds of titles currently discounted but I did want to mention titles where there are better options elsewhere and discs that contain uncorrected technical, audio and other issues that have never been addressed.
00:00 Introduction
02:10 12 Angry Men UHD
03:05 Aces High
03:29 ADVENTURES OF CAPTAIN MARVEL-A Must Buy!!
05:53 Alaska Seas
06:22 Apache
07:09 The Apartment UHD-MANIPULATED LASERDISC AUDIO
08:38 The Art Of Love
09:28 The Asphyx
10:10 Attack!
10:28 Audie Muphy box sets Vol 1-3
11:06 Backstreet (1941)
11:15 Beau Geste
11:39 The Big Country SE reissue w/slipcover
12:27 Blackmail, both versions-ASPECT RATIO ERROR
13:23 Blood on the Sun
13:42 By Candlelight
14:39 The Challenge-double dip bait and switch reissue w/slip
15:22 Christmas in July
15:31 The Comedy of Terrors
17:40 Convoy
18:28 Counselor At Law
18:45 Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid SE reissue
19:15 Death On The Nile
19:37 Death Rides A Horse-reissue with slipcover
20:25 Death Takes A Holiday
20:55 The Delicious Little Devil
21:21 Detective Story
21:42 Devil And The Deep
21:54 The Devil Bat
22:40 Doctor Cyclops
24:25 Evil Under The Sun-older master used
25:40 Fear And Desire UHD-AWFUL UHD DISC ENCODING AND HDR!!!
27:02 Film Noir Collections
27:07 A Fistful of Dollars UHD...oh dear
28:55 For A Few Dollars More UHD...oh dear
30:29 The Good The Bad And The Ugly UHD-THE ONLY ONE WITH MAJOR EFFORT PUT IN
32:00 Duck You Sucker! (A Fistful of Dynamite) AVOID Bad master and censored remix audio
33:12 Five Graves To Cairo
33:26 The Fortune Cookie
33:43 The General Died At Dawn
33:55 The Good Fairy
34:10 The Great McGinty
34:26 Gunfight At The OK Corral UHD
34:50 The Half Breed-The Good Bad Man: A MUST!!!
36:27 The Hallelujah Trail
37:51 Hell Is For Heroes
38:04 High Noon UHD
38:28 High Plains Drifter UHD-KINO REFUSED TO INCLUDE ORIGINAL MONO AUDIO
39:14 High Wide And Handsome
39:22 Horizons West
39:57 Hot Saturday
40:10 The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923)-BEST KINO BD EVER RELEASED ON ALL LEVELS
41:22 In The Heat of the Night UHD+sequels on BD
41:51 The Interpreter-DEFECTIVE TRANSFER AVOID
42:19 Irma La Douce-Eureka MOC Reg B is better
42:33 The Kiss Before The Mirror-Indicator release is better
43:25 The Lost Weekend
43:53 Mad Max UHD-some audio issues
44:49 The Mississippi Gambler
45:10 The Mystery of Edwin Drood
46:10 The Night of the Hunter UHD-no Criterion extras and best audio is on the MGM DVD
46:55 Night Passage
47:49 Nosferatu-AVOID LIKE THE PLAGUE. DROPS FRAMES BADLY ARGUABLY THE WORST KINO DISC THAT EXISTS. EUREKA BD IS PERFECT.
48:37 Now and Forever
49:01 Outside the Law-exclusive commentary but Eureka version is outstanding.
49:57 The President's Analyst
50:53 Ronin UHD-an upgrade but some picture and sound issues
52:19 Search For Beauty
53:04 Secret Beyond The Door
53:57 Serpico UHD-newer 4K master
54:28 The Strange Door-exclusive commentary. Eureka version better.
55:08 The Strange Love Of Martha Ivers-Imprint disc has more extras
55:57 Supernatural-heavily processed audio, inferior to VHS.
57:27 The Thomas Crown Affair-best transfer, but processed audio. Best mono is on first letterbox Laserdisc.
58:00 Thunder Bay-not original Academy aspect ratio.
59:39 Tomb of Ligeia-reissue of old master, but with new commentary
01:00:03 Touch of Evil UHD-exclusive commentary but Eureka release is FAR better.
01:00:24 The Train UHD-upgrade for picture, best mono audio is on the MGM Laserdisc.
01:00:40 The Trap
01:01:29 The Turning Point
01:01:50 Two Mules For Sister Sara
01:02:55 Under Capricorn
01:04:05 Vera Cruz-best picture quality, slightly processed mono compared to Laserdisc
01:05:22 Witness For The Prosecution-reissue with slipcover and encoding spiffed up-Eureka version is better
01:05:51 You And Me
01:06:22 Final Summary
My suggestions for current and upcoming titles in the Criterion sale for July 2024. This is based on the quality of the films, the picture and sound transfer quality, amount and strength of the supplements and overall value for money.
00:00 Intro
02:21 Ace In The Hole Blu-ray
04:36 Barry Lyndon Blu-ray
06:26 High Sierra-Colorado Territory Blu-ray
08:15 Tod Browning’s Sideshow Shockers Blu-ray
10:06 Citizen Kane UHD combo format
13:30 Double Indemnity UHD combo format
15:27 Shaft UHD combo format
16:57 The Ranown Westerns UHD combo format boxset
21:31 new 2024 suggested releases
21:37 The Roaring Twenties UHD combo format
21:59 All That Money Can Buy (The Devil and Daniel Webster) BD
23:13 Pat Garrett and Billy The Kid UHD combo format set
26:52 Final Summary
I review Eureka’s first ever USA Blu-ray release which is of the 1927 masterpiece THE CAT AND THE CANARY. Paul Leni came to Universal and gave us the founding film of what became Universal Horror. All of the aspects of the classic horror films are already here but enlivened by a never ending series of inspired cinematic technique, prowling camera work, expressive angles and a timeless sense of quirky humor.
The film’s story is so embedded in pop culture that its influence extends to the various remakes but essentially all haunted house and murder mysteries. The line from Canary to Scooby Doo is clearly visible. It remains a timeless delight and a perfect gateway to silent cinema for newcomers and even children as well.
Past restorations from Blackhawk films and Photoplay Productions have been the only proper versions of the film on DVD but otherwise one is confronted with the usual depressing variety of public domain options of varying to downright atrocious quality at times. The Museum of Modern Art completed their restoration in 2022 and now after two years wait, we have this disc of perfection from Eureka. This disc is stuffed with hours extras, fantastic booklet, amazing new art and perfect disc encoding…all found in a release being sold at $20 and under.
This is a disc long awaited, a rare truly perfect physical media release, one of the essential silent classics now viewable in astounding quality, beyond affordable and worth your hard earned money and an amazing calling card for Eureka entering the USA market.
This is a candidate for disc of the year and one of the finest physical media releases of all time. If you have a player you need this disc. If you call yourself a horror fan you need this disc.
Order from Eureka UK directly:
eurekavideo.co.uk/?s=Paul+Leni
USA orders:
orbitdvd.com/products/the-cat-and-the-canary-1927-eureka-us-2-disc-limited-edition?_pos=9&_sid=16d5beecd&_ss=r
target.com/p/the-cat-and-the-canary-blu-ray/-/A-92100068
walmart.com/ip/The-Cat-and-the-Canary-Blu-ray-Masters-of-Cinema-Horror/5424356624
00:00 Intro Goof
06:40 Film and release discussion
48:32 Eureka 2024 Blu-ray Release and Picture Quality
49:55 Wear and damage plus public domain editions
52:51 Audio Quality, new 5.1 score
56:29 Limited Edition Packaging, Slipcover, Artwork and Booklet
01:00:57 Supplemental Features: FULLY LOADED!!!
01:07:02 Final Summary: ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL ONE OF THE FINEST PHYSICAL MEDIA RELEASES OF ALL TIME DISC OF THE YEAR CANDIDATE
I give an overview of all the home video releases and Paramount masters for ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST, which sadly like all of Sergio Leone's filmography is cursed with edits, issues and other problems dating all the way back to the original 1968 release. Paramount has performed multiple restorations and to this day errors persist, the audio is unrestored, footage is still missing and a scene is included that was removed by the director and was not in any 1968 release version.
This is made even more frustrating by the absolute crap effort of the new "Paramount Presents" 4K UHD release of the film where destructive usage of DNR, extreme over-compression and sticking to their edit of the film has only insulted the film and the consumer.
00:00 Introduction
03:14 Basic description of longstanding issues never fixed-no video release represents the film as intended!
13:06 Home video major debut-1985 pan and scan release on VHS, Beta and Laserdisc of 1984 version
18:53 1994 remaster-pan and scan VHS and letterbox Laserdisc of 1984 version
21:44 2003 Special Collector's Edition DVD
27:55 2011 Blu-ray release, new restoration and some restored footage
34:08 2024 4K UHD and Blu-ray, new restoration and same problems, Paramount Presents A Piece of Crap
47:28 CVC Italian PAL Region 2 DVD of 1990's Italian Extended version
50:14 Final Summary-THERE IS NO PROPER UNCUT FULLY RESTORED VERSION BECAUSE PARAMOUNT DOESN'T CARE TO DO THINGS ACCURATELY OR CORRECTLY
I review the new 4K master, UHD and Blu-ray release of ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST from Paramount in their Paramount Presents line.
Sadly all Paramount has presented is a DNRd version of a new scan HIDEOUSLY compressed onto a UHD disc far too small for the film resulting in terrible compression artifacts. Both download versions and the new Blu-ray are significantly better encoded. The new extras are throwaways and their claims about this being a premium release with the utmost quality is a blatant LIE. The audio has not been restored.
Worst of all the decades of editing problems, 40 year old errors from past work and missing footage have not been addressed at all.
This release is utterly FUBAR entirely due to Paramount who doesn’t give a damn about films. NONE of this had to happen. And their contempt for the consumer is made obvious by trying to pass off such an obviously slipshod release as a premium product at a premium price point with the AUDACITY to claim it has the utmost in audio visual quality.
00:00 Opening goof (CONTAINS SPOILERS)
12:15 introduction and long history of problems
16:17 the buildup to the UHD release, 2011 Blu-ray summary
20:22 4K master DNR pass right off the top
22:41 reference with the Kino 4K SDR UHD of GBU
25:40 the 2011 Blu-ray is also more natural and isn't grain managed
26:51 The APPALLING compression from cramming the film onto a BD-66
plus the usual Paramount crap UHD encoding
31:44 The superior Kaleidescape digital streaming download version
35:40 inherent positives of 4k master can't hide the crap
35:59 HDR application
36:10 Dolby Vision patches over some things but can't fix it
36:48 But the HDR10 is GHASTLY in the same bad areas
40:06 Paramount encodes Blu-ray discs better than UHDs!
42:13 Thus in some aspects the new Blu-ray IS BETTER THAN THE UHD!!!
43:20 The New Blu-ray is better made than the UHD
45:12 The ONE positive-the new color timing
45:26 My slight misgivings about the new color grading
46:40 Visual Summary-A Travesty courtesy of Paramount
48:30 Example of compression wrecking the film-ALL the iconic Monument Valley shots are a mess in the skies
49:08 Paramount has treated the film, the consumer and the film fan with utter contempt
49:16 Paramount has the AUDACITY to claim this is the utmost quality restoration!
50:23 in spite of issues the 2011 Blu-ray is better in every way.
51:19 The only upside is that it was a new scan before Paramount ruined it
52:22 I advise to stick with the 2011 BD
53:18 Audio Quality-FUBAR. Resvisionist 5.1, no restored mono or fixed ending music--5.1 mix discussion, how it really is BAD-and made the default audio.
55:18 Lossy Mono track review-sounds rather poor
55:48 Still based on flawed 1984 version, and reusing 1994 LD audio source but making it worse
56:36 the lossy mono is so processed its hard to tell if its a downmix. VASTLY inferior to the 1994 LD mono.
57:59 Audio summary-neither option is what it should be. The mono NEEDS TO BE RESTORED PROPERLY!
01:00:17 Packaging and Artwork-Paramount "Presents" line
01:02:06 Defective design of Paramount "Presents" slanted slipcovers
01:04:17 the AUDACITY of including the rear cover statments about utmost quality and plastering Scorsese's name on this piece of crap
01:04:47 If Scorsese saw how the UHD turned out he should be ROYALLY PISSED and that they used his name.
01:05:05 more discussion of generic packaging
01:05:25 Paramount's bold faced LIE on the rear cover about having the utmost quality and respecting the film
01:06:13 Keepcase art and design
01:07:44 Supplemental Features review
01:08:12 Excellent 2003 legacy extras again not updated
01:11:38 Two new worthless extras
01:12:49 The new commentary-useless and a struggle to get through
01:17:03 The US Trailer is again included...AND LOOKS MORE FILMIC THAN THE 4K MASTER!
01:18:24 The film's longstanding STILL uncorrected edit problems, missing footage and ending music error
01:19:58 The Missing footage from the opening scene
01:22:12 The Harmonica Rising scene that isn't supposed to be there
01:26:25 The 1984 reconstruction runining of the ending music cues FOR 40 YEARS!
01:33:19 Final Summary-Paramount has desecrated the film, again not restored it properly and
has displayed nothing but contempt for the consumer-DO NOT SUPPORT THIS RELEASE
01:37:31 Paramount's actions have made this one of the worst physical media releases of all time. An INSULT to the legendary film and its legacy.
01:49:54 Outro Goof (CONTAINS SPOILERS)
I review the 16th book in the classic Hardy Boys series, A Figure In Hiding. I compare both the 1937 original text by Leslie McFarlane and the 1965 revised text by James Lawrence. Comparing these two texts reveals many similarities to my findings when comparing the texts of book 15, The Sinister Signpost.
Both versions of book 16 remain classics, but sadly this marked the end of primary series writer Leslie McFarlane‘s work on the series for some time. The next three books were written by John Button in the original texts and are generally viewed as the low point of the original series. 
00:00 Introduction
04:36 Book analysis and comparison
29:08 Cover artwork comparison
33:56 Editions in my collection
41:52 Final Summary
I review SECRET OF THE INCAS on its North American home video debut, found on this Kino Lorber Blu-ray release. Taken from a new 4K scan of separation elements by Paramount this finally presents one of the greatest influences on the Indiana Jones series for fans to enjoy.
However this was not a full restoration and the new color grading is more than a bit suspicious.
It shouldn’t have taken this long to get the film in an official release but when compared with the old master on the Imprint Australian Blu-ray one can tell there has been a color shift and that this new master is filled with marks and light wear.
Still it is otherwise a lovely presentation of a film stuck in video hell for decades and the new work done for the audio and scanning+realigning the color separations is well done.
Video comparison of the two masters: youtu.be/LxzhfVTAEho?si=WNoYah9P6z5f6Qo8
DVD Beaver comparison: http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film11/blu-ray_review_170/secret_of_the_incas_blu-ray.htm
0:00 Film discussion
29:30 Kino Blu-ray
30:35 Old master on Australian Imprint release
31:08 the VERY questionable color timing from Paramount
36:44 Not restored, damage throughout transfer
39:29 Audio Quality
41:25 Transfer Summary
42:56 Packaging, Slipcover and Artwork
44:18 Supplemental Features
52:00 Final Summary
I review the first 8 books in the Random House 15 book series of Young Indiana Jones adventures. Running from 1990-1995 this series predated The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles TV series...and has NONE of the drawbacks of that show's approach. These are incredibly well done mini adventures with a Young Indy that fee EXACTLY like the film trilogy. And it all fits in the Indy canon!
Sadly the series is long out of print and books 9-15 become extremely hard to find and go for very expensive prices on ebay.
But any Indy fan owes it to themselves to pick up as many as they can to devour. These eight books are some of the best Indiana Jones fiction I've read. Yes, they're children's books but BOY did the two alternating authors nail the tone of the films for a 13 year old Indy. These are as if the opening of Last Crusade never ended. The characterizations and tone are SPOT ON.
I review the Eureka Masters of Cinema Region B release of the nearly lost classic OUTSIDE THE LAW (1920). Universal has done another MIRACULOUS 4K restoration of a silent classic featuring Lon Chaney Sr. This was an early collaboration for Browning and Chaney as a gangster film whcih was really a vheicle for Priscilla Dean. Once you get past the speedbump of this not being the typical Browning-Chaney collaboration we expect and that Chaney has a minor role and a second smaller part (that is unfortunately a racial stereotype) this is a remarkable film filled with great moments and surprisingly modern ones. There is a great sense of atmosphere, interesting depth added to our lead characters, Chaney is mesmerizing, the final fight sequences are really gritty and bloody-and if that were not enough Priscilla Dean stands out as truly endearing and feisty throughout.
The film was cut for a 1926 reissue and then unfortunately thought lost until a lone print turned up in a barn in the 70's. Since then a secondary 16mm source has been able to be utilized but overall this restoration is stunning. There are sadly two areas of nitrate decomposition in the final act that does mar the climax but it really amazing we have this film at all. This is a major building block for both Browning and Chaney and remains remarkably effective today. The Eureka Blu-ray release is extremely well done with fantastic encoding, exclusive supplements and a very affordable low asking price. This has my HIGHEST recommendation and belongs on any shelf of silent, Chaney or Browning fans.
Order from Eureka directly here: eurekavideo.co.uk/movie/outside-the-law
Or from Orbit DVD here: orbitdvd.com/products/outside-the-law-region-b?_pos=1&_sid=c37c82ca2&_ss=r
00:00 Film Discussion
18:00 Picture Quality
22:50 EXCELLENT disc encoding by Eureka
23:34 Audio Quality
24:11 Packaging and Artwork
25:59 Supplemental Features
29:26 Final summary
This is the first in my series of video covering each and every James Bond novel as I do my regular re-read of the series. I've done this in the same manner as my videos on other book series. The goal is to do an overview and spoiler free analysis to try and hopefully make something of interest to old and new fans alike. I also cover the various adaptations in other media, differences compared with the cinematic Bond, the edits made to the novels in recent editions plus interesting and unique book editions and cover art designs.
The scent and smoke and sweat of editing a video can be nauseating at three in the morning...
00:00 Introduction
02:30 Book discussion, background of writing the novel
03:13 Setting up the world of James Bond, the first story
05:42 Story setup, Fleming’s prose style
07:13 Fleming’s dry wit and linkage to Bond’s characterization
08:01 Plot summary start
10:56 Setting the stage, the inner working of the service etc
12:31 Literary Bond character differences to Cinematic Bond
12:53 Dated aspects inherent
13:55 Fleming’s ability to define a plot and quickly raise the stakes
14:31 Meeting Bond’s friends
14:56 Introducing Vesper
15:26 Building to the centerpiece game sequence, then the aftermath
16:09 The central game, and it’s a game of luck
17:51 The torture sequence
18:59 The final element to crystallize the character, a sense of a first full mission
22:26 Le Chiffre, Bond villain analysis
23:44 Vesper Lynd, Bond Heroine analysis
25:43 The development of an actual romance, the romance of Literary Bond
26:42 The striking finale is all character and emotionally based, like a postscript
finalizing Bond’s character
28:40 This is the starting point for the literary series to follow
30:00 Book summary
32:23 The poor decision to edit the novels in modern reprints
34:19 Casino Royale is the nucleus of James Bond
36:03 Film adaptations
38:21 The 2006 film and some of my issues with it
45:02 Other adaptations: Comics and Stage versions
45:30 1958 Daily Express newspaper strip
49:53 1968 Chilean Zig Zag comics
53:57 Dynamite comic adaptation
55:44 Raymond Benson’s 1980’s unproduced stage adaptation
57:06 Takarazuka Review Musical adaptation
01:00:06 Selected and favorite book covers
01:09:02 Final Summary
Vintage Fleming edition information:
The Book Bond: thebookbond.com
Piz Gloria: http://www.pizgloria.com
Titan Books James Bond newspaper strip collections: titanbooks.com/catalog/?q=james%20bond&page=1
Comics Royale's translated Zig Zag comics: comicsroyale.com twitter.com/ComicsRoyale007 facebook.com/ComicsRoyale007
Dynamite Comics Casino Royale: dynamite.com/htmlfiles/viewProduct.html?PRO=C1524100684
@jamesbondradio Dynamite interview on the Casino Royale comic: youtu.be/NxdbmiA0f-0?si=osNRnVHOsIZK7nnJ
Clips from the Takarazuka musical: youtu.be/jLMDrnZezg4?si=H472a1iVI7z2cXJX
@licencetoqueer video podcast episode: youtu.be/yKoGiLBgRxk?si=4DOXgQBeSIa9AJwW
I made this brief video discussion reflecting on the life and career of Roger Corman, a true original in the cinematic medium.
Corman's memoir is indispensable: walmart.com/ip/How-I-Made-A-Hundred-Movies-In-Hollywood-And-Never-Lost-A-Dime-Paperback-9780306808746/483994?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0
I go over the handful of titles I picked up in the April 2024 Indicator site sale. The twice a year sales run on the Powerhouse Films website remain the best time for US and UK fans to stock up on titles. During these sales limited editions and boxsets frequently sell out. The site's international shipping can be a bit pricey but remains the best in the business and arrives immaculately packaged and incredibly quickly.
These titles are all Region B locked but region free capability is rather easy to do now with a modded BD player. Indicator still makes Region Free releases when rights holders allow for it.
www.powerhousefilms.co.uk
I re-read and compare both texts of book 15 in the classic Hardy Boys canon: THE SINISTER SIGNPOST. This is typically regarded as an example where the revised text is completely rewritten but it does retain the same subplot and a number of other elements.
00:00 Introduction
02:47 Book discussion
21:57 Cover Artworks
29:14 Editions in my colleciton
33:26 Final Summary
I give a brief overview of Nick Carter, the detective who predated Sherlock Holmes and has been published in thousands of stories from the dime novel era onward. In his original iteration, Carter was a phenomenon and a major influence on both pulp magazine heroes and superheroes to come. Eventually the character’s popularity faded leading to several relaunch attempts: pulp stories in the 1920’s, a 1930’s pulp magazine series with a hardboiled version of the character, an B film series, the famous 1940’s radio series and the long running 1960’s Killmaster paperback novel series.
The Sanctum Books reprints focus primarily on the 1930’s pulp version but include scripts from the radio series, 1920’s stories, historian essays and contain a crash course on the world of Nick Carter.
00:00 Introduction
02:15 Nick Carter character history in dime novels and later revivals
17:29 The three Sanctum reprint volumes
39:53 Final Summary
Sanctum reprints, OOP but they still sometimes pop up: ww.mycomicshop.com/search?TID=24081009
Internet archive dime novels: archive.org/search?query=subject%3A%22Nick+Carter%22
Dime novel collections: https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/nick_carter/index.2.html
https://dimenovels.lib.niu.edu/islandora/search/nick%20carter?type=dismax
Nick Carter radio series: archive.org/details/OTRR_Nick_Carter_Master_Detective_Singles
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlUoyloCGlWzbt1YcYL2FeTNDM-XEoxSt&si=HAouaixVnXHAnBjR
I review the Criterion Collection release of Tod Browning's Sideshow Shockers. This set brings together a new restoration of the rarely seen silent film THE MYSTIC, the new scan and restoration of the iconic FREAKS and the major draw: the new extended restoration of the silent masterpiece THE UNKNOWN which restores crucial missing footage to the film which is arguably the greatest of Tod Browning's collaborations with Lon Chaney Sr. THE UNKNOWN remains just as powerful and this has been increased further with the runtime now being extended to just over an hour. Chaney's performance is arguably one of if not his greatest work. It remains one of the greatest and most haunting performances in all of cinema.
Criterion has made a nice looking package release with many great legacy supplements featuring the incredibly work of the late David J. Seal who also contributed a new commentary for this extended version of The Unknown. Sadly there are few new supplements and Criterion's encoding issues unfortunately pop up in two spots-one of them being in a shot during the climax of FREAKS.
Still this is an excellent must own release for all film collections and libraries which hopefully will encourage more people to dig more deeply into the dark emotionally charged cinematic works of Tod Browning. It is worth every penny for the new restoration of THE UNKNOWN and for David Skal's incredible contributions in the supplements.
00:00 Dedication card and Intro goof
01:19 Introduction
04:16 The Mystic
11:20 Picture Quality
13:45 Audio Quality
16:04 Supplemental Features-David J. Skal’s contributions
19:33 The Unknown
37:19 Summary
40:08 Picture Quality
45:20 Audio Quality
46:03 Supplemental Features
51:29 Freaks
01:12:32 Picture Quality
01:17:04 Bad encoding and frozen grain on one shot
01:21:30 Audio Quality
01:24:16 Supplemental Features
01:35:32 Packaging and Artwork
01:39:41 Final Summary
I review the silent masterpiece, THE PENALTY, on its Kino Lorber Blu-ray release. Derived from a George Eastman House restoration this is one of the must own silent Blu-ray’s. Chaney’s performance is legendary for the extreme physical pain he endured to play the legless criminal mastermind Blizzard-but seeing and experiencing this performance is something else entirely. It remains one of the most complete and total performances in the cinematic medium. And just three years later Chaney would reteam with director Wallace Worsley for the iconic Hunchback of Notre Dame.
00:00 Opening goof
00:00:40 Film discussion
24:55 Picture Quality
27:33 Audio Quality
29:33 Packaging and Artwork
30:32 Supplemental Features
35:50 Final Summary
I review the Universal 4K restoration of a lesser discussed Lon Chaney vehicle, The Trap. This is another of Universal's must see painstaking silent restorations and really helps this smaller film live and breathe more vividly in front of your eyes. Before this point it has only been possible to see Chaney's mesmerizing performance in public domain copies of varying quality.
00:00 Film Discussion
16:11 Picture Quality
21:29 Audio Quality
22:38 Package and Artwork
24:01 Supplemental Features
27:15 Final Summary-One of the best silent releases and the best Kino release of 2023
00:00 Intro
04:30 Objectionable masters to avoid
12:07 Special Programs and Events
26:40 New Digital Restoration Premieres
32:08 35mm film screenings
46:16 70mm film screenings
48:53 35mm Nitrate film screenings
51:30 Final Summary
I review the recent Bold Venture press reprint of a wonderful crossover of two Johnston McCulley heroes. This 1928 story was originally published in five installments and pairs The Crimson Clown with Thubway Tham. The storyline is well done and features all the spark of McCulley’s prose found in his famous Zorro stories.
This reprint also includes the original illustrations and is available through Amazon for an absurdly cheap price. Highest recommendation!
amzn.to/43J2Z5r
I review the series of choose your own adventure official books done as a tie in to the Young Indiana Jones Chronicles TV series. Eight were produced for the series with the same author, unique artwork and all adapted from various episodes. They follow the same style and format as the other CYOA books but sadly stick very close to the episode scripts and don’t feature the same level of possible negative outcomes found in the 1980’s Find Your Fate Indy books.
Unfortunately these are also quite rare these days and I’ve only managed to find and read the first four. I hope to find books 5-8 someday.
Still they remain a fun tie in which we don’t see in this day and age and have a certain charm to them.
I review the two reprints of the early Western pulp stories from Norvell Page by Black Dog Books. These are action packed and swift Western tales which predate Page’s legendary run of The Spider pulp novels. Two of the stories were for spicy magazines and have the format’s greater focus on sex in the midst of wall to wall action.
The newest reprint includes additional stories to make the volume complete but lacks the illustrations and forward of the original edition. Both are extremely cheap and would make an essential purchase for any fans of The Spider or Western pulps.
amzn.to/3PQw74R
In this video I discuss and compare the two text versions of book 14 in the Hardy Boys canon, The Hidden Harbor Mystery. This is the book most often discussed for the original text containing outdated racial stereotyping and so the 1935 original version was quickly one of the first to be revised in 1961. Each text has strengths of the original and revised text styles-with the revised text dramatically altering the plot structure and furthering subplots and action.
They make for a fascinating comparison and show how the revisions could deal with certain very cringeworthy aspects common to fiction of the 1920s and 1930s but most always at the cost of the nuance and texture of the original writing.
00:00 Introduction
02:35 Text comparison and plot discussion
33:13 Cover artworks
42:16 Editions in my Collection
50:18 Final Summary
An informal livestream on physical media, films and current topics.
A surprise livestream for film and physical media topics.