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Rating the DVD Releases of Sound Serials; Best picture and sound quality available on DVD
Topic Started: Jun 16 2014, 07:30 AM (21,447 Views)
Pa Stark
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Just wondering why, no matter how great the print and transfer, not one serial has scored a 10?
Honest and Lovable Pa Stark
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The Batman
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Mr Hale, thank you for the reminder. I meant to add all those Blu-Ray releases (as alternates, still keeping the DVD ratings for those who haven't converted).

Will get them added tomorrow.


Always be yourself! Unless you can be Batman...then always be Batman!
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Frank Hale
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Speaking only for myself, Pa, I judge on an absolute scale, and to me a "10" is the equivalent of a theatrical showing with a knowledgeable projectionist, back in the old days.

The only home video presentations I've seen that have come even close are some of the Paramount VistaVision Blu-Rays.

As I've posted, most people here seem to rate on a more relativistic, serial-based scale, and I discount accordingly.

We probably should have laid out our standards at the beginning, but I think we're stuck with what we have, and I'm not going to be the one to ask Mr. Bats to go back and revise everything according to some new agreed-upon common denominator, given his sterling efforts to date.
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The Batman
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Thanks, Mr Hale. Frankly (no pun intended) that ain't gonna happen. It's enough work, editing this thread. Just keep posting your ratings, I'll keep averaging them, and everyone can use whatever qualifiers make them happy to arrive at their own final rating.

Then, buy the darn thing and see how close we are.


Always be yourself! Unless you can be Batman...then always be Batman!
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williejg
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Pa,

I've got to agree with Mr. Hale and Batman. This is a work in progress and we can't try setting new standards now.

This is all pretty subjective to begin with. There are relatively few serials out on BD, so the majority of these ratings are about DVDs. But, who's using what equipment? CRT or Flat Screen? Blu Ray or DVD player? is your DVD player upscaling like a Blu Ray player? Is your TV 30" or 75 "? There are a lot of variables to consider, which will make for a lot of different opinions.

I have to enter my opinions and hope they help the project. I can't rate any serial a 10. As beautiful that I think a title is, it's ultimately going to look far different on anyone else's system. I would like to say that Olive's Invisible Monster is a 10, but how can I considering that I don't have a Hi Def TV like most other contributors?

It's simply a judgement call that we all make. If you're comfortable rating any given title a 10 Pa, by all means do so.
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The Batman
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Yes, yes. Everyone rate what is in their hearts, it'll all even out in the end and I believe most ratings will be within the ranges of most of us. Really hope that made sense.


Always be yourself! Unless you can be Batman...then always be Batman!
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The Batman
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I've added the Olive Blu-Ray serials, "The Invisible Monster", "Flying Disc Man from Mars", and "Commando Cody - Sky Marshal of the Universe". I've added them as DVDs and made note that they are also available on Blu-ray.


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Chandu
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Silly me. I later realized I still have a 27" CRT in my bedroom and upon viewing The Lost Special on that, it's rating jumped from a 2 on my 65" Flatscreen to a 6! Even the sound was better and it was much more watchable.
Not plane, nor bird, nor even frog. It's just little ol' me...
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The Batman
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There ya go, Chandy!

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williejg
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We just had a discussion about Mill Creek releasing The Shadow, and how it was an improvement over the AC Comics version. Well, in my continued searching for serial sources, I noticed that although the Sony DVDs of the 2 Batman serials can still be had they have also been released by Mill Creek as The Gotham City Serials. I'm not sure if this topic has come up here before or not. Sony originally did a good job on those serials with the exception of chapter 1 of the 1943 serial being less than perfect. Does any one know if Mill Creek improved upon this?
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The Batman
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Completely a guess on my part, but at best, Sony licensed the two Batman serials to Mill Creek. I can't see the latter spending the money to upgrade a print. At worst, Mill Creek is using inferior prints to what Sony offered.

I do find it curious that Mill Creek is even bothering to release the two Batman serials, as the Sony releases can both be had for less than $10 each. In some cases, less than $5 each.

Always be yourself! Unless you can be Batman...then always be Batman!
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Frank Hale
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My impression is simply that Sony / Columbia abandoned its prior relationships with TCM and its own Columbia Archives in favor of a new deal with Mill Creek.

Most of the stuff has been recycled, and given the price points I can't imagine there have been further upgrades.

But there has been some new stuff, like "The Shadow" and a few SF pix, I believe, so we will have to see what develops.

One thing I will say, is that, despite the dirt cheap prices, Columbia has really done a good job on every old film I've seen, and you should pick up anything you're interested in. Grover Crisp, the head preservationist, seems to be one of us.
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Pa Stark
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I am now watching the Squadron's new release of THE GREEN ARCHER. Even though the night scenes are a bit too dark, I still give it an 8. It is a really fun serial. What I like is the villain has a fake Green Archer (Jack Ingram), and it is a running gag that the gang chases after the real Green Archer, and comes across the hapless Ingram, and mistakenly beat the stuffing out of him. Kit Guard steals the show as henchman, Dinky. There are no extras.
Soon Grood will be releasing DEADWOOD DICK.
Edited by Pa Stark, Nov 24 2016, 12:16 PM.
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AndyFish
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New Year new resolution to watch serials I'll never get to so I just upgraded my copies of HOLT OF THE SECRET SERVICE and GANGBUSTERS from Alpha to SS editions. I also picked up HOUSE OF HATE which looks really interesting. I almost got the SS Spider's Web but my copy is either from Restored Serials or Western Trails so it's pretty good.
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The Batman
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Andy, you will be very happy with the quality of the Squadron's Holt and Gangbuster releases. Great serials, too.


Always be yourself! Unless you can be Batman...then always be Batman!
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