Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Welcome to In The Balcony. We hope you enjoy your visit.

You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free. Plus, you'll be eligible for the monthly $1 million prize. (Not really.)

Join our community!

If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features:

Username:   Password:
Add Reply
The Shadow Serial - From Mill Creek Entertainment
Topic Started: May 11 2016, 05:07 PM (3,525 Views)
Tarzan
Member Avatar
Balcony Gang, Foist Class
[ *  *  * ]
Has anyone picked this up yet? I read about it last night on Facebook. I was suspicious of it, thinking it could be a bootleg, as it's not listed anyplace on Mill Creek's web site. A couple of people on Facebook emailed Mill Creek and they confirmed that they did indeed produce it, but as an exclusive DVD for a select company.

So I ordered a copy, looking forward to it. It'd be nice if Mill Creek would release other serials, though a little less stealthy!

http://www.amazon.com/Shadow-15-Chapter-Cliffhanger-Serial-1940/dp/B018GSTN5A?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00
Don't sweat the small stuff kid, or you'll go bald early!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
The Batman
Member Avatar
Charter Member
[ *  *  * ]

Interesting news, Lord Greystoke. First I've heard of this release. It's not available on Amazon North yet, so I will be looking forward to your review of the quality of this release.


Always be yourself! Unless you can be Batman...then always be Batman!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Tarzan
Member Avatar
Balcony Gang, Foist Class
[ *  *  * ]
It came in the mail today :D

It comes on a single DVD (not a DVD-R). I watched the first chapter, the picture quality is pretty good, not bad for a 70+ year old serial. I had to turn the sound up a bit, I thought the audio was a tad low, but may be just me. No extras are included, not that I expected any. The menu is pretty simple, with a static image of the Shadow, and the options of either playing all or individual chapters.

All in all I'm pleased with it, and a bargain for what it's being sold for. I'm going to get another copy for a friend of mine who also enjoys serials, I think that he'll like it!
Don't sweat the small stuff kid, or you'll go bald early!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
The Batman
Member Avatar
Charter Member
[ *  *  * ]

Thanks for the feedback, chimp lover. For some reason, this serial is $70 on Amazon North, so I will have to keep an eye out for it at a cheaper price.

Always be yourself! Unless you can be Batman...then always be Batman!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
rodney
Member Avatar
Charter Member
[ *  *  * ]
Had no idea this existed. Ordered one just now. Thank you!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
The Batman
Member Avatar
Charter Member
[ *  *  * ]

Rodney, I would appreciate your feedback on the quality of the release. In your former dealings, I assume you've had the chance to view several versions that are available. I am wondering how the quality of this one stacks up to those.

My version of THE SHADOW is from Restored Serials. It's been a while since I watched it, but my notes say it was a decent copy. I'm curious how the Mill Creek version will stack up.


Always be yourself! Unless you can be Batman...then always be Batman!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
rodney
Member Avatar
Charter Member
[ *  *  * ]
My guess is that this is the same master that Columbia used for the VHS release, just transferred straight to DVD. My current copy is a DVD-R that was made from that VHS, so it should be pretty easy to tell. Regardless, I'm expecting at least a moderate improvement.

Now...if Sony did a new transfer for either TCM or GETtv, we could be in for a treat.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
The Batman
Member Avatar
Charter Member
[ *  *  * ]

Thanks, Rodney, I look forward to your feedback.

Do you have any insight as to what source Restored Serials used for their release?


Always be yourself! Unless you can be Batman...then always be Batman!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
rodney
Member Avatar
Charter Member
[ *  *  * ]
Honestly, I didn't know Restored Serials did The Shadow.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
The Batman
Member Avatar
Charter Member
[ *  *  * ]

That's what I have down on my list as the source, but Restored Serials doesn't have a website anymore and they were selling on Amazon (and are still listed there), but haven't sold in over a year according to the comments posted.


Always be yourself! Unless you can be Batman...then always be Batman!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
The Batman
Member Avatar
Charter Member
[ *  *  * ]

I contacted Mill Creek, as the Shadow serial is not listed on their website. Here is the response:


Good Morning,

Thank you for contacting Mill Creek Entertainment with your inquiry. The item in question is from our company but was produced as an exclusive DVD for a select company. We do not have this item for sale, it can only be purchased through the select retailer.

Here is the link to the title on Amazon.com:

http://smile.amazon.com/Shadow-15-Chapter-Cliffhanger-Serial-1940/dp/B018GSTN5A?ie=UTF8&keywords=the%20shadow&qid=1463501926&ref_=sr_1_3_twi_dvd_1&s=movies-tv&sr=1-3


The link show the Studio as Mill Creek Entertainment - Columbia Pictures. Could this mean Columbia/Sony licensed this release to Mill Creek and possibly provided original 35mm elements?




Always be yourself! Unless you can be Batman...then always be Batman!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
rodney
Member Avatar
Charter Member
[ *  *  * ]
I do believe that Sony licensed the serial to Mill Creek, as they've been doing with lots of other titles lately (some even for Blu release). Regarding the source of the elements, we'll have to wait and see...
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
The Batman
Member Avatar
Charter Member
[ *  *  * ]

Thanks, and again, looking forward to your feedback!


Always be yourself! Unless you can be Batman...then always be Batman!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
John Doe
Charter Member
[ *  *  * ]
One of the Amazon reviewers of the Millcreek dvd of The Shadow said this:

"It is a real shame this was not remastered for dvd. This nickel & dime use of a vhs transfer looks crappy when it should not. Great product ruined by cheap presentation."

Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
rodney
Member Avatar
Charter Member
[ *  *  * ]
John Doe
May 17 2016, 05:57 PM
One of the Amazon reviewers of the Millcreek dvd of The Shadow said this:

"It is a real shame this was not remastered for dvd. This nickel & dime use of a vhs transfer looks crappy when it should not. Great product ruined by cheap presentation."

I saw that, and was a bit concerned, but I'm also wary of Amazon reviews. If it's a VHS transfer, there will be the tell-tale signs at the bottom of the screen (unless they crop the screen like VCI does).

There's so little information online about this release that it's next to impossible to know what's really going on with it. My copy will arrive today.
Edited by rodney, May 18 2016, 03:58 AM.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
ZetaBoards - Free Forum Hosting
Free Forums. Reliable service with over 8 years of experience.
Learn More · Sign-up for Free
Go to Next Page
« Previous Topic · Continued Next Week · Next Topic »
Add Reply