Doc Savage - official studio release DVD

Post by John Olsen
Warner Brothers is finally releasing "Doc Savage" on DVD. Not available
http://www.wbshop.com/Warner-Archive/ARCHIVE,default,sc.html
For $19.95 you get the anamorphic widescreen official studio-released DVD.
No more laserdisc bootlegs!
John

Thanks for the tip. I've been waiting for my VCR to eat my tape so soon
I'll be able to watch it again. I just ordered mine and got free shipping.
Not sure why, but I'll take it.

Chuck

Space Ranger

2009-03-24 00:36:19 UTC

But also the original awful music and all the silly parts that the fan
edit fixed. I do hope a good fan edit is done with the anamorphic
widescreen as a source.

Ted Nolan <tednolan>

2009-03-24 08:32:03 UTC

Post by Space Ranger

But also the original awful music and all the silly parts that the fan
edit fixed. I do hope a good fan edit is done with the anamorphic
widescreen as a source.

Looks like it's an experiment in press-on-order DVD retail:

http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/patterson/43749

In an interesting if odd experiment, Warner Brothers is finally
dusting off hundreds of older, rarely-seen catalog titles and putting
them on DVDon a by-request basis, that is. As the Wall Street
Journal reports, the Warner Archive launched Monday with a selection
of about 150 titles, including such oldies as "Abe Lincoln in
Illinois" (1940), "Al Capone" (1959), "Doc Savage" (1975), and that
oh-so-subtle classic, "I Was a Communist for the FBI" (1951), none
of which have ever been available on DVD.

The twist: None of the titles are actually in stock. Instead, Warner
Brothers (or rather, an independent disc-pressing facility) will
burn individual DVDs as orders come in (DVDs will take about a week
to arrive). You'll also be able to download copy-protected Windows
Media versions of the movies, although as of Monday morning, I was
having a hard time finding any downloadable titles.

--
------
columbiaclosings.com
What's not in Columbia anymore..

Anim8rFSK

2009-03-25 01:06:12 UTC

Post by Ted Nolan <tednolan>

Post by Space Ranger

But also the original awful music and all the silly parts that the fan
edit fixed. I do hope a good fan edit is done with the anamorphic
widescreen as a source.

http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/patterson/43749
In an interesting if odd experiment, Warner Brothers is finally
dusting off hundreds of older, rarely-seen catalog titles and putting
them on DVDon a by-request basis, that is. As the Wall Street
Journal reports, the Warner Archive launched Monday with a selection
of about 150 titles, including such oldies as "Abe Lincoln in
Illinois" (1940), "Al Capone" (1959), "Doc Savage" (1975), and that
oh-so-subtle classic, "I Was a Communist for the FBI" (1951), none
of which have ever been available on DVD.
The twist: None of the titles are actually in stock. Instead, Warner
Brothers (or rather, an independent disc-pressing facility) will
burn individual DVDs as orders come in (DVDs will take about a week
to arrive). You'll also be able to download copy-protected Windows
Media versions of the movies, although as of Monday morning, I was
having a hard time finding any downloadable titles.

I found one . . um . . oh, yeah

CAPTAIN NEMO AND THE UNDERWATER CITY

Search for 'Nemo'

It brings it up twice; $14.95 for the download version, $19.95 for the
DVD.

The categories are a mess. Neither Doc nor Nemo are under SyFy like
you'd expect. If people hadn't told me, I'd have never found anything I
was interested in.

--
"He'll succumb to all who find
DOC SAVAGE! DOC SAVAGE!"

Hey, that's what we THOUGHT the words were,
first time we saw the movie in the theater . . .

Chuck Michael

2009-03-25 20:05:24 UTC

Post by Anim8rFSK
I found one . . um . . oh, yeah
CAPTAIN NEMO AND THE UNDERWATER CITY
Search for 'Nemo'
It brings it up twice; $14.95 for the download version, $19.95 for the
DVD.
The categories are a mess. Neither Doc nor Nemo are under SyFy like
you'd expect. If people hadn't told me, I'd have never found anything I
was interested in.

I guessed Action/Adventure.

Chuck

TBerk

2009-03-26 06:39:14 UTC

Post by Ted Nolan <tednolan>

Post by Space Ranger

Warner Brothers is finally releasing "Doc Savage" on DVD. Not available
http://www.wbshop.com/Warner-Archive/ARCHIVE,default,sc.html
For $19.95 you get the anamorphic widescreen official studio-released
DVD. No more laserdisc bootlegs!
John

But also the original awful music and all the silly parts that the fan
edit fixed. I do hope a good fan edit is done with the anamorphic
widescreen as a source.

I found one . . um . . oh, yeah
CAPTAIN NEMO AND THE UNDERWATER CITY
Search for 'Nemo'
It brings it up twice; $14.95 for the download version, $19.95 for the
DVD.
The categories are a mess. Neither Doc nor Nemo are under SyFy like
you'd expect. If people hadn't told me, I'd have never found anything I
was interested in.

I suppose a little feedback from the great unwashed masses (us) might
be in order.

TBerk

rjg173

2009-03-25 23:25:02 UTC

Four Cary Grant films - that's not bad. Including three that I've
never seen.

jmv

2009-03-31 03:20:27 UTC

Post by John Olsen
Warner Brothers is finally releasing "Doc Savage" on DVD. Not
http://www.wbshop.com/Warner-Archive/ARCHIVE,default,sc.html
For $19.95 you get the anamorphic widescreen official studio-released
DVD. No more laserdisc bootlegs!
John

After seeing your post last week I ordered a copy and got it today.
I also got free shipping, with no explanation as to why, but I'm not
complaining. I don't think I have seen that movie since it came out
in 1975, as I don't remember ever seeing it on TV or a VHS copy
of it.

I was 17 when it was released and remember thinking that it wasn't
a very good movie about Doc Savage, but I must admit I enjoyed
watching it tonight. It's still the campy movie it was when I first saw
it, and the music is silly, but it's not quite as bad as I remembered it.
I guess I've gotten a little less critical in my old age.

The sound and video quality of the DVD was better then I expected.
They included the movie preview that has a very annoying hum in the
background, but the movie was fine.

I would still like to see a more serious movie about Doc, but I don't
think that is ever going to happen. There has been allot of talk about
it over the years, but nothing has ever come out if it.

I saw something that I had forgotten about, at the end of the movie.
There was a message about watching for the next movie "The Arch
Enemy of Evil", but that movie never happened. Does anyone know
why they never made a second movie? Did the first movie really do
that badly at the box office?

Anim8rFSK

2009-03-31 14:03:22 UTC

Post by jmv

After seeing your post last week I ordered a copy and got it today.

Cool

Post by jmv
I also got free shipping, with no explanation as to why, but I'm not

It's standard; I think it's a 'grand opening special or something

Post by jmv
complaining. I don't think I have seen that movie since it came out
in 1975, as I don't remember ever seeing it on TV or a VHS copy
of it.
I was 17 when it was released and remember thinking that it wasn't
a very good movie about Doc Savage, but I must admit I enjoyed
watching it tonight. It's still the campy movie it was when I first saw
it, and the music is silly, but it's not quite as bad as I remembered it.
I guess I've gotten a little less critical in my old age.
The sound and video quality of the DVD was better then I expected.
They included the movie preview that has a very annoying hum in the
background, but the movie was fine.

Are there any technical specs listed on the box? Like, does it say
'anamorphic' anywhere?

Post by jmv
I would still like to see a more serious movie about Doc, but I don't
think that is ever going to happen. There has been allot of talk about
it over the years, but nothing has ever come out if it.
I saw something that I had forgotten about, at the end of the movie.
There was a message about watching for the next movie "The Arch
Enemy of Evil", but that movie never happened. Does anyone know
why they never made a second movie? Did the first movie really do
that badly at the box office?

Yes :(

We had to drive all the way across town to see it, in the only theater
showing it, and we were all alone.

--
"He'll succumb to all who find
DOC SAVAGE! DOC SAVAGE!"

Hey, that's what we THOUGHT the words were,
first time we saw the movie in the theater . . .

John M

2009-04-02 21:11:33 UTC

All the movies that are widescreen are anamorphic transfers - Doc included.

They are not doing any restoration to any of the films. They are using the
best elements they can find, and some may not be all that great, but they
won't be horrible. From all I've been able to find they are trying to make
it the best they can without spending millions on these films.

Post by jmv

After seeing your post last week I ordered a copy and got it today.

Cool

Post by jmv
I also got free shipping, with no explanation as to why, but I'm not

It's standard; I think it's a 'grand opening special or something

Are there any technical specs listed on the box? Like, does it say
'anamorphic' anywhere?

Yes :(
We had to drive all the way across town to see it, in the only theater
showing it, and we were all alone.
--
"He'll succumb to all who find
DOC SAVAGE! DOC SAVAGE!"
Hey, that's what we THOUGHT the words were,
first time we saw the movie in the theater . . .

Anim8rFSK

2009-04-03 13:43:28 UTC

Post by John M
All the movies that are widescreen are anamorphic transfers - Doc included.

A friend of mine wrote them, and they replied that some are, but Doc is
not:

Hi Tom,

Thank you for your recent inquiry. Some of our products are available
WS. Doc Savage has not been enhanced for widescreen TVs. If you have any
further questions, or are in need of further assistance, do not hesitate
to contact us again.

Regards,

Joe

The mystery continues . . .

--
"He'll succumb to all who find
DOC SAVAGE! DOC SAVAGE!"

Hey, that's what we THOUGHT the words were,
first time we saw the movie in the theater . . .

John M

2009-04-05 16:08:03 UTC

I read the anamorphic information in an article (which, of course, I can't
find again) on the 'net a day or so after the site went active. This is good
information to know. Thanks.

John

Post by John M
All the movies that are widescreen are anamorphic transfers - Doc included.

A friend of mine wrote them, and they replied that some are, but Doc is
Hi Tom,
Thank you for your recent inquiry. Some of our products are available
WS. Doc Savage has not been enhanced for widescreen TVs. If you have any
further questions, or are in need of further assistance, do not hesitate
to contact us again.
Regards,
Joe
The mystery continues . . .
--
"He'll succumb to all who find
DOC SAVAGE! DOC SAVAGE!"
Hey, that's what we THOUGHT the words were,
first time we saw the movie in the theater . . .

c***@gmail.com

2009-04-10 21:48:32 UTC

Post by John M
All the movies that are widescreen are anamorphic transfers - Doc included.

I ordered it. I've gotten it. It IS anamorphic.

:)

Anim8rFSK

2009-04-10 23:30:17 UTC

In article

Post by c***@gmail.com

Post by John M
All the movies that are widescreen are anamorphic transfers - Doc included.

I ordered it. I've gotten it. It IS anamorphic.
:)

Okay, now, no offense, but since I'm passing this on to people who are
basing their buying decision on it, and since Warner says it's not, can
you tell me exactly how you know? Thanks!

--
"He'll succumb to all who find
DOC SAVAGE! DOC SAVAGE!"

Hey, that's what we THOUGHT the words were,
first time we saw the movie in the theater . . .

faurote6

2009-04-11 16:49:48 UTC

The case says "Widescreen 16 x 9 1.85:1". "Anamorphic" isn't listed
on the case anywhere. Looks good on my widescreen TV, if that helps.

Post by Anim8rFSK
In article

Post by c***@gmail.com

Post by John M
All the movies that are widescreen are anamorphic transfers - Doc included.

I ordered it. I've gotten it. It IS anamorphic.
:)

Okay, now, no offense, but since I'm passing this on to people who are
basing their buying decision on it, and since Warner says it's not, can
you tell me exactly how you know? Thanks!
--
"He'll succumb to all who find
DOC SAVAGE! DOC SAVAGE!"
Hey, that's what we THOUGHT the words were,
first time we saw the movie in the theater . . .

Anim8rFSK

2009-04-12 02:46:28 UTC

In article

Post by faurote6
The case says "Widescreen 16 x 9 1.85:1". "Anamorphic" isn't listed

Okay, cool. If they're using those terms correctly, it means anamorphic.

Post by faurote6
on the case anywhere. Looks good on my widescreen TV, if that helps.

I take it it automatically fills your 16.9 set, left to right, without
you having to push any zoom buttons? No black bars on the sides?

Post by Anim8rFSK
In article

Post by c***@gmail.com

Post by John M
All the movies that are widescreen are anamorphic transfers - Doc included.

I ordered it. I've gotten it. It IS anamorphic.
:)

--
"He'll succumb to all who find
DOC SAVAGE! DOC SAVAGE!"

Hey, that's what we THOUGHT the words were,
first time we saw the movie in the theater . . .

faurote6

2009-04-12 12:33:27 UTC

that is correc

Post by Anim8rFSK
In article

Post by faurote6
The case says "Widescreen 16 x 9 1.85:1". "Anamorphic" isn't listed

Okay, cool. If they're using those terms correctly, it means anamorphic.

Post by faurote6
on the case anywhere. Looks good on my widescreen TV, if that helps.

I take it it automatically fills your 16.9 set, left to right, without
you having to push any zoom buttons? No black bars on the sides?

Anim8rFSK

2009-04-12 16:00:05 UTC

In article

Post by faurote6
that is correc

Cool, thanks!

Post by Anim8rFSK
In article

Post by faurote6
The case says "Widescreen 16 x 9 1.85:1". "Anamorphic" isn't listed

Okay, cool. If they're using those terms correctly, it means anamorphic.

Post by faurote6
on the case anywhere. Looks good on my widescreen TV, if that helps.

I take it it automatically fills your 16.9 set, left to right, without
you having to push any zoom buttons? No black bars on the sides?

--
"He'll succumb to all who find
DOC SAVAGE! DOC SAVAGE!"

Hey, that's what we THOUGHT the words were,
first time we saw the movie in the theater . . .

John M

2009-04-15 20:55:17 UTC

OK - so it has no black bars sides or no/minimal black top/bottom? (Which it
should since the film was 1.85:1 according to IMDB).

If there are heavy black bars on the top then it could still be flat
transfer with the dvd player stretching the image.

Post by Anim8rFSK
In article

Post by faurote6
that is correc

Cool, thanks!

Post by Anim8rFSK
In article

Post by faurote6
The case says "Widescreen 16 x 9 1.85:1". "Anamorphic" isn't listed

Okay, cool. If they're using those terms correctly, it means anamorphic.

Post by faurote6
on the case anywhere. Looks good on my widescreen TV, if that helps.

I take it it automatically fills your 16.9 set, left to right, without
you having to push any zoom buttons? No black bars on the sides?

--
"He'll succumb to all who find
DOC SAVAGE! DOC SAVAGE!"
Hey, that's what we THOUGHT the words were,
first time we saw the movie in the theater . . .

Anim8rFSK

2009-04-20 04:42:08 UTC

Post by John M
OK - so it has no black bars sides or no/minimal black top/bottom? (Which it
should since the film was 1.85:1 according to IMDB).
If there are heavy black bars on the top then it could still be flat
transfer with the dvd player stretching the image.

That's always a danger, but I don't know how to check for it remotely.

Post by John M

Post by Anim8rFSK
In article

Post by faurote6
that is correc

Cool, thanks!

Post by Anim8rFSK
In article

Post by faurote6
The case says "Widescreen 16 x 9 1.85:1". "Anamorphic" isn't listed

Okay, cool. If they're using those terms correctly, it means anamorphic.

Post by faurote6
on the case anywhere. Looks good on my widescreen TV, if that helps.

I take it it automatically fills your 16.9 set, left to right, without
you having to push any zoom buttons? No black bars on the sides?

--
"He'll succumb to all who find
DOC SAVAGE! DOC SAVAGE!"
Hey, that's what we THOUGHT the words were,
first time we saw the movie in the theater . . .

--
"He'll succumb to all who find
DOC SAVAGE! DOC SAVAGE!"

Hey, that's what we THOUGHT the words were,
first time we saw the movie in the theater . . .

The Weary Professor

2009-05-01 21:34:17 UTC

Hi all.

I have a copy that arrived a couple of weeks ago. I've watched it twice. I
have a widescreen TV and the DVD anamorphically fills my entire 1:78 screen.
I do not have the set set to stretch images. I teach film and I'm fanatical
about playing everything in the original intended aspect ratio. The guy
from Warner Bros. does not have the correct info. If IMDB is correct and
the film is 1:85, then the fairly minor difference between that and 1:78 is
absorbed by the TV overscan.

The production quality of the disk itself I would give 8/10. The playing
side is purple (like a DVD-R) but it has a professional looking embossed
label. There's no real menu structure other than "Play Movie" and "Play
Trailer." "Scene Selection" would also have been nice. The reds (like when
Doc is in the eagle's head protrusion of his building tracing the rifle
shot) bleed a bit and have a slight filtered look, but the transfer is
pretty good. The DVD case itself has the Rogel Kastel poster art on the
cover. It's not really a standard amaray DVD case. It's slightly heavier,
more like a rental case than a regular case. It's just as tall, however,
and fits properly in my Case Logic DVD racks.

The back cover reads:

He's everything you've ever wanted in a hero!
Based on the first of Kenneth Robeson's 181 adventure-packed Doc Savage
books, Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze hits the screen with all its gee-whiz,
gung-ho spirit intact. And its bold protagonist, who along with having a
Herculean body is also a surgeon, linguist and inventor, remains determined
to do right to all and wrong to no one.

Ron Ely (TV's Tarzan) plays the strapping Savage in this high-camp, big
heroics tale of his trek into the Valley of the Vanished to confront the
power-hungry Captain Seas (Paul Wexler). And behind the camera are pros who
know how to get the most out of this entertainment bronze mine: veteran
fantasy film producer George Pal (The War of the Worlds, The Time Machine)
and director Michael Anderson (Around the World in 80 Days, Logan's Run).

There's also a photo of Ely in a ripped shirt that appears to be printed
backwards (his hair is parted on the wrong side).

Frank
The Weary Professor

That's always a danger, but I don't know how to check for it remotely.

Post by John M

Post by Anim8rFSK
In article

Post by faurote6
that is correc

Cool, thanks!

John M

2009-05-02 20:28:37 UTC