The Phantom Creeps (1939) 2k Restored Special Edition - January 21, 2020

[GrimJester]

VCI.

Dr. Alex Zorka (Bela Lugosi), an eccentric scientist, carries on mysterious experiments in his secret laboratory with the aid of Monk (Jack C. Smith), an ex-convict. Zorka has invented many strange and powerful weapons of warfare, including a devisualizer belt which allows him to operate without being seen, and a terrifying mechanical robot eight feet tall. He also possesses a deadly meteorite fragment from which he extracts a strange element which can induce suspended animation in an entire army. 12 Chapters.

VCI statement about the delay:

We have had many inquiries from our fans, about when the heck will our 4K restoration of THE PHANTOM CREEPS finally be released on DVD & Blu-ray? Here is the scoop on why it has been delayed so long.

When we started working on the restoration early last year, we discovered that 6 of the 12 chapters, of the original film elements we received from Universal Pictures, had many issues. Some reels were missing, and some were on nitrate film and had deteriorated terribly. Fortunately, we found more complete original film elements stored at the Library of Congress. We have requested access to those film elements, however we were informed that film was actually owned by Sony Pictures (FYI, Sony actually is the owner of Columbia Pictures, who had a license in the 1950’s to distribute several Universal serials via their TV syndication division, Screen Gems, and that’s how they came to have these film elements). Since we discovered this, we have been negotiating with Sony’s legal department to give us permission to access and scan this film, which would allow us to finish our restoration. This process with Sony began last July, and so far, they have been cooperating, but still haven’t given us their permission. We feel confident that Sony will give us permission, but we just can’t say when. This is a very high priority project to VCI, but unfortunately it is not as important to Sony, so we remain on hold.

https://www.vcientertainment.com/the...ation-project/

[fred25_Ca]

I have very little confidence in VCI. Hopefully I am proven wrong and this is watchable (the previous dvd i bought was such a bad quality it was impossible to understand what was happening).

[jrcasey1960]

VCI have been doing a great job with these remasters. The only problem I've seen is that the scans need better contrast (black blacks). Otherwise, these Universal serials have never looked so good.

It was mentioned that 6 chapters of Universal's materials on THE PHANTOM CREEPS were deteriorated and that those chapters would be "restored" from other elements. May have something to do with the delay.

Just viewed the new blu ray of LOST CITY OF THE JUNGLE and it looks superb (other than the low contrast). Image is so clear and the Atwill double scenes are even more obvious!

[fred25_Ca]

Is there a list or a thread of all the serials released on Blu ray yet? I know of Shazam but that's pretty much it. I'd love to watch more but it's such a niche market it's hard to find any info.

[captveg]

Like all their recent releases, this is officially licensed from Universal and uses their best surviving elements.

[GrimJester]

Originally Posted by fred25_Ca

Is there a list or a thread of all the serials released on Blu ray yet? I know of Shazam but that's pretty much it. I'd love to watch more but it's such a niche market it's hard to find any info.

I don't know about a thread but there is a catagory for serials at the TCM shop and you can filter by blu-ray format:

https://shop.tcm.com/cliffhanger-ser...=AP&ft=Blu-ray

[fred25_Ca]

Originally Posted by GrimJester

I don't know about a thread but there is a catagory for serials at the TCM shop and you can filter by blu-ray format:

https://shop.tcm.com/cliffhanger-ser...=AP&ft=Blu-ray

Thanks! Same with wowhd.ca:
https://www.wowhd.ca/search?mod=AV&g...als&ft=Blu-ray

I don't know enough about serials but if someone does, it'd be great to start a thread.

[Crow T. Robot]

I've collected some of the newer releases...if I want to read up on ones I haven't heard of before , I check out https://filesofjerryblake.com/

Talks about VCI releases, hope it helps you.

Steve

[fred25_Ca]

Thanks, it does! I wonder if we'll ever get a good release of Flash Gordon, probably the most well know serial of all time, yet we can't seem to get a good release.
As for Phantom Creeps, I'm really happy to hear it will be a good release, I've been dying to see it for years!

[drak b]

Originally Posted by jrcasey1960

VCI have been doing a great job with these remasters. The only problem I've seen is that the scans need better contrast (black blacks). Otherwise, these Universal serials have never looked so good.

...

Just viewed the new blu ray of LOST CITY OF THE JUNGLE and it looks superb (other than the low contrast). Image is so clear and the Atwill double scenes are even more obvious!

I received my copy of Lost City of the Jungle in the mail today and I completely agree with jrcasey1960's thoughts. Very beautiful picture, but the contrast is definitely off so solid blacks are almost non-existent.

The addition of subtitles was a very welcome surprise though! I hope they are present on all of the serial releases they put out.

I've already got The Phantom Creeps on pre-order and I look forward to picking up every serial that VCI puts out on BR! Love these things!

[InGen]

Didn't know about the delay, but I welcome it if it will expand the features. Have both this and The Human Monster on pre-order.

Edit: This report published Aug 19 mentions a couple features, but I can't find references to them anywhere else. Any ideas?

"Bonus features include commentary from Bela Lugosi author and film historian Gary D. Rhodes and a newly-prepared documentary by Daniel Griffith on the serials of Bela Lugosi."

https://dvdandblu-rayreleasereport.b...a-lugosis.html

[jrcasey1960]

Originally Posted by fred25_Ca

Thanks, it does! I wonder if we'll ever get a good release of Flash Gordon, probably the most well know serial of all time, yet we can't seem to get a good release.
As for Phantom Creeps, I'm really happy to hear it will be a good release, I've been dying to see it for years!

Fred:
You're probably aware that the FLASH GORDON serials are owned by King Features/Hearst. Although produced by Universal, the rights expired and reverted to King Features. Though far from perfect, the best materials on these were licensed from KF to Image for their DVD sets. It would be wonderful if Universal still had vault elements for them, but I doubt it.

[jimqk]

Well, this release is only a few days away. I pre-ordered it weeks ago so hoping I get it sometime next week. Really hoping this is a special release. The picture and sound quality has always been crap. Hoping this changes all that.

[fred25_Ca]

Yeah, I didn't dare pre-order it. I'll wait to see what you guys think first. If it's good, i'm definately ordering it asap!

[WaverBoy]

Originally Posted by jrcasey1960

Fred:
You're probably aware that the FLASH GORDON serials are owned by King Features/Hearst. Although produced by Universal, the rights expired and reverted to King Features. Though far from perfect, the best materials on these were licensed from KF to Image for their DVD sets. It would be wonderful if Universal still had vault elements for them, but I doubt it.

A lot more could be done with those elements nowadays. I’d love to see a full-blown HD restoration of the three Flash Gordon serials, my fave serials of all.

[Richard--W]

Originally Posted by WaverBoy

A lot more could be done with those elements nowadays. I’d love to see a full-blown HD restoration of the three Flash Gordon serials, my fave serials of all.

This.

[GrimJester]

I think this has been delayed again. No new date to report, retailers are just displaying it out of stock.

[Killer Meteor]

Hopefully they will do a proper contrast/brightness correction on this one, unlike their previous serial releases.

[jimqk]

Yep, I guess it's delayed, again. Was really hoping to get it this week.

[RevengeOfToonces]

Well, this frickin' sucks. I was really looking forward to watching it.