Man In the Dark (1953) Blu-ray 3D [Region Free]

[Oscar Rothman]

Street date, Jan. 21st.

[Taygan315]

Originally Posted by tigermoth

Anyone got a link to a trailer? Never heard of this one. I will buy any old 3D movie

Same here. I'm going to try and find a trailer for it here in a minute.

[Taygan315]

Having trouble finding a trailer.


Apparently, this movie was rushed and shot in 11 days to premiere and beat House Of Wax in theaters by 2 days. Columbia was the studio.

Technically, United Artists 'Bwhana Devil' beat both House Of Wax and Man In The Dark to theaters but was not considered to be a major studio then (now?)

I'm in for this one. The plot sounds interesting.

[NoirFan]

Eddie Muller introduces "Man in the Dark" (1953) at Noir City Seattle (Uptown Theater 2/27/2013) - YouTube

[phillip999]

Hi. Just joined forum. Am avid collector of blu ray 3D (have about 80 so far). I saw "Man in the Dark" in the early 50s when I was about 15 years old and would love to get a copy of this blu ray when (if?) it becomes available. Also, saw original House of Wax 3D at about the same time. Just bought the 3D blu ray of "Wax"and the 3D quality was magnificent. They really knew how to direct and use 3D cameras in the 50s. Please post if you get info on when/where to order "Man in the Dark."
Am hoping they will also prepare "Kiss Me Kate," "Hondo" "Inferno" and "Bwana Devil." for release on 3D blu-ray ... all seen as a teenager.

[NoirFan]

Welcome phillip999. Pre-orders usually become available 25 days prior to release, so around December 27th or so. Hopefully this won't have a higher price-tag for being 3D.

[Robert Furmanek]

We have a wealth of material on this film.

Here's a little sample from our HOUSE OF WAX article: http://www.3dfilmarchive.com/House-of-Wax

[Paul H]

Originally Posted by Robert Furmanek

We have a wealth of material on this film.

Here's a little sample from our HOUSE OF WAX article: http://www.3dfilmarchive.com/House-of-Wax

In addition, beginning February 25, Columbia had rushed through production of MAN IN THE DARK in just eleven days and managed to have it open two days before the much-heralded HOUSE OF WAX premiere in New York City. “The first 3-D feature motion picture produced by a major studio” didn’t hurt business for WAX one bit, although I imagine Jack Warner was not terribly thrilled with Harry Cohn.

[Robert Furmanek]

MAN IN THE DARK has "quickie" written all over it but it's a VERY entertaining entry in the 1950's 3-D cannon.

Some people complain about the rear-screen roller coaster ride and a few other process shots, but the amazing black and white stereoscopic footage of Ocean Park in Santa Monica - and LAFFING SAL - more than makes up for it.

Like some other Columbia titles, it's pretty heavy on the gimmicks with the cigar "dotting the eye" being a real favorite. It's got a terrific cast and an interesting script plus the photography/lighting by Floyd Crosby is quite good for such a fast shoot.

With that said, it was a new, un-tested camera rig and the film has a higher than average amount of baked-in vertical misalignment. I once had original 35mm left/right prints and it's been that way since day one. Hopefully, those errors have now been corrected.

[hotandserious]

bump - - - !
I am VERY, VERY excited about this one!

[Paul H]

Man in the Dark (Blu-ray 3D + Blu-ray) Email notification for Pre-order availability

[Taygan315]

Originally Posted by Paul H

Man in the Dark (Blu-ray 3D + Blu-ray) Email notification for Pre-order availability

Thanks for the link Paul. I heard this release was only going to be available on the studio's website and only 3,000 were going to be made. In addition, they were NOT going to made available thru retail stores or Amazon. Is this true?? I hope not.

[atomik kinder]

On their Facebook page, Twilight Time says this will go up for preorder on December 26th at 4pm EST. Not sure exactly where to order from thought. Twilight Time BDs are all very limited and are only sold on Amazon by secondary sellers. I don't think they have ever been available any other way. You can only order directly from them.

[filmbuddy]

Twilight Time also sells their own stuff on Amazon marketplace under the seller name Screen Archives Entertainment, however, based on their past title releases, they are not made available for sale until some time after their official street date. I've been able to buy a few of their titles using Amazon credit to lessen the pain of the cost.

If it looks like a title will be very popular and sell out quickly, it's best to preorder it directly from them (like what happened with Fright Night, Night of the Living Dead, Christine and Body Double).

This is their website: http://www.screenarchives.com/displa...m?category=546

[Taygan315]

Thanks for the intel guys. Much appreciated.

[BleedOrange11]

Yeah, shipping is $4.50 in the U.S., so still $35 for domestic release. Pretty ridiculous. On top of that, Twilight Time has a history of pretty weak extras and no special packaging. You'd think for an expensive special order, limited edition, you'd get something of superior quality. I'm undecided on whether to order or not. Hopefully, the 3Dfilmarchive can do an advanced review.

[Paul H]

Jan 21, 2014 3D Release

[Zivouhr]

Originally Posted by BleedOrange11

Yeah, shipping is $4.50 in the U.S., so still $35 for domestic release. Pretty ridiculous. On top of that, Twilight Time has a history of pretty weak extras and no special packaging. You'd think for an expensive special order, limited edition, you'd get something of superior quality. I'm undecided on whether to order or not. Hopefully, the 3Dfilmarchive can do an advanced review.

$35 is a lot for one movie so I agree, it would have to have strong 3D layers with a nice replay value for that higher price total. This sounds interesting.

I like how they have the Man in the Dark 3D poster; stare at the image for 30 seconds, then look away to see it in your after effect sight.

[Jbug]

3D in the movie is supposed to be good but.........

Critical response

When the film was released, Bosley Crowther, film critic for the New York Times, panned the film. He wrote, "Columbia's first stereoscopic film—a conspicuously low-grade melodrama ... called Man in the Dark, ... must be viewed through polaroid glasses to be seen for any effect whatsoever, is a thoroughly unspectacular affair."

More recently, critic Elliott Stein, writing for The Village Voice, discussed the effects used in the film: "This seems to be the 3-D flick that most exploits the short-lived medium. An endless array of stuff comes whiffling at your face—a lit cigar, a repulsive spider, scissors, forceps, fists, falling bodies, and a roller coaster. The prolific Landers may not have been a great director, but he was a pretty good pitcher."

[keb33509]

Available for pre-order now! Just placed mine. Get it while you can!