Twilight Time Discussion Thread

[benbess]

The new restoration of The Keys of the Kingdom has earned rare top marks for picture quality over at home theater forums. I've only seen this movie in the scratched and worn version that was previously available, and it still knocked my socks off. This is an excellent little epic imho. Gregory Peck was nominated for a Oscar in his first big starring role. As you can see the cast also includes Vincent Price, Roddy McDowall, Rosa Stadner, Ed Gwenn, and Cedric Hardicke. Just ordered my copy today.

[StingingVelvet]

Originally Posted by SMOOT

While I do agree that the market for some of these films is very limited,
I must also add that Twilight Time and Screen Archives are somewhat unknown to those not "in-the-club" (so to speak).

I know a lot of people in the film business, and if I mention any of these films being available from Twilight Time or Screen Archives, most of them go "Huh? Who? Never heard of them?"

Sure, but 5,000 copies of The Blob sold out in no time with no discount. I do think the movies themselves have a lot to do with it.

[Musicguy]

Originally Posted by StingingVelvet

Sure, but 5,000 copies of The Blob sold out in no time with no discount. I do think the movies themselves have a lot to do with it.

Originally Posted by SMOOT
While I do agree that the market for some of these films is very limited,
I must also add that Twilight Time and Screen Archives are somewhat unknown to those not "in-the-club" (so to speak).

I know a lot of people in the film business, and if I mention any of these films being available from Twilight Time or Screen Archives, most of them go "Huh? Who? Never heard of them?"





"The Blob" sold out because 5,000 people on this and other forums knew about it, but most people do not know of Twilight Time or that you can only get these titles through them on line and not through Amazon

[SMOOT]

Originally Posted by StingingVelvet

Sure, but 5,000 copies of The Blob sold out in no time with no discount. I do think the movies themselves have a lot to do with it.

I agree with you (about the movies themselves) and with Musicguy above. Musicguy makes an important point --
To add to The Blob, I think the Harryhausen films sell out fast because it is Harryhausen.
Most people are still unaware of Twilight Time and that is why a sale on their titles tends to be for the "in crowd."

[NORTHWEST9999]

Because of advertising restrictions, a running joke here on UK TV is whenever anyone on TV mentions a brand name (e.g. Amazon), it is often followed by the comment other retailers are available or other breakfast cereals are available.
However, the reality and my point is that Amazon has completely cornered the market - if the ordinary punter is after something online, he will invariably say he will check out Amazon. So the lack of availability on Amazon (in any meaningful way) has to have an impact on sales. We here reading this all know and benefit from Twilight Time, but others, outside this clique....

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by NORTHWEST9999

Because of advertising restrictions, a running joke here on UK TV is whenever anyone on TV mentions a brand name (e.g. Amazon), it is often followed by the comment other retailers are available or other breakfast cereals are available.
However, the reality and my point is that Amazon has completely cornered the market - if the ordinary punter is after something online, he will invariably say he will check out Amazon. So the lack of availability on Amazon (in any meaningful way) has to have an impact on sales. We here reading this all know and benefit from Twilight Time, but others, outside this clique....

Except that one can easily find Twilight Time titles on Amazon. Maybe not for even SRP, but they're there.

[StingingVelvet]

Originally Posted by SMOOT

I agree with you (about the movies themselves) and with Musicguy above. Musicguy makes an important point --
To add to The Blob, I think the Harryhausen films sell out fast because it is Harryhausen.
Most people are still unaware of Twilight Time and that is why a sale on their titles tends to be for the "in crowd."

I agree we're both making solid points. I think the right movie, a movie wanted by more people or in a "cult" genre like 80's horror, will get enough attention no matter where it's sold. They probably could have sold 10,000 Blobs on Amazon though, true. In the end the movie matters and the store matters.

[javi92]

Finally got around to watching The Blue Max last night. The central character is repellent and not likable at all, but the supporting cast is excellent and the story is compelling enough. And this has some of the most thrilling aerial combat sequences in any film ever- including modern, contemporary ones. The transfer on the disc is simply stellar, although it might be ever so slightly teal leaning.

[BixmanJ]

Did TT ever make an announcement about what they got in return for sharing the rights for Guess Who's Coming to Dinner? I'm glad I own the film but it has made me second guess the exclusivity of some of their bigger titles. Their version will only have been out for 1.5 years when the 50th Anniversary version is released.

That being said, hopefully they got some good stuff in return so it was worth it. I like the company and my latest shipment, including Moby Dick, has me excited for the new year holiday to dive into some more movies.

[Rory]

Originally Posted by javi92

Finally got around to watching The Blue Max last night. The central character is repellent and not likable at all, but the supporting cast is excellent and the story is compelling enough. And this has some of the most thrilling aerial combat sequences in any film ever- including modern, contemporary ones. The transfer on the disc is simply stellar, although it might be ever so slightly teal leaning.

I think the "teal leaning" of not just this but many other pre-1970 Fox titles remastered in the last few years represents a return to the original "Color by DeLuxe" look from the studio.

I can't imagine the studio is remastering these titles and not giving them the correct color balance.

However, I can see many having a problem with it because they have their TVs on a "cool" color temp. setting. So, watch them in the "warm" setting.

[easydreamer]

Originally Posted by BixmanJ

Did TT ever make an announcement about what they got in return for sharing the rights for Guess Who's Coming to Dinner? I'm glad I own the film but it has made me second guess the exclusivity of some of their bigger titles. Their version will only have been out for 1.5 years when the 50th Anniversary version is released.

That being said, hopefully they got some good stuff in return so it was worth it. I like the company and my latest shipment, including Moby Dick, has me excited for the new year holiday to dive into some more movies.

My guess is that TT got Guess Who's Coming to Dinner in exchange of Christine. They may have allowed Sony to release Christine out of exclusivity, and instead got Guess Who's Coming to Dinner. It may have been a temporal agreement, and Sony got it back for the 50th Anniversary release.

Anyway, this is just my guess though.

[Smegma]

I still can't believe the 80's remake of the Blob sold out so fast. Sure, the original one with Steve McQueen I can see a huge fan base for, but the remake was a stinker (imho).

I think it just goes to show that horror films have a rabid fan base that will buy almost everything you throw at them (more so than most other genres of film) Most of their quick sell-outs I think were like that (ie: Fright Night, etc.)

[RalphoR]

I'd like to see Sony give a new 4k scan of The 7th Voyage of Sinbad for Guess Who's Coming to Dinner.

[schlock]

Originally Posted by Smegma

I still can't believe the 80's remake of the Blob sold out so fast. Sure, the original one with Steve McQueen I can see a huge fan base for, but the remake was a stinker (imho).

The Blob ('88) actually has a very strong reputation amongst 80's horror fans. Sure, it was originally a boxoffice bomb, but many fans hold it in very high regard these days; thus it predictably sold out quite fast. I love all three Blob films in various ways.

Now, then you have a real piece of horror kaka like "Mindwarp" and even lowering the price to $7.95, it's still around. So horror fans won't just jump blindly on every horror title. It has to earn its place in the horror hall of fame first.

[AKORIS]

Originally Posted by schlock

The Blob ('88) actually has a very strong reputation amongst 80's horror fans. Sure, it was originally a boxoffice bomb, but many fans hold it in very high regard these days; thus it predictably sold out quite fast. I love all three Blob films in various ways.

Now, then you have a real piece of horror kaka like "Mindwarp" and even lowering the price to $7.95, it's still around. So horror fans won't just jump blindly on every horror title. It has to earn its place in the horror hall of fame first.

yes, but doesn't that have a terrible transfer? That's what I remember reading....

[schlock]

Originally Posted by AKORIS

yes, but doesn't that have a terrible transfer? That's what I remember reading....

Not sure about Mindwarp's transfer, but I don't think that would be the main issue why people didn't want it. There was a good reason the original 3 Fangoria films all went straight to VHS.

[BagheeraMcGee]

Originally Posted by easydreamer

My guess is that TT got Guess Who's Coming to Dinner in exchange of Christine. They may have allowed Sony to release Christine out of exclusivity, and instead got Guess Who's Coming to Dinner. It may have been a temporal agreement, and Sony got it back for the 50th Anniversary release.

Anyway, this is just my guess though.

My guess is that the exchange for Christine resulted in TT getting Panic Room, on the assumption that TT would want something that would be a lock to sell out, and possibly sell out quickly even if they boost the run up to 3500 or 5000.

I also think the Guess Who's Coming To Dinner trade will result in another title that is a virtually guaranteed sell-out (or, at the very least, something quite popular), but I have no idea as to what it may be.

But like you, mine's just a guess.

Happy New Year, everybody!

[AKORIS]

Originally Posted by schlock

Not sure about Mindwarp's transfer, but I don't think that would be the main issue why people didn't want it. There was a good reason the original 3 Fangoria films all went straight to VHS.

scratch that! I was thinking of MOONTRAP with Bruce Campbell as being a horrific transfer....

yeah, the movie isn't much either which doesn't help unit sales...

[rdodolak]

For those that don't like to use FB there's now an Instagram page.

Originally Posted by Twilight Time Movies

Stay in touch with TT by following our new account on Instagram -- twilighttimemovies --

https://www.instagram.com/twilighttimemovies/

In addition, there's also the Twilight Time Art Instagram page which includes concept art.

https://www.instagram.com/twilight_time_art/

[Bates_Motel]

Kudos to TT for lowering the price when they know and acknowledge a transfer isn't up to par. Wish other studios would do the same instead of just throwing whatever they get on a disc with no regard. Although it's a shame better elements could be found.

A NOTE ABOUT THE TRANSFER: While Twilight Time believes Comes a Horseman to be a fine, and generally overlooked hidden treasure from the 1970s, and worthy of a second look by Blu-ray aficionados, we recognize it has not survived in the greatest of shape. We hope that those of you who care enough to buy a copy will forgive the unusually high (for a TT release) level of “speckling” (minus density) and general debris that mar the work of master cinematographer, Gordon Willis, in this hi-def presentation. We have rejected many other titles and transfers for similar reasons, but after some consideration decided this film was too important to let go. In light of this fact, we are offering it at a reduced price ($22.95 SRP) to encourage those on the fence about it. TT strives always to strike a balance between a duty to preserve the legacy of film history, as well as presenting the very best version of a film in hi-def as possible under the circumstances.