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

[robtadrian]

Yes..was only 10 days..I missed out on Zardoz...

[TheScottyLee]

I do believe this just went on sale for $27.99 on Best Buy

[RockyIII]

Why was production discontinued? These 3D movies would sell like hot cakes, based on the current state of the home video market

[SMOOT]

Originally Posted by RockyIII

Why was production discontinued? These 3D movies would sell like hot cakes, based on the current state of the home video market

Man in the Dark 3D was the first 3D from Twilight Time, and the company was not all that well known then -- Plus, the title was not on the top of many 3D fan lists.
It was low on my list, and I only purchased it later at a sale. And, wow, it turned out to be a great surprise:

Really excellent 3D and a fun movie.

The film history on this one is littered with myths -- Even the Blu-ray box has the myth that it was shot in only 11 days (and, I tell you, no way!).
Plus, people only mention the rollercoaster in the background not being a 3D background. Well, it's the most thriling action sequence that I have ever seen around a rollercoaster, and other than the shots from inside the car (when the hero is riding), it's all 3D, and even in those hero-riding shots the foreground is 3D and looks fine.

A really underrated film.

But, Twilight Time licensed only so many, and it took some time to sell those. Likely, had it been released a bit later in their game, it would have sold out faster and even a few more licensed.

[RockyIII]

Originally Posted by SMOOT

Man in the Dark 3D was the first 3D from Twilight Time, and the company was not all that well known then -- Plus, the title was not on the top of many 3D fan lists.
It was low on my list, and I only purchased it later at a sale. And, wow, it turned out to be a great surprise:

Really excellent 3D and a fun movie.

The film history on this one is littered with myths -- Even the Blu-ray box has the myth that it was shot in only 11 days (and, I tell you, no way!).
Plus, people only mention the rollercoaster in the background not being a 3D background. Well, it's the most thriling action sequence that I have ever seen around a rollercoaster, and other than the shots from inside the car (when the hero is riding), it's all 3D, and even in those hero-riding shots the foreground is 3D and looks fine.

A really underrated film.

But, Twilight Time licensed only so many, and it took some time to sell those. Likely, had it been released a bit later in their game, it would have sold out faster and even a few more licensed.

Same with Miss Sadie Thompson. These people are sitting on a gold mine and they don't even realize it. Check out how quickly 3D sell on the US market in general, and the moment any 3D title goes on sale, good luck finding even one copy left!
Stupid move on behalf of TT!

[Robert Furmanek]

In their defense, Twilight Time cannot license any more Sony 3-D titles for release because Sony does not have masters on the remaining five features. As we were told about six years, "We've done the important ones."

So while complete left/right 35mm elements have been preserved, there are no available 3-D digital masters for The Stranger Wore a Gun, The Nebraskan, Fort Ti, Drums of Tahiti and Jesse James vs. the Daltons. The last three were directed by William Castle.

Of course, we can create a new digital master at a great price...

[RockyIII]

Originally Posted by Robert Furmanek

In their defense, Twilight Time cannot license any more Sony 3-D titles for release because Sony does not have masters on the remaining five features. As we were told about six years, "We've done the important ones."

So while complete left/right 35mm elements have been preserved, there are no available 3-D digital masters for The Stranger Wore a Gun, The Nebraskan, Fort Ti, Drums of Tahiti and Jesse James vs. the Daltons. The last three were directed by William Castle.

Of course, we can create a new digital master at a great price...

I am not referring to the masters of the remaining five features. I am talking about production THIS title, Man In The Dark, along with Miss Sadie Thompson, as both older and newer fans never had the chance to grab a copy.
Why do you think Best Buy sells out every time a new movie comes out in 3D, and why 3D blurays are the most coveted ones on the second-hand market?

[kyle]

Originally Posted by RockyIII

I am not referring to the masters of the remaining five features. I am talking about production THIS title, Man In The Dark, along with Miss Sadie Thompson, as both older and newer fans never had the chance to grab a copy.
Why do you think Best Buy sells out every time a new movie comes out in 3D, and why 3D blurays are the most coveted ones on the second-hand market?

Twilight Time generally only produces a limited number of each title (3K) and only a handful of their titles have ever had a re-issue run (none of the 3D ones)

[T. Warren Scollan]

The lesson to be learned here is that when TT/ScreenArchives announces a 3D title, you buy it now!!!! Trying to go cheaper by waiting -------- you snooze, you lose. And constantly keep your eyes on them for those announcements. Negotiations are going on between TT and Fox for a 3D issue of "Gorilla at Large". If and when that's announced, I'm betting the 3K will be preorder sold out even before the release date!!!!

[Robert Furmanek]

With the Fox/Disney merger, I'm now even less optimistic anything will be done to create a 3-D master on GORILLA AT LARGE.

[T. Warren Scollan]

Sorry to hear that, Bob. But that's why I said IF and when.(LOL)

[Brian81]

Have there been any rumors of this one being picked up by another company? Missed out on this one and it bugs the hell out of me!

[T. Warren Scollan]

Originally Posted by Brian81

Have there been any rumors of this one being picked up by another company? Missed out on this one and it bugs the hell out of me!

I've heard no rumors, but Indicator did a reissue of Columbia/Sony/Twilight Time's "The Mad Magician" so who knows?.......

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by T. Warren Scollan

I've heard no rumors, but a but Indicator did a reissue of Columbia/Sony/Twilight Time's "The Mad Magician" so who knows?.......

Yep and they even carried over the excellent ‘The Three Stooges’ shorts, the absolute legends. Great job.

[atomik kinder]

I have this on my to watch shelf. I think I will pull this out on Sunday or Tuesday to watch. I have been trying to watch at least one 3D movie a week on one of my days off. Part of my New Years resolution, I guess.

[noirjunkie]

Originally Posted by atomik kinder

I have this on my to watch shelf. I think I will pull this out on Sunday or Tuesday to watch. I have been trying to watch at least one 3D movie a week on one of my days off. Part of my New Years resolution, I guess.

Despite clocking in at a mere 68 minutes, it's a real dud of a film that drags throughout most of its running time. But it does have one great 3-D sequence at the end involving a roller coaster.

[the13thman]

Originally Posted by T. Warren Scollan

I've heard no rumors, but Indicator did a reissue of Columbia/Sony/Twilight Time's "The Mad Magician" so who knows?.......

That had Vincent Price as a selling point, Man in the Dark only really has 3D as a selling point, so I don't see it getting a reissue.

Originally Posted by noirjunkie

Despite clocking in at a mere 68 minutes, it's a real dud of a film that drags throughout most of its running time. But it does have one great 3-D sequence at the end involving a roller coaster.

I thought the rollercoaster sequence was something of a let down, given that it utilises back projection.

However, there are plenty of strong 3D moments throughout the film (the surgery scene being the highlight for me) so though it's certainly not a great movie if you take out the third dimension, it's certainly a great 3D movie.

[revgen]

I could see Man in the Dark (1953) being reissued as part of a box set. But other than that, the OOP TT release is probably all we get.

[mhanlen1]

Just adding some wishful thinking vibes to this one. Since the Mad Magician sounds like is getting reissued again.

[Elsinore]

The plot is well-worn and the dialog is corny, but this was the first 3D noir I had a chance to see (World 3D Expo, Sept. 2006, Egyptian Theater, LA). Man in the Dark, I the Jury and Inferno were standouts for me. 3D footage of the old Ocean Park amusement pier in Santa Monica! Still amazed that 15 years later I can watch Man in the Dark and Inferno in beautifully restored 3D at home.



In my opinion, Man in the Dark is neither the best noir nor the best 3D you’ll ever see. But 3D and noir together combine two of my favorites, and 3D noir is so rare. In my opinion, these vintage 3Ds are more than just entertaining. They’re time capsules of the people, language, clothing, locations and filmmaking of their eras (the 1950s here). I love this movie and admit to being one of those idiots that would pay a crazy amount of $ for it on ebay (if I hadn’t picked it up the second it was released on 3DBR in 2014).