D.O.A. (1950) Blu-ray from The Film Detective

[Akijama]

This should be coming soon from the new distributor called The Film Detective. They're strictly focusing on public domain titles. My advice to you is to set your expectations low and maybe you won't be disappointed with this release. Hopefully, it will look better than The Strange Love of Martha Ivers or Kansas City Confidential (another two PD titles).



https://www.facebook.com/filmdetecti...al_comments=13

About The Film Detective (via Home Video Magazine)

http://www.homemediamagazine.com/new...n-titles-34245

[MifuneFan]

I think it's promising. Just saw a trailer for their work on Carnival of Souls, and while in SD, it still looked better than any other copy I've seen from the PD.

Carnival of Souls Trailer - YouTube

[The Great Owl]

Yes!

I love D.O.A., and it's one of the most effective film noirs.

Those of you who love Blade Runner will find a lot to enjoy with this movie as well, because of the Bradbury Building setting.

So... The Film Detective is going to be releasing public domain movies on Blu-ray, eh?
This may be the start of a wonderful friendship.

[*PREACHER*]

Oh my frickin' gosh...can't wait for this!!!!

[MikeZ.]

Beat The Devil gets my attention.

[dsman71]

Isnt the Brain That Wouldnt Die an MGM title ? And Kansas City Confidential

I am interested in some of these, Dementia 13 for example but the last time a studio , Film Chest, did a blu ray of it, it was downright awful

Im happy with Carnival of Souls from Criterion - and perhaps they will release it themselves

Another blu ray for the Stranger ?? Good grief

I will wait for reviews but Im interested..

[jstxanothrxstory]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

I think it's promising. Just saw a trailer for their work on Carnival of Souls, and while in SD, it still looked better than any other copy I've seen from the PD.

Did they release a copy of Carnival of Souls?

[grundy]

I guess we'll all be waiting for first reviews to see if Film Detective gets our money-especially since Mr. Hopkins of Film Detective is the co-founder of Film Chest.

I don't have high hopes, based on Film Chest's track record.

[noirjunkie]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

I think it's promising. Just saw a trailer for their work on Carnival of Souls, and while in SD, it still looked better than any other copy I've seen from the PD.

Have you seen the Criterion DVD? It looks great.

[BluPat]

Awesome! Always glad to have more studios to tackle classic films for Blu-ray. BUT hopefully they lay off the DNR completely.

[HotRats]

Great film, except for that awful slide-whistle. I'll wait for reviews before buying. I wonder what their version of Night Of The Living Dead will be like?

[ShellOilJunior]

D.O.A. is a great noir. If the presentation is decent I'm in.

Hope for the best but plan for the worst.

[The Film Detective]

Appreciate all the dialog about our upcoming blu-ray releases. We are sourcing most of the public domain films from release prints, and later next year we plan on getting into deeper licensing opportunities. Obviously, we're sensitive to the feedback on noise reduction and we're being very mindful to not over-do it. We'd be very interested in getting feedback as, again, archival prints are never the perfect scenario, but our goal is to improve what's currently in the marketplace. We'd be very interested in engaging in any feedback before these come out next month.

[captveg]

Originally Posted by The Film Detective

Appreciate all the dialog about our upcoming blu-ray releases. We are sourcing most of the public domain films from release prints, and later next year we plan on getting into deeper licensing opportunities. Obviously, we're sensitive to the feedback on noise reduction and we're being very mindful to not over-do it. We'd be very interested in getting feedback as, again, archival prints are never the perfect scenario, but our goal is to improve what's currently in the marketplace. We'd be very interested in engaging in any feedback before these come out next month.

Could you guys consult Bob Furmanek and his documentation research for aspect ratio info? Most American films 1954-onward were widescreen to some degree. For example, the PD releases of Suddenly (1954) are all open matte 1.33:1 when it is blatantly obvious that it's a composed for widescreen film.

[dvdmrp]

Film Detective,

I agree with the last poster. Go on Home Theater Forum or on here and make sure to inquire about the Original Aspect Ratio of your early widescreen era titles. Some such as Suddenly should be in widescreen. Night of the Living Dead was also projected in widescreen so it should be OAR on the Bluray.

Movies like Beat the Devil are a grey area as they came out during the widescreen conversion. A man like Bob Furmanek who is an expert on early widescreen films would know what the proper aspect ratio is. Presenting the films properly will help aid in sales and the legitimacy of your releases.

Please take this into consideration.

Thanks

Mark

[blonde_devil]

Interested. I have it on dvd but haven't watched it yet although I did enjoy the 80's version so I am thinking I will like this too. Hopefully we will get some good extras.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by The Film Detective

Appreciate all the dialog about our upcoming blu-ray releases. We are sourcing most of the public domain films from release prints, and later next year we plan on getting into deeper licensing opportunities. Obviously, we're sensitive to the feedback on noise reduction and we're being very mindful to not over-do it. We'd be very interested in getting feedback as, again, archival prints are never the perfect scenario, but our goal is to improve what's currently in the marketplace. We'd be very interested in engaging in any feedback before these come out next month.

I'm a big fan of Kino's approach here. They can't do frame-by-frame cleanup so they just basically leave things alone.

I would much rather look at specks and spots than a scrubbed image.

Even something as rough as say their Les Vampires or Sherlock Holmes releases look pretty good to me and their Scarlet Street looks very good. They undoubtedly lucked out by having access to a good print with Scarlet Street but they accepted the specks and dirt as the lesser of two evils.

[javi92]

Originally Posted by octagon

I'm a big fan of Kino's approach here. They can't do frame-by-frame cleanup so they just basically leave things alone.

I would much rather look at specks and spots than a scrubbed image.

Couldn't agree more. Specks, flecks, scratches, etc is infinitely preferable to the smearing and loss of detail caused by digital scrubbing. It's film after all.

[dsman71]

Originally Posted by The Film Detective

Appreciate all the dialog about our upcoming blu-ray releases. We are sourcing most of the public domain films from release prints, and later next year we plan on getting into deeper licensing opportunities. Obviously, we're sensitive to the feedback on noise reduction and we're being very mindful to not over-do it. We'd be very interested in getting feedback as, again, archival prints are never the perfect scenario, but our goal is to improve what's currently in the marketplace. We'd be very interested in engaging in any feedback before these come out next month.

Dont use BD-R's for heaven's sake. I just read a post about that would be your plan for these releases.. That will turn off a lot of customers

[Bates_Motel]

Originally Posted by The Film Detective

Appreciate all the dialog about our upcoming blu-ray releases. We are sourcing most of the public domain films from release prints, and later next year we plan on getting into deeper licensing opportunities. Obviously, we're sensitive to the feedback on noise reduction and we're being very mindful to not over-do it. We'd be very interested in getting feedback as, again, archival prints are never the perfect scenario, but our goal is to improve what's currently in the marketplace. We'd be very interested in engaging in any feedback before these come out next month.

I sure hope that includes English subs for the hard of hearing. Since you can readily find subs for D.O.A. online, I expect whatever release you guys do to make an effort to include them, public domain or not.