Budget DVD reviews - Alpha/Diamond/Brentwood/Etc. - Page 2 - The AV Maniacs

bbfarmer · 08-03-2003, 07:20 PM

Are these Catcom double features dual layer like the Madacys, or flipper?

08-03-2003, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bbfarmer
Are these Catcom double features dual layer like the Madacys, or flipper?

daul layer.

08-06-2003, 01:09 PM

THE KILLER SHREWS (Alpha)

Two-fisted sea captain James Best battles evil, sniveling drunk Ken Curtis for the affections of Swedish bombshell Ingrid Goude. Meanwhile, giant ratdogs
keep trying to chow down on the entire cast. This one has a tendency to be way too dark in some scenes, the apparent bane of many older Alpha titles.
While the film print istelf is in okay shape, the pre-credit narration looks to have come from a separate, second generation source. Still, it's watchable.
Surprisingly, the print used for SHREWS on the Diamond disc double feature with THE GIANT GILA MONSTER is in near pristine shape, but the picture becomes a digitized mess during camera pans and some action sequences.
I heard someone say that the K-Tel version of SHREWS looks very nice. Anyone care to comment?

scott favareille · 08-06-2003, 03:09 PM

The Diamond version of Shrews is actually a decent transfer. This opinion coming from someone who does not care for budget discs.

08-07-2003, 12:42 PM

I've bought SHREWS from Diamond twice. The cover art was different on both
versions, and I had hoped that the disc had been re-mastered. Alas, such was not the case. They still had that digitizing problem. Scott, did the picture on your disc break up like mine did?

scott favareille · 08-07-2003, 03:35 PM

It did not(I do have an older pressing though--the other film on it is THe Giant Gila Monster--It has an orange cover.)

08-07-2003, 03:40 PM

Hmmm, I may have to buy it again, then. Stay tuned . . .

SteveG · 08-09-2003, 10:39 PM

I have the Catcom double feature of the Crawling Eyes/Killer Shrews. Shrews has a really nice transfer, perhaps the same one on the Madacy disc? Crawling Eyes is a little beat up, but watchable. Not bad at $5.00 I say, not bad at all.

08-09-2003, 10:54 PM

entertainment programs inc. has just released roman polanski's repulsion on dvd. I was just at borders today when I saw this dvd. the A/V isn't perfect, but it doesn't take away from your veiwing experience. The movie is full frame, and there sometimes is a slight letterboxing on the top of the frame. Borders sells this title for $12.99 which isn't a budget title price, but this company also isn't no blue underground, or anchor bay quality. Can't wait for anchor bay's polanski's box set, but for now this dvd will due.

08-09-2003, 11:06 PM

the cover to Repulsion.

Jason P · 08-10-2003, 05:55 PM

Any word on which version of The Vampire Bat (with Lionel Atwill, Fay Wray) is the best? I know Alpha and Beverly Wilshire both released it.. I have the BW DVD..

Joe L · 08-10-2003, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jason
Any word on which version of The Vampire Bat (with Lionel Atwill, Fay Wray) is the best? I know Alpha and Beverly Wilshire both released it.. I have the BW DVD..

I have both DVDs, and I can tell you that Alpha's disc is better. I was VERY happy with it. THE VAMPIRE BAT will never look great, but this is the best copy I've seen - and I've tried three DVDs and a few tapes!

08-11-2003, 01:08 PM

Okay, I've been doing a little bit of research on this KILLER SHREWS cotroversy and I've discovered that Diamond's version is missing most of the opening narration! Perhaps that's the reason why Alpha uses such rough looking footage at the beginning of their version. Maybe their print was missing the same footage as well?

Kristian R · 08-11-2003, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Carl Perez
Okay, I've been doing a little bit of research on this KILLER SHREWS cotroversy and I've discovered that Diamond's version is missing most of the opening narration! Perhaps that's the reason why Alpha uses such rough looking footage at the beginning of their version. Maybe their print was missing the same footage as well?

I have been wondering about this for some time. I have a VHS tape called Horrible Horror hosted by Zacherley that features clips and trailers from dozens of cheesy horror flicks. One vintage clip features a scientist talking to the camera about the dangerous killer shrew. This looks like it should be at the beginning of the movie or at least be the trailer. I have seen both the Diamond and Alpha disks and neither of them start with this. Anyone have any insight on this footage?

08-11-2003, 01:54 PM

THE DEVIL'S PARTNER (Alpha)

Ed Nelson makes a pact with Satan. Using his newly acquired powers to control or change into any animal he wishes, he begins to kill or maim anyone
who stands between him and local hottie Jean Allison. Pretty decent movie with a strong cast of familiar supporting actors (Edgar Buchanan, Richard Crane, Byron Foulger). With the huge glut of giant bug and alien monster pictures that came out at the same time, this modest 1958 supernatural thriller is a bit of welcome fresh air. If anything, it's the only horror flick I'm aware of that has a death by goat's milk scene. Feels like an old AIP flick, thanks to the presence of Ed Nelson, art director Daniel Haller, and film composer Ronald Stein. And it was co-scripted by later day Bowery Boy Stanley Clements. Alpha's transfer is okay, a little soft here and there. The film print is in pretty rough shape, with plenty of scratches and splices throughout. George Stover at Cinemacabre had a pretty good looking VHS transfer for sale once upon a time. If it's still available, that may be the best way to go for now.

08-06-2003, 03:09 PM	#4
scott favareille Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: San Francisco Bay Area Posts: 4,558	The Diamond version of Shrews is actually a decent transfer. This opinion coming from someone who does not care for budget discs. __________________ "The masses are a**es"

08-07-2003, 03:35 PM	#6
scott favareille Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: San Francisco Bay Area Posts: 4,558	It did not(I do have an older pressing though--the other film on it is THe Giant Gila Monster--It has an orange cover.) __________________ "The masses are a**es"

08-09-2003, 10:54 PM	#9
meddle Guest Posts: n/a	repulsion entertainment programs inc. has just released roman polanski's repulsion on dvd. I was just at borders today when I saw this dvd. the A/V isn't perfect, but it doesn't take away from your veiwing experience. The movie is full frame, and there sometimes is a slight letterboxing on the top of the frame. Borders sells this title for $12.99 which isn't a budget title price, but this company also isn't no blue underground, or anchor bay quality. Can't wait for anchor bay's polanski's box set, but for now this dvd will due.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

08-03-2003, 07:20 PM	#1
bbfarmer Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 588	Are these Catcom double features dual layer like the Madacys, or flipper?

08-06-2003, 01:09 PM	#3
Carl Perez Guest Posts: n/a	THE KILLER SHREWS (Alpha) Two-fisted sea captain James Best battles evil, sniveling drunk Ken Curtis for the affections of Swedish bombshell Ingrid Goude. Meanwhile, giant ratdogs keep trying to chow down on the entire cast. This one has a tendency to be way too dark in some scenes, the apparent bane of many older Alpha titles. While the film print istelf is in okay shape, the pre-credit narration looks to have come from a separate, second generation source. Still, it's watchable. Surprisingly, the print used for SHREWS on the Diamond disc double feature with THE GIANT GILA MONSTER is in near pristine shape, but the picture becomes a digitized mess during camera pans and some action sequences. I heard someone say that the K-Tel version of SHREWS looks very nice. Anyone care to comment?

08-07-2003, 12:42 PM	#5
Carl Perez Guest Posts: n/a	I've bought SHREWS from Diamond twice. The cover art was different on both versions, and I had hoped that the disc had been re-mastered. Alas, such was not the case. They still had that digitizing problem. Scott, did the picture on your disc break up like mine did?

08-07-2003, 03:40 PM	#7
Carl Perez Guest Posts: n/a	Hmmm, I may have to buy it again, then. Stay tuned . . .

08-09-2003, 10:39 PM	#8
SteveG Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: New Jersey Posts: 48	I have the Catcom double feature of the Crawling Eyes/Killer Shrews. Shrews has a really nice transfer, perhaps the same one on the Madacy disc? Crawling Eyes is a little beat up, but watchable. Not bad at $5.00 I say, not bad at all.

08-10-2003, 05:55 PM	#11
Jason P Registered User Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Dallas Posts: 880	Any word on which version of The Vampire Bat (with Lionel Atwill, Fay Wray) is the best? I know Alpha and Beverly Wilshire both released it.. I have the BW DVD..

08-11-2003, 01:08 PM	#13
Carl Perez Guest Posts: n/a	Okay, I've been doing a little bit of research on this KILLER SHREWS cotroversy and I've discovered that Diamond's version is missing most of the opening narration! Perhaps that's the reason why Alpha uses such rough looking footage at the beginning of their version. Maybe their print was missing the same footage as well?

08-11-2003, 01:54 PM	#15
Carl Perez Guest Posts: n/a	THE DEVIL'S PARTNER (Alpha) Ed Nelson makes a pact with Satan. Using his newly acquired powers to control or change into any animal he wishes, he begins to kill or maim anyone who stands between him and local hottie Jean Allison. Pretty decent movie with a strong cast of familiar supporting actors (Edgar Buchanan, Richard Crane, Byron Foulger). With the huge glut of giant bug and alien monster pictures that came out at the same time, this modest 1958 supernatural thriller is a bit of welcome fresh air. If anything, it's the only horror flick I'm aware of that has a death by goat's milk scene. Feels like an old AIP flick, thanks to the presence of Ed Nelson, art director Daniel Haller, and film composer Ronald Stein. And it was co-scripted by later day Bowery Boy Stanley Clements. Alpha's transfer is okay, a little soft here and there. The film print is in pretty rough shape, with plenty of scratches and splices throughout. George Stover at Cinemacabre had a pretty good looking VHS transfer for sale once upon a time. If it's still available, that may be the best way to go for now.