Tweet Daredevils of The Red Circle coming on Blu-ray...

Before KINO-Lorber's release of The Adventures of Captain Marvel another of Republic's best chapter plays is promised as an upcoming Blu-ray. Currently listed for release on March 25, 2017, Daredevils... (1939) is one of the era's best. These will likely be sourced from 35mm fine grain prints or negatives, the Republic archives surviving in better shape than many studios of the era. Not a lot of promotion is accompanying these releases, but if they sell well, perhaps more cliffhanger chapter plays from Republic's 30's & 40's heyday will be acquired by KINO. Keep fingers crossed and eye's peeled.

http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Daredevil ... ay/163393/" target="_blank

I'm looking forward to the serial releases. I can still remember coming home from grade school in the mid-late 1950's and watching old serials after school on our 9-12" TV, including cartoon serials like Crusader Rabbit. While I remember Buck Rogers, Flash Gordon and King of the Rocket Men, I can't say that I remember this one (or Capt Marvel) but I still plan on purchasing these releases. I still regret not buying Buck and Flash when I had the chance.

This is great news. DAREDEVILS OF THE RED CIRCLE is an outstanding serial with a great cast, great action and an amazing musical score. Bravo to this release! What would be amazing is if they had the trailer available. This is one trailer that has not been seen in many decades.

This is great news. DAREDEVILS OF THE RED CIRCLE is an outstanding serial with a great cast, great action and an amazing musical score. Bravo to this release! What would be amazing is if they had the trailer available. This is one trailer that has not been seen in many decades.

Excellent point, Ray. That unsettling score was composed by William Lava who composed music for several rousing serials including Zorro's Fighting Legion. He would go on to create memorable scores for Warner animation and television series including westerns such as The Dakotas. Among his series compositions are the original themes for Gunsmoke and Cheyenne (the latter which he also sang).

Here's Lava's "On the Run" from the original scoring sessions of DAREDEVILS OF THE RED CIRCLE:

http://www.chelsearialtostudios.com/on_the_run.mp3

Sorry about this digression from Daredevils..., but while waiting for more official release date info., Amazon listing or pre-release review to discuss, I thought it might be interesting to post an image of Jack Mathis' majestic labor of love Valley of The Cliffhangers...



For those unfamiliar with this a mammoth 448 page limited edition book, it was self-published by Mathis in 1975 and covers every serial Republic produced, complete with plot synopsis, cast listings and stills. A monumental achievement by retired advertising executive Mathis who was also a lifelong serial fan.

This thread will now return to regular programming.

Great book, don't read it on your lap!! You've heard of coffee table books? VALLEY OF THE CLIFFHANGERS is a coffee table!

There is a supplement volume and also two other incredible books by Mathis -REPUBLIC CONFIDENTIAL - THE STUDIO and THE PLAYERS.

Thanks, Ray. Okay, here we go...

http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=20822

WOW!!!

Special Features:
NEW 4K master prepared by Paramount Pictures
Selected Episode Commentary by Film Historian Michael Schlesinger
Original Trailers
Optional English SDH subtitles



Release date of April 25. Definitely a first day purchase!

Just noticed the price dropped on Amazon from $29.95 to $19.99! That looks like an awesome deal (while it lasts). If anyone knows of a better price, please share it.

http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Daredevil ... ay/163393/

When I did the play GUEST ARTIST with John Astin, I gave my bus company uniform the number 39013. Nobody got it. But why would they?

At some point we should see reviews from DVDBeaver, DVD Savant and others, hopefully prior to next month's release date (April 25th). While waiting for more news/reviews, here's another Chapter 1 lobby card from my collection...

Oh wow; this is so cool I'm excited

Having worked on the nitrate elements for this serial, getting them into shape for scanning, I can tell you that the bulk of the serial sources from the nitrate original negatives. There was some backup elements used (fine grain, dupe negatives) for sequences and reels here and there, but the majority of the running time came from original negative.

I haven't seen the finished product myself, but it should look really nice!

Having worked on the nitrate elements for this serial, getting them into shape for scanning, I can tell you that the bulk of the serial sources from the nitrate original negatives. There was some backup elements used (fine grain, dupe negatives) for sequences and reels here and there, but the majority of the running time came from original negative.

I haven't seen the finished product myself, but it should look really nice!

Thanks for that update, Jim. Info from someone directly involved in the project should kick the enthusiasm up another notch.

When under-appreciated classics receive blue ribbon treatment it's an absolute delight. I can only imagine what this will look like maxed out on BD from the best surviving 35mm sources. As one of Republic's finest early chapter plays Daredevils of the Red Circle sets a high watermark from the first episode and never lets up. In high definition this should kill earlier DVD and DVD-R knock-offs copied from LD, videotape or well worn 16mm prints.


Charles Middleton

Although KINO-Lorber is promising only two classic Republic serials, Daredevils of the Red Circle and the equally awesome Adventures of Captain Marvel, ...who knows, if sales are brisk enough maybe we'll see more cliffhangers from Republic's golden era (1938-1949) licensed for home release on BD. That would be welcome news indeed!

Enthusiasm notwithstanding, I have absolutely no connection with Paramount, KINO or anyone marketing K-L releases. I'm just excited that someone has finally seen enough potential in these great Republic cliffhangers to gamble on licensing first rate 4K masters for the home market.

The preorder price seems reasonable enough for collectors to pick-up extra copies as gifts for friends and family who love epic adventure flicks. Bottom line, if you enjoy vintage serials this would be good time to vote with your dollars.

It looks like the best price is directly from Kino at $17.97 for BluRay and $11.97 for DVD.
https://www.kinolorber.com/product/view/id/4046
That also results in this independent distributors not having to share sales with Amazon or other middlemen.

Yeah, but it's a shame they couldn't find anyone better to do commentary than that Schlesinger schmo.

Mike S.

Yeah, but it's a shame they couldn't find anyone better to do commentary than that Schlesinger schmo.

Mike S.

I understand he knows a thing or two, though.

[quote="R. Cat"]Just noticed the price dropped on Amazon from $29.95 to $19.99! That looks like an awesome deal (while it lasts). If anyone knows of a better price, please share it.

http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Daredevil ... ay/163393/" target="_blank

[img]http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee392/DavidMerryweather/CGC%20forum%20shots/Collected%20art/1ec189f8-0c18-4ef0-82a5-ffaa22aa60ff_zpsxpciwc0n.jpg[/img][/quote]

Now $18.99

As I posted the other day

It looks like the best price is directly from Kino at $17.97 for BluRay and $11.97 for DVD.
https://www.kinolorber.com/product/view/id/4046" target="_blank
That also results in this independent distributor not having to share sales with Amazon or other middlemen.

And you can probably pre-order CAPTAIN MARVEL.
And while not a serial, the once-thought-lost DELUGE looks very interesting.https://www.kinolorber.com/product/view/id/3922

Yeah, but it's a shame they couldn't find anyone better to do commentary than that Schlesinger schmo.

Mike S.

I understand he knows a thing or two, though.

I'm unfamiliar with Mr. Schlesinger's level of expertise on serials, but I look forward to most commentaries as a welcome extra. Fingers crossed that his expressed viewpoint will jive with the historical facts.

The gold standard would've been a Steven Spielberg and/or George Lucas commentary ...as the professed influence of serials on Star Wars and Raiders of the Lost Ark would make for a fascinating discussion..., but it's doubtful that Kino would put the profitability of this project at risk by shelling out fees to accommodate filmmakers of their stature.

As I posted the other day

It looks like the best price is directly from Kino at $17.97 for BluRay and $11.97 for DVD.
https://www.kinolorber.com/product/view/id/4046" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank
That also results in this independent distributor not having to share sales with Amazon or other middlemen.

And you can probably pre-order CAPTAIN MARVEL.
And while not a serial, the once-thought-lost DELUGE looks very interesting.https://www.kinolorber.com/product/view/id/3922" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

Indeed, the price dropped significantly. Right now DotRC is affordable enough to buy extras for b-day gifts and stocking stuffers or to stash as collector copies for future resale if Kino only presses these in limited number. IMO, the more copies that sell early on, the likelyer Kino-Lorber would consider licensing HD transfers of other classic Republic serials for future release (after the upcoming Captain Marvel serial in June).

I've been waiting for early reviews with screenshots from either DVDBeaver or one of the other Blu-ray review sites to link here. These may not be available before the release date, but hope springs eternal. I suspect that the 4K transfer will look fabulous. I'm confident that this will best by leaps and bounds earlier gray market releases produced from inferior video transfers or well worn 16mm dupes.

Yeah, but it's a shame they couldn't find anyone better to do commentary than that Schlesinger schmo.

Mike S.

I understand he knows a thing or two, though.

I'm unfamiliar with Mr. Schlesinger's level of expertise on serials, but I look forward to most commentaries as a welcome extra. Fingers crossed that his expressed viewpoint will jive with the historical facts.

The gold standard would've been a Steven Spielberg and/or George Lucas commentary ...as the professed influence of serials on Star Wars and Raiders of the Lost Ark would make for a fascinating discussion..., but it's doubtful that Kino would put the profitability of this project at risk by shelling out fees to accommodate filmmakers of their stature.

As I posted the other day

It looks like the best price is directly from Kino at $17.97 for BluRay and $11.97 for DVD.
https://www.kinolorber.com/product/view/id/4046" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank
That also results in this independent distributor not having to share sales with Amazon or other middlemen.

And you can probably pre-order CAPTAIN MARVEL.
And while not a serial, the once-thought-lost DELUGE looks very interesting.https://www.kinolorber.com/product/view/id/3922" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

Indeed, the price dropped significantly. Right now DotRC is affordable enough to buy extras for b-day gifts and stocking stuffers or to stash as collector copies for future resale if Kino only presses these in limited number. IMO, the more copies that sell early on, the likelyer Kino-Lorber would consider licensing HD transfers of other classic Republic serials for future release (after the upcoming Captain Marvel serial in June).

I've been waiting for early reviews with screenshots from either DVDBeaver or one of the other Blu-ray review sites to link here. These may not be available before the release date, but hope springs eternal. I suspect that the 4K transfer will look fabulous. I'm confident that this will best by leaps and bounds earlier gray market releases produced from inferior video transfers or well worn 16mm dupes.

Well, it's certain not my intention to impart erroneous information. Most of my research was derived from Jack Mathis' books, and I assume he knew what he was writing about.

Mike S.

Well, it's certain not my intention to impart erroneous information. Most of my research was derived from Jack Mathis' books, and I assume he knew what he was writing about.

Mike S.

I'm confident that your knowledge and research will add greatly to this release.

Misinterpreting your self-deprecating bon mot as sincere criticism elicited my well intentioned response to Paul's comment. Alas, board monikers rarely provide insight into who is talking to whom.

My sincerest apology, Mike.

As I posted the other day

It looks like the best price is directly from Kino at $17.97 for BluRay and $11.97 for DVD.
https://www.kinolorber.com/product/view/id/4046" target="_blank" target="_blank
That also results in this independent distributor not having to share sales with Amazon or other middlemen.

And you can probably pre-order CAPTAIN MARVEL.
And while not a serial, the once-thought-lost DELUGE looks very interesting.https://www.kinolorber.com/product/view/id/3922" target="_blank

I paid Barnes and Noble $24.66 for my copy including shipping, but that's still cheap considering the expected quality of this transfer. Looking forward to getting it next week.

Amazon has shipped my copy. Looking forward to it.

[Mike Gebert]

I got the disc as a preview (listen for a chat about it on an upcoming NitrateVille Radio) having owned a pretty good greymarket copy when my kids were smaller, and I don't think anybody will be disappointed with the upgrade, which looks as freshly minted as you could hope. Although it's no visual masterpiece, it's good efficient filmmaking and the effects work on this serial is very good; it certainly deserves to look its best, so this disc is a pleasure. Enjoy!

I got the disc as a preview (listen for a chat about it on an upcoming NitrateVille Radio) having owned a pretty good greenmarket copy when my kids were smaller, and I don't think anybody will be disappointed with the upgrade, which looks as freshly minted as you could hope. Although it's no visual masterpiece, it's good efficient filmmaking and the effects work on this serial is very good; it certainly deserves to look its best, so this disc is a pleasure. Enjoy!

That's wonderful, Mike. Mine are scheduled to arrive sometime today. I may toss an episode or two on the big screen and upload several iPad shots since there aren't any review site screencaps yet (the caveat being that screen shots taken this way won't be as nice as what we should get from DVDBeaver or the Blu-ray review sites).

Having owned several "greenmarket" copies of DoTRC over the years, it's easy to see why a 4K transfer from 35mm film elements should be a significant upgrade. I'm pretty sure most PD video releases on DVD were surreptitiously copied from the original low-resolution VHS tape Republic Home Video released in the mid-80's or derived from 16mm dupes obtained through private collections. LD releases of Republic serials also served as a source for some PD releases, but again, PQ was limited to around 480 lines of resolution by the format.

My own expectations for these licensed BD releases are pretty jazzed. And as serials go ...with the bar set appropriately... this one may deserve a shot at the masterpiece label. It reminds me of an old tag-line from TNT's Night At The Movies back in the 90's... "It ain't Bergman, but things blow up!"

So, if you enjoy Daredevils of The Red Circle and the upcoming June release of Adventures of Captain Marvel be sure to let Kino-Lorber know that you'd be open to buying more. Republic's archives are in better shape than some of the majors, so 4K transfers of other great serials are certainly possible if the interest is there.

First images (unboxing video not included)...

[Mike Gebert]

Oops, meant to type greymarket (have corrected my original post), not greenmarket, in case I confused anyone that they could buy Daredevils of the Red Circle with some organic arugula and a scone.

Oops, meant to type greymarket (have corrected my original post), not greenmarket, in case I confused anyone that they could buy Daredevils of the Red Circle with some organic arugula and a scone.

I thought I was missing a shopping venue:

"Let's see, where is it? Corn, cranberries, cucumbers… Ah, Daredevils of the Red Circle!"

Rick

I put milk and berries on my serial.