Per Request: Thin Man Collection Link…

As I think I’ve noted in the past, be sure which version of “Sci Fi Classics” you’re getting. The original set contained two Jabootu-worthy entries, Robot Monster and Zontar: The Thing from Venus. The newer editions substitute things that are much more in keeping with the other titles.

Holy crap! Thank you, Ken! I was about ready to go get the second collection of Ultraman at 1/2 Price Books, but now I can get the entire series for about the same price! Then once I’m done with Iron King (did you ever see my notes on the first two episodes in that thread that talked about IK?) I can start on this!

Man, consider my last year’s threats to kick your ass for besmirching Godzilla vs. Megalon forgotten! (Hell, I’m probably the only one that remembered them in the first place…)

Ken, yes, the image version of Robot Monster is probably much superior–my point was that on Amazon, if you read the reviews, many folks list those two as reasons for acquiring the set, and express displeasure that they aren’t there. Other reviews, trying to be helpful and listing the contents, list the old version as well. I’m just telling the Jabootu faithful what they should look out for.

At that price it would be ridiculous to complain, but caveat emptor and all that. (The LSFC version of Robot Monster has a decent, clear picture, whereas Zomtar looks like old videotape. Still watchable but I don’t think Criterion will use this transfer for their 3-DVD set.)

I second D’s sentiments on the Ultraman set! Fun Fact I learned from watching it with subtitles… young children say “Dammit” in Japan quite regularly!

Hmm… one word of warning now that I think of it. I did find that the subtitles were out of synch with the dialogue on a few of the episodes (I don’t speak a lick of Japanese, but it was painfully obvious).

I believe that comment is for the 50 Sci-Fi movies pack.

I picked up one of the multi-movie sets that had both Robot Monster and Zontar. Zontar appears to’ve been recorded from a TV showing, some of the edits look like scenes were removed to get rid of the station logo. I can’t say for sure that’s the case, but I sure got that feeling last time I watched it. The Image disk for Robot Monster is much better (who knew there was an intermission for a 60 minute film?) and I’m glad I got a copy (Now if only they could perfect 3D for the dvd market on these old movies!).
When will someone (Image I hope) release a collector’s edition of the Larry Buchanan/Azalea Pictures AIP TV movies? (Hell Raiders has finally surfaced, and they could throw in Night Fright as a bonus!)

Dammit! I just bought the first half of that Ultraman set for the same price at Books-a-Million last Tuesday. Ah well, so far the kids are impressed.

One thing I like is that the episodes are presented in an unedited format, but with the Engish dub available. Whenever the American version was cut for time, the English track drops out briefly and is replaced by the Japanese audio with English subtitles. I think it’s a pretty clever answer for those who want to see the show as originally presented, but either find subtitle distracting or, like me, have small children in the house whose reading comprehension is still too slow to follow running captions.

In retrospect, I was surprised at how good the American dubbing was, certainly better than average for japanese imports of the era, and miles away from those dreadful Sandy Frank abominations.