Editor's Note: The following is a "Top Ten" list of wants on DVD from Pat Tierney, that well-known video guy from 112 Video in Medford, NY. These pics do not necessarily represent his absolute favorite films, but it gives us great samples of some sought after gems that show no indication of coming out on DVD any time soon. Here's Pat's list…
1) DRACULA
VS. FRANKENSTEIN
This film is truly a work of art, and I mean that quite sincerely, because it
has a special magic about it that could never be duplicated. Roan had released
this title on laser a few years back (with an utterly fantastic commentary track
by producer Sam Sherman) and now that they've merged with Troma, a company that
specializes in " bad " films, a DVD release would be a natural. (UPDATE:
DRACULA VS. FRANKENSTEIN has been announced for DVD by Roan Group)
2) ALLIED
ARTIST titles…
…such
as THE HYPNOTIC EYE, THE
DISEMBODIED, ATTACK OF THE CRAB MONSTERS
are fondly remembered by B film fans and deserve to be available legitimately
on DVD as opposed to the dark, dupey, scratched, worn and washed out prints
obtainable on tape from dubious distributors and fly by night companies ( i.e.
bootleggers ). Does anyone know who actually owns the rights to these films?
3) THE
SORCERERS
This
is a great little number starring Boris Karloff and directed by Michael Reeves.
I believe it was once available on tape at the dawn of home video but I'd love
to see it turn up on DVD with a nice clean transfer. It was produced by Tigon,
distributed in the U.S. by Allied Artists, and TV prints bear the Warner Bros.
logo. Warner Bros.! Oh no ! I guess we won't be seeing this on anything but
crummy bootleg tapes!
4) THE
HOUSE OF THE LONG SHADOWS
I was
initially disappointed with this Pete Walker film but after a second, then third
viewing, it finally made sense to me. Though it is flawed, I eventually came
to love it. Vincent Price even does a good job acting for once, instead of his
usual corniness, probably so he wouldn't look bad next to the real pros…Cushing
and Lee. I've heard that Rhino has the rights to the Cannon video library and
if this is true and they do release this on DVD, hopefully they'll give us a
nice transfer in its proper aspect ratio and not just a tape to DVD transfer
like they have been doing. Rhino you should be ashamed of yourselves! (UPDATE:
Actually, this film is owned by MGM, who is promising to release the Price films)
5) CORRUPTION
One
of my favorite Peter Cushing films has never, to my knowledge anyway, been released
legitimately on tape, laser or, of course , DVD in this country. Bootleg tapes
are around but they are either the heavily cut TV print or a PAL to NTSC transfer
of the uncut, but terribly dark, French video release titled "Laser Killer."
6) FACELESS
I basically
tend to hate Jess Franco films with the exception of AWFUL DR. ORLOF, DIABOLICAL
DR. Z and FACELESS. It's got an unbelievable cast, a little gore, a little sex,
and (proving even Franco isn't perfect) a coherent storyline. With everyone
(Image, Synapse, Elite, and others) cranking out all of Franco's follies, I
wish one of them would get this one out on DVD.
7) DON'T
BE AFRAID OF THE DARK
This
is one scary made for television feature with a surprisingly downbeat (for TV
) ending ! I'd be surprised if Anchor Bay doesn't get this one out eventually
since they've tackled made for television movies before (TRILOGY OF TERROR,
CURSE OF THE BLACK WIDOW).
8) THE
NORLISS TAPES
To be
honest, I've never seen this made for television feature but I have heard good
things about it over the years and having worked dealer tables at horror cons
all over the country, I can attest this is one sought after title.
9) THE
MAD BUTCHER ( MEAT IS MEAT )
Victor Buono plays a butcher who grinds the people who annoy him into sausages.
It's done tongue in cheek and is not as dark or grisly as the title would lead
you to believe. Over the years this fun film has been available on tape, on
several different labels, but they are all obviously cut. Needless to say, if
it should make its way to DVD, I'd want to see it uncut and in it's original
aspect ratio. (UPDATE: Image/Something Weird will release
THE MAD BUTCHER on DVD next year)
10) SHOCK
WAVES
I am
of the opinion that Hollywood is incapable of making a good ( in other words,
scary ) horror film. Let's face it, all the great horror films of the last few
decades have been low budget independents, such as NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD,
HALLOWEEN, RE ANIMATOR, TEXAS CHAINSAW, EVIL DEAD and, er, BLAIR WITCH. SHOCK
WAVES though not as well known as the films above, is definitely in the same
class and will hopefully surface again on this new format.