New Midnight Movies line up.

[Chadzilla]

from dvddrivein...

MGM has announced their April batch of "Midnite Movies" double feature DVDs. All will be released on April 15 and retail for only $14.95 each. Here are the April titles:

ANGEL UNCHAINED/CYCLE SAVAGES (Both films 1.85:1, 16 x 9)

MUSCLE BEACH PARTY/SKI PARTY (Both films 2.35:1, 16 x 9)

INVISIBLE INVADERS/JOURNEY TO THE SEVENTH PLANET (INVISIBLE INVADERS: 1.33:1; JOURNEY: 1.66:1 letterboxed)

CRY OF THE BANSHEE/MURDERS IN THE RUE MORGUE (1971) (CRY OF THE BANSHEE--91 minute Director's Cut; 1.85:1; 16 x 9; includes new video interview with director Gordon Hessler; MURDERS IN THE RUE MORGUE--98 minute Director's Cut, featuring 11 minutes of footage cut from the original release; 1.85:1; 16 x 9; includes new video interview with director Gordon Hessler)

PSYCH-OUT/THE TRIP (PSYCH-OUT--1.85:1; 16 x 9; includes new featurette with director Richard Rush, producer Dick Clark, cinematographer Lazlo Kovacs and actor Bruce Dern; commentary track with director Richard Rush; THE TRIP--1.85:1, 16 x 9; three new featurettes with Director Roger Corman, actor Bruce Dern and Allen Daviau; commentary track with director Roger Corman. This is the theatrical cut; unfortunately, MGM was unable to locate director Roger Corman's original ending for the film.)

Horror fans who are disappointed by the fact that this batch of Midnite Movies only includes two horror films can be rest assured that MGM's August batch of double features will include several highly-anticipated horror titles (many with extras), including the long-delayed double feature of THE VAMPIRE LOVERS and COUNTESS DRACULA.

[StatCat]

Always wanted to see the trip I have the soundtrack and I really like it as I do with most 60s psych and garage stuff. I'll probably pick that one up and the invisible invaders/Journey to the seventh planet. Hopefully some kaiju movies will show up in the series.

[Chris K.]

StatCat wrote:
>
> Hopefully some kaiju movies will show up in the series.

Given the fact that MGM owns the American International Pictures film vault, AIP did distribute a heafty amount of kaiju U.S. film releases such as:
ATRAGON (1964-Toho)
GODZILLA VS. THE THING (1964-Toho)
FRANKENSTEIN CONQUERS THE WORLD (1965-Toho)
DESTROY ALL MONSTERS (1968-Toho)
GODZILLA VS. THE SMOG MONSTER (1971-Toho)
YOG-THE MONSTER FROM SPACE (1971-Toho)

Oh, and lets not forget the AIP-TV releases of:
WARNING FROM SPACE (1956-Daiei)
ATTACK OF THE MUSHROOM PEOPLE (1964-Toho)
DAGORA, THE SPACE MONSTER (1965-Toho)
THE MAGIC SERPENT (1966-Toei)
WAR OF THE MONSTERS (1966-Daiei)
THE X FROM OUTER SPACE (1967-Shochiku)
YONGARY, MONSTER FROM THE DEEP (1967-Kuk Dong Film Co.)
MONSTER FROM A PREHISTORIC PLANET (1967-Nikkatatsu)
RETURN OF THE GIANT MONSTERS (1967-Daiei)
DESTROY ALL PLANETS (1968-Daiei)
ATTACK OF THE MONSTERS (1969-Daiei)
GAMERA VS. MONSTER X (1970-Daiei)
VOYAGE INTO SPACE (1970-Toei)

Sadly, I doubt MGM will release the Godzilla and other Toho items on DVD due to various U.S. rights issues with the company. Now, with the Daiei, Toei, Shochiku, and Nikkatasu films their might be a chance. And with the 16mm television prints and negatives that exist in the AIP vault, it's possible. But, I am also hopeing the Empire flicks will hit DVD soon as well.

We shal have to see.

[Vermin Boy]

I, too, have been wanting to see The Trip for a while; I'd been considering picking up a used copy at my local video store, but now I think I'll save my money for the disc. I'll jump at any chance to hear a master like Corman talk about his early stuff.

[StatCat]

Exactly we can have a whole Japanese sci-fi/horror series with all of those. I'm pretty sure I have most of those in one version or another but I wouldn't mind seeing decent dvds. Monster from a prehistoric planet aka Gappa is out on dvd by tokyo shock. That and g vs mothra and destroy all monster are the only ones I could think of that have had dvd releases here. AIP has their own dub of destroy all monsters that wasn't on the dvd release. G vs Mothra had a good widescreen release by simitar and a pretty crappy one by classic media. The gappa dvd has both the English dubbed and Japanese subtitled versions and is worth having. Thanks for posting the large list.

[Foywonder]

Maybe its just my personal tastes but I find that line-up quite mediocre.

[Chris K.]

Yes, GODZILLA VS. THE THING and DESTROY ALL MONSTERS had a recent DVD release. Sadly, GODZILLA VS. THE THING is under the alternate video title GODZILLA VS. MOTHRA with horrible picture quality (the best version was the widescreen release from Simitar that had the original AIP title, but it has since gone out of print at this time). And the release of DESTROY ALL MONSTERS is the bad international dub by William Ross, not the AIP/Titan Productions dub which was really the better dub. As for GAPPA, the U.S. release of that film is very sorted. It was originally released as GAPPA-THE TRIPHIBIAN MONSTER in English by Manson Corporation to U.S. theatres. Then it was sold to AIP-TV in 1972 and re-titled MONSTER FROM A PREHISTORIC PLANET, but the original dub was not tampered with.

The 35mm theatrical negatives and print materials are in the AIP vaults, as well as the 16mm negative and print materials of the AIP-TV releases. And even though they are in MGM's hands, they really can't do much with the Godzilla/Toho films until a rights issue is settled (and who knows how long THAT will be). But the AIP-TV versions of Daiei, Shochiku, Nikkatatsu, Toei, and Kuk Dong films are really open for a DVD release.

The only way to get MGM to release these kaiju titles is if somebody here is willing to start a petition to the company. If so, you'll get my imput.

For a sidenote, MGM has also claimed the rights ownership of the 60's Japanese cartoon series "Prince Planet", which was distributed to television via AIP-TV. When asked if a DVD release was on the way, MGM complied that a DVD release has not been considered or ever planned in the near future. Once again, if somebody wants to start a petition you got my vote.

[Scott]

How come know one ever talks about WAR OF THE GARGANTUANS?

[Vermin Boy]

Christ, I wish they'd release that one! I saw it years ago on a great little UHF station (which has since been eaten by PAX), and I've been dying to see it again ever since. Unfortunately, eBay prices are always through the roof, and I can't find it anywhere else. Hearing Devo's cover of the theme song only made me want to see it more...

[Chris K.]

WAR OF THE GARGANTUAS was not released by American International Pictures. Instead, it was distributed by Henry G. Saperstein and his subdistributor company Benedict Pictures Corporation.

Saperstein still has the rights to this wild flick, but at this time he has not offered it up for a DVD release. Hopefully, one will make an offer.

[Chris K.]

I forgot to mention on my earlier post that MGM also has the rights for THE MYSTERIANS (1957-Toho) and THE GREEN SLIME (1968-Toei/RAM Films/MGM).

And again, can you just imagine these hitting on DVD in their original 2.35:1, remastered? Oh, it's a dream that we are all waiting for. A silly pipe dream of course, but one never knows.

[Greywizard, The Unknown Movies]

> I forgot to mention on my earlier post that MGM also has the
> rights for THE MYSTERIANS (1957-Toho) and THE GREEN SLIME
> (1968-Toei/RAM Films/MGM).

I don't know about THE MYSTERIANS, but I do know MGM no longer has the rights to THE GREEN SLIME. Warner Brothers now owns all the distribution rights (and the movies themselves) to all MGM movies made before 1986 or so. And seeing how WB doesn't often released older genre moves on DVD (it's amazing they did one for THE SWARM, or even THEM!), it'll be a miracle if they ever issue TGS on DVD. Or NIGHT OF THE LEPUS. Or...

Anyway, I agree with what was previously mentioned about this release of Midnite Movies (disappointing), though I might go for THE TRIP/PSYCH-OUT. There are hints that the subsequent August release of Midnite Movies will be more promising. And I do know sometime this year MGM will give a DVD release of SQUIRM that's not only uncut, but with director commentary.

[Foywonder]

Well, seeing as how NIGHT OF THE LEPUS has never even been released on home video, I seriously doubt they'd put it out on DVD anytime soon. Although, it would probably do decent business if they did considering the rarity of the film.

[Chris K.]

Greywizard, The Unknown Movies wrote:
>
> I don't know about THE MYSTERIANS, but I do know MGM no
> longer has the rights to THE GREEN SLIME. Warner Brothers now
> owns all the distribution rights (and the movies themselves)
> to all MGM movies made before 1986 or so. And seeing how WB
> doesn't often released older genre moves on DVD (it's amazing
> they did one for THE SWARM, or even THEM!), it'll be a
> miracle if they ever issue TGS on DVD. Or NIGHT OF THE LEPUS.
> Or...

Damn my feeble brain! I forgot about MGM selling their own films to the WB. So, I guess THE GREEN SLIME is out of the question. As for THE MYSTERIANS, MGM did release the film back in 1958 after RKO Teleradio Pictures gave it to them (RKO intended to release the film, but after putting their name on the opening credits and such RKO was closing it's distribution arm). So, THE MYSTERIANS might also be in the hands of WB.

> Anyway, I agree with what was previously mentioned about this
> release of Midnite Movies (disappointing), though I might go
> for THE TRIP/PSYCH-OUT. There are hints that the subsequent
> August release of Midnite Movies will be more promising. And
> I do know sometime this year MGM will give a DVD release of
> SQUIRM that's not only uncut, but with director commentary.

Yeah, I was also disappointed too. I mean, I am excited about the DVD for THE TRIP/PSYCH-OUT and INVISIBLE INVADERS/JOURNEY TO THE SEVENTH PLANET. But, out of the upcoming releases their is really nothing else interesting. However, I heard that the upcoming August Midnite Movie DVD's will have some more horror and I am hoping that FROM BEYOND and DOLLS are going to be in that batch (cross your fingers). And I am also looking forward to the upcoming SQUIRM DVD. God, I just can't wait!