Superman Series 1 starring George Reeves

Though I've owned the dvds for the entire run of the George Reeves Superman TV series from the 1950s for a while now, I've only just finished the first, climaxing with a double parter: Superman and the Mole Men, which was the first of the stories to be filmed, originally as a B-feature and as a pilot for the TV series. Although the series at this point was filmed only in black and white, it was quite incredibly good and I can well understand why it was such a hit back then. I have another 4 series to enjoy watching yet, the later ones in full colour.

Out of the Unknown to be released on DVD

The BFI will be releasing a 6-DVD Box Set of the BBC's brilliant science fiction series Out of the Unknown, first broadcast between 1965 and 1971. Stories in the anthology series were based on tales by writers like John Wyndham, Ray Bradbury, Isaac Asimov, John Brunner, Frederik Pohl, Henry Kuttner, Clifford D. Simak, Nigel Kneale, J. G. Ballard and others.

It's many years obviously since I saw this series, but I recall loving it at the time, and I'm definitely looking forward to getting this set when it's available to watch them all again. 

It's due to be released in September.

New Hammer Film - Wake Wood

I only just found out that this is being released on DVD at the end of this month, so I have it on pre-order. I can't resist that name Hammer, old or new.  There are more details about it here.

It is my only weakness.

Moonlight - No Series 2

Now, I'm not a big fan of the newfangled vampires who twinkle and don't scare people or do evil things. Twilight can stay in the twilight for all I care. But I did get into Moonlight. I can't say why. Perhaps it was the main characters or the storylines. I know when one main character was abducted, then killed quite randomly, I was shocked - and  impressed. Whatever the reasons may be, I did enjoy this series and was looking forward to its return with a second. Unfortunately, this never happened. The show was cancelled. Which is a damn shame. There are few enough good programs on TV these days.

At least I can rewatch my DVDs of the first series.

The Haunting on DVD

Went into HMV today and got a DVD of The Haunting - the brilliant 1963 version starring Julie Harris and Claire Bloom - for only £3!!!

One of the best bargains ever.

It also includes a commentary by Julie Harris, Claire Bloom, Richard Johnson, Russ Tamblyn and, more importantly, director Robert Wise and screenwriter Nelson Gidding.

And this is where the outside was filmed: Ettington Hall

(My wife has already sent off for a brochure (it's now a hotel) - a few years ago she booked us into Oakley Court which is next to Bray Studios and was featured in many Hammer Films, including The Reptile)

Night Gallery DVD - Series 2

Got the complete series 2 of the American TV show from the 70s, Night Gallery in the post yesterday. We bought it because Linden found out one of the episodes included a dramatisation of Basil Copper's classic horror story Camera Obscura. She remembered watching this years ago on TV.

There are five discs in the set, with over 18 hours of viewing - and good value it is too. We spent the whole of last night watching just one disc, the highlight of which, of course, was the Basil Copper story. Other well known stories included were H. P. Lovecraft's Cool Air and Pickman's Model. There were also stories by August Derleth and Robert Bloch.

Though dating from 1971 the picture must have been digitally enhanced as it was perfect. It certainly didn't look like nearly forty-year-old TV.