Essential set for John Wayne and serial movie fans

[BradOlson]

Although the prints are only fair to good quality, the Diamond Entertainment 2 DVD set of complete serials of "The Hurricane Express" and "The Shadow Of The Eagle" complete with the to be continued screens, etc. is essential and only retails for about $10 at chain retail stores. There are DVDs of both of these movies that claim to have the complete serials but once you play them, you will find out that they have the theatrical edited versions rather than the complete uncut serials. The uncut serial of John's final Mascot serial, "The Three Musketeers" is on the Roan Group DVD with all 12 chapters on 1 DVD or on Alpha/Collectables as 2 volumes on 2 separate DVDs

For those who want to find VHS's for people who still use their VCR's: Rhino and VCI issued the serials as 2 VHS tapes with the complete serials which is the only way to really enjoy serial movies made in episodes. I did have a DVD of Hurricane Express with the featurized edit of only 78 minutes but I got rid of that, but I have the featurized Shadow of The Eagle on a Platinum Disc boxed set along with other movies. The Diamond set is the way to go for Shadow of The Eagle and Hurricane Express on DVD.

[BradOlson]

BTW, the featurized Shadow of The Eagle is the whole serial minus the cliffhanger parts, the to be continued screens, the recaps, etc.

[BradOlson]

Marengo Films replaced their DVD of the featurized version of "The Shadow of The Eagle" with a restored version of the full serial, plus all 3 of the complete serials in episode feature, plus more are also available in the "Classic Serials Megapack: 150 Episodes" 12 disc set with these other serials in complete form but one Amazon review has noted the quality is poor:
* Ace Drummond [Serial] (1936)
* Clutching Hand [Serial] (1936)
* Hurricane Express [Serial] (1932)
* New Adventures of Tarzan [Serial] (1935)
* Phantom Creeps [Serial] (1939)
* S.O.S. Coast Guard [Serial] (1937)
* Shadow of the Eagle [Serial] (1932)
* Three Musketeers [Serial] (1933)
* Zorro's Fighting Legion [Serial] (1939)
* Undersea Kingdom [Serial] (1936)
* Lost City [Serial] (1920)

Too bad the Phantom Empire isn't part of this set. The Diamond Entertainment "Shadow of The Eagle" and "Hurricane Express" complete serial box is now out of print but a John Wayne fan can still readily buy these serials.

[Michael]

...thanks Bradley, I have a few Diamond releases that are passable...hit and miss with this company, and most of the other PD DVD companies...the price is right on the John wayne though.:)

[BradOlson]

Michael, although as I said, the Diamond set of John's first 2 serials is out of print, but still, if you can find it, snatch it up as the set is the way to go when it comes to these serials as they are the uncut serials instead of the featurized edits.

[BradOlson]

The Roan "Three Musketeers" DVD of the complete serial is still in print though.

[Michael]

Michael, although as I said, the Diamond set of John's first 2 serials is out of print, but still, if you can find it, snatch it up as the set is the way to go when it comes to these serials as they are the uncut serials instead of the featurized edits.

I recently recall seeing the JW set, just have to remember where?!

[BradOlson]

If you remember where and that the store still has the set, pick it up and enjoy them the way serials are intended to be seen, in episodes, in other words, in complete form.

[Michael]

If you remember where and that the store still has the set, pick it up and enjoy them the way serials are intended to be seen, in episodes, in other words, in compete form.

Yes, indeed...It may have been Barnes & Knoble or Walmart!
I will find it! thanks again Bradley...

[BradOlson]

And once you find that set, locate the Roan DVD of "The Three Musketeers" as that is also the complete serial.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00002CGG6/

[davenav]

I have to pick these up! I love all three in their primitive glory! Mascot Pictures was a cool company that eventually morphed into the beloved Republic Pictures.

John Wayne's Monogram b-westerns are also very enjoyable if you can locate a good print.

[BradOlson]

I agree with Dave about John's Monogram B-Westerns.

[BradOlson]

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000BV21Z/ for the Shadow of The Eagle/Hurricane Express boxed set. Apparently, they got it back in print.

[Lance Hall]

A local station showed some of those old John Wayne serials. All the audio had been re-recorded, music AND voices!

[BradOlson]

A good thing that Diamond Entertainment uses a straight transfer approach and that Roan uses the best prints existing as I wouldn't want re-recorded audio. Buy the DVDs Lance.

[BradOlson]

For those looking for the John Wayne Serials Diamond Entertainment set:
http://cgi.ebay.com/John-Wayne-Serials-Collectors-Edition-2-DVD-Set-NEW_W0QQitemZ6403611751QQcategoryZ617QQs sPageNameZWD1VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

or http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/offer-listing/B0000BV21Z/

[BradOlson]

The current used prices for the Roan DVD of "The Three Musketeers" although this DVD is still in print: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/offer-listing/B00002CGG6/

[BradOlson]

If you can find the boxed set I have linked right here in a bargain bin somewhere, it is worth picking up if you don't already have the Diamond DVDs of Hurricane Express and Shadow of The Eagle and the Roan DVD of The Three Musketeers. I have looked at the packaging of this and it is the complete serials and not featurized edits.

http://www.heartlandamerica.com/browse/item.asp?PIN=40557&
http://www.hlaimages2.com/prod_images/500/79744.jpg

[BradOlson]

BTW, the Diamond and Roan DVDs of the serials do remain in print, although the Diamond set had gone out of print for a while, but now why buy those sets when you can get one set with all 3?