Our pal Bruce Westbrook has his review.
Update: WTF-Film.com has a review.
I’ll update this post as more reviews come in.
UPDATE: By the way, I just got a note from Jordan Fields, who says: “I think there’s an assumption from your readers that our “Manos” release is a Shout Select title (which I understand since it’s a re-release). It’s not. It’ll be in stores.”
So if you’d like to pre-order it direct from Shout! Factory, we’d appreciate it if you used this link.
If you’d prefer to pre-order it from Amazon, please use this link.
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I’m glad Shout Factory didn’t put THIS ONE as a typical shout select title. I have this pre-ordered and looking forward to seeing it. :)
Essential to those who never got the chance to purchase it the first time. Personally, I just do not see the point of buying it again. Kudos those who do. You’re way better than me.
I’ll be picking this up eventually and selling my older copy for whatever I can get for it on ebay.
Maybe an HD blu-ray transfer of Manos along with the MST3K episode would help make it more enticing. Plus it would create a fairly unique spectacle in the realm of HD home video.
Neato!
I’ll be getting it even though I have it in the “Essentials” set already. There’s just too much other good stuff to pass on it. Plus it’s pretty cheap!
Seemingly Shout! continues to hit it out the park. I may fall into a very narrow category of purchasers for this title. I dutifully always bought each and every Rhino VNS and then later DVD releases. At some point though (2009?) I sold off most Rhino titles because I was trying to raise some $$ for another hobby. I don’t regret doing so because I always assumed (and hoped) Shout! would re-issue some oop Rhino titles. And they apparently are knee deep in the process of doing just that.
I’m very pleased with the Shout! Select titles and welcome any and all re-releases..I’ll happily snatch them up.
Back when SHOUT did the first single DVD’S I said I bet they’ll do more single titles. All I got was a bunch of people saying no way,it’s not going to happen. I said they could sell the ones they have now if certain ones in the sets go out of print, or if people wanted to pick and choose the shows they want. Same thing I didn’t know what I was talking about. Now I still hope SHOUT will do a set of shorts (never got vol.3 on VHS.) maybe with all the music on another disk. SHOUT IS COOL,I plan to get whatever the put out. I love the new GAMERA set, it’s my favorite set so far.
It seems that most of the CT crew is on all of the extras of the Shout! DVDs lately. Who needs to be on TV or told what to do by some Channel Executive these days. Lets get the band back together. Everybody hug, Start making NEW MST3Ks, release them straight to DVD, go on tour, and see if any offers roll in. Yes, its a tall order, but a fella can dream, cant he?
@ JEFF #6…Awesome idea but as much as I would love to see that to happen it is truthfully a loooong shot at best.
Consider me disappointed that the Manos un-riffed transfer is the same awful one from the Alpha Video DVD…I wanted to see the same print quality than the one used in the actual episode. Yes, I want a pristine copy of Manos un-riffed. Yes, I am insane.
Doesn’t Quentin Tarantino own a 35mm print of Manos, or is that just an urban legend?
#9
I’ve heard the story but I’ve never seen a source. There are lot of rumors regarding Manos most of which aren’t true. This story continues that myth that all the cast members (Save Makeout car guy) are dead which simply isn’t true.
#6….my take on the deal is, Joel and Trace are cordial and friendly toward Mike and Kevin but in truth, there is some undercurrent between the two sides that keeping them at a distance regarding working together again. Don’t know what that undercurrent is but why else would they refuse to get the old model up and working again?
I can understand how print quality can sufer when a film like Manos received less than ideal care over the years. I can easily see how prints were lost, forgotten or thrown away. If a 35mm print exist there is no telling what condition it is actually is in.
The way I see it, if Shout adds enough extras to the re-releases, it’s totally worth buying them again. Just as long as they don’t do what Rhino did with “Essentials” which was essentially “Mr. B’s Lost Shorts” (which I would have purchased by itself ANY DAY) with public domain “Santa v. Martians” and “Manos” to push the price up a bit.
I don’t think it’s a cop-out at all, as long as they razzle-dazzle the new version a bit!
I am seriously considering buying this on DVD for the third time. The extra features are terrific. Good job as always, Shout! Factory.
I too have the “Essentials” version of MANOS but those extras look great! I’m really looking forward to this release.
Another wonderful title from SHOUT! Factory.
Not trying to start anything, but I wonder why I can’t remember the last time anyone from CT and RT were seen together. I’m too lazy to see if Bill was there for Manos, but I can’t see any reason for Mike and Kevin to not be included. It seems both groups would like to grow out from under the MST shadow and define themselves, but for things like this it’d be nice to see both camps represented.
@ MSTJon: Trace and Bill (as well as Frank and Mary Jo) were together at Dragon Con 2009 in Atlanta for their “Crow Vs Crow” panel, and Trace, Frank, Bill, Joel, Kevin, Mary Jo and Josh were all at Dragon Con 2010, which featured “Servo Vs Servo.” (Can they pull off “Joel Vs Mike” for this year? I doubt it.) And everybody – even Jim – was there for the 20th Anniversary panel at Comic Con 2008 and nothing exploded, at least not that I heard about.
Regarding Manos, Sinister Cinema has a 16mm print that looks pretty good, at least based on the VHS copy I bought from them years ago. I imagine it only looks better on DVD. I haven’t seen the Alpha Video version to compare it, but judging by other Alpha DVDs I have, I would wager Sinister Cinema’s print is better.
Looks like I’m buying Manos on DVD a third time. Fourth, if you count VHS. And five times if you count unMSTed. Yikes!
I think this one will be my third copy…never let it be said I didn’t support the show financially. I am a firm believer in “Money talks and B^77$#!+ walks”.
Great review.
Although I find Manos to be one of the most unpleasant films I’ve ever seen, I may just pick this one up for all of the care and effort that has been put into it.
I can’t say that I’ll EVER watch the unriffed version, but I just can’t resist all of the extras!
#9
I’d LOVE to see a pristine copy. Only problem is, I think the film has practically aged to the point it’s not even possible. Still…. you never know.
I’m often suspicious if there is something between Mike and Joel. There is no hard evidence of course but it is odd there has been zero interaction since the 2008 Comic Con 20th panel.
That said, that is not the hold up on a MST reunion. That was Joel’s original intent. However when he approved Jim Mallon, who owns the rights to the property, Jim turned Joel down. Jim just wanted to concentrate on the relaunch of MST3K.com come and the short lived flash animation done for that site. So when Jim turned Joel down, Cinematic Titanic was born.
The part I find odd: Why is there little to no interviewing of the RiffTrax guys for Shout! extras? Suppose Joel and Mike don’t get along these days. They wouldn’t necessisarily have to be in the same room for extras.
#22- I agree with you! Its been all CT folks, which I dont mind, but truthfully it has been odd seeing these extras (Gamera films, Manos) with no input from Mike or Kevin. Is it just an availability issue? Or something more? I hope Shout can get a Joel vs. Mike interview…that would be so awesome. I have my fingers crossed.
I talked to Hal Warren’s son about a year ago and he confirmed that he still has a 16mm print of Manos in good condition with outtakes! I even found a print transfering service near where he lived but I never got a follow up…
Kevin Murphy did the intro to Jack Frost for Volume 18
#22: zero interaction in a public venue, perhaps. It’s a far leap from that to say there’s zero interaction period.
And yeah, Kevin has done some Shout Factory stuff. It might be that Mike and Bill have just been busy or caught up in their personal lives?
Plus, well, these shows were made many years ago…it might be that after so much time some of the old gang just don’t remember as much as they once did.
#26 I agree with you as far as the extras. Getting a hold of people for filming extras might just be a, “Well, we’d like to have everyone weigh in, but not everyone was available.” Setting something up at a public appearance might be part of it, too, vs. having to pull folks away from their private lives and personal work schedules. I think we should all be so lucky that, finally, our DVDs HAVE extras with some meat on them instead of JUST chapter selections (which I always thought was a crummy extra when it’s the ONLY thing on a disc), the occasional MST3K Juke Box, or the very rare instance of out take footage. Every volume that Shout has put out has had excellant, quality stuff that they obviously spent a good deal of time and money on to make sure the fans would be interested in buying it. They didn’t have to give us anything more than just the episodes on DVD, and to be honest as fans we’re not entitled to anything more than just a DVD release just because we’re fans. Anything more than that, well that’s just gravy and I thank them for it.
It is probably a cost factor for Shout! for the extras. Joel, Frank, Josh all live in LA where Shout is located. Mike/Kevin/Bill would need to be brought to LA or a crew sent to them. Also since Joel gets money for the sales of the sets maybe he doesn’t get paid for the extras?
So how did Jim end up with the rights to the MST name when Joel gets most/all the credit for creating the show?
Amazon is currently selling the new Manos DVD for about $16.99.
#29
Well Jim did own the company that produced the show and he was the only one who stayed with the show from day one to the end , plus he pretty much the reason that the MST crew were able to keep the rights to the show. Besides can you name any other show where the creators own the rights?
Does anyone know why Manos isn’t available for pre-order at the Shout! store?
Joel Hodgson and Jim Mallon co-own the show, then and now. Joel by necessity had to give creative control of the name and show itself to Jim when he left the show since Jim was the one staying behind still making it. Joel Hodgson has talked about this kind of stuff in a fair amount of detail several times in the past few years.
Also, Kevin Murphy was there from beginning to end.
There have been other occasions where show creators owned their show. Example, Flip Wilson has talked about how he owned the rights to his show and ended up well off because of it.
#33
Correct Kevin was at the show from beginning to end. What I should have said was Jim was the only creative force who worked on the show from beginning to end.
And Flip Wilson didn’t assertain the rights to the show till the early 90’s. Long after the show was canceled. That’s another very rare occasion. Out of Thousands of American Television shows, I can only think of one other example where the creators owned the rights to the show.
Mystery Science Theater 3000 seasn 10.2 (The Lost Season)
Twelve episodes featuring Joel, Trace and Josh in the theater and Trace and Frank in Deep 13.
Twelve episodes featuring Mike, Bill and Kevin in the theater and Mary Jo, Kevin and Bill in the castle below.
It truly exists! I know it does!
I do! I do! I do!
Wait, that was just a dream.
Drat!!!!!
PS: not gonna buy the re-release of Manos. Even with the peachy-keen, neato extras.
But still give mad props to Shout! for keeping MST3K alive and well!
#28 Mr. Torso–Just FYI: Mike lives in San Diego, Joel lives in Pennsylvania, Trace has returned to Minnesota, Mary Jo lives in Austin. Only Frank and Josh are in L.A. Kevin and Bill still live in the Minneapolis area.
I’m not saying we are entitled to extra. I’m merely commenting on the odd balance of those that do exist. (I’d forgotten Kevin’s Jack Frost intro. But the participation is still heavy in favor of the CT camp.)
And I full recongnize how hard it can be to get everyone in the same room at the same time. But again I say that isn’t necessary. You could still interview Joel and Mike seperately about (fill in episode name) and get the thoughts that way. But so far all interviews have been of the “same room/same time” variety. Again I just find that odd.
Question: How do Crow and Tom Servo get voiced on the DVD menu? Is that Trace/Bill and Kevin/Josh depending on the episode? I assume those are new recordings.
#37, aren’t the voices on the DVD menues simply samples taken from the episodes?
Bump on my #32 post. Can’t understand why it isn’t up for pre-order at Shout!
How much is it? If reasonable I might get it,
mostly for the extras. And btw, is the non mysty
movie uncut (any scenes they couldn’t fit in, didn’t want to).
Ericb is right, the Tom and Crow menu dialog is taken from the episode. :)
@40 (ck): Amazon has it for $17.99.
I already own this movie, as does any self-respecting MSTie, but am going to buy this set for the extras. They sound alternately great and groan-inducing.
Self-respecting and MSTie. Now thats a good riff.
pablum #3: “Maybe an HD blu-ray transfer of Manos …”
Sure. That’d be like setting up an incredibly expensive, finely-tuned component stereo system just to listen to the soundtrack to The Creeping Terror…
#7 “Lets get the band back together. Everybody hug, Start making NEW MST3Ks, release them straight to DVD, go on tour”
Joel is working with a guy who used to be the voice of Crow and a guy who used to be the voice of Servo (plus TV’s Frank & Pearl).
Mike is working with a guy who used to be the voice of Crow and a guy who used to be the voice of Servo.
Make a cardboard cutout of a guy & two robots, tape it to the bottom of your screen and you can pretend it’s MST3K.
Anybody else think it’s weird that Joel is now working with Dr. Forester, Dr. Erhart, TV’s Frank & Pearl?
Obviously Joel is EVIL!
# 7 – I like your idea! My dream is an all out MST reunion, get some public domain film, and have the two Crows (voiced by Mike and Trace), Mike and Joel, then the two Servos (voiced by Kevin and Josh) in the theater riffing away. Just say it’s a wormhole or something and future and past crows/servos/humans are back on the ol’ SOL. After all it’s just a show and we should really just relax, right?
#7 “Lets get the band back together. Everybody hug, Start making NEW MST3Ks, release them straight to DVD, go on tour”
Anybody else think it’s weird that Joel is now working with Dr. Forester, Dr. Erhart, TV’s Frank & Pearl?
Um, not particularly–
As I historically remember CT forming very QUICKLY after MK&B made a lazy pigs-breakfast out of their Shout Factory “Film Crew” gig.
After their four FC’s, it was clear that the RiffTrax guys were so rooted in their own signature shticks (Mike points out the fat guy, Bill does song lyrics, Kevin connects everything to Renfests and fantasy-geeks) to even pay attention to old cheesy movies anymore, that when CT formed, there seemed to be a strange emphasis in the publicity material on: “The ORIGINAL, GENUINE, never to be IMITATED, FOUNDING members of MST3K, who CREATED the original show!”
(…Yeah, guys, we get the point, and we’re way with you on that one.)
#7..It’s a nice dream,but it wouldn’t work because what storyline could they come up with to have Mike and Joel on the SOL or in Mike’s apartment?? Plus,Dr. Forrester would have to take over the experiment that he started or to be partners with Pearl.Then,Bobo and Brain Guy would have to come back and I guess Frank is going to pop up every now and then,since he’s dead. And what about Dr.Ernhart? Wouldn’t work..too many characters all in one place and too many people watching a movie all at once.It would be hard to get all the riffs in,if you’re going to have Mike,Joel,both Crows and 2 Servo’s..And I doubt very seriously Comedy Central would pick it up again,too..Let’s just leave it like it is and only dream about it,ok?