RETURN OF THE APE MAN (1944) in Poverty Row Forum

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RETURN OF THE APE MAN (1944)

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Joe Karlosi

RETURN OF THE APE MAN (1944)

Lead

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Oct 31 10 6:40 AM

I did a search for a thread on this one, but only came across ones for THE APE MAN.

The reason I am starting this thread is because there's been a report on the forum that RETURN OF THE APE MAN, never before available on home video, is supposedly now being offered for streaming on NETFLIX. (Also THE FACE OF MARBLE).

I don't believe we're certain at this time who owns RETURN, but it'll be interesting to learn if the print being shown on NETFLIX is good quality or not. I have the movie on a gray market copy, but it's always needed upgrading. This is the first time that streaming may be offering something I can actually use. If anyone gets to view this, I'm sure many of us would be very interested in seeing how good the quality is (ditto for FACE OF MARBLE).

Last Edited By: Joe Karlosi Oct 31 10 6:44 AM. Edited 1 time.

MYST0

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Nov 2 10 1:06 AM

RETURN OF THE APE MAN was on home video. It was a very early release by Nostalgia Merchant with FOG ISLAND which was cut by about 15 minutes. It came in one of those generic NM window boxes so you can read the VHS label. No cover art.

evilskippy

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Nov 7 10 11:16 AM

I watched Return Of Hee Ape Man via Netflix last week. All things considered it is the best print that I have seen of this film so far. Much better than the fuzzy bootleg vhs tape I have.

"The world's going to change tonight, doctor, I'm glad you'll be able to watch it. And... happy Halloween."

Joe Karlosi

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Nov 18 10 5:20 PM

I can second that. I received my DVD-R today from Netflix from a kind soul, and it's the best it's ever looked, or I guess will look. I'm surprised more Bela fans are not chomping at the bit for this one.

Friend of Daniel

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Nov 18 10 6:49 PM

I also managed to find a shady 'gray market' DVD-R of this film.

It is fun trying to determine if that's really George Zucco as the Ape Man in some of the shots. It's probably time to trot this one out again...

Chesterbelloc

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Nov 21 10 3:46 PM

Joe Karlosi wrote:
I can second that. I received my DVD-R today from Netflix from a kind soul, and it's the best it's ever looked, or I guess will look. I'm surprised more Bela fans are not chomping at the bit for this one.

I would love to have it, but don't have the equipment to make a DVD-R. I do have a Sinister Cinema copy of the movie which I watched a couple of weeks ago, and while it looks like it came from a 16mm dupe, it's still acceptable quality.

Check out my movie collection at:

http://www.dvdaf.com/search.html?where=larryw7&init_form=where_0_larryw7*mode_more

VideoCellar

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Nov 21 10 4:06 PM

Joe Karlosi wrote:
I don't believe we're certain at this time who owns RETURN

I think I have posted before that the copyright to Return was renewed by National Telefilms Associates (AKA Republic). The copyright is still owned by Republic's successors. The latest copyright office information on the film is that the copyright title on the picture is was transferred to Melange Pictures, LLC. Malange is Paramount/Viacom's parent company for the Republic properties. It controls the catalogue of films and TV and owns the trademarks for "Republic" and "It's a Wonderful Life". Possibly, the below copyright listings will remove any doubt.

Return of the ape man. R528467.

Type of Work:	Recorded Document
Document Number:	V3543D293
Date of Recordation:	2006-09-01
Entire Copyright Document:	V3543 D281-298 P1-114
Registration Number Not Verified:	R528467.
Title:	Return of the ape man. R528467.

Title appears in Document:

#	Full Title
[ 1 ]	Two little Chinese maids & 3971 other titles (part 013 of 018)

Two little Chinese maids & 3971 other titles (part 013 of 018)

Title appears in Document:	List of Titles"
Type of Work:	Recorded Document
Document Number:	V3543D293
Date of Recordation:	2006-09-01
Entire Copyright Document:	V3543 D281-298 P1-114
Date of Execution:	as of 21Dec05; 27Jun06
Title:	Two little Chinese maids & 3971 other titles (part 013 of 018)
Notes:	Short form assignment.
Party 1:	Republic Entertainment, LLC, Republic Pictures Enterprises, LLC, Republic Distribution, LLC, Republic Pictures Productions, LLC, NTA Films, Inc., Compelling Music, LLC & Proxy Music, LLC.
Party 2:	Melange Pictures, LLC.
Links:	List of Titles

Names:	Republic Entertainment, LLC
	Republic Pictures Enterprises, LLC
	Republic Distribution, LLC
	Republic Pictures Productions, LLC
	NTA Films, Inc.
	Compelling Music, LLC
	Proxy Music, LLC
	Melange Pictures, LLC

Last Edited By: VideoCellar Nov 21 10 4:16 PM. Edited 1 times.

MYST0

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Nov 21 10 4:30 PM

I now have an extra copy of the Nostalgia Merchant RETURN OF THE APE MAN. Anyone have something to trade for it? With all the confusion as to rights, this may be the only home video release we will ever see.

Last Edited By: MYST0 Nov 25 10 12:44 AM. Edited 1 times.

VideoCellar

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Nov 21 10 5:11 PM

I don't see real confusion as to the rights for Monogram pictures.

Monogram's copyright history is not particularly complicated compared to some other minor studios.

- Most of Monogram's pre-1943 catalogue is public domain.

- Copyright films up to a point in 1944 were owned by Monogram's parent company Republic and their successor companies NTA, Spelling, Paramount/Viacom, Malange

- A number of 1944-1945 films were owned by United Artists (through their partnership with the Mirisch brothers) and are now controlled by MGM

- The post war catalogue was owned by the Monogram successor company Allied Artists and is currently controlled by Warner (who inherited it from Lorimar)

- There are a few post-1943 films that are public domain.

Shadow Chaser

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Jan 21 11 12:57 AM

Return of the Ape Man (1944)

Rakshasa

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Jan 21 11 5:32 PM

Shadow Chaser wrote:

Return of the Ape Man (1944)

Excellent! Thanks for the link to watch this online!

Links To All The Classic Monster Stills I've Posted: http://monsterkidclassichorrorforum.yuku.com/topic/30758

Crow T Robot

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Jan 21 11 11:32 PM

You can download the film to your computer too. On the left side of the website link above where it says "View Movie" there are a few options like "512kb," MPG4 Video" and "MPG1 video." If you right click on one of them you can "save link as" onto your computer. I just downloaded the MPG1 file - took about 20 minutes to download it. If you have dvd authoring software you can then take that video file and burn it to a DVD.

emoore7

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Jan 27 11 7:49 AM

Crow T Robot wrote:
You can download the film to your computer too. On the left side of the website link above where it says "View Movie" there are a few options like "512kb," MPG4 Video" and "MPG1 video." If you right click on one of them you can "save link as" onto your computer. I just downloaded the MPG1 file - took about 20 minutes to download it. If you have dvd authoring software you can then take that video file and burn it to a DVD.

I don't see anything like that...mine doesn't say View Movie on the left.

The Black Sleep is also being streamed at Netflix.

OOOPS...I thought you meant at Netflix...sorry.

LCranston

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Feb 1 11 8:15 PM

Well, now that all of the Lugosi Monograms are out and about... which company will be the first to gather them all together in a special boxed set, with alternate takes and restored scenes? Criterion? Image?

"I live the unknown, I love the unknown... I AM the unknown."

Rick

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Feb 1 11 9:38 PM

LCranston wrote:
Well, now that all of the Lugosi Monograms are out and about... which company will be the first to gather them all together in a special boxed set, with alternate takes and restored scenes? Criterion? Image?

Well, to steal from Fred Allen, I 'spect all the alternate takes shot by Monogram would fit in a flea's navel, with enough room left over for two caraway seeds and an agent's heart.

MonsterGuy95

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Feb 11 11 5:22 AM

By the way you can just watch/download this movie for free - http://www.archive.org/de...eturnOfTheApeMan1944_998
They also got Voodoo Man - http://www.archive.org/details/VoodooMan1944

LCranston

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Mar 3 11 7:22 PM

I just watched the whole film last week for the first time. I was fairly impressed with parts of it, but then equally unimpressed with others.

Monsterguy, that link was included a few lines earlier.

I liked the attempt to broaden the universe a bit, by showing the expedition - as cheap as it was - to find the frozen "Ape Man." But the music was completely out of place!

I liked the touches of character that Carradine got, and how they transferred to the Ape Man. Nothing too innovative, but they served.

However, it played out more or less like a low-rent GHOST OF FRANKENSTEIN, except that the brain transfer took place a lot earlier (actually, that might have helped GOF in some ways...). I liked that it was established that an entire brain transplant wasn't the intention, just the reasoning/cognitive section.

I thought it was an odd inclusion of the electric-paralysis device. Maybe it was a bit of science-fiction for the time, but Lugosi could have easily knocked Carradine out some other way.

I definitely don't see how George Zucco could have played the Ape Man, unless the script originally had the Ape Man more verbose than he ended up being.

All in all, I think I'll watch it again, when my memory says it's better than it is.

"I live the unknown, I love the unknown... I AM the unknown."

mass220.carsthetoys

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Mar 27 11 12:52 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Mi7beg4ey4

international car shipping|RV transport

BijouBob8mm

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Jul 12 11 12:33 PM

Would love to see RETURN OF THE APE MAN and VOODOO MAN come out as a Bela Lugosi/Banner Productions DVD double feature.

Shadow Chaser

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Nov 24 11 10:25 PM

Friend of Daniel

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Nov 25 11 2:17 PM

Shadow Chaser wrote:
Full movie!

Thanks! I have a bad gray market DVD-R of this, but about the time ~~Zucco/~~Moran/Carradine is climbing the latticework into his home the disc says "F**K IT!" and freezes - so I never got to see how it all ends.

A coded message for ROTAM fans..?

Last Edited By: Friend of Daniel Nov 25 11 3:52 PM. Edited 1 times.

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RETURN OF THE APE MAN (1944)

RETURN OF THE APE MAN (1944)

Return of the ape man. R528467.

Two little Chinese maids & 3971 other titles (part 013 of 018)