I LOVE ALPHA VIDEO, and will always shout it from the rooftops. I've loved them for a long time, and they continue to be my main place for a lot of fun movies. Whether it's the older titles before his time (particularly the "murders on a boat/train/plane" genre), or recent releases (that Bela Lugosi doc is fantastic), I have never come away disappointed. I'm perfectly fine with the scratchy print of some obscure silent or poverty row movie - I'm just astonished they found it and saved it! From the artwork, to the titles they choose, to the approach and genuine love of what they release, I want to give a resounding THANK YOU, and keep up the good work.
This was an extremely candid and honest look behind the curtain. I can't help feeling after watching that us a viewers of media can be overly zealous with our criticisms and overly negative in our feedback. Truth be told, I have no experience with Alpha's releases or this content , but it seems like the criticisms have been quite severe, and this is still a company releasing media the best they can. I found the episode eye opening, and definitely something I'll keep in mind as I continue to collect, watch, and enjoy films. Thanks to you both for a wonderful discussion.
VCI is slowly working on an HD restoration of Flash Gordon. I got the scoop directly from their CEO, Bob Blair: Is the Original Flash Gordon Headed To Blu-ray? ua-cam.com/video/ZAnLt7BDulc/v-deo.html
Loved learning more about Alpha Video's history and what they are currently doing. They have often been the only DVD source for many movies and some old TV shows.
Thank you so much Heath I thought this was one of your best interviews ever absolutely fascinating Brian from Alpha video is a very interesting man and so are their products cheers Carl .
This was a really great and helpful interview not only to get insight into Alpha but also highlighting how there’s not much known in most physical media circles about their more modern releases. I had no idea they were doing some newer print transfers and sourcing so that’s very promising. All the Alphas I’ve tried or owned are seemingly the significantly older ones.
This is great stuff, and Brian seems like such a great, down-to-earth guy. To be honest, I hadn't heard about Alpha until you started talking about them, so I'm excited about the future. Thanks Heath!
I appreciate companies like Alpha Video because they release those videos that other companies fear like Banned Cartoons. These would be lost without their hard work.
Easily my favorite interview you've ever done! You've converted me into an Alpha Video fanatic!!! Gonna' go spend some dough now! Thanks so much for this!!!
An entertaining and informative interview for all us old movie buffs. I've been a fan of Poverty Row cinema and its history since high school. Sinister Cinema and Alpha were my go-to labels for these neglected titles over the years. I like the comment regarding them as "reader copies" - and indeed, I've upgraded various titles over the years. But when you decide you absolutely NEED to see a whole bunch of "Range Busters", "Texas Rangers" or "East Side Kids" - and you need to see them NOW - these are still the labels I turn to. Thanks again, Heath, for steering down the twisting paths off the mainstream and shining a light on the less celebrated corners of cinema. As this series of label interviews illustrates, many of the companies get by on staff in the single digits, people who are driven by a love for these films and the history they represent. Keep up the great work! Thank you.
Awesome interview! As a long time fan of Japanese monster movies, Alpha Video were the first ones to release the classic 1960's Gamera films on DVD decades before Shout Factory and Arrow Films released those movies in HD.
Great interview! Would like to see more interviews with Mr. Krey and more Alpha Video coverage on CaM. He just touched on the animation released by Alpha, and there is a lot! The Doc Pomus doc looks great! Alpha has released several interesting documentaries, such as one on the Monster Bash convention and a collection of Cult Movie cable tv episodes.
The Doc Pomus doc is INCREDIBLE. Wall-to-wall classic music and the presence of true music royalty, including the late great Lou Reed. I'm going to go a little more in depth on the next episode of Musical Archaeology.
Fascinating hearing from someone behind a media label that almost all of us have a love/hate relationship with. As with all collecting, hearing specifically about Alpha Video reminds us of all the places we were when we bought them, many places that are now gone. Alpha hipped me to some films that I now love, such as Wheeler and Woolsey's WWI comedy, Half Shot at Sunrise. I remember buying Alpha Video's copy of the exploitation classic, Child Bride, at a now-defunct local bookstore and worrying if I'd be judged for buying such a taboo movie, lol. Great job, Heath, you are really building a library of the history of home media.
Thank you and I agree, a lot of us associate Alpha Video with the early days of Mill Creek and even Echo Bridge. Those releases were everywhere, and in the glory days of DVD, they had a place on store shelves. It's been really delightful for me to find out that not only are they still going, they're doing the best work of their entire company's history. I hope to have Brian back in the future!
@@CerealAtMidnight Great. And that's part of the fun of collecting, in retrospect, kinda dealing with the best and worst of a label. I could never argue with the price that Alpha charged. If I wasn't happy with something I'd trade it up for something else. I have to admit, I always hated their cover art, but it was/is distinctive. Keep up the slamming work, dude.
It is a sad fact that some of the Warner Brothers DVDs from about 2007 are failing, which I noticed happening with the 4-film Nancy Drew set with Bonita Granville, hope Warner Archive can prioritize this by getting the HD upgrade. I'm now concerned about my 4-film (double-sided) Lassie film DVD set Warner Brothers put out around the same time... Get on these please Warner Archive!
There are many disadvantages to being disabled, but a pro has been that I’ve always been able to get out of jury duty with a doctor’s letter. Anyway, this reminds me to check out Alpha’s new stuff because they are a label I have several of just because they provided something I wanted in physical format.
Nice interview. I have bought alpha DVDs since the early 2000s. They introduced me to a lot of films I never would have otherwise. I can forgive the v/a quality for the most part. I had issues with oldies mis shipping items to where I quit ordering from them. Hopefully that aspect is better with the new owners. I do wish alpha would be more up front on the quality of their releases. Perhaps put up a 30 second clip on UA-cam or something to advertise the release.
Once again , I love the deep dive into film history , film preservation , company history and backstories. I’ve gotten a number of Alpha dvds over the years as “placeholder” / “reader” copies of films and films where there is no other way to acquire them on home media (until the excellent Gamera box sets from Arrow a few years back , Alpha and Scream Factory were the only ways to get the US edits / audio editions of the first few Gamera films .) I really enjoy these videos . This with the Poverty Row films review / interview, we’re really interesting and gave me some new perspectives with both. I often discuss with my friend and fellow collector Anthony about issues with fans getting certain films out / when it will happen on home video . This kind of insight on public domain , as well as the convoluted nature of who owns what now on other films and how hard it is for these to come out to home video is difficult on fans and collectors but a real issue to take into consideration. Interesting to hear this side of the story (public domain material.) Alpha obviously helps the fans in this regard . I ended up finally picking up the Criterion Godzilla box , as it appears to be complete (on the Japanese cuts side of things) and taking into consideration the difficulty in assembling all the alternate audio and US edits into one box . I’m not sure we will see a single box like that given all the problems. Rights issues , which this interview seems to slightly / tangentially reference, is a great point - maybe that’s another topic you could touch ???? Loved seeing this !! Keep up the amazing work !!!
One reason somebody might want the lower quality copy is the nostalgia factor.i saw alot of those movies on vhs or analog tv and like the memory of those times.
OH! And...the new series of licensed PRC titles look AMAZING! Put me down for one of each. Can't wait to see the transfer from 35mm source - and L*O*V*E the uniform design concept for the covers.
Good one, Heath. This is the first I've ever heard from Alpha. I appreciate how candid Brian was with you. I do often associate Alpha with their earlier, more questionable (pre-Brian) releases. At the time a main source for better quality public domain features was Sinister Cinema (who are amazingly still around). Some of those early Alpha DVDs were obviously sourced from SC tapes, even including SC watermarks on some releases. Unless they were licensed from SC (which I doubt) I always felt bad for SC because they toiled for so many years trying to get the best film versions available then during the boom of DVD suddenly their work was pirated by various labels and sold with colorful covers even in stores like Target. I guess SC lacked the funds or connections to better capitalize on their massive inventory (their black and white mail order catalogs were awesome sources of info and images). Looking forward to hearing more about Alpha and Sam Sherman. Cheers!
Fascinating conversation; thank you. I was struck by the acknowledgement that every movie has its advocates, regardless of the online shouting by people who don't like the work, or, as often as not, who don't like the idea of the work existing. There is so much crowing about Box Office numbers, even despite the fact that so many movies that are now considered Classics did not necessarily do well in their initial run. (PRINCESS BRIDE is the most obvious choice that I can note.) If there is one phrase that ought to go away (and I am well aware that it won't), it is "such-and-such movie failed at the box office but has since developed a CULT FOLLOWING", which sounds like people are going out into the deep of the woods wearing robes and pointy hats in order to watch said movie. The more accurate way to express it would be that such-and-such movie has found its audience, which all movies do, eventually. (Even if it's a smaller audience, it's still an audience; not everything has to be a Blockbuster.) I understand the Pain of the Dying MOD discs; I am having that issue with the Warner Kamp Kult Klassics boxed sets. Replacing those as possible with the Blu-Rays, as they are released, but they are not happening with the alacrity that I would prefer, and I am hoping that the Blu replacements are not limited editions.
Thank you so much for this interview. I have been a fan of Alpha Video since I first began collecting. Much like early Mill Creek releases they gave me a cost effective way to enjoy lesser known movies. I still buy releases from them today with some of the Mr. Lobo content being my most recent purchases. If anybody is interested they put out a Ted V. Mikels set that includes his autograph. Keep rocking on man! Love the content!!
I was able to pick up some silent era films via Alpha . The label helps keep different films alive that we might miss out on . Perhaps if it wasn’t for Alpha , the collectible editions from Arrow would never get made ….. if fans buy Alpha editions other labels may see there is a market for the older and off the beaten path films !
Nice catch there, Heath for the interview. For a second when I saw the title I thought Alpha France Video Interview, which would've been a very different interview...
This was so good! (I am into Jungle Jim movies these days) By the way thank you for the danish plastics for DVD recomendation (bought 200 a few days ago and I already ordered 200 more) they are incredible spacesavers and look good. Greetings from Sweden!
Just ordered Mr. Lobo's Cinema Insomia: Midget Zombie Takeover and Attack of the Octopus People DVDs because they seemed rad and were name checked in this. I still need to decide which Max Terhune movie is the place to start to enjoy Elmer in a western.
I know the prints from Alpha have problems. But it's the only way I can get some stuff. Edgar Kennedy Larry Buster crabbe westerns. I love serials. So thank you Alpha. I get mine from eBay. Because I live in the UK. Can we have some more Gabby Hayes please.
Enjoy the interview. I have been collecting alpha for years. Have purchased every classic TV show release. Wish more would come out. I really wanted to know about future pd stuff since we are entering the beginning of the sound film period and the possibility of films that the studios are not releasing.
I really like these behind the scenes looks at different film distributors. I really like alpha videos. Can you do anything with diamond entertainment I think they're called I have found a lot of hard to find movies from them.
IF we're thinking of the same Diamond Entertainment, I think they stopped in 2007. Is this them? pdvideo.fandom.com/wiki/Diamond_Entertainment_Corporation
I liked MS3K when I hung out with my friends and they were rare items. When I picked up a DVD set of them I quickly became annoyed because it had movies on it I wanted to watch without the jokes.
@@dbitgood1 That would be ideal. Some were that way. Some only had the MST versions. I'm sure it has to do with licensing and makes sense, but frustrated me.
Great video as always
I LOVE ALPHA VIDEO, and will always shout it from the rooftops. I've loved them for a long time, and they continue to be my main place for a lot of fun movies. Whether it's the older titles before his time (particularly the "murders on a boat/train/plane" genre), or recent releases (that Bela Lugosi doc is fantastic), I have never come away disappointed. I'm perfectly fine with the scratchy print of some obscure silent or poverty row movie - I'm just astonished they found it and saved it! From the artwork, to the titles they choose, to the approach and genuine love of what they release, I want to give a resounding THANK YOU, and keep up the good work.
Great interview Heath!
This was an extremely candid and honest look behind the curtain. I can't help feeling after watching that us a viewers of media can be overly zealous with our criticisms and overly negative in our feedback. Truth be told, I have no experience with Alpha's releases or this content , but it seems like the criticisms have been quite severe, and this is still a company releasing media the best they can. I found the episode eye opening, and definitely something I'll keep in mind as I continue to collect, watch, and enjoy films. Thanks to you both for a wonderful discussion.
I really just want remastered versions of Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers serials. Someday I suppose.
VCI is slowly working on an HD restoration of Flash Gordon. I got the scoop directly from their CEO, Bob Blair:
Is the Original Flash Gordon Headed To Blu-ray?
ua-cam.com/video/ZAnLt7BDulc/v-deo.html
@@CerealAtMidnight yes, I saw your video but it is taking quite a while. I guess I am impatient.
Oh, it's going to take years. It's already been a few.
@@CerealAtMidnight 😁
Loved learning more about Alpha Video's history and what they are currently doing. They have often been the only DVD source for many movies and some old TV shows.
Great interview, one of my favorites!
Mine too!
Thank you so much Heath I thought this was one of your best interviews ever absolutely fascinating Brian from Alpha video is a very interesting man and so are their products cheers Carl .
Very enjoyable and informative discussion and geek out over underappreciated films and label distributing them.
This was a really great and helpful interview not only to get insight into Alpha but also highlighting how there’s not much known in most physical media circles about their more modern releases. I had no idea they were doing some newer print transfers and sourcing so that’s very promising.
All the Alphas I’ve tried or owned are seemingly the significantly older ones.
This is great stuff, and Brian seems like such a great, down-to-earth guy. To be honest, I hadn't heard about Alpha until you started talking about them, so I'm excited about the future. Thanks Heath!
I appreciate companies like Alpha Video because they release those videos that other companies fear like Banned Cartoons. These would be lost without their hard work.
I actually found you because I was looking for info on Poverty Row.
Such a good video, was really informative. Long live the 50 ft woman and 3D movies.
Great interview. I love Alpha video!
Easily my favorite interview you've ever done! You've converted me into an Alpha Video fanatic!!! Gonna' go spend some dough now! Thanks so much for this!!!
This dude is definetly movie buff.interesting stuff
An entertaining and informative interview for all us old movie buffs. I've been a fan of Poverty Row cinema and its history since high school. Sinister Cinema and Alpha were my go-to labels for these neglected titles over the years. I like the comment regarding them as "reader copies" - and indeed, I've upgraded various titles over the years. But when you decide you absolutely NEED to see a whole bunch of "Range Busters", "Texas Rangers" or "East Side Kids" - and you need to see them NOW - these are still the labels I turn to.
Thanks again, Heath, for steering down the twisting paths off the mainstream and shining a light on the less celebrated corners of cinema. As this series of label interviews illustrates, many of the companies get by on staff in the single digits, people who are driven by a love for these films and the history they represent. Keep up the great work! Thank you.
Awesome interview! As a long time fan of Japanese monster movies, Alpha Video were the first ones to release the classic 1960's Gamera films on DVD decades before Shout Factory and Arrow Films released those movies in HD.
Great interview! Would like to see more interviews with Mr. Krey and more Alpha Video coverage on CaM. He just touched on the animation released by Alpha, and there is a lot! The Doc Pomus doc looks great! Alpha has released several interesting documentaries, such as one on the Monster Bash convention and a collection of Cult Movie cable tv episodes.
The Doc Pomus doc is INCREDIBLE. Wall-to-wall classic music and the presence of true music royalty, including the late great Lou Reed. I'm going to go a little more in depth on the next episode of Musical Archaeology.
Fascinating hearing from someone behind a media label that almost all of us have a love/hate relationship with. As with all collecting, hearing specifically about Alpha Video reminds us of all the places we were when we bought them, many places that are now gone. Alpha hipped me to some films that I now love, such as Wheeler and Woolsey's WWI comedy, Half Shot at Sunrise. I remember buying Alpha Video's copy of the exploitation classic, Child Bride, at a now-defunct local bookstore and worrying if I'd be judged for buying such a taboo movie, lol. Great job, Heath, you are really building a library of the history of home media.
Thank you and I agree, a lot of us associate Alpha Video with the early days of Mill Creek and even Echo Bridge. Those releases were everywhere, and in the glory days of DVD, they had a place on store shelves. It's been really delightful for me to find out that not only are they still going, they're doing the best work of their entire company's history. I hope to have Brian back in the future!
@@CerealAtMidnight Great. And that's part of the fun of collecting, in retrospect, kinda dealing with the best and worst of a label. I could never argue with the price that Alpha charged. If I wasn't happy with something I'd trade it up for something else. I have to admit, I always hated their cover art, but it was/is distinctive. Keep up the slamming work, dude.
It is a sad fact that some of the Warner Brothers DVDs from about 2007 are failing, which I noticed happening with the 4-film Nancy Drew set with Bonita Granville, hope Warner Archive can prioritize this by getting the HD upgrade. I'm now concerned about my 4-film (double-sided) Lassie film DVD set Warner Brothers put out around the same time... Get on these please Warner Archive!
What a great show, man - loved it!
There are many disadvantages to being disabled, but a pro has been that I’ve always been able to get out of jury duty with a doctor’s letter. Anyway, this reminds me to check out Alpha’s new stuff because they are a label I have several of just because they provided something I wanted in physical format.
Nice interview. I have bought alpha DVDs since the early 2000s. They introduced me to a lot of films I never would have otherwise. I can forgive the v/a quality for the most part. I had issues with oldies mis shipping items to where I quit ordering from them. Hopefully that aspect is better with the new owners. I do wish alpha would be more up front on the quality of their releases. Perhaps put up a 30 second clip on UA-cam or something to advertise the release.
Super timely, I'm waiting for a package from Oldies with a bunch of Mr.Lobo to be delivered today :)
Another great interview. Public domain titles were the staple of early video rentals.
Once again , I love the deep dive into film history , film preservation , company history and backstories. I’ve gotten a number of Alpha dvds over the years as “placeholder” / “reader” copies of films and films where there is no other way to acquire them on home media (until the excellent Gamera box sets from Arrow a few years back , Alpha and Scream Factory were the only ways to get the US edits / audio editions of the first few Gamera films .)
I really enjoy these videos . This with the Poverty Row films review / interview, we’re really interesting and gave me some new perspectives with both.
I often discuss with my friend and fellow collector Anthony about issues with fans getting certain films out / when it will happen on home video . This kind of insight on public domain , as well as the convoluted nature of who owns what now on other films and how hard it is for these to come out to home video is difficult on fans and collectors but a real issue to take into consideration. Interesting to hear this side of the story (public domain material.) Alpha obviously helps the fans in this regard . I ended up finally picking up the Criterion Godzilla box , as it appears to be complete (on the Japanese cuts side of things) and taking into consideration the difficulty in assembling all the alternate audio and US edits into one box . I’m not sure we will see a single box like that given all the problems. Rights issues , which this interview seems to slightly / tangentially reference, is a great point - maybe that’s another topic you could touch ????
Loved seeing this !! Keep up the amazing work !!!
Mr. Lobo is a great guy.
One reason somebody might want the lower quality copy is the nostalgia factor.i saw alot of those movies on vhs or analog tv and like the memory of those times.
OH! And...the new series of licensed PRC titles look AMAZING! Put me down for one of each. Can't wait to see the transfer from 35mm source - and L*O*V*E the uniform design concept for the covers.
Good one, Heath. This is the first I've ever heard from Alpha. I appreciate how candid Brian was with you. I do often associate Alpha with their earlier, more questionable (pre-Brian) releases. At the time a main source for better quality public domain features was Sinister Cinema (who are amazingly still around). Some of those early Alpha DVDs were obviously sourced from SC tapes, even including SC watermarks on some releases. Unless they were licensed from SC (which I doubt) I always felt bad for SC because they toiled for so many years trying to get the best film versions available then during the boom of DVD suddenly their work was pirated by various labels and sold with colorful covers even in stores like Target. I guess SC lacked the funds or connections to better capitalize on their massive inventory (their black and white mail order catalogs were awesome sources of info and images). Looking forward to hearing more about Alpha and Sam Sherman. Cheers!
Fascinating conversation; thank you.
I was struck by the acknowledgement that every movie has its advocates, regardless of the online shouting by people who don't like the work, or, as often as not, who don't like the idea of the work existing. There is so much crowing about Box Office numbers, even despite the fact that so many movies that are now considered Classics did not necessarily do well in their initial run. (PRINCESS BRIDE is the most obvious choice that I can note.)
If there is one phrase that ought to go away (and I am well aware that it won't), it is "such-and-such movie failed at the box office but has since developed a CULT FOLLOWING", which sounds like people are going out into the deep of the woods wearing robes and pointy hats in order to watch said movie. The more accurate way to express it would be that such-and-such movie has found its audience, which all movies do, eventually. (Even if it's a smaller audience, it's still an audience; not everything has to be a Blockbuster.)
I understand the Pain of the Dying MOD discs; I am having that issue with the Warner Kamp Kult Klassics boxed sets. Replacing those as possible with the Blu-Rays, as they are released, but they are not happening with the alacrity that I would prefer, and I am hoping that the Blu replacements are not limited editions.
Thank you so much for this interview. I have been a fan of Alpha Video since I first began collecting. Much like early Mill Creek releases they gave me a cost effective way to enjoy lesser known movies. I still buy releases from them today with some of the Mr. Lobo content being my most recent purchases. If anybody is interested they put out a Ted V. Mikels set that includes his autograph. Keep rocking on man! Love the content!!
I was able to pick up some silent era films via Alpha . The label helps keep different films alive that we might miss out on . Perhaps if it wasn’t for Alpha , the collectible editions from Arrow would never get made ….. if fans buy Alpha editions other labels may see there is a market for the older and off the beaten path films !
Well done, Heath. Just sent your 'storage hack' video to someone who can really use it. Keep up the great work!
That Atomic Bomb short films would be great to own! I hope they do the same for vintage drivers education videos from the 50s and 60s.
Nice catch there, Heath for the interview. For a second when I saw the title I thought Alpha France Video Interview, which would've been a very different interview...
This was so good! (I am into Jungle Jim movies these days) By the way thank you for the danish plastics for DVD recomendation (bought 200 a few days ago and I already ordered 200 more) they are incredible spacesavers and look good. Greetings from Sweden!
Fun!
Just ordered Mr. Lobo's Cinema Insomia: Midget Zombie Takeover and Attack of the Octopus People DVDs because they seemed rad and were name checked in this. I still need to decide which Max Terhune movie is the place to start to enjoy Elmer in a western.
I know the prints from Alpha have problems. But it's the only way I can get some stuff. Edgar Kennedy Larry Buster crabbe westerns. I love serials. So thank you Alpha. I get mine from eBay. Because I live in the UK. Can we have some more Gabby Hayes please.
A film transfer to a video machine.
Enjoy the interview. I have been collecting alpha for years. Have purchased every classic TV show release. Wish more would come out. I really wanted to know about future pd stuff since we are entering the beginning of the sound film period and the possibility of films that the studios are not releasing.
I really like these behind the scenes looks at different film distributors. I really like alpha videos. Can you do anything with diamond entertainment I think they're called I have found a lot of hard to find movies from them.
IF we're thinking of the same Diamond Entertainment, I think they stopped in 2007. Is this them?
pdvideo.fandom.com/wiki/Diamond_Entertainment_Corporation
@@CerealAtMidnight
Not sure from the link you sent me. Remember the logo was a blue diamond. I've only bought old ones second hand.
An interview with classicflix would be cool
I liked MS3K when I hung out with my friends and they were rare items. When I picked up a DVD set of them I quickly became annoyed because it had movies on it I wanted to watch without the jokes.
Preach! I feel the same.
The one I bought (Eegah!) has the straight version and the MST version included.
@@dbitgood1 That would be ideal. Some were that way. Some only had the MST versions. I'm sure it has to do with licensing and makes sense, but frustrated me.
Used to purchase a lot from them till they went the dvd-r route.
Enjoying your journey HH - LL
Alpha video old public domain unrestored prints many in poor shape
Alpha may have a poor unrestored print of a classic film that has been restored and released by another label for a few dollars more.