MovieChat Forums > Who Killed Teddy Bear (1967) Discussion > Sinister Cinema versus Video Beat DVD-Rs

Sinister Cinema versus Video Beat DVD-Rs

posted 12 years ago by surfink
10 replies | jump to latest

Since I now own both the Sinister Cinema and Video Beat versions of Who Killed Teddy Bear on DVD-R, I thought I would post some info for people who may be considering picking up one or the other.

First, neither version is fully uncut (see "Coming to UK DVD" and "VHS or DVD?" posts on this board) and both are 1.37:1 full frame open matte formatted. Both are missing the bits described by "jobla" in his/her posts.

That said, the Video Beat edition is the far superior of the two, and I am pretty sure that it is a port of the UK PAL DVD (the picture quality is near commercial DVD quality, it appears to have been assembled from two different prints of varying quality, and the running time is 86:52, consistent with the faster running speed of PAL DVDs). Except for the few pieced-in scenes from the slightly inferior print, the Video Beat version is much brighter, with better contrast (blacker blacks and whiter whites), much sharper and more detailed, better framed (revealing more picture information, even when enlarged to 16x9 to match the original aspect ratio), and the print source is cleaner, with little to no speckling or other damage. The Sinister Cinema edition runs 90:27 but does not contain any additional footage not seen in the Video Beat edition.

If you can't play PAL DVDs and want a placeholder copy until this receives a proper, fully restored region 1 DVD release (if ever), I strongly recommend the Video Beat edition over Sinister's. If you subscribe to Video Beat's e-mail list and wait a bit, you will periodically receive sale e-mails from them, enabling you to save a bit of cash on the purchase.

[–] jobla 11 years ago

Thanks for your review. It does sound like Video Beat "borrowed" the UK release, from what you say.

The full uncut version runs 94 minutes. I don't know of any prints currently being sold that offer the uncut version. I'm always amazed that none of the cult labels have wanted to release the film, unless the rights holders want too much money. The fact that Sinister Cinema has released it sounds like it's public domain, but I'd expect to find it on a bunch of other labels (like Alpha Films)if that was truly the case.

[–] surfink 11 years ago

As much as I like Greg Luce and Sinister Cinema, and have purchased many movies from them, a title appearing on their site is no assurance that it is in the public domain. I have seen them put titles owned by Universal, 20th Century–Fox, Warner Bros., etc., up for sale, only to take them down weeks or months later, no doubt due to threats from the rights holders. Video Beat is also a bit "loose" on copyright issues.

I am also baffled as to why none of the cult labels like Synapse, Blue Underground, etc., have jumped on this for DVD release. I've already spent money on three bootleg versions, but would spring for a legitimate release in a heartbeat.

[–] Falconeer 11 years ago

There is/was a fully uncut version being sold on 'I-Offer.' i bought it years ago. The picture quality is about a 7 out of 10. Maybe even better than that. The point is, it is fully uncut, and that is the most important thing. Sure the editions that you mentioned have pristine picture quality, but I have seen both versions, and with those numerous scenes chopped out, the film loses most of it's power. i'll take the old bootleg any day over some cut print..

"IMdB; where 14 year olds can act like jaded 40 year old critics...'

[–] surfink 11 years ago

You completely misunderstood my post. I wasn't endorsing the cut version over the uncut version because it had better picture quality. I was merely describing the differences between the two most commonly available editions of WKTB so fans of the film could make an informed purchasing decision.

It goes without saying that I would much prefer to own the fully uncut version, but obviously it is quite rare, and your vaguely condescending post fails to enlighten as to where exactly it can be obtained. "Years ago on iOffer" isn't very helpful.

Personally, I'll take a minimally edited print over nothing at all.

[–] Falconeer 11 years ago

That is all i know about the film's origin. I bought it from a seller on "I Offer" a few years back, and I can't remember the sellers name. I wish i could provide more info.
"IMdB; where 14 year olds can act like jaded 40 year old critics...'

[–] oregon-5 11 years ago

Sinister Cinema just announced a new drive-in double feature #146. A Swingin' Summer (Raquel Welch's first film) with Who Killed Teddy Bear. Doesn't give a running time, but its coming from a 16mm print.

[–] jobla 11 years ago

Sinister's double-bill is probably a reissue of what he's already released, but it might be interesting to check out. I doubt that a 16MM print would have the footage censored from most prints, however.

[–] surfink 11 years ago

What Jobla said.

I'm actually more excited that Sinister is bringing back A Swingin' Summer. They used to sell it, then mothballed it for some reason. Tough title to find anywhere else.

[–] surfink 10 years ago

Finally found a DVD of the uncut version. After some Google detective work I found a place called Press Playhouse DVD in Massachusetts that was claiming to offer the full 94-min version, specifically noting that all other versions run 87 minutes or less. I took a chance and ordered, and received my copy today. It's a DVD-R mastered from a videotape (with the telltale video noise line along the bottom of the frame), runs 94:32, and appears to include all the missing bits mentioned by Jobla and Pinku Eiga in their posts. I haven't done a direct comparison with the Video Beat edition yet, but quickly reviewed it on my computer, and it definitely includes the slow pan across the nudist magazines in the bookstore, revealing a few bare breasts, and all the cut material from the theater sequence, the obscene phone calls, Marian's murder, and the final assault on Norah seems to be intact.

The DVD is 1.33:1 aspect ratio, open matte like the Sinister and Video Beat/UK DVD editions. It's darker and softer than the VB/UK discs, but very watchable, basically a high quality VHS appearance. It's $17.99 shipping included, payment by PayPal or money order only. I paid via PayPal and received the disc five days later via Priority Mail. I'm quite satisfied with the transaction.

Without making a direct side-by-side comparison of the cut and uncut discs, I'm not sure if the cut version was specially prepared for a mainstream theatrical release or was just snipped at some point. I'm leaning toward the former as it seems like the cut material would have created noticeably jarring jumps in the soundtrack if it had just been clipped out, and the title sequence seems much clearer and easier to make out in the uncut version, but a definitive answer will have to wait for another day when I have more time.

Link to Press Playhouse disc:

http://shop.vendio.com/pressplayhouse/item/867319894/index.html

[–] EliotTempleton 8 years ago

86:52 is the running time of the excellent (and completely free) YouTube print.