I'm new to the purchase of Charlie Chan movies even though I remember watching and enjoying them years ago. 20th Century is selling a 4 title or CD set for about $40. Other websites are offering the entire collection of about 41 titles for about $70. A big difference in price. Is there a big difference is quality between the 20th Century CDs and other CDs (specifically those offered by Old Time Movie Collection) or are they all just the same CD just packaged differently? Thanks for your help.
My 2-cents would be to buy the higher-priced, official studio copies. Like most Chan fans, I made do with stuff taped from TV, then the few released on VHS, and then the slightly better grey-market copies on DVD. But the digitally restored and re-mastered versions are worth the price. I was amazed at what I wasn't catching with my eye on the screen.
I have the Charlie Chan Silver Collection. I think I noticed only one of the movies was not a good quality. I had to make my own movie labels for the blank sleeves.
This is how I acquired all the Charlie Chan films on DVD.
First, I purchased the five volumes of Chan films from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment. Vol. Five still has the price tag on it: $29.99 from Costco.
Next, I purchased the first six Monogram Chans released by MGM Home Video. Each title sells for $9.39 at www.deepdiscount.com.
Both Fox and MGM did a professional job in restoring their Chan films. They look and sound great. On the Fox DVDs, you get extra documentaries, which I found interesting.
I purchased the remaining Monogram titles from a company called The Vintage Theatre. Before I made my purchase, I spoke with a sales representative. I asked him if he would break up a complete set of 41 titles and sell me the last 12 titles only. He was kind enough to do that. The Vintage Theatre.com sold me discs 11 - 14.
Please be aware that these titles have not been restored. Because these films are in public domain, the DVDs are not of the best quality. One or two titles are barely watchable.
From other sources, I purchased the two contemporary Charlie Chan films.
For my take on the modern Chan films, please see my posting in the Video Review section in the Study area of this website. I hope this information is helpful.
There is a dramatic difference between the DVD's for sale from the studios and the third party copies which are sometimes barely watchable. Your best bet is to get the 5 volumes from fox and the 6 disc Chanthology from MGM then wait for Warner Bros to put out its set of Monogram Chans early next year(from the original nitrate negatives they say.)You may be able to get the entire 40 film series on commercial DVD by next year. Don't be penny wise and pound foolish. These third party copies are, for the most part, junk. Yes you may pay a little more for the studio produced versions but it's without a doubt a better investment.
