Horror Hotel

[Ash28M]

I thought City of the Living Dead Version was the definitive disk also, as it has more extra's . Does anyone have a link to a comparison of the two DVD's.

[mutleyhyde]

Originally posted by Ash28M
I thought City of the Living Dead Version was the definitive disk also, as it has more extra's . Does anyone have a link to a comparison of the two DVD's.

The Roan version (the one I have)


Includes; Easter egg interview with Chris Lee, production notes, trailers for Roan dvd's White Zombie, Rage at Dawn and The Outlaw; also, it uses a 35mm print at, reportedly, 1.85:1 aspect ratio - the VCI version doesn't state the source element they used.

The VCI version


Includes; Commentary by John Moxey; Video interview with director John Moxey; Theatrical trailer; Photo gallery. - Complete and uncut with more than 2 minutes of additional footage cut from the U.S. theatrical release. Advertised aspect ratio; 1.66:1.


It looks like the VCI version slays the Roan in that the Roan version clocks in at 76 minutes and the VCI at 78. Also, it's blatantly obvious VCI is superior in the extras department. As far as transfer goes, I have no clue how they compare. Here is Horrordvds review of the Elite Horror Hotel and DVDCult's comparison of the Elite and Roan versions. The Cinema Laser states that the Elite version was taken from a 16mm print, and is framed at 1.75:1, but reports regarding aspect ration seem to vary widely on this version, so I wouldn't take that as gospel; I've seen it listed as being 1.85:1 as well, both here and elsewhere.

For what it's worth, the IMDb lists the movie's original aspect ratio at 1.66:1.

So it looks like the VCI version is the way to go - I just wish I knew whether they used a 16mm or 32mm print. I suppose if the transfer and source elements are good enough, or simply just look better than the the Elite and Roan versions, that wouldn't matter.

[Ash28M]

Thanks mutleyhyde i think I’ll hold out for the Roan Version. I've yet to see it in stores in Canada though. I’ve seen the other two though. I guess I can just order it.

[mutleyhyde]

No problem Ash, glad to help.

I'm happy with my Roan edition, but I do think I'll get that VCI one someday, for the features, and to finally do a comparison.

But if you do go with the Roan, Troma distributes the line. I've had some bad history withe them in the past, as has a lot of folks, but Troma's shipping department has done me right on my last two purchases, so maybe they're reliable these days. Their dvd prices are dirt cheap, but their shipping is damn steep. If you buy directly from Troma, save up your pennies and order a bunch of shit at once; that way the initial shipping fee ($8.00) evens out more over the number of titles ordered.

Troma/Roan suggestions...
White Zombie - great disc, really a killer... the best of the Roans
The Mr. Wong Collection - Karloff as Chinaman sleuth, nuff said
Dementia 13
D.O.A. - classic noir who-dun-it
The Stranger/Cause for Alarm - Orson Welles, a no brainer (and Cause for Alarm ain't bad either)
The Hitch-hiker - cold blooded road noir
and bunches of other bad Poverty Row horror titles, including lots of Lugosi flicks

Check it out.

[Ash28M]

Sorry mutleyhyde The VCI version is what i ment. The Roan version seems like the second best version though. I was going to pick it up at local store a few weeks ago but it was kinda over priced. I also want to get Dementia 13, is the Roan version the definitive version of the film?

[mutleyhyde]

Heh, here's my Dementia 13 thread thread from early 2001... you can see how I used to feel about Troma.

It's a good disc - good transfer, decent extras.

[Ash28M]

Thanks for the Dementia 13 link mutleyhyde. I'v been looking for the Roan version forever. It has to be out of print. I haven't even had much luck finding it on ebay.

[maybrick]

The image quality on the VCI disc is so sharp, there's NO WAY it could be from a 16 mm print. Grain levels on 16 mm are pretty high, especially in darker scenes, which this movie has plenty of.

If somebody proved to me that it WAS taken from 16mm, I still wouldn't believe it. The transfer is far too beautiful!

[mutleyhyde]

Holy shit, Dementia 13 is gone from the Tromamaul.. grrr. Well, there's a dude workin' for Troma postin' at another site now, and he's been comin' clean with the Roan info, so I'll ask him about D13. They don't have Zulu up for order either, and that's like brand new.

I was just able to get the Roan DEMENTIA 13 from DVDEmpire.com. for a 22 bucks after shipping. Looking forward to getting it as it is on its way. I am still trying to decide if I want to replace my current HORROR HOTEL Elite DVD with the VCI or Roan version. I've watched it several times since buying it and I guess I also feel I should hold on to it since I paid 30 bucks for it before there were so many versions available. Will see.....

[mutleyhyde]

Good deal Hammerfan! The Troma dude over at dvdtalk said they didn't have license rights for D13 anymore, so it's oop... I'd check out dvdempire, Ash.

Thing is, I thought this was a public domain flick - I mean, there have been like a bajillion shitty versions of it from shitty video companies forever. Another poster asked Troma-dude about it, so maybe we'll get further news on that.

[mutleyhyde]

Oh, and Maybrick, thanks for the critique - I know I'll get the VCI some day.

[maybrick]

Originally posted by mutleyhyde
Oh, and Maybrick, thanks for the critique - I know I'll get the VCI some day.

Hey, it's just the luck of the draw. I'm sure if I bought the Roan disc first I wouldn't be in such a hurry to upgrade either. All the reviews I've read that compare the two lead me to believe that the Roan one is just as worthy an edition to anyone's collection.

[Ash28M]

I Just picked up City of the dead (VCI) for 25$ at horrorfind weekend great dvd thanks guys.

I'm going to look on DVDEmpire.com and see if i can get the Roan Dementia 13 disk.

[Ash28M]

I looked at DVD empire and they have it with the status of ON ORDER.

What did it say when you got it hammerfan?