Film Masters Launching.... in 3...2...1

Film Masters is a new vintage film restoration and distribution company, that has been launched by industry veteran and film historian Phil Hopkins. Hopkins said of this new venture, “Preserving these films in an increasingly homogenized media world is more important than ever. As a consortium of historians and avid enthusiasts, Film Masters was launched to celebrate the preservation and restoration of vintage movies, many of them cult films, that otherwise might not be seen or experienced by a new generation of film lovers. Each release will feature original bonus materials that contextualize and enhance the enjoyment and understanding of the film.”

The company plans to release one new Blu-ray/DVD title each month. This is starting with the first release set for Sept. 26. This first release will be a two-disc collection featuring the cult favorites The Giant Gila Monster and The Killer Shrews. These two films were released in 1959 on a double-feature bill. These films have entertained film fans for years and years. 

Now in addition to this amazing first release, just in time for Halloween comes the horror flick Beast From Haunted Cove (1959) on Oct. 24; and than the drama The Scarlett Letter (1934) on Nov. 21. You can see the covers of these upcoming releases below!

  

The exciting part of these releases is that the majority of the film releases will be restored from a new, 4k scan of 35mm, original film elements; will be offered in original aspect ratios; and will be presented on region-free discs with DTS-HD sound and Dolby AC3s sound.

In addition to new 4K scans Film Masters will develop original content for bonus features to add to these releases. Including in those content providers will be author Larry Blamire; producer/director Daniel Griffith; author and film historian C. Courtney Joyner; professor and film scholar Jason A. Ney; film historian Sam Sherman; and film historian Tom Weaver, among other noted, guest commentators.

Also these Blu-ray release will also include collectible booklets inserted into Blu-ray/DVD releases, that will feature articles provided by Susan King, a film/TV/theater writer for the Los Angeles Times for 26 years specializing in classic Hollywood; award-winning journalist and author Don Stradley; Karen Burroughs Hannsberry, author of two books on film noir and editor of The Dark Pages newsletter; author and filmmaker Anders Runestad; Kami and Chris Spagenberg, editors of the Classic Couple website, which celebrates vintage movies and film history; and other select guests with knowledge of classic film and a respected presence in the community.

When classic film fans heard of the news of the possibility of the shut down of TCM (Turner Classic Movies), they were horrified. So for those classic film fans this is extremely exciting news. Just the kind of news we needed so much!

Now while the first release is still months away, don't fret. On Film Masters' website, FilmMasters.com/ they will post multiple articles each month covering a variety of topics. And if you are interested in streaming classic films and the new original Youtube video series entitled "Legendary Faces" visit and subscribe to the Film Masters YouTube Channel Today!