The Film Detective is an American classic film restoration, distribution, and streaming company based in Rockport, Massachusetts, and is a division of the American entertainment company, Cineverse. Launched in 2013, The Film Detective offers an extensive library of over 3,000+ hours of classic films and television series, with a focus on both renowned classics and B-movies across genres including comedy, drama, film noir, horror, musical, mystery, science fiction, and silent.[3] Services offered by The Film Detective include a classic film and television app on web, iOS, Android, Roku, Amazon Fire TV and Apple TV; a 24/7 linear channel offered across multiple leading OTT platforms including Sling TV, Plex, STIRR, DistroTV, Local Now, and Rakuten TV; and exclusive, limited-run Blu-ray and DVD releases.[3]
History
The Film Detective was launched in 2013 by founder Phil Hopkins, film archivist and producer, and previous co-founder of Marengo Films, Dogtown Productions, Inc., and Film Chest. In 2016, The Film Detective launched its classic film and television app on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Apple TV, featuring iconic titles, including rare silent films, westerns, film noir, musicals and comedies.[4]
The Film Detective's 24/7 classic film and television channel joined Sling TV's free, live and VOD offerings in 2018,[5] followed by DistroTV and STIRR in 2019; Plex and Glewed TV in 2020; and Local Now, RakutenTV, TCL, LG (US), and Kapang in 2021. In May 2020, The Film Detective announced the launch of its Android app, bringing over four thousand hours of classic film and television to Android users.
The Film Detective features the voice of Dana Hersey, former host of The Movie Loft and legendary broadcast host.[4]
In November 2021, The Film Detective launched its first classic film and television app, hosted by classic radio expert Carl Amari. In 2021, The Film Detective announced it would release an original series, Classic Films for Kids, hosted by author Jennifer Churchill and her sidekick Weston, coming in 2022.
The Film Detective is available through The Film Detective classic film and television app, The Film Detective 24/7 linear channel available across multiple leading OTT platforms including Sling TV and Plex, and The Film Detective's special edition Blu-ray and DVD releases. The Film Detective's classic film restorations are also featured on leading broadcast channels and platforms including Turner Classic Movies, NBC, EPIX, PBS, MeTV, and more.[7]
In October 2021, The Film Detective announced the launch of The Film Detective Podcast, the company's inaugural classic podcast. The Film Detective Podcast is dedicated to classic radio programs from the Golden Age of Radio, hosted by Carl Amari, film producer, syndicated radio host and a foremost authority on the golden age of radio. Through his company, Gulfstream Studios, Amari has spent decades licensing the rights to more than 50,000 hours of original radio programming. Amari has brought radio expertise as producer of multiple award-winning shows, including serving as creator/producer of The Twilight Zone Radio Dramas and producer/host of Hollywood 360.[10]
The Film Detective releases hundreds of restored classic films on Blu-ray and DVD on Amazon, Allied Vaughn, and MVD, including Crackdown Big City Blues.
The Film Detective also offers special edition Blu-ray and DVD releases, often featuring collections of bonus features in collaboration with Ballyhoo Motion Pictures, ranging from film noir, to musical, and cult classic titles.
Release Year
Film Year
Film Title
Special Features
2022
1966
Girl on a Chain Gang
Full length audio commentary / New, original essay, in a full color booklet / Featurette from Ballyhoo Motion Pictures
Missouri Born: The Films of Jim Davis, an all-new career retrospective with author/film historian, C. Courtney Joyner / The Men Behind the Monsters, an essay by author Don Stradley featured in a full color booklet / Commentary with artist/author, Stephen R. Bissette / Includes both widescreen (1.85:1) and full frame (1.33:1) versions of film
Audio commentary and original insert essay from author Jennifer Churchill / Glorious Pioneers: The Birth of Technicolor, an interview with author/historian, David Pierce / Ambushed By Mediocrity: Remembering The Dancing Pirate, an interview with film producer/historian, Michael Schlesinger.
Audio commentary with author/screenwriter C. Courtney Joyner / Teresa Wright: The Actress Next Door, Brand New Featurette / John Sturges: Man of Action, Brand New Featurette
Not Quite Picture Perfect, an essay by author Don Stradley
2021
1930s
The Sherlock Holmes Vault Collection
Disc 1: The Fatal Hour (1931) featuring Arthur Wontner / Essay by Don Stradley / Commentary Track with Jennifer Churchill / The Adventures of Sam Sherman: Part One featurette / Recreated Sherlock Holmes Radio Broadcast / A Black Sherlock Holmes (1918) cut bonus short / A Black Sherlock Holmes (1918) uncut bonus short / Baffled (1900) Disc 2: The Triumph of Sherlock Holmes (1935) featuring Arthur Wontner / Essay by Jason A. Ney / Commentary Track w/ Jason A. Ney / The Adventures of Sam Sherman: Part Two featurette / The Copper Beeches (1912) / Blind Man's Bluff, TV episode (1954) Disc 3: Silver Blaze (1937) featuring Arthur Wontner / Essay by Don Stradley / Commentary Track w/ Phoef Sutton & Jordan Legan / The Adventures of Sam Sherman: Part Three featurette / Sure Luck Holmes, Felix the Cat cartoon / Cousins of Sherlocko (1913) Disc 4: A Study in Scarlet (1933) featuring Reginald Owen / Essay by C. Courtney Joyner / Commentary Track w/ Peter Atkins & David Breckman / Elementary Cinema, an original production by Ballyhoo Motion Pictures / Slick Sleuths, Mutt & Jeff cartoon
Original Essay by Don Stradley, 'The Dorseys in Film' / Full Commentary track by author, Jennifer Churchill / 'The Fabulous Forties: Big Bands on Screen,' an original production by Ballyhoo Motion Pictures
Commentary by Professor and Film Scholar, Jason A. Ney / Full Color Booklet with essay, 'The Amazing Mr. Bey,' by Don Stradley / An original Ballyhoo Motion Picture Production
Commentary by Professor and Film Scholar, Jason A. Ney / Full Color Booklet with essay by Professor and Film Scholar, Jason A. Ney / 'HOLLYWOOD HITCH-HIKERS: INSIDE THE FILMAKERS' an original Ballyhoo Motion Picture Production
Audio Commentary by author/film historian Justin Humphreys / Walter Mirisch: From Bomba to Body Snatchers - A new documentary short from Ballyhoo Motion Pictures / Interstellar Travelogues: Cinema's First Space Race - A new documentary short with celebrated science fiction artist/historian Vincent Di Fate from Ballyhoo Motion Pictures / Full color insert booklet with an essay by Don Stradley
Full Feature, Mystery Science Theater 3000 (MST3K): Hercules and the Captive Women / All new documentary: Swords and Sandals / Audio Commentary by film critic, Tim Lucas / Full color insert booklet with essay on film
Audio Commentary with Author/ Historian Tom Weaver and Guests / Audio Commentary with co-star Gary Crutcher / 'YOU'RE A B-MOVIE STAR, CHARLIE BROWN' - An all-new interview actor/screenwriter Gary Crutcher / 'THE MAN WITH A BADGE: BOB STEELE IN THE 1950'S' - An all-new interview with author/film historian C. Courtney Joyner / All New Trailer
Limited edition Blu-ray and DVD of The Sin of Nora Moran: A stunning 4K restoration from the original 35mm camera negative, original documentary on Zita Johann from Daniel Griffith at Ballyhoo Motion Pictures and a Blu-ray exclusive collect
Original theatrical trailer (Helter Skelter Murders) / Original theatrical trailer (Original release) / Included Musical CD with songs written and performed by Charles Manson / Essay by Alexander Tuschinski exploring the nuances of the film, with film history / The Other Side of Manson: An Interview with Producer Wade Williams
Fist of Fear, Touch of Death producer Terry Levene, director Matthew Mallinson, and scriptwriter Ron Harvey give their behind-the-camera take on the film in brand new interviews, featurette by Daniel Griffith from Ballyhoo Motion Pictures.
Mystery Science Theater 3000 Version (1993), an interview with star Arch Hall JR., An interview with Mystery Science Theater 3000 creator Joel Hodgson.
