BREAKING: Phantasm DVD Collection Coming This Fall

Here is some late breaking news for you: Well Go USA is apparently releasing the entire Phantasm series as a five-disc DVD package this fall. Both Amazon and Video ETA report the "Phantasm 5-Movie Collection" will be hitting store shelves on Tuesday, September 12, 2017. The suggested retail price is an economical $29.98.

Phans should recall that Well Go released a six-disc Blu-Ray Collection several months ago (pictured right). That initial offering was limited to a scant 10,000 copies, all of which quickly sold out from retailer inventories. The Blu Collection is now firmly out of print and fetching high prices on the secondary market. This DVD collection appears to contain one less disc, though the specifics of the other five discs have yet to be revealed.

We'll be sure to update here once packaging and supplements are announced! Special thanks to Anthony DiPaola for the head's up!

Rare Phantasm II Production Item Hits eBay

The eBay fun continues! Phantasm series crewmember Kristen Deem has posted another rare treasure to the auction website. This time it's a whopping 193 pages of music spotting notes from Phantasm II's post-production! So not only is this bundle production used.... it's also one of a kind! Considering how much people love both Phantasm II and its fantastic action-horror score, there's bound to be interest in this.

Kristen writes in the item's description: EXTREMELY RARE copy of the "Phantasm II" post production music spotting notes. Includes entire script action/dialogue, along with Code and Time counters (from ADR Post Production and Music editing) dated May 20 - May 21, 1988. This private notebook has been in storage in my closet for over twenty-eight years. I was a crew member on "Phantasm II" for almost one year, credited as Storyboard Artist and Unit Publicist. But I wore a lot of other (uncredited) hats on the production as well. My final assignment on the film was during post production in May and June 1988. I was called into Todd AO studios on the Disney Studio lot in Burbank, where I got to meet and sit with Fred Myrow, the composer (for P1 and P2)--a real honor for me. Over the course of a few weeks, I got to watch Angus Scrimm looping ADR sessions, and to watch Mr. Myrow working with Don Coscarelli on inserting music into the final cut of the film (I can't describe how powerful and overwhelming it was watching them loop the end credit music in that huge sound stage). 

For my assignment I was tasked with creating the "music cues" timing notes--logging both dialogue and timing so that foreign exhibitors could translate/dub the film into their own languages. I think these music spotting notes might be a final extension of my work as it mirrors a lot of what I did back then. In any case, it looks very thorough and is quite fascinating to read. Booklet is 193 pages long, with one page of handwritten notes. Pages are very slightly yellowed with age, and jacket has some very minor wear on corners (from shipping cross country from my residence in Los Angeles). I am moving by the end of this month and am reluctantly getting rid of most of my "Phantasm" collection due to transportation/storage considerations. This booklet is probably the most unique and rare item of my collection, likely never seen before in public."

Get your bid in here!

Forget Blu. You need Phantasm Ravager on VHS!

Forget DVD. Forget Blu-Ray. Forget high definition entirely. You need Phantasm Ravager on good old VHS cassette!

Specialty biz Retro Release Video is now offering a cool VHS package for the latest Phantasm film, complete with vintage looking artwork! Considering that Ravager is the only film in the series without a proper VHS release, this kind of makes things right with the universe. In addition to completing your home video library, these make for terrific collector's pieces. The cases are available either "clean" or "thrashed" for that "been sitting on a rental store shelf for fifteen years" look. The tapes themselves are blank, but come in either traditional black, red, or green.

To order, e-mail Retro Release either through their website or (more preferably) direct message them on Instagram (username retroreleasevideo). 

Want a Coscarelli Signed Companion Book?

If you don't check in with the Official Phantasm Store very often, you may have missed something cool pop up recently. The Phactory website is now selling copies of John W. Bowen's Authorized Phantasm Companion. These aren't just any random copies - they're hand signed/numbered by series creator Don Coscarelli and limited to a scant 199. Kind of a bummer that they don't also come with Bowen's scrawl, but certainly Coscarelli's autograph is a must for any Phantasm collector if you don't already have it on something.

As Phantasm's foremost unauthorized author, I don't mind telling you that the Authorized Companion, which comes from the team behind Rue Morgue Magazine, is an enjoyable and attractively designed read.

Grab your signed copy here!

Unusual Phantasm III Prop Hits eBay

This has been a surprisingly busy week for Phantasm props heading to auction. We've already seen a Phantasm II sentinel sphere and gold Rambo sphere. Now it appears someone has offered up young Tim's razor-Frisbee from Phantasm III! This is no joke! To quote Rufus, "You think we're playing' games kid?!?"

eBay seller chr0meskull writes, "Up for sale is a Phantasm III Shredder Frisbee thrown by Kevin (pink w/ rubber razor blades and balsa wood chunks cut by Reggie Bannister from "Stunt" pew). The Shredder Frisbee and Wood Chunks are in very good condition for their age. These Props from Phantasm III come with a LOA signed by the 'Production Assistant' Kenneth E. Toops. I have included a close up picture of the LOA so you can see exactly what it says."

I've checked Phantasm III's credits and there is indeed a Kenneth Toops listed as a production assistant. Is this prop authentic? It's hard to tell, but it certainly looks like the real deal, doesn't it? The auction also includes some wood chunks cut by Reggie, but I'm not sure how those feature into the film. My memory may be fading a bit as I haven't seen III in several years. The item has a "Buy It Now" price of $1,500 with free shipping, though the seller appears to be entertaining reasonable offers from interested parties. Check it out here!