Happy New Year to everyone! Still pushing hard to complete V3, continuing last of the cleaning on the pilot and finishing the documentaries... now planned to have the final files (which we are working on through the holidays) transmitted to the factory (fingers crossed) on Monday January 5th, and then shipped asap (once DVDs are back from the factory) in early January to everyone that pre-ordered. We now have a way to ship them out a little faster to get them into everyone's hands quicker, thanks to Steve Canyon fan Patrick Wider who pointed us in the right direction. Thanks Patrick!
Be sure to read to the end of this post as it concerns shipping and details important to those who have pre-ordered Volume #3!
So glad to be feeling better and everything back on track. The last two years have been challenging in so many ways I don't wish to go into, but everything is fine and am looking forward to the Future.
I have worked straight through the holidays (including Thanksgiving, Christmas and now New Years) and haven't taken a single day for myself…you may get a bit of an idea why this has taken so long by checking the video below:
A little about the restoration/cleanup process
for the 34 regular Steve Canyon episodes
(plus original unaired pilot)
.
Between 37,000 and 40,000 individual film frames are in each episode, and nearly each frame has been carefully examined and many retouched by hand after undergoing a light digital non-destructive propriety process (developed by John Ellis).
Each episode has taken between one to two months to restore by John Ellis, with the exception of the film in this demo (the original unaired pilot film) which has taken nearly a year due to the poor condition of the original print.
Most digital Noise Reduction actually blurs the image to remove the dirt and defects, resulting in a lack of sharpness associated with poor quality. Our technique doesn't do any blurring to preserve as much quality as possible of the original film.
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Note again that Pre-Orders on Volume 3 are CLOSED until it is officially released, then those that missed out and want to order will once again be able to do so. Also note that further SHIP-AID donations are unnecessary and are also now CLOSED.
Please be SURE to be subscribed to our mailing list (link below) to keep up with our newest updates, and note that IF YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS HAS CHANGED RECENTLY you MUST RE-SUBSCRIBE.
(Subscribe with confidence...your information will only be used by us to send updates to you concerning Steve Canyon & Milton Caniff Estate Releasing).
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Also be sure to let us know if your shipping address has changed by emailing us at:
We've heard from a lot of you with address changes and just wanting to make sure we have the right address to ship V3 to you, and we have answered everyone so far. Doing my best to reply asap. ALSO WE WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM THOSE OF YOU THAT SENT IN MONEY ORDERS OR CHECKS TO ORDER VOLUME 3 (to make sure we have your correct shipping information). There aren't many that did, but it will help us to make sure.
Steve Canyon (Dean Fredericks) wishing you a Merry Christmas from the 16th episode, THE GIFT, written by Ray Bradbury and Sidney Carroll and directed by Don Taylor, which aired originally on Saturday December 20th 1958 at 9pm on NBC. It was never repeated in the United States, but is fully restored and included in The Complete Steve Canyon On TV Volume 2 DVD.
Merry Christmas to everyone today. Continuing preparations on Volume #3 which is planned to have it's final files (which we are working on through the holiday today and this coming week) transmitted to the factory (by the last day of this month) and then shipped in early January to everyone that pre-ordered. We are looking into a way to ship them out a little faster to get them into everyone's hands earlier in January…stay tuned for the next post within a few days for (hopefully) more info on this and other V3 related news.
You may find it interesting to note that 87% of the orders are from the USA, 4% are from Australia, 3% are from Canada, 2% are from the UK, 1% are from Brazil, and the rest of the orders from other countries are all less than 1%, in the following order: Sweden, the Netherlands, Italy, Belgium, Norway, France, New Zealand, Japan, Greece, Austria, Denmark, Spain, and Germany last. Of course Steve Canyon played on TV in Australia and Brazil and is well known in those countries.
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Note again that Pre-Orders on Volume 3 are CLOSED until it is officially released, then those that missed out and want to order will once again be able to do so. Also note that further SHIP-AID donations are unnecessary and are also now CLOSED.
Please be SURE to be subscribed to our mailing list (link below) to keep up with our newest updates, and note that IF YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS HAS CHANGED RECENTLY you MUST RE-SUBSCRIBE. Also be sure to let us know if your shipping address has changed by emailing us at:
We've heard from many of you and will be responding (verifying we got your mail and changes) in the next day or so. Thanks again for your support and kindness, MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY HOLIDAYS to you all, and see you back here in in a few days!
Where the Volume 3 Official Release stands right now is that the final files will go into the factory before the end of the year and we will begin mailing out the pre-orders (with the bonus gift slipcases) as soon as we receive them back from the factory. I expect to have them all mailed by the second week in January. I had hoped to be able to use the "ship-aid" orders (that many of you were kind enough to donate) through Paypal to generate the USPS 1st Class shipping labels, but that won't work, Linda and I have to hand type EVERY order (or select and paste first name, last name, street address, city, zip code, and email address…and select state from a pulldown menu), ON THE DAY THEY ARE MAILED. and this will take some time (even with both of us doing it separately). Not to mention the international orders. Note there are hundreds of pre-orders…how MANY hundreds is proprietary information, sorry. Yes, it's slipping over into January, no shipping will occur until AFTER the holiday rush is over: I want to make sure they arrive safely. I will be issuing several updates here this next week before the end of the year to advise everyone in a timely manner, and further updates as the packages go out. My health has improved tremendously and is no longer a factor in finishing here, and note that money is not a factor at this point either. In spite of the stitches in my right (primary) hand last month, I've been working straight through to finish the restoration on the original pilot and the finishing of the two documentaries and bonus "easter eggs" on this final volume this coming week. After 8 YEARS of work on this I am looking forward to the finish line. Okay, so once the pre-orders are all shipped to those that ordered, then we will begin offering Vol 3 sales again (for those that missed out). If you pre-ordered and want to make DOUBLY SURE that we have your correct shipping address, (especially if it has changed), send an email (with just your name and shipping address AND note if your email has changed) to:
Note we will be checking these against our master order list, so only send if you pre-ordered and want to make sure. You will get an email response verifying we received it.
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I do want to say a LOT of work has gone into the packaging art and design for the Canyon DVDs. Johann Mitchell is owed a great deal of thanks and respect for her work in turning out art that prints EXACTLY the way we intended. Note also that the 4x4 wraps (covers) are REVERSIBLE on all 4 DVDs (including the Special Edition) and V 1-3 are designed to look a "certain way" in the slipcase. Some "gentleman" on some custom CD/DVD cover forum a few years ago said that our covers sucked and that he was eventually going to get around to designing "proper covers and disc art" for them…I kept that from Johann until just recently (I didn't want her feelings hurt)…she laughed out loud when I told her! She has designed literally thousands of key art for printing, and a lot of love came from her hands into the Steve Canyon DVDs key art. Just wanted to share that. Thanks Johann!
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Note that all Volume #3 Pre-ordering has been closed here and we are accepting NO MORE PRE-ORDERS for Vol. #3 until the official release at the end of this month. It will be available to order (minus the bonus slipcase gift) from this site (and additionally Amazon & other sites) once it has been officially released. Those that have already pre-ordered will receive their copies first along with the slipcase. Thanks for your patience and support. Also, my sister Suzy is doing great and says hi and happy holidays to all of you!
Note that all Volume #3 Pre-ordering has been closed here until the official release later next month. It will be available to order (minus the bonus slipcase gift) from this site (and additionally Amazon & other sites) once it has been officially released. Those that have already pre-ordered will receive their copies first along with the slipcase. Thanks for your patience and support, it's been a rough road.
From left, Roy Thinnes, Milton Parsons, unknown, Ted de Corsia, Ross Martin, unknown, Jerry Paris, Restored 35mm film frame from the Steve Canyon episode "Room 313", coming on The Complete Steve Canyon On TV DVD Volume #3
After overcoming a variety of obstacles we are finally about to release the remaining Steve Canyon DVD Volume #3 by the end of this year. We appreciate all the kind words and encouragement so many of you have sent. Please stay tuned for updates with more info here over the next few weeks.
Yet another "no frills" sort of post, keeping it brief...
From left to right, James Drury, Dean Fredericks and Frank Maxwell from the 34th and final Steve Canyon episode, SABOTAGE. But who are those guys on the wall? Hmm...
Bottom line, note that I am still finalizing Disc 2 of Volume 3, everything else is done, so please remain patient. I intend to start shipping by the end of the month. "Done is good."
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Yesterday I sent out emails to those of you that have contributed to our STEVE CANYON VOLUME 3 SHIP-AID, with the links to download the OPERATION INTERCEPT script, and the bonus downloads. If you contributed to the SC V3 Ship-Aid and didn't get an email (or have any problems downloading), please let me know and I'll take care of it. I was going to wait until after V3 ships to release the script (to avoid "spoilers" for that popular episode) but since its taking longer I decided to go ahead with the script and bonus downloads. PLEASE don't share the downloads, those are ONLY for those who have contributed. I hope you enjoy them.
My thanks to those of you that have participated!
One of these guys is blowing up F-100 Super Sabres at Big Thunder AFB...but which one is it? Upper left to lower right, Harold Lee, Willy Soo Soo, ,James Hong, Weaver Levy, Gerald Jan and Richard Fong.
Once again, thank you for all the encouraging positive messages and for your support and patience...you are all a part of this project and are appreciated for your enthusiasm. Please read further below to see how you can help with V3.
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MY ONGOING SHIPPING DILEMMA
As you know we have had free shipping worldwide here on our site since we started issuing the Steve Canyon DVDs in 2007. Since then the domestic and worldwide shipping costs have at least DOUBLED domestically and nearly TRIPLED for overseas addresses. This has hit us hard lately and in an effort to help us ship out Volume #3 we are asking for those that are willing and able to send some cash to help with the shipping of V3.
This is set up so you can write in any amount you wish to donate. Note that it is now OVER $12 for the cheapest USPS shipping of a 7 ounce package to most overseas locations. Canada is over $8 now and the US is about $3.00.
Those that contribute any amount will get a free digital pdf download of the screenplay for the Steve Canyon episode OPERATION INTERCEPT:
This is a scan of Author/Producer David Haft's personal copy with handwritten notes and changes. I am now sending the download link via email to those that help, no waiting.
Those that help will also get three *secret* bonus downloads AND also preferential treatment on the shipping of V3 when it is shipped (which is only fair).
Click on the button below to help us out with the shipping...and thanks everybody! We really can use your help with this.
(click this button to help)
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For those that have asked, my sister Suzy is doing much better and is home from the hospital...she appreciates all the good wishes many of you have sent. Her daughter Tiffany and I appreciate them too.
Stay tuned for the next update and and I thank you for all your support and patience!
John Ellis
Pacoima, CA
Note that our DVDs are available from us on Amazon.com, ebay and our store here. I package and send each order personally and hope you will note our 100% positive feedback on Amazon and ebay. You can also help by clicking the "like" buttons on our 3 amazon listings and by writing a little review if you have time...which we appreciate very much!
This is a "no frills" sort of post, trying to keep it brief...
Steve Canyon Episode #29, THE BOMB, left to right, Dean Fredericks,
Virginia Christine, Steve Wootton, unknown, John Anderson.
First, I have pushed and hustled to get Volume 3 out by the end of 2013 and I apologize for failing and missing that latest deadline. So the good news is that as of yesterday Disc 1 is DONE and I have output and shipped the new master files discs for it to the factory, and also have sent them a disc with Johann's revised-and-updated packaging artwork (that the factory asked me to send along since they have new people handling our account). There are many steps involved.
The finishing of the 2nd disc is nearly done, and we are talking DAYS here, a couple of weeks at worst (in other words a short delay, not months)...the main office for our factory is in Chicago and they've been socked in with the brutal cold polar vortex weather like everyone in that part of the country, which has slowed this process down as well. I have worked through all the recent holidays and haven't had a day off in many months. Just saying.
I have also recently sent copies of the discs to several people to check for errors and to get feedback, which has been successful to have new eyes and ears on them.
So, to the 99% of the people on our mailing list, that have either quietly left me alone trusting me to finish this task OR have sent me nice positive encouraging messages, I want you to know I TOTALLY APPRECIATE IT more than you will ever know, and they have helped through a lot of rough patches over the last few years. Here's one such recent letter I'd like to share:
Hi John,
Thanks for yet another update and all I can do is smile & think "John Ellis deserves a BIG THANK YOU, among other awards!". [:-)]
The delays do not & have not bothered me one bit -- honestly! [:-)]
The fact that your two previous DVDs [v1 & v2] are without a doubt TOP industry quality & standard, plus you ship these all over the world at a flat rate....which is a very low cost [VERY!] compared to other hard-to-find TV shows & movies.
I [again] KNOW what it's like to be a "one man band" so I can sympathize & appreciate your thorough work, great quality and most of all consciencous updates.
I just wanted to say thanks again for the previous DVDs, thanks for your work in recent years on volume 3 AND thanks in advance FOR volume 3....and thanks for being an honest quality & customer concience person.
If anyone has criticized you they are living in a deep dark cave of ignorance on life-in-general. These DVDs don't "grow on trees" as some of us KNOW! [:-)]
Thanks again & Merry Christmas!
Dan Simi Valley, CA
Thank you Dan!
Having shared that lovely letter... please understand I have set my life aside since 2006 in order to save Steve Canyon and drag him from the dark hole he was in for over 50 years. I chose to do this for the good of everyone that cares...to do the best job I can. I admit I have set unrealistic release dates.
In the past I have taken on huge ambitious movie projects and just hammered my way through them with mostly youthful vigor and willpower...clearly I have gotten to the point that those days are past. Health issues aside, if I am guilty of anything it's putting my neck on the line and failing to know my own limitations...and for those things I am sorry.
This is also not some "paint by number" deal (as some people think)...I've had to figure out everything every step of the way. To give you some idea about my past projects you can go here and here. No brag, just fact (as Walter Brennan used to say on another TV show). I have had to learn so much new software it makes me dizzy. In just the last two weeks I have finally mastered the program that I have needed to output the files for each disc to go to the factory! This is what caused the major problem when I tried to release V3 in 2012.
Anyway, enough of this...we're close, VERY CLOSE...and it's coming. Again, note that nothing will be shipped until AFTER I send out an email letting you know that they are coming. Watch for it.
Thanks again for all the encouraging positive messages and for your support and patience...you are all a part of this project and are appreciated for your enthusiasm. Please read further below to see how you can help with V3.
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MY ONGOING SHIPPING DILEMMA
As you know we have had free shipping worldwide here on our site since we started issuing the Steve Canyon DVDs in 2007. Since then the domestic and worldwide shipping costs have at least DOUBLED domestically and nearly TRIPLED for overseas addresses. This has hit us hard lately and in an effort to help us ship out Volume #3 we are asking for those that are willing and able to send some cash to help with the shipping of V3.
This is set up so you can write in any amount you wish to donate. Note that it is now OVER $12 for the cheapest USPS shipping of a 7 ounce package to most overseas locations. Canada is over $8 now and the US is about $3.00.
Those that contribute any amount will get a free digital pdf download of the screenplay for the Steve Canyon episode OPERATION INTERCEPT:
This is a scan of Author/Producer David Haft's personal copy with handwritten notes and changes. I will send this out via email following the release of Volume 3 later this month. Maybe sooner.
Those that help will also get a *secret* bonus download (details emailed this week) and also preferential treatment on the shipping of V3 when it is shipped (which is only fair).
Click on the button below to help us out with the shipping...and thanks everybody! We really can use your help with this.
(click this button to help)
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Thanks for the kind words for my sister Suzy...she's back in the hospital and fighting to get better...she appreciates all your good wishes. Her daughter Tiffany and I appreciate them too.
Stay tuned for the next update and and I thank you for all your support and patience!
John Ellis
Pacoima, CA
Note that Volume 1, Volume 2 and The Special Edition are available from us on Amazon.com, ebay and our store here. I package and send each order personally and hope you will note our 100% positive feedback on Amazon and ebay. You can also help by clicking the "like" buttons on our 3 amazon listings and by writing a little review if you have time...which we appreciate very much!
