The only logical choice for Vladimir Harkonnen is Big Mean Carl.
the best movies never made
- Thread starter Scarecrow
- Start date
This movie takes the place of Venom IOTL. Like IOTL, while Sony does work out a deal with Marvel for Spider-Man, they still have the rights to Spider-Man, and can still make movies NOT about Peter Parker. So, alongside Into the Spider-Verse, they decide to start setting up a cinematic universe starring Spidey's villains, with vague possible ties to the MCU. However, instead of starting with Venom, they decide to shoot their major intended franchise first, with...
The Sinister Six (2018)
The film starts in prison. A woman (played by Kathryn Hahn) waits impatiently for something.
WOMAN
"Come on, come on! I sent the signal an hour ago... where is it?"
CELLMATE
"Don't hold your breath. Ain't nothin that can break through these walls. And believe me, I've tried."
Suddenly, the walls are broken through, by... four robotic tentacles.
WOMAN
"Well, it's about time you showed up! Come on... come to mama..."
The tentacles attach themselves to the woman's back, and she escapes, and police warn to be on the lookout... for Olivia Octavius. Meanwhile, after Olivia secretly makes her way back into town, she comes to the realization that she needs some extra help for her criminal schemes. So she sends out an email to as many criminals as she can find. Only five people accept her invitation:
- Francine Frye, a mischevious hacker with electric powers
- Flint Marko, a down-on-his-luck, surprisingly nice guy with the power to turn into sand
- Alex O'Hirn, a tough guy with tougher skin
- Dmitri Smerdyakov, a master of disguise
- Adrian Toomes (played by Michael Keaton, like his MCU counterpart, though this film TECHNICALLY isn't MCU canon... yet), another mad scientist like Olivia, with his own suit that allows him to fly
Olivia gets the idea to call the new team the "Sinister Six", and gives everyone codenames. Francine becomes Electro, Flint becomes Sandman, Alex becomes the Rhino, Dmitri becomes the Chameleon, Adrian becomes the Vulture, and Olivia herself becomes Dr. Octopus.
VULTURE
"Wait, wait. Why do you get to be called DOCTOR Octopus?"
DR. OCTOPUS
"Because I have a doctorate, duh!"
Dr. Octopus then details their first gig together- breaking into her former employer, Oscorp. According to rumor, they're making something top secret, but likely very valuable. She assures everyone that with their abilities, nothing could possibly stand in their way! Unfortunately, when they attempt to put their plan into action, things quickly go awry. For one, their clashing personalities create problems. Rhino is short-tempered and not exactly subtle, which nearly gets them caught. Vulture is jealous of Dr. Octopus and attempts to wrestle control of the group away from her. Sandman is reluctant to even be a part of this heist. Chameleon seems to have his own higher agenda and it's suspected he might turn on the group. Electro is just having too much fun, and Dr. Octopus is trying in vain to keep the group together. Worse yet, Oscorp security is a LOT tighter than they expected. The guards seem to be stronger, faster, and more brutal than usual. And either the stress is getting to them, or they appear to be stalked by a shadowy goblin-esque figure.
Nevertheless, they eventually get everything cleared up and eventually work together for real, knowing what they know now to alter the plan a bit. Now, it works flawlessly, and they get what they came here for... which turns out to be a strange green liquid known only as Oz.
RHINO
"What the hell is this Oz crap?"
CHAMELEON
"The remains of the Wizard, clearly."
While they're not sure what they found, they found it, and even got a clean getaway. Now THAT'S a success! Later that night, Olivia takes a closer look at this Oz stuff, running some tests on some animals- including a spider. It appears to make them stronger and faster, but also drives them wild and violent. This makes Olivia more and more curious.
OLIVIA
"Oz... what on Earth IS this thing? What ARE you?"
???
"It's mine."
Suddenly, a small bomb shaped like a pumpkin is thrown into the room. Olivia barely manages to dodge the explosion, and she is approached by the shadow creature from earlier. It's revealed to be none other than the Green Goblin, in his traditional getup for the first time in live-action. The Goblin demands Olivia returns the Oz, but Olivia is less focused on the ravenous creature itself and more focused on its voice. It sounds like...
OLIVIA
"...Norman? Norman Osborn?"
His identity figured out, Norman removes his mask and reveals the true purpose of the Oz- a serum to enhance the physical and mental capabilities of the user. According to him, it works like a charm. He's used it on his entire security personel, and himself. Olivia then realizes that the Oz also drives its users insane. Norman denies this, but... come on, now. But now that Olivia knows too much, he has no choice but to kill her... but not before she makes one last text.
And just before the Goblin kills her, she's saved by the rest of her gang! The six of them team up against the Goblin. While difficult, they do defeat him, though he glides away before they can kill him. With their heist successful and their loyalty proven, Dr. Octopus decides now's a good a time as any to work on their next plan. Meanwhile, that Oz-injected spider gets away, unknown to the others.
Cut to several weeks later. The Sinister Six have been on a crime spree throughout the city, robbing banks with ease. After all, regular crooks are one thing, but who could stop just one super-criminal, let alone six?
DR. OCTOPUS
"I mean, let's be real. The odds of beating US are, like, one in a million."
???
"I like those odds!"
Suddenly... THWIP! Webs are slung, the weapons are taken, the money is dropped, and Rhino is tied up. And by who? None other than Spider-Man (portrayed by Tom Holland, like in the MCU; it's not technically a Spider-Man film, so he's allowed to appear)!
SPIDER-MAN
"Didn't your parents ever tell you not to take things that aren't yours?"
The Sinister Six and Spider-Man head into battle, leading to a sort of cliffhanger cut off at the credits... one immediately resolved with the mid-credits scene, as we see the Sinister Six tied up in webs and surrounded by police. Dr. Octopus can only sigh and let loose the one F-bomb that this PG-13 movie can have...
DR. OCTOPUS
"Fuck Spider-Man."
And the post-credits scene is the same as IOTL's Venom, with a sneak peek of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
~~~
While initially controversial due to its casting of MCU role reprisals in a film not TECHNICALLY in the MCU, as well as a female Doc Ock and Electro, the film was ultimately both a critical and financial success. The film's decision to mostly eschew typical superhero tropes, instead mostly being a heist comedy, was seen as a breath of fresh air. In addition to Hahn reprising her role as Dr. Octopus in the same year's Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, this version of the Sony Spider-Man Universe (which might get a better name) was expanded with Venom: Lethal Protector in 2021, recasting Venom as an anti-hero like later comic runs (starting with the titular Lethal Protector arc), but the same year, the universe was folded into the MCU. Due to this film's success and Sony intervention, Spider-Man: No Way Home is not a multiverse crossover between the previous film Spider-Men, but a matchup (er, rematch) between Spidey and the Sinister Six, firmly placing what was a seperate universe with many MCU elements into the proper MCU. Nevertheless, Sony would continue making seperate Spider-Man villain films, starting with Kraven the Hunter in 2022- ITTL a straight-up horror movie, with Kraven hunting humans as "the most dangerous game"- then followed up with three movies in 2024, two of which are upcoming. The first was Black Cat, a smaller-scale heist film starring the titular thief. The second will be the sequel to Venom: Lethal Protector, and the third will be the Sinister Six sequel (though their third major appearance, with the second being Spider-Man: No Way Home), where they face off against Kraven, who's on the hunt for animal-themed superhumans, such as Dr. Octopus, the Vulture, the Chameleon, and the Rhino. This version of Doc Ock also makes a cameo in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse in 2023, as the Spot accidentally busts into the film's universe (and thus the MCU).
WOMAN
"Come on, come on! I sent the signal an hour ago... where is it?"
CELLMATE
"Don't hold your breath. Ain't nothin that can break through these walls. And believe me, I've tried."
Suddenly, the walls are broken through, by... four robotic tentacles.
WOMAN
"Well, it's about time you showed up! Come on... come to mama..."
The tentacles attach themselves to the woman's back, and she escapes, and police warn to be on the lookout... for Olivia Octavius. Meanwhile, after Olivia secretly makes her way back into town, she comes to the realization that she needs some extra help for her criminal schemes. So she sends out an email to as many criminals as she can find. Only five people accept her invitation:
- Francine Frye, a mischevious hacker with electric powers
- Flint Marko, a down-on-his-luck, surprisingly nice guy with the power to turn into sand
- Alex O'Hirn, a tough guy with tougher skin
- Dmitri Smerdyakov, a master of disguise
- Adrian Toomes (played by Michael Keaton, like his MCU counterpart, though this film TECHNICALLY isn't MCU canon... yet), another mad scientist like Olivia, with his own suit that allows him to fly
Olivia gets the idea to call the new team the "Sinister Six", and gives everyone codenames. Francine becomes Electro, Flint becomes Sandman, Alex becomes the Rhino, Dmitri becomes the Chameleon, Adrian becomes the Vulture, and Olivia herself becomes Dr. Octopus.
VULTURE
"Wait, wait. Why do you get to be called DOCTOR Octopus?"
DR. OCTOPUS
"Because I have a doctorate, duh!"
Dr. Octopus then details their first gig together- breaking into her former employer, Oscorp. According to rumor, they're making something top secret, but likely very valuable. She assures everyone that with their abilities, nothing could possibly stand in their way! Unfortunately, when they attempt to put their plan into action, things quickly go awry. For one, their clashing personalities create problems. Rhino is short-tempered and not exactly subtle, which nearly gets them caught. Vulture is jealous of Dr. Octopus and attempts to wrestle control of the group away from her. Sandman is reluctant to even be a part of this heist. Chameleon seems to have his own higher agenda and it's suspected he might turn on the group. Electro is just having too much fun, and Dr. Octopus is trying in vain to keep the group together. Worse yet, Oscorp security is a LOT tighter than they expected. The guards seem to be stronger, faster, and more brutal than usual. And either the stress is getting to them, or they appear to be stalked by a shadowy goblin-esque figure.
Nevertheless, they eventually get everything cleared up and eventually work together for real, knowing what they know now to alter the plan a bit. Now, it works flawlessly, and they get what they came here for... which turns out to be a strange green liquid known only as Oz.
RHINO
"What the hell is this Oz crap?"
CHAMELEON
"The remains of the Wizard, clearly."
While they're not sure what they found, they found it, and even got a clean getaway. Now THAT'S a success! Later that night, Olivia takes a closer look at this Oz stuff, running some tests on some animals- including a spider. It appears to make them stronger and faster, but also drives them wild and violent. This makes Olivia more and more curious.
OLIVIA
"Oz... what on Earth IS this thing? What ARE you?"
???
"It's mine."
Suddenly, a small bomb shaped like a pumpkin is thrown into the room. Olivia barely manages to dodge the explosion, and she is approached by the shadow creature from earlier. It's revealed to be none other than the Green Goblin, in his traditional getup for the first time in live-action. The Goblin demands Olivia returns the Oz, but Olivia is less focused on the ravenous creature itself and more focused on its voice. It sounds like...
OLIVIA
"...Norman? Norman Osborn?"
His identity figured out, Norman removes his mask and reveals the true purpose of the Oz- a serum to enhance the physical and mental capabilities of the user. According to him, it works like a charm. He's used it on his entire security personel, and himself. Olivia then realizes that the Oz also drives its users insane. Norman denies this, but... come on, now. But now that Olivia knows too much, he has no choice but to kill her... but not before she makes one last text.
And just before the Goblin kills her, she's saved by the rest of her gang! The six of them team up against the Goblin. While difficult, they do defeat him, though he glides away before they can kill him. With their heist successful and their loyalty proven, Dr. Octopus decides now's a good a time as any to work on their next plan. Meanwhile, that Oz-injected spider gets away, unknown to the others.
Cut to several weeks later. The Sinister Six have been on a crime spree throughout the city, robbing banks with ease. After all, regular crooks are one thing, but who could stop just one super-criminal, let alone six?
DR. OCTOPUS
"I mean, let's be real. The odds of beating US are, like, one in a million."
???
"I like those odds!"
Suddenly... THWIP! Webs are slung, the weapons are taken, the money is dropped, and Rhino is tied up. And by who? None other than Spider-Man (portrayed by Tom Holland, like in the MCU; it's not technically a Spider-Man film, so he's allowed to appear)!
SPIDER-MAN
"Didn't your parents ever tell you not to take things that aren't yours?"
The Sinister Six and Spider-Man head into battle, leading to a sort of cliffhanger cut off at the credits... one immediately resolved with the mid-credits scene, as we see the Sinister Six tied up in webs and surrounded by police. Dr. Octopus can only sigh and let loose the one F-bomb that this PG-13 movie can have...
DR. OCTOPUS
"Fuck Spider-Man."
And the post-credits scene is the same as IOTL's Venom, with a sneak peek of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
~~~
While initially controversial due to its casting of MCU role reprisals in a film not TECHNICALLY in the MCU, as well as a female Doc Ock and Electro, the film was ultimately both a critical and financial success. The film's decision to mostly eschew typical superhero tropes, instead mostly being a heist comedy, was seen as a breath of fresh air. In addition to Hahn reprising her role as Dr. Octopus in the same year's Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, this version of the Sony Spider-Man Universe (which might get a better name) was expanded with Venom: Lethal Protector in 2021, recasting Venom as an anti-hero like later comic runs (starting with the titular Lethal Protector arc), but the same year, the universe was folded into the MCU. Due to this film's success and Sony intervention, Spider-Man: No Way Home is not a multiverse crossover between the previous film Spider-Men, but a matchup (er, rematch) between Spidey and the Sinister Six, firmly placing what was a seperate universe with many MCU elements into the proper MCU. Nevertheless, Sony would continue making seperate Spider-Man villain films, starting with Kraven the Hunter in 2022- ITTL a straight-up horror movie, with Kraven hunting humans as "the most dangerous game"- then followed up with three movies in 2024, two of which are upcoming. The first was Black Cat, a smaller-scale heist film starring the titular thief. The second will be the sequel to Venom: Lethal Protector, and the third will be the Sinister Six sequel (though their third major appearance, with the second being Spider-Man: No Way Home), where they face off against Kraven, who's on the hunt for animal-themed superhumans, such as Dr. Octopus, the Vulture, the Chameleon, and the Rhino. This version of Doc Ock also makes a cameo in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse in 2023, as the Spot accidentally busts into the film's universe (and thus the MCU).
Toy Story 5 (2026):
The story of Tinny and how he wound up in that antique store.
(Pictured above: Tinny from Toy Story 4.)
NOTES:
Tinny doesn't say a single word in the entire film, making him the first-ever silent protagonist in a Pixar film.
While the plot feels like the very first original treatment from the first Toy Story, it does take lots of liberties to make sure it isn't a rehash of the first four films in the franchise.
With the lone exception of Tinny, the cast of toys and humans are entirely new. No characters from the Toy Story quadrilogy will appear in the film, at all.
Pinar Toprak composes the music for the film instead of Randy Newman.
There is only one song in the film. It's both country-themed and written by a good country songwriter.
Pixar's world-famous easter eggs are in there, like every other film.
[Might've been a bit too early for this, but honestly, Disney could've done something different with this franchise a la Alien and Terminator.]
The story of Tinny and how he wound up in that antique store.
(Pictured above: Tinny from Toy Story 4.)
NOTES:
Tinny doesn't say a single word in the entire film, making him the first-ever silent protagonist in a Pixar film.
While the plot feels like the very first original treatment from the first Toy Story, it does take lots of liberties to make sure it isn't a rehash of the first four films in the franchise.
With the lone exception of Tinny, the cast of toys and humans are entirely new. No characters from the Toy Story quadrilogy will appear in the film, at all.
Pinar Toprak composes the music for the film instead of Randy Newman.
There is only one song in the film. It's both country-themed and written by a good country songwriter.
Pixar's world-famous easter eggs are in there, like every other film.
[Might've been a bit too early for this, but honestly, Disney could've done something different with this franchise a la Alien and Terminator.]
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Very interesting idea! If Toy Story 4 were done similar to this, I'll have it be an expanded version of the Lamp Life short.
Lords of Midnight
A couple of fantasy movies by HBO and a good adaption of the classic computer game, very well received and benefiting from good production values. Ok, the game provided a fairly basic story, definitely not high literature nor an instantly recognisable best seller, but it was a good starting point for a fantasy production which would test the waters and pave the way for a grander project, probably a full blown series based on a big name.
But that's not to say that they were lesser material, the writers did a good job of adding meat to the story, casting was good, props and effects where well done, overall there was a philosophy that the work being done in Lords would be repurposed and the practical lessons learned would payoff for further projects, this was a base on which to build on and so it wasn't to be skimped or done on the cheap.
So, about the story, the land is threatened by a "Witch-King" ready to plunge it into a dark eternal winter, but thankfully there is hope as the "Moon prince" Luxor organises the resistance and rallies the free people's armies with the help of the sage Rorthron and Corleth, a fey warrior. Meanwhile his son, Morkin, embarks on a quest to locate and destroy the "ice crown", a magical artefact from which the Witch-King draws his power. Hopefully Luxor's campaign and Morkin's quest will split the Witch-King's attention and allow one of them to get trough and strike a blow, either against the king himself or the ice crown. On the other side, the king can draw on powerful armies of men and evil creatures and the crown is safely kept away in a tower in a discreet location in his icy domains. He only needs some time, time to muster and move his large but disorganised armies, time to wear down and crush Luxor's resistance.
The first movie, "The war of the solstice" deals mostly with Luxor's efforts to halt the Witch-King's invasion and ends with the king's armies defeated and halted for the moment, as the alliance of free men and fey has proved stronger than expected, rivalries have been set aside and a great victory has been won trough clever strategy and brave deeds. Meanwhile, Morkin has managed to enter the frozen lands and the movie ends as he hears a light, cheerful laughter and turns around...
Onwards to the second movie, "The Ice Crown", the Witch-King has been halted for the moment but he can still draw on reinforcements and grind down the free armies, he also plans on tricking them into spending their strength attacking one of his main fortresses, it's just a matter of making them think that the ice crown is there...
But back to Morkin, as most of the movie will follow his quest in the frozen lands. He has met a kind of fey or spirit, playful and ethereal, she seems attracted to him. Soon he finds that she is a spirit of the wind, the last fugitive of a people enslaved by the Witch-King and bound to the tower of the ice crown, their powers used to spread an unnatural winter across his domains.
The tower is well protected against magic and sorcery, and hidden from scrying and divination by several wards, and its guards will take care of any curious wanderer that stumbles upon it. But if she and Morkin can mount an attack together they will have a chance to overcome the defences and destroy the crown. The Witch-King has turned his attention to the war against the free peoples, as far as he's aware she is an annoyance to be taken care of later, powerless against the magical defences of the tower, he doesn't know of Morkin and the last thing that he expects is an attack on the tower.
And it is a winning strategy, the wind spirit leads Morkin to the tower, dodging the Witch-King's minions along the way, where he manages to break in and destroy one of the protective wards, allowing the spirit in too. The guard does rally and tries to trap Morkin but he manages to break more of the wards and free some of the captive spirits, things spiral out of control from there as the freed spirits overwhelm the guard and Morkin manages to reach the crown's chamber.
Meanwhile the Witch-King had been busy plotting the destruction of Luxor's army, dismissing the first reports of trouble at the tower, unfortunately for him the situation there deteriorated rapidly and by the time he turns his attention to it the guard is in serious trouble already and the spirits of the wind are breaking free. He tries to channel some of his magic through the remaining wards and even teleport one of his most feared champions in but it's too late as Morkin defeats the champion and now has the crown at his mercy. Desperate, he halts his forces and tries to communicate through the crown to plead and bargain, it's all for nothing, the crown is destroyed and the magical backlash knocks him down senseless, as his magic fails he begins to crumble and fade away. Outside, his creatures and magical constructs crumble while his minions are stunned and left directionless by the psychic backlash of his death. The storm clouds and the unnatural overcast that followed his armies break up as the winds are now set free and the sun starts shining brightly through the gaps.
It's the end, and the movie ends with Luxor and Morkin reunited as the seasons return to their natural course and the days grow longer as they should after the solstice, a little ethereal laughter echoes as a gust of wind blows and shakes the snow away from a nearby tree branch.
And that's it, the movies were always meant to stop here rather than trying to adapt Doomdark's Revenge, it was felt that it would be better to close the story on a high note after this couple of movies and see what the public reception would be like while developing the next big fantasy project.
And thanks to good ratings and a good reception that big project would be a series, Nine Princes in Amber, which would prove to be bigger and even more successful, but that's a story for another time.
Before closing, a funny factoid, while the villain is identified as "Doomdark" in the credits (as in the computer game) he is never called that by the characters in the movie, he is always referred to as "Witch-King", "The tyrant", "The king" and so on, that didn't stop some people from claiming that they've heard a "Doomdark" in the movies though, that little urban myth seems fated to last forever despite all evidence against it.
A couple of fantasy movies by HBO and a good adaption of the classic computer game, very well received and benefiting from good production values. Ok, the game provided a fairly basic story, definitely not high literature nor an instantly recognisable best seller, but it was a good starting point for a fantasy production which would test the waters and pave the way for a grander project, probably a full blown series based on a big name.
But that's not to say that they were lesser material, the writers did a good job of adding meat to the story, casting was good, props and effects where well done, overall there was a philosophy that the work being done in Lords would be repurposed and the practical lessons learned would payoff for further projects, this was a base on which to build on and so it wasn't to be skimped or done on the cheap.
So, about the story, the land is threatened by a "Witch-King" ready to plunge it into a dark eternal winter, but thankfully there is hope as the "Moon prince" Luxor organises the resistance and rallies the free people's armies with the help of the sage Rorthron and Corleth, a fey warrior. Meanwhile his son, Morkin, embarks on a quest to locate and destroy the "ice crown", a magical artefact from which the Witch-King draws his power. Hopefully Luxor's campaign and Morkin's quest will split the Witch-King's attention and allow one of them to get trough and strike a blow, either against the king himself or the ice crown. On the other side, the king can draw on powerful armies of men and evil creatures and the crown is safely kept away in a tower in a discreet location in his icy domains. He only needs some time, time to muster and move his large but disorganised armies, time to wear down and crush Luxor's resistance.
The first movie, "The war of the solstice" deals mostly with Luxor's efforts to halt the Witch-King's invasion and ends with the king's armies defeated and halted for the moment, as the alliance of free men and fey has proved stronger than expected, rivalries have been set aside and a great victory has been won trough clever strategy and brave deeds. Meanwhile, Morkin has managed to enter the frozen lands and the movie ends as he hears a light, cheerful laughter and turns around...
Onwards to the second movie, "The Ice Crown", the Witch-King has been halted for the moment but he can still draw on reinforcements and grind down the free armies, he also plans on tricking them into spending their strength attacking one of his main fortresses, it's just a matter of making them think that the ice crown is there...
But back to Morkin, as most of the movie will follow his quest in the frozen lands. He has met a kind of fey or spirit, playful and ethereal, she seems attracted to him. Soon he finds that she is a spirit of the wind, the last fugitive of a people enslaved by the Witch-King and bound to the tower of the ice crown, their powers used to spread an unnatural winter across his domains.
The tower is well protected against magic and sorcery, and hidden from scrying and divination by several wards, and its guards will take care of any curious wanderer that stumbles upon it. But if she and Morkin can mount an attack together they will have a chance to overcome the defences and destroy the crown. The Witch-King has turned his attention to the war against the free peoples, as far as he's aware she is an annoyance to be taken care of later, powerless against the magical defences of the tower, he doesn't know of Morkin and the last thing that he expects is an attack on the tower.
And it is a winning strategy, the wind spirit leads Morkin to the tower, dodging the Witch-King's minions along the way, where he manages to break in and destroy one of the protective wards, allowing the spirit in too. The guard does rally and tries to trap Morkin but he manages to break more of the wards and free some of the captive spirits, things spiral out of control from there as the freed spirits overwhelm the guard and Morkin manages to reach the crown's chamber.
Meanwhile the Witch-King had been busy plotting the destruction of Luxor's army, dismissing the first reports of trouble at the tower, unfortunately for him the situation there deteriorated rapidly and by the time he turns his attention to it the guard is in serious trouble already and the spirits of the wind are breaking free. He tries to channel some of his magic through the remaining wards and even teleport one of his most feared champions in but it's too late as Morkin defeats the champion and now has the crown at his mercy. Desperate, he halts his forces and tries to communicate through the crown to plead and bargain, it's all for nothing, the crown is destroyed and the magical backlash knocks him down senseless, as his magic fails he begins to crumble and fade away. Outside, his creatures and magical constructs crumble while his minions are stunned and left directionless by the psychic backlash of his death. The storm clouds and the unnatural overcast that followed his armies break up as the winds are now set free and the sun starts shining brightly through the gaps.
It's the end, and the movie ends with Luxor and Morkin reunited as the seasons return to their natural course and the days grow longer as they should after the solstice, a little ethereal laughter echoes as a gust of wind blows and shakes the snow away from a nearby tree branch.
And that's it, the movies were always meant to stop here rather than trying to adapt Doomdark's Revenge, it was felt that it would be better to close the story on a high note after this couple of movies and see what the public reception would be like while developing the next big fantasy project.
And thanks to good ratings and a good reception that big project would be a series, Nine Princes in Amber, which would prove to be bigger and even more successful, but that's a story for another time.
Before closing, a funny factoid, while the villain is identified as "Doomdark" in the credits (as in the computer game) he is never called that by the characters in the movie, he is always referred to as "Witch-King", "The tyrant", "The king" and so on, that didn't stop some people from claiming that they've heard a "Doomdark" in the movies though, that little urban myth seems fated to last forever despite all evidence against it.
Perry Mason: The Case of the Colossal Client (1984)
In this once-thought lost prelude to the Perry Mason TV movies, the legendary defense attorney has to defend a gigantic radioactive lizard he once saw destroy a city... only this time his client (somehow) insists he didn't do it!
Guest starring (who else) Godzilla himself as Perry’s client, as well as Mothra, Anguirus, Rodan, King Ghidorah, MechaGodzilla, King Kong, and Gamera.
"Sreeooonk!" ("You've got to help me, Mr. Mason, I didn't do it!")
"I do wonder, Perry..."
"Yes, Paul?"
"How do giant monsters pay for legal counsel?"
In this once-thought lost prelude to the Perry Mason TV movies, the legendary defense attorney has to defend a gigantic radioactive lizard he once saw destroy a city... only this time his client (somehow) insists he didn't do it!
Guest starring (who else) Godzilla himself as Perry’s client, as well as Mothra, Anguirus, Rodan, King Ghidorah, MechaGodzilla, King Kong, and Gamera.
"Sreeooonk!" ("You've got to help me, Mr. Mason, I didn't do it!")
"I do wonder, Perry..."
"Yes, Paul?"
"How do giant monsters pay for legal counsel?"
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Note: This AU is one of several where Virginia sided with the Union in the Civil War, therefore butterflying West Virginia. However, the Northern Panhandle counties became part of Pennsylvania while the Eastern Panhandle counties became part of Maryland.
Pentrex's Steam Across America Combo
Originally released as two separate programs in 1995, this DVD combines all of Pentrex's videos in the series into a massive bonanza of steam's twilight. Authentic sound footage by Emery Gulash, August Lombardi, Bruce Ward, Phil Zolenski, Russel Davis, and other rail photographers record the final years of mainline steam traction between 1953 and 1967. In the final years of steam, the action was most heavily concentrated in the Coal Country of Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, eastern Kentucky, and southern Ohio, and in the Rocky Mountains and acros the Continenal Divide. Additional pockets could be found elsewhere though, and indeed are seen in this series.
Volume 1: The East
- Norfolk & Western: Action on America's last steam-powered Class I was recorded from 1959 to 1967 in steam's last stronghold in southwestern Virginia. Between Kenova and the state's industrial heart in Roanoke, heavy coal and mineral trains and fast freights are powered by Class A 2-6-6-4s and Y Series 2-8-8-2s, usually with helpers to climb the Blue Ridge and Christiansburg grades around Roanoke. Passenger trains are most commonly powered by the J Class 4-8-4s, with K Class 4-8-2s on the Old Dominion trains from Bristol and Roanoke to RF&P connections at Richmond. Extensive footage is featured of the yards at Williamson, Bluefield, and Roanoke with these locomotives being serviced while S Class 0-8-0s switch in the yards. M Class 4-8-0s on the Blacksburg Branch are featured, as is brief footage the first N&W diesels on the railroad's St. Louis Extension in Bloomington, Indiana.
- Baltimore & Ohio: The nucleus of action on the B&O was the large yards and locomotive facilities in Cumberland, Maryland. The majority of action is on the Sand Patch Grade from Cumberland to Connellsville, Pennsylvania. EM-1 2-8-8-4s and EL-5 2-8-8-0s slug up the grade on coal and ore trains, Q Series Mikados and "Big Six" 2-10-2s either haul mixed freights or serve as helpers, and T-3 Mountains lead merchandise trains over the route. More action with these same locomotive classes, as well as E-27 2-8-0s, is seen on the mainline to Parkersburg, Virginia on the Ohio River. While diesels had by now claimed long-distance passenger services like the Capital Limited to Chicago, P Series Pacifics and the W-1 "Besler" geared locomotives were still hauling regional passenger services from Cumberland to Baltimore and Washington DC.
- Pennsylvania Railroad: The famously wide variety of steam locomotives the PRR operated is shown on the railroad's lines out of Columbus and the Keystone Division from Pittsburgh to Harrisburg during the years between 1956 and 1962. M1 Mountains and Q2 Duplexes handle the railroad's high-speed merchandise and then-new trailer-on-train services. Meanwhile, J1 "Juniata" 2-10-4s and U1 "Panhandle" 2-8-4s handle slower coal and mineral trains with I1 Decapods often acting as helpers especally on the iconic Horseshoe Curve. T1 Duplexes and R2 "Keystone" 4-8-4s also make frequent appearances alongside Baldwin/EMD "Passenger Sharknose" units on the PRR's top expresses like the Broadway Limited. Further east in New Jersey, the Pennsylvania-Reading Shore Lines mark the last stand for K4 Pacifics, E6 Atlantics, H Series Consolidations, and B6 Switchers.
- Western Maryland: Although the Western Maryland was one of several railroads to dieselize early, many of the railroad's famous Consolidations and Decapods were still in service on the line until 1961. We'll see several of these locomotives haul the heavy coal trains of the Elkins Sub in Virginia and J-1 "Potomacs" helping diesels on Helmstetter's Curve in Maryland. Additionally, we see samples of the Farewell to Steam excursion that Potomac #1407 pulled from Philadelphia to Hagerstown.
- Louisville & Nashville: M-1 "Big Emma" 2-8-4s and P-1 "Big Pete" Challengers finish their service on coal traffic between Corbin, Kentucky and Knoxville, Tennesseee alongside older power like Mikadoes. In the yards at Corbin, older pre-war 2-8-0s handle most of the shunting while EMD diesels occassionally pass by with passenger trains. Further north, further action is seen in Louisville with N-1 "Big Nellie" 4-8-4s on secondary passenger and mail trains.
- New York Central: The New York Central's final steam traction operated out the lines in and around Cincinnati, Ohio at the Riverside and Sharon Yards. Most of this footage consists of L series Mohawks and H series Mikados on freight traffic, with 0-8-0 and 0-6-0 switchers in Cincinnati's Riverside Yard. However, Hudsons and even a few Niagaras are also seen on passenger trains like the James Witcomb Riley and Ohio State Limited alongside the first generation of diesels. Further action is featured at Sharon Yard with many Mikados on transfer runs from other railroads in the area. In addition to all the freight action, Mohawks and Hudsons also mingle with foreign power at Cincinnati Union Terminal.
- Reading: Action in and around the railroad's namesake city consists almost entirely of heavy freight traction. At the time 2-8-0s, 2-10-2s, Mallets, and the home-built T-1 Northerns were in charge of virtually all of the railroad's freight traffic while steam switchers were still handling the yards. Though diesels had taken over the most important passenger trains like the New York - Harrisburg Valley Queen and the Erie - Philadelphia Ore Miner, the G-3 Pacifics were still staples of secondary and mail trains. Further action with joint operations in the Allentown-Bethlehem area also gives us a look at Jersey Central diesels, and the first Reading Rambles behind T-1s.
- South Mountain: Being one of several almost excusively freight railroads in the Northeast, this line ran a large number of 4-8-4s and ten-coupled steam locomotives. We'll see action with the railroad's home-built 4-8-4s and USRA machines between Wheeling and Philadelphia. Lots of fast moving frieght is featured on this vital bridge route between the Alleghanies and the Delaware River.
- Chesapeake & Ohio: Most of the action takes place deep in the coal country of West Virginia on the mainline from Hinton to Maysville, Kentucky. Alleghanies, "Kanawha" 2-8-4s, Mikados, and 2-6-6-2 Mallets are all featured on the heavy coal drags that made the C&O famous until steam ended in 1966. 4-8-4 Greenbriers and Streamlined Hudsons are also featured on the famous Chessie streamliner between Washington DC and Chicago. Also included are the last runs of the Baldwin/EMD M-1 Turbines on secondary passenger trains and T-1 Texas Types on transfer runs between Ohio and eastern Virginia.
- Southern Railway: Concluding our look at steam in the east is the first excursion runs for the Southern's now famous steam program. Ps-4 Pacific #1398 leads excursions from Spencer, North Carolina south to Charlotte and east to Raleigh then return on Memorial Day weekened of 1964. We also get to see the return of Mikado #4501 to the high iron on her first excursion from Chattanooga to Knoxville in 1965.
Pentrex's Steam Across America Combo
Originally released as two separate programs in 1995, this DVD combines all of Pentrex's videos in the series into a massive bonanza of steam's twilight. Authentic sound footage by Emery Gulash, August Lombardi, Bruce Ward, Phil Zolenski, Russel Davis, and other rail photographers record the final years of mainline steam traction between 1953 and 1967. In the final years of steam, the action was most heavily concentrated in the Coal Country of Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, eastern Kentucky, and southern Ohio, and in the Rocky Mountains and acros the Continenal Divide. Additional pockets could be found elsewhere though, and indeed are seen in this series.
Volume 1: The East
- Norfolk & Western: Action on America's last steam-powered Class I was recorded from 1959 to 1967 in steam's last stronghold in southwestern Virginia. Between Kenova and the state's industrial heart in Roanoke, heavy coal and mineral trains and fast freights are powered by Class A 2-6-6-4s and Y Series 2-8-8-2s, usually with helpers to climb the Blue Ridge and Christiansburg grades around Roanoke. Passenger trains are most commonly powered by the J Class 4-8-4s, with K Class 4-8-2s on the Old Dominion trains from Bristol and Roanoke to RF&P connections at Richmond. Extensive footage is featured of the yards at Williamson, Bluefield, and Roanoke with these locomotives being serviced while S Class 0-8-0s switch in the yards. M Class 4-8-0s on the Blacksburg Branch are featured, as is brief footage the first N&W diesels on the railroad's St. Louis Extension in Bloomington, Indiana.
- Baltimore & Ohio: The nucleus of action on the B&O was the large yards and locomotive facilities in Cumberland, Maryland. The majority of action is on the Sand Patch Grade from Cumberland to Connellsville, Pennsylvania. EM-1 2-8-8-4s and EL-5 2-8-8-0s slug up the grade on coal and ore trains, Q Series Mikados and "Big Six" 2-10-2s either haul mixed freights or serve as helpers, and T-3 Mountains lead merchandise trains over the route. More action with these same locomotive classes, as well as E-27 2-8-0s, is seen on the mainline to Parkersburg, Virginia on the Ohio River. While diesels had by now claimed long-distance passenger services like the Capital Limited to Chicago, P Series Pacifics and the W-1 "Besler" geared locomotives were still hauling regional passenger services from Cumberland to Baltimore and Washington DC.
- Pennsylvania Railroad: The famously wide variety of steam locomotives the PRR operated is shown on the railroad's lines out of Columbus and the Keystone Division from Pittsburgh to Harrisburg during the years between 1956 and 1962. M1 Mountains and Q2 Duplexes handle the railroad's high-speed merchandise and then-new trailer-on-train services. Meanwhile, J1 "Juniata" 2-10-4s and U1 "Panhandle" 2-8-4s handle slower coal and mineral trains with I1 Decapods often acting as helpers especally on the iconic Horseshoe Curve. T1 Duplexes and R2 "Keystone" 4-8-4s also make frequent appearances alongside Baldwin/EMD "Passenger Sharknose" units on the PRR's top expresses like the Broadway Limited. Further east in New Jersey, the Pennsylvania-Reading Shore Lines mark the last stand for K4 Pacifics, E6 Atlantics, H Series Consolidations, and B6 Switchers.
- Western Maryland: Although the Western Maryland was one of several railroads to dieselize early, many of the railroad's famous Consolidations and Decapods were still in service on the line until 1961. We'll see several of these locomotives haul the heavy coal trains of the Elkins Sub in Virginia and J-1 "Potomacs" helping diesels on Helmstetter's Curve in Maryland. Additionally, we see samples of the Farewell to Steam excursion that Potomac #1407 pulled from Philadelphia to Hagerstown.
- Louisville & Nashville: M-1 "Big Emma" 2-8-4s and P-1 "Big Pete" Challengers finish their service on coal traffic between Corbin, Kentucky and Knoxville, Tennesseee alongside older power like Mikadoes. In the yards at Corbin, older pre-war 2-8-0s handle most of the shunting while EMD diesels occassionally pass by with passenger trains. Further north, further action is seen in Louisville with N-1 "Big Nellie" 4-8-4s on secondary passenger and mail trains.
- New York Central: The New York Central's final steam traction operated out the lines in and around Cincinnati, Ohio at the Riverside and Sharon Yards. Most of this footage consists of L series Mohawks and H series Mikados on freight traffic, with 0-8-0 and 0-6-0 switchers in Cincinnati's Riverside Yard. However, Hudsons and even a few Niagaras are also seen on passenger trains like the James Witcomb Riley and Ohio State Limited alongside the first generation of diesels. Further action is featured at Sharon Yard with many Mikados on transfer runs from other railroads in the area. In addition to all the freight action, Mohawks and Hudsons also mingle with foreign power at Cincinnati Union Terminal.
- Reading: Action in and around the railroad's namesake city consists almost entirely of heavy freight traction. At the time 2-8-0s, 2-10-2s, Mallets, and the home-built T-1 Northerns were in charge of virtually all of the railroad's freight traffic while steam switchers were still handling the yards. Though diesels had taken over the most important passenger trains like the New York - Harrisburg Valley Queen and the Erie - Philadelphia Ore Miner, the G-3 Pacifics were still staples of secondary and mail trains. Further action with joint operations in the Allentown-Bethlehem area also gives us a look at Jersey Central diesels, and the first Reading Rambles behind T-1s.
- South Mountain: Being one of several almost excusively freight railroads in the Northeast, this line ran a large number of 4-8-4s and ten-coupled steam locomotives. We'll see action with the railroad's home-built 4-8-4s and USRA machines between Wheeling and Philadelphia. Lots of fast moving frieght is featured on this vital bridge route between the Alleghanies and the Delaware River.
- Chesapeake & Ohio: Most of the action takes place deep in the coal country of West Virginia on the mainline from Hinton to Maysville, Kentucky. Alleghanies, "Kanawha" 2-8-4s, Mikados, and 2-6-6-2 Mallets are all featured on the heavy coal drags that made the C&O famous until steam ended in 1966. 4-8-4 Greenbriers and Streamlined Hudsons are also featured on the famous Chessie streamliner between Washington DC and Chicago. Also included are the last runs of the Baldwin/EMD M-1 Turbines on secondary passenger trains and T-1 Texas Types on transfer runs between Ohio and eastern Virginia.
- Southern Railway: Concluding our look at steam in the east is the first excursion runs for the Southern's now famous steam program. Ps-4 Pacific #1398 leads excursions from Spencer, North Carolina south to Charlotte and east to Raleigh then return on Memorial Day weekened of 1964. We also get to see the return of Mikado #4501 to the high iron on her first excursion from Chattanooga to Knoxville in 1965.
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Pentrex's Steam Across America
Volume 2: The Midwest
- Nickel Plate Road: Lima Berkshires, Mikados, and Hudsons finished steam in northern Ohio and Indiana with a grand display of fast freight traffic headed from interchange in Buffalo to Chicago, St. Louis, and Peoria. Most of the action takes place on the mainline from Bellevue, Ohio to Chicago via Fort Wayne, Indiana with the mighty Berkshires speeding along the line. The railroad's first EMD Geeps are also featured alongside blue and white ALCO PAs handling the Nickel Plate Limited. More Berkshire action is featured on the Wheeling & Lake Erie, which had their own unique Berkshire design compared to the Nickel Plate.
- Grand Trunk Western: This Canadian National subsidiary was most well-known for employing high-stepping fleet of U-3 Confederation 4-8-4s, Transcona 2-8-4s, and Mountain 4-8-2s to its fast freight services from Chicago to eastern Michigan. "Newfoundland" 2-10-2s handle slower freights while U-4 Confederations whisk passenger trains from Chicago to Canada's major cities. We'll see these freights in action on the line from Battle Creek to Port Huron, with a visit to the major junction at Durand included. Light Pacifics are also featured as staples of branch line and local trains, with 0-8-0 switchers serving many of the yards along the railroad's route.
- Duluth, Missabe, & Iron Range: Famous for it's 2-8-8-4 Yellowstones, the DM&IR also rosters Switchers, 2-10-2s, 2-10-4s, and Mikados as we see action at the servicing terminals in Proctor and Tow Harbors, Minnesota. We also get to see workings in the mine pits, and on the nearby Duluth & Northeastern Railway with its 2-8-0 Consolidations. Topping all this off is the farewell to steam excursions the DM&IR operated with its Yellowstones at the end of steam.
- Burlington Route: The early days of the steam excursions on this railroad are featured just as coal trains behind "Colorado" 2-10-4s were coming to an end. Mikado 4960 leads an excursion from Aurora to Galesburg, Illinois. O-5b 5632 is featured on another fan trip from Minneapolis to La Crosse, Wisconsin and return. Hudson 3007 also pulls an excursion from Burlington, Iowa to Omaha.
- Illinois Central: In the coal fields of southern Illinois we see IC Mikados, Berkshires, Mountains, and Santa Fes drag heavy trains north to Chicago or south to the industries of Memphis and New Orleans then return with empties. Pacifics and Mountains are also seen on local passenger trains, with the majority of the major passenger trains being powered by diesel locomotives. Additionally, we get to see additional action from the New York Central, which shared the line from Chicago to Kankakee with the IC. Topping this off is Richard Jensen's excursions behind Mountain 2613 after other steam had ended.
- Soo Line: Mikadoes, Mountains, and Northerns regularly run throguh Wisconsin with bridge traffic from parent company Canadian Pacific. While most of the action is in Wisconsin and Minnesota, we do get to see some locomotives in iron ore service in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. In addition to the resident locomotives, we'll see plenty of action with CP steamers like the 2-10-4 Selkirks, 4-6-4 Hudsons, 4-8-4 Confederations, and 2-10-2 Newfoundlands. Scenes from after steam officially ended focus on many of Canadian Pacific's steam excursion stars often meeting Soo Line diesel-hauled freights.
- Lake Superior & Ishpeming: The line's large fleet of Consolidations moves ore trains through Michigan's Upper Peninsula to the ore docks on Lake Superior. What is especially compelling is how many of these locomotives were saved for the same tourist railroad, the Marquette & Port Huron Railroad. We'll see the few locomotives that operated on this short-lived line in action as well.
OOC: @TheMann allowed me to adapt some of his locomotive and railroad ideas, which I did for the railroads with Canadian parent companies.
Volume 2: The Midwest
- Nickel Plate Road: Lima Berkshires, Mikados, and Hudsons finished steam in northern Ohio and Indiana with a grand display of fast freight traffic headed from interchange in Buffalo to Chicago, St. Louis, and Peoria. Most of the action takes place on the mainline from Bellevue, Ohio to Chicago via Fort Wayne, Indiana with the mighty Berkshires speeding along the line. The railroad's first EMD Geeps are also featured alongside blue and white ALCO PAs handling the Nickel Plate Limited. More Berkshire action is featured on the Wheeling & Lake Erie, which had their own unique Berkshire design compared to the Nickel Plate.
- Grand Trunk Western: This Canadian National subsidiary was most well-known for employing high-stepping fleet of U-3 Confederation 4-8-4s, Transcona 2-8-4s, and Mountain 4-8-2s to its fast freight services from Chicago to eastern Michigan. "Newfoundland" 2-10-2s handle slower freights while U-4 Confederations whisk passenger trains from Chicago to Canada's major cities. We'll see these freights in action on the line from Battle Creek to Port Huron, with a visit to the major junction at Durand included. Light Pacifics are also featured as staples of branch line and local trains, with 0-8-0 switchers serving many of the yards along the railroad's route.
- Duluth, Missabe, & Iron Range: Famous for it's 2-8-8-4 Yellowstones, the DM&IR also rosters Switchers, 2-10-2s, 2-10-4s, and Mikados as we see action at the servicing terminals in Proctor and Tow Harbors, Minnesota. We also get to see workings in the mine pits, and on the nearby Duluth & Northeastern Railway with its 2-8-0 Consolidations. Topping all this off is the farewell to steam excursions the DM&IR operated with its Yellowstones at the end of steam.
- Burlington Route: The early days of the steam excursions on this railroad are featured just as coal trains behind "Colorado" 2-10-4s were coming to an end. Mikado 4960 leads an excursion from Aurora to Galesburg, Illinois. O-5b 5632 is featured on another fan trip from Minneapolis to La Crosse, Wisconsin and return. Hudson 3007 also pulls an excursion from Burlington, Iowa to Omaha.
- Illinois Central: In the coal fields of southern Illinois we see IC Mikados, Berkshires, Mountains, and Santa Fes drag heavy trains north to Chicago or south to the industries of Memphis and New Orleans then return with empties. Pacifics and Mountains are also seen on local passenger trains, with the majority of the major passenger trains being powered by diesel locomotives. Additionally, we get to see additional action from the New York Central, which shared the line from Chicago to Kankakee with the IC. Topping this off is Richard Jensen's excursions behind Mountain 2613 after other steam had ended.
- Soo Line: Mikadoes, Mountains, and Northerns regularly run throguh Wisconsin with bridge traffic from parent company Canadian Pacific. While most of the action is in Wisconsin and Minnesota, we do get to see some locomotives in iron ore service in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. In addition to the resident locomotives, we'll see plenty of action with CP steamers like the 2-10-4 Selkirks, 4-6-4 Hudsons, 4-8-4 Confederations, and 2-10-2 Newfoundlands. Scenes from after steam officially ended focus on many of Canadian Pacific's steam excursion stars often meeting Soo Line diesel-hauled freights.
- Lake Superior & Ishpeming: The line's large fleet of Consolidations moves ore trains through Michigan's Upper Peninsula to the ore docks on Lake Superior. What is especially compelling is how many of these locomotives were saved for the same tourist railroad, the Marquette & Port Huron Railroad. We'll see the few locomotives that operated on this short-lived line in action as well.
OOC: @TheMann allowed me to adapt some of his locomotive and railroad ideas, which I did for the railroads with Canadian parent companies.
Pentrex's Steam Across America
Volume 3: The West
- Great Northern: Witness the strength of the Great Northern's steam fleet as it escaped scrap through the oil crisis, then finished their service with a bang. N-3 2-8-8-0s work the company ore mines and docks in Minnessota, while mainline freights through North Dakota and Montana are handled by O-8 Berkshires, Q-2 Santa Fes, and R-2 2-8-8-2s. S-2 Northerns and P-2 Mountains are also featured in their final days on express mail and secondary passenger duties.
- Union Pacific: The railroad's famous articulateds - the 4-6-6-4 Challenger and 4-8-8-4 Big Boy - are seen battling Wyoming's Sherman Hill in both summer heat and winter snow. FEF Northerns are seen either assisting diesels with long-distance passenger trains or pulling mail trains, whereas Heavy Pacifics are seen on the bulk of regional passenger trains. 2-10-2 "Big Tens" and 4-12-2 "Nebraskas" are seen assisting freights up the grade of Sherman Hill while 0-6-0s switch in the yards at Cheyenne. Further west in Utah and western Wyoming, more Challengers are seen hauling freight while 2-8-0s and 2-8-2s are seen on branchlines in Wyoming and Idaho.
- Southern Pacific: Watch 4-6-2 Pacifics and 4-8-2 Mountains on regional and commuter trains over the Peninsula Corridor from San Fransisco's Pacific Central Station, while 0-6-0 switchers shunt freight across the bay at the Oakland Mole. GS-4 Northerns finish out their service on lines in the Central Valley, while Cab Forwards continue to haul loads over Donner Pass. Additional footage takes us to see more Cab Forwards on the Modoc Line and on the San Diego subdivision between Temecula and San Diego then south down Lower California. This 1953 - 1956 footage was the calm before the storm of electrification.
- Denver & Rio Grande: The powerful L-131 2-8-8-2s finish their service as helpers through Tennessee Pass and the Royal Gorge, this being the last use of steam on the Rio Grande Standard Gauge. However, things were a bit different on the 3' 6'' gauge San Juan Division, where we ride Mikados and 2-10-2s on the line from Alamosa to Durango and Cortes, Colorado. More footage depicts daily operations in the yard at Chama, where K-27 #463 still regularly switched in the yard. Other footage provides testament to how not even the Colorado Gauge was immune to the wave of Rio Grande dieselization.
- Great Western Railway: Across the Atlantic from the more iconic Great Western Railway, the Colorado sugar company's railroad keeps its fleet of 2-8-0s and lone 2-10-0 busy during the harvet season with trains of sugar beets. Meanwhile, 0-4-0 saddletanks switch cars at the refineries in Colorado for the bigger locomotives to take out back to the fields. Footage from when Decapod 90 pulled the 1963 NRHS Convention train is also featured.
- Northern Pacific: Running almost entirely in Montana, the fianl Northern Pacific steamers consisted mainly of Q series Pacifics, A series Northerns, and Z series Challengers. These engines are seen on mainline and local freights in their final days, as well as assisting diesel-hauled trains from the North Coast Limited to merchandise freights. Futher west in Washington we see the last of the railroad's Ten-Wheelers on Farewell to Steam excursions.
- Santa Fe: Despite being one of the first railroads to dieselize in earnest, the Santa Fe still maintained a handful of steam locomotives for helper service over the grades of Abo Canyon in New Mexico. While the majority of these helpers were TEX-2 Class 2-10-4s, some were HVM-4 Northerns like the now famous 2925. Further west, recently discovered footage also showcases the last steam excursions in Southern California behind other Northerns like 3759 and 3780.
- Colorado & Southern: Consolidations, Mikadoes, and Santa Fe types are seen in both road and helper service on lines in Colorado and Wyoming. In Leadville, we are also treated to scenes of locomotives working in snowy conditions over the branch line. Other steam fantrips before the final end of steam are featured like the 1963 NRHS Convention, and the last run of a C&S 2-10-2 north of Cheyenne in 1965.
Volume 3: The West
- Great Northern: Witness the strength of the Great Northern's steam fleet as it escaped scrap through the oil crisis, then finished their service with a bang. N-3 2-8-8-0s work the company ore mines and docks in Minnessota, while mainline freights through North Dakota and Montana are handled by O-8 Berkshires, Q-2 Santa Fes, and R-2 2-8-8-2s. S-2 Northerns and P-2 Mountains are also featured in their final days on express mail and secondary passenger duties.
- Union Pacific: The railroad's famous articulateds - the 4-6-6-4 Challenger and 4-8-8-4 Big Boy - are seen battling Wyoming's Sherman Hill in both summer heat and winter snow. FEF Northerns are seen either assisting diesels with long-distance passenger trains or pulling mail trains, whereas Heavy Pacifics are seen on the bulk of regional passenger trains. 2-10-2 "Big Tens" and 4-12-2 "Nebraskas" are seen assisting freights up the grade of Sherman Hill while 0-6-0s switch in the yards at Cheyenne. Further west in Utah and western Wyoming, more Challengers are seen hauling freight while 2-8-0s and 2-8-2s are seen on branchlines in Wyoming and Idaho.
- Southern Pacific: Watch 4-6-2 Pacifics and 4-8-2 Mountains on regional and commuter trains over the Peninsula Corridor from San Fransisco's Pacific Central Station, while 0-6-0 switchers shunt freight across the bay at the Oakland Mole. GS-4 Northerns finish out their service on lines in the Central Valley, while Cab Forwards continue to haul loads over Donner Pass. Additional footage takes us to see more Cab Forwards on the Modoc Line and on the San Diego subdivision between Temecula and San Diego then south down Lower California. This 1953 - 1956 footage was the calm before the storm of electrification.
- Denver & Rio Grande: The powerful L-131 2-8-8-2s finish their service as helpers through Tennessee Pass and the Royal Gorge, this being the last use of steam on the Rio Grande Standard Gauge. However, things were a bit different on the 3' 6'' gauge San Juan Division, where we ride Mikados and 2-10-2s on the line from Alamosa to Durango and Cortes, Colorado. More footage depicts daily operations in the yard at Chama, where K-27 #463 still regularly switched in the yard. Other footage provides testament to how not even the Colorado Gauge was immune to the wave of Rio Grande dieselization.
- Great Western Railway: Across the Atlantic from the more iconic Great Western Railway, the Colorado sugar company's railroad keeps its fleet of 2-8-0s and lone 2-10-0 busy during the harvet season with trains of sugar beets. Meanwhile, 0-4-0 saddletanks switch cars at the refineries in Colorado for the bigger locomotives to take out back to the fields. Footage from when Decapod 90 pulled the 1963 NRHS Convention train is also featured.
- Northern Pacific: Running almost entirely in Montana, the fianl Northern Pacific steamers consisted mainly of Q series Pacifics, A series Northerns, and Z series Challengers. These engines are seen on mainline and local freights in their final days, as well as assisting diesel-hauled trains from the North Coast Limited to merchandise freights. Futher west in Washington we see the last of the railroad's Ten-Wheelers on Farewell to Steam excursions.
- Santa Fe: Despite being one of the first railroads to dieselize in earnest, the Santa Fe still maintained a handful of steam locomotives for helper service over the grades of Abo Canyon in New Mexico. While the majority of these helpers were TEX-2 Class 2-10-4s, some were HVM-4 Northerns like the now famous 2925. Further west, recently discovered footage also showcases the last steam excursions in Southern California behind other Northerns like 3759 and 3780.
- Colorado & Southern: Consolidations, Mikadoes, and Santa Fe types are seen in both road and helper service on lines in Colorado and Wyoming. In Leadville, we are also treated to scenes of locomotives working in snowy conditions over the branch line. Other steam fantrips before the final end of steam are featured like the 1963 NRHS Convention, and the last run of a C&S 2-10-2 north of Cheyenne in 1965.
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A Very Goofy Movie (2004)
Made after The Little Mermaid ignobly critically received lukewarmly and bombed at the box office, closing Disney's main animation feature studio forever, cancelling the future animated movies until 2010 and Toy Story gets ignobly cancelled after its infamous "Black Friday" reel causing Pixar to shut its doors forever. Meaning when they made the Disney Afternoon, and when they made DuckTales: Treasure of the Lost Lamp, Pooh's Grand Adventure, The Tigger Movie, A Goofy Movie and An Extremely Goofy Movie, they were effectively killing the cash cow. So Disney decided to "screw the graceful send-off" to Goof Troop and pushed them to make another Goofy Movie.
It was amidst this turbulent backdrop that the quirky idea of A Very Goofy Movie was born. Building on the success of the beloved characters from the Disney Afternoon and the previous Goofy movies, Disney took a leap of faith. The film promised to bring together fan-favorite characters in a grand celebration that would revitalize the spirit of Disney animation.
The storyline of A Very Goofy Movie was a tapestry woven with nostalgia, laughter, and heartfelt moments. Max and Goofy found themselves embarking on a wild adventure that transcended dimensions and pushed the boundaries of imagination. Joined by a colorful cast of characters from across Disney universes, they set off on a quest that would test their bond, courage, and wit.
As the movie unfolded, viewers found themselves immersed in a world where laughter and tears intertwined seamlessly. The film dared to explore deeper themes of friendship, family, and the enduring power of love. Each character brought their unique essence to the narrative, creating a symphony of emotions that resonated with audiences of all ages.
Plot Outline:
The story begins with Goofy and Max planning a relaxing family vacation to the tranquil town of Spoonerville. Max is excited to spend quality time with his friends P.J., Bobby, and Stacey, while Goofy looks forward to reconnecting with old pals like Pete and Peg.
However, their plans take an unexpected turn when they receive an invitation to the grand opening of a new theme park called "Dementia's Dreamland." Intrigued by the promise of thrills and excitement, they decide to change course and head to the theme park instead.
Upon their arrival, they are greeted by the eccentric Dr. Dementia, the mastermind behind the park. Dr. Dementia appears friendly at first but soon reveals his sinister intentions to harness the power of imagination to control the minds of everyone in attendance, including Max and his friends.
Realizing the danger they're in, Goofy and Max, along with their friends, must band together to thwart Dr. Dementia's plans and save themselves and the other visitors from being enslaved by his mind-controlling devices.
As they navigate through the elaborate and whimsical attractions of Dementia's Dreamland, they encounter obstacles and challenges that test their courage and friendship. Along the way, Max reunites with his childhood crush, Roxanne, who joins their quest, bringing her own resourcefulness and determination to the group.
Meanwhile, back in Spoonerville, Peg, Pistol, and the rest of the gang grow worried when they don't hear from Goofy and Max. Determined to find them, they embark on their own adventure, encountering obstacles of their own as they race against time to reunite with their loved ones.
As the climactic showdown ensues atop the towering castle of Dementia's Dreamland, a fierce battle rages between Goofy, Max, their friends, and Dr. Dementia. The air crackles with energy as they struggle to gain the upper hand.
Amidst the chaos, a stray blast from Dr. Dementia's malfunctioning device strikes nearby, setting off a chain reaction of fiery explosions. The flames quickly spread, engulfing the whimsical attractions of the theme park.
In the midst of the mayhem, Goofy's thoughts are torn between defeating Dr. Dementia and ensuring the safety of his loved ones. Suddenly, his heart sinks as he realizes that his beloved home in Spoonerville, where he had shared countless memories with Max and their friends, is in the path of the inferno.
With a heavy heart, Goofy knows that they must put an end to Dr. Dementia's plans before they can even think of saving their home. Summoning all their courage, they press on, determined to thwart the madman's scheme and prevent further devastation.
As the battle reaches its climax, Goofy and his friends finally emerge victorious, disabling Dr. Dementia's mind-control device and putting an end to his reign of terror. But even in their moment of triumph, Goofy can't shake the sense of loss knowing that his home is gone.
With tears in his eyes, Goofy looks out over the smoldering ruins of his house, a symbol of the sacrifices made in the fight against evil. Yet, amidst the ashes, he finds solace in the bonds of friendship and the knowledge that they have saved countless others from suffering a similar fate.
As they bid farewell to Dementia's Dreamland and begin their journey back to Spoonerville, Goofy and Max carry with them the memories of their adventures and the resilience of their spirit. And though their house may be gone, they know that home is wherever they are together, surrounded by the love of family and friends.
In Conclusion:
A Very Goofy Movie wasn't just a film; it was a culmination of Disney's journey, a love letter to its loyal fans, and a testament to the magic of storytelling. The grand finale left hearts full and eyes misty as Max and Goofy's home bid farewell in a blaze of glory, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of viewers.
The legacy of A Very Goofy Movie extended beyond the screen, shaping the landscape of Disney's future endeavors. It paved the way for the greenlighting of the new spin-off series, House of Mouse, which captured the essence of Disney magic in a fresh and enchanting way. The film's impact reverberated through the halls of animation history, earning its place as a timeless classic cherished by generations to come.
In the end, A Very Goofy Movie wasn't just a film; it was a beacon of hope, a reminder of the enduring power of storytelling, and a celebration of all that makes Disney truly magical.
Made after The Little Mermaid ignobly critically received lukewarmly and bombed at the box office, closing Disney's main animation feature studio forever, cancelling the future animated movies until 2010 and Toy Story gets ignobly cancelled after its infamous "Black Friday" reel causing Pixar to shut its doors forever. Meaning when they made the Disney Afternoon, and when they made DuckTales: Treasure of the Lost Lamp, Pooh's Grand Adventure, The Tigger Movie, A Goofy Movie and An Extremely Goofy Movie, they were effectively killing the cash cow. So Disney decided to "screw the graceful send-off" to Goof Troop and pushed them to make another Goofy Movie.
It was amidst this turbulent backdrop that the quirky idea of A Very Goofy Movie was born. Building on the success of the beloved characters from the Disney Afternoon and the previous Goofy movies, Disney took a leap of faith. The film promised to bring together fan-favorite characters in a grand celebration that would revitalize the spirit of Disney animation.
The storyline of A Very Goofy Movie was a tapestry woven with nostalgia, laughter, and heartfelt moments. Max and Goofy found themselves embarking on a wild adventure that transcended dimensions and pushed the boundaries of imagination. Joined by a colorful cast of characters from across Disney universes, they set off on a quest that would test their bond, courage, and wit.
As the movie unfolded, viewers found themselves immersed in a world where laughter and tears intertwined seamlessly. The film dared to explore deeper themes of friendship, family, and the enduring power of love. Each character brought their unique essence to the narrative, creating a symphony of emotions that resonated with audiences of all ages.
Plot Outline:
The story begins with Goofy and Max planning a relaxing family vacation to the tranquil town of Spoonerville. Max is excited to spend quality time with his friends P.J., Bobby, and Stacey, while Goofy looks forward to reconnecting with old pals like Pete and Peg.
However, their plans take an unexpected turn when they receive an invitation to the grand opening of a new theme park called "Dementia's Dreamland." Intrigued by the promise of thrills and excitement, they decide to change course and head to the theme park instead.
Upon their arrival, they are greeted by the eccentric Dr. Dementia, the mastermind behind the park. Dr. Dementia appears friendly at first but soon reveals his sinister intentions to harness the power of imagination to control the minds of everyone in attendance, including Max and his friends.
Realizing the danger they're in, Goofy and Max, along with their friends, must band together to thwart Dr. Dementia's plans and save themselves and the other visitors from being enslaved by his mind-controlling devices.
As they navigate through the elaborate and whimsical attractions of Dementia's Dreamland, they encounter obstacles and challenges that test their courage and friendship. Along the way, Max reunites with his childhood crush, Roxanne, who joins their quest, bringing her own resourcefulness and determination to the group.
Meanwhile, back in Spoonerville, Peg, Pistol, and the rest of the gang grow worried when they don't hear from Goofy and Max. Determined to find them, they embark on their own adventure, encountering obstacles of their own as they race against time to reunite with their loved ones.
As the climactic showdown ensues atop the towering castle of Dementia's Dreamland, a fierce battle rages between Goofy, Max, their friends, and Dr. Dementia. The air crackles with energy as they struggle to gain the upper hand.
Amidst the chaos, a stray blast from Dr. Dementia's malfunctioning device strikes nearby, setting off a chain reaction of fiery explosions. The flames quickly spread, engulfing the whimsical attractions of the theme park.
In the midst of the mayhem, Goofy's thoughts are torn between defeating Dr. Dementia and ensuring the safety of his loved ones. Suddenly, his heart sinks as he realizes that his beloved home in Spoonerville, where he had shared countless memories with Max and their friends, is in the path of the inferno.
With a heavy heart, Goofy knows that they must put an end to Dr. Dementia's plans before they can even think of saving their home. Summoning all their courage, they press on, determined to thwart the madman's scheme and prevent further devastation.
As the battle reaches its climax, Goofy and his friends finally emerge victorious, disabling Dr. Dementia's mind-control device and putting an end to his reign of terror. But even in their moment of triumph, Goofy can't shake the sense of loss knowing that his home is gone.
With tears in his eyes, Goofy looks out over the smoldering ruins of his house, a symbol of the sacrifices made in the fight against evil. Yet, amidst the ashes, he finds solace in the bonds of friendship and the knowledge that they have saved countless others from suffering a similar fate.
As they bid farewell to Dementia's Dreamland and begin their journey back to Spoonerville, Goofy and Max carry with them the memories of their adventures and the resilience of their spirit. And though their house may be gone, they know that home is wherever they are together, surrounded by the love of family and friends.
In Conclusion:
A Very Goofy Movie wasn't just a film; it was a culmination of Disney's journey, a love letter to its loyal fans, and a testament to the magic of storytelling. The grand finale left hearts full and eyes misty as Max and Goofy's home bid farewell in a blaze of glory, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of viewers.
The legacy of A Very Goofy Movie extended beyond the screen, shaping the landscape of Disney's future endeavors. It paved the way for the greenlighting of the new spin-off series, House of Mouse, which captured the essence of Disney magic in a fresh and enchanting way. The film's impact reverberated through the halls of animation history, earning its place as a timeless classic cherished by generations to come.
In the end, A Very Goofy Movie wasn't just a film; it was a beacon of hope, a reminder of the enduring power of storytelling, and a celebration of all that makes Disney truly magical.
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One of his alternate universe versions was responsible, wasn't it.
This is very eloquently written, but could use more details about the film's actual plot.
Can you imagine what MechaGodzilla would do when Perry cross examines him?
Maybe something like the Terminator vision we see in the first two movies?
“All right, I was up for it but my programming denied it. So I had Ghidorah alter it for me!”