by kpa » Fri Aug 29, 2003 5:55 pm
MGM picked up most of the old AIP library and had DAM, but the rights reverted back to Toho several years ago.
Toho created their own English version of the film back in the 1960s, and that's what they gave to ADV, the SciFi Channel, and companies in Britain. Instead of using Toho's dub, AIP redubbed the film at Titra, but most US distributors don't bother to do that these days. Whatever AIP materials remain are 30+ years old and are probably not in the best of shape. Most companies don't want the expense of fixing and remastering an old print when Toho has a pristine, widescreen print in English that's ready to go.
Keith