With Contributions from Tim Balvanz, PhillyRox, Marc St. Stephen, Image Entertainment's Webmaster, Keith Taylor, Nicolas Dage, Chris Rozee….
SPOILER warning! You've been warned…
"The Black Hole" is Disney's 1979 science fiction film about a group of space travelers who come across a long missing spaceship teetering on the edge of a black hole, and their discoveries within the ship and beyond. Or as the capsule description on the back of the laserdisc puts it:
The film, the first Disney feature to earn a PG rating, was directed by Gary Nelson and starred Maximilian Schell, Anthony Perkins, Robert Forster, Joseph Bottoms, Yvette Mimieux, and last but not least, Ernest Borgnine. The screenplay was by Jeb Rosebrook and Gerry Day from a story by Jeb Rosebrook, Bob Barbash, and Richard Landau. The production design was by Peter Ellenshaw.
Technical:
I have removed the original text from this section in favor of the official Disney chronology of the film (included here verbatim) as printed in the Feb '80 issue of Starlog:
Feb. 25, 1974
From writers Bob Barbash and Richard Landau we purchased an original unpublished story idea entitled Space Station-One. They were contracted to develop into a full story outline under our supervision. A black hole was not mentioned at the time. We had a further option on their services for them to write a treatment and a screenplay.
Sept. 19, 1974
Barbash and Landau delivered final outline which contained the threatening menace of a black hole. The black hole had been added prior to this date during the time they were developing the outline.
May 1975
Barbash and Landau delivered a first draft screenplay. This still contained the black hole. The script was retitled Probe-One.
June 16, 1975
Writer William Wood was hired to rewrite the Barbash-Landau script.
Sept. 5, 1975
William Wood delivered his final version of a rewrite still containing the black hole. Script was still titled Probe-One. We were also still referring to the project as Space Station-One.
July 21, 1975
Director John Hough was hired to begin preproduction on the motion picture. We did not as yet have a budget or start date for principle photography.
July 28, 1975
Writer Sumner Arthur Long was hired to rewrite the previous version of the screenplay, writing under the supervision of John Hough and producer Ron Miller.
Oct. 1976
Writer Sumner Arthur Long completed his rewrite. Script still contained the black hole and was titled Space Station-One.
Nov. 1976
Director John Hough's contract to direct picture was amended to postpone production of Space Station-One and to employ him to direct another feature motion picture in the meantime. He was to continue supervising further rewrites of the script while preparing for the other film.
Oct. 1976 [Their chronology - I assume this is an error, and that they meant December? -dw]
Writer Ed Coffey was hired to rewrite screenplay.
Jan 7, 1977
Ed Coffey delivered his final version of screenplay.
Feb 7, 1977
Writer Jeb Rosebrook was hired to rewrite screenplay.
July 7, 1977
Writer Jeb Rosebrook delivered a new story outline after several false starts on revising existing screenplay. This new story outline became the basis for the final version of the screenplay still containing the black hole. Rosebook continued on project writing and rewriting various versions of a screenplay based on his new outline. The black hole was a permanent element in all versions.
Jan. 16, 1978
Director Gary Nelson was hired to begin preproduction and supervise Rosebrook script with Producer Ron Miller. Director John Hough had bowed out to direct a film for another company.
March 23, 1978
Jeb Rosebook delivered his final version of screenplay which was titled Space Probe-One. The black hole was an important element.
April 3, 1978
Writer Gerry Day was hired to rewrite the last version of the script and to make changes as necessary to incorporate all new special effects that had been created by our production designers.
Oct. 4, 1978
Writer Gerry Day delivered her final version of the screenplay which was now officially titled The Black Hole.
Oct. 11, 1978
Principal photography started under the direction of Gary Nelson. To this date a total of $3,620,310 had been charged against the production reflecting the cost from first story purchase written by Barbash and Landau in 1974.
April 20, 1979
Principal photography completed.
August 3, 1979
We are still in post-production, filming the second-unit miniatures and special effects. We expect a completed film by November 23, 1979, which is scheduled for release date to theatres December 20, 1979. To this date, we have spent almost $18,000,000 and the final cost will probably be close to $20,000,000.
The film opened domestically in the United States on December 21, 1979 to [from what I can tell] generally favorable reviews.
Original release:
| RCA CED | RCA 10724 |
|---|---|
| VHS | 11VS |
| Beta | 11BS |
| Laserdisc | 11AS |
| Super 8 (Digest) | 650 |
Anchor Bay video re-release:
| DVD Widescreen/Pan & Scan | DV10732 | 01313-10732-94 |
|---|---|---|
| VHS Pan & Scan | SV10703 | 01313-10703-30 |
| VHS Widescreen | SV10704 | 01313-10704-39 |
| VHS Limited Edition | SV10705 | 01313-10705-38 |
As listed above, there was a Super 8 digest version of the film available, as well as 16mm prints - although the 16mm prints were not available for purchase by the general public.
Since the film has been re-released on VHS and DVD by Anchor Bay, you should be able to get a copy from any respectable video retailer. For details on the re-release click here, or see #4.
Ok, here are the details on the different transfers/releases of the film:
Super 8 Digest:
Given the abridged nature of this version of the film some dialog is truncated, or for no obvious reason omitted (ex. In the release version of the film, when Reinhardt is pinned under the view screen there is a zoom shot with a voice over where Reinhardt says "more light" - in the digest version the zoom shot is presented sans dialog.)
The picture quality on this film is excellent, with very good (if not stunning) color, contrast, and detail. The sound, however, like most Super 8 films with mag-stripe soundtracks that I have come across, has an excessive amount of treble present on the soundtrack.
Additionally, instead of panning and scanning the original widescreen film frames, abrupt (and somewhat confusing) jump cuts to the other portion of the original frame are made.
Original Laserdisc, Videotape, and CED release:
The transfer is unusual - it is an anamorphic pan and scan. In order to fit more of the original widescreen (2.35:1) image of the film onto the television screen (which has an aspect ratio of 1.33:1) the telecinist apparently transferred this film anamorphically at approximately 1.85:1 (hence the thin, vertically stretched look of the characters in this transfer of the film; circles look somewhat elliptical). Since the telecinist didn't squeeze the entire image on the video there still is some panning and scanning necessary during the film. (A good example is in the opening credits, where the telecinist had to pan & scan on the Director of Photography, and Story By credits.) The anamorphic presentation does however reduce the amount and severity of panning-and-scanning, and the use of jump cuts as compared to the Disney Channel Version.
The color (weak and off tone wise) as well as the contrast and detail in the transfer are quite poor. There is also some smearing evident in the transfer, an artifact of the old tube telecine video cameras used to transfer the film. (The difference between this and the DVD transfer is like night and day.)
Sound is ok. Laserdisc and CED sound is stereo, the VHS videotape is linear mono. (No details available on the BETA version - please contact me if you own this.)
No closed captioning present.
Running time: 1:35:04
TV Edit:
In this version there are some minor (some might say random) cuts here and there to make the movie run slightly shorter - probably to add time for commercials. I only noticed two cuts in this version: the first was a shot removed from the Cygnus flyby near the beginning of the film, and the second was the removal/clipping of two lines in the post-dinner discussion scene (perhaps accidentally?):
I do not know if this version is Closed Captioned.
Running time: Approximately 1:32:42 [incomplete credits on my copy]
Disney Channel Version:
This version is Closed Captioned for the hearing impaired. The closed captioning seems well done from what I've seen of it. The credits of the closed captioning are as follows:
Running time: 1:35:01
Anchor Bay Re-Release:
This section has been left here for historical purposes, in addition to illustrating what could be included in a special edition release of the film.
The details from the original post:
Hi, it's me again -- the "leaker" with a valuable source inside BVHV.
This should make lots of laserdisc fans happy.
This Christmas, Disney will be releasing an Exclusive Archive Edition version of 1979's "The Black Hole."
This disc will be all-CAV, the film has been digitally remastered, and it will be letterboxed (2.35:1). It will feature a newly-remixed four-channel Dolby Pro Logic stereo surround mix, and also be remixed for 5.1-channel Dolby Digital (AC-3).
The movie will be on four sides. A third disc will feature supplementary materials that, as of now, include the following:
•Theatrical teaser.
•Theatrical trailer.
•Two deleted scenes (not restored within the movie).
•An alternate ending.
•Behind-the-scenes making of feature, with 1979 interviews with the likes of Anthony Perkins, Maximilian Schell, Ernest Borgnine, Yvette Mimieux and director Gary Nelson.
•Publicity and promotional materials.
•Storyboards and conceptual drawings and paintings.
•Merchandising materials
•A look at the special effects process.
•Articles focusing on the controversy surrounding this, Disney's first "PG"-rated film.
Disney is currently in the final stages of negotiating the rights to isolate the musical score on the other analog channel. If not, they're fully prepared to go ahead with an isolated music and effects track (I still don't know why this makes a difference as far as copyright approvals go).
This boxed CAV set will be released for Christmas (barring the usual delays and production snafus) and will most likely sell for $100, like the CAV "Tron."
"The Black Hole" has consistently been at the top of the request list for Disney titles to be remasterd and released. Historical note: the film earned 2 Oscar nominations in 1979 for Best Visual Effects and Best Cinematography. In this light, it's about time a laserdisc edition was produced that did justice to the film's superior technical qualities and impressive production design.
Anchor Bay has acquired the rights for "The Black Hole," in addition to several other live action Disney films from the late seventies and early eighties. The street date for the DVD and VHS releases was March 30th, 1999. The details:
DVD
The DVD (Catalog # DV10732 / UPC# 01313-10732-94) features full-frame and widescreen versions with Dolby Surround® 5.1 audio. The disc also includes a theatrical trailer, and a still gallery. (Some of the deleted scenes would have been nice! -dw)
The first release of this DVD contained a mastering flaw - the Dolby Surround® 5.1 sound track is missing the front right channel. To avoid this problem I suggest you buy a new, not used copy. Corrected versions have a red dot on the shrinkwrap next to the UPC symbol, and feature the overture (on the widescreen side) in 5.1 sound.
VHS
There are 3 different VHS versions:
1. Full Frame Anniversary Edition (Catalog# SV10703 / UPC# 01313-10703-30) - packaged in a metallic purple clamshell case ($14.95)
2. Widescreen Collectors Edition (Catalog# SV10704 / UPC# 01313-10704-39) - packaged in a metallic red clamshell case with original poster art on front ($14.95)
3. Limited Edition Set (Catalog# SV10705 / UPC# 01313-10705-38) - packaged in a 8" x 12" x 1 7/8" tin container / digitally restored widescreen version (2.35:1) / restored audio featuring dolby surround with theatrical overture / original trailer / full-size reproductions of nine original lobby cards / 48 page 7" x 7.5" collectors book with rare photos & essays / in-depth written interviews with director Gary Nelson & matte artist Harrison Ellenshaw / cast & crew bios / detailed descriptions of the Academy Award nominated special effects, written by members of the team who created them / scripted abandoned alternate ending by Harrison Ellenshaw ($39.99) This edition is limited to 10,000 copies.
The quality of this release is excellent - so good that it reveals flaws in the original film!
As far as I know there were at least two scenes cut from the film:
This is the scene as found in the shooting script dated 10/4/78:
FADE IN
1 EXT. OUTER SPACE 1
BEHIND THE TITLES, we see the perpetual darkness and
the star-strewn vastness of the deepest reaches of
space. In the far distance, a tiny dot of light moves
TOWARD THE CAMERA traveling at a great rate of speed.
This is the U.S.S. Palomino. Explorer craft. A
functional ship, its exterior bears out its use and
wear of time.
BOOTH (V.O.)
December 24th. Aboard the
U.S.S. Palomino. Man's long
search for life in the last
uncharted area of this galaxy
is drawing to a close.
The Palomino races right TO THE CAMERA, and WE TRACK INTO:
1A INT. THE PALOMINO's LABORATORY COMPARTMENT - 1A
THRU THE VIEWPORT TO HARRY BOOTH
55, journalist, scientifically knowledgable, inquisitive,
sometimes abrasive, speaking into a small tape recorder.
BOOTH
(continuing)
Based upon five years research
by the fair-haired boy of the
scientific world - Dr. Alex Durant...
CAMERA PANS TO DURANT, 33, scientist, astro-physicist,
a man of coiled tension, deeply frustrated by the
failure of his mission, but humorous enough to make
a small bow in Harry's direction. With Durant, feeding
data into a computer is DR. KATE McCRAE, 27, doctorate
in astro-geophysics, bright, direct and humorous. All
show signs of weariness.
BOOTH
(continuing)
...this expedition has concluded
eighteen months of the most extensive
exploration, and netted, as have all
past searches, nothing.
Booth switches off the recorder and looks at Durant
with sympathy.
BOOTH
(continuing)
Not quite the way we'd expected
to celebrate Christmas Eve, is it?
DURANT
(manages a smile)
Beats fighting the mobs of
last-minute shoppers.
Kate laughs, rises and moves to leave the Lab-
2 INT. COMMAND COCKPIT - FAVORING VINCENT 2
an all-purpose personality-plus ROBOT with the ability
to respond and react to voice communication, and to
send and receive ESP messages to and from Kate. Jack-
of-all-trades and master of most, Vincent is cocksure
of his capabilities and quick with a quip. At the
controls is First Officer CHARLES PIZER, 24, ambitious,
inclined to take risks, often ruled more by emotion
than practicality. Inside the command console is a 3-D
scanner, glowing pale green and showing stars and
constellations.
PIZER
I'm starving...
VINCENT
(lights twinkling
merrily)
What else is new?
PIZER
(a 'look')
Nothing in the galley, I expect.
What's on the menu?
VINCENT
Dehydrated turkey. Dehydrated --
PIZER
(cutting him off;
sighing)
Vincent, I envy you.
VINCENT
Why, Lieutenant?
PIZER
No taste buds. Now if I were
home, I'd sit down to a feast.
Roast turkey with oyster stuff-
ing, sweet potatoes in orange
sauce, vegetables, salad, mince
pie...
His expression is blissful until Vincent, lights
twinkling again, adds:
VINCENT
Bicarbonate of soda...
Pizer pushes out of his chair and floats toward the
hatch, hits him none too lightly on the shoulder.
PIZER
Take her home, Heart of Steel.
VINCENT
(somewhat wistful)
Home for you, Mr. Pizer. But
up here's the only home I know.
Vincent plugs into the console.
3 INT. THRUSTER/GENERATOR POWER COMPLEX - WITH HOLLAND 3
DAN HOLLAND is lean and fit at 25, a veteran command
pilot, seasoned and capable but no superman. He is
working at the computer in the small complex below
decks when Kate floats down. The feeling between
them runs strong and deep, despite their keeping it
light thus far, for obvious reasons.
KATE
Think it'll hold together long
enough to get us home?
HOLLAND
(grins)
How can you have any doubts
with Super-pilot at the controls?
KATE
Humility is one of your most
endearing qualities.
HOLLAND
After eighteen months, I'm
glad you've found some.
(beat)
I'll be sorry to see this Mission
end.
KATE
I don't give up so easily.
There'll be others. And I'll
charm the powers that be into
assigning you and Vincent to
the team.
HOLLAND
"The powers that be" have
other plans for Vincent.
KATE
Like what?
HOLLAND
Like the scrap heap.
He starts to add something, but she cuts him off, irate.
KATE
They can't do that to Vincent.
I won't let them.
HOLLAND
(amused)
What would you do about it?
KATE
I don't know. Something.
Adopt him, maybe.
HOLLAND
There's just one hitch. Vincent
and I've been together a long
time. We're a package deal.
KATE
(teasing)
Aren't you a bit long in the
tooth for adoption?
HOLLAND
That wasn't what I had in mind.
He kisses her. She comes out of it a little breathless.
VINCENT (V.O.)
Captain, I regret the interruption,
but there is something up here I
think you should see.
References to and photographs of this scene exist in most of the extant promotional materials - trading cards (#70-72), poster book, and "The Black Hole Storybook" hardback.
This is the scene as found in the shooting script dated 10/4/78:
328 INT. CORRIDOR - THE GROUP 328
making their way along in the sudden eerie silence.
The far end of the corridor is completely blocked
with wreckage...impassable.
KATE
It's over. The storm is over.
Ahead, Bob places the end of his arm into a door which
opens for him, REVEALING the power center.
329 INT. THE POWER CENTER - THE GROUP 329
A swaying catwalk crosses over the damaged reactors
below which are leaking hydrogen.
KATE
Dan, this could go at any minute.
Holland nods, steps out onto the catwalk which sways
dangerously beneath his weight.
HOLLAND
Any way around this, Bob?
BOB
No, Captain. And we can't go
back through Agriculture.
HOLLAND
Okay. Take Kate across.
She looks at him, and starts to protest.
HOLLAND
(continuing;
snapping it out)
Now.
Bob extends his arm. Kate grasps it. They jet off.
HOLLAND
You and Vincent go next, Charlie.
PIZER
Too much weight.
VINCENT
(extending his arm)
Nothing ventured, nothing
gained, Mr. Pizer. I'll fly
over the catwalk...just in
case.
Pizer takes his arm, and they start across.
330 MOVING SHOT - BOB AND KATE 330
hovering their way across the power center moving
within growing clouds of leaking hydrogen and anti-
matter.
KATE
Vincent, hurry. You've got to
get back for Dan.
331 ANGLE ON HOLLAND 331
looking down, realizing he'll soon have to make a move.
He starts out on the catwalk which sways dangerously
beneath his weight. He tries to balance himself, moves
on.
332 MOVING SHOT - VINCENT AND PIZER 332
Pizer chokes on the ascending cloud of hydrogen and
starts COUGHING uncontrollably.
VINCENT
Hold tight, Mr. Pizer.
333 ANGLE ON BOB AND KATE 333
at the far side. He gets her to safety. She looks
back.
334 POV SHOT - HOLLAND 334
The catwalk snaps in the middle. Holland lurches for-
ward, grabbing for a hold and riding it down and forward
toward the far side.
335 FLASH CUTS OF THEIR REACTIONS 335
KATE
Dan!
336 ANGLE ON HOLLAND 336
still hanging on, CRASHING against the far wall, some
distance below the others. He grimaces with pain at
the impact of the slam against the wall. He looks down.
337 POV SHOT - THE STEAM 337
rising toward him, enveloping him. Holland starts to
COUGH. He tries to begin the climb up, but slips,
hangs on grimly.
338 ANGLE ON THE GROUP 338
trying to see through the clouds of steam.
KATE
Dan?
HOLLAND (V.O.)
Get 'em out of here, Charlie.
VINCENT
I think Bob and I can bring him
up, Mr. Pizer.
PIZER
Go to it.
The two robots hover down into the steam. Kate and
Pizer open the heavy door and wait anxiously.
339 MOVING SHOT - BOB, HOLLAND AND VINCENT 339
appearing through the drifting clouds, the robots
holding the battered Holland between them.
340 INT.THE CORRIDOR OUTSIDE THE POWER CENTER-THE GROUP 340
The two robots hover along, turning to look at:
341 POV SHOT -HOLLAND, PIZER AND KATE 341
Pizer and Kate half supporting the dazed and limping
Holland between them. A cut on Holland's forehead is bleed-
ing. Kate tries to staunch the wound as best she can.
Misc. Cut Dialog
Additionally, there is some minor dialogue present on the "Story of The Black Hole" album that is not present in the film. I've broken the dialog down by the part of the film the dialog occurs in on the album.
[Entry into Cygnus reception]
The Novelization: "The Black Hole"
There are a few differences between the book written by Alan Dean Foster (paperback ISBN #0-345-28538-7) and the film:
The Storybook: "The Black Hole Storybook"
The storybook, adapted by Shep Steneman, seems to be based on an earlier revision of the script given that it contains a number of things omitted from the final film:
At one point in the storybook, Reinhardt says, "It has been said that only alone can a man achieve his full potential for greatness." This, as Dave Mattingly (matte artist on the film) relates, is a quote from Hitler:
There's one interesting facet to THE BLACK HOLE that I know nobody else has talked about, and that's that I still think that this film has an Hitlerian overtone to it. But I can't seem to get anybody to talk about it. There were a lot of things in the original script, lines that since have been cut. At one point Reinhardt said, "It is only alone that a man can achieve his full potential," or words to that effect, and then someone asks him, "Who said that?" And he pauses and replies, "Goethe. Whenever in doubt, it must be Goethe." But it was Hitler who said that. Now, basically the story is about Reinhardt's whole crew being turned into automatons and killed. And the machinery takes over, which in certain discussions I'd had with people was supposed to reflect a Nazi Germany-type effect in the film. The machinery had taken over and it was no longer a human system. But when I started to mention that...well, at first certain key people confirmed that the writers had had this in mind, but then, when I started to persue it and say, "OK, then what about this and this and all this?", everybody started getting real nervous about it. They said, "Uh, no...it's not true." So I would think that it was originally written into the script that way, and I believe that was what they had in mind. But I also think that a lot of people thought that was real pretentious, so there hasn't been any further discussion about that interesting end of it.
Another line in the storybook that reflects the Hitler/Nazi overtone to the film is during Reinhardt's tour of the power center when he tells Booth... "To become what we are capable of becoming, Mr. Booth, is the only end in life. I am about to prove it."
Reinhardt expounding on the role of people in his new world beyond the black hole: "Perhaps none. On board this ship I have the beginning of an entirely self-sustaining mechanical civilization. It responds to my orders and..."
Reinhardt on Kate's ESP: "Your E.S.P. will ensure that news of our success gets back to the Palomino and the world. You will be helping to complete the mission your father gave his life for."
The Comic Books
The comic book series for the film consists of four issues. The first two issues cover the original story pretty faithfully with some minor changes in the story (i.e. Reinhardt, not Maximillian, kills Durant; the detour through engineering in the escape sequence is included). The second issue ends with Vincent suggesting they should explore the new universe they've ended up in. The third issue "Beyond The Black Hole," picks up where the second issue left off, detailing the first part of their adventure in a parallel dimension.
Details on the fourth issue, which seems to be somewhat rare, have kindly been provided by Chris Rozee:
The crew of the Palomino escape from the parallel-universe Cygnus in an escape craft, taking Old B.O.B. (who survives in this universe) with them. Old Bob explains some of the phenomenon to his new friends (comets zig-zag, the ship they saw when they passed through the Black Hole was really them reflected in a curve in time, etc). Bob also, in an effort to make the crew feel more at home, jets out into space and paints the name "Palomino" on the escape craft. Bob tells the crew about his past, how he was built on the planet Tyr, was originally programmed to care for children, the conquest of Tyr by Reinhardt, and his capture by Reinhardt. Bob also informs the crew that Dr. Reinhardt has conquered every planet he has found except the planet of the Virlights whose force fields he can't penetrate. Needing supplies and in hopes of a potential ally, they point the Palomino toward the Virlight planet. ...
Landing on the planet, they head towards the main city ALPH, finding a young child on the way. They next run into a group of Virlights who mistake them for Reindhart's humanoid robots, assuming they have kidnapped the child. The Virlights freeze them with a paralyzing ray and leave them to rust. Vincent, who was scouting ahead, returns and steals a Virlight gun, reversing the ray and unfreezing the Palomino crew from their stasis. Charlie trips and starts bleeding and the Virlights realize they are human not robots. The Virlights take them into the city where they are taken to the Temple of Truth. The priest and priestess hear their story, believe it and offer help. Just then a Virlight enters the temple to inform them that the new Palomino has been stolen. The comic concludes: "Trapped in another universe with no way to get home, Dan, Charlie, Kate an Vincent await their fate Beyond the Black Hole. Join us next time in Isssue #5!!! Near as I can tell, Issue 5 was never released though.
A side note: the caricature of Anthony Perkins' character (Dr. Durant) in this comic looks suspiciously like Weird Al Yankovich. Really.
The only official release of John Barry's soundtrack for the film was the original LP, released in 1979 on Buena Vista Records (cat. #5008). It contains most of the music used in the film.
Here's the tracklist (with track times):
| Overture (2:27) | Durant Is Dead (2:31) |
| Main Title (1:46) | Start The Countdown (3:51) |
| The Door Opens (3:38) | Laser (2:15) |
| Zero Gravity (5:53) | Into The Hole (5:00) |
| Six Robots (1:59) | End Title (2:34) |
For some more information on the soundtrack we go to a post from Marc St. Stephen:
Based on what I learned from Lucas Kendall (who publishes Film Score Monthly) Disney is sitting on the rights and master tapes to The Black Hole and will not reissue it on CD or allow anyone else to do so unless someone throws a great wad of money in their face and/or somehow proves to them beyond a shadow of a doubt that the re-release of The Black Hole will make tons of money for Disney.
Bootleg CD's
There have been two major bootleg releases of the film's soundtrack. The first bootleg release was paired with the Barry's score for "The Last Valley" - both of which are presented in MONO on this CD. The second bootleg of the soundtrack was put out by an Italian bootleg label, Mask, in July 1999. They paired "The Black Hole" with Barry's soundtrack to "Howard The Duck," and includes as bonus tracks "Star Crash" and "You Only Live Twice." The quality of the Mask release is unknown at this time.
I have also seen some small runs of CD-R's mastered from vinyl copies of the album - naturally, quality varies with the expertise behind the mastering of the individual CD-R's. The same proviso also applies to the bootleg CD's, as it is incredibly unlikely the bootleggers would have access to anything better than vinyl copies of the score.
Other Black Hole Related Soundtracks
In addition to the Buena Vista release of the film's soundtrack, Mego put out an LP with music from The Black Hole. Details on this and many other recordings with music from the Black Hole are listed below, courtesy of Nicolas Dage:
You also can find BLACK HOLE music on CD collections :
Fantastic Journey - Telerac 80231 (1990) : Main Title, plus one separate track of black hole sound effect.
Music From The Galaxies - K-Tel NCD 3411 (1995) : Here is a very interesting recording. For some people it's a demo for the main theme. The fact is you can recognize the main theme, but it's played very slow and in a more hypnotic way. The last minute suggest the abrupt apparition of Captain S.T.A.R. or any sentry robots (Perhaps Maximilian).
Space And Beyond - Silva Screen FilmxCd 195 (1996) : An excellent suite of the rescue of Kate, Gravity Zero and Laser.
Sci-Fi's Greatest Hits Vol 1 - Final Frontiers - TVT 1950-2 (1999) . the original Overture.
[In any case, it's a great shame that the first all digitally recorded film score has not been released on any digital format to date. -dw]
There were two other records put out by the Disney Corporation in conjunction with the film - the Read Along Record Book, and the Story of album.
For a detailed list of most, if not all other Black Hole merchandise produced, check out Chris Rozee's page for details - or pictures at least. See the next section for the web address.
Sure, and here's a list of the major Black Hole related pages on the Web:
The Black Hole Page - This is Chris Rozee's excellent site. Recommeded reading!
http://www2.crosswinds.net/halifax/~crozee/black_hole/
The Story of The Black Hole - HTMLized that is. Requires Internet Explorer to view.
Currently being reworked. New url will be added when it becomes available.
Disney's The Black Hole - This is my site. It contains the FAQ, widescreen images from the film, pictures of Black Hole memorabilia, period reviews, all these links, and more.
http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Shire/6822/
Here's the current list of articles that I know exist regarding "The Black Hole."
Reviews: (National publications only)
Newsweek (December 24, 1979) - A review of the film as well as a short piece on Peter Ellenshaw.
Time (December 31, 1979)
Cinefantastique (Vol 9 #3&4 - Double Issue)
Articles About The Film:
Dynamite for Kids! (December 22, 1979) - Carried nationally in various newspapers. This brief article does contain some interesting information about the film.
American Cinematographer (January 1980) - A whole issue dedicated to the film.
Future Life #13 (September 1979) - Brief article (just over one page) with five pieces of conceptual art.
Disneyland Vacationland (Fall/Winter 1979-80) - Very small article that spans four pages, sparsely decorated with pictures from the film. Only notable for two photographs - a shot from the deleted "Christmas Turkey" scene (probably the same as the trading card), and a production shot (blue screen visible) from the beginning of the film in the control tower.
Cinefantastique (Vol 9 #3&4 - Double Issue) - A double issue of this film magazine almost entirely dedicated to the film.
Starlog (February 1980) - Interviews with Ron Miller (the film's producer) and Joseph Bottoms (Pizer).
Famous Monsters (#161 & 162)
There are three minor, and one major goof made in the film:
Fourth Revision (2/7/2000):
Thanks for taking the time to read all of this - I hope it was both helpful and informative.
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Denis W
This page is exclusively maintained by Denis Warburton.