My copy of The Devil Thumbs A Ride, which I snatched off TCM in 2005 direct to DVD, is more than just acceptable. It's by far the best copy I've ever seen. I'm wondering if that's the upgraded version you speak of and it got a one-shot airing before it got tied up in the legal wrangle. It actually has a Robert Osborne intro -- an amusing one at that -- and he declares that the movie might have been Lawrence Tierney's "finest hour."

Yeah, I don't have high hopes for The 3rd Voice. Then again, Criterion does seem to be getting access to Fox titles for both blu ray release (Nightmare Alley) and the channel (I've seen a solid number of Fox films there). I might have to prod Imogen Sara Smith, who seems to have a little bit of pull in landing hard-to-get titles (the Japanese noir series was quite an impressive collation of films). Maybe that Edmond O'Brien film collection.

Chicago Deadline starring Alan Ladd was a Paramount film but it must be under Universal conotrol now. I'm a little more optimistic it could see the light of day in a far cleaner version. There appears to be a number of companies, with Kino-Lorber leading the way, more than willing to take on some of these more obscure titles. I mean, who ever thought we'd see Desert Fury, Kiss The Blood Off My Hands, Larceny and Highway Dragnet on blu ray?

One title I didn't include was Highway 301 ... the Warner On Demand transfer is acceptable but it could be improved (and properly marketed). It's the least we can do for poor Steve Cochran.