Connecting the Dots

Buying AIP Episodes

So you’re a fan of Adventures in Paradise, and of course, want to be able to watch the show…what can you do?

First of all there are several ways to get episodes. But you should know the issues involved. Since the show was originally released to TV stations only on 16mm film, transfers to video were made, over time, and not everyone doing this process did it correctly, or properly. Also, some were recorded off-air from a CA TV station in Stockton which ran the show for some time, in the 70s. Those eps were recorded at home by viewers and only some of them got good copies. The compilation of all these episodes circulating throughout the collector world have undergone many iterations of copying, and with every process, there is loss of quality to picture and sound.

On the one hand, if an episode is reasonably watchable, I feel it is better than no episode at all. But if it is barely watchable, crossing the line to abysmal, then it’s just a bummer and a tease.

This is why there is a variety of sources (and issues to go along with them) …beginning with this 3 DVD boxed set of 65 episodes.

It was originally packaged to look like this:	And more recently, it was seen on Amazon.com, packaged like this:

The packaging suggests that the AIP episodes are professionally recorded from 16mm film transfers and will be good quality. THIS IS NOT THE CASE. Costing upwards of $200, this set has a few well-done transfers to video, and several mediocre quality episodes, but a substantial number of them are totally poor quality and truly unwatchable. This means the sound and picture image is abominable. The ratings of those who purchased this 65 Episode Set of Adventures in Paradise speak loudly in disappointment…they DO NOT recommend, and have asked for their money back. This is probably why the set of 65 eps is no longer available on Amazon.com

So what to do?
* There are a few episodes on YouTube. Again, they vary in quality.
* There is a Roku channel that someone has recently authored, and so far, there are over 16 episodes on it.
* To purchase DVDs:
GREAT NEWS! Recently, we have found a source in FL, a fan who offers a set of 83 episodes on 19 DVD discs. He says his quality is 7+, and so far, with my purchase of the set, (but not seeing the majority of them as yet) I would concur. None (so far) are of poor quality.

So I recommend this set, as the current definitive way to obtain the entire series, less the 8 episodes no one seems to have.

Contact:
Bob Bertrand
14214 Los Altos St.
Winter Garden, FL 34787
Email: frontkick75@yahoo.com

Bob sells this set for a modest $52 per set!!! You read this right…83 episodes for only $52, plus 8.00 shipping.

The 19 DVDs are not in fancy packaging, but rather in white sleeves, and each disk is only marked AIP 1, 2, 3, and so on. So you cannot tell which episodes are on what disc until you load one in your machine and see the menu. Some have 3, 4, 5 and 6 eps per disc. One nice thing is he has put them on the discs in the order in which they were aired! Nice touch! If asked, Bob will provide a list of the eps, similar to the one posted on this AIP site.

MORE GOOD NEWS! There is a very well-arranged AIP Episode Guide that Jo Addie has written and prepared to accompany this set, and it is available for purchase on this site, below. It is an 8-page bound booklet, (9 ½ by 11 ½) a superlative guide to the AIP series. Including two great black and white pictures--a close-up of Gardner McKay and one production still from Safari at Sea showing the Tiki.

Purchase this book for $25 + $5 (the materials to make each book cost over $10)