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Clubhouse Detectives [1996] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
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Our Price: £52.95 (subject to change)
The 'Secret Seven' updated, moved to the US, and great scary fun for older kids
Review date: 2006-10-12 Rating: 10 out of 10
This is the first, and my 12 year old daughter says probably the best, of the Club House Detective series of films. There is another three at least: (e.g. Big trouble, Scavanger hunt, and Search for a princess), but sadly these don't seem to be available in the US or UK on DVD - they do sometimes air on Sky though. These other films are far less dark and disturbing than this movie and will suite a younger audience (5+). This DVD film also has a different young cast to the later films, and although the others are `made for TV' they are all very good. These films follow the E. Blyton's 'Secret Seven' type classic plots - they even have a shed club-house (actually an old bus in this movie) - so adults up to no good are being spied on by clever kids (all boys), who solve the mystery of what is going on and call the police just in time to stop any unpleasantness or the crime paying.
The very young age of the cast makes these cute films for adults in kid's company, and the simple jokes and relaxed style of the later films are fairly non-scary for the kids. However in this first film there is a `dead body' in the house next door and it is actually very scary. It's not unlike Fright Night really, although the `baddy' is a normal human, which actually makes it more sinister. This makes this film unsuitable for many under 10s (particularly without adult company) - the finale is worthy of Hitchcock. My son (10) found it scary but enjoyable. So a recommended highly tense, but enjoyable, children's thriller.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Suzanne Barnes
Christopher Bell
Michael Ballam
Jimmy Galeota
Michael Galeota
Creators:
Michael Ballam (Primary Contributor)
Michael Galeota (Primary Contributor)
T.C. Christensen (Cinematographer)
Eric Hendershot (Producer)
Eric Hendershot (Writer)
Michael Amundsen (Editor)
Dickilyn Hendershot (Producer)
Richard A. Malott (Producer)
Troy Rohovit (Producer)
Director(s):
Recording label: Ardustry Home Entertainment
Manufacturer: Ardustry Home Entertainment
EAN: 0783722707135
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Colour, DVD-Video, NTSC,
Release date: 2005-02-15
Universal product code (UPC): 783722707135
Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
Region code: 1
Running time: 85 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1996
Language: English (Original Language)