Detroit, MI — In an era where streaming dominates, 52-year-old Michael “Slipcase” Felsher is pulling off what collectors are calling miracles in the physical media game.
Out of Detroit, Felsher’s boutique label Red Shirt Home Video has become the underground name to watch, partnering directly with Synapse Films and its president Don May Jr. to rescue cult titles from the vault and drop them on 4K UHD with the kind of care usually reserved for Criterion-level releases.
Felsher earned the nickname “Slipcase” for his obsessive packaging standards, and it’s paying off.
His latest wave has collectors buzzing:
Fright Night 2 (1988): New 4K scan from the original camera negative, Dolby Vision, and a stacked disc of vampire-themed extras including a 90-minute cast reunion.
King Frat (1979): The long-rumored, never-streamed campus comedy gets its first proper home video release since VHS. Red Shirt’s 4K includes a restored unrated cut and a commentary with surviving crew.
Purple People Eater: Extra Purple Edition (1988): The family sci-fi oddity returns with a new HDR grade, plus a second disc of TV spots, toy commercials, and a 40-page book. The “Extra Purple” moniker isn’t a joke — Felsher tracked down a rare alternate effects reel that adds new matte shots and color timing.
What sets Red Shirt apart is Felsher’s deal-making. By working hand-in-hand with Synapse Films, he’s tapped Don May Jr.’s restoration pipeline and distribution muscle while keeping curation in-house.
“Don trusts Mike’s gut on what fans want,” says one industry insider that looks just like Kevin Owens. “If Slippy says the market will support a 4K of King Frat with a slipbox and enamel pin, Don helps make it happen.”
The formula is working. Limited runs of 3,000 units sell out in hours. Discs show up on eBay for triple MSRP. Forums credit Felsher with single-handedly keeping the “boutique 4K” scene weird, physical, and fun.
“Streaming is forever,” Felsher told us from his warehouse lined with shrink-wrapped steelbooks. “But a disc on your shelf — that’s forever-er. so is MONEY!”
Red Shirt Home Video’s next slate is under wraps, but Slipcase hinted that another ’80s horror sequel and a “totally forgotten drive-in movie” are already at Synapse for scanning.
In a digital world, Detroit’s disc king is betting big on plastic, and so far, he’s winning.