Eric Peterson
Senior HTF Member
- Joined
- Aug 2, 2001
- Messages
- 2,959
- Real Name
- Eric Peterson
Fritz Lang was one of the masters of Film Noir, yet there are several of his highly praised films still unavailable on DVD and a number of lesser films that are also absent. I would like to narrow down, who owns the rights to these films. This will focus on his Hollywood output. I realize that several of these are available in other regions, but the hassles of ordering those along with the extra costs are something I only take on rarely.
I'm absolutely shocked that films of this caliber can still be missing from the format. Several of which saw VHS releases.
Does anybody have any info that I've missed?
- You and Me (1938) - A crime drama starring George Raft and Sylvia Sydney. This was released on VHS by Universal, so I would assume that they are still the rights holder.
- Western Union (1941) - A Robert Young/Randolph Scott western that was produced by Fox. This was released on DVD by Fox in Region 2 only, and on VHS.
- Ministry of Fear (1944) - A highly acclaimed film noir starring Ray Milland. This was produced by Paramount and released on VHS by Universal. Where's the DVD?
- Secret Beyond the Door (1948) - Another highly acclaimed film noir starring Joan Bennett. This was distributed by Universal, but I can't find any record of it on home video. Does Universal own the rights to this too?
- American Guerilla in the Phillipines (195) - A Tyrone Power war film that was produced by 20th Century Fox. I found a copy on Amazon, but I question it's authenticity. Does Fox still own the rights to this too?
- Rancho Notorious (1952) - An excellent western starring Marlene Dietrich. This was an RKO production, so I would assume that this is now in WB's hands. I've never heard any substantial rumors about this title though, and that really shocks me. [COLOR= rgb(255,0,0)]Available in WB Archive[/COLOR]
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Human Desire (1954) - I caught this film noir on TCM last week and thoroughly enjoyed it. How can you lose with Glenn Ford and Gloria Grahame. This was a Columbia production, so I would assume it's a Sony property. Maybe we'll see this in one of their Noir sets later this year. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. - Moonfleet (1955) - Swashbuckling adventure starring Stewart Granger. [COLOR= rgb(255,0,0)]Available in WB Archive[/COLOR]
- While the City Sleeps (1956) - One of Lang's most respected Noirs and stars Dana Andrews and George Sanders. This was an RKO production, so likely under WB's control now. I can't understand what is holding this title up? I would have thought this would have been a candidate for one of their earliest Noir boxes. [COLOR= rgb(255,0,0)]Available in WB Archive[/COLOR]
- Beyond a Reasonable Doubt (1956) - Another noir with Dana Andrews along side Joan Fontaine. Yet another RKO production, and Lang's last film in Hollywood. Where's the DVD? [COLOR= rgb(255,0,0)]Available in WB Archive[/COLOR]
I'm absolutely shocked that films of this caliber can still be missing from the format. Several of which saw VHS releases.
Does anybody have any info that I've missed?