Meet Me In St. Louis / Easter Parade - Judy Garland? (1 Viewer)

[Andrew Budgell]

I have just finished reading Warner's now-September DVD slate and while I am excited about such DVDs as the 1949 version of "Little Women" starring Elizabeth Taylor, I am dissapointed that they neglected Judy Garland. Wasn't "Meet Me In St. Louis" and "Easter Parade" supposed to be released this year? It's said that another Easter is almost here, and I have to watch my crappy video.

Andy

 

[Kelly V]

I work at a video store in St Louis and I can tell you,
the people here are MAD! I get more grousing every holiday season about these two titles - especially MMISL - than I get about the long register lines. Do the studios not understand how many seniors and mainstreamers have embraced DVD? If my seniors have to go another Christmas without their Judy Garland, I'm gonna have to brush up on my CPR skills!
We really want our Meet Me in St Louis in St Louis!

 

[Jeff_HR]

I want it badly too! Fortunately I have the CAV Laserdisc version which is very nice. But a top notch DVD with extras & a commentary would be amazing.

P.S. Where did you see the Warners Sept slate?

 

[Roger Rollins]

It has been mentioned several times here and on other websites that both MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS and EASTER PARADE are undergoing extensive restoration, which take a great deal of time (and money) to complete. I think it's likely they will be getting the deluxe treatment Warner Brothers recently lavished on SINGIN' IN THE RAIN. Well worth waiting for, IMHO.

 

[Robert Crawford]

Warner chat on 4/22/03, somebody needs to ask about these titles.

 

[BBbrowd]

It is really great news to hear that both films are receiving restorations. I was surprised but very happy that "the Harvey Girls" was released on DVD even before "Easter Parade" or "Meet Me". The Harvey Girls picture quality is so amazing. Just wish the sound would have been "bigger".

There is so much of the Garland catalog that deserves quality DVD releases. It really does leave me dumb struck that so much trash gets released on DVD, and the great films stay tucked away. I guess I just don't want to admit to myself what is most popular in today's culture.

 

[george kaplan]

Both are certainly very high on my wish list.

 

[Joe Caps]

Whenevr Warners doesnt want to bother to release something, they automatically sayit needs restoration. These two films had technicolor restorations done for laserdisc just a few years ago. How many times do they have to be restored?

 

[Chuck L]

I am very anxious to have Meet Me In St Louis...was hoping that it would be this year...Then again, it still can happen I quess in the fall or winter...

 

[Jeff_HR]

Whenevr Warners doesnt want to bother to release something, they automatically say it needs restoration. These two films had technicolor restorations done for laserdisc just a few years ago. How many times do they have to be restored?

I'm curious about that too Joe. I'm sure an "insider" will inform us of the facts.

 

[Roger Rollins]

SINGIN' IN THE RAIN was given a "technicolor restoration" for laserdisc, and the results of that old transfer pale (quite literally) in comparison to WB's latest DVD. It's certainly promising that they would want to do the same kind of first-class upgrade on the 2 Garland classics.

To insinuate that Warner has no interest in these titles is laughable. Both films been hugely successful in all media (including video) for years. WB indicated during the last chat that they were "in the works", and it would be foolish to assume that this is still not the case. The company's most recent schedule announcement proves they certainly are gearing up for a more aggressive release schedule of older titles.

As Mr. Crawford wisely suggests, someone should indeed bring this up during next week's chat with WB.

 

[Jefferson]

I agree, i dont understand the release of
some of the lesserknown or lesser requested titles
being released first.

TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME? ANCHORS AWEIGH?
1949 LITTLE WOMEN?

I admit i am biased (and i like those films) but...
before MEET ME IN ST LOUIS?

The Laser box set of MMISL
had great extras.
I hope the dvd is done in a similar fashion.

 

[Greg_M]

Warner Bros. Seems to follow as strick schedule when it comes to releasing musical films: twice a year - April and October.

Fred Astaire and Ginger Rodgers films are rumored also "Finain's Rainbow" So like the Cole Porter promotion this April we should see a Fred Astarie promotion in October. Maybe "Meet Me in St Louis" will be released then also, if not, I guess you will have to wait until next spring for the next possible release.

Apparently musical films only sell in April and October since that seems to be the months most have been released.

 

[Jeff_HR]

Apparently musical films only sell in April and October since that seems to be the months most have been released

I'm curious as to Warners reasoning behind this.

 

[ScottR]

Next year is St. Louis' 60th Anniversary, so maybe....of course this year is Easter Parade's 55th and no release. :frowning:

 

[Greg_M]

Also seems that August is the only month to release horror films (in time for Halloween?) Westerns also seem to be limited to April/May

 

[DaViD Boulet]

Yet another consumer patiently awaiting these titles...and confident that Warner will do them justice in full restored glory...my MMISL laser will have to do for now...

Hey Chuck,

I noticed your "peanuts movie" wish list. That "Snoopy come home" movie brought TEARS to my eyes as a little kid. I still get chocked up when I think of that them song: "Snnoooopy, Snoooopy, Snoopy Snoopy come home..come home..."

 

[Ken_McAlinden]

SINGIN' IN THE RAIN was given a "technicolor restoration" for laserdisc, and the results of that old transfer pale (quite literally) in comparison to WB's latest DVD.

I don't agree. The differences between the THX laserdisc (roughly concurrent with the first SitR DVD) and the recent video release from the digitally composited separations are subtle at video resolution. Even the 1991 laserdisc was relatively close given improvements in digital telecine since it was made. All versions prior to that one (including the Criterion laserdiscs) were sourced from an archival Eastmancolor negative that really was pretty poor.

Regards,

 

[Brook K]

Warner did a great job on A Star Is Born and other Garland films so at least there's some available, though I too wish it wasn't taking so long for Meet Me In St. Louis.

Somebody needs to ask why Warner isn't releasing any James Cagney movies. I want Yankee Doodle Dandy even more than Meet Me.

 

[DaViD Boulet]

The differences between the THX laserdisc (roughly concurrent with the first SitR DVD) and the recent video release from the digitally composited separations are subtle at video resolution.

Compare that first DVD with the current DVD on a front-projection system, It's more than subtle a difference (the first DVD/Laser has lots of registration problems which cause a green "halo" around lots of contours which are thankfull absent on the new DVD. I never knew this until I brought my old SITT DVD to screen on a projector...I had thought it was "reference" quality up until that point.

-dave