Jimmyr
Auditioning
- Joined
- Jul 27, 2007
- Messages
- 11
- Real Name
- Jimmy
I read this forum often and rarely post as I never have inside information. I do, though, find out many things here. I've had some extra time lately and have been thinking about the future in light of the many discussions on here.
In light of current trends what can really be expected on DVD for some of my favorites (not what I want, but what is likely) :
1. James Stewart
Warners-- Nothing left for a real release except Rose Marie as Warners will likely release Eddy/Macdonald as they have invested in restoration. 13 or so on Archives.
Fox--5 titles but probably none well-known enough for release (I'd love Seventh Heaven) unless they get an archives.
Paramount--Strategic Air Command. Little chance.
Sony--We will surely get Two Rode Together (Likely) A few other titles are highly unlikely.
2. Clark Gable
Warners has almost all he has left. Perhaps Test Pilot, but all rest Archives.
3. Errol Flynn
He sells for Warners and one set is planned as reported here. Beyond that perhaps The Sisters in a Bette Davis set. The rest on archives. I think a less than 50% chance for a set beyond the one on 2010. The Perfect Specimen will never be released as Warners will not invest in fixing the rights issues and I hear Murder At Monte Carlo is a lost film. Still, with the set and archives plenty is on the way.
Others for him are his later stuff ( 1 independent, one Fox, 3 UA (MGM), and one that was released by Republic on VHS) and will probably never see the light of day.
4. Spencer Tracy
Warners-- There was once talk of a set for him but that idea is apparently dead. Without Hepburn he does not sell enough. (As good as he is, who knows why). There is Sea of Grass but you would assume if they thought it would sell it would have been in his sets with Hepburn--so I assume archives. I do believe Northwest Passage will make it. Archives gets many titles.
Fox-- I always thought Stanley and Livingston would make it, but 50-50 at best. All those older titles will never be seen. I would like to have seen them.
5. Henry Fonda
Warners-- Only I Dream Too Much and Slim left (besides That Certain Woman which has a small chance). Both Archives. (only 1960 and back interests me)
Fox-- 8 films but none especially famous. I'd love to see, but very unlikely.
Others--2 Sony, 1 UA (MGM), and 3 Universal all from 1941 and back--highly unlikely.
6. Gary Cooper
Warners- They have been good to us with Mr. Cooper. There is the imfamous waiting on The Hanging Tree. It will either be archives or nothing likely. Warners should ask for a deal with Mr. Cooper's family where restoration costs are recouped first and profits split after that. Warners would still have the risk and the family would have a shot at some profits which they do not now. Only the silent Lilac Time and Good Sam remains otherwise and that is archives.
Universal--They have released some and perhaps might do more. I've heard the rumour of a set but the title Bluebeard's Wife that was said to be part of it is in the coming Colbert set. I don't know what that means. I can't help but believe that The Story of Dr. Wassell and Northwest Mounted Police will be released. But Universal also has at least 14 talking pictures from the early 30s we fans would love to have ( 2 are titles with Cary Grant too--Alice in Woderland and The Devil and the Deep) and I list as a shot in the dark. A chance, but not a good one.
Others--From 1950 and on we have 2 UA (MGM), 1 Fox, and 1 that was released by Republic on VHS-- With Cooper you never know, but unlikey.
7. Cary Grant
Warners--Only 3 left (None But The Lonely Heart, In Name Only, and Suzy). Suzy will be on the Harlow set if it comes, the other 2 are archives.
Universal--Like Cooper he has many from early 30s (11 I think). Again a chance, but a weak one.
Sony- When You're In Love--Unlikely unless in some comedy set.
8. Humphrey Bogart
Warners--He sells too so there is a possibility. Perhaps a set with Battle Circus, Chain Lightning, The Two Mrs. Carrolls, and The Wagons Roll At Night. Many other titles for archives. If there is another Gangsters or themed set one of his early ones might be chosen.
Fox--Left Hand of God and Deadline USA have a chance if they release a few more, but 4 from the early 30s have no chance.
Sony--Knock On Any Door maybe, Love Affair from 1932 no chance.
Universal-- Bad Sister with Bette Davis but little known.
9. Tyrone Power
Warner-- The Rising of the Moon (directed by John Ford) so a chance, but probably archives.
Fox--They have had great success with him but their plans appear up in the air. They have 7 films left and could do one more set.
Universal--The Mississippi Gambler--unlikely.
Sony--Abandon Ship--unlikely
10. John Wayne (some seem to resent him on here perhaps because his filmography is treated better than others by studioes)
Warners--Nothing left as John Wayne sells! 1 with a cameo (I Married a Woman) and 2 with bit parts (College Coach and Central Airport) --archives.
Circus World-Who knows
Republic( Whoever owns it now)-- 13 or so movies from earlier in his career. If someone ever gets the rights, they will likely release them.
Universal-- 7 titles from the 30s that fans would love to see, but if Universal had interest you would think they would have released by now--unlikely.
11. Others
Randolph Scott ( I love but not as popular except in other westerns) Warners has 3 more (I hope to see Shootout At Medicine Bend and Sugarfoot soon). All archives. They have a few other titles for archives as well.
All his other films, sadly, have little chance.
Joel McCrea--some westerns released and more to come on archives. Some on Universal , 1 Fox, and a few UA need to be licensed out to have a chance.
A few older films might have a small chance.
12. Director John Ford
Warners-- They actually have 5 but all lesser known--probably archives.
Sony- Gideon of Scotland Yard--unlikely.
Republic?--The SunShines Bright--unlikely
Fox--Even the big set is out of print. Any title not making that has no chance.
Universal--Air Mail --unlikely.
Sony--The Whole Towns Talking--unlikely unless in a comedy set.
I think I am not overly pessamistic but very realistic. Despite the sadness over some of this, it's hard to complain. The studioes have to make a profit and that is hard these days.
Many of you know so much more about this than I do, please improve my predictions wherever you can.
In light of current trends what can really be expected on DVD for some of my favorites (not what I want, but what is likely) :
1. James Stewart
Warners-- Nothing left for a real release except Rose Marie as Warners will likely release Eddy/Macdonald as they have invested in restoration. 13 or so on Archives.
Fox--5 titles but probably none well-known enough for release (I'd love Seventh Heaven) unless they get an archives.
Paramount--Strategic Air Command. Little chance.
Sony--We will surely get Two Rode Together (Likely) A few other titles are highly unlikely.
2. Clark Gable
Warners has almost all he has left. Perhaps Test Pilot, but all rest Archives.
3. Errol Flynn
He sells for Warners and one set is planned as reported here. Beyond that perhaps The Sisters in a Bette Davis set. The rest on archives. I think a less than 50% chance for a set beyond the one on 2010. The Perfect Specimen will never be released as Warners will not invest in fixing the rights issues and I hear Murder At Monte Carlo is a lost film. Still, with the set and archives plenty is on the way.
Others for him are his later stuff ( 1 independent, one Fox, 3 UA (MGM), and one that was released by Republic on VHS) and will probably never see the light of day.
4. Spencer Tracy
Warners-- There was once talk of a set for him but that idea is apparently dead. Without Hepburn he does not sell enough. (As good as he is, who knows why). There is Sea of Grass but you would assume if they thought it would sell it would have been in his sets with Hepburn--so I assume archives. I do believe Northwest Passage will make it. Archives gets many titles.
Fox-- I always thought Stanley and Livingston would make it, but 50-50 at best. All those older titles will never be seen. I would like to have seen them.
5. Henry Fonda
Warners-- Only I Dream Too Much and Slim left (besides That Certain Woman which has a small chance). Both Archives. (only 1960 and back interests me)
Fox-- 8 films but none especially famous. I'd love to see, but very unlikely.
Others--2 Sony, 1 UA (MGM), and 3 Universal all from 1941 and back--highly unlikely.
6. Gary Cooper
Warners- They have been good to us with Mr. Cooper. There is the imfamous waiting on The Hanging Tree. It will either be archives or nothing likely. Warners should ask for a deal with Mr. Cooper's family where restoration costs are recouped first and profits split after that. Warners would still have the risk and the family would have a shot at some profits which they do not now. Only the silent Lilac Time and Good Sam remains otherwise and that is archives.
Universal--They have released some and perhaps might do more. I've heard the rumour of a set but the title Bluebeard's Wife that was said to be part of it is in the coming Colbert set. I don't know what that means. I can't help but believe that The Story of Dr. Wassell and Northwest Mounted Police will be released. But Universal also has at least 14 talking pictures from the early 30s we fans would love to have ( 2 are titles with Cary Grant too--Alice in Woderland and The Devil and the Deep) and I list as a shot in the dark. A chance, but not a good one.
Others--From 1950 and on we have 2 UA (MGM), 1 Fox, and 1 that was released by Republic on VHS-- With Cooper you never know, but unlikey.
7. Cary Grant
Warners--Only 3 left (None But The Lonely Heart, In Name Only, and Suzy). Suzy will be on the Harlow set if it comes, the other 2 are archives.
Universal--Like Cooper he has many from early 30s (11 I think). Again a chance, but a weak one.
Sony- When You're In Love--Unlikely unless in some comedy set.
8. Humphrey Bogart
Warners--He sells too so there is a possibility. Perhaps a set with Battle Circus, Chain Lightning, The Two Mrs. Carrolls, and The Wagons Roll At Night. Many other titles for archives. If there is another Gangsters or themed set one of his early ones might be chosen.
Fox--Left Hand of God and Deadline USA have a chance if they release a few more, but 4 from the early 30s have no chance.
Sony--Knock On Any Door maybe, Love Affair from 1932 no chance.
Universal-- Bad Sister with Bette Davis but little known.
9. Tyrone Power
Warner-- The Rising of the Moon (directed by John Ford) so a chance, but probably archives.
Fox--They have had great success with him but their plans appear up in the air. They have 7 films left and could do one more set.
Universal--The Mississippi Gambler--unlikely.
Sony--Abandon Ship--unlikely
10. John Wayne (some seem to resent him on here perhaps because his filmography is treated better than others by studioes)
Warners--Nothing left as John Wayne sells! 1 with a cameo (I Married a Woman) and 2 with bit parts (College Coach and Central Airport) --archives.
Circus World-Who knows
Republic( Whoever owns it now)-- 13 or so movies from earlier in his career. If someone ever gets the rights, they will likely release them.
Universal-- 7 titles from the 30s that fans would love to see, but if Universal had interest you would think they would have released by now--unlikely.
11. Others
Randolph Scott ( I love but not as popular except in other westerns) Warners has 3 more (I hope to see Shootout At Medicine Bend and Sugarfoot soon). All archives. They have a few other titles for archives as well.
All his other films, sadly, have little chance.
Joel McCrea--some westerns released and more to come on archives. Some on Universal , 1 Fox, and a few UA need to be licensed out to have a chance.
A few older films might have a small chance.
12. Director John Ford
Warners-- They actually have 5 but all lesser known--probably archives.
Sony- Gideon of Scotland Yard--unlikely.
Republic?--The SunShines Bright--unlikely
Fox--Even the big set is out of print. Any title not making that has no chance.
Universal--Air Mail --unlikely.
Sony--The Whole Towns Talking--unlikely unless in a comedy set.
I think I am not overly pessamistic but very realistic. Despite the sadness over some of this, it's hard to complain. The studioes have to make a profit and that is hard these days.
Many of you know so much more about this than I do, please improve my predictions wherever you can.