THE OLD DARK HOUSE (1932) (1 Viewer)

[warnerbro]

Please, oh please! Could Criterion or someone give us a new restored version of THE OLD DARK HOUSE in HD in Bluray and DVD? This is number one on my wish list and my favorite of all the classic horror films. I know Universal has a fine-grain master. Anyone else interested?

 

[Patrick Donahue]

My #1 want

 

[aPhil]

I long for a good copy of this film. What is available now is almost unwatchable. Yes, give us a restoration of the 1932 The Old Dark House on Blu-ray.

 

[dana martin]

criterion possibility, I like that idea like the did for Island of Lost Souls

 

[Patrick Donahue]

Have a potato...

 

[Lord Dalek]

I think the problem is the copyright expired on this one.

 

[warnerbro]

They do say Universal lost the copyright when the 60s version was made by William Castle, but if you look at the documentary on Universal Horror it is a beautiful print they use of THE OLD DARK HOUSE. It's got to be around somewhere. And, yes, if Criterion would take it on like they did with ISLAND OF LOST SOULS it would be a dream come true! Kino did an okay job, but the print they used (which they claimed was from the original "shrunken" negative) was horrible. At least we have that, but I can't help but dream of a better print out there somewhere.

 

[Patrick Donahue]

If anybody wants to take the initiative, I bet these folks would have some good info...

http://www.parkcircus.com/films/22502-the-old-dark-house

 

[dana martin]

well to hit the trifecta for 1932, WB or WAC need to release a little pre-code film with this handsome guy

 

[dana martin]

oh Cohen, well if it got the same treatment that Jamaica Inn got and was released, I would be happy with that as well

 

[JoeDoakes]

There are some threads on this film over at the Classic Horror Film Board. I think Universal sold the rights to this years ago and, from what I recall, the best print is at MOMA.

 

[aPhil]

The Carolina Theater in Durham, NC, is playing Whale's version of The Old Dark House on Friday May 27, 2016. Not sure yet as to what format

 

[MikeDE]

I had never seen this, so recently picked up the Kino version. It was hard to watch and a disappointment. I'll bet it's a good film if there were a good presentation.

 

[Race Bannon]

I like it. But it is indeed a bizarre sensation watching Charles Laughton in such a lightweight role. And to see such a young Melvyn Douglas.

 

[TheSteig]

Its with Cohen Media , along with Behind Closed Doors, Sudden Fear, Railroaded etc.. Kino lost the rights, and Cohen grabbed them for some eventual blu ray releases ( I hope)

 

[Stefano B]

I've been waiting for a Cohen blu-ray of Sudden Fear for ages, after seeing it screened in a beautiful 2k copy back in 2012...I honestly don't know what's holding them off from releasing it on physical media...

 

[bgart13]

Supposedly, OLD DARK HOUSE *isn't* with Cohen any longer -- it's not listed with them anymore.

 

[warnerbro]

Someone please rescue this amazing film. Someone give us a clear image of Saul changing from a sweet, innocent child-like cherub into a demon-possessed maniac before our eyes!

 

[ajabrams]

Kino lost the rights, and Cohen grabbed them for some eventual blu ray releases ( I hope)

These were part of the Rohauer Collection which was purchased by Cohen Media not only for disc release but also theatrical release. I think there's been a conflict as to whether the rights to OLD DARK HOUSE had been controlled by Rohauer, Universal or the J.B. Priestley Estate (he wrote the original novel)- and that's probably why it's now in limbo.

 

[aPhil]

The upcoming May 27 screening at the Carolina Theater in Durham NC will be from a Blu-ray provided by Kino. It is not known if this is a restoration or simply the HD version of what was released to DVD.