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Are there any reviews of the WARNER GANGSTER collection yet?

#1
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1/15/05 at 7:56pm
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Although 2005 has just arrived, I can safely say that the upcoming Warner Gangsters boxed set will be one of the highlight releases of the year....

Since street date is only about 10 days away, does anyone know of any reviews yet?
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#2
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1/15/05 at 10:24pm
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Warner along with some other studios have been giving out their screeners late to the reviewers. That's probably why Herb Kane hasn't posted any reviews here because I know these dvds are some of his most anticipated releases for the year.






Crawdaddy
G.W. McLintock: Camille, you're on your own.
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#3
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1/16/05 at 12:36am
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Understandable, given the holiday break, when most companies virtually shut down for two weeks, and then desperately try to catch up.

We didn't see early reviews on the WB DECISION title winners, but the DVDs were in store on street date and there was plenty of publcity. That's what really matters...

Nonetheless, I eagerly await comments on these releases from the honorable Mr. Kane and Mr. Harris. I expect them to be in line with most Warner classic titles....gorgeous presentations to treasure.
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#4
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1/16/05 at 1:14am
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Roger,

Robert is correct. WB (as well as many of the other studios) have been sending out screeners closer to street dates, presumably due to pirating issues. In fact, you've probably already noticed the new blue pirating warning that appears at the start of the new WB titles...? Obviously this makes completing reviews (particularly larger packages) prior to street dates more difficult.

There will be most definitely be a HTF review.

Herb.
My Top 25 Noirs:

25. 711 Ocean Drive (1950), 24. Odds Against Tomorrow (1959), 23. Desperate (1947), 22. Pushover (1954), 21. The Blue Dahlia (1946), 20. The File on Thelma Jordon (1949), 19. He Ran All the Way (1951), 18. The Asphalt Jungle (1950), 17. The Killing (1956), 16. I Walk Alone (1948),...
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#5
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1/16/05 at 6:44am
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I can understand why they don't want to give out too many copies ahead of time, particularly on the big releases. But do they really think that reputable reviewers (like HTF) are making extra money by pirating DVDs? Frankly, I'm not sure that the black market value of the Warner Gangster Collection would be all that great anyhow. They would probably benefit more from the added publicity.
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#6
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1/16/05 at 6:50am
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But do they really think that reputable reviewers (like HTF) are making extra money by pirating DVDs?

It has nothing to do with HTF, at this time, the studios don't have the time nor inclination to pick and choose among the review sites, thus all of them are being effected by this policy change. Whether their fears are justified is a question only those closed enough to the situation can answer correctly.





Crawdaddy
G.W. McLintock: Camille, you're on your own.
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#7
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1/16/05 at 10:22am
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I am buying these regardless of any reviews

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#8
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1/16/05 at 10:29am
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I preordered without hesitation, just based on Warner's good track record with classic film DVD releases and the goodwill that has resulted in. Other studios should take note of that phenomenon. Give us a quality presentation and package and it will increase sales across the board.
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#9
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1/16/05 at 10:38am
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I second Glenn's post. The upcoming Warners Classic Comedies and Musicals collections are also getting pre-orders from me.
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#10
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1/16/05 at 11:09am
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I saw a commercial on TCM advertising this set complete with clips (presumably from the DVDs).

Some of the clips had some minor print damage, but the underlying image was very clear and sharp. Nobody will be disappointed if these were indeed from the DVDs.

Given the age of these films and the relatively poor quality of prior releases, I'm not going to expect pristine prints. However I have no doubt that these DVDs will present these films looking the best they have since they were first released.

I've pre-ordered this and the Classic Comedies sets. At less than $8 per title, I can't afford NOT to.

Steve
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#11
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1/17/05 at 7:22pm
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Watching White Heat will be tough after learning of the death of star Virginia Mayo today.

It's a shame she passed away just before the release of a DVD which would have brought her back into the limelight so to speak.

Steve
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#12
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1/17/05 at 8:30pm
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I have been waiting for these movies to be released for years. I will be in line at my local Best Buy first thing in the morning to pick this baby up. I hope I won't be dissipointed, and given the box sets from Warner I have recently purchsed (Hitchcock Signiture Collection & Clasic Film Noir Collection) I dont think I will be. I just can't wait!

Best of Film - Jaws, The Godfather Part I & II, Casablanca, M, Citzen Kane, Ben-Hur, The French Connection, Rear Window, King Kong.

Best of Television - The Twilight Zone, M*A*S*H, Night Gallery, I Love Lucy, Hogan's Heroes, Cheers, Monty Python's Flying Circus.

My DVD Collection

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#13
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1/18/05 at 1:09am
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Quote:
I saw a commercial on TCM advertising this set complete with clips (presumably from the DVDs).

Some of the clips had some minor print damage, but the underlying image was very clear and sharp. Nobody will be disappointed if these were indeed from the DVDs.

Given the age of these films and the relatively poor quality of prior releases, I'm not going to expect pristine prints. However I have no doubt that these DVDs will present these films looking the best they have since they were first released..


Steve O:

A reviewer friend has the boxed set (I'm very jealous) and he says the transfers are a revelation. They all look like they're right from the original negatives, according to my friend. He says the packaging, the extras, and the whole assembly will likely make this one of 2005's top releases, even after everyone's short memories fade in December!

The TCM spot was likely cut from the masters TCM uses (which are 10-15 years old) and not from the WB DVD masters.
I've noticed TCM is gradually starting to upgrade their library, but it is a slow process.

Anyway, Here's to a week from today, and the release of these titles, and more impressively, the boxed set. I can't wait!
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#14
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1/18/05 at 9:41am
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Roger,

Thank you very much for the information and for the clarification on what TCM was using.

These will indeed make for very enjoyable watching.

Steve
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#15
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8/14/08 at 2:36pm
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Re: Are there any reviews of the WARNER GANGSTER collection yet?

Regarding the upcoming release of WB Gangster Collection V4, including:

The Amazing Dr. Clitterhouse
Invisible Stripes
Kid Galahad
Larceny, Inc.
The Little Giant
Public Enemies: The Golden Age of the Gangster Film

Will these titles be available individually? What is the history with the earlier WB sets? Were those titles available as individual items?

"Checkmate King Two Out"  "Combat! A Selmur Production"

I'm a 50's - mid-90's TV/DVD Collector. Two DVD shows since '96: Firefly & Smallville

My 2 all-time favorite TV shows: "Combat!" & "The Fugitive"  My 2 all-time best blind-buys: "Smallville" & "Donna Reed Show"

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#16
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8/14/08 at 5:22pm
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Re: Are there any reviews of the WARNER GANGSTER collection yet?

Jeff, I believe the original press release stated that KID GALAHAD was going to be the only title in Volume 4 to be sold separately.

Of course, that can always change, and also, WB has been known to release stand-alone titles from their box sets afterwards. For example, their Marx Brothers and Thin Man collections had exclusive titles that were later sold separately.

George
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#17
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8/15/08 at 8:38am
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Re: Are there any reviews of the WARNER GANGSTER collection yet?

George,

Thanks for the info. I'll have to decide on this one, to get the box set or wait for the one that's been on my "grail" list for a long time..."Invisible Stripes". I'm not familiar with the other films in the set.

"Checkmate King Two Out"  "Combat! A Selmur Production"

I'm a 50's - mid-90's TV/DVD Collector. Two DVD shows since '96: Firefly & Smallville

My 2 all-time favorite TV shows: "Combat!" & "The Fugitive"  My 2 all-time best blind-buys: "Smallville" & "Donna Reed Show"

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#18
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10/21/08 at 1:31pm
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Re: Are there any reviews of the WARNER GANGSTER collection yet?

Does anybody know whether the new collection (Volume 4) is being carried at Costco?
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#19
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10/21/08 at 2:11pm
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Re: Are there any reviews of the WARNER GANGSTER collection yet?

I didn't know this was an old thread, so the first post kind of made me panic for a second:

Quote:
Although 2005 has just arrived,

Noooooooo!
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#20
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10/21/08 at 4:30pm
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Re: Are there any reviews of the WARNER GANGSTER collection yet?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave B Ferris
Does anybody know whether the new collection (Volume 4) is being carried at Costco?
I saw volume 4 at CostCo about the time it was released but it didn't last on the shelves for very long.

Robert Downey Jr is NOT Sherlock Holmes.
"I can not in good conscience recommend Sherlock Holmes (2009)"
-- Leonard Maltin.

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#21
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10/21/08 at 4:35pm
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Re: Are there any reviews of the WARNER GANGSTER collection yet?

It was released today so it did not last on the shelve very long. Going over it now and it looks pretty good. Again all have Warner Night at the Movies and the shorts are almost as good as the films themselves. The transfers look top notch as always. The older cartoons look a little ragged, but still good.
“For God's sake don't say yes until I've finished talking.” - Daryl F. Zanuck  
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#22
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10/21/08 at 6:02pm
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Re: Are there any reviews of the WARNER GANGSTER collection yet?

Lots of commentaries and extras on Volume 4, and I did not get it until late last week. I will try to have a review up by the end of the week, but in the mean time, do not hesitate to pick this one up if you are remotely interested. "Kid Galahad" is a little bit soft, but still quite acceptable (probably did not have an ONeg to start from). The rest of them are even better.

Regards,

Ken McAlinden
Livonia, MI USA

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#23
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10/24/08 at 10:30am
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Re: Are there any reviews of the WARNER GANGSTER collection yet?

Thanks Ken

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