Speculation for Warner Bros. 85th Anniversary Celebration

Re: Speculation for Warner Bros. 85th Anniversary Celebration

If I've read Robert comments right, we've screwed ourselves over in regards to future chats with Warner.

Well, that's wonderful.....

Re: Speculation for Warner Bros. 85th Anniversary Celebration

Sorry to see Warners wont do chats if that is indeed the case. They were a lot of fun, even though I never actually participated in one. Looks like our extra squeaky wheels made themselves noticed.

I've never seen a bias on this site, and found that the moderators and reviewers have been fair in treating each title as it's own entity. Too bad the membership can't be as fair.

Re: Speculation for Warner Bros. 85th Anniversary Celebration

I don't see what all the fuss is about frankly... didn't Warner Bros. just get voted STUDIO OF THE YEAR almost unanimously for the umpteenth time by the members of this forum in the yearly 'HTF Awards'?

Some people were disappointed by what I myself must admit, seemed a bit of a letdown in regards to what was assumed to be a major press release regarding Warner's forthcoming plans for 2008. I presume this is what the 'controversy' is about? If I recall a rep. from WHV made a statement around New Year's that they were to reveal these great plans for upcoming quarters and instead we waited almost two months to find a mostly rehash of what was already known and very little else revealed. So a few people complained... and made speculations. Big deal! The p.r. wasn't very clear at all and nobody can be faulted for expressing their thoughts and opinions in such context when the information is put out to the public, however limited. Is this what everybody is getting worked up over?

Other than this incident, the only 'complaints' I recall were from a misguided thread about some poster's disappointment with Warner Bros. Special Editions of late, in which just about everyone else chimed in to disagree.

Otherwise, I think most of the criticism is quite valid. I've complained in the past and will continue to do so, in regards to the studio's treatment of it's animated properties under control of the Family Division aka the black hat dept. of Warner Home Video. The mastering errors, interlacing, DVNR, production oversights, sourcing of incorrect transfers and overall substandard quality control continues to discredit the studio's otherwise PERFECT slate. Management in that dept. needs to go! I realize it's all more complicated than this and we all need to recognize that one man's hobby is another's business concern... but that's a growing opinion that has yet to be addressed by the studio.

Apart from this, I've noticed no biased against the studio that hasn't been dealt out to others like Fox and Universal, etc. Just because WHV has a stronger relationship with this forum should not keep them exempt from such criticisms, when deserved. Frankly, most of the criticisms about the majority of the big studios (Paramount being the exception) I generally find unwarranted. Fox has been right at the top of my list, a notch below Warner Home Video and Criterion this past year with their fantastic Cinema Classics series and box sets; Terrific transfers, extras, packaging, etc. Yet they garnered many votes for worst studio of 2008. So it's important to remember that this is still the internet, and you are going to get lots of strong opinions which don't necessarily reflect the majority. Surely this is realized by the grownups at Warner Bros Home Video. This is all really petty... I've enjoyed the annual chats very much and hope they continue, but as Joe Karlosi noted, it served equally as promotion for the studio to market their upcoming releases as well. If they chose not to participate anymore... well that's their decision. If anyone tells me it's because I complained that the cover art of the Frank Sinatra releases were crap or because a handful of people were mislead by the whole 85th Ann. press promotion... get real!

Maybe it's just not worth it to them when things like the Tom & Jerry debacle were started over statements/announcements made; and if they're concerned about revealing things too far in advance and plans shifting and not being able to deliver, than maybe it is for the best.

But I haven't seen anybody taking unnecessary shots at the studio to cause this conflict. Judging by all the polls and awards recently, they still seem to be the forum favorite. I don't think we should become apologists when products from any manufacturer fail to deliver though, nor be more sensitive or automatically show favoritism because they've chosen to consult with us in the past. I've always chalked that up to good customer relations; we support their releases and spend thousands of dollars yearly. What more proof is needed that Warner Bros. are held in high regard if not for that 'Studio Of The Year' title?

Re: Speculation for Warner Bros. 85th Anniversary Celebration

Also, another thing to consider is that a strong focus of Warner's recent press release happened to be towards many titles already issued in what many considered definitive standard def releases and I myself am still a bit confused at this new angle/direction. Surely the forum wasn't going to cheer the repackaging of dozens of films which we already own. Save for the long announced Bonnie & Clyde release, everything revealed in the p.r. for the 1st quarter was stuff we already have in our collections.

I guess Warners figures they'll move more units by repackaging the Noir and Gangster sets and giving them a new look and promotion... but to everyone on this forum, it's trivial.

Most of us knew the Dirty Harry films were coming, I asked about them in a thread myself last year. So while it's nice to get confirmation, it wasn't a major announcement. I'm also betting that a majority of posters are not eagerly anticipating every last one of the sequels so I'll admit... nice, but not the most exciting news I've heard this year from Warner Bros!

Q3 is the BIG month! I've read nothing but positive comments about almost everything announced in this quarter. The Flynn and Classic Westerns Collection, How The West Was Won, Classic Musicals 3... only great feedback!! Same for the Karloff/Lorre sets!!

So I retreaded the past few pages and everything I've read seemed pretty reasonable in context to what was announced. People were confused by the whole "50 titles" being released statement which I was just as unclear about. Bill Hunt clarified by contacting Warners and that resolved pretty quickly. Others voiced complaints that there really wasn't anything announced in the way of classic titles until the 3rd quarter... also a reasonable concern given the ammount of information revealed and the anticipation surrounding this press statement that had been building since the holidays. It was determined that this was likely just a select sampling of what we were to see. A few posters expressing disappointment that certain titles weren't announced, pretty common on this and most home video forums. Otherwise, unless I missed the crucial part of this thread... just about everything I've read concerning the new-to-DVD announcements for the upcoming year have been nothing but positive.

So again I'm wondering what all the fuss is about?

Re: Speculation for Warner Bros. 85th Anniversary Celebration

I thought it was a great thing that Warner came up with the idea of asking the fans what they preferred, and I've always said so. I don't know why all this is getting so blown out of proportion just because I believe in both the freedom to praise a studio when you want to, but also the right to criticize if you feel the need.

On the other hand, when I brought the news of the Bowery Boys poll to another board, a few people laughed it off, saying that they felt Warner was more or less doing it for themselves. I'll also add that some here have mentioned how HTF is a relatively small percentage of the world's DVD fans/buyers, so I do have to say I wondered how on Earth a Bowery Boys poll's results here could speak for or represent millions.


Hey, I just went back to that thread and noticed that you were doing pretty well there too, disagreeing! So right back at ya!

Re: Speculation for Warner Bros. 85th Anniversary Celebration

Well said Marco. I have spent several days trying to put my words together in a reply for this thread, but your comments more than sums up my thoughts.

We have awarded WB best studio of the year for nearly every year that I've been a member on this forum, and they get more praise then every other studio combined.

WB has far more more to lose by not participating on this forum then we have to gain by them particpating on this forum. If WB decides to pout and stay away because of negative comments, that is certainly within their rights, but I would say that it is a sever over-reaction. I myself have seen very little undue criticism around this forum and what I have seen has been immediately rebutted by the bulk of the membership. So what's the big deal?

I buy nearly every WB classic boxset, including times when I'm not really excited about any of the titles in the particular set. This if for multiple reasons, but one of them is because of WB's devotion and willingness to participate on this forum. If they choose not to, I may have to be a bit more particular about what products I spend my money on. This is not a threat, just simply the truth. I have many purchased boxsets that are simply collecting dust on my shelf that I purchased out of loyalty.

I don't see any reason why complaining about a Jean Harlow set or several other releases that WB told us about 3+ years ago should be considered to be a bad criticism. If this is considered invalid by this membership, then we are obviously too devoted to this particular studio.

I will continue to purchase WB's classic boxsets on a regular basis and hope that they get their animation (i.e. Family) division straightened out in the future, as that is one department that I refuse to purchase any titles from at this point.

I'll close with a HUGE thank you to WB for releasing so many great films with great supplements on DVD and hope for more in the future.

Re: Speculation for Warner Bros. 85th Anniversary Celebration

I speculate they won't release any of the remaining Warner titles on my wishlist:

The Hellstrom Chronicles
Atlantis, The Lost Continent (George Pal)
The Power (George Pal)
Captain Nemo and the Underwater City

Granted, I like some pretty weird junk, but still...

Re: Speculation for Warner Bros. 85th Anniversary Celebration

I just now read all seven pages of this thread for the first time and I must say that the type of bitching that goes on here is the type of bitching that most companies would kill for. "Gimme more of your product now!" Unless someone at WHV got personally offended by a comment (which as professionals, they shouldn't), I doubt whether all our moaning about WHV was the real reason they may not chat with us.

But I think it would be good for them if they did continue having a presence on this forum, whether as part of a chat or other write-in Q&A session. When I worked for an online retailer, I served as a company representative on this and other discussion forums. Although I was able to answer questions and address complaints about our company, the main benefit we got out of our participation was to personalize an otherwise faceless entity. I think Warner benefits in the same way. They're not some anonomous A-holes in a fancy office. They're real people we've actually chatted with.

Re: Speculation for Warner Bros. 85th Anniversary Celebration

wb takes time to do the dvds right. paramount is the worst.
wb gives us all kind of extras .
paramount doesn't.
ill buy more wb over paramount anyday. they are clueless.

Re: Speculation for Warner Bros. 85th Anniversary Celebration

DVD Times on the new Dirty Harry Collection:

Warner Home Video have announced the Region 1 DVD release of a Dirty Harry Collection on 3rd June 2008. First announced as part of their 85th Anniversary plans, we now have a release date and some early information on the new Special Edition release of the classic cop drama series starring Clint Eastwood.

The Dirty Harry Collection includes all 5 hit titles of one of the most famous cops ever to hit the big screen. They include: Dirty Harry, Dead Pool, The Enforcer, Magnum Force, and Sudden Impact.

All will be Special Edition versions, with the original Dirty Harry confirmed to be a 2-Disc Special Edition that will also be available separately priced at $20.97 SRP.

Also confirmed is Dirty Harry: Ultimate Collector’s Edition which includes all five films plus a bonus disc, “Clint Eastwood: Out of the Shadows”. Retail is $74.92 SRP.

Re: Speculation for Warner Bros. 85th Anniversary Celebration

Will this new DH SE source the same existing transfer as this UK edition?



I'm not interested in any of the other films or the box set but I'd like to know more about the upcoming 2-disc release. I hope we get details on extras and art work (hopefully orig poster art like above) soon!

Re: Speculation for Warner Bros. 85th Anniversary Celebration

There has been some discussion about how the softening DVD market (and a struggling economy in general) may be impacting the quanity of releases from WHV. This article from Home Media Magazine quotes an analyst predicting that 2008 DVD sales will decline 5%. For reference the 2007 decline was 2%.

Steve

Re: Speculation for Warner Bros. 85th Anniversary Celebration

Hey Steve O

Great post as always! Here is an interesting line from the article you cited!
"Citing a dearth of catalog DVDs and a drop in TV DVD sales,"
Just the point I made about Warners rather lackluster slate of new releases. Warner has tons of great films still to be released and with Feltenstein being the genius he has been since day one if he got his wheels spinning in his mind of minds he would be able to package the Torchy Blanes, Perry Mason, Philo Vance films the four films the Dead End Kids made at Warners etc, the Maisie films and Hardy's and Dr Kildare's. So it seems that the slowdown in sales might be because there are no new classics hitting the streets in the numbers they were before.

So these posters here who busted a gut saying how dare you criticize Warners, well my criticism was correct and according to the article could be the reason for the revenue drop - lack of classic releases!!!!!!
A great liitle dvd that should be release is THE HATCHET MAN starring Edward G Robinson as a leader of a Tong!!! TCM shows it once in a while. where is THE FARMER'S DAUGHTER?

Re: Speculation for Warner Bros. 85th Anniversary Celebration

I guess that article makes sense, I have to admit I have cut back on DVD purchases, ironically enabling me to watch some of the films I bought years ago but never even opened.

Nevertheless, I would still buy more Warner product, such as the MGM musicals and box sets for Lana Turner, James Stewart, Spencer Tracy, Myrna Loy and James Garfield (hint hint)

Re: Speculation for Warner Bros. 85th Anniversary Celebration

I think you were the one busting a gut with your critical posts not the other way around. Anyhow, we'll see what happens in the coming year because the article doesn't say no new classic titles won't be coming just that the amount of them might be reduced due to Wal-mart's marketing strategy.






Crawdaddy

Re: Speculation for Warner Bros. 85th Anniversary Celebration

Come on guys, be friends. There's more to life than this.

Re: Speculation for Warner Bros. 85th Anniversary Celebration

On a very positive note, here's a recent (March 6th) article about Warner 85th with comments from the one and only George Feltenstein.

Here

Re: Speculation for Warner Bros. 85th Anniversary Celebration

I gather then that Gypsy, Cool Hand Luke, Splendor in the Grass and AChrismas Story are going to get the whole 'kit and kaboodle' treatment like Bonnie and Clyde. Article says they are Ultimate Editions as well.

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Robert thats the probelm with this love in for Warners you seem to be afraid to admit their lack of feeding the DVD machine has cost them financially. Check my posts - even if I criticized their lack of releases meeting their so called hype of 200 plus titles I still praised their work. Lets go back and see your responses, and others on the thread all jumping to their defense and basically saying HOW DARE YOU NOW they will not chat with the forum. My statement has now been confirmed by the drop in sales figures industry wide and a bigger drop expected this year why because the lack of releases. And now to expand that to other firms we could say the fans are waiting for LEAVE IT TO BEAVER 3, GREEN ACRES the rest of the series FLIPPER season 2 and 3 so if there is no product being released how will they generate sales.

So now lets see you go back and quote every post that screamed of how dare you criticize Warners. If there are none I will eat the box set GANGSTER COLLECTION 3 when it arrives - you see - I buy their product when they pony up!

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I don't have a love for Warners. I have a love for classic films and as long as any studio continues to make such titles available to me to purchase then I'll be a relatively happy camper. I used the term "relatively happy camper" because I understand that's the closest I can get to, since it's impossible for any studio to release every film I want on DVD due to obvious reasons.

Furthermore, I don't have the necessary data to suggest a drop in sales is due to the lack of titles released. It might be that the drop of sales is because of too many titles available for sale. In all honestly, I don't know the answer because I don't have access to the necessary marketing data to make such a determination. Also, you can express your opinion, but that doesn't mean your opinion is a knowledgeable one. Being opinionated doesn't necessarily means you're right in your opinions.




Crawdaddy

Re: Speculation for Warner Bros. 85th Anniversary Celebration

The obvious answer to Warners drop in sales is NOT that they are releasing less classic cinema but that classic cinema sales aren't doing as well as they used to. If Warners is putting out classic titles that aren't making money, the obvious answer is to cut back on classic titles so they will lose less money.

I think this is born out by the recent Joan Crawford and Bette Davis sets which are only available as a set. Two years ago, Warners would have released the sets AND the titles individually for those who don't want to purchase the entire sets. Economically, it makes sense (though I dislike it) to just put out the sets as die hard Davis and Crawford sets will buy the sets anyway even if they are less enthusiastic about certain titles.

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Exactly! You and I do not have the data to make statements business wise - But we now have a statement from a industry analyst that made the statement the the lack of catalog titles contributed to the sales slump, So I do now have a viable industry analyst opinion that is basically saying sales figures were less because of less releases - duh!

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The TV and family departments deserve no respect whatsoever. Do I even need to go over their sins again?

The classic film department, on the other hand, I bow down to as kings. They are not infallible, but they are leaps and bounds above everybody else. I think it's because they've done (and continue to do) such great work that we hold them to a higher standard, forgetting that not everything can be done equally as well.

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You and I have a different reading comprehension on what was stated in that article about the lack of catalog titles contributing to the sales slump.

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Robert - I love the work you do here and you are a great guy the best thing is we thanks to Ron Epstein can all voice our opinions and share thoughts. A great example of th home video situation is Fox - last year they did great business because the film releases of LIVE FREE OR DIE HARD, FANTASTIC 4 SILVER SURFER and SIMPSONS MOVIE did great on home video. There classic release too kicked money into the bottom line.


And this line in that article although one sentence does speak volumns!!!!

"Citing a dearth of catalog DVDs and a drop in TV DVD sales" (as a reason for the loss of revenue)

Less releases - less choices for customers to buy that seems easy to understand. To make it simpler let's say Warner only has in release OZ, GWTW and BLADE RUNNER. The base of customers buying those titles will run dry pretty quick. Add EASTER PARADE, SINGIN IN THE RAIN and more customers come to the table!

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So Warner is in the business to cut their revenue by offering fewer catalog titles for sale? Interesting businesspeople these Warner executives are.

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Well that is what CLEARLY happened last year. They did release less than hyped. And now 3 months into the new year and heading into the second quarter this year will have less than last. I would asume you know that dvd's are impulse buys. If you are in Barnes and Noble, Best Buy, Circuit City, Border's FYE and you are browsing the shelves and bins and you see that WOW a favorite movie you have not seen in years is now on dvd the average Joe will whip out his credit card and buy it. Hence the average American being 8,000 in debt on each credit card. With no releases to catch an eye sales will be impacted. Start keeping track of the year for Warners and lets see how many classic release are out by this Dec 31 I bet you it will be less than last year. And to show this is not a bias against Warners the last Universal discs I bought were Oct 2006's Dracula and Frankestein had they released Leave it to Beaver 3 they would have gotten my money the same with the Henry Aldrich Series. I just bought the Lubitch musicals released by Criterion had Universal had the smarts to release it I would have given them my money. Again when they release less product they will make less money. Did you ever hear the saying you gotta spend money to make money, or how about "if you build it they will come?" a lot of wisdom in those words that Warners, Universal, and Paramount have never heard of if their recent slates are any example.

By the way I hate Warner's so much I guess because I just bought the ROYAL WEDDING/BELLE OF NY disc and THE BANDWAGON disc! Duh!

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Wow, you have the nerve to lump Warner's catalog output into what Universal or Paramount has done with catalog titles? Furthermore, I don't see the same effort on your part to take those two studios to task for their lack of effort in catalog releases which is rather funny since you keep professing your love for Warner by naming various Warner releases you have bought over time.

Anyhow, Warner releasing catalog titles is well documented so carry on with your comments as their impressive record of catalog releases is their best defense against any further comments of yours. Furthermore, when the time comes, Warner can speak for themselves as to what releases they have planned for this year.





Crawdaddy

Re: Speculation for Warner Bros. 85th Anniversary Celebration

Interesting article! Thanks for posting the link.

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Wow right back - you are trying every which way to defend Warners when if you go back to my original statement was last year's promised 200 plus turned out to be a bust and this year is turning out to be a lot less than expected. With nearly three months down Warners would have to release what 14 classic titles a month to even come close if they were even shooting for the last years not met goal. You try every which way to get off the track that they did not meet expectations last year by saying wow they are great anyway and we love them or we won't get a chat. Now a industry analyst point blank says that a lack of releasing catalog titles helped cause a net sales slump industry wide and if you had access to Warners balance sheet they too probably suffered a decline. And you still deny that happened - on no we love warners because we won't get a chat. Let's see you say that in reality they did in fact release less titles last year then expected - who cares if it is 20 or 15 or 5 less than promised the truth is it was less than said in I think Mawell's column in 11/06. And if they continue to release less titles their sales will fall, end of story. Lets revisit this this Dec and you will see again less releases and less sales.

I will indeed revisit this at the end of the year and I look forward to your same reaction. On Universal and Paramount check my posts and you will find comments about them I am sure. Start a thread and I will be more than happy to post comments.


On Warner it is a sin that such a company that loves classics has not released NORTHWEST PASSAGE 10 years into dvd. Especially since George did release it on laserdisc!!!!!!!

On Paramount it is a sin they have not released SAMSON AND DELILAH or AFRICAN QUEEN

Universal - really a shame they will not clear HELLZAPOPIN, or IT AIN'T HAY

and of course many others - so you see I am a equal opportunity opinionated ranter!