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Paramount: "The African Queen" DVD Release?

post #1 of 37
3/9/03 at 4:27am
Thread Starter 
I think Paramount has the dvd rights to "The African Queen" and if that's so, when can we expect a Region 1 release of this classic film?





Crawdaddy
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post #2 of 37
3/9/03 at 4:58am
Pleeeeeeaaaaassssseeeee?
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post #3 of 37
3/9/03 at 11:50am
Thanks, Robert. Do the studios actually review these threads and respond (I don't mean to be casting any doubts)?

Is Paramount the most likely suspect for AQ? I thought there was a chance that MGM may have the R1 rights?

If either Paramount or MGM is looing through this thread I implore you to consider the commercial and artistic ramifications of a R1 release. Not that it wouldn't be great to have the movie only version (I'm sure this would get a good response from the public) but a retrospective on Hepburne's career while she is still with us would be wonderful and may make a classic release a surefire commercial success.

Joel
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post #4 of 37
3/9/03 at 12:16pm
This is one of my favourite films of all time. Please resease a nice DVD and I'll be more than happy to buy a copy in a heartbeat.
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post #5 of 37
3/9/03 at 7:10pm
Yes please.

"Nature ,Mr. Allnut, is what we are put into this world to rise above"
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post #6 of 37
3/10/03 at 2:51am
put me down for a copy as well

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post #7 of 37
3/10/03 at 1:46pm
I'd pick up a copy, too. This is a wonderfully romantic film...and I hate romance!
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post #8 of 37
3/10/03 at 3:12pm
FYI, the R2 DVD has a commentary by Jack Cardiff (cinematographer on African Queen) along with two 20-min doc. on HH and KH...

Cheers,

Vincent
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post #9 of 37
3/11/03 at 7:06am
I've been considering purchasing the R2 DVD. If this is to remain unreleased in R1 then I think I should pick this up soon.
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post #10 of 37
3/11/03 at 8:55am
Ready and waiting to pay whatever $$ I need to purchase a properly restored DVD version for R1.

here's to hopin'!
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post #11 of 37
3/11/03 at 9:04am
This is one of the three Bogie movies I'd purchase when they're available in good versions. Paramount if you own the rights please do justice to this classic.
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post #12 of 37
3/11/03 at 12:03pm
I'd buy it in a hearbeat.
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post #13 of 37
3/14/03 at 6:59am
Mark me down as well for this one as well. Are we sure it's Paramount now?

It was previously a CBS/Fox video title. IMDb says that UA released this theatrically (CBS/Fox Video did once have UA films under its umbrella). Wouldn't that make it MGM's title now?

Or does this somehow fall under the domain of CBS Films, making it now a Paramount title?

Jon
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post #14 of 37
3/15/03 at 5:44pm
I would buy one whenever it is released. It's one of the few movies that my wife and I agree on, being both a classic and a very entertaining film.
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post #15 of 37
3/15/03 at 9:34pm
Another one of those multiple rights headaches...

THE AFRICAN QUEEN was fully financed by Horizon Pictures, who mostly did co-productions with major studios, just not this time. UA only released it in theatres, and those rights lapsed years ago.

Fox initially got video rights to the movie during the Magnetic Video days. This either was a direct deal with the holding company controlling Horizon's assets, or a deal with Viacom, who held TV rights for years and initially released many films thru the Fox label, including the early Paramount Elvis musicals and Jerry Lewis' VISIT TO A FAR-OUT PLANET. Naturally, if the latter is true, then Paramount would now own video rights to the title.

However, the other wrinkle is that in the UK, the Rank Organisation released the film, and their assets are now part of Carlton Communications. Carlton made a 99-year deal with the former Samuel Goldwyn company for video, and MGM inherited that deal, so it is possible that when Peter Staddon speculated that MGM owned the title, that it would be from this Carlton license.

Anybody with real studio smarts able to help me here?
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post #16 of 37
3/16/03 at 1:12pm
African Queen was shown last night one one of the Digital cable channels. At the end of the film, it had a Paramount logo.
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post #17 of 37
3/19/03 at 2:11pm
It would seem unlikely that the studio that owns this wouldn't understand the tremendous demand that exists, but I'll still throw in my vote. I would dearly love to retire my Beta tape of this.
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post #18 of 37
3/19/03 at 2:19pm
The studios seem to like surveys. Unfortunately if they do the survey at the local Mall I doubt anyone younger that 40 to 60 yrs old will have ever heard of "The African Queen".
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post #19 of 37
3/21/03 at 7:00pm
As we get closer to Academy Award night (this Sunday) there seem to be a number of stations that are broadcasting this classic. I may just have to tape one of them on S-VHS to tide me over. Let's hope AQ get's some attention soon .

Joel
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post #20 of 37
3/27/03 at 9:39am
Just found a Region 0 (NTSC) version available(?) per DVD Profiler (listing). Anyone know how to obtain? It is listed as a Romulus production...

Joel
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post #21 of 37
3/27/03 at 9:55am
It seems as if more and more classics are getting attention. I thought I'd never see "The Day the Earth Stood Still" and now with "Laura" being announced for November, I am more optimistic than ever. And yes, I would buy The African Queen the day it came out.
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post #22 of 37
3/27/03 at 11:51am
Quote:
Unfortunately if they do the survey at the local Mall I doubt anyone younger that 40 to 60 yrs old will have ever heard of "The African Queen".


I spend time at malls. I'm under 40. I'm well aware of the film. I actually sought it out as a teenager...
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post #23 of 37
3/27/03 at 12:00pm
Quote:
I spend time at malls. I'm under 40. I'm well aware of the film. I actually sought it out as a teenager...
Then you must be an exception Sir.
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post #24 of 37
3/27/03 at 2:48pm
Yes, I AM exceptional - thanks for noticing!

My point was that you shouldn't generate assumptions in this kind of thing - it's an insult to those who don't fit your idea...
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post #25 of 37
3/27/03 at 2:58pm
I believe it has be written about that buyers in this young age group have been quoted as saying that they will not watch a B&W film or older films from the 1950's on back. I don't recall exactly where I read this article at this point.
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post #26 of 37
3/27/03 at 3:04pm
Thread Starter 
My point was that you shouldn't generate assumptions in this kind of thing - it's an insult to those who don't fit your idea...

Why should you be insulted because he's making a general observation? If you don't fit that profile, cool, glad you're open-minded to such a variety of films. However, I've had too many conversations with people in their 30s and 20s to dismiss the validity of Jeff's generalization.




Crawdaddy
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post #27 of 37
3/27/03 at 3:17pm
Thanks. I didn't think that I was that far off base with that statement. It is nice to see some younger people who appreciate films from 40 or more years ago.
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post #28 of 37
3/27/03 at 3:21pm
same here. there are some real classics out there that of late I have really enjoyed

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post #29 of 37
3/29/03 at 9:31pm
I'm under 40 as do not agree with the "general observation" that has been made.

Sure, you'll find lots of people under 40 who don't care about this film or haven't even heard of it.

You'll also find a lot of people OVER 40 about whom the same thing could be said.

Oh yah, and I was about 19 the first time I saw it.
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post #30 of 37
3/30/03 at 1:29am
A general observation in this context implies a majority - there are exceptions, obviously (Rain, Colin and a few others). But, a majority, i.e, over 50%, of people in their 20-30's age range have not seen this movie. I am 30 and talk to a lot of 20-30 yr old people about movies and NO ONE has seen or even heard of this film. A generalization DOES NOT mean everyone. It means most.

Of course, the percentage of people over 40 who have seen this movie will be much greater than the under 40 age group for obvious reasons.

Don't forget the people under 40 on this forum are likely film buffs. The average - non HTF buff who is under 40 - has probably never heard of this film (again, there will be exceptions, but not the norm).

It's a shame this isn't released in R1. DVD has been out for six years already.
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