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Isn't it about time for The African Queen? - Page 2

post #31 of 108
3/23/07 at 4:29pm

Re: Isn't it about time for The African Queen?

Back in 1961, James Coburn and Glynis Johns filmed a pilot for a series to be based on THE AFRICAN QUEEN that was aired on "The Dick Powell Theater." It was called SAFARI. There were also rumors of a remake in the late sixties to star Lee Marvin and Doris Day. It would be nice if Paramount took the initiative to record a commentary involving the participation of Theodore Bikel and Peter Viertal.
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post #32 of 108
3/23/07 at 11:12pm

Re: Isn't it about time for The African Queen?

Charles, there was a TV movie remake of African Queen with Warren Oates and Mariette Hartley.

Paramount seems uninterested in its catalogue of older films. However, since they have apparently licensed Lindsay Anderson's If and Billy Wilder's Ace In The Hole to Criterion, is it too much too hope for that they'll also license African Queen to them, also?
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post #33 of 108
3/24/07 at 11:15am

Re: Isn't it about time for The African Queen?

A Criterion version of The African Queen would be marvelous. I know it would just be packed with extras.
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post #34 of 108
3/24/07 at 11:23am

Re: Isn't it about time for The African Queen?

I bought mine on a Region 2 Japanese release about 3 years ago. It's this one:

http://www.amazon.co.jp/%E3%82%A2%E3...4760720&sr=8-3

Don't remember it costing 3990 yen, though, more like 2500 yen. Most have been on sale.
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post #35 of 108
3/24/07 at 12:44pm

Re: Isn't it about time for The African Queen?

I just hope Paramount does better with providing quality elements to Criterion than they did to Anchor Bay (Quiet Man etc, they weren't allowed access to materials to produce new transfers and had make due with the old tape transfers)
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post #36 of 108
3/24/07 at 3:14pm

Re: Isn't it about time for The African Queen?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Adam_S
I just hope Paramount does better with providing quality elements to Criterion than they did to Anchor Bay (Quiet Man etc, they weren't allowed access to materials to produce new transfers and had make due with the old tape transfers)

Paramount licensed the Republic library to Lionsgate, not Anchor Bay.
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post #37 of 108
3/25/07 at 2:49am

Re: Isn't it about time for The African Queen?

The problem is compounded now because since Lionsgate has taken over for Artisan in handling the Republic library, they're not much interested in improved transfers. While LIVE NUDE GIRLS did get a new 16x9 presentation, and a similar treatment is promised for THE MONSTER SQUAD, Lionsgate reissued FREEWAY in the same non-anamorphic transfer from the old disc, and Charlton Heston's JULIUS CAESAR, a scope film, is still panscanned in its new DVD release.
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post #38 of 108
3/25/07 at 10:44am

Re: Isn't it about time for The African Queen?

Are you sure Freeway is non-anamorphic? The disc isn't out yet, but the back cover on DVDEmpire shows it being 16x9 enhanced.
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post #39 of 108
3/25/07 at 8:46pm

Re: Isn't it about time for The African Queen?

This is the first I've heard of the disc being anamorphic; everything else I had read suggested it was merely a repackaging of the old disc.
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post #40 of 108
6/13/07 at 7:13am

Re: Isn't it about time for The African Queen?

Another year has passed with no word. By far, the most anticipated unreleased title for me. I believe someone once said that this will be the 'last' of the AFI list to be released -- which leaves the Jazz Singer ('27) yet to be released next... any word on that title?

Joel
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post #41 of 108
6/13/07 at 1:24pm

Re: Isn't it about time for The African Queen?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Joel Vardy
Another year has passed with no word. By far, the most anticipated unreleased title for me. I believe someone once said that this will be the 'last' of the AFI list to be released -- which leaves the Jazz Singer ('27) yet to be released next... any word on that title?

Joel

It's mentioned in the last Warner chat as being out before the end of the year as part of the WB anniversary celebration.

Remember, The African Queen isn't a classic starring John Wayne, so it wouldn't sell anyways.
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post #42 of 108
6/14/07 at 5:47pm

Re: Isn't it about time for The African Queen?

Here's something I posted on this site 3 years ago:

Quote:
Nothing new or exciting, but still interesting.

From Variety:

Quote:
"Blighty's Carlton Intl. Media is refurbishing its huge library of movie classics, including THE AFRICAN QUEEN, to take advantage of the DVD boom and high-definition TV.

Restoration funding for the 1951 classic, starring Katharine Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart, is coming jointly from Paramount, which holds the U.S. rights.

'THE AFRICAN QUEEN is getting a very full restoration, right back to the original negatives,' says Fiona Maxwell, Carlton Intl. Media's controller of operations. 'The work is being done in the U.K. and includes an interview with cinematographer Jack Cardiff.'"

[the immediate impetus] for the restoration project was Carlton America's deal to provide films for Cablevision's high-definition service Voom. Carlton's library consists of about 1,500 titles, including movies from the libraries of Rank, Romulus, Korda and ITC.

Carlton Media CEO Rupert Dilnott-Cooper as states that the organization has camera crews "almost solely" engaged in interviewing stars and directors.

"We were horrified when Dirk Bogarde passed away before we were able to capture an interview. He was in 16 of our movies, and so we have decided to invest more to speed up the interview process. The same is happening with most of the large studios, but it has influenced our thinking on the release of special-edition DVDs."
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post #43 of 108
6/15/07 at 6:49am

Re: Isn't it about time for The African Queen?

This is just aggravating. Hepburn is gone, Bogie is gone, John Huston is gone...what are they waiting for? The last credited cast member to go, too? (Theodore Bikel, for reference sake.)
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post #44 of 108
6/15/07 at 8:50am

Re: Isn't it about time for The African Queen?

Hopefully we will be talking with the folks at Paramount
in the next 4 weeks and this is a title we can mention to them
and (hopefully) find out more information.

Honestly, back in 2004 when we last visited the studio our group
was told that the film was currently being restored for a DVD release.
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post #45 of 108
6/16/07 at 4:58am

Re: Isn't it about time for The African Queen?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ronald Epstein
Hopefully we will be talking with the folks at Paramount
in the next 4 weeks and this is a title we can mention to them
and (hopefully) find out more information.

That's great news Ron. Hopefully they will give you some solid info. At the very least, they will be apprised on how desired this release it. Honestly though, I can't see how they would be unaware.
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post #46 of 108
11/7/07 at 11:31pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Isn't it about time for The African Queen?

Time for a bump.

Anyone heard anything new out of Paramount on this?
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post #47 of 108
11/8/07 at 2:10am

Re: Isn't it about time for The African Queen?

Casey,

It's rather impossible to talk with anyone from Paramount.

However, it has been suggested that the film is probably
tied up in a rights dispute at this point. I see no other reason
why the studio would withhold a release.
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post #48 of 108
3/6/08 at 8:16am

Re: Isn't it about time for The African Queen?

Perhaps now that we are entering a whole new phase of dvd technology, this will be pulled out of mothballs.
It was very unexpected that I would own some of my most obscure favorites from my wishlist...but that major titles should still be missing in action.
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post #49 of 108
3/6/08 at 10:47am

Re: Isn't it about time for The African Queen?

I went ahead and picked up the Carlton release (along with other R1 no-shows like "Spaced" and the 21-disc Laurel & Hardy box) while in England a few months ago. While it's not the best transfer, it still looks quite good and it has a Jack Cardiff commentary. Excellent film, too!

Not sure how rights issues can be a problem, though. If it's between CBS/Paramount and Granada (owns Carlton), Criterion would be the obvious pick for a release since CBS issues a lot of stuff through Image (which Criterion is now part of) and both Paramount and Granada license a lot to Criterion.
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post #50 of 108
3/6/08 at 2:20pm

Re: Isn't it about time for The African Queen?

I would suggest that anyone else contemplating buying the UK version keeps hold of their money for a bit longer.
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post #51 of 108
3/6/08 at 3:56pm

Re: Isn't it about time for The African Queen?

How much longer would you suggest? Not trying to be pushy, but this has been a very long time to wait.

This release had better be amazing when it does come for as long as it's taken.
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post #52 of 108
3/9/08 at 8:43am

Re: Isn't it about time for The African Queen?

....crickets chirping...
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post #53 of 108
8/30/08 at 3:35am

Re: Isn't it about time for The African Queen?

Another year with no word? There is no doubt in my mind that if the interest would be consolidated that Paramount would feel some pressure and perhaps get a clue...The market is there...

Joel
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post #54 of 108
8/30/08 at 4:20pm

Re: Isn't it about time for The African Queen?

A restored edition would be great. My VHS copy from the old CBS/FOX brand is fairly worn out and looks like crap.
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post #55 of 108
8/30/08 at 4:47pm

Re: Isn't it about time for The African Queen?

It's on TCM tonight at 10pm (EST). Get your recorders warmed up!
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post #56 of 108
8/31/08 at 3:26pm

Re: Isn't it about time for The African Queen?

Missed it. Out of town.
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post #57 of 108
8/31/08 at 4:33pm

Re: Isn't it about time for The African Queen?

It was shown 4:3 - is that how it was filmed (?)
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post #58 of 108
8/31/08 at 4:44pm

Re: Isn't it about time for The African Queen?

The African Queen was released in 1951 and was filmed before the advent of widescreen. The aspect ratio for the film was 1.37. The showing on TCM was not pan-scan. That was the proper way to show it.
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post #59 of 108
8/31/08 at 5:22pm

Re: Isn't it about time for The African Queen?

Thanks- I wasn't sure. Good to know TCM showed it at the correct aspect ratio.
There have been a few films lately on TCM that haven't been OAR (like 'Skidoo').

I guess African Queen was right on the borderline when widescreen became prevalent.
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post #60 of 108
8/31/08 at 6:52pm

Re: Isn't it about time for The African Queen?

Quote:
Originally Posted by MielR
It's on TCM tonight at 10pm (EST). Get your recorders warmed up!

@#$&!!!!! Missed it! Happily it's got a few more airings coming up:

Sep 28
Oct 14
Nov 26
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