THE BOWERY BOYS on DVD: continuing discussion of Warner's eventual release plans (UPDATE 4/19:... - Page 21

Sounds like this whole project is eternally dead.

Yeah, except that *I* watch these films primarily for Leo Gorcey. :)
 

 

       I do not have a problem with burn on demand discs at all. I'm not one of the people who think they are inferior quality. That's an urban legend. But what I can say is this. I have burned probably 20,000 discs in the last decade and I use Taiyo-Yuden blanks almost exclusively as they are the best quality blanks one can find. There are a couple of other brands that are good as well. Warner uses none of these but instead uses bottom of the barrel, cheap, crappy blanks. The issues are not with the process but with the garbage media that they are using in order to save a few pennies.

I still would rather these Bowery Boys films were issued on official DVDs rather than the MOD DVD-Rs. I'm at the point now where I've recorded all of them on VHS blanks from TCM, and I can always have them transferred to my own DVD-R blanks. That's not to say I'm dead set against buying Warner Archive versions all, but I'll have to really ponder it.

 

Ron, I apprecaite you keeping the faith, but time is marching on with this thing. I guess I can only repeat what I've said previously -- the real fans of the series who are older are not getting any younger. The audience is more here now, rather than some time off in the future. If it sounds like I've said this a dozen times... well, that's because that's how long we've been waiting.

 

I can't imagine what else Warner can be waiting for. Every week when I see the BB movies on TCM I can't help but remark to myself how these transfers are plenty adequate enough. I'd say that maybe there were five or under that were rough. And a simple disclaimer, in the few cases where better elements can't be located, is better than not getting these issued at all.

I've watched 46 of the 48 films that they've shown right now and I must say that I'm not sure what else they want.  These are "B" movies and to my eyes the quality has been fine.  A few films look poorer than others but it's not like any of them have been Alpha quality.  I don't think "fans" would have that much of a problem with the way these have looked. 

Neil, you hit the nail on the head - the studios and other MOD are using lower-grade media which gives it a MOD/R a bad name.

 

They will never change as all they care about is the almighty buck, and not the quality of the product - no different then the lower-quality bulk grade VHS tapes and/or LP/EP-SLP.  

Sorry Michael don't mean to nitpick but TCM has shown 41 of the movies so far. The final 7 without Leo Gorcey are scheduled to air in March and April. I agree with your post though. Maybe we'll get some sort of annoucement after TCM finishes in April.

 

Yes, I noticed the mistake last night.  It was meant to read 39 of 41, although after posting I did go back and watch DIG.  Speaking of the films I'm about ready for the new guy to come in as these past few films really haven't been that good and I've heard CRASHING is the worst of the lot, although I'm looking forward to it for the "events" that were going on. 

 

In regards to the picture quality DIG was another very good one so no work would be needed there.  Most MOD titles don't have any work done to them so, as you said, perhaps these will be released after all TCM stuff.  I'm sure they're looking at ratings so if they're high enough I guess something more could be done but I doubt they've been overly high.

 

Neil, besides TY, what other blank media do you recommend?

 

I've been using Verbatim for most things, but recently found out in these very forums that their new "Life Series" brand is awful. Fortunately, I've only been using those for about the past 6 months, so I"m not too concerned. Some stuff I will probably do again on a better quality brand, but others I will just let be and hope for the best. Still can't believe that Verbatim would sully what had been an excellent reputation for quality blank media, at times even ranking above TY in the ratings.  In any case, now I'm back to using Verbatim AZO brand and the TY Value Line. That's as much as I can afford these days for this part of the hobby.

 

Not knowing exactly what you'll get in a value-line pack, I've stayed away from them.
 

A comment and a couple questions for the experts.

 

I watched CRASHING LAS VEGAS and didn't seem to find it as bad as its reputation.  It wasn't a good movie but it was still far from being the worst in the series.  The picture quality was very good, although it was VERY obvious that this one should have been widescreen.  I had read a few reviews that talked about Gorcey being a wreck during the making of the film but to be honest I didn't think it was all that apparent here.  The scene towards the end with Sach on the bed and Gorcey's leg on the bed shows him shaking but I didn't really notice much else.

 

 

I noticed that several of the Bowery Boys would eventually team up for "other" movies.  Hall and Dell are in THE MANCHU EAGLE MURDER CAPER MYSTERY, which is on Netflix Steaming and I plan to watch.  It looks like Hall and Gorcey were in SECOND FIDDLE TO A STEEL GUITAR.  Is this one searching out and are they actually in the film together?

 

I'm sure this has been answered in the thread but is there a reason why certain East Side Kids aren't available through the countless public domain labels?  It seems most have been released but four or five are missing.  I did find someone selling the Little Tough Guys set and was wondering if they were any good or not.

 

Also, is there a good book that details the films and cast?  I'm really not that interested in their personal lives where it doesn't have an impact on the films. 

I have Len Getz's book "From Broadway to the Bowery" and it is terrific.  Lots of great photos and stories about the films.  It's a McFarland book so it won't be cheap, but for a fan of the movies, it is well worth it.

 

I second this book as being a great companion to all the films and actors in them.  It is available from Amazon.
 

I've always thought it was obvious in CRASHING LAS VEGAS that Leo Gorcey was smashed. He's extra-obnoxious and rattles things off, and seems to move and sway alot. His hands are twitchy. It's not the same guy in this one.  

Yes, they are together - they are filler between the musical acts and have a few "bits" of business. :)

There are a number of scenes in CRASHING LAS VEGAS where Leo Gorcey is clearly intoxicated, especially during the scene where he, Huntz Hall and Mary Castle are at the roulette table. It's not a bad film, I like it rather well. Bernard Gorcey is sorely missed, but I think it's much better than CLIPPED WINGS and PRIVATE EYES, two weaker Bowery Boys movies in my opinion.

 

If you look at DIG THAT URANIUM, there are also scenes in that movie where Leo Gorcey appears intoxicated. The opening scene in the sweet shop is one example. He also looks drunk in the bedroom scene where they all try to sleep in the same bed. To me, Leo seems to be intoxicated for most of the first half of the movie. In the second half, for the most part he appears to be sober. At this point, maybe Leo was tiring of the series or maybe his drinking was starting to catch up with him. Either way, I guess the death of Leo's father Bernard was the last straw and Leo left the series. Had his father not died so untimely, would have been interesting to see if the series would still have continued on without the change in casting.

 

It's good that TCM is airing all 48 movies this time. I've had the 7 Clements entries for a number of years, a couple could use upgrading so I might record those when they air. I think Stan Clements did a great job stepping in for Leo Gorcey, he and Huntz Hall worked well together right from the first film FIGHTING TROUBLE. Stan Clements did have some prior experience with Huntz Hall as he appeared in the East Side Kids entry SMART ALECKS.
 

Thanks for the recommendations.  I feared you guys would say the McFarland book because of their prices I usually stay away.  My birthday is coming up so perhaps I can put it on the wishlist.

 

 

As for CRASHING, perhaps I'm wrong but I just always asumed that Leo was drunk as I had heard he had a drinking problem from before this series even started. 

 

And did Leo leave because of the death of his father or was this something that came out after he had died?  The reason I ask is that several places said he left the series because of a dispute over how much money he got from the films.

In all the books I have read they always site Leo was unable to continue with the series after the death of his father as they were very close. He had a drinking problem but it only became an issue in Crashing Las Vegas as the death of his father made the drinking problem much worse. Salary disputes always occur but after Leo making these B movies for 19 years at this point and undoubtably going through many salary disputes I really doubt that was the reason he left especially since he had alot of control over the series since the beginning of the Bowery Boys in 1946.

Does anyone know whether "Hold That Hypnotist" aired on TCM March 19th as scheduled? I was out of town, but it was set on my PVR. However, for some strange reason, it did not record it, though it did get "Hot Shots" from the previous week when I was also out of town, and it also picked up today's title without any tweaking on my part. I checked my PVR schedule to see if it skipped the recording for some reason, but nothing there either! Somebody please let me know!

Sorry for the above post! Guess I should have checked imdb.com (internet movie database) first! The only two user reviews for "Hold That Hypnotist" being posted on March 19 & 20, 2011 with the March 19 TCM airdate can hardly be a coincidence! It obviously aired as scheduled! My PVR must have glitched out at the wrong time, LUCKY ME, LOL!!!!

I missed HOLD THAT HYPNOTIST because I forgot to change the clock on my VCR for Daylight Savings Time (my timer started at the last 5 minutes of the movie!). Then this past week I just completely forgot it was Saturday and so I never put a tape in to record SPOOK CHASERS, which I also missed! (Luckily, a friend of mine who's also recording the movies obtained copies though).

Hey, I've got a great idea -- how about just releasing these to DVD? :-)

Watched "Hold that Hypnotist"  last week, beautiful print, but Huntz Hall sure didn't show during the first half, that he wanted to be there. At first I though it was going to be a drama...not a comedy, that's how Huntz Hall acted in the first quarter.

 

Saturday was "Spook Chasers," another beautiful print. bit not a funny joke or skit in the whole film. This film, it seems Huntz Hall was

up to par with his older stuff from way back. Boy, the writing on the wall was clearly evident by this film!

 

Still waiting, for the series to be released...and waiting and waiting.

 

There's only 3 more films to go. If you made it this far....

I've seen some of their films and have watched a few on TCM...but...I would like to buy the whole series, if, and when they come out. It's was tough to watch the last two shown on TCM, so, I've decided not to watch the last three. I would rather watch them when they finally get released..

 

Just watched the first "Jungle Jim" and I'll tell you that it's a hoot to see Billy Curtis and Billy Barty play "WHITE' pygmies, and when they run out of "little people," they use young children.,..quite obvious in the scens they are in. Again, just like Hintz hall, it seemed that Johnny would have liked to be someplace else...especially when all he had to utter was, "I'll go scout ahead!!!"

 

I just love 50's budget film making!!!

Edited by John Sparks - 3/28/11 at 9:39pm

I recorded HOT SHOTS from TCM, that one is my favorite of the Clements entries. I have HOLD THAT HYPNOTIST, SPOOK CHASERS, LOOKING FOR DANGER, UP IN SMOKE and IN THE MONEY all recorded from WGN Chicago back in the 1980's. FIGHTING TROUBLE I have recorded from KTVT-TV in Texas. 36 of the 48 Bowery Boys movies in my collection are 1980's airings from WGN. I like those WGN airings, they are unique looking.

Edited by Lecagr - 3/28/11 at 7:10pm

I wonder if TCM will start from the beginning once it completes this first go-round with the BOWERY BOYS. I caught a few here and there but haven't seen them all.

They are not on the TCM schedule after they end in April and not for May either so it looks like no they won't repeat for the near future anyways. There is speculation here that maybe just maybe there might be a long overdue annoucement for these on DVD or more likely for the Warner Archives after the airings end like early May.