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post #31 of 157
7/2/08 at 5:29pm

Re: Sony's Mike Schlesinger talks; Boetticher/Scott, Toho, Hammer, Peter Lorre, more...

Glad to see Sony opening up... I hope it all works out so that we can get a lot more classics out of them
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post #32 of 157
7/2/08 at 5:53pm

Re: Sony's Mike Schlesinger talks; Boetticher/Scott, Toho, Hammer, Peter Lorre, more...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark VH
Wonderful news about the Boetticher/Scott and Noir sets, but no questions about the impending A Matter of Life and Death release? Glenn Erickson recently pointed out that the R1 release showed up on Amazon and was almost immediately pulled, leading to me believe that it's on the way sooner rather than later. I'm DYING to know when this is coming.

As has been mentioned, Sony's Mike S also posts regularly on another forum, and recently mentioned that A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH is coming later this year (no specific date given yet, though), with an intro by Martin Scorsese and commentary by Thelma Schoonmaker, along with Michael Powell's director's cut of AGE OF CONSENT.

Great, great news all around coming from Sony. They're releasing the kind of stuff that I (and apparently many others here) really want (Stooges, noir, Peter Lorre, classic sci-fi/horror, superior westerns...). If only this was the consistent guiding philosophy of some of the other studios' DVD divisions...
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post #33 of 157
7/2/08 at 7:36pm

Re: Sony's Mike Schlesinger talks; Boetticher/Scott, Toho, Hammer, Peter Lorre, more...

Quote:
Originally Posted by RafaelPires
Also I would like to Columbia to release some of its classic comedies starred by Irene Dunne, Barbara Stanwyck, Jean Arthur Loretta Young and Rosalind Russell. Also the Joan Crawford vehicle "They All Kissed the Bride" and Ginger Roger's "It had to be you".

Cheers for that! Yes, there are some great comedies hiding in those vaults. And I'm so much of an optimist that I will even wish for Columbia musicals...Ah, to see Rainbow Round My Shoulder, the Grace Moore musicals and all those wonderful Ann Miller wartime B-movies.....
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post #34 of 157
7/2/08 at 8:11pm

Re: Sony's Mike Schlesinger talks; Boetticher/Scott, Toho, Hammer, Peter Lorre, more.

Mothra, Battle in Outer Space, Rebirth of Mothra 3 are as good as bought as far as I am concerned.

BTW.....any chance they may be released on Blu-Ray?

Mothra in 1080p. Japanese w/English subs. Who wouldn't want that.......
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post #35 of 157
7/3/08 at 3:10am

Re: Sony's Mike Schlesinger talks; Boetticher/Scott, Toho, Hammer, Peter Lorre, more...

Well I'm asking for a second Hammer adventure set (Sword of Sherwood Forest, Scarlet Blade, Brigand of Kandahar and perhaps Creatures that Time Forgot) and a war set (Camp on Blood Island and Yesterday's Enemy).

Lets just hope the sales of the current set and the horror set are enough to keep the management interested!
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post #36 of 157
7/3/08 at 7:27am

Re: Sony's Mike Schlesinger talks; Boetticher/Scott, Toho, Hammer, Peter Lorre, more...

I'll 2nd and 3rd that.
Camp on Blood Island or Yesterday's enemy could possible be a better fit for the adventure set than Creatures the World forgot. A WW2 set seems unlikely since they don't have 4 films available to make a set.
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post #37 of 157
7/3/08 at 8:08am

Re: Sony's Mike Schlesinger talks; Boetticher/Scott, Toho, Hammer, Peter Lorre, more.

Quote:
Originally Posted by CinéKarine
Cheers for that! Yes, there are some great comedies hiding in those vaults. And I'm so much of an optimist that I will even wish for Columbia musicals...Ah, to see Rainbow Round My Shoulder, the Grace Moore musicals and all those wonderful Ann Miller wartime B-movies.....

I've been hoping for the two Columbia von Sternberg films (CRIME AND PUNISHMENT and THE KING STEPS OUT), and asked Mike about these a few weeks ago. I don't think he would mind my sharing a bit more info, since so much has come out in the interview....as has been mentioned here, C&P will come out as part of a Peter Lorre set. But the bigger surprise is that there will indeed be a Grace Moore set (!) including KSO! Mike says that this won't be for a few years, however, but it's in the works.
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post #38 of 157
7/3/08 at 10:09am

Re: Sony's Mike Schlesinger talks; Boetticher/Scott, Toho, Hammer, Peter Lorre, more.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Danny Burk
I've been hoping for the two Columbia von Sternberg films (CRIME AND PUNISHMENT and THE KING STEPS OUT), and asked Mike about these a few weeks ago. I don't think he would mind my sharing a bit more info, since so much has come out in the interview....as has been mentioned here, C&P will come out as part of a Peter Lorre set. But the bigger surprise is that there will indeed be a Grace Moore set (!) including KSO! Mike says that this won't be for a few years, however, but it's in the works.

Glorious news, thanks for sharing this Danny!!!
A Grace Moore set, who would have ever thought! Her films were so lovely and the lady herself was Oscar-nominated for her first Columbia musical. And The King Steps Out is such a glorious operetta
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post #39 of 157
7/3/08 at 11:48am

Re: Sony's Mike Schlesinger talks; Boetticher/Scott, Toho, Hammer, Peter Lorre, more...

As Mike mentioned in the interview that 2009 will be the Losey centenary, I hope Sony will at last release 'The Go-Between' at least on DVD (and a BD would be nice). I've e-mailed Mike to suggest this, but it might help if any other lovers of this classic film could do the same.
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post #40 of 157
7/3/08 at 3:33pm

Re: Sony's Mike Schlesinger talks; Boetticher/Scott, Toho, Hammer, Peter Lorre, more...

Some updates from Mike on emails to him and Toho

hkfilmnews.blogspot.com/2008/07/sony-updates-from-mike.html
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post #41 of 157
7/3/08 at 3:37pm

Re: Sony's Mike Schlesinger talks; Boetticher/Scott, Toho, Hammer, Peter Lorre, more...

I would really be interested in seeing a Frank Capra vol-2 collection containing the remainder of his 1930's Columbia offerings like Lost Horizon, Forbidden, Platinum Blonde (Hopefully with a commentary track & featurette this time), etc; I am also surprised that Sony hasn't yet cobbled together a Rita Hayworth collection.

She certainly deserves one!
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post #42 of 157
7/7/08 at 3:34pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Sony's Mike Schlesinger talks; Boetticher/Scott, Toho, Hammer, Peter Lorre, more...

Mike Schlesinger was kind enough to reply to my email asking about John Ford's Gideon's Day:

Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael Schlesinger
Hi, John,
Yes, we have three Fords yet to be released, so GIDEON should be
on its way within two years. (Got a lotta catching up to do, y'know!)

So, Two Rode Together and The Whole Town's Talking are also on the cards for R1! (Hopefully...)
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post #43 of 157
7/7/08 at 4:05pm

Re: Sony's Mike Schlesinger talks; Boetticher/Scott, Toho, Hammer, Peter Lorre, more...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bruce Morrison
As Mike mentioned in the interview that 2009 will be the Losey centenary, I hope Sony will at last release 'The Go-Between' at least on DVD (and a BD would be nice). I've e-mailed Mike to suggest this, but it might help if any other lovers of this classic film could do the same.

Many months ago "The Go-Between" DVD was given away free in an English newspaper. I can't tell you what it's like, I did get it, but can't find it now.
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post #44 of 157
7/7/08 at 6:20pm

Re: Sony's Mike Schlesinger talks; Boetticher/Scott, Toho, Hammer, Peter Lorre, more...

THE KING STEPS OUT was scheduled last year for a TCM showing, but it was abruptly cancelled. I thought that it must have been some problems with the quality of the print.
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post #45 of 157
7/7/08 at 8:52pm

Re: Sony's Mike Schlesinger talks; Boetticher/Scott, Toho, Hammer, Peter Lorre, more...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Robert Crawford
I don't remember seeing any of these films? Have you?

If you haven't seen THE FACE BEHIND THE MASK, you haven't seen one of the best "B" noirs ever made. (Well, it might not exactly be a noir, but it feels enough like one to me.)

5 out of 5 stars from me. And, I seem to remember somebody around here pooh-poohing the idea of a Peter Lorre box set as too commercially unviable to see the light of day... :-D

Incredibly, we got Sam Katzman first, a marketable household name if there ever was one.
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post #46 of 157
7/7/08 at 11:51pm

Re: Sony's Mike Schlesinger talks; Boetticher/Scott, Toho, Hammer, Peter Lorre, more...

Peter Lorre is the star of not 1 but 2 Mr. Moto box sets.
That's as viable as an actor can get in the home video industry.

Rest assured a Peter Lorre collection will sell.

Crime and Punishment
The King Steps Out
Face Behind the Mask

and from other studios

The Beast With Face Fingers
The Strangers
The Mask of Dimitrios etc etc etc.

What was the name of that independent film Peter Lorre directed? The rights can probably be had for a song. Put that in the box-set. I crossed trails with his daughter Catherine not to long ago. She's still in L.A. and can contribute to the supplements.
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post #47 of 157
7/8/08 at 2:44am

Re: Sony's Mike Schlesinger talks; Boetticher/Scott, Toho, Hammer, Peter Lorre, more...

Quote:
Originally Posted by John Hodson
Mike Schlesinger was kind enough to reply to my email asking about John Ford's Gideon's Day:



So, Two Rode Together and The Whole Town's Talking are also on the cards for R1! (Hopefully...)

Awesome news John
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post #48 of 157
7/8/08 at 7:08am

Re: Sony's Mike Schlesinger talks; Boetticher/Scott, Toho, Hammer, Peter Lorre, more...

Mike Schlesinger was kind enough to reply to my queries, so I am certain this info can be shared:

Quote:
Hi, Karine,

Thanks for the kind words. You'll be happy to know there'll be a box set of all four Capra/Stanwycks out this holiday season, and a screwball comedy set with a couple with Loretta Young. I'd also like to get the Ann Miller stuff out, but that may take a while.[...]

I believe the 4 Capra/Stanwycks are Ladies of Leisure, Forbidden, The Bitter Tea of General Yen and The Miracle Woman, since Meet John Doe is not a Columbia property.

Thrilled about the above AND the screwball comedies
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post #49 of 157
7/8/08 at 8:07am
Thread Starter 

Re: Sony's Mike Schlesinger talks; Boetticher/Scott, Toho, Hammer, Peter Lorre, more...

This just gets better and better...
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post #50 of 157
7/8/08 at 10:27am

Re: Sony's Mike Schlesinger talks; Boetticher/Scott, Toho, Hammer, Peter Lorre, more...

"Screwball Comedy" set would make Theodora Goes Wild fair game, yes?
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post #51 of 157
7/8/08 at 10:46am

Re: Sony's Mike Schlesinger talks; Boetticher/Scott, Toho, Hammer, Peter Lorre, more...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Richard--W
What was the name of that independent film Peter Lorre directed? The rights can probably be had for a song. Put that in the box-set. I crossed trails with his daughter Catherine not to long ago. She's still in L.A. and can contribute to the supplements.

DER VERLORENE (The Lost One) directed by Lorre in Germany in the early 50's and considered by many to be one of the best German films of the period. Lorre wanted to do an English language version in Hollywood but couldn't get the funding. It's a great noir and I'd buy it on DVD in a heartbeat.
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post #52 of 157
7/8/08 at 3:44pm

Re: Sony's Mike Schlesinger talks; Boetticher/Scott, Toho, Hammer, Peter Lorre, more...

Mike Schlesinger also answered my e-mail (how cool is that, having an insider telling you the news). Karine, I think my question was very similar to yours.

Here's his answer:

"Dear Rafael,

Thank you for the kind words. There will be a Capra/Stanwyck box sometime next year, as well as a screwball comedy set that will likely include some of the titles you mentioned (e.g., THEODORA GOES WILD, MY SISTER EILEEN, DOCTOR TAKES A WIFE, some Jean Arthur). More Hayworth and Glenn Ford will be coming too, though not necessarily the titles you cited. I'd love to do Miller's B-musicals as well, but that may take a while.

Best,
Mike"

I think that beguinning next year we will see a lot of Columbia classics out there on dvd.
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post #53 of 157
7/8/08 at 4:38pm

Re: Sony's Mike Schlesinger talks; Boetticher/Scott, Toho, Hammer, Peter Lorre, more.

Quote:
Originally Posted by CinéKarine
Mike Schlesinger was kind enough to reply to my queries, so I am certain this info can be shared:
I believe the 4 Capra/Stanwycks are Ladies of Leisure, Forbidden, The Bitter Tea of General Yen and The Miracle Woman, since Meet John Doe is not a Columbia property.
Thrilled about the above AND the screwball comedies
Great news!

And thanks for asking CinéKarine
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post #54 of 157
7/8/08 at 6:46pm

Re: Sony's Mike Schlesinger talks; Boetticher/Scott, Toho, Hammer, Peter Lorre, more...

A Joan Crawford Collection would be a huge success: THEY ALL KISSED THE BRIDE, Robert Aldrich's AUTUMN LEAVES, the quinessential HARRIET CRAIG, and the remarkable THE STORY OF ESTHER COSTELLO. The last three represent the pathology of Crawford better than even the WB choices....particularly HARRIET CRAIG. Would have loved a Vincent Sherman commentary on that one!!
No other studio is better equipped to do a Jack Lemmon box than Columbia, and I frankly prefer the early Lemmon when his talent was blossoming to even the Billy Wilder comedies: PHFFT!, YOU CAN'T RUN AWAY FROM IT (Lbx), THE NOTORIOUS LANDLADY, UNDER THE YUM YUM TREE, GOOD NEIGHBOR SAM, THREE FOR THE SHOW (Lbx), and OPERATION MAD BALL. Lemmon even got along with Harry Cohn.
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post #55 of 157
7/8/08 at 7:16pm

Re: Sony's Mike Schlesinger talks; Boetticher/Scott, Toho, Hammer, Peter Lorre, more...

Charles, having just watched the first sound version of HARRIET CRAIG on TCM: CRAIG'S WIFE starring Rosalind Russell, I hope they release that film as well. in some sort of double set.

I had never seen it before, and it was better than I ever could have imagined. Now I want to see the Joan Crawford version, though I cannot imagine how she could have improved upon Rosalind Russell's very believable performance.
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post #56 of 157
7/8/08 at 7:55pm

Re: Sony's Mike Schlesinger talks; Boetticher/Scott, Toho, Hammer, Peter Lorre, more...

I wrote Mike Schlessinger, too, to ask about the status of three titles and he was kind enough to reply. Here's what he told me:

MY SISTER EILEEN is coming next year as part of screwball comedy package (as mentioned above).
MICKEY ONE is on hold pending the participation of Warren Beatty (personally, I hope they don't wait too long, as I would like ot see Arthur Penn involved too.)
They are trying to locate the cut scenes from THE VICTORS, so it is on the radar screen.

Again, I think it's great that Mr Schlessinger takes the time to answer his e-mail!
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post #57 of 157
7/8/08 at 11:24pm

Re: Sony's Mike Schlesinger talks; Boetticher/Scott, Toho, Hammer, Peter Lorre, more...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Graham
DER VERLORENE (The Lost One) directed by Lorre in Germany in the early 50's and considered by many to be one of the best German films of the period. Lorre wanted to do an English language version in Hollywood but couldn't get the funding. It's a great noir and I'd buy it on DVD in a heartbeat.

There is a great Arthaus Premium Edition available in Germany, but it has no english options.
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post #58 of 157
7/9/08 at 2:27am

Re: Sony's Mike Schlesinger talks; Boetticher/Scott, Toho, Hammer, Peter Lorre, more...

In reply to my e-mail, he said that they were looking into 'Camp on Blood Island' because a number of people had mentioned it.

The rights to 'Hysteria' (a Hammer thriller) are no longer with them, so it won't be coming if they do a Hammer Suspense set.
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post #59 of 157
7/9/08 at 7:05am

Re: Sony's Mike Schlesinger talks; Boetticher/Scott, Toho, Hammer, Peter Lorre, more...

Quote:
Originally Posted by R-T-C Tim
In reply to my e-mail, he said that they were looking into 'Camp on Blood Island' because a number of people had mentioned it.

The rights to 'Hysteria' (a Hammer thriller) are no longer with them, so it won't be coming if they do a Hammer Suspense set.

Did the rights for "Hysteria" go to them when they purchased MGM? I ask because MGM released Hysteria on VHS in the 80's. I still have a copy. I believe Fox owns MGM titles now so the rights are probably with them but I can't imagine them releasing this especially since they don't own many Hammers they haven't already released. Maybe they will license it out to Anchor Bay or Blue Underground.
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post #60 of 157
7/9/08 at 5:02pm

Re: Sony's Mike Schlesinger talks; Boetticher/Scott, Toho, Hammer, Peter Lorre, more...

Interesting trivia department......Mike is the nephew of Leon Schlesinger of Looney Toons fame
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