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USHE Press Release: Hitchcock Legacy Trio

post #1 of 38
Thread Starter 
Definitive New Editions of Three Timeless Thrillers
from the Master of Suspense Join the
Acclaimed Universal Legacy Series

PSYCHO – SPECIAL EDITION
VERTIGO – SPECIAL EDITION
REAR WINDOW – SPECIAL EDITION

Available on DVD with Never-Before-Seen Bonus Features on
October 7, 2008 from Universal Studios Home Entertainment
Universal City, Calif. – August xx, 2008 -- Three of Alfred Hitchcock’s most celebrated cinematic achievements are available as new two-disc Special Edition DVDs on October 7, 2008 from Universal Studios Home Entertainment: Psycho – Special Edition, Vertigo – Special Edition, and Rear Window – Special Edition. The latest additions to the prestigious “Universal Legacy Series,” a collection of some of the finest films from the Universal Studios vault, each title is loaded with revealing new bonus features that take viewers behind-the-scenes as well as documentaries, feature commentaries, audio interviews, archival materials and much more. Essential additions to every cinephile’s library and listed among the AFI’s Top 100 Films, these classics grow in timeless stature as time goes by.

Screen immortals James Stewart, Grace Kelly, Kim Novak, Anthony Perkins and Janet Leigh star in a trio of the legendary director’s best films. Each two-DVD set is priced at $26.98 SRP.

PSYCHO – SPECIAL EDITION

One of the most shocking and terrifying films of all time, Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho, is the chilling story, based on an actual incident, of an unsuspecting victim (Janet Leigh) who visits the Bates Motel and falls prey to one of cinema’s most notorious psychopaths – Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins). Named as the #1 film on the AFI “100 Years…100 Thrills” list, this critically and popularly-regarded 1960 release redefined the horror film for a new generation and has become a cultural phenomenon. Featuring one of the most iconic scenes in film history - the famous “shower scene” – plus new bonus features and digitally remastered picture, Psycho is “still terrifying after all these years” (Leonard Maltin’s Classic Movie Guide).

BONUS FEATURES:

• *In the Master’s Shadow: Hitchcock’s Legacy: Some of Hollywood’s top
filmmakers discuss Hitchcock’s influence and why his movies continue to thrill audiences.
• *François Truffaut Interviews Alfred Hitchcock: Excerpts from a 1962 audio
interview.
• *Audio Commentary: Feature-length audio commentary with Hitchcock scholar Stephen Rebello (author of “Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho”)
• *Alfred Hitchcock Presents “Lamb to the Slaughter”: Full-length episode from Season 3 of Alfred Hitchcock’s TV series featuring Barbara Bel Geddes.
• The Making of Psycho: A feature-length documentary on Alfred Hitchcock’s
most shocking film ever.
• Newsreel Footage: The Release of Psycho: Vintage newsreel on the unique press policy Alfred Hitchcock insisted upon for the release of the film.
• The Shower Scene: See the impact of the music selected for the terrifying scene.
• The Shower Scene: Storyboards by Saul Bass: Original storyboard designs of the movie’s most chilling scene.
• The Psycho Archives: A gallery of on-set photo stills from the film’s production.
• Posters and Ads: Original posters and ads from the film’s theatrical campaign.
• Lobby Cards: Promotional lobby cards from the film’s theatrical campaign.
• Behind-The-Scenes Photographs: View rare photos of the cast and crew at work.
• Production Photographs: Publicity photos featuring the cast.
• Production Notes: An essay on the making of the film.
• Theatrical Trailer: The original promotional trailer from the film’s theatrical campaign.
• Re-Release Trailers: The promotional trailer created for the re-release of the film.
*Bonus feature is new to this edition.

CAST AND FILMMAKERS

Directed By: Alfred Hitchcock
Written By: Joseph Stephano (Screenplay), Robert Bloch (Novel)
Produced By: Alfred Hitchcock
Director of Photography: John L. Russell
Edited By: George Tomasini
Costume Designer: Rita Riggs
Original Music By: Bernard Herrmann
Cast: Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh, Vera Miles, John Gavin, Martin Balsam

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

DVD
Street Date: October 7, 2008
Pre-Order Close: September 2, 2008
Copyright: 2008 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Price: $26.98
Selection Number: 61100450
Running Time: 1 Hours, 49 minutes
Layers: Dual
Aspect Ratio: Anamorphic Widescreen (1.85:1)
Rating: R
Technical Info: English and French Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono; English SDH; French and Spanish Subtitles


VERTIGO – SPECIAL EDITION

One of Alfred Hitchcock’s greatest cinematic achievements, Vertigo, celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Set in San Francisco, the film creates a dizzying web of mistaken identity, passion and murder after an acrophobic detective (James Stewart) rescues a mysterious blonde (Kim Novak) from the bay. Recognized for its excellence as one of AFI’s listed “100 Years...100 Movies,” this dreamlike thriller from the Master of
Suspense about erotic obsession still delivers a stunning ending that still grips and confounds audiences. Featuring revealing bonus features and a digitally remastered picture, Vertigo is a “great motion picture that demands multiple viewings” (Leonard Maltin’s Classic Movie Guide).

BONUS FEATURES

• *Partners In Crime: Hitchcock's Collaborators: A revealing look at Alfred
Hitchcock's closest collaborators including costume designer Edith Head, composer Bernard Herrmann, title creator Saul Bass and Hitchcock's wife, Alma.
• *François Truffaut Interviews Alfred Hitchcock: Excerpts from a 1962 audio
interview.
• *Alfred Hitchcock Presents “The Case of Mr. Pelham ": A full-length episode from Season 1 of Alfred Hitchcock’s TV series.
• Audio Commentary: Feature-length audio commentary with associate producer Herbert Coleman, noted film restorers Robert A. Harris and James C. Katz and cast members.
• *Audio Commentary: Feature-length audio commentary with film director
William Friedkin
• Foreign Censorship Ending: See a version of the film's ending that was created for international releases.
• The Vertigo Archives: Gallery of on-set photo stills from the film’s production.
• Production Notes: An essay on the making of the film.
• Original Theatrical Trailer: The original promotional trailer from the film’s
theatrical campaign.
• Restoration Theatrical Trailer: The promotional trailer created for the 1996 rerelease of the meticulously restored film
• Obsessed With Vertigo: New Life for Hitchcock's Masterpiece: An in-depth
documentary on the restoration of Alfred Hitchcock’s most hypnotic thriller.
*Bonus Feature is new to this edition.

CAST AND FILMMAKERS

Directed By: Alfred Hitchcock
Written By: Alec Coppel, Samuel Taylor (Screenplay); Pierre Boileau, Thomas Narcejac (Novel)
Produced By: Alfred Hitchcock, James C. Katz
Director of Photography: Robert Burks
Edited By: George Tomasini
Costume Designer: Edith Head
Original Music By: Bernard Herrmann
Cast: James Stewart, Kim Novak, Barbara Bel Geddes, Tom Helmore

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Street Date: October 7, 2008
Pre-Order Close: September 2, 2008
Copyright: 2008 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Price: $26.98 SRP
Selection Number: 61102355
Running Time: 2 Hours, 10 minutes
Layers: Dual
Aspect Ratio: Anamorphic Widescreen (1.85:1)
Rating: PG
Technical Info: Dolby Digital 5.1; Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono; English SDH; French and Spanish Subtitles


REAR WINDOW – SPECIAL EDITION

In this suspenseful story in which the Master of Suspense reveals both the fascination and the consequences of voyeurism, a professional photographer (James Stewart) suspects his neighbor of murdering his nagging wife based on conjecture while observing through his window across the courtyard. He enlists his socialite girlfriend (Grace Kelly) to help investigate the suspicious chain of events. Honored in one of AFI's “100 Years ... 100 Movies” for excellence in film, Rear Window has also been hailed as “one of Alfred
Hitchcock’s most stylish thrillers” (Leonard Maltin’s Classic Movie Guide). With indepth bonus features and a digitally remastered picture, this cinematic masterpiece succeeds in drawing the audience in as accomplice at first, then as prey to the proceedings as the hunter becomes the hunted.

BONUS FEATURES:

• *Audio Commentary: Feature-length audio commentary with John Fawell (author of Hitchcock’s Rear Window: The Well-Made Film)
• *Pure Cinema: Through the Eyes of the Master: A look at Alfred Hitchcock’s greatest sequences and the virtuoso filmmaking techniques behind them.
• *Breaking Barriers: The Sound of Hitchcock: An examination of Alfred
Hitchcock’s innovative use of sound throughout his films.
• * François Truffaut Interviews Alfred Hitchcock: Excerpts from a 1962 audio interview with Alfred Hitchcock.
• *Alfred Hitchcock Presents “Mr. Blanchard’s Secret: A full-length episode
from Season 2 of Alfred Hitchcock’s landmark TV series.
• Rear Window Ethics: An Original Documentary: An in-depth documentary on Alfred Hitchcock’s voyeuristic masterpiece.
• A Conversation with the Screenwriter John Michael Hayes: Rear Window’s
screenwriter reflects on the making of the film.
• Production Photographs: View publicity photos featuring the cast.
• Production Notes: Read an essay on the making of the film.
• Theatrical Trailer: Watch the original promotional trailer from the film’s theatrical campaign.
• Re-Release Trailer: Watch the promotional trailer created for the re-release of the film narrated by James Stewart.
*Bonus feature is new to this edition.

CAST AND FILMMAKERS

Directed By: Alfred Hitchcock
Written By: John Michael Hayes (Screenplay), Cornell Woolrich (Short Story)
Produced By: James C. Katz
Director of Photography: Robert Burks
Edited By: George Tomasini
Costume Designer: Edith Head
Original Music By: Franz Waxman
Cast: James Stewart, Grace Kelly, Wendell Corey, Raymond Burr, Thelma Ritter

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

DVD
Street Date: October 7, 2008
Pre-Order Close: September 2, 2008
Copyright: 2008 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Price: $26.98
Selection Number: 61102353
Running Time: 1 Hour, 55 Minutes
Layers: Dual
Aspect Ratio: Anamorphic Widescreen (1.66:1)
Rating: PG
Technical Info: English and French Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono; English SDH; French and Spanish Subtitles
post #2 of 38

Re: USHE Press Release: Hitchcock Legacy Trio

I hope the day comes real soon that Universal realizes that titles like these Hitchcock films are the type of movies that will expand the demographics of Blu-ray and therefore, increase sales for players and software. Personally, I'm not going to buy these titles in hope that Universal comes to their business senses in the next couple of years.





Crawdaddy
post #3 of 38

Re: USHE Press Release: Hitchcock Legacy Trio

I wasn't going to buy RW or VERTIGO but looking at the new extras I might have to. I'm certainly not going to buy PSYCHO since that new footage showed up so I'll wait until they (eventually) release it with those new scenes.
post #4 of 38

Re: USHE Press Release: Hitchcock Legacy Trio

I'm with you Robert. I'll wait for Blu-ray before I upgrade these films again (I've already done so countless times - vhs to laser disc to dvd to better dvd, etc.)
post #5 of 38

Re: USHE Press Release: Hitchcock Legacy Trio

Quote:
Originally Posted by george kaplan
I'll wait for Blu-ray before I upgrade these films again (I've already done so countless times - vhs to laser disc to dvd to better dvd, etc.)

Same here. The time for upgrades in SD is gone as far as I'm concerned.

Any one of these would be a great introduction to HD for the Master.
post #6 of 38

Re: USHE Press Release: Hitchcock Legacy Trio

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bleddyn Williams
The time for upgrades in SD is gone as far as I'm concerned.
For popular titles like these, definitely.
post #7 of 38

Re: USHE Press Release: Hitchcock Legacy Trio

I thought they had The Birds all ready to go for this as well. Are they maybe waiting for the remake to release it?
post #8 of 38

Re: USHE Press Release: Hitchcock Legacy Trio

I wonder if "Vertigo" is sourced from the same HD master that's been playing on HDNet recently -- with the title sequence colored incorrectly, unfortunately.
post #9 of 38

Re: USHE Press Release: Hitchcock Legacy Trio

Looking at the commentary tract on the films, how do they differ from the MGM/Fox Premiere Collection? At least there isn't triple dipping on the MGM set.
post #10 of 38

Re: USHE Press Release: Hitchcock Legacy Trio

Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael Elliott
I'm certainly not going to buy PSYCHO since that new footage showed up so I'll wait until they (eventually) release it with those new scenes.
What new footage?
post #11 of 38

Re: USHE Press Release: Hitchcock Legacy Trio

Check the last few pages of the Hitchcock Premiere Collection here.
post #12 of 38

Re: USHE Press Release: Hitchcock Legacy Trio

For those who don't want to double dip but would like to hear the Truffaut interviews, Tom Sutpen has them as MP3s on his blog. They're a neat contrast to the book because you can tell that Hitch was bemused by some of the questions, but Truffaut never notices because of the language barrier.
post #13 of 38

Re: USHE Press Release: Hitchcock Legacy Trio

You can also stream two of the three AHP bonus episodes at hulu.com.
post #14 of 38

Re: USHE Press Release: Hitchcock Legacy Trio

I'd love to say I'll hold off for the inevitable Blu-ray editions.... but Christ, Vertigo is my favorite film of all time. How can I refuse????
post #15 of 38

Re: USHE Press Release: Hitchcock Legacy Trio

But these are the same transfers as the Masterpiece Collection? So, we're only supposed to buy these for some new extras? Is that what this is about? Or, can someone actually inform us if these are new transfers, which, IMO, would be the only reason to purchase them.
post #16 of 38

Re: USHE Press Release: Hitchcock Legacy Trio

Quote:
Originally Posted by BillyFeldman
But these are the same transfers as the Masterpiece Collection?
I certainly have no inside knowledge but I would guess that they are the same. If only because it seems unlikely that Universal would do another transfer so soon after doing the new anamorphic ones a few years ago.

And I think there's zero chance that they'll have the 'new' footage in Psycho.
post #17 of 38

Re: USHE Press Release: Hitchcock Legacy Trio

Quote:
Originally Posted by TravisR
I certainly have no inside knowledge but I would guess that they are the same. If only because it seems unlikely that Universal would do another transfer so soon after doing the new anamorphic ones a few years ago.
They might if they were preparing Blu-ray releases of these titles.
post #18 of 38

Re: USHE Press Release: Hitchcock Legacy Trio

Quote:
Originally Posted by Craig Beam
I'd love to say I'll hold off for the inevitable Blu-ray editions.... but Christ, Vertigo is my favorite film of all time. How can I refuse????

My problem is that I want to hold out for BD, but I only have the first nonanamorphic issue of VERTIGO which is just NOT the way to see the movie at home.
post #19 of 38

Re: USHE Press Release: Hitchcock Legacy Trio

Quote:
Originally Posted by Robert Crawford
I hope the day comes real soon that Universal realizes that titles like these Hitchcock films are the type of movies that will expand the demographics of Blu-ray and therefore, increase sales for players and software. Personally, I'm not going to buy these titles in hope that Universal comes to their business senses in the next couple of years.





Crawdaddy

I couldn't agree more.

This is the 50th anniversary of Vertigo. How Universal reasons that such an important film is unworthy of the best presentation available on home video is mind-boggling. Uni can continue to milk these Legacy titles in SD to no end, but I'll be taking a pass until they get their act together and release these films on Blu-ray. Why can't more studios adopt the Warner philosophy?

Just incredible.
post #20 of 38

Re: USHE Press Release: Hitchcock Legacy Trio

Wow William Friedkin talking about Vertigo.

Sold
post #21 of 38

Re: USHE Press Release: Hitchcock Legacy Trio

About "Psycho", the laserdisc signature collection includes an important feature: the Bernard Herrmann"s music score isolated on the analog tracks. I don't understand the reason why this magnificent music is not included in this new edition. And I am sure that the "Rear Window" & "Vertigo" soundtrack is also available, they should add them as an extra !
post #22 of 38

Re: USHE Press Release: Hitchcock Legacy Trio

Quote:
Originally Posted by ReggieW
This is the 50th anniversary of Vertigo. How Universal reasons that such an important film is unworthy of the best presentation available on home video is mind-boggling. Uni can continue to milk these Legacy titles in SD to no end, but I'll be taking a pass until they get their act together and release these films on Blu-ray. Why can't more studios adopt the Warner philosophy?

Just incredible.

Agreed. If they want me to purchase these yet again it'll have to be on Blu-ray, until then I'll stick with my Masterpiece Collection set.
post #23 of 38

Re: USHE Press Release: Hitchcock Legacy Trio

Quote:
Originally Posted by oscar_merkx
Wow William Friedkin talking about Vertigo.

Sold
Except that William Friedkin doesn't exactly give good commentary. Every Friedkin track I've listened to (Exorcist, French Connection, Cruising, Bug) had a few bits of good information but eventually devolved into a running narration of the onscreen action. And that was for movies he directed! I shudder to imagine how the problem will be amplified when he's left to talk about someone else's work.
post #24 of 38

Re: USHE Press Release: Hitchcock Legacy Trio

Quote:
Originally Posted by SD_Brian
Except that William Friedkin doesn't exactly give good commentary. Every Friedkin track I've listened to (Exorcist, French Connection, Cruising, Bug) had a few bits of good information but eventually devolved into a running narration of the onscreen action. And that was for movies he directed! I shudder to imagine how the problem will be amplified when he's left to talk about someone else's work.
He only seems to narrate his own movies because his tracks on The Leopard Man and The Narrow Margin are actually fairly interesting.
post #25 of 38

Re: USHE Press Release: Hitchcock Legacy Trio

Add me to the list of folks who'll be waiting for Blu-ray. Along with other classic titles (including TOUCH OF EVIL) these are exactly what will get me to finally invest in a hardware upgrade, and the only way I'll double dip.
post #26 of 38

Re: USHE Press Release: Hitchcock Legacy Trio

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bleddyn Williams
Same here. The time for upgrades in SD is gone as far as I'm concerned.

Any one of these would be a great introduction to HD for the Master.

Well said. I agree with you, Robert (and others) on this one.

Just look like Universal is trying to bleed the last dime out of SD.
post #27 of 38

Re: USHE Press Release: Hitchcock Legacy Trio

It does seem that Sony, Fox and Warner are the only studios really pushing the envelope with classics on Blu-ray. Why does Universal and Paramount continue to sit on their hands when it comes to classics on home video - Blu OR standard dvd? I'm not being rhetorical here, it just seems that Paramount and Universal always seem to be behind the curve. Universal releases Hitchcock and the 30's Monster films over and over and over, but there are important classics just sitting in their vaults which have yet to see a SINGLE release on dvd. Maybe I'm naive here, but I just find it interesting that these studios can have such radically different approaches to releasing classic films on home video. How is it that Warner (or even Fox) completely destroys Uni/Paramount in this area? Does Uni/Paramount find classics unprofitable? For example, How can Sony give us the Harryhausen set, Taxi Driver and Dr. Strangelove on Blu, but Uni can't release a top 10 AFI film like Vertigo on its 50th anniversary!?

I would certainly like to know.
post #28 of 38

Re: USHE Press Release: Hitchcock Legacy Trio

My guess would be that the moment Universal feels it can easily sell a million copies of Vertigo, you'll see it. As long as Warner and Sony are willing to do the work to grow the market, there's no reason for Universal to waste time and money on a low sale release. I'm not saying it's right, just that it seems to be their approach.
post #29 of 38

Re: USHE Press Release: Hitchcock Legacy Trio

Quote:
Originally Posted by ReggieW
It does seem that Sony, Fox and Warner are the only studios really pushing the envelope with classics on Blu-ray. Why does Universal and Paramount continue to sit on their hands when it comes to classics on home video - Blu OR standard dvd? I'm not being rhetorical here, it just seems that Paramount and Universal always seem to be behind the curve. Universal releases Hitchcock and the 30's Monster films over and over and over, but there are important classics just sitting in their vaults which have yet to see a SINGLE release on dvd. Maybe I'm naive here, but I just find it interesting that these studios can have such radically different approaches to releasing classic films on home video. How is it that Warner (or even Fox) completely destroys Uni/Paramount in this area? Does Uni/Paramount find classics unprofitable? For example, How can Sony give us the Harryhausen set, Taxi Driver and Dr. Strangelove on Blu, but Uni can't release a top 10 AFI film like Vertigo on its 50th anniversary!?

I would certainly like to know.

Having worked with one of the big studio players in the specific area of video sales I can only share what I've observed.

As with any other large company selling consumer products, there is the 80/20 rule. 80 percent of the sales come from 20 percent of the items (in DVD sales it's more like 90/10). Thus where would you spend your time if you were them?

Studios may be big business but it's a small industry of players. Moving from one studio to another happens but usually in success not in failure. Thus if you get canned at one studio, don't expect that other studios are going to want you, they already have their own guy that does the same thing.

That's important as a mindset. One would think it would be a no-brainer to take the catalog titles that you don't want to distribute on video and offer it up to a smaller group that specializes in smaller titles, making money in the process. The decision-makers are scared shitless of giving up a title to a small group that becomes a big winner for them. They would risk the chance of doing nothing versus doing something that would backfire on them personally (bringing us back to my last point).
post #30 of 38

Re: USHE Press Release: Hitchcock Legacy Trio

Holding out for BluRay editions, but these look quite good. Sort of a letdown they're not including music-only tracks for Psycho and Vertigo, but you can hear them on CD.

Touch of Evil is a sale, though. I can't imagine it ending up on BluRay for a long time unlike the Hitchcock titles.
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