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WHV Press Release: Warner Archive Collection adds 22 more classic titles (5/7/09)

post #1 of 32
5/7/09 at 12:27pm
Thread Starter 
WARNER ARCHIVE COLLECTION ADDS 22 CLASSIC MOVIE TITLES TO ITS RAPIDLY GROWING ONLINE SERVICE INCLUDING “FREEBIE AND THE BEAN” “JOHNNY EAGER” AND “SOLDIER IN THE RAIN”

“Tarzan” Starring Lex Barker Offered for the First time Ever on Home Video; Bettie Davis, Jackie Gleason, Alan Arkin and Numerous Legendary Actors are Now Available

Burbank, Calif., May 7, 2009 – Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group (WBHEG), today announced that 22 additional classic movie titles have been added to its popular Warner Archive Collection (WBshop.com - The Official Online Store of Warner Bros. Studios: Warner Archive) online service including, “Freebie and the Bean” starring Academy Award®-Winner Alan Arkin and Academy Award®-Nominee James Caan, and “Soldier in the Rain” starring Jackie Gleason and Steve McQueen.

Also announced today, for the first time in any home video format, the Warner Archive Collection is offering five classic “Tarzan” adventures starring Lex Barker as the legendary “Lord of the Apes.” To celebrate, these films are being offered at a special price when all five are purchased together. In addition, films starring Hollywood legends Olivia de Havilland, Robert Taylor and John Garfield also debuted today including “Johnny Eager,” “Pride of the Maries,” and “Princess O’Rourke.” Like other Warner Archive Collection titles that are released in widescreen, “Soldier in the Rain” and “Freebie and the Bean” make their debut in 16x9 enhanced widescreen format. Currently the Warner Archive Collection offers 191 timeless movies and by year’s end will have more than 300 titles online.

Spanning more than 60 years of filmmaking, the Warner Archive Collection offers movie fans access to Warner Bros. Entertainment’s unparalleled film library consisting of pre-1986 MGM, RKO Radio Pictures and Warner Bros. Pictures films. These timeless classics can be downloaded or purchased on DVDs that are made to order for the customer using a state-of-the-art Manufacturing on Demand (MOD) process. For a complete list of titles visit WarnerArchive.com.


WBHEG recently launched an exciting podcast series titled “The Golden History of Hollywood.” Hosted by George Feltenstein of Warner Home Video and available on iTunes (Apple - iTunes - The world?s most popular digital media player.) and numerous online sites for free, this series takes movie fans back in time to the “Golden Era” of Hollywood. “The Golden History of Hollywood” features captivating archival recordings from Warner Bros.’ vault including behind-the-scenes interviews with stars, radio editions of movies from the “Lux Radio Theater” and MGM’s “Good News” radio programs and much more.

The following new titles will be added to the Warner Archive Collection this month:
Above And Beyond
All The Brothers Were Valiant
Billy The Kid
Bye, Bye Braverman
Castle On The Hudson
Fallen Sparrow, The
Four Daughters
Freebie And The Bean
Great Garrick, The
Hard To Get
Johnny Eager
Party Girl
Pride Of The Marines
Princess O’Rourke
Skin Game
Soldier In The Rain
Tarzan And The She-Devil
Tarzan And The Slave Girl
Tarzan's Magic Fountain
Tarzan's Magic Fountain
Tarzan's Peril
Tarzan's Savage Fury


To order their movies, fans visit WarnerArchive.com, select their titles, and upon purchase, a state-of-the-art manufacturing on demand (MOD) system creates a made-to-order DVD. The system places the DVD into a hard plastic Amaray case featuring custom artwork; shrink wraps it and ships the finished package to the customer which arrives in approximately five days. The cost per title is $19.95, plus shipping. Alternatively, consumers can purchase digital downloads of these classic films to enjoy immediately on their PC. The cost for a digital download is $14.95 per title. Warner Archive Collection is currently available only to consumers in the United States.
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post #2 of 32
5/7/09 at 12:30pm

Re: WHV Press Release: Warner Archive Collection adds 22 more classic titles (5/7/09)

When are they going to announce any tv series?
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post #3 of 32
5/7/09 at 12:37pm

Re: WHV Press Release: Warner Archive Collection adds 22 more classic titles (5/7/09)

Pity they didn't mention what that 'special price' for the Tarzan titles is; I suspect it will still make me go: "Noooooo-eeeeooooeeeeooo-eoeoooooooo!'
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post #4 of 32
5/7/09 at 12:40pm

Re: WHV Press Release: Warner Archive Collection adds 22 more classic titles (5/7/09)

What's the special price for ordering all five Tarzan movies? The shopping cart doesn't show any special price when all are added.
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post #5 of 32
5/7/09 at 2:22pm

Re: WHV Press Release: Warner Archive Collection adds 22 more classic titles (5/7/09)

From the chat transcript March 23:
Quote:
warnerbros: 1). There will be a availability of product WORLDWIDE shortly through the Warner Archive Collection. SHORTLY. We just don't have a date yet...it could be only a few days away.... bear with us...

From the press release May 7:
Quote:
Warner Archive Collection is currently available only to consumers in the United States.

Why? How much longer do the consumers from all the other countries in the world have to wait? How long is SHORTLY? Is our money not good enough? Don't we deserve your films? American films for American People only? There are 6.7 billion people living on earth, but only 0.3 billion live in the US.

Please give us hope... It's very hard to bear these press releases when one is not allowed to buy the films.
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post #6 of 32
5/7/09 at 2:26pm

Re: WHV Press Release: Warner Archive Collection adds 22 more classic titles (5/7/09)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Frank M
From the chat transcript March 23:


From the press release May 7:


Why? How much longer do the consumers from all the other countries in the world have to wait? How long is SHORTLY? Is our money not good enough? Don't we deserve your films? American films for American People only? There are 6.7 billion people living on earth, but only 0.3 billion live in the US.

Please give us hope... It's very hard to bear these press releases when one is not allowed to buy the films.

But, imho, it's useless to have international shipping available when you have to deal with UPS, the shipping costs and their brokerage fees. I'm not willing to pay such a huge amount of money.

Movies Unlimited can be an alternative, I mailed them and they said, that they plan to stock all Archive titles after 90days and they hope they have the first titles available in July.
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post #7 of 32
5/7/09 at 3:27pm

Re: WHV Press Release: Warner Archive Collection adds 22 more classic titles (5/7/09)

They keep mentioning this podcast but I have yet to run into the darn thing. Has anybody else heard it?
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post #8 of 32
5/7/09 at 3:32pm

Re: WHV Press Release: Warner Archive Collection adds 22 more classic titles (5/7/09)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Frank M
From the chat transcript March 23:


From the press release May 7:


Why? How much longer do the consumers from all the other countries in the world have to wait? How long is SHORTLY? Is our money not good enough? Don't we deserve your films? American films for American People only? There are 6.7 billion people living on earth, but only 0.3 billion live in the US.

Please give us hope... It's very hard to bear these press releases when one is not allowed to buy the films.
They did open it up to international customers a couple weeks back, and then everyone was pissed off that it was so pricey. So then they stopped. I suspect that means they have had to change their plans, and that the statement from the chat therefore no longer applies.

In summary: International shipping did arrive "shortly". And everybody hated it. So now you'll have to wait again.
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post #9 of 32
5/7/09 at 3:49pm

Re: WHV Press Release: Warner Archive Collection adds 22 more classic titles (5/7/09)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Brandon Conway
They did open it up to international customers a couple weeks back, and then everyone was pissed off that it was so pricey. So then they stopped. I suspect that means they have had to change their plans, and that the statement from the chat therefore no longer applies.

In summary: International shipping did arrive "shortly". And everybody hated it. So now you'll have to wait again.

I don't know why international shipping was suspended, but I seriously doubt that's the reason.
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post #10 of 32
5/7/09 at 3:52pm

Re: WHV Press Release: Warner Archive Collection adds 22 more classic titles (5/7/09)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve Armbrust
What's the special price for ordering all five Tarzan movies? The shopping cart doesn't show any special price when all are added.

That's the question some of us are wondering as well. I'm mainly interested in 2 of the Barker's but if the discount is low enough I might get the other Barker's.
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post #11 of 32
5/7/09 at 4:11pm

Re: WHV Press Release: Warner Archive Collection adds 22 more classic titles (5/7/09)

With the release of SOLDIER IN THE RAIN and ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE from the Warner Archive, the Steve McQueen filmography is one film (THE HONEYMOON MACHINE) away from being complete. This is one of the great things about the Archive: SOLDIER and ENEMY were a bit too eclectic to have been released in WB's McQueen Collection, and I cannot imagine them being released in any other context.
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post #12 of 32
5/7/09 at 4:17pm

Re: WHV Press Release: Warner Archive Collection adds 22 more classic titles (5/7/09)

ok. I put all five tarzan films in my cart and went to check out . I was hoping it would give some type of discount so i could see what the sale price is . But no . Is this sale going to be a secret? or are we supposed to just order and hope for the best?
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post #13 of 32
5/7/09 at 4:36pm

Re: WHV Press Release: Warner Archive Collection adds 22 more classic titles (5/7/09)

There is now a Barker/TARZAN package listed for $49.95.
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post #14 of 32
5/7/09 at 4:56pm

Re: WHV Press Release: Warner Archive Collection adds 22 more classic titles (5/7/09)

I just checked the WB website and couldn't find a tarzan package. Am i missing something ?
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post #15 of 32
5/7/09 at 4:59pm

Re: WHV Press Release: Warner Archive Collection adds 22 more classic titles (5/7/09)

WBshop.com - The Official Online Store of Warner Bros. Studios: Warner Archive Lex Barker Tarzan DVD Set
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post #16 of 32
5/7/09 at 5:13pm

Re: WHV Press Release: Warner Archive Collection adds 22 more classic titles (5/7/09)

Thanks for the link.
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post #17 of 32
5/7/09 at 5:23pm

Re: WHV Press Release: Warner Archive Collection adds 22 more classic titles (5/7/09)

Ordered the Tarzan package for $37 and change with the discount code. Also added Pride of the Marines and castle on the Hudson also with the discount. Brings it to just over $ 60 so the free shipping kicks in. Not too bad. Gotta give WB credit for trying.
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post #18 of 32
5/7/09 at 8:38pm

Re: WHV Press Release: Warner Archive Collection adds 22 more classic titles (5/7/09)

Quote:
Originally Posted by borisfw
Ordered the Tarzan package for $37 and change with the discount code. Also added Pride of the Marines and castle on the Hudson also with the discount. Brings it to just over $ 60 so the free shipping kicks in. Not too bad. Gotta give WB credit for trying.

Frank,

What discount code did you use to get the price to $37.00 ?
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post #19 of 32
5/7/09 at 8:45pm

Re: WHV Press Release: Warner Archive Collection adds 22 more classic titles (5/7/09)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeff Willis
Frank,

What discount code did you use to get the price to $37.00 ?
XB592, it's only good once and for a maximum of five Archive releases. Since this boxset is listed as one release, better use it before something changes.
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post #20 of 32
5/7/09 at 8:57pm

Re: WHV Press Release: Warner Archive Collection adds 22 more classic titles (5/7/09)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Robert Crawford
XB592, it's only good once and for a maximum of five Archive releases. Since this boxset is listed as one release, better use it before something changes.

Thanks, Crawdaddy! I think this is where I jump into this Archive store I'm going to the online checkout now to see what the grand total with shipping will turn out to be....
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post #21 of 32
5/7/09 at 9:16pm

Re: WHV Press Release: Warner Archive Collection adds 22 more classic titles (5/7/09)

Just ordered the Barker Tarzan set. Grand Total shipping UPS Gnd to Dallas was $46.53 . That just made it under my $10.00 per disc limit for buying from the archive site. As this may be my only archive purchase (plus with the apparent TCM broadcast cancellations) I pulled the trigger on this one.

It was good to see WB start offering some discounted "box-set" types from this store.

Of course, if these Barker's turn up as pressed remastered releases down the road....I'll still enjoy these for now

I'll post a "layman's" video Q review when I get these, around 05/14 according to the site. It'll be interesting to see how they'll play on a 50" Panny Plasma set. I've watched a few DVD-R's as well as some 16mm-transfer TV/DVD's on my Panny and they're ok for me but I'm not considered a pro when it comes to detecting some of the parameters mentioned here (progressive vs interlaced).
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post #22 of 32
5/8/09 at 7:44am

Re: WHV Press Release: Warner Archive Collection adds 22 more classic titles (5/7/09)

I guess the Tarzan deal is off already. Its on the main page now but everytime you try to access says it it goes to an error could not be processed screen. Only happens with the Tarzan set. Guess I will not be getting these because theres no way I am paying $14.95-19.95 a piece for these 75 minute films.
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post #23 of 32
5/8/09 at 8:25am

Re: WHV Press Release: Warner Archive Collection adds 22 more classic titles (5/7/09)

Maybe they have Cheetah coding the website? "Ungowah Cheetah! Warner man pay peanuts for web pages - he gets monkey!"
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post #24 of 32
5/8/09 at 8:30am

Re: WHV Press Release: Warner Archive Collection adds 22 more classic titles (5/7/09)

I also bought the set for $46 shipped. I am almost done with the Weismuller Tarzans and was hoping to get the Barker Tarzans as they are next in the series. Hope the Gordan Scotts come out soon and are also available in a set at a lower price.
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post #25 of 32
5/10/09 at 8:23am

Re: WHV Press Release: Warner Archive Collection adds 22 more classic titles (5/7/09)

i am somewhat of a Bette Davis fan. Is any of her work released in the ARCHIVE COLLECTION? Thanks for the help.
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post #26 of 32
5/10/09 at 1:30pm

Re: WHV Press Release: Warner Archive Collection adds 22 more classic titles (5/7/09)

Quote:
Originally Posted by bob kaplan
i am somewhat of a Bette Davis fan. Is any of her work released in the ARCHIVE COLLECTION? Thanks for the help.

PAYMENT ON DEMAND, a very good 1950 film released right after ALL ABOUT EVE (but filmed before it).

The Archive release looks very, very good.
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post #27 of 32
5/10/09 at 7:20pm

Re: WHV Press Release: Warner Archive Collection adds 22 more classic titles (5/7/09)

Thank you Matt
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post #28 of 32
3/20/10 at 12:36pm
I don't suppose anybody has seen the Freebie and the Bean DVD or download. I was just wondering if it's in widescreen. The website says widescreen but the clip the have is P&S. Do these movies come in anamorphic form when they are in widescreen?


scratch that. I just read over at IMDB that it is indeed anamorphic widescreen.
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post #29 of 32
3/20/10 at 2:21pm
All widescreen titles from the WA are anamorphically enhanced--at least the ones I have. Haven't heard of any exceptions.
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post #30 of 32
3/22/10 at 5:22am
I have mixed feelings about these Archive Collection releases, on one hand I'm thankful, and I REALLY am don't get me wrong, that two of my all time requested films Don't Be Afraid of the Dark and Angus are finally out but on the other hand I find it weird, and maybe even a little lazy, that they chose to release these on DVD-R media with cheap menus and absolutely no extras.

It even states that they may not play in computer drives.

But like I said I'm glad they're out so I'm not complaining that much, I just find it a little odd, that's all. If they could finally get The Saint of Fort Washington out that would be great, I would then own every title on my wish list since DVD launched.
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