Warner Archive Discussion Thread (The Announcements/The Films) - Page 20

Thanks for the WIDE-SCREEN 3-FER SALE info, guys --a perfect fit for the three recently-released Tarzan flicks I wanted:

TARZAN GOES TO INDIA
TARZAN'S THREE CHALLENGES
TARZAN & THE VALLEY OF GOLD

--since I have zero interest in the final two Mike Henry films, a 1960s Tarzan value-pack wasn't an option for me.

Cabinwb code appears to have expired. At least it did not work for me. With over $50 in cart I get an error message saying code is not recognized. Perhaps I am doing something wrong.

There is a review of the Torchy Blane set in the NY POST at this link:

http://www.nypost.com/p/blogs/movies/dvd_extra_torchy_blane_the_newsgal_JqCdGiOEtruFWpGfroxHAK

In the article, George Feltenstein indicates other B movie series the Archive intends to release:

"According to Warners' George Feltenstein, other series in the pipeline include Perry Mason, The Saint, The Falcon -- and Hiledgarde Withers, the sleuthing New York City schoolteacher played by Edna May Oliver, Helen Broderick and Zazu Pitts in a series of RKO mysteries."

Really glad to hear about the Hildegarde Withersseries - this means they're starting to dip more deeply into the RKO's.  Could the Wheeler and Woolsey's  be coming soon? (I know Rio Rita is there already but I really want the rest!)

Glad to read about the Hildegarde Withers and Falcon sets. I'll be looking forward to both.

I bought the Blane series and will buy any of the others they release.

Just got an email from WA which announces the following May releases:

Chandler (1971) with Warren Oates
Hit Man (1972) with Pam Grier
Fast-Walking (1982) with James Woods
Zeppelin (1971) with Michael York

Chandler and Zeppelin are available today; also, apparently:
Marie: A True Story with Sissy Spacek
Flap (1970) with Anthony Quinn







 

NY Post had the complete list of May 4 titles.  Those listed above plus:
Beniker Gang, The (1985)
Cookie (1989)
Our Time (1974)
Return to Salem's Lot, A (1987)

Newsletter also has this tidbid:
THE PHANTOM OF HOLLYWOOD has not been scrapped, but instead he's getting a makeover. Look for a newly- remastered WAC release of this film fan favorite later this year.

I wonder how they determine which films require remaster and which don't (like UNDER THE RAINBOW).  Here's the cover for PHANTOM OF HOLLYWOOD that WAC had online before they changed their mind to remaster it.  Most likely cover will be changed to fit the new design.

Great news on the blaxpolitation flick "Hit Man". I hope Warner will continue to release more grindhouse blaxploitation movies (see list below) and also release the Shaft television series.

The Hitter (Ron O'Neal) Yr.78
Brothers (Bernie Casey) Yr. 77
Sweet Jesus Preacher Man
Comeback Charleston Blue
The Split (Jim Brown)
Tick Tick Tick (Jim Brown)
The Slams (Jim Brown)
Hang Up Yr. 74(directed by Henry Hathaway)
The Learning Tree
Black Eye
Mr. Ricco
Cool Breeze (Pam Grier)

Count me in for Comeback Charleston Blue, Tick Tick Tick, & The Learning Tree.

THE HITTER was released on VHS by Sony Video Software, before they bought out Columbia Pictures.  I don't know whether that was a temporary licensing deal or if they bought in perpetuity.  In any case, I don't think it will come out through WB.

I'd give a thumbs down to the blaxploitation flick being released here.  The 4-film URBAN ACTION set can be had for $10 so I'd much rather see the films released that way instead of the higher price for one. 

I hope the Crime Does Not Pay series comes soon.

Did anyone notice this blurb in the e-mail sent out by the Archive:



Any insight to what this is?  A commitment to use fresh transfers for releases, switching to pressed discs?? 

Of the blaxploitation titles, The Split deserves a general (non-Archive) release as it has an all-star cast (Jim Brown, Julie Harris, Ernest Borgnine, Diahann Carroll, Warren Oates, Gene Hackman, Jack Klugman, Donald Sutherland, James Whitmore) and an excellent heist plot.  Still no word on the Mexican Spitfire series, eh? 

 

And speaking of Julie Harris, why isn't her 1966 comedy You're a Big Boy Now out on DVD?  Her costars in that one included Geraldine Page, Rip Torn, Karen Black, Elizabeth Hartman, Charles Durning, Michael Dunn, Peter Kastner, and Tony Bill, with a soundtrack by no less than The Lovin' Spoonful!  Perhaps the Archive hasn't heard of the film's director, a fellow named Francis Ford Coppola.........

The Warner Archive already contains Coppola's THE RAIN PEOPLE. The goal is to empty the vault completely, so one way or another it'll find release. 

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Steve, I'm wondering if that's just referring to Warners lowering the prices on the upgrades to Blu Ray that they offer.  If that's all it's about then it's not a very big deal in my book.  But maybe there's more to it than that.

Gary "the emphasis on 'more beautiful' is what makes me think this has something to do with BR more so than better transfers or pressed discs - but it doesn't hurt to dream" O.

WarnerArchive

"Shhhhhh! Tomorrow will have a very new, very quiet sale. Well, maybe not totally quiet but it certainly will be less wordy."

 

Sounds like a sale on all silent films is going live tomorrow.

Yep, 30% off silent movies.

Their recent sales have been rather lackluster. 50% off or 5 for $11 is something I'd do. Maybe I'd do 30% off if the coupons would also work. But they have reprogrammed their site so that none of the coupons work for items on sale. No sale for me.      

I am surprised and excited to see "Cookie" is now available. Definitely grabbing a copy of that to replace my old vhs copy. Funny movie with great actors/actresses. I had been hoping they would release it but didn't think they would for some reason. Very cool!

 

Can someone please tell me if the Warner Bros. logo appears on the actual movies like it does on the preview clips on their site? I'm hoping it doesn't.

Titles coming next week:

The Warner Archive Archive Collection will release "Classic Musical Shorts From the Dream Factory 1928-48,'' a 35-title collection of MGM short subjects, on May 18. The titles in the four-disc set (two discs are in Technicolor) highlight "big brands, classic comedians, vaudeville greats and more.''

Bobo, The (1967) - Peter Sellers!

Class Act (1992) - aka House Party 2.5

Cracking Up (1983) - Jerry Lewis!

Fiendish Plot of Dr. Fu Manchu, The (1980) - Peter Sellers!

Last of the Mobile Hot Shots (1970) - Lynn Redgrave, RIP!

Which Way to the Front? (1970) - Jerry Lewis!

 

NY Post mentions 15 titles, so that's not all!

 

Our Time and Zeppelin uses the Time Warner Logo at the beginning, while Flap uses the 70's WB logo.  The only reason I see is that on Flap the actual film and title music started under the logo and the other films started after the attached logo.  I do wish they would leave the logo alone and give us the correct era's logo.
 

If you're referring to watermarks (as in tv stations' ID's in the lower corner), I don't think any of the Warner Archives discs have that.  So no worries! 

Sellers, Helen Mirren, and Sid Caesar in FU MANCHU, not that the cast improves it any. But I may have to give MOBILE HOT SHOTS a look; one of several Sidney Lumet pictures to hit DVD-R of late (still waiting for THE SEA GULL.)

OOh some Jerry Lewis movies.

OH, Cracking Up, well it's still Jerry Lewis.

I finally got around to watching disc 4 of the Joe McDoakes set and the disc freezes up on the fifth short.  Does anyone know the best way to handle returns?  I'm wondering if they'll even take it since I bought this set when it first came out, which was quite a while ago. 

I tried returning a problem disc I bought in July (yeah, it took awhile for me to have a look) and was it was a no-go. (The disc is GET TO KNOW YOUR RABBIT.)

I had the same problem with I Was a Communist For the F.B.I. -

So much for Warners supporting/guaranteeing this format...I guess all the rhetoric was just that.

I guess I'll call them tomorrow but I really hope they don't expect me to buy another box set just to replace one disc.  I supported Warner in just about everyone of their pressed releases so I really hope I don't get screwed with these.  Again, hopefully they'll just replace the disc but if not I guess I'll have to go the bank and see what I can get done. 

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That's good to know. Thanks for all the logo info.

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Oh! What a relief. I was hoping they weren't going to slap that in the corner like they do on the preview clips. Thanks for letting me know.
 

I am soooo picking this movie up. I have the vhs version. A lot of people think it's one of his weakest but I have a soft spot for it because I grew up watching it a lot on tv. It's one of my faves. :)