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Universal To Celebrate 100 Years in 2012

post #1 of 326
11/15/11 at 5:54pm
Thread Starter 

I just noticed a posting of a memo from Ron Meyer at Universal Studios, discussing next year's centennial of the studio:

 

 

"As many of you already know, Universal will mark its 100th Anniversary in 2012. This is a proud and exciting moment for our company, which celebrates the studio’s rich history and cultural impact. In January, we’re going to be unveiling an extensive year-long campaign that includes a significant restoration commitment for some of our most beloved films, fan engagement through special events, a home entertainment offering, theme park activities, promotions, and fun social media and web outreaches. All of this is designed to connect a new audience to our extraordinary library of films, as well as bring these memories back to longtime movie lovers. Part of our centennial celebration includes the launch of a new audio visual and print logo which we will unveil early next year..."

 

The memo goes on to say more nice things, but this seems to be appropriate for those of us here.

 

I have already heard murmurs elsewhere that Universal plans to release Blu-ray editions of Jaws and E.T. next year.  I have to wonder about the other movies they mean. 

 

Should make for an interesting year in any case...

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post #2 of 326
11/15/11 at 6:17pm
Schindler's List perhaps? Maybe the Monster films? I'm having a bit of a brain lapse but I can't think of any other Universal movies I want on blu-ray although I'm pretty sure there are others.
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post #3 of 326
11/15/11 at 6:57pm

Hopefully some more Hitchcock finally makes it out.

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post #4 of 326
11/15/11 at 8:27pm

Hopefully their "commitment to restoration" means actual restoration and not DNR-laden rush jobs (no need to name names).

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post #5 of 326
11/15/11 at 8:58pm
Hopefully it means releasing some of their earliest films for the first time -- those that are 100 years old or close to it, like John Ford's Straight Shooting (1917). Now that really would be celebrating a century of filmmaking.

Universal, show me something interesting.
Something I can't see already by pulling it off the shelf.
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post #6 of 326
11/15/11 at 11:57pm

I just looked up the 2010 Wolfman and I can't see the Blu Ray of the 1941 version amongst the extras. What I do see is a streaming version whose certificate expired on June 30 2011. Any different?

 

Also Digital or streaming copies are no good outside America, it seems. A forthcoming Disney(Lady & the Tramp) gives the option of not having to take a copy and save a few bucks which I opted for. Warners have been putting Digital copies with their DVD extras on Blu Ray. I actually tried an experiment and copied the digital file with the DVD file and got a good  copy of the Digital one and no sound on the DVD file. It was not possible to separate the files as they came up in one stream and the running time of the both versions combined. Another mystery.

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post #7 of 326
11/16/11 at 1:10am
I'm seeing encouraging signs that UK BD releases, as part of the celebrations, of To Kill A Mockingbird and All Quiet On The Western Front may be coming soon.
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post #8 of 326
11/16/11 at 4:06am
I wonder if the celebration will include Paramount films that they own or if it will be strictly Universal.
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post #9 of 326
11/16/11 at 5:36am
Any way you cut it, they almost have to do better than 20th Century Fox's 100th anniversary 2 years ago. That was a bunch of hype over nothing.

Universal films that I would like to upgrade.
1. Most Hitchcock, but especially Vertigo & Rear Window
2. Touch of Evil
3. To Kill a Mockingbird
4. Double Indemnity

....but like several of the above comments, I would most desire some catalog titles that have not been released yet.
How about a Veronica Lake / Alan Ladd set that could include (This Gun For Hire, The Glass Key, & The Blue Dahlia)???....or how about a third W.C. Fields set?
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post #10 of 326
11/16/11 at 6:22am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Eric Peterson View Post

Any way you cut it, they almost have to do better than 20th Century Fox's 100th anniversary 2 years ago. That was a bunch of hype over nothing.
Universal films that I would like to upgrade.
1. Most Hitchcock, but especially Vertigo & Rear Window
2. Touch of Evil

Regarding the Hitchcock films, I hope they release them slowly on Blu-ray, making sure they do a good job of each title like they did with Psycho. If they just release 3 or 4 titles in all of next year that would be fine, so long as they are all well done. Look at the Hitchcock DVDs, it took until the red velvet MASTERPIECE COLLECTION, that was released in late 2005, for them to do the films right (by DVD standards). A lot of the early Hitchcock DVDs were rubbish, especially the Australian ones that were often full frame or pan and scan

Regarding Touch of Evil. If you are desperate for that on Blu-ray, get the Masters of Cinema edition, that was released this week:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Touch-Evil-Masters-Cinema-Blu-ray/dp/B005DDIUYM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1321452924&sr=8-1

It is on 2 discs and has 3 different versions of the film, including full frame versions (even though I think the film is meant to be 1.85:1):
http://eurekavideo.co.uk/moc/catalogue/touch-of-evil/
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post #11 of 326
11/16/11 at 6:23am
Which universal films would people like to see on Blu-ray?

All Quiet On the Western Front and To Kill A Mockingbird would be obvious choices for the studio to issue on its 100th birthday, and I'm sure they will.

But I am mostly curious about the early history of Universal, the silents and early talkies that started the company going. Except for their classic horror films, Universal has pretty much buried its years of innovation and discovery in the vaults. The studio began in 1912, so let's see films they released between 1912 and 1929, and the early pre-code talkies. It makes no sense to celebrate a century of filmmaking without beginning at the beginning.

I'd also love to see those great B westerns Universal produced in the 1950s, part backlot and part scenery in vivid dye-transfer color that have never been released domestically (region 2 doesn't count for most people in the USA).):

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post #12 of 326
11/16/11 at 7:38am

I'd be shocked if The Sting wasn't one of the films that comes to Blu-ray in 2012. I have the HD-DVD and am glad to have it, but it would only make sense for a film this honored to be given a Blu-ray release.

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post #13 of 326
11/16/11 at 7:59am

100 years, is a lot of ground to cover in a one year celebration, and in my own opinion if it was to be done correctly,  keep this in mind, do not count the Paramount back catalog, even though there are films in there that need to be presented correctly.

 

That said, my biggest concern is the hit miss ratio that Universal has done,  releases that just were not up to standards, “ahem Spartacus anyone” or any number of other releases that have been discussed as not quite hitting that mark.

 

So short list off the top that needs released and released correctly in the next year,

 

Cape Fear 1962

Babe: Pig In The City

Jaws

Schindler’s List

Duel

1941

To Kill A Mockingbird (Criterion)

Touch Of Evil (Criterion)

The Sting

Spartacus (Criterion)

All Quiet On The Western Front (Criterion maybe??)

Arabian Nights

Smokey And The Bandit

The Deer Hunter

Harvey

My Little Chickadee

Pillow Talk

Imitation Of Life  34/59

Streets Of Fire

The Birds

Dracula 1931

Frankenstein 1931

The Mummy

The Invisible Man

Bride of Frankenstein

Phantom Of The Opera 1943

The Wolf Man

The Creature From The Black Lagoon (3D)

Revenge Of The Creature (3D)

The Creature Walks Among  Us
Halloween III (what happened to this ?)

Brazil (Criterion) 

They Live

 

Brides Of Dracula (Hammer)

Phantom Of The Opera (Hammer)

Curse Of The Werewolf (Hammer)

Dracula 1979

 

Complete Walter Lance Archive on Blu chronological (give Woody the same push every other toon gets.

As for the other side, Universal/MCA TV has so many classic series that were stalled or never done in HD yet so a suggestion

 

Alfred Hitchcock Presents: Season One, Season Two, Season Three, Season Four, Season Five: Blu Ray


Edited by dana martin - 11/16/11 at 8:14am
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post #14 of 326
11/16/11 at 9:09am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kevin EK View Post

I just noticed a posting of a memo from Ron Meyer at Universal Studios, discussing next year's centennial of the studio:


"As many of you already know, Universal will mark its 100th Anniversary in 2012. This is a proud and exciting moment for our company, which celebrates the studio’s rich history and cultural impact. In January, we’re going to be unveiling an extensive year-long campaign that includes a significant restoration commitment for some of our most beloved films, fan engagement through special events, a home entertainment offering, theme park activities, promotions, and fun social media and web outreaches. All of this is designed to connect a new audience to our extraordinary library of films, as well as bring these memories back to longtime movie lovers. Part of our centennial celebration includes the launch of a new audio visual and print logo which we will unveil early next year..."

The memo goes on to say more nice things, but this seems to be appropriate for those of us here.

I have already heard murmurs elsewhere that Universal plans to release Blu-ray editions of Jaws and E.T. next year.  I have to wonder about the other movies they mean. 

Should make for an interesting year in any case...

The release of Jaws and ET seems to be almost a fact (according to The Digital Bits).

I have to say Meyer's statement does sound promesing. If he's right, we should start hearing about it on January (it seems like they don't plan on releasing any big movies the first two months of the year or the announcement should have happened already). Considering their blu-ray release history, whatever they do is going to feel like a big celebration. I mean, for us old-film lovers, "Psycho" is about the only thing they've done (talking about pre-1960 movies, the ones I'm interested in). We'll see.

I would certainly love to get "All quiet on the western front" on blu-ray, and that movie certainly has "prestige" and "anniversary celebration" written all over it. I guess they'll do a sampling of everlasting home-video favorites. Possibly "Touch of evil", "To kill a mockingbird", "The sting", "Winchester 73" and some Hitchcock. Maybe some Douglas Sirk too. I would say no Paramount titles, MLamarre, but who knows. I'm afraid I wouldn't expect much originality Richard W. I would love to se some off-the-beaten-path stuff too.
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post #15 of 326
11/16/11 at 9:31am
here's 2 musicals

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post #16 of 326
11/16/11 at 9:35am
How about SWEET CHARITY and a TODD-AO release of AIRPORT.
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post #17 of 326
11/16/11 at 9:41am
And some Universal Swashbuklers

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post #18 of 326
11/16/11 at 9:44am
Some More

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post #19 of 326
11/16/11 at 11:42am
These swashbucklers must have been campy fun even when they were new.

Come on, Universal, bring 'em out.
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post #20 of 326
11/16/11 at 12:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by John Hodson View Post

I'm seeing encouraging signs that UK BD releases, as part of the celebrations, of To Kill A Mockingbird and All Quiet On The Western Front may be coming soon.


I'd buy both in a heartbeat.

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post #21 of 326
11/16/11 at 1:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by MattH. View Post

I'd be shocked if The Sting wasn't one of the films that comes to Blu-ray in 2012. I have the HD-DVD and am glad to have it, but it would only make sense for a film this honored to be given a Blu-ray release.


I just remember how long it took us to get a widescreen DVD release of The Sting.  That seemed like it took forever.

 

Oh.  Because it did!  tongue.gif

 

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post #22 of 326
11/16/11 at 1:47pm


 

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kevin EK View Post

I just noticed a posting of a memo from Ron Meyer at Universal Studios, discussing next year's centennial of the studio:

 

 

"....All of this is designed to connect a new audience to our extraordinary library of films, as well as bring these memories back to longtime movie lovers...."

 

Emphasis added.
 

I admire the optimism guys, but to me, this just sounds like the latest crack at the 'evergreen' titles (which is perfectly fine) rather than deep catalog exploration.  

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post #23 of 326
11/16/11 at 5:02pm
Thread Starter 

One that I'm sure will be held back is Midnight Run, since they're developing a sequel.  But when that sequel hits, one can hope for a Blu-ray with new materials...

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post #24 of 326
11/16/11 at 7:57pm

I would like to see "The Shadow" (Alec Baldwin) get the blu-ray treatment in it's original theatrical aspect ratio.

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post #25 of 326
11/16/11 at 11:44pm
I'd like to see some of the Universal film noir get the blu-ray treatment.

Criss Cross, The Killers, Black Angel, Phantom Lady, The Big Clock, Scarlet Street, Cape Fear

Paramount but now owned by Universal
This Gun for Hire, The Glass Key, The Blue Dahlia

And while they are at it, how about Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid.


Having said all this, I'm not holding my breath.

Doug
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post #26 of 326
11/16/11 at 11:46pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Terry Hickey View Post

I would like to see "The Shadow" (Alec Baldwin) get the blu-ray treatment in it's original theatrical aspect ratio.

The Shadow just showed up on Amazon's Instant Video service, in the correct aspect ratio and in HD.

Doug
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post #27 of 326
11/17/11 at 12:10am
I'm waiting for:
Vertigo
Midnight Run
The 'Burbs
E.T.
Sneakers
Rest of Universal Hitchcock
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post #28 of 326
11/17/11 at 3:09am
Quote:
Originally Posted by moviepas View Post

I just looked up the 2010 Wolfman and I can't see the Blu Ray of the 1941 version amongst the extras. What I do see is a streaming version whose certificate expired on June 30 2011. Any different?

 

Also Digital or streaming copies are no good outside America, it seems. A forthcoming Disney(Lady & the Tramp) gives the option of not having to take a copy and save a few bucks which I opted for. Warners have been putting Digital copies with their DVD extras on Blu Ray. I actually tried an experiment and copied the digital file with the DVD file and got a good  copy of the Digital one and no sound on the DVD file. It was not possible to separate the files as they came up in one stream and the running time of the both versions combined. Another mystery.



I was wrong about it being an extra. 

 

 

 

 

 

Crawdaddy

 

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post #29 of 326
11/17/11 at 5:52am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pete York View Post

...this just sounds like the latest crack at the 'evergreen' titles (which is perfectly fine) rather than deep catalog exploration.
I think the just announced release of Honey, the Jessica Alba classic, disproves that. smile.gif


Quote:
Originally Posted by Kevin EK View Post

One that I'm sure will be held back is Midnight Run, since they're developing a sequel.  But when that sequel hits, one can hope for a Blu-ray with new materials...
Another group of titles that they're probably going to tie-in with the release of a new sequel is the first three American Pie movies.
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post #30 of 326
11/17/11 at 6:28am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Terry Hickey View Post

I would like to see "The Shadow" (Alec Baldwin) get the blu-ray treatment in it's original theatrical aspect ratio.

The Shadow is already available if you're region-free.
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