This is the case, Warner does own more titles than they can handle. The studio can only release so much each year, and having so many good titles means many will never see the light of day. Too bad they don't license out to other companies like Fox, Paramount and Sony do
Suggest you take a look at the huge number of titles that are coming out via Warner Archive, inclusive of sets. They have set a standard that I cannot see any other studio reaching.
I don't agree with that and example being a gangster boxset coming out with Bogart, Cagney and Robinson features in it.
I was referring to Blu-rays. WB does release more than other studios, but they may so much more A titles to release, many which may never be released on Blu
If that is the case, then, may I throw out a suggestion. Warner folks, have you noticed that the History Channel's THE BIBLE series was at the top of the television ratings last week, with THE VIKINGS not far behind? GAME OF THRONES is no shirker, either. You own some of the most interesting biblical/historical epics ever made. Why not put some of these out and "see if they stick", titles like THE SILVER CHALICE, LAND OF THE PHARAOHS, HELEN OF TROY, THE PRODIGAL, IVANHOE, SCARAMOUCHE or KNIGHTS OF THE ROUND TABLE? Several of these would make a nice box, like the gangster one that you have planned. Or, really test with waters with something interesting, like releasing some of the incredible silent masterpieces you've been sitting on, like THE CROWD, THE WIND, FOUR HORSEMEN OF THE APOCALYPSE. GREED, THE STUDENT PRINCE or even a BD of Niblo's incredible BEN-HUR.Robert Crawford said:
Yeah, let's hope that whatever happens to be holding up the Blu-Ray line gets resolved. It's such a great idea, with so much potential.GMpasqua said:
So we're 6-7 years into the Blu-Ray format, and they finally give us the first landmark titles from some of their A-list screen legends (Cagney and Robinson). I think that supports the characterization 'halting' quite well, actually. Though it is admittedly a step in the right direction from the days when it seemed like no classic film without Bogart or Wayne was even considered for HD treatment (not that I'm not thankful for the Bogart and Wayne titles). Also, I think we all appreciate Warner's efforts to bring as many titles as possible to DVD - the Archive has been a great innovation that's really been a boon to classic film fans, and for many of the films they release, SD representations are great. I love getting little obscure treasures like those offered in the 'Monogram Cowboy Collections'. But, some films (and specific directors' work) are just not adequately represented in Standard Def. The large-canvas spaces and visual textures of a John Ford or Jacques Tourneur get lost in smaller, 480p encodes. One needs only to compare the old Fox DVD of 'How Green Was My Valley' with the new Blu-Ray to recognize the difference. The Blu-Ray is simply breathtaking, and illuminates the great care that went into sculpting each image in light and shadow in a way the DVD simply cannot. Warner's own Blu-Ray of Fort Apache was a revelation for me personally, opening up all of the minute detail of the performances in facial expression and gesture that washed out on the lower resolution DVD. I'd love to see She Wore A Yellow Ribbon get the same treatment. Or Out of The Past...or Stars In My Crown. Or Walsh's Gentleman Jim or Strawberry Blonde.Robert Crawford said:
The press release clearly says one or two per month starting in February. We got one in February. I expect one or two in March.
Brandon Conway said:
It says MINIMUM one or two titles per month. That's the issue.
You want the studios to produce more HD product then tell the public to buy such product. Warner as well as the other studios aren't turning their backs on not making profits, when there are profits to be made. I don't think HT market can support the output you want and the studios are not going to cut their own profit margin by producing HD product they can't sell enough units of, to not only pay for their work, but to increase their revenue streams enough to encourage them to keep the titles coming. Is this so hard to understand? The studios aren't keeping titles out of the market just because they can do so, but they're keeping their output restricted because the market won't support such an increased output.
Yeah, I got plenty of suggestions too, but they're not going to come at the output I want them, unless the consumer market goes hog wild like they did in the late 90s to early 00s.
