*** Official Warner Chat and Discussion Thread (1 Viewer)

[Corey]

I don't understand that if Greed was a DVD Decision nominee in 2004, why hasn't it been released yet? Obviously it was ready when it was a candidate. The way Warners made it seem in this chat, is that it hasn't even begun restoration yet. :frowning:

 

[Simon Howson]

Are they really done when they are candidates? Or does it just mean they know the elements are in good shape, and that a good transfer can be made within a few months?

 

[Robert Crawford]

Just because it's a DVD Decision nominee that doesn't mean any restoration has been completed or even started for that matter. Warner might have located the necessary film elements with perhaps some knowledge of their present condition, but I wouldn't assume any restoration work has been done.




Crawdaddy

 

[Jim_K]

Kudos to Warner for participating in another chat. They're a class act all the way.

I don't attend these anymore because frankly I have so many questions that I'd like to ask that I couldn't possibly narrow them down. Much of what I was interested in is usually brought up anyway.


I can't wait.

 

[Joe Karlosi]

Something I don't understand about the "YO" thing. Four times my name was within the top 5 names on my screen -- twice it was #1, so okay perhaps I can figure that it looks that way to only me because it's my own computer I'm working from and taking into account the "lag" factor -- but two other times my name was, like, #3 out of 6. In these cases, person #1 and person #2 - just as seen on my own screen at home - were chosen for the round, but then my name is skipped and then #4 and #5 continue, exactly as displayed on my own home screen (the names on my screen, other than where mine shows up, is NEVER different from the lineup which is ultimately used). I understand this "names come up differently on different screens" routine, but how is it that names 1,2, 4, 5 match my screen as well as the administrators'? And every time?

 

[Mike_Richardson]

That'd be nice. Just as an aside, if you have a region-free capable player the Region 2 from the UK looks great in 16:9 and has 5.1 -- with none of the picture "flutter" that the non-anamorphic, hideous R1 has.

 

[Mike_Richardson]

Did they mention any specs on POLTERGEIST?

I still maintain that Tobe Hooper will have to pass away before we get some really solid, meaty supplements :frowning:

 

[Joe Caps]

Some food for thought -

great about a Natalie Wood set - hope they dig a little deeper and bring out two midfifties films of heres - the Burnign Hills and the Girl he left behind. Both are with Tab Hunter.
Busby Berkely set to include Varsity Show. this film was around twohours but cut down to 85 min for reissue and only that version is ever shown. Wonder if they found the uncut version.
FINALLY, Warners admits there is a sound problem with Camelot. My fear is always that they remaster usng another sound source and it too is wrong (they've alreadydone this twice). the only vid releae to have the correct soundtrack is the first pan/scan transfer on laser, made from a four track source ( the six track is a generation down and is a blow up from four track)
As of 1986, there were still some filmed outtakes of camelot stored at Todd studios. A montage of Lancelot fighting battles, etc. Wonder if they're still there.

 

[Jay E]

I can't attend these chats but I'm gald someone asked about The Devils although I still not sure if it will ever be released uncut.

Very glad to see that Up the Down Staircase will be released this year!!!

I'm hoping that maybe with Alan Arkin's win, Warner may release The Heart is a Lonely Hunter on DVD. IMO, its his best performance.

Really wanted to hear some news about Fearless being re-released:frowning:

Looking forward to more Forbidden Hollywood, Hooror Titles & Joan Crawford films!!

Overall, some very good news and I'm happy that Warner took the time out to answer our questions. Thanks Warner!!

 

[Eric Peterson]

Many things to be excited about!

• Rooney/Garland Box
• More Pre-code (With Documentary!!)
• Eleanor Powell
• More Duke & Rio Bravo SE

However, I'm disappointed in the lack of specific announcements or dates. It seems to me that in past years we came out of the chat with more definitive release information & dates. I was specifically troubled by

• No Mention of Harlow Box
• Vagueness regarding "The Crowd", "The Big Parade", & "Greed"

 

[Ronald Epstein]

A few words from one of the persons running last night's chat...

I want to take this opportunity to thank George Feltenstein,
George Parker and Ronnee Sass for participating in last evening's
chat. I have to tell you that these people are HUGE fans of this
forum. You can tell by some of their responses that they recognize
some of you by your daily posts here. They do read this forum
daily and are one of the few studios (if not the only) that still takes
a personal interest in feedback expressed by the people that purchase
their product.

If you knew this industry and how "stand-offish" most studios have
become to Internet forums like ours, you would be greatly surprised
by how "human" the people at Warner Home Video are. When we
met them over a year ago in Burbank, they showered us with their
personal attention. They so much love what HTF is all about!

Parker and I would like to thank all of you who were extremely
polite and professional with your questions. These chats continue
to prove that we can invite a studio into a live venue and have those
guests treated in a respectful manner.

We also need to thank Robert Crawford for doing a great service
to all of us by compiling this "recap" thread for those that wanted
a quick reference to all the questions asked and answered. I have
included Robert's list in the posted chat transcript.

Of course, I need to thank Parker for all his help last evening.

Now to move on to the complaints that seem to be clogging
up this rather informative thread....

I'm sorry that there were a few of you that had problems getting
your questions asked and had problems with those who were
extremely rude by just shouting out questions (and even had the
audacity to admit they did so in this thread).

Let me start with addressing the way we handled people who just
blurted out questions without a designated turn....

It was solely my fault for not booting them. I just bought a Mac
computer and found a beautiful IRC program that worked great,
but since I only found it two hours prior to the chat, I couldn't
figure out how to boot individuals who were not only blurting out
questions, but constantly sending me private messages about their
turns being missed. Trust me -- the next chat you will see many
people being removed for doing exactly what we asked them not
to do.

I will also make a point to ask our studio guests not to answer
questions out of turn. My apologies for not handling that situation
in advance. Those people who blurted out questions (and knew
what they were doing) should offer an apology to all of you who
were far more considerate.

As for those of you who felt I skipped over you during the
YO process....

No matter how many times we ask participants to read the forum
guidelines before entering the chat room --- nobody cares to do
so, and then ultimately, they feel slighted.

In the guidelines it is posted quite clearly that names do not
appear in the same order on your screen as it does mine. I
even reminded everyone of this prior to the chat. As someone
posted earlier in this thread, this is a problem of the IRC and the
lag times between each computer. Parker and I were on the phone
during the entire chat and even he and I had a different order of
names listed on our screen. Veterans of these chats know the
deal, and I am surprised that after the numerous attempts we
make to inform people of this problem, we still get accused of
purposely skipping over turns.

As far as usernames are concerned, as far as I know it makes
no difference if there is a space in your name or not --- if you
were not listed in my queue you were not selected to ask a
question. We also tried to weed out anyone signed in with a
NICKNAME or as GUEST, as our guidelines specifically state
that participants sign in with a real or recognizable first name.

For the rest of this thread, we would appreciate that all posts
be based on the discussion itself rather than complaints about
how your turn was missed. Anyone with a complaint is welcome
to post it in the feedback area. From hereonin, let's keep to the
topic at hand which is the discussion of last evening's dialogue
the studio.

For the most part, last evening's chat was a huge success.
Warner did a really fine job of addressing questions while
interjecting quite a bit of tongue-in-cheek humor. It's a
testament to the quality of our membership and forum that
Warner approaches us twice a year to hold these chats.

Thank you, everyone, for your participation last evening.

 

[Charles Ellis]

And still no word on You're A Big Boy Now, Last Summer, Sweet November with Sandy Dennis, and Parrish, Susan Slade and the rest of the Delmer Daves films of the 60s!

 

[Robert Crawford]

Neither is Paramount holding any internet chats with their consumers/fans!




Crawdaddy

 

[Jefty]

agreed! (especially about Harlow)

I'm also perplexed by the omission of any discussion of a Powell/Loy set... I had somehow acquired the impression that that one was definitely coming...

 

[DouglasBr]

Ahh, forgot about the chat -- my dumb luck. Didn't get to ask my annual question about Little Dorrit, not that it's on anyone else's radar. . . .

Still, a lot of other interesting news. I wonder what Bogart is planned for 2008?

 

[John Hodson]

If there isn't a The Big Sleep SE included, I shall eat my fedora...

Very (very) intrigued with the John Wayne centenary releases; all the majors are out there, and I'm guessing that even Paramount won't miss out on this one, but please, please Warners revisit The Cowboys.

 

[Eric Peterson]

Maybe not, but there sure as hell diss most of their classic movie fans.

 

[Michael Elliott]

Personally, I don't feel this forum owes anyone an explanation why they were so called "passed over". These conspiracy things go on after each chat and it's rather tiresome especially since this forum gives it members stuff that no other site does. As much news gets broke here each year I can't believe people still want to get upset about anything.


I haven't seen either of these titles but Warner's classics aren't slipping in quality or extras. Considering how many SD titles coming this year and next, I doubt Warner is overlooking SD in any way, shape or form.

All the upcoming titles sound great but I wish someone would have asked Warner to buy Fox and Paramount's vault titles.

 

[KellyVO]

I'm glad to hear Royal Wedding is going to be saved from Public Domain Hell!

I'm so excited for that Eleanor Powell box set. I thought that would never happen! Can't wait to hear about that musical promo!

I'm happy Mame is going to be released as well.

I'm bummed out that the Showboat box set won't come till next year.

I really wanted to ask Warner Brothers about any Esther Williams and Ginger Rogers movies in the near future. Oh well!

 

[Bill Huelbig]

I tried to ask about Allied Artists' "Queen of Outer Space" but couldn't get in. Now that Zsa Zsa is (indirectly) in the news again, it would be a good time to release it, right, Warner?