What's new

ABBOTT & COSTELLO dvds and "...Meet Captain Kidd" (coming to DVD?) (1 Viewer)

Mark-W

Supporter
Senior HTF Member
Joined
Jan 6, 1999
Messages
3,297
Real Name
Mark
[SIZE= 18px]2011 EDIT: The discussion of "Abbott and Costello Meet Captain Kidd" starts on page 3.[/SIZE]

I own several DVDs of Abbott and Costello films:
Africa Screams (appears to be public domain)
Buck Privates (Universal release via Image-Entertainment)
Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (Universal release)
Abbott and Costello Meet The Mummy (Universal release)
Here is what I am wondering:
Why does Africa Screams appear to be a
public domain title, when it was made after Buck Privates?
The picture quality on my DVD of Africa Screams S-U-C-K-S.... I suspcet
because it is from a public domain release,
mine is not from Madacy, but the picture quality would
imply that!
Are any of the public domain versions of Africa Screams better than others?
Will there be a better version released through the
studio that made the film?
Also, what other Abbott and Costello films are
worthy of buying on DVD, and from which manufacturer?
Any information is greatly appreciated.
Mark
[Edited last by Mark Walker on September 08, 2001 at 11:26 PM]
 

Dick

Senior HTF Member
Joined
May 22, 1999
Messages
9,906
Real Name
Rick
The copyright for AFRICA SCREAMS was obviously not renewed after the initial 27-year period, while it was for the other titles.
 

Page

Stunt Coordinator
Joined
Jun 30, 1997
Messages
219
"Abbott and Costello In The Foreign Legion", "Buck Privates Come Home" and "In The Navy." are/were available through Image/Universal and the transfers are very good. (All three are OOP due to the contract between Image and Universal ending so they may be hard to find.)
Shanachie Entertainment Company put out two DVDs of "The Abbott and Costello TV Show" in 1998. The transfer on those DVDs is VERY good.
 

Mark Cappelletty

Senior HTF Member
Joined
Jun 6, 1999
Messages
2,322
I'm wondering the same thing about the Three Stooges shorts comps produced (I think) by Madacy. I don't know about later shorts with Joe or Curly-Joe, but I can't imaging Columbia not renewing the license on the earlier Curly or Shemp shorts, particularly when they were so popular on TV in the '50s-'70s.
While I wish Sony would issue the Stooges shorts chronologically, their last few compilations have been exemplary.
 

Mark Zimmer

Senior HTF Member
Joined
Jun 30, 1997
Messages
4,318
If I recall correctly, the reason for a few of the Stooges shorts being public domain (Brideless Groom being one I remember off the top of my head) was not nonrenewal but that for some reason the copyright notice on some of the prints got left off. Under the old copyright law, that made it public domain (Disney didn't own Congress then the way it does now).
------------------
"This movie has warped my fragile little mind."
 

Marty Neudel

Stunt Coordinator
Joined
Mar 16, 1999
Messages
223
When are they going to issue "One Night in the Tropics (1940)" which has the "who's on first?" routine?
Marty
 

Rob W

Screenwriter
Joined
May 23, 1999
Messages
1,233
Real Name
Robert
AFRICA SCREAMS was an independent production made away from Universal; this partially explains why the copyright was allowed to lapse. The rights were likely passed around over the years and no one was watching to renew the copyright.
Too bad about the DVD transfer ; I have an Image laserdisc from several years ago that's of excellent quality.
 

BarryR

Supporting Actor
Joined
Jul 30, 2000
Messages
751
Location
Earth
Real Name
BARRY RIVADUE
THE NAUGHTY NINETIES has a more definitive "Who's On First" routine, and we're still waiting for that!
 

John Morgan

Supporting Actor
Joined
Mar 23, 2001
Messages
853
Location
Los Angeles
Real Name
John
The old Image Laser of AFRICA SCREAMS was truly terrific. Obviously they had access to original materials as well as outtakes.
The BUCK PRIVATES DVD is bad, in my opinion. It is from a reissue print and the Universal Presents has been taken out of the credits in the prologue because it was reissed by Realart.
Ironically, tomorrow I think, AMC is showing an updated and newer transfer with all the credits in tack. The quality is much better than the DVD, so I suggest you tape it the next time AMC runs it.
 

Page

Stunt Coordinator
Joined
Jun 30, 1997
Messages
219
Supposedly The Roan Group (by way of Troma) is issuing a double DVD of "African Screams/Jack And The Beanstalk". Although a double version like this has already been released by Madacy and is a very bad transfer, the Roan Group puts out excellent DVDs that they spend time and money restoring and remastering. This release has been pushed back week after week, but "supposedly" it is going to be released in September of this year.
 

Mark-W

Supporter
Senior HTF Member
Joined
Jan 6, 1999
Messages
3,297
Real Name
Mark
Thanks to all have posted thus far regarding
Abbott and Costello. Really I have been looking
for the best copy available on DVD of Africa Screams.
I have The Roan Group's version of Orson Welles' The Stranger,
so I know a bit about them, and yes,
I'd bet of all the "public domain" releasers,
they'll make the most effort to get a decent print.
Here's hoping. :)
Thanks again,
Mark
[Edited last by Mark Walker on September 13, 2001 at 08:11 PM]
[Edited last by Mark Walker on September 13, 2001 at 08:11 PM]
 

John Sparks

Senior HTF Member
Joined
Sep 12, 2001
Messages
4,530
Location
Menifee, CA
Real Name
John Sparks
...I have all the A&B's on laser that were released and "Africa Screams" is one of the greatest with outtakes, behind the scenes and stills...a fantastic laser. To answer your question, the best DVD version of "Africa Screams" is by DVD Matter entitled "Africa Screams" Silver Screen Collector's Edition". It's in a silver keep case and it's picture is just as good as the laser but without all the extra stuff. "Jack and the Beanstalk Collector's Edition" on laser is fantastic. It contains the only surviving color print of theatrical trailer, lobby cards, gloss stills, production photos, script pages, promotion and publicity materials, photos from world premiere, recreation of deleted scenes, complete audio from original children's record. I wouldn't waste my money on any DVD that isn't the same as the laser! Oh, yeah, the laser box set that contains "Ride 'em Cowboy/Who Done It/Buck Privates Come Home/Hit the Ice" has about 5-10 minutes of outtakes that are absolutely fantastic. They are a real treat because it's not written anywhere on the box....and last but not least, the DVD print of "Meet Frankenstein" is better than the first laser print but worse than the box set print...and I was hoping it was going to be the best ever, but since they don't restore them, the print they used was now 15 years older than when they used it for the laser, hence, a lousy PRINT!!!
 

Mark-W

Supporter
Senior HTF Member
Joined
Jan 6, 1999
Messages
3,297
Real Name
Mark
John Sparks-
Thanks for your post, and WELCOME TO THE FORUM!
(it looks like that was your first post).
Anyway, I have found two DVDs of Africa Screams
that appear to be using the same silver keep case
that says "Silver Screen Collector's Edition."
Neither say they are by DVD Matter.
Here is what the techincal specs are on both DVDs:
DVD 1
Technical Information
Release Information:
Studio: Parade
Theatrical Release Date: January 1, 1949
DVD Release Date: May 12, 1998
Run Time: 80 minutes
Production Company: Master Movies
Package Type: Polygram Case
Discographic Information:
DVD Encoding: All Regions
Layers: Single
Available Audio Tracks: English (Dolby Digital 1.0)
Edition Details:
• All Regions
• Black & White
• ASIN: 6305010471
DVD 2
Technical Information
Release Information:
Studio: Digital Disc Entertainment
Theatrical Release Date: January 1, 1949
DVD Release Date: April 1, 1999
Production Company: Digital Disc Entertainment
Discographic Information:
DVD Encoding: All Regions
Layers: Single
Available Audio Tracks: English (Dolby Digital 1.0)
Available subtitles: -
Edition Details:
• All Regions
• Black & White
• ASIN: B000007O1S
Here is a image both DVDs appear to be using,
which appears to be the cover you described:
B000007O1S.01.LZZZZZZZ.gif

Does either ASIN number look familiar, or
do any of the names "Parade," "Master Movies," or
"Digital Disc Enterainment" appear anywhere on your copy?
Any help most appreciated!
:)
Mark
[Edited last by Mark Walker on September 14, 2001 at 07:59 PM]
 

John Sparks

Senior HTF Member
Joined
Sep 12, 2001
Messages
4,530
Location
Menifee, CA
Real Name
John Sparks
Mark...the one I have is the exact front cover you show on your response thread. It says Catalog Number 5505 on the reverse. It even shows this on the disc. On the reverse bottom top left is a red "toilet seat cover" in a square, below that is a square that sez "Master Movies". To the right top bottom is a square with "B&W 1949 79 Minutes, below that is a square that sez "DVD Video" and below that is a square that sez "Paris Media System". Hope that helps!!!
 

Mark-W

Supporter
Senior HTF Member
Joined
Jan 6, 1999
Messages
3,297
Real Name
Mark
John Sparks-
THANK YOU! That was the information I needed!
I will order DVD #1 above and see what I get.
Warm regards,
Mark
 

Page

Stunt Coordinator
Joined
Jun 30, 1997
Messages
219
Just an update for those wondering about AFRICA SCREAMS.
Troma has released AFRICA SCREAMS/JACK AND THE BEANSTALK.
Both films have been restored by The Roan Group and these are the best versions available currently on DVD. Although not in the same league as say, "The Seventh Seal" restoration done by Criterion, "Africa Screams" looks MUCH better than my old Madacy version. There are no deleted scenes or extras on the disc.
On my Madacy version of "Jack And The Beanstalk" the picture would "jump" because it was transferred directly from an old movie print via a VHS tape! The Roan version has no jumping and the black and white sections are tinted brown. The color sections show good color saturation and are not washed out like the Madacy version. Of course, the colors are not as vibrant as the restored "North By Northwest" DVD, but then few older DVDs are.
MSRP is $19.99 for both films on a double-sided disc. (I picked up mine for $14.99 at a local B&M store.)
 

John Sparks

Senior HTF Member
Joined
Sep 12, 2001
Messages
4,530
Location
Menifee, CA
Real Name
John Sparks
Mark Walker...thank you, I'm glad I could help. I'm going to pick up that Roan issue of "Africa Screams/Jack and the Beanstalk" and compare the "Jack" with my laser "Special Edition"...everyone makes out like a bandit!!!
 

Paul Mazz

Grip
Joined
Mar 5, 2004
Messages
22
Did anyone ever do the comparisons?

I purchased a Madacy version of Africa Screams/Jack in the Beanstalk - it was a cheap impulse buy at Best Buy, but the consensus seems to be that the quality is terrible. I plan on returning it. It the Troma release of these the best available? If so I will search it out. Thanks.
 

John Sparks

Senior HTF Member
Joined
Sep 12, 2001
Messages
4,530
Location
Menifee, CA
Real Name
John Sparks
I never bought the Roan edition of AS/JATB to compare.
Now that see this thread revived, I'm gonna try and find it. :D
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Latest Articles

Forum statistics

Threads
356,712
Messages
5,121,141
Members
144,147
Latest member
cennetkaralowa
Recent bookmarks
0
Top