Abbott & Costello Jack and the Beanstalk SE (1952) (Blu-ray) Available for Preorder (1 Viewer)

Thank you for supporting HTF when you preorder using the link below. If you are using an adblocker you will not see link. As an Amazon Associate HTF earns from qualifying purchases

Did Classic Flix make some sort of special arrangement with VCI for this upcoming release, which includes AFRICA SCREAMS (1949)? The 4K restoration for JACK IN THE BEANSTALK (1952) does have me intrigued, and I missed out on the recent AFRICA SCREAMS (1949) Bob Furmanek restoration!

CHEERS!

I don't have the answer to your question, Tony, as I am not aware of the history behind this release.

I am going to buy this Blu-ray, however.

How is AFRICA SCREAMS when compared to other A&C films? I was hesitant to buy a copy as I didn't know how good it might or might not be.

Ronald Epstein said:

I don't have the answer to your question, Tony, as I am not aware of the history behind this release.

I am going to buy this Blu-ray, however.

How is AFRICA SCREAMS when compared to other A&C films? I was hesitant to buy a copy as I didn't know how good it might or might not be.

Click to expand...

It's one of the better later A&C films, with quite a few funny gags, and probably the best use of that old, worn, very familiar gorilla suit (that always looked almost nothing like a real gorilla...but thanks to Rick Baker, we don't see it anymore).

And of course I just bought the BDr Blu ray of the film from Shadowplay. I guess now it will be a placeholder until this one arrives in October. Since it is VCI I will wait for reviews, but will probably wind up getting it as usual.

Tony Bensley said:

Did ClassicFlix make some sort of special arrangement with VCI for this upcoming release, which includes AFRICA SCREAMS (1949)? The 4K restoration for JACK IN THE BEANSTALK (1952) does have me intrigued, and I missed out on the recent AFRICA SCREAMS (1949) Bob Furmanek restoration!

CHEERS!

Click to expand...

No.

- David
ClassicFlix Founder, Producer

Tony Bensley said:

Did Classic Flix make some sort of special arrangement with VCI for this upcoming release, which includes AFRICA SCREAMS (1949)? The 4K restoration for JACK IN THE BEANSTALK (1952) does have me intrigued, and I missed out on the recent AFRICA SCREAMS (1949) Bob Furmanek restoration!

CHEERS!

Click to expand...

ClassicFlix said:

No.

- David
ClassicFlix Founder, Producer

Click to expand...

Thanks for letting me know, David. I will certainly take it under advisement!

Ronald Epstein said:

I don't have the answer to your question, Tony, as I am not aware of the history behind this release.

I am going to buy this Blu-ray, however.

How is AFRICA SCREAMS when compared to other A&C films? I was hesitant to buy a copy as I didn't know how good it might or might not be.

Click to expand...

If $$ were no object to me, I would choose the excellent AFRICA SCREAMS (1949) limited edition Blu-ray that was recently restored by Bob Furmanek's team, especially in light of David's response, which tells me the version on the upcoming October, 2020 VCI Blu-ray release is most likely not of his recent restoration work.

CHEERS!

Just pre-ordered it. They're my favorite comedy team.

Bob Furmanek posted this elsewhere regarding AFRICA SCREAMS (1949):

Robert Furmanek;17764943 said:

Zero connection.

Stick with our restoration via ClassicFlix.

Click to expand...

Duly noted!

CHEERS!

I'm given to understand that there aren't any great elements for Jack, and my (admittedly limited) experience with VCI releases is that good quality is possible, but not guaranteed. So I'm not inclined to buy without seeing reviews first. I'm definitely getting the ClassicFlix Africa Screams, so it's just a matter of whether this would be worth it for Jack. I have the Image/Turner laserdisc, which is so-so.

Thought I read somewhere that Warner Bros. Archives were working on restoring this film as well, think I might just wait.

I will definitely buy Africa Screams

If there is even a hint that Warner Archive is working on JACK than I'll cancel my order for the VCI release.

This is one of those movies that had a million "PD" VHS and DVD releases, so it may be that copyright has lapsed or has reverted to Exclusive Productions, since Warner only distributed it. I am curious about the provenance of the "35mm archival print" used for the 4K restoration, as this was shot in Eastman color and printed in SuperCineColor. SuperCineColor can look quite nice, but I'm definitely on the "wait and see" side.

Hey @Ronald Epstein just a suggestion but how about adding Abbott and Costello to the title of this thread so A&C fans know it’s their film.

The only BD of AFRICA SCREAMS to buy is from Bob Fermanek...it's his baby...I owned the LD.

If JACK AND THE BEANSTALK comes with AFRICA SCREAMS,, then we get to A and B them. If one is better than the other...it's perfect...! We'll know what to buy.

I pre-ordered Africa Screams from ClassicFlix ! They will be releasing Jack and the Beanstalk. I will only buy it from them.

RICK BOND said:

I pre-ordered Africa Screams from ClassicFlix ! They will be releasing Jack and the Beanstalk. I will only buy it from them.

Click to expand...

ClassicFlix has never said that they will be releasing Jack and the Beanstalk. In fact, in the thread at br.c David from ClassicFlix specifically responded to your question about it with, "It's been pursued, but at this time superior elements are not available."

jayembee said:

ClassicFlix has never said that they will be releasing Jack and the Beanstalk. In fact, in the thread at br.c David from ClassicFlix specifically responded to your question about it with, "It's been pursued, but at this time superior elements are not available."

Click to expand...

I see. Thanks !

Re Africa Screams , I've seen some portions of the Furmanek restoration and the film looks fantastic . This will be the last word on AS.

My Wife and I watched Africa Screams on this new remastered release the other day , and I can report that Africa Screams looks fantastic on Blu-ray . I couldn't detect any blemishes, or flaws at all, and the sound was also terrific . Loads of bonus material , much of which I haven't watched yet. I'm not an expert nor a reviewer, but this is the version of Africa Screams i'll always return to in the future . Mr Furmanek and company have done a great job here .
Meanwhile , I wonder: any hope for the Abbott and Costello MGM films, Captain Kidd, or the Abbott and Costello Show ? Hopefully Furmanek will work on those as well.