Hitchcock Coming from Mill Creek September 25th (1 Viewer)

[Simon Howson]

I didn't realise U.S. TVs struggle wtih PAL. Nearly all TVs sold here for the last 10 years or so play NTSC as well as they play PAL, likewise with DVD players. Early ones would convert NTSC to PAL before outputting the signal, but now any decent Australian DVD player plays NTSC natively.

 

[BethHarrison]

It is actually harder to purchase a PAL eclusive telly in Australia these days.

 

[george kaplan]

It also seems like enough time for the copyright owners to give us a decent and legitimate release on dvd.

 

[moviefan]

I think Buena Vista licensed out the rights to MGM. Buena Vista (Disney) has them back in their hands I think.

 

[Bruce Morrison]

Your example of 'One Eyed Jacks' is very apposite. The big question there is why Paramount allowed a major classic film from the 1960's to fall into the public domain in the first place. Did someone in their Legal Department blunder?

There have been one or two speculative comments in this forum (perhaps more in hope than expectation) that Paramount might have now licensed 'One Eyed Jacks' to Criterion as part of a package of films that has already yielded long-awaited DVD editions of 'If....' and 'Ace In The Hole'. Does anyone know whether there is any truth in this rumour?

 

[Ken_McAlinden]

You ask that question as if the Paramount of today resembled the Paramount of 5, 10, 20, or 40 years ago. If you could identify who (singular or plural) was/were responsible for the blunder, the chances of them having anything to do with Paramount as it exists today are pretty darn slim. That's the frustration inherent to ranting at big companies.

Regards,

 

[Michael Elliott]

Thank you for this very logical point, George.

These "PD" markets are the only way to see these films if you really want to see them. Others can hold their breath for HD versions but we've yet to get good copies on VHS and that format has been out for several years now.

 

[Ravi K]

Putting aside the talk of rights for a moment, how are these films? Are they more of historical interest because they were directed by Hitchcock or are they also good films?

And can a film be PD in one country and not PD in another?

 

[Simon Howson]

The following are considered some of the best British films of the period:

Lady Vanishes, The
Lodger, The
Man Who Knew Too Much, The
Sabotage
39 Steps, The

Ultimately the success of these films influenced Selznick to bring Hitchcock out to Hollywood. His films essentially became too expensive for the British industry to produce.

 

[Nathan Phillips]

"Murder" should have one as well, to include the German version called "Mary."