Warner Archive Announcements Thread (10 Viewers)

[Robert Crawford]

So, if I understand the situation correctly, what has been "restored" so far (whether presented on HBO Max or TCM), is not up to the standards we've been getting lately from the WB Archives three-strip recombines. That means we must make due with what is currently available, even as we hope, and wait, for WAC's eventual, three neg-recombined BD release.

I'm just telling you my opinion. What was on HBO Max looked nice and was a significant improvement over prior showings. However, I don't think it's up to the recent Technicolor standards that WA has been releasing on Blu-ray.

 

[RobertMG]

Notice how we stopped mentioning The Great Ziegfeld? Has Mr F ever mentioned that title as having element issues?

 

[Robert Crawford]

Notice how we stopped mentioning The Great Ziegfeld? Has Mr F ever mentioned that title as having element issues?

He doesn't have to mention it because he already stated that every Oscar Best Picture winner will be released on Blu-ray. It might not be this year, but it's an original MGM movie so they could push it into next year for MGM's 100th anniversary.

 

[Rick Thompson]

Unusual to give such prominence to the composer in an ad. But it is one of Tiomkin's best scores.

At that time Tiomkin was a name the public knew positively, so his name would sell some tickets. Elmer Bernstein was the same in the 1960s and 1970s. His name was big on the posters and ads.

 

[Matt Hough]

Notice how we stopped mentioning The Great Ziegfeld? Has Mr F ever mentioned that title as having element issues?

I watched the first thirty minutes of it on the TCM app yesterday, and what was shown is certainly not in tip-top shape. Lots of scratches and dirt, and the soundtrack is very hissy. With the film almost three hours, it will be an expensive remaster/restoration.

 

[Garysb]

I don’t think what ran on HBO Max meets Warner Archives criteria for a Blu-ray release.

I am guessing this is your opinion of how the remaster looked and sounded and not something that was stated by George Feltenstein or anyone else at Warner Bros. Not sure why Warner Bros would spend the time and money to do a remaster if they felt they could not do their usual excellent restoration job . If this is true you would think the film would be one that they were holding until better elements could be found or new techniques could make what elements exist look better.

Warner Archive Announcements Thread

Such a great extra from the extras! Shows that the young'uns who do not watch TCM or collect S Box sets! They could do a box of Bonnie Scotland and Fra Diavolo and the A and C's that would knock out what five films I do not know the condition of Fra Diavolo what a great set that would be...

www.hometheaterforum.com

 

[Alan Tully]

Unusual to give such prominence to the composer in an ad. But it is one of Tiomkin's best scores.

Yup, the scene at the start of Land Of The Pharaohs where the huge army is marching home to the sound of Tiomkin's great march (all braying trumpets) is the epic film in a nutshell.

 

[Capt D McMars]

So, if I understand the situation correctly, what has been "restored" so far (whether presented on HBO Max or TCM), is not up to the standards we've been getting lately from the WB Archives three-strip recombines. That means we must make due with what is currently available, even as we hope, and wait, for WAC's eventual, three neg-recombined BD release.

...maybe

 

[David Weicker]

I am guessing this is your opinion of how the remaster looked and sounded and not something that was stated by George Feltenstein or anyone else at Warner Bros. Not sure why Warner Bros would spend the time and money to do a remaster if they felt they could not do their usual excellent restoration job . If this is true you would think the film would be one that they were holding until better elements could be found or new techniques could make what elements exist look better.

Warner Archive Announcements Thread

Such a great extra from the extras! Shows that the young'uns who do not watch TCM or collect S Box sets! They could do a box of Bonnie Scotland and Fra Diavolo and the A and C's that would knock out what five films I do not know the condition of Fra Diavolo what a great set that would be...

www.hometheaterforum.com

I just assumed that the 'restoration' that is shown on TCM has just not had the finishing touches applied that a Blu-Ray would receive.

The heavy lifting has been done. Just needs the final coat of paint and sweeping/dusting/waxing.

 

[Alan Tully]

You can always tell: all WAC releases are pristine clean, so if you see a transfer with a bit of dirt/debris showing up here & there on the picture, then it won't be up to WAC standards.

 

[RobertMG]

I watched the first thirty minutes of it on the TCM app yesterday, and what was shown is certainly not in tip-top shape. Lots of scratches and dirt, and the soundtrack is very hissy. With the film almost three hours, it will be an expensive remaster/restoration.

Thanks Matt --- thats why I asked did Mr F ever say they have the OCN on this or are they looking for better materials

 

[cadavra]

At that time Tiomkin was a name the public knew positively, so his name would sell some tickets. Elmer Bernstein was the same in the 1960s and 1970s. His name was big on the posters and ads.

Absolutely. He'd recently had monster-hit scores with HIGH NOON and THE HIGH AND THE MIGHTY.

 

[Robert Crawford]

Amazon has finally listed Pre-Order links to the following April "Warner Archive" titles. Though, those links are still not active yet.

A Lion is in the Streets (Warner Archive)
One Way Passage (Warner Archive)
Safe in Hell (Warner Archive)
The Strawberry Blonde (Warner Archive)

 

[Robin9]

Absolutely. He'd recently had monster-hit scores with HIGH NOON and THE HIGH AND THE MIGHTY.

. . . . plus that beautiful melody written for Friendly Persuasion which provided a huge hit for Pat Boone.

 

[TheSteig]

Mr. F said May is going to be stacked so that means there could be 3-5 more titles ( as opposed to 1-2 more) with varying genres/interests.
The plot thickens!

 

[Douglas R]

Was DARK VICTORY (1939) made available as a stand-alone release or was it only available as part of the GOLDEN YEAR COLLECTION? I was looking to replace my DVD which I seem to have lost.

 

[Robert Crawford]

Was DARK VICTORY (1939) made available as a stand-alone release or was it only available as part of the GOLDEN YEAR COLLECTION? I was looking to replace my DVD which I seem to have lost.

It was released separately on June 9th, 2015. Amazon has it in stock.

See on Amazon

 

[Robert Crawford]

This morning I sampled some of the WA titles on HBO Max. The following five titles have introductions:

Safe in Hell
Storm Warning (Martin Scorsese about four minutes long)
The Strawberry Blonde
Land of the Pharaohs (Martin Scorsese about six minutes long)
A Lion in the Streets

There are several Warner titles on HBO Max, but I haven't had time to sampled them except the few titles below.

HBO Max added Confessions of a Nazi Spy without an introduction, but it is definitely derived from a new scan they used for the recent Blu-ray release.

Unfortunately, Rio Bravo on HBO Max appears to be derived from the old scan. So, it looks like the April 17th showing at 8:00 p.m. ET on TCM will be the television debut of the new 4K scan.

"8:00 PM Rio Bravo (1959)- TV premiere of new 4k restoration in partnership with The Film Foundation Features special introduction by filmmaker Martin Scorsese"

 

[Robert Crawford]

By the way, I had tears in my eyes sampling those Warner titles on HBO Max this morning. They look beautiful!

 

[Garysb]

Gangsters Part of TCM's Salute to Warner Bros 100.