Warner Archive Announcements Thread (12 Viewers)

[SeanSKA]

Those look like marquee titles on Times Square in the 1970s ...
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As a native New Yorker who grew up in the 1970s, I LOVE these photos...I remember these days very well

The theater where it says "Big 3 features" is now a theater for kid's plays (at least before the pandemic)

 

[LeoA]

Thanks for that.

A caution for fans of the earlier version of this story (Rene Clair's "And Then There Were None" 1945). There is a Blu-ray available from 2013 (VCI), but it is a terrible transfer - far worse than the Image DVD from 2001. I bought this Blu from Amazon on its release and immediately returned it.

I assume this must be a public domain film as we've yet to see any decent version.

It's public domain, but Wade Williams lists it among his holdings.

Since he presumably holds the best quality elements for it, I'm not optimistic of it ever seeing an upgrade.

 

[dukiejosh54]

Thanks Billy. I feel the same way. Somebody at WB Archive sure loves Doris Day that's for sure.

Her movies might just be selling really well.

 

[Dick]

It's public domain, but Wade Williams lists it among his holdings.

Since he presumably holds the best quality elements for it, I'm not optimistic of it ever seeing an upgrade.

You know, I wish someone would legally challenge WW's "holdings." I kinda suspect he does not have the rights to all the films he claims he has.

 

[Dick]

As a native New Yorker who grew up in the 1970s, I LOVE these photos...I remember these days very well

The theater where it says "Big 3 features" is now a theater for kid's plays (at least before the pandemic)

Ah, yes...the days before Guiliani turned 42nd street into Disneyland Northeast. It had character back then. CALIGULA running for 13 weeks? Wonder if it was the censored or X version. Anyway, walking that area now is simply like entering a Children's Discovery Museum, whereas it used to be a haven for adults only, right or wrong.

 

[Robert Harris]

It's public domain, but Wade Williams lists it among his holdings.

Since he presumably holds the best quality elements for it, I'm not optimistic of it ever seeing an upgrade.

And Then... is (or can be) protected by virtue of underlying lit.

 

[Harold Chasen]

I was going through my Technicolor MGM musicals released on DVD by Warners in the mid-2000's, since others report that some of them have become defective. I'm glad to report that except for the Mickey Rooney-Judy Garland ones, they're all playable. But in doing so, I noted two that stood out.

The Barkleys of Broadway looked unusually bad. While most of the DVD's looked fine, this was like the DVD of The Pirate - dull and lifeless, with faded color. So, I'd really like to see a new restoration for Blu-Ray.

On the other hand, Words and Music looked unusually good. It really had that "Technicolor glow." I'm sure a Blu-Ray made from a new recombine of the original three strip negatives would look better (after all, about 15 years have elapsed since the former IP was made, and technology advances all the time), but this one is least in "need" of a new version.

And on another note, via the TCM app on my Roku, I just watched The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex. It seems to be a new version, as the DVD had frequent and dramatic color layer mis-matches, while this one had perfect matching except for about 2 minutes at the 31 minute mark. So, I wonder if this is being readied for Blu-Ray.

 

[JimMiller]

Did anyone catch that Ten Little Indians (1965) is getting a Blu-ray release from Network ? It makes me wonder if that one is forthcoming from WAC. Im tempted to get the import but that "what if" feeling hit me again ...

Of all the theatrical remakes that followed the Rene Clair version, this one is my favorite.

 

[B-ROLL]

And Then... is (or can be) protected by virtue of underlying lit.

I heard it was written by someone named "Dame" but I'm probably wrong ...

 

[Garysb]

The novel "And Then There Were None" was published in 1939 and renewed in 1967. It will go into public domain 95 years after it was published, 2034. There is no law against publishing something you don't own or have the rights to. If the owners don't enforce their rights nothing will happen to the person who published it. As to why an owner doesn't enforce their copyright the reason could be cost versus benefit. It cost money to enforce a copyright especially when a lawsuit is involved . If the amount of money to be made from enforcing the copyright doesn't justify the expense, they might not seek to enforce. Another reason could be the original author is dead and the person(s) who inherited the rights may be unknown or the rights holder may be unaware they own it.
By the way Mickey Mouse goes into public domain 1/1/24. It has been said that copyright protection in the USA has often been extended to prevent Mickey from going public. Looks like this time it will finally happen . We will see.

 

[Andrew Budgell]

And on another note, via the TCM app on my Roku, I just watched The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex. It seems to be a new version, as the DVD had frequent and dramatic color layer mis-matches, while this one had perfect matching except for about 2 minutes at the 31 minute mark. So, I wonder if this is being readied for Blu-Ray.

Interesting! I'd love to see The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex released on Blu-ray. It's a favourite of mine.

 

[Robert Harris]

The novel "And Then There Were None" was published in 1939 and renewed in 1967. It will go into public domain 95 years after it was published, 2034. There is no law against publishing something you don't own or have the rights to. If the owners don't enforce their rights nothing will happen to the person who published it. As to why an owner doesn't enforce their copyright the reason could be cost versus benefit. It cost money to enforce a copyright especially when a lawsuit is involved . If the amount of money to be made from enforcing the copyright doesn't justify the expense, they might not seek to enforce. Another reason could be the original author is dead and the person(s) who inherited the rights may be unknown or the rights holder may be unaware they own it.
By the way Mickey Mouse goes into public domain 1/1/24. It has been said that copyright protection in the USA has often been extended to prevent Mickey from going public. Looks like this time it will finally happen . We will see.

To be clear, the original Steamboat Willie version of Mickey may go unprotected, but not necessarily other varients.

 

[Alan Tully]

And on another note, via the TCM app on my Roku, I just watched The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex. It seems to be a new version, as the DVD had frequent and dramatic color layer mis-matches, while this one had perfect matching except for about 2 minutes at the 31 minute mark. So, I wonder if this is being readied for Blu-Ray.

Oo, I hope so. It isn't a classic, but it is a great example of superb Warner production values (& it's my favourite Korngold score). A three-strip Technicolor Errol Flynn swashbuckler, a no brainer. The DVD was so misaligned, it was like looking at a 3D transfer without wearing the special glasses.

 

[PODER]

As regards that astonishing photo of the 42nd Street marquee for CALIGULA which Dick posted, my favorite from that period was for SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER. That was little Johnny's break-out film, following WELCOME BACK, KOTTER, and the marquee read SEE! SEE! SEE! JOHN "BARBARINO" TRAVOLTA ROCK, FIGHT AND BALL HIS WAY OUT OF BROOKLYN. They just don't come any more In Your Face than that!

 

[TravisR]

As regards that astonishing photo of the 42nd Street marquee for CALIGULA which Dick posted, my favorite from that period was for SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER. That was little Johnny's break-out film, following WELCOME BACK, KOTTER, and the marquee read SEE! SEE! SEE! JOHN "BARBARINO" TRAVOLTA ROCK, FIGHT AND BALL HIS WAY OUT OF BROOKLYN. They just don't come any more In Your Face than that!

I've seen that picture before but can't find it now. However, I did find a picture of a marquee with Disco Sex which promises to "Pick up where Saturday Night Fever left off".

This guy's Flickr has a bunch of pictures of old marquees (alot of The Deuce/porn and grindhouse stuff but a number of straight theaters and drive-ins too) https://www.flickr.com/photos/33158682@N06/albums/72157624480786080/page1

 

[Garysb]

Did Disney ever object to Leon Schlesinger's Foxy? Aside from the tale and slightly pointed ears, that is Mickey.

 

[SeanSKA]

Ah, yes...the days before Guiliani turned 42nd street into Disneyland Northeast. It had character back then. CALIGULA running for 13 weeks? Wonder if it was the censored or X version. Anyway, walking that area now is simply like entering a Children's Discovery Museum, whereas it used to be a haven for adults only, right or wrong.

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Those were the days....sigh...

 

[SeanSKA]

I've seen that picture before but can't find it now. However, I did find a picture of a marquee with Disco Sex which promises to "Pick up where Saturday Night Fever left off".

This guy's Flickr has a bunch of pictures of old marquees (alot of The Deuce/porn and grindhouse stuff but a number of straight theaters and drive-ins too) https://www.flickr.com/photos/33158682@N06/albums/72157624480786080/page1

 

[MoonstruckinMaryland]

Her movies might just be selling really well.

I know I've been enjoying them! Keeping my fingers crossed for "Please Don't Eat the Daisies".

 

[SeanSKA]

Those photos of the old marquees are great...I remember so many of those theaters. (Though I never went in any of the ones on 42nd Street...way too seedy and dangerous