Press Release Warner Archive Collection Press Release: That's Entertainment (1974) (Blu-ray) (1 Viewer)

[Thomas T]

I imagine we will be told during the next podcast that remastering parts 2 and 3 will depend on sales for part 1. Yes, if parts 2 and 3 are remastered and rereleased, it seems logical that there would be a new box set sometime later. Perhaps one "That's Entertainment" a year for the holidays and a boxset for the holidays after they are all released. All guesses on my part.

I should have added the unofficial 4th That's movie, That's Dancing to the mix to make a 4 disc box set. I'm not a big fan of That's Entertainment 2 so adding That's Dancing to the mix would make it more enticing to me.

 

[Garysb]

Wasn't aware the streaming version was better. Thank you. Which platform?

BTW it wasn't only the B&W clips which were sub-par. I'm guessing all the clips on this release will look as good as possible. Great news.

VUDU. For some reason Movies Anywhere doesn't carry it so it is not automatically available on iTunes when you buy it on VUDU. iTunes also sells it.

 

[Garysb]

I’m sure this is terrific but it could never replicate the astonishingly revelatory presentation I first saw at the Ziegfeld theatre in NYC during its initial run in 1974. That’s a cherished memory that has stayed with me for 50 years.

In the home it just can’t have the impact it did on that large screen. It’s too bad that there is little to no audience for a re-release so that others can experience it the way I did.

I also saw it in 1974 at the Ziegfeld. While I was familiar with some of the films before seeing "That's Entertainment", seeing the film clips on a large screen with an audience and whatever the sound system was in 1974 compared to a 19- or 25-inch CRT TV was a revelation. This was before any restoration on the films was done. For example, the color clips were all printed in Metro Color ( Eastman stock) in 1974 instead of recombined 3 film strip from the original camera negative when available.

 

[cda1143]

I’m sure this is terrific but it could never replicate the astonishingly revelatory presentation I first saw at the Ziegfeld theatre in NYC during its initial run in 1974. That’s a cherished memory that has stayed with me for 50 years.

In the home it just can’t have the impact it did on that large screen. It’s too bad that there is little to no audience for a re-release so that others can experience it the way I did.

I also saw it in 1974 at the Ziegfeld. ..., seeing the film clips on a large screen with an audience and whatever the sound system was in 1974 compared to a 19- or 25-inch CRT TV was a revelation....

Well I didn't see it at the Ziegfeld, but wherever I saw it as teenager, it's still a cherished memory.

My screen is only 103" wide, but even the DVD and old BD versions absolutely wowed my young kids and any of their friends the first time they saw it. I doubt it will impress teenagers today, but if you've got any young kids, get the new disc and show it to them. They'll absolutely love it!

 

[rmw650]

Hoping the other two films or maybe a three pack will get released of these films as well with improved elements to them, in terms of quality.

 

[Andrew Budgell]

Exciting! I’m curious to see how the clips look for films that haven’t already been released on sparkling new WAC Blu-rays, such as A Date with Judy and Cynthia. It could be a hint of what’s to come from WAC… or just wishful thinking on my part!

 

[Robin9]

Exciting! I’m curious to see how the clips look for films that haven’t already been released on sparkling new WAC Blu-rays, such as A Date with Judy and Cynthia. It could be a hint of what’s to come from WAC… or just wishful thinking on my part!

Wishful thinking on my part too, Andrew!

 

[Robin9]

Yes, the B&W clips on the existing blu ray are extremely grainy though the streaming version was better. Now let's get restored versions of "On The Town" and "Anchors Aweigh."

I'd buy new and improved versions of those two titles without a moment's hesitation.

 

[Matt Hough]

We hadn't been planning an NYC trip that summer until I read the reviews for That's Entertainment, so on a plane I hopped and saw the film during its second week at the Ziegfeld. (It wasn't going to open in Charlotte until later in the summer, and I couldn't wait.)

It was a packed house buzzing with enthusiasm, and many numbers (especially Garland ones) were applauded as if it were a live Broadway show. One of my most exhilarating movie-going experiences. If I'm recalling correctly, I also saw some wonderful Broadway shows on that trip including the all-star revival cast of The Women, The Sunshine Boys, Over Here!, and A Little Night Music.

 

[Thomas T]

The obvious extra not included here but on another archive release is the documentary, "Hollywood: The Dream Factory" which was a forerunner to the "That's Entertainment" films and starts with scenes from the infamous MGM auction in 1970.

Hollywood: The Dream Factory is included as a bonus on the blu ray of Dance Fools, Dance with Joan Crawford.

 

[David Weicker]

I should have added the unofficial 4th That's movie, That's Dancing to the mix to make a 4 disc box set. I'm not a big fan of That's Entertainment 2 so adding That's Dancing to the mix would make it more enticing to me.

Unfortunately, several sequences are probably not available for ‘cleanup’

Shirley Temple/Bojangles
Carousel
Oklahoma
Down Argentine Way

 

[RichMurphy]

I remember seeing this film at the late, great Uptown in DC. The varying aspect ratios of the clips looked great on the huge curved Cinerama screen. The only problem was the first evening show began late because it had sold out, and they began the next show immediately after the previous one (literally: the curtain closed and then opened once again), which left many people for the second show scurrying in the dark to try to find a seat.

Ah, memories: the Uptown, sellouts there, working curtains!

 

[Rob_Ray]

I'll always cherish the memory of seeing it at Houston's Windsor Cinerama Theatre, with its magnificently huge, curved screen, beautiful sound system, lush curtain and luxurious rocking seats. Theaters today can't offer what we experienced there and "That's Entertainment!" was a magnificent experience. I especially remember when the screen opened up to show clips from "The Great Ziegfeld" and "The Harvey Girls" in widescreen.

 

[Into The Archives]

I had only seen the film on CBS and KTLA as a kid, but around 1988 I got to see a fading 70mm print at Edwards Newport Beach Cinema for a “senior matinee”. The screen for 70mm was around 65-feet wide, and footage from Hit The Deck, 7 Brides and Gigi was pretty amazing to see then that huge----

Anyhow, I’m not sure if all original 70mm prints were struck this way, but the print I saw had the 1.37:1 footage “corrected” for keystoning in the 2.20:1 frame---here is a frame I got from the projectionist (who I knew) many years ago showing this scene from Royal Wedding on what I’m speaking about.

 

[Taylor * D]

We hadn't been planning an NYC trip that summer until I read the reviews for That's Entertainment, so on a plane I hopped and saw the film during its second week at the Ziegfeld. (It wasn't going to open in Charlotte until later in the summer, and I couldn't wait.)

It was a packed house buzzing with enthusiasm, and many numbers (especially Garland ones) were applauded as if it were a live Broadway show. One of my most exhilarating movie-going experiences. If I'm recalling correctly, I also saw some wonderful Broadway shows on that trip including the all-star revival cast of The Women, The Sunshine Boys, Over Here!, and A Little Night Music.

Matt, that sounds like a NYC trip for the ages!

 

[Garysb]

 

[Matt Hough]

Matt, that sounds like a NYC trip for the ages!

It was! That's why I remember it so vividly.

 

[lark144]

We hadn't been planning an NYC trip that summer until I read the reviews for That's Entertainment, so on a plane I hopped and saw the film during its second week at the Ziegfeld. (It wasn't going to open in Charlotte until later in the summer, and I couldn't wait.)

It was a packed house buzzing with enthusiasm, and many numbers (especially Garland ones) were applauded as if it were a live Broadway show. One of my most exhilarating movie-going experiences. If I'm recalling correctly, I also saw some wonderful Broadway shows on that trip including the all-star revival cast of The Women, The Sunshine Boys, Over Here!, and A Little Night Music.

It was like that at the Regency in the 70's and early 80's whenever Frank Rowley showed MGM musicals. I particularly remember a packed, jubilant house for a double bill of Broadway Melody of 1940 & The Band Wagon. People applauded at every number.

 

[battlebeast]

Unfortunately, several sequences are probably not available for ‘cleanup’

Shirley Temple/Bojangles
Carousel
Oklahoma
Down Argentine Way

Why not? Owned by another studio?

 

[David Weicker]

Why not? Owned by another studio?

Oklahoma and Carousel were last released by Fox. They probably belong to Disney (although they may belong to Rodgers&Hammerstein)
The Shirley Temple/Bojangles and Down Argentine Way segments were Fox (now Disney)