The Premiere Frank Capra Collection

[OliverB]

I've been meaning to pick up this set for the longest time; in fact it was my plan for today. But I may just hold off now for further news of these "newly remastered" releases. And what about "American Madness"?

If memory serves, it actually had the best-looking transfer of all five in the box!

Well if these are upgrades in any way, I hope that Columbia will make the right decision and issue this as an individual standalone as well.

[videozor]

They're Columbia DVDs though-- all their classic films are that expensive regardless of extras.

Agree, but other two are for 19.95 SRP...

[OliverB]

According to DVDEmpire, they're all listed as single disc releases and specified as (Remastered) in the listings to separate and differentiate from the previously available editions which remain in stock and apparently still in circulation. MSRP remains consistent as well unfortunately, though I'd eagerly purchase without hesitation if the presentation and production justifies that cost this time around. Here they are:

It Happened One Night (Remastered)
Mr. Smith Goes To Washington (Remastered)
Mr. Deeds Goes To Town (Remastered)
You Can't Take It With You (Remastered)

All indicators point to good news!

And let's all pray that this is not really the cover they intend to use!

[dx23]

I'm wondering if these re-releases are part of the Sony Collector's Choice Collection, which was mentioned on the Budd Boetticherthread.

[onedimension]

It Happened One Night, Mr. Deeds & Mr. Smith are being billed as remasters and special editions but I haven't heard anything about extras or image quality.. is it unhip to like Capra around here?

[myrnaloyisdope]

Well he's no Stan Brakhage, but Capra's alright.

[Cash Flagg]

Damn, I would have just bought the box set too.

[domino harvey]

Wait, so we do like Capra around here?

[Tolmides]

Wait, so we do like Capra around here?

Well if you don't, I sure as hell do.

[videozor]

Whoever might be interested:

Just received It Happende... - in brief: nothing to be excited about: front cover art is ugly; extras, as far as one can judge by the description on the back cover, are the same as in the old edition.

I think, even if the feature is re-mastered, it is the same as in the Capra box. And according to Beaver this new transfer is only slightly beter than the old one.

Most likely the story is the same with the other 3 Capra films coming out on Dec 9th

[TIVOLI]

Has anyone seen the newly released remaster of It Happened One Night? I haven't been able to find any reviews comparing it to the previous oldie but goodie version. It's such a brilliant film that it deserves renewed attention. The combination of Gable's street-wise (teaching Colbert how to dunk a doughnut) and Colbert's world-wise (she famously lifts her skirt to hitch a ride) is extraordinary. Also, it's the last great film before the onset of Capracorn, endless variations of the naive hero restoring democratic decency by taming the hysterical masses. A must see again.