hearthesilence wrote: Mon Sep 18, 2023 6:34 pmThey also announced a second volume of Looney Tunes cartoons too - details to come, but it'll have 25 shorts. That's a definite buy for me.
1. BEHIND THE MEAT-BALL (1945) Directed by Frank Tashlin
2. BROTHER BRAT (1944) Directed by Frank Tashlin-with Porky Pig
3. CATTY CORNERED (1953) Directed by Friz Freleng-with Tweety and Sylvester
4. CROSS COUNTRY DETOURS (1940) Directed by Tex Avery
5. DAFFY’S SOUTHERN EXPOSURE (1942) Directed by Norm McCabe-with Daffy Duck
6. DING DOG DADDY (1942) Directed by Friz Freleng
7. THE EAGER BEAVER (1946) Directed by Chuck Jones
8. FAIR AND WORM-ER (1946) Directed by Chuck Jones
9. FIN 'N CATTY (1943) Directed by Chuck Jones
10. FROM HAND TO MOUSE (1944) Directed by Chuck Jones
11. GHOST WANTED (1940) Directed by Chuck Jones
12. GREETINGS BAIT (1943) Directed by Friz Freleng-with Wacky Worm
13. HAMATEUR NIGHT (1939) Directed by Tex Avery-with Egghead
14. HARE-BREADTH HURRY (1963) Directed by Chuck Jones with Bugs Bunny and Wile E. Coyote
15. A HICK A SLICK AND A CHICK (1948) Directed by Arthur Davis
16. HISS AND MAKE UP (1948) Directed by Arthur Davis
17. A HOUND FOR TROUBLE (1951) Directed by Chuck Jones-with Charlie Dog
18. I WANNA BE A SAILOR (1937) Directed by Tex Avery
19. THE LEGHORN BLOWS AT MIDNIGHT (1950) Directed by Robert McKimson-with Foghorn Leghorn and Henery Hawk
20. LICKETY-SPLAT (1961) Directed by Chuck Jones-Co-Directed by Abe Levitow
-with Road Runner and Wile E. Coyote
21. ONE MEAT BRAWL (1947) Directed by Robert McKimson-with Porky Pig
22. THE PENGUIN PARADE (1938) Directed by Tex Avery
23. RABBIT RAMPAGE (1955) Directed by Chuck Jones-with Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd
24. THE REBEL WITHOUT CLAWS (1961) Directed by Friz Freleng-with Tweety and Sylvester
25. THE WACKY WORM (1941) Directed by Friz Freleng-with Wacky Worm
What A Disgrace wrote: Mon Sep 18, 2023 6:11 pm
The Devil Doll saves the line-up. Besides Freaks, it's Browning's best talkie.
This movie is bonkers. Unfortunately it's so front-loaded - introducing and compulsively building on its high concept while detailing a rich atmosphere with optimally agile economy in the first act - that the rest of the film suffers once the real plot kicks in and that strong sense of place is cast aside for a subdued journey into sterile spaces of banks and mansions.. Still, an "innocent" Lionel Barrymore momentarily inebriating himself with a spell of evil, getting revenge in drag before zooming back out to a humble position of aloof nirvana - as if it's 'earned' (??), is an evolution I never expected to see. My partner did a double take walking through the room seeing him prattle in that high pitched voice, and baldly asked why Mr. Potter was doing a Winnie the Pooh impression
FrauBlucher wrote: Wed Sep 18, 2019 8:47 pm
Hhhhmmm, Days of Wine and Roses. I believe that’s been high on Domino’s list for a release. Thought it may be CC bound because of the Blake Edwards’ phantom page
Absolutely would have been in my top ten of most wanted WB DVD upgrades if I had such a thing, so yep! Great news. I got way too excited thinking the announcement of Don't Be Afraid of the Dark was for Don't Go to Sleep, which is also owned by WB now-- maybe next Halloween...
therewillbeblus wrote: Wed Sep 18, 2019 9:05 pm
That would be terrific, especially if it included the Playhouse 90 version, which I arguably prefer mostly due to Piper Laurie's spot-on performance.
I prefer Lee Remick because she's Lee Remick
Well four years after reading the praise of this film I finally got around to watching it and it really knocked me out. The first thirty minutes of this film are so sophisticated, so well done, so brilliant. The scene where they discover cockroaches in the apartment and are encouraged to leave them alone is so beautifully shot and so creative. What a great job of a film going out of its way to add extra flavor and character.
Once the film settles into its core plot, it takes a teensy step down from the highs of those first thirty minutes. But the lighting is evocative throughout, especially in the scene with Remick at the campground, where the lighting almost makes it feel like it's being shot from underwater, or the bottom of a bottle. Lemmon is terrific in a role I never would have imagined him in. The film sticks to its guns, has great performances. What a mature and beautifully done story. I couldn't help but think of how well this would pair with Mad Men, especially some of the office party scenes.
Great movie about active addiction, though I maintain the Playhouse 90 version is a welcome complement. Not as polished, but Piper Laurie gives the most uninhibited alcoholic perf I can think of offhand in the climax. Strikingly raw for the 50s
Scott and Todd are rescued (it feels like both or at least one of them should have drowned)
...and from there it turns into a pile of shit. But that's probably an hour into its short 70 minute run time - despite whatever re-edits or reshoots may have been inflicted on it before that point, it still holds together like a great film to me, one that plays like a dream even after Ryan's Scott wakes up, particularly the first 20 minutes or so when it seems to have an internal logic that makes perfect sense to Scott while appearing strange and surreal to the viewing audience. I don't know any further production details beyond what I just mentioned, but there are moments where it feels like Renoir is evoking all he's learned from Jean Cocteau and Jean Vigo. I actually like The Southerner and This Land Is Mine too while acknowledging their flaws, but The Woman on the Beach is a personal favorite among his American films. Hopefully this restoration is already planned as the basis for a future Blu-ray upgrade.
Coming to Blu-ray December 12th!
NEW 2023 1080p HD Master from 4K Scan of preservation elements ANNA CHRISTIE (1930)
Run Time: 89 Minutes
Subtitles: ENGLISH SDH
Audio Specs: DTS HD-MA 2.0
Aspect Ratio 16x9 1.37:1 with Side Mattes
Product color: B&W
Disc Configuration-BD 50
Directed by Clarence Brown
Cast : Greta Garbo, Marie Dressler, Charles Bickford
Special Features: 1930 German Language version directed by Jacques Feyder starring Garbo (HD); M-G-M Parade television episode #30 with Walter Pidgeon on Greta Garbo’s career; Classic Warner Bros. cartoon “THE BOOZE HANGS HIGH” (HD); Audio-only Lux Radio Theater (2/7/1938) ANNA CHRISTIE broadcast with Joan Crawford and Spencer Tracy.
Coming to Blu-ray December 12th!
NEW 2023 1080p HD Master from 4K Scan of Preservation Elements! TARZAN, THE APE MAN (1932)
Run Time: 100 Minutes
Subtitles: ENGLISH SDH
Audio Specs: DTS HD-MA 2.0
Aspect Ratio 16x9 1.37:1 with Side Mattes
Product color: B&W
Disc Configuration-BD 50
Directed by W.S. Van Dyke
Cast: Johnny Weissmuller, Maureen O’Sullivan, C. Aubrey Smith, Neil Hamilton.
Special Features: Documentary: TARZAN: SILVER SCREEN KING OF THE JUNGLE; Classic Warner Bros. cartoons “I WISH I HAD WINGS” (HD) and “MOONLIGHT FOR TWO” (HD), Original Theatrical Trailer
Theatrical Trailer
Coming to Blu-ray December 12th!
NEW 2023 1080p HD Master from 4K Scan of Preservation Elements MADAME BOVARY (1949)
Run Time: 114 Minutes
Subtitles: ENGLISH SDH
Audio Specs: DTS HD-MA 2.0
Aspect Ratio 16x9 1.37:1 with Side Mattes
Product color: B&W
Disc Configuration-BD 50
Directed by Vincente Minnelli
Cast : Jennifer Jones, Van Heflin, Louis Jourdan, James Mason
Special Features: M-G-M 25th anniversary retrospective film SOME OF THE BEST (1949) (HD), Classic TOM & JERRY cartoon LOVE THAT PUP (HD), Original Theatrical Trailer
Coming to Blu-ray December 12th!
NEW 2023 1080p HD Master from 4K Scan of Preservation Elements THE GREAT ZIEGFELD (1936)
Run Time: 183 Minutes (ROADSHOW VERSION-Includes Overture, Intermission/Entr’acte and Exit Music)
Subtitles: ENGLISH SDH
Audio Specs: DTS HD-MA 2.0
Aspect Ratio 16x9 1.37:1 with Side Mattes
Product color: B&W
Disc Configuration-BD 50
Directed by Robert Z. Leonard
Cast: William Powell, Myrna Loy, Luise Rainer
Special Features: Historical retrospective : “Ziegfeld on Film”, Vintage Newsreel excerpt “New York hails ‘The Great Ziegfeld’” Classic Warner Bros. Cartoon: “TOY TOWN HALL” (HD); Audio-only LEO IS ON THE AIR Radio promotional program; Original Theatrical Trailer
Coming to Blu-ray December 12th!
NEW 2023 1080p HD Master from 4K Scan of Original nitrate camera negative. GENTLEMAN JIM (1942)
Run Time: 104 Minutes
Subtitles: ENGLISH SDH
Audio Specs: DTS HD-MA 2.0
Aspect Ratio 16x9 1.37:1 with Side Mattes
Product color: B&W
Disc Configuration-BD 50
Directed by Raoul Walsh
Cast: Errol Flynn, Alexis Smith, Jack Carson, Alan Hale, Ward Bond
Special Features: Classic Warner Bros. Cartoons: “THE DOVER BOYS AT PIMENTO UNIVERSITY” (HD), “FONEY FABLES” (HD), “HOBBY HORSE-LAFFS” (HD), Audio-only Lady Esther Screen Guild Playhouse (2/14/1944) Radio Broadcast with Errol Flynn and Alexis Smith; Original Theatrical Trailer (HD)
Coming to Blu-ray December 12th!
NEW 2023 1080p HD Master
A MIDWINTER’S TALE (1995)
Run Time: 99 Minutes
Subtitles: ENGLISH SDH
Audio Specs: DTS HD-MA 2.0 STEREO
Aspect Ratio 16x9 1.85:1
Product color: B&W
Disc Configuration-BD 50
Directed by Kenneth Branagh
Includes Original Theatrical Trailer
Coming to Blu-ray December 12th!
NEW 2023 1080p HD Master SAVING GRACE (2000)
Run Time: 99 Minutes
Subtitles: ENGLISH SDH
Audio Specs: DTS HD-MA 5.1 Surround
Aspect Ratio 16x9 1.85:1
Product color: COLOR
Disc Configuration-BD 50
Directed by Nigel Cole
Includes Original Theatrical Trailer
Finch wrote: Wed Oct 25, 2023 10:55 pm
Nothing for November, then?
They moved a few dates around. We got 7 titles in October, another 7 in December (both more than their goal of 6 per month). November is a little lighter:
Rapa Nui (1994)
In Love and War (1996)
Looney Tunes Collector's Choice 2
EDIT: looks like Looney Tunes has been moved to December 12
Really a much more exciting set of announcements than last round, especially with Gentleman Jim!
Last edited by jheez on Wed Oct 25, 2023 11:30 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Drucker wrote: Wed Oct 25, 2023 11:03 pm
Safe to assume the Feyder German version is an upscale or do we think we got a full restoration of that? Either way pretty cool extra.
WAC doesn't announce something as "HD" unless it's true 1080p. So presumably it's an unrestored 1080p scan, as many of the shorts they include as extras are?
Drucker wrote: Wed Oct 25, 2023 11:03 pm
Safe to assume the Feyder German version is an upscale or do we think we got a full restoration of that? Either way pretty cool extra.
I think I read something about Garbo preferring this version of the film as well. Which would make sense anyhow given her relationship with Feyder.
I myself am very excited at getting another Garbo, especially because of the HD German version and the extras as I believe the original DVD only had both versions in standard definition and no extras. Also nice to get another Best Picture winner on Blu-Ray too, even if it isn’t the best of the nominees (I’m particularly fond of Mr. Deeds Goes to Town for that year and wished that had won).
Summary of the latest podcast with George Feltenstein as per San Carolina59 on BR:
As far as new release announcements, George notes that "there will be more!" 1990s-2000s films coming from WAC in the future.
Also notes that WAC will be ramping up it's animation releases in 2024. "Read into that what you may, but we hear you out there, we love animation at Warner Archive, and we intend to do a lot more of it and make sure it's done right".
What happened to November? - There's really only 1 plant for the disc manufacturing plant in the whole U.S., and the delays are reflective of that. Despite what one may want to say about physical media because of that, George says in fact, there is still tremendous amount of demand for physical media all across the industry, so that's why these delays happen. We want to make sure that the street dates can be kept for these releases, so that's why the November releases were sent to December instead. We're always working on at least 12-15 titles at any given time, so if something hits a snag on production, they need to time to adjust and be able to deal with that, so that's why the releases were moved to December.
Anna Christie (1930):
At "93 years young", it's a very monumental film in the lore of Hollywood's history.
M-G-M was very concerned on to if Garbo could make the transition to sound, with the material for her sound debut being very carefully chosen by Irving Thalberg, from the 1921 play of the same name by Eugene O'Neill.
The press campaign came up with the catchphrase "Garbo Talks!", which has since stuck around to the modern day.
Talks on Garbo's performance, Clarence Brown, and Eugene O'Neill's play.
This film was enormously successful at the box-office.
Dubbing was not perfected by 1930, so it was not uncommon to have foreign versions of a film made to accommodate foreign markets, with Garbo starring in 5-6 versions of Anna Christie alongside the English version, with the only other foreign language version to survive today from Anna Christie being the German version.
George talks on how many were pleased to be able to see the German version of Anna Christie when they did it on DVD (and again for the remastered release of The Big House on DVD), and they are happy to provide it for Blu-ray - this is the first time they've done one that has multiple versions like that on Blu-ray.
George continues to talk on how the German version is now provided in HD as well. In the past, it's not always been possible to present different versions of a film on Blu-ray all in HD, but George felt it was essential enough that they do it for Anna Christie, especially with Garbo's known preference for the German version and Jacques Feyder's direction for that version.
Another episode of the M-G-M Parade TV series is presented on here detailing Garbo's early career, and a WB cartoon in HD.
No trailer - no film elements are known to exist for the trailer. If it's in a private collection, WB has no access to it.
Tarzan, The Ape Man (1932):
If this release succeeds financially, similar tot The Thin Man, George is hoping that they can get the greenlight from the "various powers that be" to start doing more of the Tarzan films, with 30 or so dating from the 1930's to the 1950s (he notes they've done some of the later ones on Blu-ray already).
A somewhat franchise from an era with no film franchises - with many successful sequels following after.
Talks on the documentary on the disc, originally produced for the DVD release, and two WB cartoons
Trailer does survive and is presented on here.
George talks about the other films named Tarzan, The Ape Man and how he knows how many wanted wanted the Weissmuller films.
George is confident that many will hopefully support this release, as releases of the sequels depend on performance of this film. "Fans, please support our releases."
The Great Ziegfeld (1936):
George says that WB have more Best Picture winners in our library than any other studio, and we (WB) have been trying to get to all of them in recent years, with another box now checked.
Very unique film - Florenz Ziegfeld was a monumental character on Broadway in the early 20th century, one of the greatest showmen of the time. Epic in it's scope - Ziegfeld was focused on bringing great talents to the forefront.
Talks on William Powell's performance as Florenz Ziegfeld and Myrna Loy as Billie Burke, Ziegfeld's second wife (who most probably know as Glinda from The Wizard Of Oz).
Originally planned to be a Universal film - Universal was in horrible financial straights, so the story rights were sold to M-G-M to most everyone's benefit.
This film shows the M-G-M musical start to come together as we know them now. Musicals were not a cornerstone of M-G-M when this was made, and this leads to some interesting musical numbers in the film.
Some original Ziegfeld performers returned to star as themselves in the film, namely Fanny Brice, most famous today for the biopic of her life, Funny Girl and Barbra Streisand's performance in that.
Can't forget Luise Ranier as Anna Held, Ziegfeld's first wife, and talks about one scene in the film ([Show spoiler]
) that very likely clinched her the Oscar for Best Actress that year, and her consecutive win next year for The Good Earth.
People will love this presentation of the film - none of the prior incarnations of the film really looked good, per George "and I was involved with a lot of them".
New 4K scan from preservation elements - really sparkles. This film, like the DVD, preserves the Roadshow version of the film.
Some of the DVD features are carried over (a newsreel excerpt, a featurette, an air trailer, the theatrical trailer), with a WB cartoon being added to the DVD special features.
Gentleman Jim (1942):
George: "Well, this is one of my favorite Errol Flynn movies, and that's saying something because I have so many favorite Errol Flynn movies."
Not a swashbuckler like most Flynn films, instead a biopic of perhaps the man who legitimized modern boxing, James J. "Gentleman Jim" Corbett, authorized by his widow.
New 4K scan from the OCN, huge upgrade from the DVD, which George says was not bad looking for it's time, but the Blu-ray bests it.
This film represents the "Golden Era" of WB in the 1940s, same year as Casablanca and Now, Voyager, talks on Alexis Smith and Ward Bond.
George wanted to do this film for a long time, and he knows it's been highly requested by the fans as well.
Added 3 HD WB cartoons to the disc, and a radio show from the Screen Guild Players with Errol Flynn and Alexis Smith.
Madame Bovary (1949):
George loves Vincente Minnelli's work as he pretty much conquered every genre of film known, this being a great example of his work, adapted from the scandalous 19th century novel.
Jennifer Jones was loaned to M-G-M to appear in this film from David O. Selznick, who she was also married to at the time. Also talks on Van Heflin's performance.
One of James Mason's first American films.
The novel has been filmed numerous times, but George feels it was never done better than this film.
Talks on producer Pandro S. Berman and his work as a great producer, and
Miklós Rózsa (who George admits he's a major fan of) and his work on the film.
Looks amazing in this presentation, fans will be happy.
Added the short film "Some Of The Best" in HD, showing off M-G-M for their 25th anniversary in 1949, and shows footage from current and past M-G-M films of that time, and some footage from a famous 25th anniversary luncheon held where they had almost all their major stars on one soundstage.
Also added a Tom & Jerry cartoon (Love That Pup) in HD and the trailer.
A Midwinter's Tale (1995):
Kenneth Branagh was just becoming known for his Shakespeare adaptions in the 1990s, and it's a "kind of tongue in cheek mockumentary" for Shakespeare.
A cast made up of performers not well known in the U.S., some that are (Joan Collins, Jennifer Saunders).
While Castle Rock (who's library is with WB via their purchase of Turner) got all behind this film on release, it being made in black & white and being more of a niche film made it unfairly fall into obscurity. Was an early WAC DVD-R release, this new master is a revelation. George really hopes the fans support this release, it's a hysterically great film.
Saving Grace (2000):
George saw this on the original release, and despite being a British film, it was pretty successful here in the U.S., with this film being somewhat of a breakthrough for Craig Ferguson.
George loves this film - beautifully written, very well made.
Came from Fine Line Features - New Line's art house division, which had become a rising player at the time.
The disc includes two commentaries, ported from the DVD - 1st is "a more creative one" and has the director (Nigel Cole), Craig Ferguson, and one of the writers, the 2nd has Craig Ferguson and Brenda Blethyn.
Also has the trailer as well.
George says they're not trying to neglect newer decades ("we're not neglecting the 70s or the 80s"), even though they did a lot from those decades earlier on from WAC ("and then everyone complained about no 30s or 40s films"). They try to maintain a balance for the decades as best they can.
George wants to thank the fans for a successful 2023 - WAC has ramped up to full speed again thanks to the fans and WB Discovery's support, realizing that the "boutique label with the behemoth is a can do organization that can bring profit to the company" through their carefully made releases catering to the connoisseur who wants the very best.
If your particular favorite didn't make it out this year, don't be surprised if it comes out sooner than you think. WAC is constantly working on films from all genres and decades, and "if there's demand and a reason, we'll get behind it and give it to you on a beautiful disc that you can place on your shelf and own forever and ever. That's our mission statement, we're married to it and proud of it."
Looney Tunes Collector's Choice Vol. 2:
The release date was moved to December 12th as well.
This will be discussed on a different podcast - 25 different things to talk about.
George is looking right now at some different sources for Vol. 3 right now, and WAC will expand it's animation releases in 2024. "Read into that what you may, but we hear you out there, we love animation at Warner Archive, and we intend to do a lot more of it and make sure it's done right".
Does whoever who does these podcasts with George not bother asking about the silents? He covers so much ground and repeatedly mentions the 1930s as if the 1920s doesn’t exist. Does the podcast interviewer not want to rock the boat by pushing to explain why there are no silent releases? Are we to assume they have given them all to Criterion to sit on for years instead?
Are their major silents major money losers compared to their more obscure 40s stuff they put out?
I’m grateful for the care WB and George put into these releases and we have gotten a lot of great titles this year, but you’d think they could throw a silent in every 4 months or so surely?
^This is getting frustrating for sure,I think Mr.Feltenstein has said many times that they want to do some silents but that they require alot of work and that they are "looking for better elements".Personally I´m starting to believe that someone at WB thinks that silents are not going to sell on disc, or sell enough to justify the expensive restorations.
