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Posted: Thu Jan 27, 2005 12:59 pm
by igor s.
reuters wrote:Sony Pictures to Re-Release Lloyd Silents
Thursday January 27 3:00 AM ET
Marking the 112th anniversary of Harold Lloyd's birthday, Sony Pictures is reissuing Lloyd's classic films, including "Safety Last!" and "The Freshman"
Beginning April 20, the films, which have been made available by the Harold Lloyd Trust, will premiere at Film Forum in New York. Bookings in additional cities -- including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston and Chicago -- will follow. Many of the silent titles will feature newly recorded scores.
"My grandfather holds an historic place in cinema history," said Suzanne Lloyd, the actor's granddaughter and president of Harold Lloyd Entertainment. "I'm pleased and proud that Sony has stepped forward to release these films so that a new generation can experience the sheer entertainment of Harold Lloyd on the big screen."
Lloyd's film career spanned 34 years and 200 comedies. Among his most famous films are "Grandma's Boy" (1922), "Safety Last!" (1923), "Girl Shy" (1924), "The Freshman" (1925), "The Kid Brother" (1927), "Speedy" (1928) and "Movie Crazy" (1932).
Reuters/Hollywood Reporter
cheers,
-igor s.
Posted: Thu Jan 27, 2005 3:14 pm
by peerpee
No mention of DVDs.... and Sony are *so good* at doing DVDs that I can hardly wait. <----- ENGLISH IRONY
Maybe they'll get the team who did the APU TRILOGY (Columbia) to do them? I'm sure there's some 1980s TV digibeta knocking around. It will save them having to do much work.
Posted: Thu Jan 27, 2005 4:48 pm
by Ashirg
New Line got DVD rights for Harold Lloyd silents... and according to Suzanne Lloyd, they will be available in the fall of 2005
Posted: Fri Jan 28, 2005 1:35 am
by igor s.
peerpee wrote:No mention of DVDs.... and Sony are *so good* at doing DVDs that I can hardly wait. <----- ENGLISH IRONY
Maybe they'll get the team who did the APU TRILOGY (Columbia) to do them? I'm sure there's some 1980s TV digibeta knocking around. It will save them having to do much work.
so very sad
Posted: Fri Jan 28, 2005 3:21 am
by unclehulot
Isn't it a bit premature to bitch about the supposed lack of quality of the upcoming DVDs of these things? Sheesh, we've been trying to get the Lloyd estate to cough this stuff up to SOMEBODY for 3 years or so. New transfers HAVE obviously been done, as everyone with Turner Classic Movies who saw the whole lot of them last year can attest to.
Perhaps you're just jealous that Eureka couldn't pony up the astronomical sum that the Lloyd estate was reportedly asking??
If they do suck, I will cheerfully allow you to say "I told you so, you SOB", but let's hold off until then, blimey!
Posted: Fri Jan 28, 2005 4:14 am
by peerpee
It's great that someone other than Sony are doing the DVDs (New Line). I just hope they do a good job.
Perhaps you're just jealous that Eureka couldn't pony up the astronomical sum that the Lloyd estate was reportedly asking??
Dear dear, bit below the belt old chap. We weren't involved at all at any stage.
If they do suck, I will cheerfully allow you to say "I told you so, you SOB", but let's hold off until then, blimey!
I appreciate you allowing me to say things under your own conditions, but I'll say it again - Sony and Columbia/Tristar are DVD shitehawks. It's great that they're not doing these Lloyd discs.
Posted: Fri Jan 28, 2005 5:36 am
by unclehulot
peerpee wrote:
Perhaps you're just jealous that Eureka couldn't pony up the astronomical sum that the Lloyd estate was reportedly asking??
Dear dear, bit below the belt old chap. We weren't involved at all at any stage.
Oh dear, I was kidding about this, not chiding! In any case, I wish you
were, then at least your side of the Atlantic would be assured of fine releases of these!
After hearing about the pending sale of this package for several years on alt.movies.silent I think I'm just astounded that anyone is actually slated to release them, and the sigh of relief outweighs any trepidation, for a short spell, at least.
Posted: Fri Jan 28, 2005 8:08 am
by Ashirg
Studio Canal will be handling it in Europe and they will work with New Line to create new extras.... That's what was reported in October...
Posted: Sun Mar 20, 2005 5:35 am
by FilmFanSea
Inside info from a member of the Harold Lloyd Trust, from the
Harold Lloyd Forum:
I don?t think all 31 titles listed [below] will be out on DVD this year. I know World of Comedy and Funny Side of Life won?t be released in the first go round. Currently, Milky Way and Cat?s Paw are not on the list either. That may change. It was our intention to release a newly restored silent version of Welcome Danger along with the sound version. But the silent version isn?t ready at this point and I?m not sure what will happen. It is my hope that Cat?s Paw or Milky Way (one of my favorites) steps in to fill the void. The Welcome Dangers would then be released at a later date. None of this is certain at this point.
What is being discussed (and I hope this won?t change) is that New Line plans to release (in the US) the other 27 titles some time in the fall. Before Christmas we?ve been told. The important news here is that New Line intends to release Harold?s films ALL AT THE SAME TIME. This is really great news. Other studios/distributors wanted to release one title and ?wait and see how it does.? New Line really believes in Harold Lloyd and we?re happy with the way things are progressing.
We have suggested that the films come out in four different box sets with three discs per set. Each box would have at least three features and some shorts. You?d also be able to buy the whole collection in a gift box set which should include a few more bells and whistles. All of this is currently under discussion.
I don?t have any news on the international DVDs. Studio Canal has taken DVD rights in France and international distribution. They aren?t as far along as New Line and I don?t know what their plans are. I do know they plan to release Safety Last theatrically in France. If you live in Paris get ready for Harold Lloyd. They?re discussing some over-the-top marketing ideas. The movies are being released internationally, we just don?t know which titles and when. We?ve been told a release this year.
Keep you posted?.
Chuck Johnson
HL Trust
1. Milky Way, The (1936)
2. Cat's Paw, The (1934)
3. Movie Crazy (1932)
4. Feet First (1930)
5. Welcome Danger (1929)
6. Speedy (192
7. Kid Brother, The (1927)
8. For Heaven's Sake (1926)
9. Freshman, The (1925)
10. Hot Water (1924)
11. Girl Shy (1924)
12. Why Worry? (1923)
13. Safety Last! (1923)
14. Doctor Jack (1922)
15. Grandma's Boy (1922)
16. Sailor-Made Man, A (1921)
17. Never Weaken (1921)
18. I Do (1921)
19. Among Those Present (1921)
20. Now or Never (1921)
21. Number, Please? (1920)
22. Get Out and Get Under (1920)
23. High and Dizzy (1920)
24. Eastern Westerner, An (1920)
25. Haunted Spooks (1920)
26. From Hand to Mouth (1919)
27. Bumping Into Broadway (1919)
28. Billy Blazes, Esq. (1919)
29. Ask Father (1919)
Plus the 2 features he made later in life: World of Comedy & Funny Side of Life to make 31 movies.
The deal with New Line includes ALL of Harold's films. To date we have about 85 in our archive. Only 31 titles have been digitally restored. And, as I mention above, the plan is to release 27 of those titles some time in October/November. Chances are, we?ll release 28 titles (Cat?s Paw and Milky Way will most likely replace Welcome Danger.)
As far as the remaining shorts go, I'm sure if enough people buy the first package, there will be incentive to restore and score more of the shorts. I personally want to see "Over the Fence," the first 'glasses' picture but it will need major restoration.
When we mentioned that we wanted a deal that would include ALL the films we meant that there were many companies that wanted to cherry pick a title here and there. You might get ''Safety Last" but never find a company that wants to release "Girl Shy." New Line is releasing ALL the silent features and many of the sound titles. There are some short films too. This is a very good deal for Harold fans.
For now, we have 28 of the very best titles coming out before the holidays.
We?ll keep you posted?
Chuck
*
Emphasis added
Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2005 6:13 am
by Anthony
This is great news and long over due. Thank god Kino isn't putting this out!
Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2005 6:30 am
by Caligula
A further
update from Chuck Johnson of the Harold Lloyd Trust:
We're on deadline for the DVD's. In two weeks all our materials will go to New Line and then we've got some breathing room to spend on everything else like marketing, press kits, artwork, etc.
For the New Line USA release:
Looks like a November 15 release date (not in stone yet)
Still 28 titles!!!!
3 boxes with 2 disks per box.... and a gift box with all those disks plus an extra special features disk. (I don't know prices yet.)
Lots of special features in the full gift box.
We've been busy with mini featurettes. Photos, home movies, commentaries.
It should be a great DVD pack. (I saw a piece last night that Annette did that is just amazing on HL film locales.)
and
The scores are the same as the Turner broadcasts. We're working very hard to correct a few sync problems with the Davis scores. One of the mini docs is on the music. We have interviews with both Davis and Robert Israel. It's turned out very well.
Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2005 12:49 pm
by What A Disgrace
Unless New Line fudges the transfers, I don't see how this isn't the most spectacular DVD release ever.
Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2005 6:26 pm
by FilmFanSea
Official Press Release (from
Davis DVD:
HOLLYWOOD LEGEND COMES TO LIFE IN THE HAROLD LLOYD COMEDY COLLECTION
AVAILABLE ON DVD NOVEMBER 15
New Line Home Entertainment Gives Film Luminary Harold Lloyd the Star Treatment with a Seven-Disc Collectors Set that Restores the Comedy Icon's Masterworks
Los Angeles, CA (August 15, 2005) -- Having appeared in more than 200 films and widely considered to be one of cinema's most respected comic geniuses, Harold Lloyd was one of Hollywood's first true movie stars. Now, entertainment enthusiasts of all ages can enjoy the work of the man who inspired generations of acting greats with The Harold Lloyd Comedy Collection, available on DVD on November 15, 2005, from New Line Home Entertainment. Digitally remastered, restored and rescored, the three-volume, seven-disc DVD collection includes 15 feature films, [13] shorts and a bonus disc containing a treasure chest of extras including Harold Lloyd's home movies, star tributes, photo galleries, all-new interviews and featurettes, and a 3D bonus photo disc with a pair of 3D photo glasses. The Harold Lloyd Comedy Collection is available at a $89.95 SRP. Each volume can also be purchased separately at a $29.95 SRP. The DVD order due date is October 11, 2005.
With a career that spanned more than 34 years, Harold Lloyd essentially created the feature-length film. Best known for his comedy movies including The Freshman, Speedy and Safety Last! - which features one of Hollywood's most iconic images of Harold Lloyd hanging from the hands of a giant clock - the influence of his physical comedy is evident in the performances of many of today's leading actors. His trademark combination of physical skill, well-developed characters and keen comic timing have influenced such acclaimed talents as Lucille Ball, Jim Carrey, Dustin Hoffman and Johnny Depp.
"Harold Lloyd was a true cinema icon whose unique brand of filmmaking and comic timing have impacted generations of movie-going audiences," said Justine Brody, senior vice president of marketing, New Line Home Entertainment. "The Harold Lloyd Comedy Collection is a virtual film history treasure trove, offering viewers of all ages an outstanding selection of remastered, restored and rescored Hollywood gems."
DVD SPECIAL FEATURES* AND EPISODE GUIDE
Volume 1
Disc 1:
• Feature films and shorts - Girl Shy (1924), Safety Last! (1923), An Eastern Westerner (1920), Ask Father (1919), From Hand to Mouth (1919)
• Commentary by Leonard Maltin director and Rich Correll on Safety Last!
• Production and publicity galleries
• Animated menus
• 4x3 full frame versions
• 2M mono audio
Disc 2:
• Feature films and shorts - The Milky Way (1936), The Cat's Paw (1934), Why Worry? (1923)
• Featurette "Harold's Hollywood: Then and Now"
• Production and publicity galleries
• English subtitles and closed captions
• Animated menus
• 4x3 full frame versions
• Spanish subtitles - on feature films
• 2M mono audio
Volume 2
Disc 1:
• Feature films and shorts - Kid Brother (1927), The Freshman (1925), Bumping Into Broadway (1919), Billy Blazes, Esq. (1919)
• Commentary by Leonard Maltin, Rich Correll and film historian Richard Bann on The Freshman
• Commentary by Harold Lloyd's granddaughter, Suzanne Lloyd, author Annette Lloyd, and Rich Correll on Kid Brother
• Production and publicity galleries
• Animated menus
• 4x3 full frame versions
• 2M mono audio
Disc 2:
• Feature films and shorts - Feet First (1930), Grandma's Boy (1922), Dr. Jack (1922), Now or Never (1921), High and Dizzy (1920)
• "Scoring for Comedy" Featurette
• Production and publicity galleries
• English subtitles and closed captions
• Spanish subtitles
• Animated menus
• 4x3 full frame versions
• 2M mono audio
Volume 3
Disc 1:
• Feature films and shorts - Speedy (1928), Hot Water (1924), Never Weaken (1921), Haunted Spooks (1920),
• Commentary by Suzanne Lloyd, Annette Lloyd and Rich Correll on Speedy and Haunted Spooks
• Production and publicity galleries
• Animated menus
• 4x3 full frame versions
• 2M mono audio
Disc 2:
• Feature films and shorts - Movie Crazy (1932), For Heaven's Sake (1926), I Do (1921), Among Those Present (1921), A Sailor-Made Man (1921), Get Out and Get Under (1920), Number Please? (1920)
• "Greenacres" Featurette
• Productions and publicity galleries
• English subtitles and closed captions
• Spanish subtitles
• 4x3 full frame versions
Bonus Disc (Collector?s Set Only)
• Rare home movies
• Introductions from film critic and historian Leonard Maltin
• Photo galleries, lobby cards and production stills
• Comparisons between domestic and international prints
• "Then-and-now" location comparisons
• Tributes and interviews with family, friends and legendary celebrities including Debbie Reynolds, Robert Wagner, Tab Hunter and director John Landis
• Rogues' gallery of autographed photos of celebrities, presidents and sports heroes
• Scrapbook collection - Reviews, programs, etc.
• 3-D photos (3-D glasses included)
• Over 30 featurettes
• And more!
*DVD special features subject to change.
Harold Lloyd Comedy Collection, The (Giftset)
SRP: $89.95
Catalog: N8445
UPC: 794043844522
Harold Lloyd Comedy Collection, The (Dbl DVD) (Volume 1)
SRP: $29.95
Catalog: N8446
UPC: 794043844621
Harold Lloyd Comedy Collection, The (Dbl DVD) (Volume 2)
SRP: $29.95
Catalog: N8447
UPC: 794043844720
Harold Lloyd Comedy Collection, The (Dbl DVD) (Volume 3)
SRP: $29.95
Catalog: N8448
UPC: 794043844829
The price for the Collector's Set is fantastic (7 jam-packed discs @ <$13 each---even before the inevitable discounts). Maybe the wait was worth it.
Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2005 8:13 pm
by FilmFanSea
(Excellent) Artwork:

Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2005 11:29 pm
by What A Disgrace
The price for this set is driving me batty. I expected it to go for, at the very least, $120!
Incredible news.
Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2005 2:54 am
by htdm
Oh my god, I never thought this would really happen. I remember the first (premature) announcement made on the HelloHarold website in the late 1990s and several misfires after that. Even when New Line announced that they had picked up the rights to the Lloyd films, I still was skeptical. But after seeing that artwork...it looks like we finally might get the goods.
I hope sales are strong enough for them to put out a second set sooner than later, I can't wait to see their restoration of the silent version of Welcome Danger (1929).
What a great announcement -- easily the most important purchase for me of 2005!
Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2005 5:34 am
by devlinnn
This is great news and long over due. Thank god Kino isn't putting this out!
But they are,
in a way. The Lobster DVDs Kino put out a while ago were welcome (esp. the Stan Laurel), but naturally the Lloyd sets are now redundant. You would have thought Kino would have been aware of the New Line deal, and spent their resources elsewhere.
Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2005 5:43 pm
by peerpee
Amazon.com has this down as a "Warner" release? -- I expect we should be seeing some reviews in the next few weeks?
Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2005 10:39 pm
by Ashirg
Warner is distributor for New Line and Amazon often lists New Line and HBO titles as Warner releases.
Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2005 6:22 am
by FilmFanSea
Annette Lloyd has posted her thoughts on the upcoming Harold Lloyd set (street date November 15th) over at the
Harold Lloyd Forum. Given her closeness to the project, I would hardly expect her to be objective, but I found her comments to be interesting nonetheless (odd that this widely-anticipated set hits the shelves in less than a week, and not a single review has yet been posted):
The DVD Set is MAGNIFICENT!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi Everyone -
Oh, mercy, are you going to be delighted...I received my DVD set yesterday, directly from New Line (compensation of sorts, for working as a contributor/consultant on the project; shipping date is still set for next Tuesday, November 15). Needless to say, my over-a-dozen-years' worth of waiting and hoping for this project to be realized was greatly rewarded.
The set is just gorgeous - navigation is very easy; the menu is easy to comprehend, and the graphics created for the menu rock; all the films are just beautiful (five with audio commentary - me on three of them! - and watching the films with the commentary was just as much fun as Rich Correll and I predicted it would be); the extras are going to knock you over (great home movies, archival and new interviews, and loads of stills), and in short, Lloyd fans, young and old, new and seasoned, are going to be very happy to have this set in their home libraries.
A few things to keep in mind:
Volumes 1-3 have 2 disks inside, the second of which is double-sided. Be aware of this when loading the DVD into your machines.
3D glasses are included for viewing HL's 3D images (anaglyph format) - Hubby and I found these a bit challenging to view clearly, but we're not fans of anaglyph 3D.
Many of the disks include an on-screen prompt for DVD-ROM features, available on your computer only. When both Scott and I loaded said disks into our respective DVD-ROM drives (both fully up to date drives), we were each unable to access this special content, both due to not having some software required from our DVD-ROM driver. Very strange.
And, on a personal note - my only beef with this set: New Line requested from me a full filmography, including HL's work in motion pictures, television, and radio. This they incorporated into the bonus disk, but my work is not credited on it. This I found rather unfair, and felt it was important to cite my responsibility for that content.
However, when all is said and done, I am THRILLED, DELIGHTED, and so very happy for Harold. He's going to be more available now, to a whole new generation of film fans who will now have proof that, yes, there are more than 2 silent film comedians worthy of our time and attention. There's HAROLD LLOYD! And he's a gorgeous force to be reckoned with!!!
You will ADORE this set. I know I do!!!
Yours,
Annette Lloyd
Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2005 6:21 am
by htdm
Just got word yesterday that my copy shipped and is on its way --
Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2005 8:51 am
by Ashirg
Cool! I'll order it on Tuesday on DDD...
Posted: Sat Nov 12, 2005 7:19 am
by Caligula
In anticipation of the release Tuesday Variety magazine recently included a special 28 page insert with extensive articles & photographs, even some of his 3D work.
Anyone who wants a look: I have the complete insert in pdf-format (warning - it's 4 MB's). PM me with your e-mail address & I'll gladly do the necessary (you'll need 3D glasses to view his 3D photo's, though).
Posted: Mon Nov 14, 2005 2:25 am
by FilmFanSea
DVD Movie Central is first out of the gate with a review of the set. Sounds like a winner.
Posted: Mon Nov 14, 2005 9:43 am
by Tim
I got my copy of Volume 1 in the post this morning (I had to order the volumes separately to avoid the UK customs). Just time for a quick look at Safety Last, which I saw on the screen last month. The transfer is very clean, though something less than perfect on its greyscale. I seem to remember the print having richer blacks and more luminous greys, but I may be misremembering the print. Quibbling aside, it looks as if this is a great presentation of Lloyd's work.