Gypsy (WarnerArchive Blu-ray)

For WB's first Archive release on Blu-ray (well, actually tied with Deathtrap), the studio has done an admirable job on Gypsy, the fun musical biopic of stripper Gypsy Rose Lee. Rosalind Russell stars as the irrepressible stage mother of all time, Rose, who dominates her cute daughter, Baby June, and then when June leaves, her awkward daughter, Louise (Natalie Wood). (In real life, there wasn't such a happy ending for Rose, and you might like to check it out through the internet.)

Video is excellent, and I only detected a very minor haloing in one scene. Unlike the regular WarnerArchives being on DVD-Rs, this is a regular Blu-ray.

Audio is good, with voices mostly through the center speaker. During musical numbers, side speakers do get used.

The only extras are two carried over from the DVD, but this time in HD (though rough footage), of one musical number cut from the film ("Together Wherever We Go") and another number that was trimmed in half for the final film ("You'll Never Get Away Fom Me"), and there is also a trailer in HD (but not restored).

This was a major musical, very important in Stephen Sondheim's early career. And though Rosalind Russell's singing voice is dubbed mostly by Lisa Kirk, Russell's acting makes the film very enjoyable. (By the way, be sure to look for the drawing of Ethel Merman, the original Rose on Broadway, on the wall near the full-length mirror in the stripper's dressing room. A nice touch.)

Very much recommended.

Another Archive sale 3 for $30

12/11 RELEASES EARLY TALKIES:

GODS GIFT TO WOMEN

SIDE SHOW

WEST OF BROADWAY

ITS TOUGH TO BE FAMOUS

Also on sale through Dec. 2 are several multi-disc sets, including the highly recommended (by me!) recently released Vitaphone Comedy Collection and Vitaphone Varieties, Vol. 2.
25% off.
Info here:

http://shop.warnerarchive.com/category/code/25off_wacshop.do?page=all&ref=EWACMULTIDISCSALE

11/27 Releases

MY FORBIDDEN PAST

TRIPLE CROSS

BLACK GOLD

audreyforever, the box set is currently available for 30% off along with other sets. Also the site is selling individual copies of each film. I am not sure what you saw.

There is a 30% off on the new redisigned site on select items on the WBArchives.

Putting this here and in the Upcoming Releases thread:

Burbank, Calif., November 15, 2012 -- The Warner Archive Collection (WAC) – the Warner Bros. Digital Distribution (WBDD) division dedicated to releasing on DVD previously unavailable films and television shows – today announced the launch of its first Blu-ray™ titles. The two titles, Deathtrap and Gypsy, will debut on November 20. Beginning in February 2013, WAC expects to release a minimum of one to two Blu-ray titles per month. Future titles include The Hudsucker Proxy and Fearless.

WAC reports that the Blu-ray discs will be replicated in limited quantities and fulfilled on demand. All releases will leverage high quality 1080p masters. In many instances, as with Deathtrap, the films will be available for the first time for home viewing in their original widescreen format.

Starting as a modest initiative, WAC has quickly grown to become a new business model for the studio and a recognized industry leader. Since launching in March 2009, WAC has released more than 1,500 films, short subjects, TV movies and mini-series that otherwise would not have been available, providing a valuable service to film lovers everywhere.

Now, WAC’s entry into the Blu-ray market is the latest example of its fast growth and increasing popularity with consumers who have embraced the technology as the standard for the highest quality home movie viewing on disc. This year, domestic sales of catalog titles on Blu-ray grew 22% in the third quarter from a year earlier. In fact, Blu-ray sales have shown impressive gains every quarter in 2012, continuing the trend set in 2011 over 2010 when sales were up 20%.[1]

In making the Blu-ray announcement, WBDD President Thomas Gewecke said, “This is an important innovation that fulfills consumer demand for high definition releases that otherwise would not be available in physical formats. We’re excited to have the opportunity to further expand the Warner Archive Collection into the Blu-ray marketplace with an impressive slate of releases.”