ThelmaTodd

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How did people like the Cyd Charisse tribute on TCM the other night? Thelma

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I have submitted the following message to "The Classic Theater" video publishers " We have a problem on the Turner Classic Movie Message boards re your Chan video collection. Go to www.tcm.com, then to Message Boards, then General Discussions, then to the thread titled something like "Your favorite Charlie Chan movies" I posted a picture of your video product, to encourage others to buy it. One poster said this looks "bootleg", and accused me of encouraging piracy. I believe you are within the copyright laws, as this is likely public domain material. I ended up by saying that if Classic Theater is within the law, then they have been impugned on the website and may have a complaint against Turner Broadcasting. I posted your address and phone. Help me out here. I was trying to help you and to be helpful to the Chan fans out there. Read what has been written there. It may help you, provided you demand a clarification or retraction. Or give a public statement and demand that the TCM programmer publish it on the thread." I was being a bit tongue in cheek in my initial reponse to the "bootleg" concern, because I had no reason to believe that this copy was illegitimate. It is very reckless for a company to engage in large scale piracy when they are so traceable. How many of us fully ascertain that Alpha Video's videos are in the public domain before buying them? This is a lot of hoopla, just because the video "looked" bootleg to somebody. Thelma PS: I didn't mean for this to be directed at "Markbeckuaf"

To each his own, but this is going on too long. What about the "official" *Monogram* Charlie Chan's? Who is or will be putting those out? Some of us may want to see all or most of the titles in the series. Another thing. Accusing the Classic Theater of creating "bootleg" copies implies that they are making illegal copies that infringe copyright, and that I am encouraging that by posting a picture of their product. If you are so concerned about that contact them at the address or phone below and find out and report back to us. Report them to FOX if you like. As to saying that I encourage buying bootleg copies- it is a misunderstanding. "Prince Saliano", back off right now. You are getting nowhere! If it turns out that the Classic Theater has not violated copyright, then they have been impugned on this message board, (as well as myself) and they would have a legitimate complaint against Turner Broadcasting. The Classic Theater 58 Lake Dr Mahopac NY 10541 Customer service 10 to 6, M-F 914-458-4326 Order Tracking 10 to 6, M-F 914-458-4356 Faxes, anytime 914-458-4356 Order: 1-866-551 8059 10 am to 6 pm EST Monday - Friday I have contacted the Classic Theater to let them know. I know about the studio versions, I have also bought those as well. There are only three movies on each disk at the most, and there were too many Chan films made. Thelma

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This is getting a little out of hand. Fox may own the original prints, but may have let the ORIGINAL copyright expire. If that's the case, that was their fault for not renewing it. At one time, it was felt that these films had no commercial value. I don't believe in copyright infringement on the other hand. If the Classic Theater is in violation, let FOX (and whoever represents Monogram!), look into it. (Some of these films were made a studio now defunct!) Again, you are not violating copyright law when you are working from your own originals on which the copyright has expired. This principle is what keeps video publishers like Alpha Video in business. I don't feel like we are ripping anybody off when we buy those. Let's get off of this and just enjoy the Chan films. Thelma

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Don't know. That's for Classic Theater to worry about. If they are NOT in the public domain, then that would be a sticky wicket, wouldn't it? To me the real difference is in the quality of source material. A "studio" edition is likely mastered from a 35mm original. Small vintage video houses like Alpha Video et al often use 16mm sources. In an ideal world, we would see a fully restored and remastered complete set, derived from original sources. The problem is, is that we may not see such a thing for years. For now, I'll settle for a good collection that is already available that let's me see them all. I've gone through my 42 film set 4 times over! Very addicting movies! Thelma PS: I'll present some stills and information on the first Chan sound film made in 1929, sometime over the next few days. I'll be doing that on the "1929" thread.

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