Upcoming Releases

[filmlover]

Updated sound info regarding the remastered Godfather trilogy. This probably applies to the standard DVD set, too:

 

The upcoming Blu-ray release of 'The Godfather Collection: The Coppola Restoration' will feature not only a restored and remastered video presentation, but also a new 5.1 soundtrack mix thanks to the folks at POP Sound. Paramount tasked the company to remix the legendary films in order to bring the sound quality up to today's standards.

 

 

Moksha Le Blanc, POP Sound Executive Producer for Home Theater, commented, "There was a lot of clean up to get it to sound fluid in transitions-the original mono tracks were rough, with rough transitions. There was a lot of de-humming and de-clicking, as well as time alignment issues to deal with." He continued, "Essentially Paramount wanted it to sound like it had been released yesterday and we came close to achieving that."

 

 

The project, which ended up taking eight months to complete, used the original mono track as well as the original multi-track music scores to recreate the mix from the bottom up. Additionally, areas where the original soundtrack was lacking were approved upon. One scene is particular was originally ADR'ed (automated dialogue replacement) due to a noisy dolly during filming. The results were less than satisfactory, so the the team adjusted it to be less obvious.

 

 

'The Godfather Collection' is set to be released on September 23rd, day-and-date with the DVD re-release.

 

http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=1651

[Film_Fatale]

I'm not generally crazy about video companies artificially enhancing older movies with 5.1 sound when the movie was released in mono or just plain stereo. But we'll see how it sounds, and I take it you can switch back and forth to listen to plain stereo?

 

Oh and did anyone else know that a complete *Little House on the Prairie* is coming out soon from Lionsgate?

 

Little House on the Prarie has been loved as a book series and television series for decades. Now a very complete box set is arriving from Lionsgate.

The new box set will contain 60 discs which will include all the episodes from the nine seasons of the show along with the three movies that followed and three additional discs of special features. No word on what those features will be, but it sounds like plenty.

That's a lot of Little House. The box set arrives on November 4th.

[filmlover]

Some more reissues coming from Warner Bros. for Christmas:

 

from digitalbits.com:

 

And Warner Home Video has announced a series of DVD re-issues over the next few months, including Boys Town, The Bridges of Madison County: Deluxe Edition, A Christmas Carol, Christmas in Connecticut, Heaven and Earth, the Risky Business: Deluxe Edition, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation: Special Edition, Otis: Uncut (also coming to Blu-ray on 10/7) and New Line's Love and Basketball (all on 9/30), as well as The American President, Dave and Mars Attacks! (all due on 10/28).

[CelluloidKid]

Previously released in a myriad of standard DVD editions, Koch will give 'Black Christmas' its first-ever high-def release on November 11, 2008!

 

Just in time for the holidays, Koch Releasing has announced it is bringing the 1974 horror classic _'Black Christmas'_ to Blu-ray in early November.

 

Not to be confused with the dreadful 2006 remake, the original Bob Clark-directed 'Black Christmas' is often regarded as the "lost" horror epic, predating the slasher craze of the late '70s with its pioneering mix of atmosphere and knife-wielding chills.

 

Previously released in a myriad of standard DVD editions, Koch will give 'Black Christmas' its first-ever high-def release on November 11, 2008.

 

There are no tech specs or supplement details yet for the Blu-ray!

[Film_Fatale]

> {quote:title=filmlover wrote:}{quote}

> Some more reissues coming from Warner Bros. for Christmas:

>

> from digitalbits.com:

>

> And Warner Home Video has announced a series of DVD re-issues over the next few months, including Boys Town, The Bridges of Madison County: Deluxe Edition, A Christmas Carol, Christmas in Connecticut, Heaven and Earth, the Risky Business: Deluxe Edition, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation: Special Edition, Otis: Uncut (also coming to Blu-ray on 10/7) and New Line's Love and Basketball (all on 9/30), as well as The American President, Dave and Mars Attacks! (all due on 10/28).

 

I wonder whether the re-issue of *Christmas in Connecticut* will have any new bonus features, I watch it almost every year but haven't bought it yet. And I sure would like to have a copy, you know, to go with my new DVD of *Holiday Inn*

[edgeciff]

I think CHRISTMAS IN CONNECTICUT, A CHRISTMAS CAROL and BOYS TOWN are part of a repackaging of the Christmas Classic package that WB put out last year and it looks like the cover packaging is different since this is now called Volume 1 and now have added THE SINGING NUN as a bonus and they are releasing Volume 2 in November which contains HOLIDAY AFFAIR, BLOSSOMS IN THE DUST, etc.

[Film_Fatale]

> {quote:title=Edgecliff wrote:}{quote}

> I think CHRISTMAS IN CONNECTICUT, A CHRISTMAS CAROL and BOYS TOWN are part of a repackaging of the Christmas Classic package that WB put out last year and it looks like the cover packaging is different since this is now called Volume 1 and now have added THE SINGING NUN as a bonus and they are releasing Volume 2 in November which contains HOLIDAY AFFAIR, BLOSSOMS IN THE DUST, etc.

 

Well, all I can say is, I hope they use slimcases.

[edgeciff]

I very much like the slim cases, but for some reason many people don't. They take up much less space on the shelves. FOX has been using these a lot except for the Charlie Chan and Shirley Temple series. WB is not consistent with their packaging.

[Film_Fatale]

I've noticed that, too. And I respect the feelings of collectors who don't like slimcases, but the more box sets I get, the fonder I grow of them.

[iowahawkeye]

ha ha FF, well at least it's good to know that SOMEONE will be purchasing the triple or quadruple dip of Holiday Inn! And the studios (esp. Universal) are counting on it! :>

[Film_Fatale]

This one is to be considered "rumour worthy" until further developments:

 

*Rumor Patrol: Warner Announces 'Gremlins,' 'Goonies' Blu-rays for Japan; U.S. Next?*

 

Warner Japan has announced an October Blu-ray release for 'Gremlins' and 'Goonies,' fueling speculation that the studio is also planning a domestic debut for the '80s classics.

 

Two of the most beloved hits of the decade, Warner Japan has set a simultaneous October 8 bow for 'Gremlins' and 'The Goonies' on Blu-ray, with each enjoying remastered 1080p video and extensive supplemental features.

 

At press time, Warner Home Video had yet to announce any U.S. Blu-ray versions of either title, nor have any domestic retailers yet listed them on their upcoming pre-order lists.

 

However, the overseas release of both 'Goonies' and 'Gremlins' bodes well for a future U.S. release, and we'll certainly keep you posted as this story develops.

 

In the meantime, we've added 'Gremlins' and 'The Goonies' to the "Release Dates Pending" section of our Blu-ray Release Schedule. Stay tuned!

 

http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Warner/Disc_Announcements/Rumor_Patrol:_Warner_Announces_Gremlins,_Goonies_Blu-rays_for_Japan_U.S._Next/1997

[filmlover]

FF, good idea to post links to the original site when reprinting any articles so the TCM board doesn't get into trouble from the original site.

[filmlover]

classicflix.com has posted the cover art for *Affair in Trinidad* and *The Garment Jungle:*

 

http://www.classicflix.com/artwork-added-affair-trinidad-garment-jungle-a-324.html?osCsid=406d9cc28bf1f565712cfd21886280df

 

I have to say, I don't like either cover at all. The Ford/Hayworth is a bad paste job, and the guy on The Garment Jungle cover looks like he is running in Invasion of the Body Snatchers.

[Film_Fatale]

Those covers look pretty tacky to me

[edgeciff]

Yes, the Sony covers are nothing more than a sloppy pasteup job. This studio is not known for being creative with the artwork for their DVD releases. Sony could have gone with the original artwork posters for these films, but at least we should be grateful that these films are coming to DVD at all.

[Film_Fatale]

I guess so... I look forward to watching the DVDs but I'll shut my eyes to try and avoid looking at those covers!

[iowahawkeye]

Yeah, i remember when "Golden Boy" came out from Sony, and people had an absolute FIT over the cover art. I agree; i want to see the actual poster on the front, or if they use snapshots, i'd want them to be from the actual film, not pics from a few years later or whatever.

[edgeciff]

Lionsgate has some fabulous artwork on their upcoming ONE TOUCH OF VENUS and ARCH OF TRIUMPH, yet I wonder what the film quality is going to be like. I heard the recent release of ONLY THE VALIANT print is not of very good quality, very much like the Artisan/Republic releases. So if I had my choice, I would rather have a pristine print quality than great cover art work.

[Film_Fatale]

Did you pre-order them already? When I'm not sure what the video quality is going to be like I just wait to see a review on one of the DVD sites.

[edgeciff]

Although I have a slew of pre-orders I think I will wait for these two for DDD November sale, and too I would like to know the print quality. Something tells me not to get my hopes up high on these two looking that great. Hopefully I am wrong.

[filmlover]

Upcoming standard DVD release info from http://www.thedigitalbits.com/articles/barriemaxwell/maxwell081408b.html

 

(I've edited out the titles we already know about).

 

Arts Alliance America has now set October 28th as the release date for the previously anticipated *The Donna Reed Show: Season One*. The release will be a four-disc set containing 37 episodes.

 

 

Western fans will be glad to hear that Classic Media is releasing *The Lone Ranger: 75th Anniversary Collector's Edition* on November 11th. It will be a 12-disc collection of the TV series' first two seasons (1949-51, 78 episodes) with all episodes digitally remastered. Supplements will include an 88-page commemorative book and a complete episode guide, among others.

 

 

...There is some speculation concerning the forthcoming September 2nd release of *Boomerang* and lack of pre-order capability for it at some major online retailers. It may only be available in Canada with its place in that date's film noir wave possibly being taken by *Inferno* (1953, with Robert Ryan) in the U.S. We may just have to wait and see on this one.

 

 

Grapevine Video's August plans include the usual 5 silent titles and two sound releases. The silent ones will be: *The Count of Monte Cristo* (1913, with James O'Neill, disc includes edited versions of the 1929 *Monte Cristo* and 1946 *Wife of Monte Cristo*), *The Devil Horse* (1926, with Rex and Yakima Canutt, includes the cartoon Ko-Ko the Kid), *Haxan* (1922), Soul of the Beast (1923, with Madge Bellamy, includes the ?Out of the Inkwell? short The Fortune Teller), and *A Tale of Two Worlds* (1921, with Leatrice Joy, includes the Bobby Dunn short The Fast Mail-Man). The sound releases will be two double bills: a pair of Fred Scott westerns *Romance Rides the Range* (1936)/*The Fighting Deputy* (1937) and a pair of Jack Hoxie westerns *Gun Law/Trouble Busters* (both 1933). All are on at special prices until August 11th at grapevinevideo.com.

 

 

Infinity Entertainment has now set the dates of August 5th and October 21st for its release of *Route 66:* The Complete First Season and The Complete Second Season respectively.

 

 

... F.W. Murnau's *The Last Laugh* which will be presented as a two-disc Deluxe Restored Edition. Included are the restored German version, the unrestored export version, and a 40-minute making-of documentary.

 

 

 

Having already issued the individual seasons, MPI will offer both Th*e Doris Day Show: The Complete Series* and *Family Affair: The Complete Series* on November 25th.

 

 

Paramount, in conjunction with CBS Video, will offer *Hawaii Five-0: The Fifth Season* and *The Odd Couple: The Final Season* for release on November 18th. *Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C.: The Final Season* and *The Mod Squad: The Second Season*, Volume One will appear on November 25th. December offerings include *Cannon: Season One, Volume Two* and *Perry Mason: The Third Season, Volume Two* on the 2nd followed by *Gunsmoke: The Third Season, Volume One* and *Rawhide: Season Three, Volume Two* on the 9th. Great to see the westerns being continued, but if anyone from Paramount is reading this, how about finishing off the Have Gun, Will Travel seasons. Fans have been left hanging too long!

 

 

After a lengthy hiatus, Roan Group seems to be returning to the classic fold with an August 26th release of *Apache Rose* (1947, starring Roy Rogers and Dale Evans). This is certainly good news for classic fans if it presages more output from the usually reliable label.

 

 

According to Sony's Mike Schlesinger (responding to queries from interested collectors as a result of his interview at HK and Cult Film DVD News), other classic plans for Columbia titles from Sony include: *a box set of Grace Moore films* (including The King Steps Out - the set is still a few years away, however); John Ford's Gideon's Day should be on its way within two years; *a box set of the four Frank Capra/Barbara Stanwyck* films out this holiday season or early next year *(Ladies of Leisure/Forbidden/The Bitter Tea of General Yen/The Miracle Woman*); and *a screwball comedy set* sometime next year (possible titles include *Theodora Goes Wild/My Sister Eileen/The Doctor Takes a Wife/some Jean Arthur*). A reader has also reported on information passed on to him from Mike that suggests that *Two Rode Together* is a high priority and hopefully will appear before the end of 2009. *Night of the Generals* and *Heroes of Telemark* are also likely. *Young Winston* and *Genghis Khan* are both low on the priority list but not impossible. In separate correspondence with me, Schlesinger also suggested the possibility of a *set of the nine Lone Wolf movies* appearing in 2009 with subsequent sales to determine the release of other Columbia B series films. He noted, however, that *Sony no longer has the rights to the Blondie or Ellery Queen films.* Though not yet officially confirmed by the studio, the Budd Boetticher/Randolph Scott western set looks to have a November 4th release date. It will contain *The Tall T, Decision at Sundown, Buchanan Rides Alone, Ride Lonesome,* and *Comanche Station.*

 

 

Timeless Media, according to tvshowsondvd.com, plans a September 23rd release of *Lee Marvin's 1957-60 M Squad - The Very Best Of.* It's a 14-disc set that contains 100 episodes, all of the show's 117 episodes that Timeless has been able to get a hold of. The company is still trying to find viable copies of the missing 17 episodes and they will be included if possible. Similarly, Timeless is also interested in a release of *The Texan* (the Rory Calhoun series from 1958-60). No specific release plans have been finalized, but the company is actively looking for 5 missing episodes from the 80-episode two-season run. See the tvshowsondvd website for more information. August 19th will see the release of *The Buccaneers - The Best Of.* The three-disc set will contain 30 episodes of the mid-50s British series that starred Robert Shaw.

 

*The Munsters: The Complete Series* is set for October 7th and *Night Gallery: The Complete Second Season will be released on November 18th.*

 

 

VCI plans three releases for September 16th. *Stranger on Horseback* (1955) is a Joel McCrea western mastered and digitally restored from a 35mm print found at the British Film Archives. *Surrender - Hell!* (1959) will be presented in anamorphic widescreen, supplemented by three vintage WW2 documentaries. Finally, the British Cinema Classic ?B? Film Collection: Volume 1 will be a three-disc collection from the 1940-1963 period containing *Siege of Sidney Street, Frightened Man, Crimes at the Dark House, The Hooded Terror, Girl in the News,* and *Tread Softly Stranger*.

 

Plus, the rumor mill says that *Braveheart* is coming out on Blu.

 

Message was edited by: filmlover

[Film_Fatale]

I hope we do get to see some of that on DVD, especially the Capra/Stanwyck set and John Ford's *Two Rode Together*

[filmlover]

Martin Scorsese's *'Casino'* is coming to Blu on Oct. 14th.

 

'Casino' has...1080p AVC video and a 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack. For this release, extras include:

 

Feature Audio Commentary - Moments with Martin Scorsese, Sharon Stone, Nicholas Pileggi and more

U-Control Picture in Picture

Deleted Scenes

Vegas and the Mob

History Alive: True Crime Authors: Casino With Nicholas Pileggi (The History Channel)

My Scenes

 

http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=1659

[iowahawkeye]

WOWWWWWWWWW!! thanks for saving me the trip to read Bernie's column, thanks! the capra/stanwyck news made my day, also that Robert Ryan tidbit too! wow.

[iowahawkeye]

WOWWWWWWWWW!! thanks for saving me the trip to read Bernie's column, thanks! the capra/stanwyck news made my day, also that Robert Ryan tidbit too! wow.

 

ANY THOUHTS ON THE NEXT FORBIDDEN HOLLYWOOD COLLECTION? HOpefully will contain "Illicit" w/good ol' Babs???