Shameless Plug #1

I've named this #1 in anticipation of more to follow...

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ARTWORK ADDED: Our Man in Havana


Artwork added to previous announcement. No artwork for Five yet.

Click here for artwork.

ARTWORK & DETAILS ADDED: Gulliver's Travels


--Artwork and Details added to previous announcement--

Looks like **Koch Vision** isn't planning a standard run-of-the-mill PD release with the upcoming Gulliver's Travels (1939). Both the Standard and Blu-Ray releases will be restored and have a 16X9 aspect ratio. Also, according to Koch, bonus features will be "two classically collectible Gabby cartoons and the Fleischer Studios documentary The Making of a Cartoon."



**Koch Vision** has announced a March 10th release date for Max Fleischer's Gulliver's Travels (1939) in Standard & Blu-Ray format.

While available in standard for some time with several previous PD releases, this is the first Blu-Ray release for the Fleischer animated classic. It is also the third animated classic to get Blu-Ray treatment along with the just released Sleeping Beauty and the upcoming Pinocchio with the same March 10th release date.

Prices below with more details to follow.

Gulliver's Travels Retail: $19.98, Our: $10.99
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Gulliver's Travels (Blu-Ray) Retail: $19.98, Our: $14.99
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KINO: More Murnau in March

**Kino** has announced Murnau for release on March 17th.

The titles are listed below and the six-disc set will retail for $99.95, but is available at Classicflix.com for only $69.99. The only title of the bunch not previously released on DVD is The Finances of the Grand Duke (1924), with The Haunted Castle (1921) being rescued from public domain and Faust (1926) receiving a new 2-disc deluxe edition.

While Nosferatu (1922), The Last Laugh (1924) and Faust (1926) are all available as singles in 2-disc deluxe editions, each version of the movies in this set will only contain a restored single disc version.

Titles with previous release information (if any):


Tartuffe (1927 - Previous Kino release that is being re-packaged, but not available for individual resale)
The most gifted visual storyteller of the German silent era, F.W. Murnau crafted works of great subtlety and emotional complexity through his absolute command of of the cinematic medium. Known for such dazzling films as Nosferatu (1922), The Last Laugh (1924), Faust (1926) and Sunrise (1927), Murnau was also drawn to more intimate dramas exploring the dark corners of the human mind.

In Tartuffe, he revisits Moliere's fable of religious hypocrisy, in which a faithful wife (Lil Dagover) tries to convince her husband (Werner Krauss) that their morally superior guest, Tartuffe (Emil Jannings), is in fact a lecherous hypocrite with a taste for the grape. To endow the story with contemporary relevance, Murnau frames Moliere's tale with a modern-day plot concerning a housekeeper's stealthy efforts to poison her elderly master and take control of his estate.

BONUS FEATURES:

  • The Way To Murnau: Documentary on the Life and Career of F.W. Murnau
  • PLUS: Booklet essay by film scholar Jan Christopher Horak
The Haunted Castle (1921- Previous PD release and is available as a single for $17.99)
Before plumbing the depths of horror and despair with such films as Faust and The Last Laugh, Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau tested the waters with this moody drama of a storm-bound manor and the grim mystery that lurks within. A hunting party is interrupted by the arrival of a notorious Count (Lothar Mehnert), who is believed to have murdered his brother. The uninvited guest sets in motion an elaborate plot to resurrect the ghosts of the past and bring to light the dark secret that lies at the center of his brother's death. The foreboding atmosphere and psychological complexity inspired Murnau to delve deeper into the horror genre, which he did the following year, with the immortal vampire tale Nosferatu (1922).

BONUS FEATURES:

  • Gallery of set design paintings by Robert Herlth
  • Excerpts of Rudolf Stratz’s novel
The Finances of the Grand Duke (1924 - No previous releases, available as a single for $17.99)
In one of the most eclectic films of the German silent era, visual stylist F.W. Murnau (Faust, Sunrise) broke away from the dark, foreboding dramas for which he was known to explore the realm of light comedy. Working from a screenplay by Thea von Harbou (Spies, Metropolis), Murnau crafted a playful espionage thriller reminiscent of Ernst Lubitsch (who had recently left Germany for Hollywood). Harry Liedtke stars as a “benevolent dictator” who must preserve the tiny nation of Abacco by fending off creditors, wooing a wealthy Russian princess (Mady Christians), and evading a band of demonic conspirators (including Nosferatu himself, Max Schreck).

BONUS FEATURE:
  • Audio Commentary by Film Historian David Kalat
Faust (Deluxe Restored Edition) (1926 - Previous single disc Kino release, now available in a 2 Disc Deluxe Edition for $21.99)
Mobilizing the full resources of the Ufa Studios, F.W. Murnau (Nosferatu, Sunrise) orchestrated a colossal adaptation of Goethe’s Faust that ranks alongside Fritz Lang's Metropolis as the greatest achievement of the German silent cinema. Gosta Ekman stars as the titular alchemist who, struggling with his faith amidst a devastating plague, is offered the power to cure and the gift of youth...in exchange for his soul. As the diabolical Mephisto, Emil Jannings (The Last Laugh) delivers a performance of operatic scale and intensity, by turns charming, comical, and horrific. This special Kino edition contains the Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau Foundation’s meticulous restoration of the original German version of the film (with unique hand-painted intertitles), as well as a lengthier alternate cut prepared by the Ufa Studios in 1930.
  • A Two-DVD edition featuring the restored German version (106 min. with optional English subtitles) and the previous U.S. release version (116 min.)
BONUS FEATURES:
  • “The Language of Shadows: Faust,” a 53-minute documentary on the making of Murnau’s film
  • New musical score by the Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra in 5.1 Stereo Surround or 2.0 Stereo
  • The lost screen test footage of Ernst Lubitsch’s abandoned 1923 production Marguerite and Faust.
  • Essay by film historian Jan Christopher Horak
  • Image Gallery
Nosferatu (1922) Previous Kino Release
The Last Laugh
(1924) - Previous Kino Release








Our Man in Havana & Five in February

**Sony** has announced the second wave of their Martini Movies line with a February 3rd release date for Our Man in Havana (1959) and Five (1951). Each DVD will retail for $19.94, and is available at Classicflix.com for only $14.99. Details below.

Our Man in Havana (1959)
A vacuum cleaner salesman (Alec Guinness) is recruited by the British secret service to act as a spy in Havana. When Guinness sends off phony reports, "recruits" mysterious agents and "discovers" mysterious installations, the home office decides to send him some help in the form of an agent named Beatrice.

Starring Alec Guinness, Burl Ives, Maureen O'Hara, Ernie Kovacs, Noel Coward, Ralph Richardson and directed by Carol Reed.

BONUS FEATURES:
  • Martini Movies: Secrets Of Seduction
  • Martini Movies: How To Travel In Style
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Five (1951)
Intriguing, offbeat film by famed radio writer-director Arch Oboler about the survivors of a nuclear holocaust. Five stars William Phipps, Susan Douglas and Charles Lampkin, and is probably the first film to deal with a post-apocalyptic theme.

Starring William Phipps, Susan Douglas Rubes, James Anderson, Charles Lampkin and Earl Lee.

BONUS FEATURE:
  • Martini Movies: How To Become A Villain
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David Lean's Hobson's Choice in February

**Criterion** has announced a February (exact date not known) release date for Hobson's Choice (1954).

Previously available only on Region 2 format, it will retail for $39.95, but is available at Classicflix.com for only $29.99. Details below.


An unsung comic triumph from David Lean, Hobson’s Choice stars the legendary Charles Laughton as the harrumphing Henry Hobson, the owner of a boot shop in late-Victorian Northern England. With his haughty, independent daughter Maggie (Brenda De Banzie) decides to forge her own path, romantically and professionally, with the help of none other than Henry’ prized bootsmith Will (a splendid John Mills), father and daughter find themselves head-to-head in a fiery match of wills. Equally charming and caustic, Hobson’s Choice, adapted from Harold Brighouse’s famous play, is filled to the brim with great performances and elegant, inventive camera work.

BONUS FEATURES:
  • Audio commentary featuring film scholars Alain Silver and James Ursini, co-authors of David Lean and His Films
  • The Hollywood Greats: Charles Laughton, a 1978 BBC documentary about the actor’s life and career, featuring interviews with his friends and colleagues
  • Theatrical trailer
  • PLUS: A new essay by critic Armond White
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The Beverly Hillbillies - Season 3 in February


With a pace that bodes well Clampett fans the world over, **Paramount** has announced a February 17th release date for The Beverly Hillbillies - Season 3, just one month after Season 2 hit the streets.

The last Black & White season for The Hillbillies will contain all 34 episodes and will presumably be a 5 disc set . Retail will be $49.99, but is available at Classicflix.com for only $34.99.




Gulliver's Travels (1939) - Standard & Blu-Ray in March


**Koch Vision** has announced a March 10th release date for Max Fleischer's Gulliver's Travels (1939) in Standard & Blu-Ray format.

While available in standard for some time with several previous PD releases, this is the first Blu-Ray release for the Fleischer animated classic. It is also the third animated classic to get Blu-Ray treatment along with the just released Sleeping Beauty and the upcoming Pinocchio with the same March 10th release date.

Prices below with more details to follow.

Gulliver's Travels Retail: $12.98, Our: $9.99
Rent Now Buy Now

Gulliver's Travels (Blu-Ray) Retail: $17.98, Our: $14.99
Rent Now Buy Now



Becoming Charley Chase in January - SPECIAL 5 DAY PRICE


**All Day Entertainment** has announced a January 27th release date for Becoming Charley Chase. We know what to expect from All Day and this 4-Disc set is sure to be a treat!

It will retail for $39.95, but is available at ClassicFlix.com for only $29.99. However, for 5 days only (until November 18th), we'll have it for the SPECIAL PRE-ORDER PRICE of $25.98. Complete details below:


Becoming Charley Chase

DISC 1 (Charles Parrott at Keystone - And More!):
  • Peanuts and Bullets (01/30/1915) - Music by the Snark Ensemble
  • Love in Armor (03/11/1915) - Music by Ben Model
  • Settled at the Seaside (03/29/1915) - Music by Ben Redwine and Redwine Jazz
  • The Rent Jumpers (04/08/1915) - Music by Ben Redwine and Redwine Jazz
  • Love, Loot and Crash (04/24/1915) - Music By Ben Model
  • A Versatile Villain (05/29/1915) - Music by Ben Model
  • He Wouldn't Stay Down (05/30/1915) - Music by Ben Model
  • Married to Order (10/30/1920) - Music by the Snark Ensemble
BONUS FEATURES:
  • The Parrott Chase (45 Minute Documentary)
DISC 2 (Charley Chase Becomes Jimmy Jump):
  • At First Sight (01/06/1924) - Music by the Snark Ensemble
  • One of the Family (01/26/1924) - Music by the Snark Ensemble
  • Just a Minute (02/03/1924) - Music by Ben Model
  • Powder and Smoke (02/10/1924) - Music by the Snark Ensemble
  • Hard Knocks (03/02/1924) - Music by the Snark Ensemble
  • Don't Forget (03/23/1924) - Surviving Extract Music by the Snark Ensemble
  • The Fraidy Cat (03/30/1924) - Music by Ben Model
  • Publicity Pays (05/04/1924) - Music by the Snark Ensemble
  • Young Oldfield (06/22/1924) - Music by the Snark Ensemble
  • Stolen Goods (06/29/1924) - Music by the Snark Ensemble
  • Jeffries, Jr (07/06/1924) - Music by the Snark Ensemble
  • A Ten-Minute Egg (07/20/1924) - Music by the Snark Ensemble
  • Seeing Nellie Home (07/27/1924) - Partial Reconstruction from Surviving Material Music by Ben Model
  • Outdoor Pajamas (09/14/1924) - Music by the Snark Ensemble
  • Sittin' Pretty (09/28/1924) - Music by the Snark Ensemble
  • Too Many Mammas (10/12/1924) - Music by the Snark Ensemble
  • Accidental Accidents (11/09/1924) - Surviving Extract Music by Ben Model
NO BONUS FEATURES:

DISC 3 (Jimmy Jump Becomes Charley Chase ):
  • The Poor Fish (12/07/1924) - Music by the Snark Ensemble
  • The Rat's Knuckles (01/04/1925) - Music by Ben Model
  • Hello Baby! (01/18/1925) - Music by the Snark Ensemble
  • Fighting Fluid (02/01/1925) - Music by the Snark Ensemble
  • Should Husbands be Watched (03/14/1925) - Music by the Snark Ensemble
  • Is Marriage the Bunk? (03/29/1925) - Music by the Snark Ensemble
  • Bad Boy (04/12/1925 - Charley Chase's First Surviving Two-Reel Short) - Music by the Snark Ensemble
  • Big Red Ridinghood (04/26/1925) - Music by the Snark Ensemble
  • Looking for Sally (05/10/1925) - Music by Ben Model
  • No Father to Guide Him (09/06/1925) - Music by the Snark Ensemble
BONUS FEATURES:
  • The Sounds of Silence Music Featurette
DISC 4 (Directed by Charley Parrott):
  • Jus' Passin Through (1920, Will Rogers) - Music by Ben Model
  • A Rolling Stone (01/20/1919, Billy West ) - Music by Ben Model
  • The Flirts - (04/08/1919, Harry Mann & Jimmie Adams) - Music by the West End Jazz Band
  • The Dumb Bell (07/16/1922, Snub Pollard) - Music by Ben Redwine and Redwine Jazz
  • Soft Pedal (12/16/1922, Paul Parrott) - Music by Ben Model
  • The Courtship of Miles Sandwich (06/24/1923, Snub Pollard) - Music by the West End Jazz Band
  • Dear Old Pal (11/11/23, Snub Pollard and Paul Parrott, The Last Film Directed by Charles Parrott Before He Became Charley Chase) - Music by Ben Redwine and Redwine Jazz)
BONUS FEATURES:
  • Interview With Charley's Daughter June Chase Hargis
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