Classicflix.com Blog: January 2012

WARNER ARCHIVE: 4 in Early Talkies Wave

Early talkies are the theme this week for Warner's Archive Collection as 3 crime-dramas and a Leila Hyams comedy make their DVD debut. They are:

The Idle Rich (1929) - Conrad Nagel, Leila Hyams, Bessie Love
Man to Man (1930) - Phillips Holmes, Grant Mitchell, Lucille Powers
The Voice of the City (1929) - Robert Ames, Jim Farley, Sylvia Field
The Woman Racket (1930) - Tom Moore, Blanche Sweet, Sally Starr, Robert Agnew, John Miljan

All will be available at ClassicFlix on March 20th.

These new DVDs add to the total of over 800 Warner Archive titles exclusively available for rent at ClassicFlix.com.

COLUMBIA CLASSICS: Edward G. in Mr. Winkle Goes to War, & More

Sony has announced five Columbia Classic DVDs for release on March 6th.

Mr. Winkle Goes to War (1944) starring Edward G. Robinson and Ruth Warrick is the headliner of this wave that also features a re-release of the out-of-print The Gene Krupa Story (1959) starring Sal Mineo.

Three British releases round out the wave:

Spin a Dark Web (1956) - Faith Domergue, Lee Patterson
Just For Fun (1963) - Mark Wynter, Cherry Roland
Ring-a-Ding Rhythm! (1962) - Chubby Checker, Del Shannon, Gary U.S. Bonds & Dir. Richard Lester

Gene Autry Show - Seasons 3 & 4 in April

WHAT:
WHEN:
STUDIO:
PRICE:

The Gene Autry Show - Season 2
April 10th
Timeless Media Group
Retail: $24.98, Our: $19.99

Timeless Media continues their brisk pace of releasing T.V. Westerns as they have scheduled The Gene Autry Show - Season 2 for release on April 10th.

The 4-disc set, with 13 episodes from each season, will retail for $24.98, but is available at ClassicFlix.com for only $19.99. Bonus features are expected, but not known.

FINALLY: The Magnificent Ambersons

WHAT:
WHEN:
STUDIO:
PRICE:

The Magnificent Ambersons
January 31st
Warner Bros.
Retail: $14.9, Our: $10.99

Bundled as part of the exclusive Citizen Kane Ultimate Collector's Edition set at Amazon, and released last September, The Magnificent Ambersons (1942) at last gets wide release next Tuesday.

This single disc set comes without bonus features (but is a pressed DVD), and retails at the low price of 14.96. It's available at ClassicFlix.com for only $10.99.

FLICKER: A Trip to the Moon - In Original 1902 Colors in March

WHAT:
WHEN:
STUDIO:
PRICE:

A Trip to the Moon (Limited Edition Steelbook)
March 27th
Flicker Alley
Retail: 39.99, Our: $29.99

Flicker Alley has announced a March 27th release date for A Trip to the Moon (Limited Edition Steelbook).

This special edition features the groundbreaking film in its original 1902 colors, as well as the 2011 documentary The Extraordinary Voyage.

SYNOPSIS:

The original hand-painted color version of Georges Méliès’ masterpiece, A Trip to the Moon (1902), to home video 110 years after its first release. Georges Méliès, one of the celebrated heroes of Martin Scorsese’s new movie Hugo, was a master of cinematic invention and enchantment.

The material for A Trip to the Moon (1902) is sourced from a restored color version that had been considered lost for several decades and is presented with an original soundtrack by the French band, AIR.

Packaged in a limited-edition, SteelBook case.

BONUS FEATURES:

The Extraordinary Voyage, a fascinating documentary directed by Serge Bromberg and Eric Lange about the life of Georges Méliès and the magic of film history and preservation it chronicles the journey of A Trip to the Moon from the fantastical Méliès’ production in 1902 to the astonishing rediscovery of a nitrate print in color in 1993, to the premiere of the new restoration on the opening night of the Cannes Film Festival in 2011.

This single DVD releases will retail for $39.99, but it is available at ClassicFlix.com for only $29.99.

WARNER ARCHIVE: 6 More in Cagney & Bogart Wave

The well that is Warner's Vault is so deep that as we approach three years into the Archive program, there are still plenty of films with big name stars being released.

This week is no different as Warner has announced two James Cagney and an four Humphrey Bogart films for release on DVD. They are:

Taxi (1932) - James Cagney, Loretta Young, George E. Stone, Guy Kibbee
Frisco Kid (1935) - James Cagney, Margaret Lindsay, Ricardo Cortez, Lili Damita, Donald Woods
You Can't Get Away With Murder (1939) - Humphrey Bogart, Gale Page, Billy Halop, John Litel, Henry Travers
It All Came True (1940) - Ann Sheridan, Humphrey Bogart, Jeffrey Lynn, Zasu Pitts, Una O'Connor
Conflict (1945) - Humphrey Bogart, Alexis Smith, Sydney Greenstreet, Rose Hobart, Charles Drake
Chain Lightning (1950) - Humphrey Bogart, Eleanor Parker, Raymond Massey

All will be available at ClassicFlix on March 13th.

These new DVDs add to the total of over 800 Warner Archive titles exclusively available for rent at ClassicFlix.com.

TCM VAULT: Joel McCrea Westerns Collection in April

WHAT:
WHEN:
STUDIO:
TITLES:

Joel McCrea Westerns Collection (TCM Vault)
April 2nd
Universal
The Virginian (1946), Cattle Drive (1951), Border River (1954)

Joel McCrea gets his own collection with the announcement of the Joel McCrea Westerns Collection due on April 2nd.

Released via the TCM Vault line, the 4-disc set has 3 golden age westerns The Virginian (1946), Cattle Drive (1951) and Border River (1954); and a 1976 western (Mustang Country) which was McCrea's last screen appearance.

The Virginian was released last year as part of the Universal Vault Series, but Cattle Drive and Border River are making their DVD debut. Mustang Country, while it is included in the boxed set when purchased at TCM, is not available for rent here.

Bonus features will be stills, lobby cards, etc. that are typical of Vault collections.

Available exclusively for purchase at TCM.com, this three tiltes above will be available for rent here at ClassicFlix and nowhere else!

Turner Classic Movies and Universal Studios Home Entertainment present the 4-disc Joel McCrea: Westerns Collection.

Starting in the silent era, Joel McCrea rapidly became one of the most popular and versatile leading men of the early thirties. He was ideally cast in everything from Pre-Code dramas (The Common Law, 1931) to exotic adventures (Bird of Paradise, 1932) to suspense thrillers (The Most Dangerous Game, 1932) but his real forte was Westerns.

By the late forties, he began to specialize in frontier sagas due to his immense appeal to fans of the genre. In this collection, TCM showcases four highlights from this later period including The Virginian (1946), Cattle Drive (1951), Border River (1954) and Mustang Country (1976), which marks McCrea’s final screen appearance.

Presented for the first time on DVD, these four Technicolor Westerns confirm McCrea’s iconic status as an enduring Western hero and the embodiment of honor, integrity and courage on the untamed plains of America.

ARTWORK ADDED: Buck Privates (Blu-Ray)

--ARTWORK ADDED TO PREVIOUS ANNOUNCEMENT--

ORIGINAL ANNOUNCEMENT

WHAT:
WHEN:
STUDIO:
PRICE:

Buck Privates (Blu-Ray)
April 17th
Universal
Retail: $39.98, Our: $31.99

Abbott and Costello get their first Blu treatment as Buck Privates (Blu-Ray) has been announced by Universal for release this April 17th.

The Blu-Ray/DVD combo will feature a few bonus features, mostly common to Universal's 100th anniversary celebration, plus a 40-page book with an introduction by filmmaker John Landis, rare movie memorabilia, photos, classic routines and much more!

It will retail for $39.98, but is available at ClassicFlix.com for only $31.99.

WARNER ARCHIVE: Fonda, Fonda, Frankenheimer & Ford

We've added 6 more Warner Archive titles -- all of which will be available at ClassicFlix on March 6th.

Henry Fonda stars in 1937's Slim co-starring Pat O'Brien, Stuart Erwin and Margaret Lindsay; as well as John Ford's The Fugitive (1947) featuring Dolores del Rio, Pedro Armendariz, J. Carrol Naish, Leo Carrillo and Ward Bond.

Three early Jane Fonda films are out, including her first film Tall Story (1960) co-starring Anthony Perkins. The other two are Period of Adjustment (1962) and In the Cool of the Day (1963).

John Frankenheimer's directorial debut The Young Stranger (1957) also makes it to DVD. The family drama stars James MacArthur and Kim Hunter.

These new DVDs add to the total of over 800 Warner Archive titles exclusively available for rent at ClassicFlix.com.

Casablanca (Blu-Ray) - 70th Anniversary Limited Edition in March

WHAT:
WHEN:
STUDIO:
PRICE:

Casablanca - 70th Anniversary Edition (Blu-Ray)
March 27th
Warner Bros.
Retail: $64.99, Our: $57.99

Casablanca's 70th anniversary will be commemorated with Warner's upcoming release of Casablanca - 70th Anniversary Limited Edition (Blu-Ray) on March 27th.

Previously released in hi-def, this new set will be a Blu-Ray/DVD combo and have two new documentaries exclusive to this limited edition set (50,000).

It also appears that all bonus features, which are numerous, will carry over from 2008's out of print Ultimate Collector's Edition.

Premiums for this set are:

Full size reproduction of the original 1942 film poster
62-page, production art book that includes never-before-seen photos, personal memos, and archival documents about the production
4 collectible drink coasters

SYNOPSIS:
Casablanca: easy to enter, but much harder to leave, especially if your name is on the Nazi's most-wanted list. Atop that list is Czech Resistance leader Victor Laszlo (Paul Henried), whose only hope is Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart), a cynical American who sticks his neck out for no one... especially Victor's wife Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman), the ex-lover who broke his heart. So when Ilsa offers herself in exchange for Laszlo's safe transport out of the country, the bitter Rick must decide what's more important - his own happiness or the countless lives that hang in the balance.

All new 2012 4k feature transfer on Blu-ray and standard format DVD
Limited and numbered for collectibility (50,000)

BONUS FEATURES:

Introduction by Lauren Bacall
Separate Commentaries by Roger Ebert, Rudy Behlmer
Over 45 minutes of new, never-before-seen Bonus Content created for the 70th Anniversary release, with 2 new documentaries:
- Casablanca: An Unlikely Classic
- Michael Curtiz: The Greatest Director You've Never Heard Of
3 feature length documentaries on a separate Blu-ray disc for nearly 9 hours of compelling , cinematic historical content:
- Jack Warner: The Last Mogul
- The Brothers Warner
- You Must Remember This

BLU: Titanic (1953) in April

WHAT:
WHEN:
STUDIO:
PRICE:

Titanic (1953) - Blu-Ray
April 3rd
Fox
Retail: $24.99, Our: $19.99

If you don't know it yet, you'll soon be aware that the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic is this April.

To coincide with it, Criterion has already announced the release of A Night to Remember (1958); and now, 20th Century-Fox has scheduled 1953's Titanic for release on Blu-Ray this April 3rd.

Starring Barbara Stanwyck and Clifton Webb, and featuring Robert Wagner, Audrey Dalton, Thelma Ritter, Brian Aherne and Richard Basehart, the disc will retail for $24.99, but is available at ClassicFlix.com for only $19.99. All bonus features will carry over from the standard release.

SYNOPSIS:
Determined to remove her family from the superficial, high society world in which her husband Richard (Clifton Webb) is engrossed, Julia Sturges (Barbara Stanwyck) boards the R.M.S. Titanic in England on its maiden voyage to America, along with her two children. Learning of her plans, however, Richard purchases a steerage ticket aboard the ship in hopes of reconciling with his family.

But when fate, ice and an overzealous ship captain step in, the Sturges family faces an unimaginable challenge - the possibility of separation from one another forever. This classic, based on the true-life history of the famed ocean liner, remains one of the most poignant, well-crafted films of all time.

BONUS FEATURES:

Commentary by Film Critic Richard Shickel
Commentary by Robert Wagner, Audrey Dalton and Cinematographer Michael Lonza
"Beyond Titanic" Documentary
Movietone Newsreels (1953)
Audio Essay by Titanic Historian Silvia Stoddard
Still Gallery
Theatrical Trailer

THREE STOOGES: 20-Disc Ultimate Collection in March

WHAT:
WHEN:
STUDIO:
PRICE:

The Three Stooges Ultimate Collection
March 27th
Sony
Retail: $159.99, Our: $124.99

We broke the news back in August of 2007 that Sony had announced its first Three Stooges chronological set. Now, we are pleased to announce the ultimate culmination of the ultimate comedy trio with the The Three Stooges Ultimate Collection.

It is reportedly a 20-disc set which will include the eight chronological volumes already released. However, it should be noted that said eight volumes add up to only 17 discs, so there will likely be some bonus material involved. More details to follow.

Any way you slice it, it's a great buy with a retail price of $159.99, with it available at ClassicFlix.com for only $124.99.

HEY ABBOTT! Buck Privates (Blu-Ray) in April

WHAT:
WHEN:
STUDIO:
PRICE:

Buck Privates (Blu-Ray)
April 17th
Universal
Retail: $39.98, Our: $31.99

CITIZEN KANE: Blu-Ray Book

WHAT:
WHEN:
STUDIO:
PRICE:

Citizen Kane (Blu-Ray)
January 17th
Warner Bros.
Retail: $35.99, Our: $30.99

You can now rent Citizen Kane on Blu-Ray!

Back in September, Warner Bros. released their 70th Anniversary Ultimate Collector's editions of Citizen Kane on both standard and Blu-Ray. They have now announced, and will release tomorrow, a slim-downed and more affordable Blu-Ray Book (Which we can now carry for rental).

The 2-disc set features the film, along with some bonus features on disc 1, with The Battle of Citizen Kane documentary on disc 2.
Retail will be $35.99, but it's available at ClassicFlix.com for only $30.99. Details below.

Orson Welles' masterwork (#1 in the American Film Institute's list of Best American Movies) dazzles anew in a superb 70th-anniversary digital transfer. It’s grand entertainment, sharply acted (starting many of Welles' Mercury Players on the road to thriving film careers) and directed with inspired visual flair. Chronicling the stormy life of an influential publishing tycoon, this Best Original Screenplay Academy Award winner (1941) is rooted in themes of power, corruption, vanity – the American Dream lost in the mystery of a dying man’s last word: “Rosebud.”

BONUS FEATURES:

Commentary by Peter Bogdanovich
Commentary by Roger Ebert
Interview with Ruth Warrick
Interview with Robert Wise
Premiere Newsreel
Still Gallery & More!
The Battle over Citizen Kane Documentary**
PLUS: 48 Page Book with Photos, Storyboards & Behind-the-Scenes Information

**NOTE: This is a two-disc set with The Battle of Citizen Kane documentary on disc 2 in standard definition. While it is not rentable on this product page, it can be added to your rental queue here.

BLU HITCHCOCK: Rebecca, Notorious, Spellbound This Month

WHAT:
WHEN:
STUDIO:
PRICE:

Rebecca (Blu-Ray)
January 24th
MGM
Retail: 24.99, Our: $19.99

WHAT:
WHEN:
STUDIO:
PRICE:

Notorious (Blu-Ray)
January 24th
MGM
Retail: 24.99, Our: $19.99

WHAT:
WHEN:
STUDIO:
PRICE:

Spellbound (Blu-Ray)
January 24th
MGM
Retail: 24.99, Our: $19.99

WHAT:
WHEN:
STUDIO:
PRICE:

The Apartment (Blu-Ray)
January 24th
MGM
Retail: 24.99, Our: $19.99

More Hitchcock on Blu-Ray has been announced by MGM as Rebecca (1940), Notorious (1946) and Spellbound (1945) are all due on January 24th.

Also out is on the same day is Billy Wilder's The Apartment (Blu-Ray). Bonus features, which are many, will carry over for all four standard versions.

Car 54, Where Are You? - Season 2 in April

WHAT:
WHEN:
STUDIO:
PRICE:

Car 54, Where Are You? - Season 2
April 10th
Shanachie
Retail: $39.98, Our: $29.99

Toody and Muldoon are back with the release of Car 54, Where Are You? - Season 2 due on April 10th!

The 4-disc set, from a small studio named Shanachie which also released Season 1, will feature all 30 episodes from the second and final season. Bonus features are not yet known.

Retail will be $39.98, but it's available at ClassicFlix.com for only $29.99.

OLIVE: Sinatra, Stanwyck & More Jerry Lewis in March

More Paramount titles via Olive Films have been announced with a March 27th release date. They are:

Frank Sinatra (DVD & Blu-Ray):

Come Blow Your Horn (1963)
Assault on a Queen (1966)

Jerry Lewis (DVD & Blu-Ray):

It's Only Money (1962)
Who's Minding the Store? (1963)

Some 1950's dramas on DVD:

No Man of Her Own (1950)
Something to Live For (1952)

Also out is 1963's Dean Martin and Lana Turner comedy Who's Got the Action? with Eddie Albert and Walter Matthau on both standard & Blu-Ray.

All can be easily viewed in our recent additions section.

ARTWORK ADDED: Harvey (Blu-Ray)

--ARTWORK ADDED TO PREVIOUS ANNOUNCEMENT--

ORIGINAL ANNOUNCEMENT

WHAT:
WHEN:
STUDIO:
PRICE:

Harvey (Blu-Ray)
March 6th
Universal
Retail: $26.98, Our: $21.99

Elwood P. Dowd, courtesy of James Stewart, along with his 6' 3 1/2" pooka companion come to Blu-Ray on March 6th as Universal has announced Harvey (Blu-Ray).

The release, part of Universal's 100th anniversary celebration, is a combo pack which will include a standard definition version (likely the same 2001 transfer).

It will retail for $26.98, but is available at ClassicFlix.com for only $21.99. Details below.

SYNOPSIS:
James Stewart gives one of his finest performances in this lighthearted film, based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning play. Stewart stars as the good-natured Elwood P. Dowd, whose constant companion is Harvey, a six-foot tall rabbit that only he can see.

To his sister, Veta Louise, Elwood's obsession with Harvey has been a thorn in the side of her plans to marry off her daughter. But when Veta Louise decides to put Elwood in a mental hospital, a hilarious mix-up occurs and she finds herself committed instead. It's up to Elwood to straighten out the mess with his kindly philosophy, and his "imaginary" friend, in this popular classic that features a Best Supporting Actress Academy Award winning performance by Josephine Hull.

BONUS FEATURES:

Special Introduction by Film Star Jimmy Stewart with Photographic Montage
Production Notes on the Making of the Film
100 Years of Universal: The Carl Laemmle Era
100 Years of Universal: The Lew Wasserman Era
Theatrical Trailer

NOTE: Universal is also releasing several films that were previously released in sets by them, or as singles by other companies. As we already have them in our inventory, we will not carry these new releases for clarity's sake. However, we will list them here as them may be of interest.

They are: Charade, The Egg and I, Francis the Talking Mule, My Many Godfrey (1936), Sullivan's Travels, Three Smart Girls. Additionally, they have some "Spotlight" collections coming that feature similar titles. One such title is a Hollywood Legends Spotlight Collection with Harvey, Spartacus and Touch of Evil.