BLU: Easter Parade in February

WHAT: WHEN: STUDIO: PRICE:

Easter Parade (Blu-Ray) February 19th Warner Home Video Retail: $19.98, Our: $15.99

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Warner has announced Easter Parade (Blu-Ray) (1948) for release on February 19th.

Retail will be $19.98, but It is available at ClassicFlix.com for just $15.99. Bonus features (below) will carry over from the previous 2-disc special edition.



Strolling along 5th Avenue or going on the bum as A Couple of Swells, Judy Garland and Fred Astaire lead a parade of music (17 Irving Berlin tunes and an Academy Award winning adaptation score arranged by Johnny Green and Roger Edens) and gotta-dance fun (including Astaire's Drum Crazy) in this never-ending delight co-starring Ann Miller (performing a knockout Shakin' The Blues Away) and Peter Lawford (gamely crooning The Fella With The Umbrella with Garland). Don't let this colorful Easter Parade pass you by!

BONUS FEATURES:

• Commentary by Fred Astaire's daughter Ava Astaire McKenzie and Judy Garland Biographer John Fricke
• Making-of Documentary Easter Parade: On The Avenue
• American Masters documentary profile Judy Garland: By Myself
• Outtake Musical number Mr. Monotony
• Mr. Monotony Dailies
• Audio Only: Radio Production with the Film's stars (03/11/1951)
• Audio Only: Radio Promo
• Theatrical Trailer

WARNER ARCHIVE: The Andy Hardy Collection, Vol. 1

Announced and released by Warner Bros. on Thursday, The Andy Hardy Collection, Vol. 1 has been added to our unparalleled selection of classic titles.

Although not in original release order of the series, all have either been newly remastered or digitally upgraded. Bonus features are not forthcoming.

NOTE: We've added an Andy Hardy link in our Series "genre."

SYNOPSIS:
Andy Hardy, the original teen supreme, comes careening to your screen in the first of a series of collections!

MGM’s 1937 adaptation of Aurania Rouverol’s play Skidding, A Family Affair, proved such a stunning success that production commenced on a series inspired by it almost immediately. Carrying over three of A Family Affair’s cast members (Mickey Rooney as Andy Hardy, Cecilia Parker as sister Marian, and Sara Haden as Aunt Milly), the Hardy series was launched in 1937 with You’re Only Young Once and the addition of Lewis Stone (Judge Hardy), Fay Holden (Mrs. Hardy) and Ann Rutherford (Polly Benedict). It was not long before Rooney’s boundless energy and talent stole the show (and the hearts of teenage girls all over the USA), and Andy Hardy took over the series. Not that anyone minded!

This collection features a sextet of sensational picks from the Hardy series, none of which have ever been available on DVD, some not available in any format. Each film comes packaged in its own DVD case, complete with artwork based on the original posters. Each film has either been newly remastered, or digitally upgraded from a recent progressive master source, specifically for this new DVD release. All best-available film elements have been used in the creation of this collection, and although none of these films have been 'fully restored', the result is a distinct improvement in quality for each picture, and the first new work done to any of these films in over 20 years.

You’re Only Young Once (1937)
On vacation with his family on California’s Catalina Island, Andy Hardy falls head over swim fins for a sophisticated young beauty (Eleanor Lynn). Judge Hardy warns his son that she is too fast for him.

Out West with the Hardys (1938)
The Hardys out west! While Judge Hardy gets into a legal wrangle to save an old friend’s ranch, Andy tries to turn a bronco into a jalopy and Marian tries to lasso herself a cowpoke.

Judge Hardy and Son (1939)
Tasked by Judge Hardy with locating the estranged daughter of an elderly immigrant couple, Andy Hardy finds himself juggling four different girls when his mother falls seriously ill. With Maria Ouspenskaya.

Andy Hardy Meets Debutante (1940)
When Andy falls for the picture of a glamorous debutante (Diana Lewis) he tags along with Judge Hardy’s crusade to save a NYC orphanage in hopes of meeting her. Lucky for Andy he has gal pal Betsy Booth (Judy Garland) around to help out.

Andy Hardy's Private Secretary (1941)
All set to graduate from high school and Andy flunks his English exam – in spite of the fact that the Judge has gone to all the trouble of getting him his very own private secretary (captivating Kathryn Grayson in her screen debut).

Life Begins for Andy Hardy (1941)
After graduating from high school, Andy heads for New York, giddy with visions of high finance, chic women and posh nightclubs. But the big city is tough on a small-town boy. With Judy Garland in her final appearance as Betsy Booth.

Meet Me In St. Louis (Blu-Ray) in December

WHAT: WHEN: STUDIO: PRICE:

Meet Me In St. Louis (Blu-Ray) (1944) December 13th Warner Retail: 35.99, Our: $28.99

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Previously released in a standard 2-disc edition, Meet Me In St. Louis makes its way to Blu-Ray on December 13th.

The single disc release will retail for $35.99, but is available at ClassicFlix.com for only $28.99. Some bonus features (below) will carry over from the standard set, but most appear to be left out. New is a CD sampler and a 40 page booklet with photos, lyrics and more.



SYNOPSIS:
St. Louis 1903. The well-off Smith family has four beautiful daughters, including Esther and little Tootie. Seventeen-year old Esther has fallen in love with John, the boy next door who has just moved in. He, however, barely notices her at first. The family is shocked when Mr. Smith reveals that he has been transferred to a nice position in New York, which means that the family has to leave St. Louis just before the start of the St. Louis 1904 World's Fair.

BONUS FEATURES:

• Introduction by Liza Minnelli
• Commentary by Garland biographer John Fricke with Margaret O'Brien, screenwriter Irving Brecher, songwriter Hugh Martin and daughter of producer Arthur Freed, Barbara Freed-Saltzman
• Lux Radio Theater Broadcast from December 2, 1946 starring Judy Garland, Tom Drake and Margaret O'Brien
• CD Sampler
• PLUS: 40 Page Booklet with Photos, Lyrics and More!

The Judy Garland Show, Vol. 5 in August

WHAT: WHEN: STUDIO: PRICE:

The Judy Garland Show, Vol. 5 August 31st Infinity Retail $19.98, Our: $14.99

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Another installment of The Judy Garland Show is on tap from Infinity Entertainment with The Judy Garland Show, Vol. 5 scheduled for release on August 31st. Guest stars include Steve Allen, Mel Torme, Jayne Meadows and Diahann Carroll.

The single disc DVD will retail for $19.98, but is available at ClassicFlix.com for only $14.99.

Previous releases:

• The Judy Garland Show, Vol. 1 (Released 07/28/2009)
• The Judy Garland Show, Vol. 2 (Released 09/22/2009)
• The Judy Garland Show, Vol. 3 (Released 03/23/2010)
• The Judy Garland Show, Vol. 4 (Released 04/27/2010)

The Judy Garland Show, Volumes 3 & 4

WHAT: WHEN: STUDIO: PRICE:

The Judy Garland Show, Vol. 3 March 23rd Infinity Retail $19.98, Our: $14.99

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WHAT: WHEN: STUDIO: PRICE:

The Judy Garland Show, Vol. 4 April 17th Infinity Retail $19.98, Our: $14.99

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Two more installments of The Judy Garland Show are on tap from Infinity Entertainment. Like the first two volumes, they will each have two shows per release.

Guest stars include Ethel Merman, Vic Damone, Tony Bennett, Lena Horne and more! Click the above titles for more details.

A Star Is Born: Standard and Blu Special Editions in June

WHAT: WHEN: STUDIO: PRICE:

A Star Is Born (Special Edition) (1954) June 22nd Warner Retail $20.97, Our: $15.99

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WHAT: WHEN: STUDIO: PRICE:

A Star Is Born (Blu-Ray) - Special Edition (1954) June 22nd Warner Retail $34.99, Our: $27.99

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Expected for some time, Warner has announced a June 22nd release date for the "Gloriously restored" A Star is Born (1954) in both a Standard and Blu-Ray release. Both two-disc DVD sets are loaded with bonus features (below) while the "40 pages of gorgeous photography, film history and more" is exclusive to the "Blu-Ray Book."

BONUS FEATURES (Subject to change):

• Introduction
• Additional Takes:
  
  • The Man That Got Away - Pink Dress
  • The Man That Got Away - Brown Dress #1
  • The Man That Got Away - Brown Dress #2
  • The Man That Got Away - Brown Dress #3
  • The Man That Got Away - Brown Dress #4
  • Here's What I'm here For - Alternate Take
  • Lose That Long Face - Alternate Take
  • Trinidad Coconut Oil Shampoo - Alternate Take
  • When My Sugar Walks Down the Street - Outtake
  • Suicide Scene - Alternate Take
• Film Effects Reel
• A Report by Jack L. Warner Vintage Featurette
• Huge Premiere Hails 'A Star is Born' Newsreel Montage Vintage Featurette
• 'A Star is Born' Premiere in Cinemascope
• Pantages Premiere TV Special Vintage Featurette
• A Star is Bored (1956 WB Cartoon)
• Audio Vault
  
  • Oliver on the Phone with the Director Discussing Norman - Outtakes
  • Norman and Esther on the Roof of the Hotel Lancaster - Outtakes
  • 12/28/1942 Lux Radio Theater Broadcast with Judy Garland and Walter Pidgeon
  • Judy Garland Radio Interview
  • Born in a Trunk
  • Someone at Last – Rehearsal
  • Someone at Last
  • My Melancholy Baby
  • Black Bottom
  • Swanee
• Theatrical Trailers of the 1937, 1954 and 1976 Film Versions

The Judy Garland Show - Holiday Special in October

WHAT: WHEN: STUDIO: PRICE:

The Judy Garland Show - Holiday Special October 20th Infinity Retail: $14.98, Our: $10.99

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Infinity Entertainment has announced The Judy Garland Show - Holiday Special with an October 20th release date. The 51 minute "glittering celebration" features such classic hits as “Consider Yourself,” “Steam Heat,” “Little Drops of Rain,” “Where is Love?” and “Wouldn’t it be Lovely?”

Retail will be $14.98, but is available at ClassicFlix.com for only $10.99.

The Wizard of Oz - 70th Anniversary Editions in September

WHAT: WHEN: STUDIO: PRICE:

The Wizard of Oz (2-Disc 70th Anniversary Special Edition) September 29th Warner Retail: $24.98, Our: $19.99

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WHAT: WHEN: STUDIO: PRICE:

The Wizard of Oz (4-Disc 70th Anniversary Ultimate Collector's Edition) September 29th Warner Retail: $69.92, Our: $54.99

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WHAT: WHEN: STUDIO: PRICE:

The Wizard of Oz (Blu-Ray) 2-Disc 70th Anniversary Ultimate Collector's Edition September 29th Warner Retail: $84.99, Our: $64.99

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Known about for some time, Warner has officially announced a September 29th release date for three different releases of The Wizard of Oz - 70th Anniversary Edition. Prices are above with all the bonus features and premiums below.

Both the SD and BD Ultimate Collector's Editions will be available for rent and purchase, while the 2-disc SD Special Edition, which has the same content as discs 1 and 2 in the U.C.E., will only be available to buy.

Also, Warner has set up a neat site related to the release. You'll find it here. It drags a little, but is worth the wait.

CONTENTS:

The Wizard of Oz (2-Disc 70th Anniversary Special Edition)

DISC 1:

• Commentary by John Fricke. Additional commentary and archived commentary with Barbara Freed-Saltzman (daughter of Arthur Freed), Margaret Hamilton, Ray Bolger, Jack Haley, John Lahr (son of Bert Lahr), Jane Lahr (daughter of Bert Lahr), Hamilton Meserve (son of Margaret Hamilton), Dona Massin (MGM choreographer), William Tuttle (make-up artist), Buddy Ebsen, Mervyn LeRoy, and Jerry Maren
• The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Storybook
• Prettier Than Ever: The Restoration of Oz
• We Haven’t Really Met Properly
• Music and Effects Track
• Sing-along Track
  
• Remastered Feature with Dolby Digital 5.1 Audio as Well as Original Mono Track

DISC 2:

• The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: The Making of a Movie Classic (1990 TV special)
• Memories of Oz (2001 TCM documentary)
• The Art of Imagination: A Tribute to Oz
• Because of the Wonderful Things it Does: The Legacy of Oz
• Harold Arlen’s Home Movies
• Outtakes and Deleted Scenes
• It’s a Twister! It’s a Twister! The Tornado Tests
• Off to See the Wizard
• 3 Vault Shorts
• Audio Jukebox Selection
  • Leo Is on the Air Radio Promo
  • Good News of 1939 Radio Show
  • 12/25/1950 Lux Radio Theater Broadcast
• Still Galleries
• Six Theatrical Trailers

The Wizard of Oz (Ultimate Collector's Edition) & The Wizard of Oz (Blu-Ray) Ultimate Collector's Edition

Includes everything listed in the 2-disc S.E. as well as the following:

DISC 3:

• Victor Fleming: Master Craftsman Feature Length Documentary
  
• L. Frank Baum: The Man Behind the Curtain
• Celebrating Hollywood’s Biggest Little Stars
  
• The Dreamer of Oz (1990 TV special)
  
• The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1910)
• The Wizard of Oz (1933) Animated Short
  

DISC 4:

• His Majesty, The Scarecrow of Oz (1914)
  
• The Magic Cloak of Oz (1914)
• The Patchwork Girl of Oz (1914)
• The Wizard of Oz (1925)

PLUS:

• Collectible and numbered 70th Anniversary Wizard of Oz watch with genuine crystals
• Replica of the original film budget
• Behind the Curtain, A 52-page, coffee-table book
• Reproduction of the original 1939 campaign book

NOTE:

• The 2-disc Blu-Ray release will have Discs 1 & 2 and Discs 3 & 4 combined
• Exclusive to the DVD and Blu-Ray Ultimate Collector’s Editions: Digital Copy on a Disc
• Exclusive to the Blu-Ray Ultimate Collector’s Edtion: MGM: When The Lion Roars Documentary

The Judy Garland Show, Vol. 1 in July

WHAT: WHEN: STUDIO: PRICE:

The Judy Garland Show, Vol. 1 July 28th Infinity Retail: $19.99, Our: $14.99

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More clarity on a T.V. release, this time via Infinity Entertainment as they've scheduled a July 28th release date for The Judy Garland Show, Vol. 1. This volume (with two episodes), along with 12 more scheduled volumes to complete the 26 show run, will make it easy for Judy Garland fans to get her entire series in the best prints available.

Restored and digitally remastered from the original masters, the single disc release will retail for $19.99, but is available at ClassicFlix.com for only $14.99.

SYNOPSIS:
The Emmy-nominated Judy Garland Show ended its critically-acclaimed CBS-TV run after just one season (1963-64). Today, those 26 variety shows are revered by many as the entertainment icon’s finest work. Singing then-new material as well as the classics expected of her, this is the legendary Judy at her peak.

Also featured in volume one of this 13-volume collector’s set is daughter Liza Minnelli, now a legend in her own right. Then just 17, Liza sings her off-Broadway hit “You Are for Loving” and displays her renowned ability as a dancer on “Put on a Happy Face.” Liza and Judy shine in the duets “Together,” “We Could Make Such Beautiful Music Together,” “The Best is Yet to Come,” “Bye, Bye, Baby” and “Bob White”; and revive the “We’re a Couple of Swells” tramp characters from Easter Parade.

Also featured in a dazzling display of song, dance and comedy are jazz greats Count Basie and his band and Mel Torme, who perform solo and join the great Garland on such stunners as “I Hear Music,” “The Sweetest Sounds,” “Strike Up the Band,” “April in Paris” and “Memories of You”; folk singer Judy Henske; and series regular Jerry Van Dyke who trades quips with Soupy Sales.

Judy also sings “A Cottage for Sale,” “Hey, Look Me Over,” “Liza,” “As Long as He Needs Me,” and “Come Rain or Come Shine,” a highlight of Judy’s 45-year career.

Restored and digitally remastered from the original masters, this dynamic diva will move you like no one else! Look for all 13 volumes, each featuring two hour-long shows.

BONUS FEATURE:

• Outtakes