Columbia Classics

[Matt]

TCM is releasing The Lady From Shanghai Blu-ray on Jan 27

Discussion for this title has been moved to the TCM Vault Collection thread.

[domino harvey]

There was an interesting piece of info in a Mill Creek sell sheet for one of those monstrous eight films shoved onto two DVD sets: they had the sales figures for Sony's the Rita Hayworth Film Collection included but the total sales were so low that you had to wonder why they'd even brag about it. That set, released in 2010, starring one of the more visible stars of the Hollywood era and featuring one of her best known films along with several others, has only sold 6,703 units. Puts some perspective into the declining home disc market, at least

[captveg]

There was an interesting piece of info in a Mill Creek sell sheet for one of those monstrous eight films shoved onto two DVD sets: they had the sales figures for Sony's the Rita Hayworth Film Collection included but the total sales were so low that you had to wonder why they'd even brag about it. That set, released in 2010, starring one of the more visible stars of the Hollywood era and featuring one of her best known films along with several others, has only sold 6,703 units. Puts some perspective into the declining home disc market, at least

Selling 6000 copies of a Blu-ray box of the same films would actually be worthy of bragging rights. Most catalog titles are lucky to hit 1000.

[Gregory]

Yeah, selling over 6,000 of that set seems impressive to me, considering that to all but the relatively rare devotees of Hollywood catalog titles (non-A-list musicals, biblical epics, etc.), the films of interest in the set were Gilda and to a lesser extent Cover Girl, and these were already available in inexpensive standalone releases. Hayworth is hardly like John Wayne, for whom there's a sizable built-in audience to lap up anything.

[TMDaines]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who initially thought that it sounded like a decent figure.

[hearthesilence]

Not sure if it's comparable, but back when the music industry was healthier, specialty labels looking to license an album for reissue (mostly audiophile-type releases) usually pressed a run of 1000 copies, with the usual expectation that in most cases, that's all they'd needed.

[manicsounds]

Major Dundee coming from Sony International, July 7th 2014 for Japan.
Looks to have only the longer version, but retains the Peckinpah documentary excerpt and the rest of the DVD extras, except for the commentary. If you didn't get the US Twilight Time, here is a cheaper option.

[Jack Phillips]

Major Dundee coming from Sony International, July 7th 2014 for Japan.
Looks to have only the longer version, but retains the Peckinpah documentary excerpt and the rest of the DVD extras, except for the commentary. If you didn't get the US Twilight Time, here is a cheaper option.

After you factor in shipping, you'll only be saving about a buck.

[manicsounds]

I'm sure it will be released in other regions around the same time, possibly for a cheaper price.

[FrauBlucher]

It Happened One Night has gotten a 4k restoration. Next question is, who will release the blu.

[Roger Ryan]

It Happened One Night has gotten a 4k restoration. Next question is, who will release the blu.

They're already acknowledging Sony's 4K Video Unlimited Service near the end of the interview as a release platform for the restoration. Would Sony let Criterion do a physical release...or will this one go to TCM Classics to bolster its Blu-ray output?

[manicsounds]

DVDBeaver compares the "Gilda" BD

[captveg]

Ghostbusters II (1989) (paired with a re-issue of Ghostbusters (1984) in a 2-pak) on 9/16/14

[swo17]

Ghostbusters II (1989) (paired with a re-issue of Ghostbusters (1984) in a 2-pak) on 9/16/14

Looks like this is going to be the "sourced from 4K transfer plus the special features from the original Blu-ray" release that many have been waiting for. And it's supposed to have the sequel sourced from 4K as well.

[captveg]

Ghostbusters II also now has an individual release scheduled on the same day.

[captveg]

Casualties of War (1989)

No release date yet. I'd wager near Veteran's Day.

[manicsounds]

It's already out in some countries. Has the theatrical cut only, and no deleted scenes. But it has the making of and the Michael J Fox interview from the DVD.

[manicsounds]

"Fright Night" and John Carpenter's "Christine", which were both released by Twilight Time in the US, will get a non-limited edition from Sony international between September and November (depending on countries)

Amazon Japan has confirmed "Fright Night" will have no extras, while "Christine" will have the DVD features: commentary, 3 making of featurettes, and deleted scenes. (No info about trailers though)

[EddieLarkin]

Mr Smith Goes to Washington.

Odd that they gave It Happened One Night to Criterion if they were going to release some themselves.

[FrauBlucher]

Mr Smith Goes to Washington.

Odd that they gave It Happened One Night to Criterion if they were going to release some themselves.

Yeah, this really surprised me. (Unless a mistake by Amazon) I can't believe that CC, TT or TCM turned down Mr Smith Goes to Washington. What does it say for the other 3 Capras that got 4k restorations from SONY. My guess.... I'd be very surprised if SONY released Lost Horizon, Mr Deeds Goes to Town and You Can't Take it With You themselves, and I don't see them not getting released at all, so they will probably still end up with the boutiques.

[Feego]

I seriously doubt than Criterion or any other company turned down Mr. Smith. It was probably more a case of Sony hanging on to one of their more commercially viable prestige titles. While It Happened One Night is a highly acclaimed classic and Oscar-winning Best Picture, I'm willing to bet Mr. Smith is better known and a bigger seller among the general public.

[andyli]

Yes, but not by a significant margin...It's like giving away River Kwai while holding on to Lawrence. Plausible, but weird.

[Feego]

I actually think Paramount made an even weirder decision by holding on to Chinatown but licensing Rosemary's Baby. The latter is one of the best known and most popular American horror movies of all time.

[Noiradelic]

A definite head-scratcher. I can see them hanging onto Chinatown because of Nicholson (though it seems more like an uncharacteristic prestige move by Paramount), but as has been underscored in the Blu era, horror sells, and Rosemary's Baby is a household name. But Paramount Home Video has shown they're the king of weird business decisions.

[John Doe]

It looks like more Capra's could be on their way to BD from Sony.