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Warner Archive Announces November Releases
Posted September 30, 2024 09:38 PM by
Warner Archive has announced its November batch of Blu-ray releases. They are: Humoresque (1946), Wait Till Your Father Gets Home: The Complete Series (1972-1974), Must Love Dogs (2005), The Complete Thin Man Collection, and Looney Tunes Collector's Choice: Volume 4 (1930-1969).
Glamorous socialite Helen Wright (Joan Crawford) takes what she wants � clothes, alcohol, men � uses them up and tosses them aside. Then she meets brilliant young violinist Paul Boray (John Garfield). But this is one toy she can't break. Instead, her love for Paul brings Helen to the breaking point. In this acclaimed and profound exploration of desire, Crawford makes Helen a rich, layered character torn between selfless love and selfish impulses Garfield matches her as the driven genius. Humoresque's production values extend to the musical interludes, dubbed by Isaac Stern. Garfield's dazzling technique is thanks to two real violinists hidden behind him -one to do the fingering and one the bow work. Bravo!
Special Features and Technical Specs:
NEW 4K RESTORATION FROM THE ORIGINAL CAMERA NEGATIVE
Featurette: The Music of Humoresque
Classic cartoons:
RACKETEER RABBIT
RHAPSODY RABBIT
Original Theatrical Trailer
Optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature
The Age of Aquarius dawned. Harry Boyle forgot to set his alarm. Inspired by the era of live-action TV series such as All in The Family comes the Hanna-Barbera generation-gap animated comedy Wait Till Your Father Gets Home. Tom Bosley provides the voice of Harry, an affable 40-something Everyman and suburban father of three whose daily routine is anything but when he faces the provocative questions of the make-love-not-war era. Women's Lib, civil rights, hippies, sexuality, communes and the Cold War are some of the hot button petals in this series' flower-powered laugh-fest. They're all part of Harry's world, where a man's home is his hassle. This complete series set of two seasons and 48 episodes, is highlighted by guest voice appearances from Monty Hall, Don Knotts, Phyllis Diller and Rich Little.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
NEW 4K RESTORATION FROM THE ORIGINAL CAMERA NEGATIVES
Retrospective Featurettes:
ANIMATION FOR THE NATION
ILLUSTRATING THE TIMES: How the show's artistic styles perfectly captured its era
Optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature
M-G-M marked its 50th anniversary with this outstanding collection of musical performances from the studio's reign as the king of the genre during Hollywood's golden era. Drawing from more than 100 feature films, writer/producer/director Jack Haley Jr.'s compilation took the box-office by storm, becoming one of the highest grossing films of 1974, and brought excerpts from timeless gems from "An American in Paris" to "Ziegfeld Follies to audiences new and old in just 135 magical minutes. For this special occasion, Haley called upon great stars to 'host' this brilliantly conceived cinematic event: Fred Astaire, Bing Crosby, Gene Kelly, Peter Lawford, Liza Minnelli, Donald O'Connor, Debbie Reynolds, Mickey Rooney, Frank Sinatra, James Stewart and Elizabeth Taylor. This celebration of the M-G-M musical has been painstakingly remastered from the best existing elements to yield a new presentation that finally does justice to Haley's dazzling cinematic achievement, which cemented the importance of the M-G-M musical's unique place in film history.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
NEWLY REMASTERED AND RECONSTRUCTED FROM THE ORIGINAL NEGATIVES AND PRESERVATION ELEMENTS (2024)
50 Years of MGM (1974 TV special)
Just One More Time - Vintage Featurette
Original Theatrical Trailer
Optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature
Pretty pre-school teacher Sarah Nolan (Diane Lane) is divorced, demoralized and dateless � until her sister posts her profile at http://perfectmatch.com. Now she has lots of dates. With weirdos, weepers, lechers, jocks, and Jake (John Cusack), a soulful boat builder whose idea of true love come straight out of Doctor Zhivago. Jake is attractive, smart and maybe a bit too intense. So Sarah passes him by. And maybe passes up her one real chance for love. With a witty script and irresistible stars (including Christopher Plummer as Sarah's widowed dad, weaving his own worldwide web of romance, and Stockard Channing as his new lady friend), this romantic comedy is as delightful a surprise as a perfect blind date. Don't miss out: love could be just a mouse click away!
Special Features and Technical Specs:
Deleted scenes (with optional commentary)
"Pass the Beef" Gag Reel
Original Theatrical Trailer
Optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature
Now they're together in one Blu-ray collection! The sparkling M-G-M series featured the irresistible William Powell and Myrna Loy chemistry as husband and wife who solved murders with the aid of their wire-haired terrier, Asta. Set in the glamorous world of 1930s and 40s upper-class Manhattan, The Thin Man and its sequels established a timeless standard for witty comedy, clever dialogue and urbane one upmanship. The 6-Disc set includes THE THIN MAN (1934), AFTER THE THIN MAN (1936), ANOTHER THIN MAN (1939), SHADOW OF THE THIN MAN (1941), SONG OF THE THIN MAN (1944) and THE THIN MAN GOES HOME (1947). Each film has been meticulously remastered and restored for Blu-ray, from 4K scans of the best surviving preservation elements. Additionally, each feature in the collection is accompanied by its original theatrical trailer, plus vintage short subjects and animated cartoons to help re-create the way these films were first presented in theaters upon their original release. It's an essential collection of screen classics that belong in every serious film lover's library.
Who can resist a Putty Tat versus a monstrous canary, Goofy Gophers who kill their foe with kindness, Babbitt and Catstello hypnotizing the Cat, or Bugs Bunny versus a Yosemite Sam from outer space? You know all the characters on a first name basis: Daffy, Tweety, Sylvester, Speedy, Elmer, Foghorn and Wile E. You know the directors - Chuck Jones, Tex Avery, Friz Freleng, Art Davis and Robert McKimson. You know the cartoons - they are the ones fans and animation aficionados have most asked for, restored to brand new condition, in High Definition, and finally available to own. Twenty-five crown jewels - with two additional bonus titles (featuring Bugs and Daffy) now presented in their full frame glory. Collectors Choice Vol. 4 - its 100% Looney Tunes!
CONTENT:
ALONG CAME DAFFY (Friz Freleng, 1947) - Daffy Duck
A BONE FOR A BONE, A (Friz Freleng, 1951) - The Goofy Gophers
THE CAGEY CANARY, THE (Tex Avery/Bob Clampett, 1941)
D' FIGHTIN' ONES (Friz Freleng, 1961) - Sylvester
DANGEROUS DAN MCFOO (Tex Avery, 1939)
DEVIL'S FEUD CAKE (Friz Freleng,1963) - Bugs Bunny and Yosemite Sam
DOUBLE CHASER (Friz Freleng, 1942)
DOUBLE OR MUTTON (Jones, 1955) - Sam Sheepdog and Ralph Wolf
FOX POP (Chuck Jones, 1942)
HENHOUSE HENERY (1949, Robert McKimson) Foghorn Leghorn and Henery Hawk
HOLIDAY FOR DRUMSTICKS (Arthur Davis, 1949) - Daffy Duck
HOPALONG CASUALTY (Chuck Jones, 1960) - Road-Runner and Coyote
HYDE AND GO TWEET (Friz Freleng, 1960) - Tweety and Sylvester
THE IMPATIENT PATIENT, THE (Norm McCabe, 1942) - Daffy Duck
LEGHORN SWOGGLED (Robert McKimson, 1951) - Foghorn Leghorn
MEATLESS FLYDAY (Friz Freleng, 1944)
MOUSE-WARMING (Chuck Jones, 1952) - Claude Cat
MOUSE-MERIZED CAT, THE (Robert McKimson, 1946)
MUSCLE TUSSLE (Robert McKimson, 1953) � Daffy Duck
MUZZLE TOUGH (Friz Freleng, 1954) Tweety and Sylvester
PECK UP YOUR TROUBLES (Friz Freleng, 1945) - Sylvester
QUACK SHOT (Robert McKimson, 1954) Daffy Duck and Elmer Fudd
ROAD TO ANDALAY (Friz Freleng, 1964) - Sylvester and Speedy Gonzales
THE SNEEZING WEASEL (Tex Avery, 1938)
STREAMLINED GRETA GREEN (Friz Freleng, 1937)
BONUS CARTOONS:
LIGHTER THAN HARE (Friz Freleng, 1960) Bugs Bunny
STORK NAKED (Friz Freleng, 1955) Daffy Duck
Wait Till Your Father Gets Home -- never heard of it. And I'm a fan of Hanna-Barbera, born in the 70's, child of the 80's that grew up on their cartoons. Was this not widely released outside of the U.S.?
I was born in 1973 in scotland and I grew up in england and it was on the bbc in 1984 I remember wait till your father gets home especialy the main theme tune.
Day One for everything. Bonus points for Humoresque, which we seriously need more Crawford, and That's Entertainment, which needed a solid release. Shame it won't include all cuts of the film, but oh well. Hope TE 2, 3, and That's Dancing aren't too far behind.
I've already got all of the Thin Man Blu-rays, so unless the box includes something new or different, I'll just be snapping up the Looney Tunes set and possibly That's Entertainment.
In case anyone at Warner is reading, putting The Bishop's Wife back into production via Warner Archive, as you've done with other OOP Warner titles, would be great!
A complete remaster and reconstruction of That�s Entertainment? Should be a revelation. A must purchase.
I never thought it would happen, the current BD is hard to watch. When this originally played theaters in 1974 it was all the talk.
Wait Till Your Father Gets Home is not just day one for me, it�s minute one. I never thought I�d see a home video release of this series. Loved it as a teenager. That�s Entertainment is really big news! And we can�t have enough Looney Tunes on blu-ray.
I bought all of the Thin Man blu-rays separately, so you�re welcome.
The uncut, uncensored (as much as possible due to footage loss) T&J is my #1 most wanted animated release from WB. I grew up on their tapes, and would love to finally have them fully restored so my kids don't have to grow up on the hacked-up edits like I did.
Please WB, please just greenlight this and pass it to WAC. It will literally be my favorite WAC release ever.
I've already got all the individual Thin Man blu ray releases so nothing for me this month. Would upgrade if it were all of them in 4K, but otherwise (barring any additional features), I'm good.
well. WAC stated they had absolutely no plans on doing any more box sets so I got the thin man movies individually. Would have much preferred a box set. Oh well.
Wait Till Your Father Gets Home had 48 episodes??? I always thought it was about 12. Or maybe that's all I watched when I was a kid. I think I blurred it a little with My World And Welcome To It, which also had animation segments.
Day 1 for Looney Tunes! I already bought the individual Thin Man releases and highly recommend, if you didn't. Interested in Wait til Your Father Gets Home and may get Must Love Dogs eventually.
I remember WTYFGH as part of the Retro segment on Cartoon Network in the 90s. I found ut distressing and depressing. I mean, I understand it was meant to be an animated response to All in the Family, but I always found that distressing and depressing too.
Please DON'T change the typo.. I, too, am looking forward to THE THING MAN COLLECTION. "You don't understand... "it" (being the help), my dear, wants to be one of "us"... I dread the thought." (adjusts monocle in third red eye)
Oh, they are spoiling us with Crawford this year. I only hope that Letty Lynton is in the pipeline, as the original copyright issues should expire next year.
That's Entertainment is fine for what it is, but it's just a package film and a waste of a release slot, IMO. Also, that Thin Man set should have been made available from the start. Not going to double-dip, but I'm tempted to so the series can occupy one spot on my shelves.
So many good movies Warner still needs to release on blu-ray (eg Mosquito Coast, Stealing Home, Everybody�s All-American) and they keep coming up with duds like these.👎
Very happy about THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT. The initial Blu-ray release was an HD transfer of the 1974 film; meaning that all of the clips were state-of-the-art for 1974. Now, it seems that most or nearly all of these clips will be sourced from the most recent HD transfers of these films. It should be a fantastic improvement over the initial Blu-ray release!
Humoresque is Joan's all-time great performance and one of my personal favorites. So happy it's getting released finally and with such an exquisite cover.
On the That's Entertainment special features, is the 50 Years of MGM (1974 TV special) just a different presentation of the film or its own separate thing? Searches for the title just lead back to That's Entertainment.
Finally, a Thin Man collection. Patience pays off.
One of the movies I've really wanted WAC to tackle is Sugar & Spice, and sometimes I wonder if that's really a worthwhile expenditure for them, but now that they've gone for Must Love Dogs...
@Jt19006-fully agree! WB's classic 3-D films need to be made available again, they are some of the best. 3-DFA have been steadily working through titles from other studios and are getting some of the last few titles from Universal, Paramount and MGM out there, meanwhile WB haven't touched theirs in years, and they have the best catalog for Golden Age 3-D.
1. Letty Lynton will definitely be coming out next year. I'm shocked MGM didn't just make a deal with the copyright owners back in the 30s. They literally just could've wrote a check if they wanted to, but they were greedy and chose to just not release the film instead. At any point in time this could've been settled. Now with literally three months until the issue is irrelevant, they're probably just going to be patient.
On a lighter note, because the elements literally haven't been touched in nearly 90 years, there should be at least a pristine FGP, at most a great OCN, for them to do the Blu-ray, which will definitely be out by the end of next year.
Officially they can't even touch the title until January 1, but let's not pretend they're just piddling off until January comes, they're working on this as much as they legally can.
2. That's Entertainment might be a test the waters release in many regards. Not only is it to see if the expense of remastering the film will sell, but also it's to see if it justifies WB licensing the restored versions of all clips for TE2, TE3, and TD anew. I'm in.
Bothers me that you once again need a million releases to have everything, but such is life.
3. I'm thinking The Mosquito Coast and The Year Of Living Dangerously are in Criterion's hands at this point. Much like Freaks, After Hours, pat Garrett, and the Lewtons, the wait's just too long and the demand's just too high for those not to be in someone's hands. Unfortunately this also means we'll likely be waiting several years for them.
4. High Society, I wonder if Criterion has this. They have The Philadelphia Story, which HS is a remake of. Either way, I'm shocked this hasn't had even a mediocre Blu-ray by now, let alone a fully restored one or a 4K.
5. WB should just farm out all their 3D stuff, since they clearly have no interest in doing it. Either farm it out or sell it.
When you have experts in 3D willing to do what WB pegs as a $1 million+ job for $50,000, that's literally an offer WB can't refuse, but they continue to do so. I just don't get it.
I love that they are doing a THIN MAN COLLECTION....But, I am so wary of buying any 2K release that touts "from a 4K scan". It means The 4K exists, and could drop later on down the road.
I remember watching Wait Till Your Father Gets Home as a kid (in the UK). It's not a kids' programme, but I guess ITV thought "cartoon = kids' show". I liked it (and I remember the theme tune) but I don't know how well it will hold up now.
> On the That's Entertainment special features, is the 50 Years of MGM (1974 TV special)
> just a different presentation of the film or its own separate thing?
> Searches for the title just lead back to That's Entertainment.
Great, so I bought all six of the Thin Man movies for $17.99 each-that�s about $117 with tax-and then Warner Archive turns around and offers the entire collection for $50. 🤬
Hats off to those who were able to hold off for years on purchasing the series for the **chance** all the films might be bundled eventually at a bargain price.
It does need to be said though that if it weren't for you and me...and the many others who purchased the releases individually, it would not have been financially possible for the entire series to be restored and released to Blu ray at all, and everyone would be finding ourselves empty handed right now and deprived of these beautiful releases (or at best with an incomplete set of the series in HD).
So, with that perspective I'm sure you will agree that our $18 investment was well worth it, and perhaps at this lower price point some unfamiliar with the series will take a chance on it and new fans will be familiarized and won over.
I was literally thinking the other day "Why isn't there a blu-ray release for Humoresque?" Thank you!
One of my favourite scenes in the movie is Helen on the phone to Paul:
"There's a smudge of smoke out there, almost at the horizon... must be a boat, far far out! Oh, I wish we were on board that boat! So far out that we couldn't see anything but sky and water, nothing more!"
@Shane Rollins 5. WB should just farm out all their 3D stuff, since they clearly have no interest in doing it. Either farm it out or sell it.
That'd make fans very happy. WB are more than capable of doing the work themselves if they can find ways to reduce costs, and I understand that costs have come down in some respects. Unfortunately (or fortunately?) WB's library is just so vast that at the rate they've been going, some titles are just going to sit on the shelf indefinitely. They do incredible work inhouse, and they'll never run out of work. I would've liked to see them put out a title this year for the 70th anniversary. A shame it didn't happen last year.
Interdimensional I agree, they do great work in-house. The problem is when they can do the work in-house for millions (not my insane number, theirs), and some third party comes along and proves themselves capable of doing millions of dollars worth of work for only thousands of dollars, and WB shoots it down, it gets aggravating after a while.
Somewhere in some thread (either here or HTF), there was a 3D movie that WB pegged at $300,000 or more, and either Strohmaier or Furmanek pegged it at less than $20,000, and WB shot him down because it was in better hands at WB. This was an ooooold thread (at least 2016), and the film in question is still not on Blu-ray.
There are movies in the WB vaults with costs ranging from several hundred thousand dollars to several million dollars. If someone comes by and offers to cut those costs way down, and proves themselves capable of producing a solid result, what purpose is served in shooting them down? What goal is achieved, what mission accomplished by shooting down the cheap guy so they can have the honor of breaking the bank themselves? What's the point?