Warner Brothers Archive Collection Blu-rays

[JakeStewart]

There's a rather noticeable jump cut during Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse's first dance (with her in the green dress) in Singin' in the Rain. I believe it's even noted in the DVD commentary, but no explanation is given. There is no jump in the music, so it's definitely just an editing choice and not the result of missing footage.

Supposedly Charisse wrapped her legs around Gene Kelly as part of the dance, and the censors didn’t approve of it.

[Matt]

It could just be frames missing from the scanned elements. I’ve seen that in a couple of Warner Bros. restorations. Maybe they couldn’t import the few frames from another source or thought that doing so would appear even more distracting. It doesn’t look like two different takes to me because their positions and movements are too stable just before and after the cut.

[Rayon Vert]

But then how would we explain the lack of any music "jump"?

[JSC]

It was probably just to cover a misstep in an otherwise good take. There's a similar jump
cut in Singin' in the Rain during the Gene Kelly / Cyd Charisse number in the nightclub
scene.

[dwk]

Sounds like WB screwed up the Fleischer Superman cartoons (excessive DNR and poor encoding)

[FrauBlucher]

That's very disappointing. I'll take a pass on that.

[Finch]

Now I'm torn over whether to keep my Amazon pre-order or not. I'd like to think they'll have treated Looney Tunes with greater care than Superman.

[okcmaxk]

I'd like to think they'll have treated Looney Tunes with greater care than Superman.

Collector’s Choice was overseen by Beck and Feltenstein specifically, from what I can tell; new restorations from original elements but without—here’s hoping—digital tinkering that pops up on releases handled without their involvement and/or by WB proper.

What’s been said of the Superman release makes me think neither were involved—another “major property” reserved for WBHE like Looney Tunes were for a while?

[FrauBlucher]

According to Robert Harris, Beck and Feltenstein had nothing to do with the Fleischer Supermans and that WB team that did these restorations is a different division. Where as the Looney Tunes have definitely fallen under the supervision of aforementioned WAC team

[Finch]

That's reassuring to hear!

[FrauBlucher]

Robert Harris also said that if there is a problem WB will correct it. That one I'm not so sure about.

I really hope WAC releases Stage Door. This has to be one of those high demand titles I believe. For me it's currently the number one

[Finch]

Seconding Stage Door. Also, Air Force and The Rise and Fall of Legs Diamond. And of course the last two Lewtons which I hope they didn't license out to Criterion because Becker and Co sit on stuff forever and WAC's team encode their Blurays better than Pixelogic.

[Rayon Vert]

Does WB still own Seven Men from Now? If so, that, Mogambo, Van Dyke's Marie Antoinette and Humoresque are high on my list.

[Matt]

Does WB still own Seven Men from Now?

It’s always been owned by Wayne’s Batjac Productions. Warner Bros. originally distributed it theatrically, but Wayne’s estate made a distribution deal in 2005 with Paramount (who released the DVD). I’m not sure if that deal is still in effect or if the rights have reverted back to the estate.

[Rayon Vert]

Damn, sounded too good to be true. Well I'll substitute The Lusty Men then for my top 4.

[therewillbeblus]

I hope whoever releases Mogambo includes Tag Gallagher’s video essay, so maybe a label willing to give more attention to special features would be preferable

[Rayon Vert]

Definitely. Even more hopefully whoever gets it does a nice job with the transfer so we get something other than the looking-through-a-dirty-glass-bottom look of the dvd.

[yoloswegmaster]

June titles are up:

Angel Face
Dangerous When Wet
The Old Man and the Sea
The Land of the Pharaohs
The Damned Don't Cry
Caged

Covers:

SpoilerShow

[SeizureMilk]

Been wanting Angel Face for a while, great that it's getting a good Region 1 release after all this time, also pretty excited for Caged too.

[domino harvey]

Caged and Angel Face are both on my most wanted list. So excited!!!

[FrauBlucher]

Another solid group or films by WAC

[therewillbeblus]

Wow, a long time coming for those two pitch-perfect noirs! I also think The Land of the Pharaohs is underrated Hawks and an easy pickup

[Finch]

Caged and Angel Face for me.

[hearthesilence]

Caged, Angel Face and maybe Pharaohs (it's screened at least a couple of times in 35mm in recent years - MoMI and FilmLinc - so if it comes around again, I may check it out that way first).

[Rayon Vert]

Same trio for me. I would imagine Pharaohs will include the Bogdanovich commentary on the DVD, which I quite enjoyed.