"March of the Wooden Soldiers" (1934) 9/14/2010 (Official Thread)

[kdo]

So very happy to see this one coming to Blu-ray! It should look fantastic!


babes in toyland.jpg

March of the Wooden Soldiers "Babes in Toyland" Blu-ray

March of the Wooden Soldiers Blu-ray Review

[kdo]

Isn't there anyone else interested in this classic film being released? Or am I going to be the sole poster on this thread? Whatever the case, I will be purchasing this Blu on day 1.

[Flanger-Hanger]

I am to a certain degree, what bonus content will be included?

It would also be nice if we got Disney's Babes in Toyland on blu soon too. Like a 50th Anniversary release next year?

[Blu Titan]

Great stuff. I'll be buying this one for sure .

[phoenixram1977]

Originally Posted by kdo

Isn't there anyone else interested in this classic film being released? Or am I going to be the sole poster on this thread? Whatever the case, I will be purchasing this Blu on day 1.

I love Laurel and Hardy, and I will be buying this on the 14th. Can not wait

[kdo]

Originally Posted by Flanger-Hanger

I am to a certain degree, what bonus content will be included?

As of yet, there apparently has been no official press release by Legend films as to what exactly will be included on the disc (which, all things considered, isn't really a big surprise). Based on their previous DVD release from 2006, I'm assuming we can expect similar materials (if not the same ones) that were on that particular release.

The transfer Legend used on their 2006 DVD was taken from a source that had been remastered in hi-def, so I'm sure the picture quality will be excellent (as it was on the DVD). It looks as though we'll get both the original Black & White, as well as the colorized version (probably on a BD-50). In regards to audio, my guess is that we'll probably get an original mono track and nothing more. The audio on the DVD was fine though, so I imagine it will be satisfactory on the Blu as well.

I'm glad that Legend is releasing this one on Blu, and not MGM, because frankly, MGM's DVD transfer was terrible in comparison (even though it came out a year or two after the Legend release).

And while I'm a person who loathes the colorization of films that were shot Black & White, I must admit that Legend's job on this film (at least on the DVD) was breathtakingly beautiful. To this day, it's the only film I will watch that's been "colorized." I actually kind of wish the film had been shot in color to begin with, but at the time it was made (1934), I don't even know that 'Technicolor' was being used yet, and if it was, it would've been in its infancy.

Hopefully someone who has some inside information will be able to come forward with more details on this release, but if they don't, I should have the disc in hand within a couple of weeks and will be posting my thoughts as soon as I watch it! Have eagerly been anticipating this title on Blu since I bought the DVD 4 years ago, it will have a proud place in my collection.

Wouldn't count on seeing this release in too many stores though, it'll probably be an 'order-only' release.

Originally Posted by Flanger-Hanger

It would also be nice if we got Disney's Babes in Toyland on blu soon too. Like a 50th Anniversary release next year?

I've only seen bits and pieces of the Disney remake, but yeah, I'm sure there are many who want that release too. A 50th anniversary would be great, but Disney has seemingly been very picky on its releasing of non-animated catalogue titles...there's a ton of great live-action films that I'm surprised they haven't put on Blu (like "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" and "Swiss Family Robinson" just to name a couple). Hopefully, they'll start bringing those films to Blu sooner rather than later, but my gut tells me it's more likely than not, that they won't.

Originally Posted by Blu Titan

Great stuff. I'll be buying this one for sure .

Originally Posted by phoenixram1977

I love Laurel and Hardy, and I will be buying this on the 14th. Can not wait

there we go...I knew I wasn't the only one!

[Flanger-Hanger]

Thanks for the info kdo.

[hidef al]

Wow!! Never seen this coming. This is great news. I love Laurel and Hardy. Day one purchase for me. All we need now is the Three Stooges on blu. Thanks for the heads up kdo!

[kdo]

Originally Posted by hidef al

Wow!! Never seen this coming. This is great news. I love Laurel and Hardy. Day one purchase for me. All we need now is the Three Stooges on blu. Thanks for the heads up kdo!

No problem. I was pretty surprised myself. Not sure when the pre-order went up, but I don't remember seeing anything posted about it here on the site. Then again, I haven't been on here quite as much this summer (I've been busy with work), so maybe I missed it, but I noticed that the listing here on the site has no official forums or news...

[Rob71]

Originally Posted by kdo

No problem. I was pretty surprised myself. Not sure when the pre-order went up, but I don't remember seeing anything posted about it here on the site. Then again, I haven't been on here quite as much this summer (I've been busy with work), so maybe I missed it, but I noticed that the listing here on the site has no official forums or news...

Are they trying to sneak this one by us or something? This is a bigger release to me than a lot of the catalogs from the majors getting dates. I'll definitely be picking it up, good catch. Now, like hidef al said, bring on the Stooges.

[P@t_Mtl]

I will probably get this but not now, I will wait a bit.

[indianajdp]

Wow. I remember this used to be on one of the major networks back in the mid-to-late 70s every Christmas Day. Not the "Ralphie" marathon we get nowadays, but I do remember watching it as a kid many times.

[poke smot]

one of my faves as a kid. watched this every year. never seen the colorized version. glad they're including both.

[bgart13]

Legend is also releasing MANDINGO on blu-ray the same day. They released some great dvds a couple years ago of THE SKULL, MAN WHO COULD CHEAT DEATH, PHASE IV and many others licensed from Paramount. I emailed them about the blu-rays and any possibilities of the UK horrors coming out on blu as well (which would be incredible, as THE SKULL is a very creepy, odd film by Freddie Francis with Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee). Here's what they wrote back:

These are two of our best-selling titles [Mandingo and Wooden Soldiers] and we're hoping to find that there is an audience for these "catalog" movies on Blu-ray. If they are met with a good release, we are certainly looking towards moving all of our titles to Blu-ray, including your Hammer and British horror films (which I think would be great for Blu-ray as the original reels are very clean and should have a very nice HD transfer.)

[hidef al]

Originally Posted by Rob71

Are they trying to sneak this one by us or something? This is a bigger release to me than a lot of the catalogs from the majors getting dates. I'll definitely be picking it up, good catch. Now, like hidef al said, bring on the Stooges.

We need these guys in HD, ASAP!!!

[kdo]

Originally Posted by Rob71

Are they trying to sneak this one by us or something? This is a bigger release to me than a lot of the catalogs from the majors getting dates. I'll definitely be picking it up, good catch.

You'd think so considering it got virtually no press whatsoever. But I agree with you completely, this film is of HUGE importance (at least in my collection), and one of my most highly anticipated hi-def releases for me, period. As I said before, I think we can expect quite an impressive Blu here. I'm not exactly sure what technical steps were taken during Legend's remastering process of the film, but I thought they did an outstanding job on the DVD.

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

I will probably get this but not now, I will wait a bit.

That's understandable, though for me $11.49 is a steal for this one!

Originally Posted by bgart13

Legend is also releasing MANDINGO on blu-ray the same day. They released some great dvds a couple years ago of THE SKULL, MAN WHO COULD CHEAT DEATH, PHASE IV and many others licensed from Paramount. I emailed them about the blu-rays and any possibilities of the UK horrors coming out on blu as well (which would be incredible, as THE SKULL is a very creepy, odd film by Freddie Francis with Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee). Here's what they wrote back:

These are two of our best-selling titles [Mandingo and Wooden Soldiers] and we're hoping to find that there is an audience for these "catalog" movies on Blu-ray. If they are met with a good release, we are certainly looking towards moving all of our titles to Blu-ray, including your Hammer and British horror films (which I think would be great for Blu-ray as the original reels are very clean and should have a very nice HD transfer.)

Originally Posted by Rob71

Now, like hidef al said, bring on the Stooges.

Originally Posted by hidef al

We need these guys in HD, ASAP!!!

+1

[Blu Titan]

Great to see the classic b&w comedies making their HD debuts. Already got Buster Keton's Steamboat Bill Jr, and The General with two more of his movies announced for this year. Chaplin is also coming to Blu. We need more Laurel and Hardy, The Three Stooges, Abbot and Costello, Bob Hope, and some classic screwball comedies (anything with Cary Grant).

[kdo]

Originally Posted by Blu Titan

Great to see the classic b&w comedies making their HD debuts. Already got Buster Keton's Steamboat Bill Jr, and The General with two more of his movies announced for this year. Chaplin is also coming to Blu. We need more Laurel and Hardy, The Three Stooges, Abbot and Costello, Bob Hope, and some classic screwball comedies (anything with Cary Grant).

I agree!

[hidef al]

Originally Posted by Blu Titan

Great to see the classic b&w comedies making their HD debuts. Already got Buster Keton's Steamboat Bill Jr, and The General with two more of his movies announced for this year. Chaplin is also coming to Blu. We need more Laurel and Hardy, The Three Stooges, Abbot and Costello, Bob Hope, and some classic screwball comedies (anything with Cary Grant).

Don't forget The Little Rascals.

[EricJ]

Originally Posted by hidef al

Don't forget The Little Rascals.

...Not likely, as Warner banished them to the Archive.

The Stooges are still at Sony, where they're not out of the realm of possibility, and most of classic A&C are at Universal--As in, Universal, not to mention the last time they came out was as bulk-boxset. (Although that wouldn't rule out a symbolic "vs. Frankenstein", the one title they believe everyone remembers.)
Bob Hope was Paramount/Uni and no hope except for the Road movies, and Cary Grant's all over the studios, but at least we've got Charade.

And Laurel & Hardy? If you mean the Hal Roach ones (and not the poor MGM operettas from Warner's TCM collections), last seen at Artisan, and not for a while...Not to mention we're only getting this one because of Legend Films being PD-weasels for colorization.