The Bank Dick? W.C. Fields Classic...

[Zoodles95]

This one is on DVD with Criterion but it seems to be fairly rare. Anyone else think this would be a good movie on Blu-ray?

[JamesN]

Originally Posted by Zoodles95

This one is on DVD with Criterion but it seems to be fairly rare. Anyone else think this would be a good movie on Blu-ray?

I do! Would love to see this and Criterion's 6 Short Films collection of Fields on blu. I used to have a Blackhawk Super8 sound print of The Dentist when I was a kid. It might still be somewhere up in my attic. Probably vinegar by now.

[Zoodles95]

Should I wait for a possible Blu release or consider snagging this on DVD?

[JamesN]

Originally Posted by Zoodles95

Should I wait for a possible Blu release or consider snagging this on DVD?

Which one, The Bank Dick or Six Short Films? The former is OOP but the latter is still available. I don't believe Criterion has "hinted" at any Fields titles on Blu this year.

[Zoodles95]

I was thinking The Bank Dick. There are used copies of the Criterion release out there for sale. There is also some South Korean copies for sale which are region "0".

I have watched this when it came in the mail from my mail order rental and it was pretty enjoyable. The one I rented was the Criteiron release though. Not sure if the South Korean version would be decent or not. At least it would hold the fort until a possible, eventual BD release.

[JamesN]

Originally Posted by Zoodles95

Should I wait for a possible Blu release or consider snagging this on DVD?

In regards to waiting, I guess that depends on how much of a film and/or Fields nut you are. Personally I have no problem buying/watching DVDs when I really want a title and no Blu is available. If/when a title I have does come out on Blu, I usually give my DVD copy to family or our local library. My family loves my Blu-ray habit for this very reason.

[Zoodles95]

Originally Posted by JamesN

In regards to waiting, I guess that depends on how much of a film and/or Fields nut you are. Personally I have no problem buying/watching DVDs when I really want a title and no Blu is available. If/when a title I have does come out on Blu, I usually give my DVD copy to family or our local library. My family loves my Blu-ray habit for this very reason.

Thanks for the advice. I am trying to phase out the DVDs slowly. I broke down the other week and picked up "Memoirs Of An Invisible Man" on DVD. Not the best flick but I like both Chevy Chase and Darryl Hannah. Maybe I'll get lucky one day and this will find a Blu release down the line.

In the interim I am going to bring in The Bank Dick on DVD and if it comes to BD at some point this will be going to a new home at that point. Like you I have been giving my DVDs to a friend of mine who is very happy to take them off of my hands.

[JamesN]

Originally Posted by Zoodles95

I was thinking The Bank Dick. There are used copies of the Criterion release out there for sale. There is also some South Korean copies for sale which are region "0".

I have watched this when it came in the mail from my mail order rental and it was pretty enjoyable. The one I rented was the Criteiron release though. Not sure if the South Korean version would be decent or not. At least it would hold the fort until a possible, eventual BD release.

Personally I would go with the used Criterion over the SK version. The SK version is likely an unsanctioned bootleg. I've been burned on more than one Asian disc that was supposedly a genuine studio-sanctioned release.

[Zoodles95]

Originally Posted by JamesN

Personally I would go with the used Criterion over the SK version. The SK version is likely an unsanctioned bootleg. I've been burned on more than one Asian disc that was supposedly a genuine studio-sanctioned release.

Ah...

Just the same this was how I was able to get a home copy of Calvacade and Wings. I could not find a mainstream release DVD for either and imported a DVD via the bay. They are suitable placeholders for now until somebody does a better job on them. Kind of like the crappy version of the original Night Of The Living Dead which is being replaced by the Forgotten Films Blu-ray which is on its way to me in the mail.

I would rather own a so-so copy of a film than no copy at all.

[EricJ]

Originally Posted by JamesN

Which one, The Bank Dick or Six Short Films? The former is OOP but the latter is still available. I don't believe Criterion has "hinted" at any Fields titles on Blu this year.

Criterion got Bank Dick when it was registered for the Film Registry, but think Universal's got hold of it now.
The 6 Shorts (Hal Roach versions) are Public Domain, so there'd be no problem, but it's not the kind of thing they'd get around to releasing solo.

[JamesN]

Originally Posted by Zoodles95

Ah...

Just the same this was how I was able to get a home copy of Calvacade and Wings. I could not find a mainstream release DVD for either and imported a DVD via the bay. They are suitable placeholders for now until somebody does a better job on them. Kind of like the crappy version of the original Night Of The Living Dead which is being replaced by the Forgotten Films Blu-ray which is on its way to me in the mail.

I would rather own a so-so copy of a film than no copy at all.

True, but if a genuine version is readily available...

Don't know where you are located, but Amazon US has used copies of The Criterion Bank Dick (from private sellers) for as low as $18.88 USD. Even if I could find an "import" cheaper, I would rather patronize Criterion (albeit indirectly, since it's used).

[JamesN]

Originally Posted by EricJ

Criterion got Bank Dick when it was registered for the Film Registry, but think Universal's got hold of it now.
The 6 Shorts (Hal Roach versions) are Public Domain, so there'd be no problem, but it's not the kind of thing they'd get around to releasing solo.

Fantastic. Universal will probably sit on it forever like it's been sitting on the '56 Invasion of the Body Snatchers.

[BasicGreatGuy]

Originally Posted by Zoodles95

Should I wait for a possible Blu release or consider snagging this on DVD?

I wouldn't wait. You might be waiting forever. In my opinion, I would stick with Criterion.

[EricJ]

Originally Posted by BasicGreatGuy

I wouldn't wait. You might be waiting forever. In my opinion, I would stick with Criterion.

It is good, unless you'd rather have it in Universal's serviceable boxset with "It's a Gift" included (courtesy of Mr. Carl LaFong):
http://www.amazon.com/Fields-Comedy-...dp/B0002MHDY2/

[Old Bones]

As much as I would love all of W.C.s films on blu , I would guess I am dreaming , there is just not enough fan base for a guy who died on Dec.25th 1946 (the day I was born) it's too bad , his comedy is epic to me
I have all of his films on DVD except one or two of his earliest

[dfc99]

Originally Posted by Old Bones

As much as I would love all of W.C.s films on blu , I would guess I am dreaming , there is just not enough fan base for a guy who died on Dec.25th 1946 (the day I was born) it's too bad , his comedy is epic to me
I have all of his films on DVD except one or two of his earliest

I agree with you. It took years for Universal to release "It's a Gift" and other films on VHS, and years more for the 2 decent DVD box sets. But as Blu-ray production costs come down we might luck out and get 1 box set out of Universal, and the Criterion "6 Short Films".