Interesting Reddit Chat with Warner Archive's George Feltenstein

[BarnDoor]

Obviously George can't reveal too much and is responsible for WAC output rather than WHV, but he does provide some general status updates on certain, frequently-requested titles.

Reddit Chat with George Feltenstein

I've picked out some of the more interesting responses:

Do you see Warner ever working with third party distributors like Criterion or Shout! Factory on releases they might not want to release themselves. I'm thinking about Ken Russell's The Devils on Blu-ray.

The company does, on occasion, sublicense content to third parties where appropriate. Thanks.

I'm eagerly awaiting THE BIG PARADE, so I have to ask: Are there anymore silents on the way (and what are they)?

The BD of THE BIG PARADE from WHV was a very expensive project, and if it is successful, hopefully the 'high profile' silents yet to surface (THE CROWD, GREED, THE WIND, etc.) can follow in its footsteps. Thanks.

Mr Feltenstein, I'm inquiring about the status of RAINTREE COUNTY (1957) on Blu-ray. I've been asking Warner Bros about this film on online chats and more recently on WA's Facebook page for close to a decade. I know an expensive restoration is holding it up. Elizabeth Taylor fans want it, Montgomery Clift fans want it, and the film itself has a big following (it was the Home Theater Forum's most requested catalogue title for 2012.) Are we any closer to finally seeing this important film on Blu-ray and DVD? Thank you!

RAINTREE COUNTY requires a very complicated and expensive restoration to give it a proper presentation. Warner Home Video is aware of the interest and it is under active consideration. The film was shot in 65mm, and the negative and safety separations were both cut to a shorter length for general release. 35mm prints (now faded) exist with the cut footage, but putting them together for a proper Blu-ray level presentation is an expensive proposition. Hopefully this will come to pass in the future.

Mr Feltenstein, any chance of Get Carter (1971), Point Blank (1967) and Salem's Lot (1979) Blu-ray releases? Thx in advance!

Two of those films are actively being considered for Blu by our friends and colleagues at Warner Home Video. You'll have to stay tuned to see what happens next. Thanks for the good question. You've got excellent taste!

Secondly, are there any news concerning THE BIG SLEEP and KEY LARGO blu-ray updates? Those two are long overdue. Thx and keep it up!

Thank you! WHV is actively looking at both Bogart classics for Blu.

George, are there any possibilities of McCabe & Mrs. Miller and AFTER HOURS BD? Plz answer. Thx!

These films are both streaming in HD on our new streaming service, so check them out there. Likely there will be BD releases from WHV in the future, but nothing concrete to impart at the moment. Thanks!

Out of the Past is my favorite noir of all time. Any news on potential BD upgrade? Maybe a noir blu-ray box from WHV? Thx.

The film elements pose a challenge to create a great Blu...but eventually it will come to pass!

Better get this one out of the way: Is there any chance for a Region 1 / Region A release of Ken Russell's mad-sterpiece, THE DEVILS? Or would another company with discerning criterion, be willing to buy the license for such a release?

Not up to us......Sorry that we have no news. Thanks.

When WAC first announced the blu-ray line I had high hopes for a flood of catalog titles, but it's been less than a trickle. What the hold up, if I may ask? Thx.

Warner Archive Blu-ray releases were never intended to be a flood. They are carefully prepared to yield a high quality release worthy of the format's standards. There are many more releases planned, just sit tight. Thanks.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I've heard that you're a big fan of Gun Crazy and Brewster McCloud. Perhaps a blu-ray releases of both in near future?

Love both films, especially GUN CRAZY. No Blu to announce at the moment. Thanks.

SALEM'S LOT (1979) mini-series has always been a favorite of mine. Any chance we might see this hit some kind of blu-ray in the future?

Nothing to announce at the present time, but meanwhile we are pleased to be streaming it in HD on our new Warner Archive Instant streaming service..which we hope you'll try for a 2 week free trial if you haven't yet. Thanks.

What are the chances we'll see some more John Ford films on Blu-Ray from Warner?

Yes, there's a FORD in your future , actually several of them are likely, but nothing that can be announced at the moment. Those will likely come from WHV, not WAC. Thanks!

I saw that there was a screening of Nicholas Ray's THE LUSTY MEN (1952) at ll Cinema Ritrovato in Bologna earlier this year that was advertised as being "restored by Warner Bros. in collaboration with The Film Foundation and The Nicholas Ray Foundation. Restored from the original 35mm camera negative using traditional photochemical methods".

First of all, thank you for preserving and restoring films like this for audiences both present and future. Secondly, are there any plans to release The Lusty Men on DVD or (hopefully!) Blu-Ray? Thanks.

YES! There are 35mm film elements being made at the lab (photochemically!) from the original negative from which we will be remastering. The last video master was done 30 years ago (what you see on TV) so we think it's about time! Thanks!

Great job with Warner Archive and Instant, Mr. Feltenstein. I've been a fan since the beginning. Any chance we'll see new HD transfers of releases like FEARLESS or SHARKY'S MACHINE that were only released in full frame versions back in the early days of DVD?

Thank you for your support. We at Warner Archive are finishing up our work on FEARLESS for Blu-ray, and WHV is planning to release SHARKY on BD...likely next year. Glad you are enjoying WAC and Warner Archive Instant!

[Arkadin]

thanks for posting.
some good info in there, even if as usual it's all pretty hazy.
really wish someone would have asked about Bette Davis and Astaire/Rogers bds.
would also like to know if any more Elvis films are ever going to be released on bd; even if they are pretty bad overall. lol.

[Rizor]

Yup. Some interesting responses. Can anyone think of occasions where Warners have licensed their films? Only ones coming to mind are "Badlands" to Criterion and "North by Northwest" to Universal.

Also an interesting response regarding "The Devils". There are some conspiracies out there as to why it hasn't been released in the US. Wonder who it's "up to".

[filmmusic]

Originally Posted by Arkadin

thanks for posting.
some good info in there, even if as usual it's all pretty hazy.
really wish someone would have asked about Bette Davis and Astaire/Rogers bds.
would also like to know if any more Elvis films are ever going to be released on bd; even if they are pretty bad overall. lol.

Oh, I agree!
A Bette Davis boxset, an Elvis boxset or an Astaire/Rogers boxset would be excellent!!!

[tonyboy85]

Dear George Feltenstein,

I'd love to see these animated movies
be released on Warner Archive blu-ray:

"Gay Purr-ee"
"Hey There, It's Yogi Bear!"
"The Phantom Tollbooth"
"Charlotte's Web" (1973)
"The Hobbit" (1977)
"Animalympics"
"The Bugs Bunny/Road Runner Movie" (1979)
"The Return of the King" (1980)
"Heidi's Song"
"Cats Don't Dance"


& I wish that these Hanna-Barbera tv programs
will be added to the Hanna-Barbera classic collection
on dvd (& maybe blu-ray):

"Yogi's Treasure Hunt"
"2 Stupid Dogs"
"Dexter's Laboratory: Ego Trip"
&
"Alice in Wonderland
(or What's a Nice Kid Like You Doing in a Place Like This?)" (1966)


It can be more better if you add
bonus features to these dvd/blu-ray releases!


Signed,
Tony McCarson

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by Rizor

Yup. Some interesting responses. Can anyone think of occasions where Warners have licensed their films? Only ones coming to mind are "Badlands" to Criterion and "North by Northwest" to Universal.

Also an interesting response regarding "The Devils". There are some conspiracies out there as to why it hasn't been released in the US. Wonder who it's "up to".

vague answers don't you love 'em ...

[Seymour]

Looks like we can look forward to Get Carter (1971), Point Blank (1967), McCabe & Mrs. Miller, Sharky's Machine, Key Largo, The Big Sleep (1946), and After Hours from WHV sometime in the future (hopefuly not too distant future).

[McCrutchy]

Get Carter (1971).