Golden Age 3-D Features

[revgen]

Originally Posted by Robert Furmanek

If anyone knows a company in region B that licenses from Universal AND has an interest in 3-D, please, let me know!

There is a company called Kochmedia in Germany who regularly licenses Universal content, and just recently released a specialized version of your 3-D restoration of It Came From Outer Space (1953), which includes bonus features not seen on the Universal release such as 8mm home movie footage. They also release Film Noir titles and Westerns to classic film collectors.

Kochmedia Film Noir Series



Kochmedia Western Legends Series



I have purchased both The Glass Key (1942) and California (1947) and they both look excellent. Both titles are licensed from Universal.

So they may be interested in The Glass Web and Wings of the Hawk. Unfortunately, another company released Taza, Son of Cochise on 2-D Blu-Ray in Germany, so they probably won't be interested in that title.

[Robert Furmanek]

Many thanks for the recommendations.

E-mails have been sent!

[Interdimensional]

Originally Posted by Secretive Rook

Sorry to hear that Bob, I hope he hasn't burned his bridges with you completely. I'd like to think that 3D Film Archive would be able to cultivate a good, ongoing relationship with a distributor in Zone B, without this sort of thing happening.

Indeed, a supportive region B label could work wonders. If one could achieve even a fraction of what Kino are doing, it could make all the difference for those films in danger of slipping through the cracks.

I don't like to pester labels about 3-D releases and harass people that aren't interested. But we're at a point where visibility is important, and if we don't speak up it will be too easy for them to conclude that we don't exist and the fake news they read about 'death of 3D' was true.

Originally Posted by Secretive Rook

I sort of understand Olive films not coming to you for a 3D treatment of Money From Home (although I resent them not doing so), given that Frank Tarzi left, and they had an existing 2D master..... cheap and easy, and that's a shame, but that's their business decision.

I understand it, ... insofar as I understand how people can be cheap and lazy and not care. I felt the same about Mill Creek and Spacehunter. They may be destroying all hope of these movies ever being seen in 3-D ever again, but hey, 'don't blame us, we're just trying to make a buck!'

Originally Posted by dvdmrp

Bob,
Is there a company that does Paramount in the UK? Like others have suggested, perhaps you could get Money From Home 3D out in another country like the UK.

One thing I've noticed on forums is that each 3-D Film Archive release appears to bring in a few more people. Maybe a certain title piques their interest, but next thing they want to check out the previously released titles. You get a taste for this stuff and you're hooked. I feel at this point the market for vintage 3-D horror/sci-fi should be fairly well established. Other genres may offer untapped opportunities to grow the cult and expand the audience for Golden Age 3-D. I thought Money From Home had some unique potential in this regard. Among vintage titles there simply isn't much in the way of comedy on 3-D blu-ray other than short subjects. (Although there are a few good laughs in Kiss Me Kate and A*P*E!)

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Interdimensional

Indeed, a supportive region B label could work wonders. If one could achieve even a fraction of what Kino are doing, it could make all the difference for those films in danger of slipping through the cracks.

I don't like to pester labels about 3-D releases and harass people that aren't interested. But we're at a point where visibility is important, and if we don't speak up it will be too easy for them to conclude that we don't exist and the fake news they read about 'death of 3D' was true.




I understand it, ... insofar as I understand how people can be cheap and lazy and not care. I felt the same about Mill Creek and Spacehunter. They may be destroying all hope of these movies ever being seen in 3-D ever again, but hey, 'don't blame us, we're just trying to make a buck!'




One thing I've noticed on forums is that each 3-D Film Archive release appears to bring in a few more people. Maybe a certain title piques their interest, but next thing they want to check out the previously released titles. You get a taste for this stuff and you're hooked. I feel at this point the market for vintage 3-D horror/sci-fi should be fairly well established. Other genres may offer untapped opportunities to grow the cult and expand the audience for Golden Age 3-D. I thought Money From Home had some unique potential in this regard. Among vintage titles there simply isn't much in the way of comedy on 3-D blu-ray other than short subjects. (Although there are a few good laughs in Kiss Me Kate and A*P*E!)

I completely agree. It was 3D Rarities that got me interested in vintage titles. Then, House Of Wax was released and I was hooked!

[MercurySeven]

Originally Posted by Interdimensional

One thing I've noticed on forums is that each 3-D Film Archive release appears to bring in a few more people. Maybe a certain title piques their interest, but next thing they want to check out the previously released titles. You get a taste for this stuff and you're hooked.

I've noticed that too. And because the 3-D quality is so consistently high across older titles (in comparison to most recent efforts), it generally only takes one sampling to hook an open-minded viewer. "This is what 3-D should be like" is a phrase I've heard a lot. Vintage 3-D will always be a niche market, but I'm convinced it has more growth potential than people realize. The trick is to get enough viewers, especially existing fans of vintage Hollywood, to sample one of these blu-rays.

It still amazes me how few filmgoers are even AWARE that Polarized 3-D existed before Avatar. The anaglyph myth is deep-rooted, so it's an uphill battle to disabuse the public of it. But as Interdimensional says, each new vintage release garners new fans, and some of those become vocal advocates of the format. The range of genres helps, though it's a pity there weren't more "A" pictures shot in 3-D , and that of those, Hondo, starring the perennially popular John Wayne, remains a no-show in its original format. That, more than any other, could really make waves if it were ever to be released. Still, there are big names in many of the unreleased titles. Plenty of chances to intrigue curious fans (of all ages--film buffs will always look to classic cinema) to see what their favourite stars of the past were doing appearing in 3-D movies (and why reviewers keep raving about this half-century-old 3-D malarkey).

[jtchance]

The star power of early 3D has so far been represented by Vincent Price, Grace Kelly, Rita Hayworth, Ray Milland and Robert Ryan. Rock Hudson may appear later this year in the only American 3D western scheduled for a release. Circumstance has so far denied us John Wayne, Robert Mitchum, Edward G, Robinson, Randolph Scott, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis. We may have reached the point where the license holders don't see enough of a profit to be made from our niche market.

[MercurySeven]

Originally Posted by jtchance

The star power of early 3D has so far been represented by Vincent Price, Grace Kelly, Rita Hayworth, Ray Milland and Robert Ryan. Rock Hudson may appear later this year in the only American 3D western scheduled for a release. Circumstance has so far denied us John Wayne, Robert Mitchum, Edward G, Robinson, Randolph Scott, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis. We may have reached the point where the license holders don't see enough of a profit to be made from our niche market.

Not to mention Jane "Need We Say More?" Russell! Just slap that original The French Line poster on a (properly restored) 3-D blu-ray and take my money now.

But in all seriousness, does anyone know how well the vintage 3-D titles have been selling on blu-ray? Obviously some better than others, but if something like Inferno--great film, but hardly one of the best-known of its era--can make a healthy return, there's clearly demand for Golden Age 3-D.

[jtchance]

Originally Posted by MercurySeven

Not to mention Jane "Need We Say More?" Russell! Just slap that original The French Line poster on a (properly restored) 3-D blu-ray and take my money now.

But in all seriousness, does anyone know how well the vintage 3-D titles have been selling on blu-ray? Obviously some better than others, but if something like Inferno--great film, but hardly one of the best-known of its era--can make a healthy return, there's clearly demand for Golden Age 3-D.

How could I forget Jane Russell? As far as 3D sales are concerned having an idea of how profitable they have been would give us insight as to what we can reasonably expect in the future.

[BleedOrange11]

Originally Posted by jtchance

We may have reached the point where the license holders don't see enough of a profit to be made from our niche market.

The 3-D Film Archive's recent and upcoming releases beg to differ. The trouble is that many people are unable to appreciate the artistic value of 3D, and it can be hard to sell those in charge who just don't "get it". Thankfully, we have Kino Lorber on our side, and maybe we can find another Region B distributor to join the party.

[jtchance]

Originally Posted by BleedOrange11

The 3-D Film Archive's recent and upcoming releases beg to differ. The trouble is that many people are unable to appreciate the artistic value of 3D, and it can be hard to sell those in charge who just don't "get it". Thankfully, we have Kino Lorber on our side, and maybe we can find another Region B distributor to join the party.

I have nothing but admiration for what Bob Furmanek and the 3D Film Archive have done on our behalf. Kino Lorber also deserves kudos for their support. My issue lays with the major studios who persist in ignoring their consumers.

[BleedOrange11]

Capelight Pictures in Germany is another distributor that likes 3D. They released the only 3D version of Mojin: The Lost Legend available, about a year after everyone else, and included English subtitles, which suggests they target niches and importers. I don't think they have access to Universal's catalog though. Their titles look more indie than anything else. Maybe some 20th Century Fox.

[Interdimensional]

Originally Posted by jtchance

The star power of early 3D has so far been represented by Vincent Price, Grace Kelly, Rita Hayworth, Ray Milland and Robert Ryan. Rock Hudson may appear later this year in the only American 3D western scheduled for a release. Circumstance has so far denied us John Wayne, Robert Mitchum, Edward G, Robinson, Randolph Scott, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis. We may have reached the point where the license holders don't see enough of a profit to be made from our niche market.

Originally Posted by MercurySeven

Not to mention Jane "Need We Say More?" Russell! Just slap that original The French Line poster on a (properly restored) 3-D blu-ray and take my money now.

Joan Fontaine, Anne Bancroft, Jack Palance! There've been a few disappointments this year, but I also feel vintage 3-D has gained a certain amount of traction lately.

It's taken 7 years of the 3D-Bluray format to finally get a 3-D western. The studios are probably as disinterested as ever, which isn't all that different from 5 years ago, when Paramount had the opportunity with Hondo to release the very first Golden Age title on 3D-Bluray, and they blew it!

Things might've been very different, but hopefully we will make up for it in the years to come.

[jtchance]

One can only hope. Getting back to what is currently feasible has anyone ever seen either JIVARO or SANGAREE in 3D? I assume they are possibilities for Kino Lorber since they are lesser known Paramount titles similar to the situation with THOSE REDHEADS FROM SEATTLE. I recall reading that SANGAREE was a last minute switch to 3D but JIVARO might have had more planning in advance.

[Robert Furmanek]

I have, they're both excellent with sensational 3-D staging similar to REDHEADS.

So far as Golden Age star power, see 3-D Myth #4: http://www.3dfilmarchive.com/home/top-10-3-d-myths

Here's a partial list of some big stars that appeared in front of the 3-D camera: John Wayne, Rita Hayworth, Kathryn Grayson, Howard Keel, Bob Fosse, Robert Mitchum, Linda Darnell, Jack Palance, Edward G. Robinson, Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, Jane Russell, Ray Milland, Grace Kelly, Victor Mature, Robert Stack, Jose Ferrer, Vincent Price, Joan Fontaine, Phil Silvers, Randolph Scott, Charles Bronson, Karl Malden, Ernest Borgnine, Rhonda Fleming, Robert Ryan, Lee Marvin, Virginia Mayo, Lee J. Cobb, Fred MacMurray, Barbara Stanwyck, Rock Hudson, etc. Not a shabby list of talent there!

Great directors and cinematographers worked on these films as well, including John Alton, Raoul Walsh, Douglas Sirk, John Ford, Roy Baker, Chuck Jones, Robert Burks, George Sidney, Norman McLaren, William Cameron Menzies, Francis Coppola, Walt Disney, Jack Arnold, Budd Boetticher, Charles Roscher, Hal Wallis, Alfred Hitchcock and many more.

[T. Warren Scollan]

Originally Posted by jtchance

The star power of early 3D has so far been represented by Vincent Price, Grace Kelly, Rita Hayworth, Ray Milland and Robert Ryan. Rock Hudson may appear later this year in the only American 3D western scheduled for a release. Circumstance has so far denied us John Wayne, Robert Mitchum, Edward G, Robinson, Randolph Scott, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis. We may have reached the point where the license holders don't see enough of a profit to be made from our niche market.

Don't forget the star power denial (so far) of Jack Palance, Victor Mature, Jane Russell, and Van Heflin!

[T. Warren Scollan]

Originally Posted by jtchance

One can only hope. Getting back to what is currently feasible has anyone ever seen either JIVARO or SANGAREE in 3D? I assume they are possibilities for Kino Lorber since they are lesser known Paramount titles similar to the situation with THOSE REDHEADS FROM SEATTLE. I recall reading that SANGAREE was a last minute switch to 3D but JIVARO might have had more planning in advance.

I saw "Sangaree" in dual strip polarized 3D in August of '53, and I believe it was a very enjoyable film that would be well received despite its lack of super high powered stars. And like all "Golden Agers" the 3D was excellent!

[jtchance]

Originally Posted by T. Warren Scollan

Don't forget the star power denial (so far) of Jack Palance, Victor Mature, Jane Russell, and Van Heflin!

All great stars! Cannot wait for GUN FURY on September 19th!

[Robert Furmanek]

Stay tuned for a VERY exciting announcement sometime this week. It will make a lot of people quite happy...

[Jbug]

Thanks Bob, looking forward to whatever title it is.

[moviebear1]

I can think of 6 or 7 classic releases that would make me happy. I won't list them here but will wait anxiously for the announcement.