Official Film Noir on Blu-ray Thread

[noirjunkie]

I just found out some information that sheds some possible light on why the Imprint transfer for Sorry, Wrong Number looks bad. I can't tell you how or from whom I received this info, but I can tell you it comes from an unimpeachable source.

About a decade ago, Paramount remastered the film and planned to release it on blu-ray. But then they scrapped the release. Why?

Because they remastered it in the wrong aspect ratio.

Apparently, they decided that rather than remaster it again, they'd just cancel the release. Now, what does this inconceivably boneheaded move have to do with Imprint's release? I'm just guessing, but I would imagine that Paramount could only supply them with a much older master, since the remastered edition wasn't in the correct AR. That would account for an HD transfer that was probably originally prepared for the DVD release and doesn't live up to contemporary standards. I don't know this for sure, but it stands to reason. This also tells you a lot about the quality of the staff at Paramount's home media department at the time.

[GeoffOliver]

Maybe they’ll try again, and release it as a part of Paramount Presents?

[MalteseCrow]

I just watched Imprint's Sorry, Wrong Number and can confirm the picture quality varies between serviceable to very rough, especially the exterior scenes on the beach, which are an absolute mess. It's a real shame, because the movie itself was extraordinary and absolutely deserves a high quality transfer.

This was my first time watching it, by the way. I've undergone a dry spell recently with truly great noirs, watching so many in a row that were just "ok" that I was starting to believe I'd already seen all the best ones. Wrong Number really rejuvenated my passion and love for the genre.

And, man, that ending! I can't stop thinking about how perfect it is.

[Professor Echo]

Originally Posted by noirjunkie

This also tells you a lot about the quality of the staff at Paramount's home media department at the time.

As well as Imprint’s integrity. If it’s true, they didn’t HAVE to release the garbage Paramount gave them. Or if their negotiations with Paramount didn’t allow for any kind of rejection for this particular licensed property, Imprint could have still warned customers about the situation as Twilight Time did with the dicey materials used for COMES A HORSEMAN. I have no love for Paramount, but Imprint bears some responsibility as well. For me they went from being an exciting new label to waiting for reviews. Buyer beware, unfortunately.

[Gunsnroses092789]

Originally Posted by Professor Echo

As well as Imprint’s integrity. If it’s true, they didn’t HAVE to release the garbage Paramount gave them. Or if their negotiations with Paramount didn’t allow for any kind of rejection for this particular licensed property, Imprint could have still warned customers about the situation as Twilight Time did with the dicey materials used for COMES A HORSEMAN. I have no love for Paramount, but Imprint bears some responsibility as well. For me they went from being an exciting new label to waiting for reviews. Buyer beware, unfortunately.

They knew it would make them lose sales, especially at a brand new label/sub-label, so of course they wouldn't warn anyone.

TT was already established when they release Comes a Horseman, so they could afford to be honest. Plus, the transfer on it isn't even bad! It just has a lot of specks and dirt on it. I thought the contrast and sharpness were solid.

Anyway, here's hoping that Paramount gives it another go. A shame too, because I'd like to hear Alan K. Rode's commentary and see Eddie Muller's intro on the Imprint disc.

[Dailyan]

"Comes a Horseman" gets a bit of over-hate in regards to it's transfer. I don't mind "print damage" and I think the worst part of the transfer is the telecine-wobble more than dirt and specks (even then it's not a huge dealbreaker imo). Plus, it doesn't suffer from obvious looking scanner noise like some other MGM-supplied masters such as "Birdman of Alcatraz", "Coming Home, "Marty", and "The Miracle Worker".

[Professor Echo]

Originally Posted by Gunsnroses092789

They knew it would make them lose sales, especially at a brand new label/sub-label, so of course they wouldn't warn anyone.

TT was already established when they release Comes a Horseman, so they could afford to be honest. Plus, the transfer on it isn't even bad! It just has a lot of specks and dirt on it. I thought the contrast and sharpness were solid.

Anyway, here's hoping that Paramount gives it another go. A shame too, because I'd like to hear Alan K. Rode's commentary and see Eddie Muller's intro on the Imprint disc.

I agree that's why they didn't do it, my question was meant to be more rhetorical than was maybe evident. But that was my point about it illustrating their integrity, or lack of same thereof. I tend to be a very cynical person by nature, so when something like this happens, I am twice shy. Imprint may turn out to be a wonderful label and perhaps I will become a loyal customer, it's too soon to tell, but right now, I have no faith in them. For me, they already burned a bridge and that's a bad start for any company, let alone one in the hobbyist sector.

[Professor Echo]

Originally Posted by MalteseCrow

I just watched Imprint's Sorry, Wrong Number and can confirm the picture quality varies between serviceable to very rough, especially the exterior scenes on the beach, which are an absolute mess. It's a real shame, because the movie itself was extraordinary and absolutely deserves a high quality transfer.

This was my first time watching it, by the way. I've undergone a dry spell recently with truly great noirs, watching so many in a row that were just "ok" that I was starting to believe I'd already seen all the best ones. Wrong Number really rejuvenated my passion and love for the genre.

And, man, that ending! I can't stop thinking about how perfect it is.

I agree with all of this. Try to check out the original radio show that the film is based on. It's superb! There is lots of great Radio Noir out there that still packs a punch, sometimes every bit as much as the best of the classic noir films.

[MalteseCrow]

Originally Posted by Professor Echo

I agree with all of this. Try to check out the original radio show that the film is based on. It's superb! There is lots of great Radio Noir out there that still packs a punch, sometimes every bit as much as the best of the classic noir films.

I've got a treasure trove of SUSPENSE recordings and have been gradually listening through them. Amazing the A-list stars they'd get for those radio plays--Orson Welles, Jimmy Stewart, Humphrey Bogart, Henry Fonda, etc. etc. I held off listening to the Sorry, Wrong Number episode until after I'd seen the movie; doing the same with Hitchcock's The Lodger, which I've yet to see, despite owning.

My favorite SUSPENSE ep I've listened to so far is based on Chandler's "Pearls are a Nuisance," which also happens to be my favorite of RC's short stories; the radio version stars William Bendix and, as you can probably imagine, it's sublime. Well worth tracking down and giving a listen.

[Professor Echo]

Originally Posted by MalteseCrow

I've got a treasure trove of SUSPENSE recordings and have been gradually listening through them. Amazing the A-list stars they'd get for those radio plays--Orson Welles, Jimmy Stewart, Humphrey Bogart, Henry Fonda, etc. etc. I held off listening to the Sorry, Wrong Number episode until after I'd seen the movie; doing the same with Hitchcock's The Lodger, which I've yet to see, despite owning.

My favorite SUSPENSE ep I've listened to so far is based on Chandler's "Pearls are a Nuisance," which also happens to be my favorite of RC's short stories; the radio version stars William Bendix and, as you can probably imagine, it's sublime. Well worth tracking down and giving a listen.

It's all great stuff! I am in complete agreement with you on SUSPENSE and it's my all time favorite OTR show. I will seek out the PEARLS episode since I don't remember it offhand and concur that it is an excellent Chandler story. One of my favorite episodes of SUSPENSE stars Claude Rains and Vincent Price, "The Hands Of Mr. Ottermole." It's incredibly good and actually a pretty faithful adaptation of a story once called the greatest mystery story ever written.

My second favorite OTR show is NIGHTBEAT, starring Frank Lovejoy as a cool newspaper columnist in Chicago who walks the city at night searching for material for his daily column. Some stories are noir, some social drama, some kind of surreal parables. It was a very unique show and I highly recommend it.

I am also a fan, believe it or not, of I WAS A COMMUNIST FOR THE FBI, which starred Dana Andrews. You have to move past the often laughable, sometimes reprehensible, period jingoism, and the fact that the show is supposedly based on the exploits of someone who was in reality an inveterate liar and ugly sham. Discarding that, it's a very suspenseful show about an undercover agent played to perfection by the always wonderful Andrews. I have a real attraction to crime stories about undercover operatives and this one really knows how to get your adrenaline jump started.

Ok, sorry for the digression, it's just a topic I love. My point was just to illustrate that good Noir can be found in all sorts of mediums, not just film. But for this thread, let's get back to Blu Noir!

[MalteseCrow]

A worthy digression, Professor! I'll be checking out all of it.

[GeoffOliver]

Originally Posted by Professor Echo

I agree with all of this. Try to check out the original radio show that the film is based on. It's superb! There is lots of great Radio Noir out there that still packs a punch, sometimes every bit as much as the best of the classic noir films.

If you have any specific noir radio drama episodes you recommend (especially original ones that don’t adapt books or films) that are easy to find online, I’d love to hear them.

[Professor Echo]

Originally Posted by GeoffOliver

If you have any specific noir radio drama episodes you recommend (especially original ones that don’t adapt books or films) that are easy to find online, I’d love to hear them.

Since my memory isn't as good as it once was and is getting a bit trippy in my old age, I can't rustle up individual episode titles as quickly as I once did. The brief Reddit link below is an ok intro and will give you some ideas, both in the OP and the replies. However, there are some errors in it. Neither the Philip Marlowe nor the Sam Spade radio shows were exclusively adaptations of their respective author's stories, there were plenty of original stories. There are also some shows listed that I wouldn't necessarily identify as "Noir," but that's just as much of a YMMV as it is with films. Also, keep in mind that theoretically children could have access to these shows back in the day, so they will never be as hard boiled as some of the movies are.

The site mentioned by the OP, Archive.org, is a treasure trove of tons of old time radio and lots of other great stuff too, all free to stream. Fire up your imagination and enjoy!

Intro To Old Time Radio Noir

[mogwai_macabre]

Originally Posted by noirjunkie

About a decade ago, Paramount remastered the film and planned to release it on blu-ray. But then they scrapped the release. Why?

Because they remastered it in the wrong aspect ratio.

Sorry, Wrong Aspect Ratio

[MifuneFan]

Imprint's Film Noir box set is now available to Pre-order. Keep in mind, the prices are in AUD. With shipping it comes to $164.95 AUD which works out to about $118 USD

https://viavision.com.au/shop/essent...n-1-1947-1957/

[silverlakephil]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Imprint's Film Noir box set is now available to Pre-order. Keep in mind, the prices are in AUD. With shipping it comes to $164.95 AUD which works out to about $118 USD

https://viavision.com.au/shop/essent...n-1-1947-1957/

Ouch. I wonder if I should just wait for a probable domestic release, or wait if Indicator will release something similar since they're also releasing The Garment Jungle. I have yet to receive my first batch from Imprint since my package has yet to arrive which left the shores of Australia back in early May

[filmlover22]

ouch indeed. that is almost $30 a movie! That is way too much, imho, for these films. I guess I will wait for a US release - or at least an Indicator box set.

[MifuneFan]

A good portion of that total is shipping costs, which accounts for like $32 USD of it.

[noirjunkie]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Imprint's Film Noir box set is now available to Pre-order. Keep in mind, the prices are in AUD. With shipping it comes to $164.95 AUD which works out to about $118 USD

https://viavision.com.au/shop/essent...n-1-1947-1957/

Not happening. I'll wait to pick it up at a more reasonable price, or I won't pick it up at all. Those prices are exorbitant.

[Gunsnroses092789]

Originally Posted by noirjunkie

Not happening. I'll wait to pick it up at a more reasonable price, or I won't pick it up at all. Those prices are exorbitant.

Agreed. Despite being interested in all 4 titles (especially the Wyler), the price is outrageous. Criterion doesn't charge that much for a 4 film set MSRP, and a lot less at normal sales prices (not even including 50% off sales).