Twilight Time Discussion Thread

[Novecento]

Originally Posted by klauswhereareyou

Any word on Major Dundee?????????????

Good question!!!!!!!!!!!

[Blu Titan]

Originally Posted by klauswhereareyou

Any word on Major Dundee?????????????

That one is a MUST for me.

[Rory]

Originally Posted by whitesheik

Let me save you the trouble: It's one of the worst transfers EVER - brown, ugly, and just horrifyingly bad. I have no doubt it was taken from a faded 35mm element because if they went off a large format element (doubtful) it's even worse. Fox will do it right when the time comes, either themselves or via Twilight Time. Just stay as far away from the German disc as you can.

Thanks, Whitesheik, I will. Your word is good enough for me.

The French BD release of BANDOLERO!, which I did get (and is currently showing on HDNetMovies), looks great, if there's anyone here interested. I have a friend who got the French BD release of VON RYAN'S EXPRESS, but he has yet to look at it, but I think it's probably OK. Oh, just as a side note, HDNetMovies is also currently showing JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH in HD too, but it's not the same transfer as Twilight Time's. It appears to me to just be the older DVD transfer upscaled.

I don't know of course what the situation is with Fox's European BD releases, but then I don't understand what Fox is up to here in the US with their older titles either. They're all over the place with them these days, Twilight Time, Walmart Exclusives, 20th Century Fox at Screen Archives, and only two so far there. I just hope there will be much more next year.

[Pirate King]

I would be thrilled with a USA release of Von Ryans Express. I think this film would fit well with Twilight Times model.

[ROclockCK]

Originally Posted by Rory

I don't know of course what the situation is with Fox's European BD releases, but then I don't understand what Fox is up to here in the US with their older titles either. They're all over the place with them these days, Twilight Time, Walmart Exclusives, 20th Century Fox at Screen Archives, and only two so far there. I just hope there will be much more next year.

I do too Rory, because the Fox Studio Classics series includes many personal faves, especially The Ghost and Mrs. Muir.

I think our clue about what's happening was Titanic (1953), which Fox was all set to release in April to coincide with the 100th anniverary of the sinking. If I recall correctly, Amazon U.S. and U.K. plus Best Buy had cover art up and were even taking pre-orders, then....pffffffttt...totally withdrawn. Even more telling, it hasn't been rescheduled to coincide with the release of Cameron's version in September, nor even gone out via Wal-Mart exclusive. I think the Italians got a BD, but the rest of the world is in limbo again with this title.

My guess is, despite all the fanfare over those SAE *pseudo* exclusives of The Grapes of Wrath and Zorba the Greek, both titles kind of fizzled when they finally did go wider in June. I haven't seen either title on big box shelves except for a few of our Wal-Marts. Amazon has them, but at $20 bucks a pop. So if Fox was indeed 'retesting the waters' for its classic catalogue on Blu-ray, the performance of these 2 titles would appear to be reminding the studio why they were licensing to Twilight Time in the first place. Despite passionate interest among fans and Blu-ray collectors, the numbers are still small overall. I wouldn't be surprised to see some of these titles, assuming the studio bothers to do them at all, eventually going out as FoxConnect exclusives.

Hopefully Fox has better luck with sales of its Marilyn collection. Otherwise, the hasty, last minute withdrawl of Titanic (1953) from the studio's schedule is not an encouraging sign of renewed interest in their classic catalogue. And before anyone thinks I'm happy about this, because it will just mean more limited Twilight Time editions at $30 bucks a pop, the reality is we get only 12 Fox titles from TT each year. They can't do them all, and probably wouldn't want to do all of them anyway, even if offered. So Fox needs to either step up its own game or strike some deals with other licensees, just as Sony did with Image and Mill Creek.

That, or we'll end up acquiring the rest of the Fox catalogue from overseas labels.

[Rory]

Just as a point of interest concerning THE GHOST AND MRS. MUIR, ROclockCK....

When Amazon reduced the price of the BD digibook release of ALL ABOUT EVE to $9.99, I bit. On the disc is a new featurette on the career of Joe Mankiewicz which includes several clips from his Fox movies. Strangely missing was a clip, any clip, from THE GHOST AND MRS. MUIR, and the ones they showed from 5 FINGERS, another Mankiewicz movie I'd very much like to see go to BD, displayed to me that both films are probably in need of major restorations before Fox will do HD transfers, so I suspect the wait for them will be long. I don't say this to depress anyone, but just to say that you probably shouldn't get your hopes up that they'll appear on Blu-ray any time soon.... unless Twilight Time decides to go with whatever they can get, but I hope that isn't the case, as I would prefer to just wait (hear that, Nick Redman?).

[ROclockCK]

Originally Posted by Rory

When Amazon reduced the price of the BD digibook release of ALL ABOUT EVE to $9.99, I bit. On the disc is a new featurette on the career of Joe Mankiewicz which includes several clips from his Fox movies. Strangely missing was a clip, any clip, from THE GHOST AND MRS. MUIR, and the ones they showed from 5 FINGERS, another Mankiewicz movie I'd very much like to see go to BD, displayed to me that both films are probably in need of major restorations before Fox will do HD transfers, so I suspect the wait for them will be long. I don't say this to depress anyone, but just to say that you probably shouldn't get your hopes up that they'll appear on Blu-ray any time soon.... unless Twilight Time decides to go with whatever they can get, but I hope that isn't the case, as I would prefer to just wait (hear that, Nick Redman?).

Since 5 Fingers was never even released on DVD Rory, I suspect you're right about its need for restoration, as well as its slim prospects for receiving that work any time soon. But I'm not convinced The Ghost and Mrs. Muir is in nearly as bad shape. Earlier this year, I spun up my Fox Studio Classic DVD of TGAMM and was frankly startled how good it looked, even upscaled. And the sound was even lovelier. No signs whatsoever that Fox is seriously hurting for good source materials from that one!

Generally speaking, any Fox title that has already appeared in the Studio Classics, Cinema Classics, or Film Noir collections has already undergone considerable restoration and remastering...at least none of the DVDs I've ever seen from those series looked shoddy. In fact, last year I finally watched the House of Bamboo from the Fox Noir series, and again was amazed how good it looked on DVD...and on a dual layer disc at that...not an indifferently slapped together product at all!

So I can accept that something like 5 Fingers might be in iffy shape, but not some of these other Fox classics. I mean, The Day the Earth Stood Still, The Grapes of Wrath, All About Eve, An Affair to Remember, and The Diary of Anne Frank were all Studio Classics, and those titles successfully made the jump to Blu-ray. I think there's more in those Fox vaults in much better shape than generally acknowledged - they aren't all like Demetrius and the Gladiators crying out for major restorative work. Just look at what kind of masters TT got for Rapture, Swamp Water, The Wayward Bus, and even Roots of Heaven. And it sounds like High Time is in similarly fine shape.

I think this recent 'all over the map' performance by Fox has more to do with the challenges of Blu-ray marketing vs. expected returns. While warehouses full of DVD stock still exist for most of their classic catalogue, their corporate line of least resistance seems to be just sit tight and license. Problem is, other than a smattering of International labels with access to merely so-so materials (e.g. Eureka's Prince Valiant, although fun to see again, was pretty awful to watch), Fox only has one major licensee domestically, who tops out at a scant 12 titles a year...still a dribble.

[Blu Titan]

When are the new annoucements coming?

[ROclockCK]

Originally Posted by Blu Titan

When are the new annoucements coming?

Pre-orders for The Sound and the Fury and Steel Magnolias don't go up until mid-August, followed by Enemy Mine and Night of the Living Dead (1990) a month after that. So I doubt we'll see any announcement for TT's November and December roster until mid-to-late August at the earliest.

What we should be seeing any day (or hour) now Blu Titan is the cover/insert art for The Sound and the Fury and Steel Magnolias.

[Rory]

Originally Posted by ROclockCK

Since 5 Fingers was never even released on DVD Rory, I suspect you're right about its need for restoration, as well as its slim prospects for receiving that work any time soon. But I'm not convinced The Ghost and Mrs. Muir is in nearly as bad shape. Earlier this year, I spun up my Fox Studio Classic DVD of TGAMM and was frankly startled how good it looked, even upscaled. And the sound was even lovelier. No signs whatsoever that Fox is seriously hurting for good source materials from that one!

Well, here's a case where I'm going to have to disagree with you, ROclockCK.
I've just put the 2002 DVD on and I find the image a tad too soft in general, but often down right blurry, the whites a bit too blown out with the overall image experiencing too much jitter, plus there's an abundance of dirt and scratches. As for the audio, it's compressed mono with a harsh high end and little bass. (Let's just say, I'm pickier than you are. ) It's not terrible, of course, but there are other more recent DVDs of Fox films from the same era that look much better. No, I think that as far as a Blu-ray release goes, the 2002 DVD transfer of THE GHOST AND MRS. MUIR is unacceptable. I would expect Fox to do nothing less with this title than they have done with the picture and audio transfer of the 2009 BD of THE MIRACLE ON 34th STREET, both being 1947 Fox films. In fact, I think that if there's anyone at Fox that doesn't think these two pictures merit the same attention -- they should be fired.

[Blu Titan]

Originally Posted by ROclockCK

Pre-orders for The Sound and the Fury and Steel Magnolias don't go up until mid-August, followed by Enemy Mine and Night of the Living Dead (1990) a month after that. So I doubt we'll see any announcement for TT's November and December roster until mid-to-late August at the earliest.

What we should be seeing any day (or hour) now Blu Titan is the cover/insert art for The Sound and the Fury and Steel Magnolias.

Thanks Rock. Interested in Night of the Living Dead and that is about it for now. Stll need to get TMMATFM which is a must.

[ROclockCK]

Originally Posted by Rory

Well, here's a case where I'm going to have to disagree with you, ROclockCK.
I've just put the 2002 DVD on and I find the image a tad too soft in general, but often down right blurry, the whites a bit too blown out with the overall image experiencing too much jitter, plus there's an abundance of dirt and scratches. As for the audio, it's compressed mono with a harsh high end and little bass. (Let's just say, I'm pickier than you are. ) It's not terrible, of course, but there are other more recent DVDs of Fox films from the same era that look much better. No, I think that as far as a Blu-ray release goes, the 2002 DVD transfer of THE GHOST AND MRS. MUIR is unacceptable.

Well...



That doesn't look "blown out" to me Rory, and the film itself did have a softer, 'dreamier' look in many passages.

Originally Posted by Rory

I would expect Fox to do nothing less with this title than they have done with the picture and audio transfer of the 2009 BD of THE MIRACLE ON 34th STREET, both being 1947 Fox films. In fact, I think that if there's anyone at Fox that doesn't think these two pictures merit the same attention -- they should be fired.

At least we can agree on that.

FTR, I wasn't suggesting that The Ghost and Mrs. Muir couldn't look or sound better, only that it didn't look bad for a legacy DVD, and Fox wouldn't be working from film elements in shambles.

[ROclockCK]

Originally Posted by Blu Titan

Thanks Rock. Interested in Night of the Living Dead and that is about it for now. Stll need to get TMMATFM which is a must.

It really is a gem Blu Titan. Even if you're not a huge fan of the movie, that disc is a pleasure to watch. Heck, just for those vintage planes...!

[Rory]

Originally Posted by ROclockCK

That doesn't look "blown out" to me Rory, and the film itself did have a softer, 'dreamier' look in many passages.

Not fair, Rock. You picked one of the better spots in the transfer. Try the opening screen credits, or the first scene in the dining room. You know, I can do screen captures, too, but it's too much work for a Sunday evening.

Let's just leave it with, it better look better on Blu-ray.

Where's Schawn Belston when you need him, eh, Rock?

[ROclockCK]

Originally Posted by Rory

Not fair, Rock. You picked one of the better spots in the transfer. Try the opening screen credits, or the first scene in the dining room. You know, I can do screen captures, too, but it's too much work for a Sunday evening.

Let's just leave it with, it better look better on Blu-ray.

Where's Schawn Belston when you need him, eh, Rock?

I doubt it's escaped his attention Rory. I'd be willing to bet that The Ghost and Mrs. Muir has shown up on more than a mere handful of requests to the studio.

And Fox has always treated this movie well. It was an A-list production in '47, and 65 years later still has a very devoted following worldwide, dovetailing of course with Bernard Herrmann fandom. If Fox does have an HD master ready but is waffling about releasing a Blu-ray of their own, I sure hope TT at least picks it up.

[Blueherring]

There is a movie I would really love to see on Blu ray, one of mine and the wifes favourites, "A Good Year" with Russell Crowe.
Is this something that people think is a possibility for Twilight Time?
I don't know much about all the who owns what rights etc, and the likelihood of this movie getting a major release. It isn't very old, came out in like 2006.
I think it would look fantastic on Blu, and would love to see Twilight Time do it.

[Blu Titan]

Looks like sales of catalog titles in the Blu-ray format have started to show significant growth .

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread...39#post6253539

[Rory]

Originally Posted by ROclockCK

I doubt it's escaped his attention Rory. I'd be willing to bet that The Ghost and Mrs. Muir has shown up on more than a mere handful of requests to the studio.

And Fox has always treated this movie well. It was an A-list production in '47, and 65 years later still has a very devoted following worldwide, dovetailing of course with Bernard Herrmann fandom. If Fox does have an HD master ready but is waffling about releasing a Blu-ray of their own, I sure hope TT at least picks it up.

I remember reading an interview in the old "Films in Review" journal with Mankiewicz just a couple years before he died where he said that he got more questions about THE GHOST AND MRS. MUIR than any of his other pictures.

And let's not forget there was a TV series based on the movie, though that seems largely forgotten now -- as most TV shows are.

[ROclockCK]

Originally Posted by Rory

I remember reading an interview in the old "Films in Review" journal with Mankiewicz just a couple years before he died where he said that he got more questions about THE GHOST AND MRS. MUIR than any of his other pictures.

Doesn't surprise me Rory. To this day, while waiting for someone in a parking lot with Herrman's soundtrack playing on my car's deck, it is not uncommon for complete strangers to walk up and ask, "Excuse me, I recognize that music from a movie, but can't quite place it...what is it from?" Typically older, often women.

Originally Posted by Rory

And let's not forget there was a TV series based on the movie, though that seems largely forgotten now -- as most TV shows are.

At one point during the early to mid-60s, it looked like Fox was going to adapt just about every single movie in its library to a TV series. TGAMM wasn't an awful show, the lead casting was good, but its comedy was definitely forefront, including standard-for-the-era annoying laugh track.

[ROclockCK]

Originally Posted by Blueherring

There is a movie I would really love to see on Blu ray, one of mine and the wifes favourites, "A Good Year" with Russell Crowe.

Is this something that people think is a possibility for Twilight Time?I don't know much about all the who owns what rights etc, and the likelihood of this movie getting a major release. It isn't very old, came out in like 2006.
I think it would look fantastic on Blu, and would love to see Twilight Time do it.

Well, A Good Year was a Fox title Blueherring, and they never released a Blu-ray version of it, just a DVD...

Before As Good As It Gets (1997), I would have said "NO WAY" could TT get a title as recent as A Good Year (2006). Although the film was a B.O. flop, it was directed by Ridley Scott with a score by Marc Streitenfeld, same dude who did Scott's scores for Robin Hood and Prometheus. It's more likely that Scott's current favour at Fox will prompt a studio Blu-ray release of this film. But who knows anymore?

Let's put it this way, if a title as recent as this did end up going to TT as a limited edition, the fury we saw over As Good As It Gets would be raised to the tenth power.