ClassicFlix Discussion Thread

[ClassicFlix]

Originally Posted by noirjunkie

I'd much prefer a blu-ray, but if it's DVD or nothing, I'll still purchase the DVD. I understand how the economics of a release like this make blu-ray not necessarily a viable option.

However, I'd like to make one request. The audio from these older shows isn't always great, so David, if you can, please max out the bitrate of the audio track at 640 kbps instead of a lower level like 192 kpbs. It helps with comprehension quite a bit.

Thanks, and, duly noted.

- David
ClassicFlix Founder, Producer

[ClassicFlix]

Originally Posted by Emmett L Brown

In all honesty, the 16mm prints, though cleaned up, may not even look good on bluray, in that there may not be enough resolution for a good bluray. DVD is more than suitable for me for these rare tv series, and they have to make a profit. I'm just glad that it's even an option to own these.

It will look good on DVD and much better than any of the current episodes out there.

Regarding suitability for BD, on most of the episodes I've seen so far, once you get past the opening credits/dissolves, the 16mm is actually pretty sharp and would definitely look better on BD. Unfortunately, WORLD OF GIANTS has not done well on BD so we're going to have to spend less money on restoration, authoring and replication for our RARE TV line and only release titles on DVD.

- David
ClassicFlix Founder, Producer

[Dave Bannion]

Ordered the PRC Michael Shayne set because I'm a sucker for anything Poverty Row that gets a nice release, and Hi Diddle Diddle based on Tarantino's enthusiastic podcast recommendation.

[Member-865437]

Originally Posted by ClassicFlix

It will look good on DVD and much better than any of the current episodes out there.

Regarding suitability for BD, on most of the episodes I've seen so far, once you get past the opening credits/dissolves, the 16mm is actually pretty sharp and would definitely look better on BD. Unfortunately, WORLD OF GIANTS has not done well on BD so we're going to have to spend less money on restoration, authoring and replication for our RARE TV line and only release titles on DVD.

- David
ClassicFlix Founder, Producer

Good to hear that the scans are putting out good results.

I think the quality of the transfer matters more than necessarily what type of disc the transfer is authored on. If it takes DVD-only for this line to stay profitable, then so be it. I think it's great that these rare shows and movies are being made available on home media. I think many of us are quite grateful for that!

A quick question for you. I remember Bob Furmanek, when discussing saving the Abbott & Costello negatives from certain death, stating that he had also saved the negative of a George Burns TV special that was also destined for the shredder. That got me wondering if you have considered releasing tv specials in your rare television line? Or even television movies?

[ClassicFlix]

Originally Posted by Emmett L Brown

Good to hear that the scans are putting out good results.

I think the quality of the transfer matters more than necessarily what type of disc the transfer is authored on. If it takes DVD-only for this line to stay profitable, then so be it. I think it's great that these rare shows and movies are being made available on home media. I think many of us are quite grateful for that!

A quick question for you. I remember Bob Furmanek, when discussing saving the Abbott & Costello negatives from certain death, stating that he had also saved the negative of a George Burns TV special that was also destined for the shredder. That got me wondering if you have considered releasing tv specials in your rare television line? Or even television movies?

Yes, we'd do both if the opportunity arose, but there's too much on our plate right now and we don't plan on acquiring any new content for some time...

- David
ClassicFlix Founder, Producer

[Professor Echo]

David,

I'm assuming the first Hoppy volume will be chronological and not a "greatest hits" or "best restorations" package like Warner Archive did on some of their series DVD-Rs (Tim Holt, BOWERY BOYS, et al.)?

[ClassicFlix]

Originally Posted by Professor Echo

David,

I'm assuming the first Hoppy volume will be chronological and not a "greatest hits" or "best restorations" package like Warner Archive did on some of their series DVD-Rs (Tim Holt, BOWERY BOYS, et al.)?

Yes, the HOPPY's will all be in chronological order according to theatrical release date.

- David
ClassicFlix Founder, Producer

[ClassicFlix]

Check out this clip we just posted from our restoration of THE CHAMPEEN (1923), the 9th silent short produced in the Our Gang film series. Also, if it looks familiar, it's because it was later re-made as the sound Our Gang short BOXING GLOVES (1929).

The Champeen (1923) RESTORED Clip - YouTube

Scans on over 60 silent Our Gang shorts (of the surviving 88) have been performed to date and we continue to look for better material for at least half of the 60, plus additional material to fill in gaps of missing footage from the scans we already have.

The project has taken a lot longer than anticipated, but we expect our next release announcement to be for Volume 1 of the Our Gang silents. Included in the set will be:

PROD#, SHORT

# 1. Our Gang - (In most complete form)
# 2. Fire Fighters
# 3. Young Sherlocks (from 16mm Kodascope)
# 4. One Terrible Day
# 6. Saturday Morning
# 7. The Big Show! (from 35mm)
# 8. The Cobbler (from 35mm)
# 9. The Champeen! (from 16mm Kodascope)

ENJOY!

- David
ClassicFlix Founder, Producer

[noirjunkie]

David, here's another short-lived TV show that might make for a good fit with your rare TV line: The Amazing Mr. Malone. The show marks the first time a lawyer was the main character of a TV show, and it's based on a popular series of novels by Craig Rice. At 13 half-hour episodes, it wouldn't be too unwieldy to remaster, provided the rights and elements are available.

[OceanBlue]

Originally Posted by noirjunkie

David, here's another short-lived TV show that might make for a good fit with your rare TV line: The Amazing Mr. Malone. The show marks the first time a lawyer was the main character of a TV show, and it's based on a popular series of novels by Craig Rice. At 13 half-hour episodes, it wouldn't be too unwieldy to remaster, provided the rights and elements are available.

Not a series I've heard of, so I'm glad you've brought it up. The Amazing Mr. Malone does sound like a good fit for the Rare TV line. I know this series wouldn't be available (it's from the Four Star library), but the series you've suggested reminds me of a series I've been watching on Talking Pictures TV, The Law and Mr. Jones.

[ClassicFlix]

Originally Posted by noirjunkie

David, here's another short-lived TV show that might make for a good fit with your rare TV line: The Amazing Mr. Malone. The show marks the first time a lawyer was the main character of a TV show, and it's based on a popular series of novels by Craig Rice. At 13 half-hour episodes, it wouldn't be too unwieldy to remaster, provided the rights and elements are available.

Thanks for the heads up! I'm down for anything with Lee Tracy in it.

We've got a lot on our plate, but I've made a note of it and we'll see what the future holds...

- David
ClassicFlix Founder, Producer

[noirjunkie]

Originally Posted by ClassicFlix

Thanks for the heads up! I'm down for anything with Lee Tracy in it.

We've got a lot on our plate, but I've made a note of it and we'll see what the future holds...

- David
ClassicFlix Founder, Producer

I like the sound of that. Hopefully, a lot more TV is on the way.

[ClassicFlix]

Originally Posted by noirjunkie

I like the sound of that. Hopefully, a lot more TV is on the way.

Yes, we've got 5 TV shows licensed and planned with a lot more to choose from after that.

- David
ClassicFlix Founder, Producer

[OceanBlue]

Originally Posted by ClassicFlix

Yes, we've got 5 TV shows licensed and planned with a lot more to choose from after that.

- David
ClassicFlix Founder, Producer

Excellent stuff. Very encouraging news David (especially interested in the television series side of things with Classicflix).

[noirjunkie]

Originally Posted by ClassicFlix

Yes, we've got 5 TV shows licensed and planned with a lot more to choose from after that.

- David
ClassicFlix Founder, Producer

I know you'll announce specific titles when you're ready, but in the meantime, can you say who the licensing partner(s) are?

[ClassicFlix]

Originally Posted by noirjunkie

I know you'll announce specific titles when you're ready, but in the meantime, can you say who the licensing partner(s) are?

We're not licensing anything from major studios at this time—just acquiring PD material from archives and private collectors.

- David
ClassicFlix Founder, Producer

[Zygmunt22]

Originally Posted by ClassicFlix

We're not licensing anything from major studios at this time—just acquiring PD material from archives and private collectors.

- David
ClassicFlix Founder, Producer

I believe your release of You Only Live Once was licensed from Shout! Factory....any chance of picking up more titles from them for Blu-Ray? They have quite a number of films they're just sitting on.

[OceanBlue]

Checked out a few films from the forties this past weekend, one of which has "Producers Releasing Corporation" as the production company on it's IMDb company credits page, A Night for Crime (the cast including Glenda Farrell and Lyle Talbot). Would like to suggest this for release by Classicflix.

[ClassicFlix]

Originally Posted by Zygmunt22

I believe your release of You Only Live Once was licensed from Shout! Factory....any chance of picking up more titles from them for Blu-Ray? They have quite a number of films they're just sitting on.

Yes, it's possible as we have a good relationship with them. But a) we'd have to get through the glut of scanned and/or planned content already in the works and b) they'd have to have good elements and/or HD scans.

- David
ClassicFlix Founder, Producer

[OceanBlue]

Saw on Screen Archives Entertainment's Facebook page last night that a Classicflix summer sale has started. "No code is needed, prices are as marked". Is this sale on throughout August or most of it, David?