Stephen Thrower's Nightmare USA: A Blu-ray Checklist

[NoirFan]

From the Wish List forum:

Originally Posted by Fordyce

I've got the scoop on the Ruby Blu-ray. Short story long:

VCI ran into a problem trying to locate the film negative. It was originally thought to be stored at Warner Brothers, but a search came up empty. A 35mm print was later found at HBO, of all places. HBO said they needed Steve Krantz Productions to grant them permission to release the film elements. (Krantz passed away ten years ago.)

Finally, in January, after months of wading through legal red tape, VCI gained access to the elements and now the film is in-house. Next comes the restoration process and finalization of the extras. It seems like we will be getting just one version: the theatrical cut, with most of Harrington's scenes intact. The version recut for network television and put out on VHS in the 1980s with new scenes shot by a different director was officially disowned by Harrington, who replaced his name with the dreaded "Alan Smithee" pseudonym.

The same commentary with Harrington and Laurie from the original 2001 DVD release will be carried over, along with the hourlong interview with Harrington and David Del Valle. The most significant new extra is a brand new audio commentary by Del Valle and Nathaniel Bell, both of whom collaborated on last year's excellent Whoever Slew Auntie Roo? Blu-ray.

So, it looks like this will be available soon, perhaps as early as June. All the delays and setbacks notwithstanding, it seems like VCI is pouring a lot of care into this release. Personally, I can't wait to see what the film looks like in HD, since Harrington is one of my favorite horror stylists.

Being VCI, I'll have to wait on reviews/screencaps, but I really hope they've learned their lesson from the last few BD debacles.