Casino Royale (1967)

[Dailyan]

Originally Posted by chewbabka

Seem like this should be a prime candidate for reissue by Shout Factory, no? Really want to get a hold of this, but it’s not worth the current going price.

Not if EON has anything to say about a reissue. The German disc is cheap for the time being:

[Show spoiler]

[bigbadwoppet]

Originally Posted by Dailyan

Not if EON has anything to say about a reissue. The German disc is cheap for the time being:

[Show spoiler]

MGM has virtually licensed every title they ever released themselves on BD but neither of the two unofficial Bonds has been licensed in spite of being out of print. I think the decision comes from MGM, as NSNA is not owned by Eon (CR '67 is).

I don't see MGM reissuing it themselves any time soon as they barely issue anything these days and I doubt there's much demand for these titles outside Bond completists.

[chewbabka]

Originally Posted by Dailyan

Not if EON has anything to say about a reissue. The German disc is cheap for the time being:

[Show spoiler]

Why would EON have a say? I was unaware they were involved in the film at all. Further, why would they care?

[Dailyan]

Originally Posted by bigbadwoppet

MGM has virtually licensed every title they ever released themselves on BD but neither of the two unofficial Bonds has been licensed in spite of being out of print. I think the decision comes from MGM, as NSNA is not owned by Eon (CR '67 is).

I don't see MGM reissuing it themselves any time soon as they barely issue anything these days and I doubt there's much demand for these titles outside Bond completists.

Originally Posted by chewbabka

Why would EON have a say? I was unaware they were involved in the film at all. Further, why would they care?

Danjaq, EON's holding company, are co-copyright owners with MGM of both the non-EON Bond films (Danjaq is even mentioned on the back cover of the "Casino Royale" '67 Blu Ray in the copyright)

[bigbadwoppet]

Originally Posted by Dailyan

Danjaq, EON's holding company, are co-copyright owners with MGM of both the non-EON Bond films (Danjaq is even mentioned on the back cover of the "Casino Royale" '67 Blu Ray in the copyright)

Any evidence on the claim that Eon co-owns copyright for NSNA?

Eon co-owns CR ´67 way before MGM joined the party. They secretly bought Charles Feldman's rights after he passed away in 1968 to stop Columbia (who held the distribution rights) from remaking the novel.

NSNA was bought by MGM in order to have exclusive rights to all things Bond (they also acquired the 1954 Royale teleplay). However, I've never seen any concrete indication that Eon was directly involved or held copyright over those. As you mention, Eon is credited on the back cover of Royale '67 (but not NSNA).

[RCRochester]

Originally Posted by bigbadwoppet

Any evidence on the claim that Eon co-owns copyright for NSNA?

Eon co-owns CR ´67 way before MGM joined the party. They secretly bought Charles Feldman's rights after he passed away in 1968 to stop Columbia (who held the distribution rights) from remaking the novel.

NSNA was bought by MGM in order to have exclusive rights to all things Bond (they also acquired the 1954 Royale teleplay). However, I've never seen any concrete indication that Eon was directly involved or held copyright over those. As you mention, Eon is credited on the back cover of Royale '67 (but not NSNA).

MGM and Danjaq have joint ownership of all things Bond including Casino Royale and Never Say Never Again, and even if that weren't the case MGM wouldn't risk the relationship they have with Eon by going behind their backs in approving a release without their blessing. The last time that happened there was a lawsuit which kept the Bond films off the screens for six years.

[bigbadwoppet]

Originally Posted by RCRochester

MGM and Danjaq have joint ownership of all things Bond including Casino Royale and Never Say Never Again, and even if that weren't the case MGM wouldn't risk the relationship they have with Eon by going behind their backs in approving a release without their blessing. The last time that happened there was a lawsuit which kept the Bond films off the screens for six years.

The fact that you type that "MGM and Danjaq have joint ownership of all things Bond including Casino Royale and Never Say Never Again" does not count as evidence, unfortunately.

Danjaq bought Feldman's rights to Casino Royale after he died and acquired the rest of the rights from Columbia as a result of the 1999 lawsuit. The back of the BD actually lists the copyright as Famous Artists/Danjaq, it's official.

NSNA was bought by MGM to protect the franchise/relationship with Eon but I haven't found any evidence that Eon co-owns NSNA now (and believe me, I've looked hard). The back cover of the BD only states NSNA Co. as the copyright owner.

[RCRochester]

Originally Posted by bigbadwoppet

The fact that you type that "MGM and Danjaq have joint ownership of all things Bond including Casino Royale and Never Say Never Again" does not count as evidence, unfortunately.

Danjaq bought Feldman's rights to Casino Royale after he died and acquired the rest of the rights from Columbia as a result of the 1999 lawsuit. The back of the BD actually lists the copyright as Famous Artists/Danjaq, it's official.

NSNA was bought by MGM to protect the franchise/relationship with Eon but I haven't found any evidence that Eon co-owns NSNA now (and believe me, I've looked hard). The back cover of the BD only states NSNA Co. as the copyright owner.

https://web.archive.org/web/20080505...m=47&printable

"...this acquisition now expands United Artists', MGM's and Danjaq's ownership in and control of the franchise to include every James Bond film ever made."

"We have taken this definitive action to underscore the point that the Bond franchise has one home and only one home -- with the collective family of United Artists, MGM, and Danjaq," stated Lindsay Doran, President of United Artists."