ClassicFlix Discussion Thread

[ClassicFlix]

Originally Posted by Zygmunt22

I believe Cinedigm has the elements and possibly even the rights for these via their acquisition of Films Around the World.

Yes, you've jarred a memory on those 3.

We actually asked FATW about them in 2018 and were not able to come to an agreement for them or anything else besides the MICHAEL SHAYNE films and the 1947 all-star comedy OUT OF THE BLUE.

At the time we were shooting for anything noir/mystery related including SHAGHAI GESTURE, RAILROADED, THE BRUTE MAN, STRANGE IMPERSONATION, the two FALCON titles they have, among many others including 15 of the John Wayne Lone Star westerns they hold 35mm on, but it wasn't in the cards.

Their materials for them were listed as:

• Philo Vance Returns 16mm Neg/16mm Print
• Philo Vance's Gamble 16mm Neg/16mm Print
• Philo Vance's Secret Mission (Incomplete Nitrate Only)

I wouldn't rule out a future deal with Cinedigm to get some of these, but if we were able to do a deal it wouldn't be anytime soon.

- David
ClassicFlix Founder, Producer

[ClassicFlix]

Originally Posted by Froggy0705

Classicflix any update on the silent our gang making it to bluray? Hoping soon

Thanks for asking.

We're still plodding through Volume 1, but it just takes so very long to do just one of these. We did recently finish restoration on THE CHAMPEEN, but 6 other titles are in various stages of restoration.

It will be the next title we announce though...

- David
ClassicFlix Founder, Producer

[Zygmunt22]

Originally Posted by ClassicFlix

Yes, you've jarred a memory on those 3.

We actually asked FATW about them in 2018 and were not able to come to an agreement for them or anything else besides the MICHAEL SHAYNE films and the 1947 all-star comedy OUT OF THE BLUE.

At the time we were shooting for anything noir/mystery related including SHAGHAI GESTURE, RAILROADED, THE BRUTE MAN, STRANGE IMPERSONATION, the two FALCON titles they have, among many others including 15 of the John Wayne Lone Star westerns they hold 35mm on, but it wasn't in the cards.

Their materials for them were listed as:

• Philo Vance Returns 16mm Neg/16mm Print
• Philo Vance's Gamble 16mm Neg/16mm Print
• Philo Vance's Secret Mission (Incomplete Nitrate Only)

I wouldn't rule out a future deal with Cinedigm to get some of these, but if we were able to do a deal it wouldn't be anytime soon.

- David
ClassicFlix Founder, Producer

Would be great if you could work something out eventually! For what it's worth, UCLA Film Archive has complete 35mm nitrate copies of the first two Philo Vance films and almost complete on the third.

[OceanBlue]

Hoping there will be a similar sale on Deep Discount and Screen Archives to the current one on Classicflix's website (still interested in getting the DVD release of The Complete Hal Roach Thelma Todd and Patsy Kelly Comedy Collection).

[ClassicFlix]

Originally Posted by OceanBlue

Hoping there will be a similar sale on Deep Discount and Screen Archives to the current one on Classicflix's website (still interested in getting the DVD release of The Complete Hal Roach Thelma Todd and Patsy Kelly Comedy Collection).

Likely both sites will have sales in August for our label.

- David
ClassicFlix Founder, Producer

[OceanBlue]

Originally Posted by ClassicFlix

Likely both sites will have sales in August for our label.

- David
ClassicFlix Founder, Producer

Thanks for the prompt and helpful reply David.

[Richard--W]

David, see if you shake a 4K scan of The Searchers
out of Warner Brothers. Then remaster it. A new
grading.

[Areyakiddin]

Originally Posted by Richard--W

David, see if you shake a 4K scan of The Searchers
out of Warner Brothers. Then remaster it. A new
grading.

They already have a 4k remaster completed that they'll probably release themselves either this year or 2025.

[ClassicFlix]

Originally Posted by Richard--W

David, see if you shake a 4K scan of The Searchers
out of Warner Brothers. Then remaster it. A new
grading.

Thanks for the ask, but we don't have a relationship with Warner's. And if we did, it's not likely they'd give such a marquee film out to a 3rd party...

- David
ClassicFlix Founder, Producer

[CarbonUnitM78]

Originally Posted by ClassicFlix

Thanks for supporting our label. Unfortunately, both releases have bombed on BD and it's not likely we'll be doing any more TV on BD. We have lots of DVD planned though.

- David
ClassicFlix Founder, Producer

That's unfortunate about any future BD TV releases. Is there any possibility that you can release the Highway Patrol TV series? I caught this series during a Decades weekend binge marathon one or two years ago and really enjoyed it. It seems the previous DVD's are out of print (except the first season) and are getting pricey on the secondary market.

Originally Posted by ClassicFlix

Thanks for supporting our label.

We had low very expectations for IAT, but much to our pleasant surprise it has been our best seller of ALL our releases (even BDs, and yes, even The Little rascals)...by far!

However, the market is a lot different than when we first released IAT in 2017. It would probably sell about 75% less than it did if it were released today.

- David
ClassicFlix Founder, Producer

Wow! I'm surprised It's About Time sold better than The Little Rascals! I managed to snag a copy of It's About Time before it went out of print. I haven't watched it yet (I've got a huge backlog of titles) but I'm sure I would enjoy it!

[ClassicFlix]

Originally Posted by CarbonUnitM78

That's unfortunate about any future BD TV releases. Is there any possibility that you can release the Highway Patrol TV series? I caught this series during a Decades weekend binge marathon one or two years ago and really enjoyed it. It seems the previous DVD's are out of print (except the first season) and are getting pricey on the secondary market.

Not likely.

Wow! I'm surprised It's About Time sold better than The Little Rascals! I managed to snag a copy of It's About Time before it went out of print. I haven't watched it yet (I've got a huge backlog of titles) but I'm sure I would enjoy it!

Yes, but if it were reversed and we released THE RASCALS in 2017 and IAT 4-5 years latter then THE RASCALS would have done way better as the physical market has gone off a cliff the last few years.

- David
ClassicFlix Founder, Producer

[CarbonUnitM78]

Originally Posted by ClassicFlix

Yes, but if it were reversed and we released THE RASCALS in 2017 and IAT 4-5 years latter then THE RASCALS would have done way better as the physical market has gone off a cliff the last few years.

- David
ClassicFlix Founder, Producer

I suppose you're right. You would know more than I would since you're actually in the business of selling DVD's and Blu-ray's. But for me, it seems to be a wonderful time to be a collector of physical media, with all the cool releases (and re-releases) happening!

[ClassicFlix]

Our 2nd Annual Silver Series sale ends on Thursday (June 20th).

The four BDs in the line are all on sale for $9.98, and, except for International Lady (1941), this is their lowest price to date!

Two titles are going out of print: The Complete PRC Michael Shayne Mystery Collection starring Hugh Beaumont in the title role is a must-have for any collector of B-mystery/noir—with 5 films for only $11.98!

Michael Shayne Collection ClassicFlix Trailer - YouTube

Also going OOP is I Met My Love Again (1938) with Joan Bennett lighting up the screen trying to decide between a hesitant Henry Fonda and a charismatic writer played by Alan Marshal. Dame May Whitty, Louise Platt and a young Tim Holt, as a jealous suitor, round out a terrific cast.

I Met My Love Again (1938) ClassicFlix Trailer - YouTube

Also of note:

-- Out of print since last fall, The Complete Hal Roach Thelma Todd and Patsy Kelly Comedy Collection is now back in print and on sale for only $19.98.
-- We have our lowest price to date on The Complete Hal Roach Streamliners Collection with all 22 films on 4 discs for only $29.98!

- David
ClassicFlix Founder, Producer

[ClassicFlix]

We're happy to share news today of an upcoming RARE TV release of the 1952 Twilight Zone-esque suspense series THE UNEXEPCTED (1952).

The half-hour series ran one season for a total of 39 episodes. We have scanned the first 13 episodes (all from 16mm) and plan to release them in Volume 1 on DVD early next year.

Many well-known guest stars appear in this rarely seen anthology series including Raymond Burr, Gale Storm, Craig Stevens, Marshall Thompson, Hans Conried, Marie Windsor, Anthony Caruso, Marjorie Reynolds, Jim Davis, Coleen Gray, Dan O'Herlihy, Bobby Driscoll, Kenneth Tobey, John Hoyt, Rochelle Hudson, Paul Guilfoyle, Paula Raymond, Dan Seymour, Lois Collier, Michael Ansara, and many, many more.

Below is a raw scan from an episode entitled "Born Again" starring Billy Halop.

The Unexpected (1952) TV Series, RAW SCAN Clip - YouTube

NOTE: Although contemporary press accounts and current websites list Herbert Marshall as the host of this program, his presence is absent from the 16mm prints we've acquired.

- David
ClassicFlix Founder, Producer

[Bradsdadg]

The Unexpected looks like another gem, can't wait for this one! ^

[OceanBlue]

Originally Posted by Bradsdadg

The Unexpected looks like another gem, can't wait for this one! ^

Not an anthology series I've heard of, The Unexpected. Will certainly be checking this out. A pleasant, welcome surprise this announcement. And the planned release on DVD of early next year I don't mind at all as I'd rather CF get this release done right (and that's not a criticism of them).

[LT.Schaffer]

Shame its not coming to blu-ray or i would totally buy it

[Member-865437]

That was unexpected... ba dum tss...

Sounds interesting! Will probably pick up at some point.

[Member-865437]

Originally Posted by LT.Schaffer

Shame its not coming to blu-ray or i would totally buy it

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.

[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.