Howard Hawks on Blu-ray - Blu-ray Forum

bonehica · 04-27-2020, 04:27 AM

Arguably the most versatile director in the history of Hollywood, Hawks' films spanned multiple genres and were often definitive. Whether it was Gangster (Scarface), Film Noir (The Big Sleep), Screwball Comedy (Bringing Up Baby, His Girl Friday), Musical (Gentlemen Prefer Blondes), Western (Rio Bravo, Red River), Sci-Fi (The Thing From Another World) or Action/Adventure (Hatari!), Hawks demonstrated an ability to handle them all. He was often referred to as a man's man. His enjoyment of flying airplanes, riding motorcycles and racing cars was renowned and his male characters were often a reflection of himself. And then, of course, there is the "Hawksian Woman": Independent, strong willed and tough minded, they were able to cut those very men down to size with just a look and a few choice words.

4K UHD

Region A

Select Region B/C

I'm a storyteller - that's the chief function of a director. And they're moving pictures, let's make 'em move! - Howard Hawks

Monterey Jack · 04-27-2020, 04:30 AM

The Thing is technically directed by Christian Nyby.

hanshotfirst1138 · 04-27-2020, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monterey Jack

The Thing is technically directed by Christian Nyby.

Depends on who you believe though.

CinemaScope · 04-27-2020, 11:24 AM

I think the story goes that Christian Nyby was Howard Hawks editor, & Hawks did him a favour by sort of letting him direct this so he could get a directors ticket, & then he could go on & direct other films. Hawks wanted to make this as he knew it could be quite profitable, but he was a big Hollywood director & didn't want his name on the credits as director of a small cheap SF/horror film. In various interviews, the cast say he was on the set the whole time calling the shots, so I think you could call it a Howard Hawks film.

I want a decent Rio Bravo, I can't watch the current Blu-ray. The b/w western, The Big Sky & the epic Land Of The Pharaohs, both would be from Warner Archive.

bonehica · 04-27-2020, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CinemaScope

I think the story goes that Christian Nyby was Howard Hawks editor, & Hawks did him a favour by sort of letting him direct this so he could get a directors ticket, & then he could go on & direct other films. Hawks wanted to make this as he knew it could be quite profitable, but he was a big Hollywood director & didn't want his name on the credits as director of a small cheap SF/horror film. In various interviews, the cast say he was on the set the whole time calling the shots, so I think you could call it a Howard Hawks film.

I want a decent Rio Bravo, I can't watch the current Blu-ray. The b/w western, The Big Sky & the epic Land Of The Pharaohs, both would be from Warner Archive.

This is pretty much what I have gleaned. I'm not trying to disrespect Nyby, but a lot of folks consider it part of Hawks canon and his film. You certainly can argue it that way.

DR Herbert West · 04-27-2020, 12:15 PM

Top 5:

1. Rio Bravo
2. The Big Sleep
3. Red River
4. El Dorado
5. The Thing

ABaglivi · 04-27-2020, 12:46 PM

Land of the Pharaohs

Gunsnroses092789 · 04-27-2020, 01:24 PM

Thanks for this. I don't know why but I figured more Hawks was on Blu-ray since he's done so many films.

Also, I had no ideas He was a Male War Bride and Sergeant York has Germany releases!

Dailyan · 04-27-2020, 02:29 PM

I've been starting to get more into Hawks. "Red River" is one of my favorite westerns. The score is also fantastic. The Bogdanovich and Hawks interview on the Criterion disc is a real treat.

BTW, Japan is Region A

SeanJoyce · 04-27-2020, 02:37 PM

Top-5 director for me. Two of the guys above him, Walter Hill and John Carpenter (especially the latter), wear his influence on their sleeves. I thought it was awesome that they both appeared in the supplements on the Rio Bravo disc.

Really hard to rank his work since of a lot of it is so precious to me, but I will say that Rio Bravo is easily my #1, my favorite western of all time and it would have to rank in any "top 10 coolest movies" list. It is THE "hangout" movie, and despite its length you never feel it...you could chill with those characters all afternoon.

I agree with an above user that it's badly in need of another disc. Bringing Up Baby, Sergeant York and The Big Sky are also major omissions on HD. And while I have yet to see it, I've been waiting for Air Force for quite a while.

I've always loved the story where Hawks and Hemingway were chatting and they made a bet that Hawks couldn't turn his worst book, "To Have and Have Not", into a good movie. While it's in many ways a pretty blatant attempt to replicate the magic of Casablanca, Hawks delivered another classic that gave us one of Hollywood's greatest romances. I wish he and Bogart made 1 more film together.

And oh yeah, I'm in the "The Thing from Another World is a Hawks film" camp.

bonehica · 04-27-2020, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dailyan

I've been starting to get more into Hawks. "Red River" is one of my favorite westerns. The score is also fantastic. The Bogdanovich and Hawks interview on the Criterion disc is a real treat.

BTW, Japan is Region A

Doh! I knew that. Brain fart. Thanks

iap738 · 04-27-2020, 02:59 PM

I didn't realize Bringing Up Baby had a Japanese release. Can anyone speak to its quality? I'm tired of waiting on a US release.

Gunsnroses092789 · 04-27-2020, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iap738

I didn't realize Bringing Up Baby had a Japanese release. Can anyone speak to its quality? I'm tired of waiting on a US release.

It's probably from a decent print, not original elements. I have the Japanese Blu-ray of I Walked with a Zombie made in the same run from ITV, and it's decent. Better than a DVD is capable of but not a full restoration. I would assume Baby is similar.

But hey-- if you buy it, I'm sure Warner Archive will release it the following month

iap738 · 04-27-2020, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gunsnroses092789

But hey-- if you buy it, I'm sure Warner Archive will release it the following month

With my luck that would happen!

Gunsnroses092789 · 04-27-2020, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iap738

With my luck that would happen!

Take one for the team!

A heads up though - there are rumors Criterion has it.

iap738 · 04-27-2020, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gunsnroses092789

Take one for the team!

A heads up though - there are rumors Criterion has it.

Oh, good to know. Thanks!

thebalconyfool · 06-12-2020, 11:56 PM

Great thread, bonehica! Love Hawks. I just watched Only Angels Have Wings backed with His Girl Friday the other night. Here's a nice doc/interview on youtube for anyone who hasn't seen it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gunsnroses092789

Take one for the team!

A heads up though - there are rumors Criterion has it.

I keep waiting and hoping. One of my most wanted on blu-ray. I'd also love to see Ball of Fire get a blu release.

bonehica · 06-13-2020, 02:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebalconyfool

Great thread, bonehica! Love Hawks. I just watched Only Angels Have Wings backed with His Girl Friday the other night. Here's a nice doc/interview on youtube for anyone who hasn't seen it.

youtube.com/watch?v=s16zZO4J9T4

I keep waiting and hoping. One of my most wanted on blu-ray. I'd also love to see Ball of Fire get a blu release.

That's a great doc. Haven't seen it in a long time. Ball of Fire certainly is missed. We also need Twentieth Century on blu. Hawks cutting his teeth and perfecting the screwball comedy. It's a gem.

CinemaScope · 06-13-2020, 07:38 AM

The two I want the most are of course unavailable (well that's always the way).

The Big Sky (1952)
Land Of The Pharaohs (1955)

HaroldnMaude · 06-13-2020, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iap738

I didn't realize Bringing Up Baby had a Japanese release. Can anyone speak to its quality? I'm tired of waiting on a US release.

If you translate the reviews on Amazon Japan, they all complain that it is very poor quality. Probably just the dvd transfer on a blu-ray.

04-27-2020, 02:37 PM	#10
SeanJoyce Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Nov 2014	Top-5 director for me. Two of the guys above him, Walter Hill and John Carpenter (especially the latter), wear his influence on their sleeves. I thought it was awesome that they both appeared in the supplements on the Rio Bravo disc. Really hard to rank his work since of a lot of it is so precious to me, but I will say that Rio Bravo is easily my #1, my favorite western of all time and it would have to rank in any "top 10 coolest movies" list. It is THE "hangout" movie, and despite its length you never feel it...you could chill with those characters all afternoon. I agree with an above user that it's badly in need of another disc. Bringing Up Baby, Sergeant York and The Big Sky are also major omissions on HD. And while I have yet to see it, I've been waiting for Air Force for quite a while. I've always loved the story where Hawks and Hemingway were chatting and they made a bet that Hawks couldn't turn his worst book, "To Have and Have Not", into a good movie. While it's in many ways a pretty blatant attempt to replicate the magic of Casablanca, Hawks delivered another classic that gave us one of Hollywood's greatest romances. I wish he and Bogart made 1 more film together. And oh yeah, I'm in the "The Thing from Another World is a Hawks film" camp. Last edited by SeanJoyce; 04-27-2020 at 02:57 PM.

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04-27-2020, 04:27 AM	#1
bonehica Blu-ray Prince Top contributor Member since:Nov 2018 Location:Flint, MI 4K collection:818 Blu-ray collection:3984 DVD collection:334 Trading Score:1	Howard Hawks on Blu-ray Arguably the most versatile director in the history of Hollywood, Hawks' films spanned multiple genres and were often definitive. Whether it was Gangster (Scarface), Film Noir (The Big Sleep), Screwball Comedy (Bringing Up Baby, His Girl Friday), Musical (Gentlemen Prefer Blondes), Western (Rio Bravo, Red River), Sci-Fi (The Thing From Another World) or Action/Adventure (Hatari!), Hawks demonstrated an ability to handle them all. He was often referred to as a man's man. His enjoyment of flying airplanes, riding motorcycles and racing cars was renowned and his male characters were often a reflection of himself. And then, of course, there is the "Hawksian Woman": Independent, strong willed and tough minded, they were able to cut those very men down to size with just a look and a few choice words. 4K UHD Region A Select Region B/C I'm a storyteller - that's the chief function of a director. And they're moving pictures, let's make 'em move! - Howard Hawks Last edited by bonehica; 09-20-2023 at 04:10 AM.

04-27-2020, 04:30 AM	#2
Monterey Jack Blu-ray Grand Duke Member since:Oct 2011 Trading Score:661	The Thing is technically directed by Christian Nyby.

04-27-2020, 11:24 AM	#4
CinemaScope Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Jun 2011 Location:London	I think the story goes that Christian Nyby was Howard Hawks editor, & Hawks did him a favour by sort of letting him direct this so he could get a directors ticket, & then he could go on & direct other films. Hawks wanted to make this as he knew it could be quite profitable, but he was a big Hollywood director & didn't want his name on the credits as director of a small cheap SF/horror film. In various interviews, the cast say he was on the set the whole time calling the shots, so I think you could call it a Howard Hawks film. I want a decent Rio Bravo, I can't watch the current Blu-ray. The b/w western, The Big Sky & the epic Land Of The Pharaohs, both would be from Warner Archive.

04-27-2020, 12:15 PM	#6
DR Herbert West Blu-ray King Top contributor Member since:May 2018 Location:Arkham, MA Trading Score:8	Top 5: 1. Rio Bravo 2. The Big Sleep 3. Red River 4. El Dorado 5. The Thing

04-27-2020, 12:46 PM	#7
ABaglivi Active Member Member since:Jun 2010 Location:Westbury, NY 4K collection:108 Blu-ray collection:1939 DVD collection:212 Blu-ray reviews:1	Land of the Pharaohs

04-27-2020, 01:24 PM	#8
Gunsnroses092789 Blu-ray Samurai Top contributor Member since:Nov 2010 4K collection:121 Blu-ray collection:1208 DVD collection:147 Blu-ray reviews: 18 Trading Score:67	Thanks for this. I don't know why but I figured more Hawks was on Blu-ray since he's done so many films. Also, I had no ideas He was a Male War Bride and Sergeant York has Germany releases!

04-27-2020, 02:29 PM	#9
Dailyan Blu-ray Baron Top contributor Member since:Feb 2015 Location:Beyond the Blue Horizon 4K collection:150 Blu-ray collection:2154 DVD collection:157 Blu-ray reviews: 56 Trading Score:45	I've been starting to get more into Hawks. "Red River" is one of my favorite westerns. The score is also fantastic. The Bogdanovich and Hawks interview on the Criterion disc is a real treat. BTW, Japan is Region A

04-27-2020, 02:59 PM	#12
iap738 Expert Member Member since:Sep 2009 4K collection:109 Blu-ray collection:765	I didn't realize Bringing Up Baby had a Japanese release. Can anyone speak to its quality? I'm tired of waiting on a US release.

06-13-2020, 07:38 AM	#19
CinemaScope Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Jun 2011 Location:London	The two I want the most are of course unavailable (well that's always the way). The Big Sky (1952) Land Of The Pharaohs (1955)

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