NEW Warner Archive Blu-rays! | SAFE IN HELL, THE COURTSHIP OF EDDIE'S FATHER & More!

[@NoirHammer]

You're actually paying for them to release movies and TV shows that wouldn't otherwise get an HD release. This is a service, as far as I know, not offered by other studios. 'm pretty sure when Warner first started this side business, it was probably to test customer's interests in rare titles. As long as the quality is great, and they are known for their good encoding process, it's worth the price, I feel.

[@Marcel_Audubon]

The Courtship of Eddie's Father is a gentle movie well worth seeing. Dina Merrill was heir to 2 fortunes: Post Cereal and EF Hutton. She usually played a wealthy socialite - basically playing herself - in movies. I wouldn't say she was a "star" in the '60s, but she was in a lot of movies and I always enjoyed her performances. Dina Merrill trivia: her mother built Mar-a-Lago! it was a beautiful house in its day before you-know-who got his hands on it in the '80s

[@slc2466]

Dina definitely got into some high-profile movies- "The Sundowners" (1960) is one of my favorites, and she also did well the same year in "Butterfield 8," playing the most understanding wife ever.

[@Plaidx2Productions]

Great to hear your thoughts on these films. Just this week I picked up Safe in Hell & The Strawberry Blonde. I’m looking forward to checking them out. There are some screwball comedies and especially some Jean Arthur titles that don’t have a Blu-ray release that I really hope find their way into the Warner Archive or Kino catalogues. I also wait for the prices to fall to between $10-$14 before I pick up Warner Archive titles. Great video as always!

[@cobwebschannel]

Thank you! I’m with you on the Screwball comedies not getting enough blu-ray love. Hopefully more do soon.

[@lindsaytigue6339]

I’m with you on this! Why does Ball of Fire only have Warner Archive DVD release? I’d get that one! 🙂

[@cobwebschannel]

Oh man, yes! Another one! The Devil Doll is another one I’m hoping for them to release, maybe in October.

[@mikedressel6785]

Still love the majority of the Warner Archive releases. Miss the 4 for $44 sales, but have taken advantage of the occasional 4 for $49 WA sales at moviezyng. Not sure when their next one might be.

[@cobwebschannel]

I also jumped on the last 4 for $49 sale, that was nice!

[@FigureOutFilms]

It kinda feels like WB is treating the Archive collection like Disney does with their “Vault.” Need to snag your copy of Mad Love

[@cobwebschannel]

Mad Love is definitely one of their most exciting releases.

[@slc2466]

Remember 4 for $44 very well. I have about 120 WA Blu-Ray titles, but not too many have been purchased post 4 for $44. Still have quite a few WA titles to pick up, but I really miss the deal. And completely agree about Stella Stevens. After she passed I wrote about her sterling work in "The Nutty Professor," and 1963 also showcased her fantastic presence and comic flair in "Courtship," indicating a great career was to come. She's excellent in "The Silencers" and "The Ballad of Cable Hogue" and stood out in at least one blockbuster, "The Poseidon Adventure," but never quite made it to the top tier of stars, but I'll always hold her near and dear as one of my favorite leading ladies, specifically in "Professor" and "Courtship."

[@ProfessorEchoMedia]

Scorsese has said that THE STRAWBERRY BLONDE is a masterpiece and does not have one single false note in it. I agree with him and I think it’s unfair to try and apply modern standards of social behavior and ethical gender values to a movie made in 1941 and set in the 1890’s! So we can agree to disagree on that one, but I hope you will give it another chance someday. I think you’re spot on about SAFE IN HELL not being a such an enjoyable watch due to its realistic take on the subject matter. Normally I love precodes and their frank treatment of adult themes, but there is something so disconcerting and depressing about this picture it’s tough going for a rewatch. I kind of want to get it for its historical importance and to support that era being represented on Blu, but what good is it if I never want to watch it again? EDDIE’S FATHER is a fine film and like you say, surprisingly upfront about the situation depicted. Minnelli continues to surprise me with even what appear on the surface to be generic “crowd pleaser” movies. He is brilliant. As for the Archive, I think the best idea would be to license out 70’s-present titles to another label like KINO and the Archive continue with previous eras. It’s clear that Archive director George Feltenstein has his heart in earlier decades of filmmaking. I too want more variety in the Archive and I think the sheer amount of material is too much for them to handle alone. Great channel! Keep the videos coming!

[@cobwebschannel]

Well Scorsese certainly knows better than me, and I’m happy to admit that! haha And it’s not hard for me to put movies into the context of their time. My problem with the gender thing wasn’t moral or ethical, but rather that the movie started with an interesting and entertaining character, and then made her dramatically less interesting and entertaining. And I was comparing it in my head to other movies if it’s time, not to modern movies. But anyway, thank you for the kind words!

[@ProfessorEchoMedia]

@@cobwebschannel It’s a really perceptive observation about her character, but I think the story is meant to focus more on the Cagney character’s arc and within that she plays a very significant part. She is able to rescue him from himself and detour his path of self-destruction toward understanding and forgiveness and realizing that one’s ideals can lead you to destruction. I understand such a feat maybe frowned on today because it focuses more on his needs than hers, but I don’t read it that way. Remember she is introduced as a nurse and I think her value in saving his life comes from that inherent ability to help and cure. For me it’s not that she has sold out her beliefs for her husband, it’s that she channeled them to save a fellow human being. I find that’s the way Olivia played it and she’s wonderful in it. I don’t see her as capitulating to any nonsense about his superiority or his silly demands when they first agree to date, I see it more that she genuinely loves this man and wants to save him. Anyway, in the end I think Scorsese is right about no false notes as everyone rings true to actual people in reality, for better or worse. Cagney’s realization at the end is not something I’m sure I am capable of though. I think I would want more revenge than he took, which is sad to admit, but it’s why the film inspires me so much.

[@robbush6822]

@@ProfessorEchoMedia That is a very interesting perspective on THE STRAWBERRY BLONDE. I may have to watch it again with all of that in mind. I kind of ended up more in the camp of Daniel when I saw it a couple of years ago, which was disappointing, because Cagney, de Havilland, Hayworth, and Jack Carson rarely disappoint separate from each other, but together they underwhelmed me.

[@ProfessorEchoMedia]

@@robbush6822 I’m glad we discussed it and I definitely respect that the film may not impress you guys as much as it does me. Thanks Daniel and Rob! -Glen

[@MikeKobela]

When it comes to Archive's curation and what they release when, AFAIK, there really isn't a set precedence, they go pretty much random as they feel like it. If there is a specific movie that there is a higher demand for it, be raising your voice or buying more of another release of similar nature, they will listen and put that forward in the schedule. As Warner Archive has been going on for so long, I feel it's only natural that they reach a point where they already released all the big ones, or that others will just get a regular release, and so now it's all about the more obscure releases. But actually, as an animation fan, I have never been more excited for Warner Archive than now, they have made some really good animaion Blu-Ray releases this year, from more Looney Tunes (so excited for Vol 2 and 3 coming, and it was made possible cause Vol 1 sold very well) to Here Comes Yogi Bear, Gay Purr-ee, Cats Don't Dance! Films that are less popular, lesser known but have a strong cult following, and we've been ecstatic over them getting a wide release with brand new restorations! I've seen people now being very excited over the possibility of Quest for Camelot or Rover Dangerfield being the next, films that aren't considered the best, but again, strong cult following, and I personally can see films like Man Called Flintstone, or The Phantom Tollbooth, or maybe some other Hanna-Barbera shows or the more obscure MGM cartoons getting the Archive Blu-Ray treatment. So I'm kinda in the opposite side now, my fire for Warner Archive just got ignited. Like literally, this past month was when I made my first purchases, and it's not an easy or cheap choice to make, because I live in Europe, so I have to import them from the US (though I do see past releases coming out in the UK now, as well). But because of these animation releases, I finally bit the bullet, and now I keep looking at what else I can buy, and this is how I run into your channel right now, but I digress!

[@robbush6822]

The hotel fire in SAFE IN HELL was an accident. She did run away, but the fire was an accident. She didn't know about it until the next morning. I kind of liked the movie. There wasn't a whole lot going on, but that ending... You didn't like Opie? Ron Howard was arguably the greatest child actor ever.

[@tracyotrhuiskamp1012]

U think 19/$20 is expensive up here in Canada it is at least$30 a dvd. We never got the 4 for $44 either

[@cobwebschannel]

Wow! I clearly don’t have much room to complain. haha

[@tracyotrhuiskamp1012]

@@cobwebschannel and yet I still buy a ton of dvds. I have a huge collection of classic films and can’t stop myself from wanting more! Lol

[@RobynHoodeofSherwood]

I gave up on Warner Archive some time ago. Once I got the movies I really loved they seemed to go downhill in their selections. I agree with the pricing and lack of features. I guess I got spoiled with all the extras other companies put out on other films. I love extra features. Sometimes they're more entertaining than the actual film.

[@tracyotrhuiskamp1012]

I hated when Warner archive stopped releasing movies that never had been released before. All they do is re release movies that r already available on dvd

[@balkee42]

I just picked up The Damned Dont Cry (joan crawford)

[@WaverBoy]

Gotta severely part ways with you on the amazing Safe in Hell. Not remotely mediocre. Admirably hard-edged and uncompromising, as hard-hitting as some modern films, with a very sympathetic protagonist in the wonderful Dorothy Mackaill. The old WAC DVD was in really rough shape, so I’m overjoyed they finally restored it. Major kudos to WAC. I also need to pick up their two Jekyll flicks. Haven’t seen the others. If you love ‘60s comedies, check out Fitzwilly (1967) if you haven’t already. Fantastic.

[@cobwebschannel]

Glad you enjoyed it more! And I’m a huge fan of the 1931 Jekyll & Hyde, I think it’s amazing.

[@moegreene2496]

I completely agree that they have been releasing very underwhelming titles recently. They had a great run for a while and still can be a top label if they get their act together, but they really need to take a hard look at what audiences actually want released. One problem I notice is that they are releasing some great titles only on DVD first and then we have to wait years for the Blu Ray. Off the top of my head, the following are all great Warner Archive titles that are still only on DVD: 1) All Through the Night 2) Ball of Fire 3) Vivacious Lady 4) It’s a Wonderful World 5) The Bishop’s Wife (which was released on Blu Ray a decade ago but is out of print; Warner Archive released their version on DVD in 2020, still no Blu Ray version)

[@cobwebschannel]

Yes! You did a much better job remembering the titles they need to release than I did. haha Vivacious Lady is a big one for me.

[@DavidLocke76]

Thanks Daniel for reminding Warner Archive that we need Captain Blood on blu-ray, ! And Gentleman Jim would also be great ! Still, I trust they will come around, since they have recently released gems like Angel Face that were long overdue... By the way, I would love to see them release some more Mitchum noirs : Where danger lives,, which is great fun, or Undercurrent, another Minnelli well worth it ?

[@robbush6822]

Yeah! Why ISN'T Captain Blood on Blu???

[@cobwebschannel]

I can’t understand it! WA has released several of Flynn’s movies, but still not his 2nd best one.

[@84paratize]

I'm looking forward to Land of the Pharaohs and Helen of Troy

[@cobwebschannel]

I’m actually going to be a guest on The Cult Movies Podcast next month to discuss Land of the Pharaohs, so I’ll get getting that one as well.

[@robbush6822]

@@cobwebschannel I just watched it for the first time last month, and I added it to my Hidden Gems Letterboxd list. I enjoyed it quite a bit. Gotta get it.

[@Ihaveseenamovie]

Well, i disagree with Safe in Hell and The Strawberry Blonde, specially Safe In Hell, which i think is a great movie, and that cinematography is gorgeous. As For The Courtship Of Eddie's Father, i think it's pleasant enough, and, idk, of course everyone has their own way to enjoy movies, but to me, i don't need every movie that i have a nice time, that it's enjoyable, to leave me speechless or in awe, or be grand in some way. I have a good time with nice movies that are not out to impress the pants of everyone but to be a pleasant time.

[@cobwebschannel]

I think I’m the same as you in that regard, but we still can’t love every movie. Glad you enjoyed them more!

[@thomaskummer9968]

,Safe in hell' sounds very interesting 😮 But will I have the chance to get this Blue-ray in Germany?

[@cobwebschannel]

I don’t know, but I sadly doubt it. I think WA is pretty region specific, unfortunately.

[@DavidLocke76]

I believe WA blurays are actually region free. I can play them in France on my region B locked player !

[@cobwebschannel]

I’ve just heard from several viewers that they have trouble getting WA discs outside the States, that’s all I meant.

[@thomaskummer9968]

@@cobwebschannel Ok, that's what I feared 🙋‍♂️

[@robbush6822]

I've felt for quite some time that Warner Archives are mostly overpriced, and too often unspectacular. There are exceptions, of course. The last one I bought was CLASH BY NIGHT, which I had been wanting on Blu for years. That one was worth it to me, but mostly, they've been releasing unspectacular or uninteresting titles lately. I do buy the animated stuff though, like the Popeyes and the Looney Tunes. Some of them fall under the Warner Archives banner, and I've recently been tempted by BORDER INCIDENT and THE PRIVATE LIVES OF ELIZABETH AND ESSEX. The occasional hits and misses.

[@cobwebschannel]

Border Incident looks good, I should’ve grabbed that one! haha

[@robbush6822]

@@cobwebschannel I really like BORDER INCIDENT. There is one scene that is really shocking. It's great.