8mm Forum: Laurel and Hardy on Blu Ray ?

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Topic: Laurel and Hardy on Blu Ray ?

David Hardy
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 955
From: Johnshaven Village , Montrose, Scotland
Registered: Jan 2015

posted May 13, 2018 04:45 AM

Does anyone know if they plan to release the Complete Laurel and Hardy Collection of shorts and features on Blu Ray disc anytime soon ? [Smile]

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" My equipment's more important than your rats. "

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David Hardy
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 955
From: Johnshaven Village , Montrose, Scotland
Registered: Jan 2015

posted May 14, 2018 04:27 PM

Anyone know ??? [Smile]

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" My equipment's more important than your rats. "

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Barry Attwood
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1411
From: Enfield, U.K.
Registered: Aug 2003

posted May 15, 2018 04:31 AM

I've got "March of the Wooden Soldiers" on Blu-ray in a B/W and a very good colourised version, it comes from the USA but is all regions, It was taken off one of the few 35mm prints left in the world, and has been digitally cleaned up in picture and sound, I bought mine for £1 off ebay a couple of years back, what a bargain.

I've not heard about any of the other titles though, I think it's a copyright issue, but I believe if any country will get a Blu-ray release it would be us, as the L&H collection has been available for many years over here, but it's most probably the re-mastering costs of Blu-ray that's holding it back, as I would think that although the DVD's are pretty good on the whole, quality wise Blu-ray shows up more ware and tare, so a more detailed restoration would be needed, and that costs more money as we all know. Still I would love to see them on Blu-ray, I'd have a set, that's for sure.

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Iman Yahya
Film Handler

Posts: 65
From: London, UK
Registered: Mar 2017

posted May 15, 2018 04:58 AM

There is an ongoing project at UCLA and SabuCat Productions, mostly funded by public donations, to preserve and restore all the Hal Roach shorts and features, both photochemically and digitally. Work is understandbly slow due to funding and the highly variable (and reportedly mostly poor) state of the original elements. The features and shorts that have been restored so far have premiered in special repertory theatre screenings in the US, reports say they look absolutely pristine superseding any previous digital incarnation of “the boys” and clearly Blu-ray ready.

In the end, however, it comes down to the current rightsholders whether to issue these restorations on Blu-ray. So far there seems to be no interest but hopefully things may change once a substantial chunk of the library is properly preserved and digitally restored.

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Brian Fretwell
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1785
From: London, UK
Registered: Jun 2014

posted May 15, 2018 09:34 AM

Amazon UK is showing "Flying Deuces" PAL region free £9.99, also "Jitterbugs", "The Big Noise" and "A Haunting we will Go" as Region B/2 but the last 3 are Blu Ray/DVD combos imported from Sweden and £23.99 each and "The Bullfighters" (Ta' Tyren ved Hornene) & The Sancing Masters from Denmark £21.99. Finland also has listed a 6 disc collection containing
The Flying Deuces (1939)
The Wizard of Oz (1925)
The Lucky Dog (1921)
The Tree in a Test Tube (1943)
The Stolen Jools (1931)
Hop to It Bellhop (1925)
The Sawmill (1922)
Mud and Sand (1922)
West of Hot Dog (1924)
Oranges and Lemons (1923)
Bromo and Juliet (1926)
Crazy Like a Fox (1926)
Along Came Auntie (1926)
Short Kilts (1924)
Smithy (1924)
The Soilers (1923)
Thundering Fleas (1926)
White Wings (1923)
The Hobo (1917)
Should Sailors Marry? (1925)
Hard Boiled Yeggs (1926)
£35.99 but only 5 in stock
So there are some released.

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Joe Caruso
Film God

Posts: 4105
From: USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted May 15, 2018 11:26 AM

Have most of these films you listed, in 8mm - While they pale in comparison, they are still noteworthy; imperfections notwithstanding - Still loyal in collecting Blackhawk and other releases - Cheers, Shorty

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Robert Crewdson
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1031
From: UK
Registered: Jun 2013

posted May 15, 2018 11:48 AM

Are these all Blu-ray or just standard DVDs Brian. All the post Roach L&H features for 20th Century and MGM were issued in a box set in the UK.

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Bill Brandenstein
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1632
From: California
Registered: Aug 2007

posted May 15, 2018 06:42 PM

While there are some great DVDs in circulation, and nothing will ever replace the fun of screening our Blackhawk prints, I think special attention needs to be given to Iman's point. Having seen one of the Sabucat/UCLA restorations theatrically, I have no doubt that the current work will become the sine qua non, definitive versions of all titles they end up doing. In time, we're going to want Blu-Rays of THOSE versions. Be patient and alert for that, but it's going to take awhile!

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Stuart Reid
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 720
From: Worthing, West Sussex, UK
Registered: Feb 2009

posted May 16, 2018 01:29 AM

Blu Ray Bill? Hell, I'll want 16mm prints of them!

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Brian Fretwell
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1785
From: London, UK
Registered: Jun 2014

posted May 16, 2018 02:16 AM

Robert they were shown as Blu Ray or Blur Ray/DVD combo. Here is a link to one of them the others I found from the suggestions they give on the page.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Big-Noise-Blu-Ray-DVD-Combo/dp/B006UYL41E/ref=sr_1_17_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1526454859&sr=8-17-spons&keywords=laurel+and+hardy&psc=1

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Robert Crewdson
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1031
From: UK
Registered: Jun 2013

posted May 16, 2018 03:19 AM

Thanks Brian.

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David Hardy
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 955
From: Johnshaven Village , Montrose, Scotland
Registered: Jan 2015

posted May 16, 2018 04:34 AM

Thanks guys. So i am now even more optimistic about getting the Hal Roach shorts and features at some time in the future.

I have them all on the Laurel and Hardy Complete Collection box sets DVDs but found some of the titles in need of a good restoration which i know can be done even though some of the masters are rather worn now.

I have the Flying Deuces on Blu-Ray and it looks brilliant given the age of the material. In fact its the best copy i have ever seen.

After seeing most of the re-issues on a big screen at the cinemas a couple of years back i found the 2K D.C.P. quality to be excellent. It was from the same masters used for the DVD releases.

That's one reason i would like them all now done on Blu-Ray as best as can be done within the limitations of the age and conditions of the master material to be used.

I will keep my less than perfect Blackhawk and others on 16mm though just for the film nostalgia reasons.

[Smile]

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" My equipment's more important than your rats. "

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Bill Brandenstein
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1632
From: California
Registered: Aug 2007

posted May 16, 2018 03:52 PM

Stuart! Yes!

Too rich for my budget, but new film prints would be amazing!

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