8mm Forum: Laurel and Hardy on Blu Ray ?

This is topic Laurel and Hardy on Blu Ray ? in forum General Yak at 8mm Forum.

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Posted by David Hardy (Member # 4628) on 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]

Posted by David Hardy (Member # 4628) on May 14, 2018, 04:27 PM:

Anyone know ??? [Smile]

Posted by Barry Attwood (Member # 100) on 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.

Posted by Iman Yahya (Member # 5842) on 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.

Posted by Brian Fretwell (Member # 4302) on 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.

Posted by Joe Caruso (Member # 11) on 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

Posted by Robert Crewdson (Member # 3790) on 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.

Posted by Bill Brandenstein (Member # 892) on 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!

Posted by Stuart Reid (Member # 1460) on May 16, 2018, 01:29 AM:

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

Posted by Brian Fretwell (Member # 4302) on 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

Posted by Robert Crewdson (Member # 3790) on May 16, 2018, 03:19 AM:

Thanks Brian.

Posted by David Hardy (Member # 4628) on 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]

Posted by Bill Brandenstein (Member # 892) on May 16, 2018, 03:52 PM:

Stuart! Yes!

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

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