ClassicFlix Newsletter - Volume 4, Issue 1
LAUREL & HARDY
Arguably the greatest comedy team in motion picture history, Laurel and Hardy will be getting the ClassicFlix treatment as we have licensed the 10 feature films below for release on Blu-ray.
Nine of the ten feature films will receive fresh scans and be restored by ClassicFlix. Troubles is the exception as we have already licensed the beautiful restoration performed by the UCLA Film & Television Archive and The Film Foundation, with funding provided by the Hobson/Lucas Family Foundation.
Most, if not all, of our 9 restorations will be sourced from the best available 35mm elements courtesy of the UCLA Film and Television Archive and the releases will be spread out over five double features, with Pardon and Troubles likely being our next announced release in Volume 1 this fall.
Check out the raw scan clip of Pardon below, which while very rough, is typical of Hal Roach material from this time period, and shows a lot more image area on the left side and a sharpness not seen in the film's current home video form. Once restored, Laurel and Hardy's first feature film will finally get a presentation worthy of the team's iconic cultural status.
-A SPECIAL NOTE: The #1 request we've received over the last several years is to restore and release all the Hal Roach Laurel and Hardy sound films. And since we expect more questions are likely to be asked regarding our restorations and upcoming releases of the above films, we've posted some potential FAQs at below in this announcement.
--WHAT VERSION OF PARDON US WILL YOU BE RELEASING?
We will be releasing the very rare, final theatrical version (55 min.) of Pardon, and may or may not include the ubiquitous preview version (71 min.) as a bonus feature. There are no plans to include the extant Spanish version or any other "cut" of the film as it has put together in a variety of ways over the years.
--WILL YOU BE RELEASING THE SOUND SHORTS OR OTHER FEATURE FILMS OF THE BOYS?
There currently aren't any plans to release any other features films or sound shorts of theirs.
--WHY AREN'T YOU RELEASING THEM IN ONE BOXED SET?
Restoring the 9 features is a major project which, at best, could take 18 months to perform. At worst, it may take up to 3 years. Since this is the case, and including the large, up front costs that would be involved, we believe releasing them in double features is the best way to go.
--WILL THERE EVENTUALLY BE A BOXED SET?
There are no plans to release a boxed set. If it did eventually happen, it likely wouldn't be until 2028 or beyond.
--ARE YOU ALSO RELEASING THEM ON DVD?
Likely, but not definite.
--WILL THERE BE ANY BONUS FEATURES?
Bonus features will be slim as we'll be putting almost all our resources into the restorations of the films themselves.
CLASSICFLIX STREAMING
While we eventually plan to start our own streaming site and/or have our own streaming channel, we've slowly started posting some of our content (full TV episodes and feature films) on our Youtube channel.
There is a free side, with commercials, and a commercial-free membership side ($7.99/mo.) without commercials and with higher quality masters.
As an example of how our content will be offered, there are currently 5 episodes of The O. Henry Playhouse (in SD), as well as the HD version of the Abbott & Costello feature film Africa Screams (1949) on the free side. On the membership side, the same 5 O. Henry episodes are in HD and Africa is in 4K.
We realize our initial content is very limited, but we will be adding new content every week. And by becoming a member, you can support our efforts to restore and release more content on Blu-ray and DVD.
We also hope to post exclusive content on our channel, as well as include other smaller content producers in the near future.
Subscribe to our Youtube channel or become a member today!
SILVER SERIES SALE
Our 3rd Annual Silver Series Sale ends today so get great deals while you can!
The four BDs in the line are all on sale for $9.98 and we have our lowest price ever on The Complete Hal Roach Streamliners Collection for only $27.98 (for 22 films)!
SCHEDULE & OTHER FAQ
As an answer to frequently asked questions we get regarding upcoming releases, our next announced release was expected to be the TV series Lock Up - The Complete Series, Vol. 1 (13 episodes), but we've pushed it back because we've been able to source 35mm material (instead of 16mm) and the first 13 episodes are currently being scanned in 35.
So after The Unexpected - The Complete Series, Volume 1 which was just announced yesterday, we anticipate our release schedule as follows with fall/winter street dates:
We still have the TV series Angel (Vol. 2 & 3) upcoming, as well Mickey McGuire silents, more Hopalong, two unannounced TV shows and more.
Lastly, with our follow up to Volume 1 expected this year, we're happy to share a sneak peek of our cover art for Volume 2 of our upcoming silent Little Rascals set.
- Thanks, as always, for supporting our label!