Warner Archive Announces December Releases
HomeWarner Archive Announces December Releases
Posted October 25, 2023 07:55 PM by Webmaster
Warner Archive has announced its December batch of Blu-ray releases. They are: Tarzan, the Ape Man (1932), Gentleman Jim (1942), Madame Bovary (1949),
The Great Ziegfeld (1936), Gentleman Jim (1942), Saving Grace (2000), and A Midwinter's Tale (1995).
Madame Bovary
Description: Lonely Emma Bovary longs for romance, glamour, possessions. Wed to a country doctor she instead gets routine, motherhood and penny-pinching. So when she catches the eye of a handsome aristocrat, Emma risks all to reach for what she thinks will be happiness. Jennifer Jones stars in this lush adaptation of Gustave Flaubert's famous novel that scandalized 19th century France. The film's capstone is the stunning ballroom scene, contrasting Emma's social success with her husband's failure, culminating in his drunken arrival on the dance floor. In this famed sequence (highlighted by the unforgettable music of Miklos Rozsa), masterful director Vincente Minnelli skillfully combines dissolves, cross-cuts, pans, long takes- a library of techniques into a seamless triumph of head-spinning gaiety, heart-breaking despair, and moviemaking artistry.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
The Great Ziegfeld
Description: This 1936 Best Picture Oscar® winner is every bit extravagant as its subject: theatrical empresario Florence Ziegfeld, Jr. Said Newsweek, "it carries on his tradition of superlatives: the most expensive actors, the best dancers, the most beautiful girls…" William Powell gives one of his most acclaimed performances as the legendary Ziegfeld. Joining him are other stars from the MGM constellation: Myrna Loy (Powell's partner in The Thin Man series), Luise Rainer (the portrayal of actress Anna Held that won her the first of two consecutive Oscars®), The Wizard of Oz's Frank Morgan and Ray Bolger, and, in a rare screen appearance, the legendary Ziegfeld star Fannie Brice. Of course, it wouldn't be Ziegfeld without a parade of tunes (more than 20!), Showgirls (more than 300!) and dazzling set pieces. Most spectacular of all is the massive "wedding cake" sequence said to Irving Berlin's "A Pretty Girl is Like a Melody". No applause was added to the soundtrack of this scene. Live audiences, provided plenty… and still do. Meticulously remastered and presented in its "Roadshow version", with original Overture, Entr'acte and Exit music, this new Blu-ray release from Warner Archive aptly can be described by paraphrasing one of the many original songs written for the film-It Never Looked So Beautiful Before!
Special Features and Technical Specs:
Gentleman Jim
Description: Looking lithe and lean, and more handsome than should be allowed by law, Errol Flynn was never better suited to a role than the legendary boxer James J. "Gentleman Jim" Corbett. Indeed, this rousing screen biography captures the essence of two colorful personalities – Flynn and Corbett – at the height of their careers. Set primarily against the backdrop of the 1880's San Francisco, the film follows Corbett's rise from bank clerk to world champion. With his lightning quick punches and dance-like footwork, the glib, cocky Irishman revolutionized the heretofore illegal prizefighting game, elevating it from the bare knuckle brawling to the sport of skill it is today. An excellent supporting cast of Warner Bros. favorites features the lovely Alexis Smith, the always hearty Alan Hale, and the irresistible bluster of Ward Bond, whose unforgettable portrayal of the great John L Sullivan will touch your heart. For Flynn at his best and an arousing, sometimes wistful look back at professional boxing early days, Gentleman Jim ranks as one of the finest of many biographical classics to come out of the golden age at Warner Bros.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
Anna Christie
Description: When it was learned that Greta Garbo, was cast as a disillusioned prostitute in Anna Christie, even her most devoted admirers were skeptical. Not only was it an unglamourous role for the 24-year-old actress, but it was also to be her first talking picture. Garbo's answer was to play it with superbly. With her first, and now famous spoken line ("Gimme a whiskey, ginger ale on the side. And don't be stingy baby") Garbo conquered the world of sound films.. Based on Eugene O'Neill's Pulitzer Prize-winning play, Garbo give a fascinating performance as an embittered prostitute who returns home to her father, a barge captain. She finds sympathy in the gruff, but kindly Marthy (Marie Dressler), but when a sailor (Charles Bickford) falls in love with Anna, she is forced to reveal her tarnished past to both him and her father, leading to a riveting climax. Among the Special Features on this new Warner Archive Blu-ray disc is the German-language version of the scenario, starring Garbo with a different cast and director. Filmed on the same sets after the original English version was completed, this alternate version is a uniquely different take of the source material, one which Garbo allegedly preferred to the more-widely-known English language version.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
Tarzan, the Ape Man
Description: "Tarzan…Jane…Tarzan….Jane", these are the real words spoken by Johnny Weissmuller making his screen debut as Tarzan, the Ape Man to Maureen O'Sullivan as the lady Jane. And when cheetah made three, the treetop trio won over the whole country. The first of the M-G-M Tarzan adventures, Tarzan, the Ape Man remains the greatest jungle thriller of all time. Heading the cast, Olympic swimming champion Weissmuller bursts with bravery as the loin cloth-sporting, vine- swinging tough but gentle–hearted king of the wilderness and lovely O' Sullivan exudes charming grace as the young English socialite, who, though at first fearful, eventually forsakes civilization in order to remain in the wild with her primitive and enthusiastic lover. Together the young couple faces a world of barbaric danger: while searching for the "elephant burial ground" Tarzan is forced to fight a Gorilla to the death! And the famous stampede of wild elements charging in response to their friend's call is one of the most spectacular sequences ever filmed. Through it all, Tarzan triumphs! The film was so successful in its initial release, that it was followed by five sequels made over the ensuing decade at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. More than 90 years after its initial debut, Weissmuller and O'Sullivan still light up the screen with adventure and romance in this all-time classic.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
Saving Grace
Description: Grace Trevethyn (Brenda Blethyn) has just discovered that she's broke! Her husband passed away leaving her with nothing but a mound of debt and a ton of worries. Enter Grace's bubbling pot-head gardener (Craig Ferguson) with an ingenious plan. Together they turn Grace's greenhouse into a marijuana factory. The profits soar through the roof, but drawing too much attention from the eccentric locals, they now have an ambitious constable hot on their trail. Two-time Academy Award® nominee (Secrets and Lies, Little Voice) Brenda Blethyn gives an outstanding performance opposite the uniquely talented Craig Ferguson (The Late Show with Craig Ferguson, The Drew Carey Show) in a potent comedy that will just make you "say yes to Saving Grace" (Leah Rosen, People Magazine).
Special Features and Technical Specs:
A Midwinter's Tale
Description: To be or not to be? To act or not to act? They are the same question to Joe, a struggling (read: jobless) actor whose every sinew and synapse cries out to perform – and to soften the blow of not landing a part in a mega budget sci-fi movie. So in the stalwart (read: desperate) tradition of actors everywhere, Joe vows to put on a show, a special (read: even more desperate) version of the greatest play in the English tongue. Writer/director Kenneth Branagh serves up a Hamlet on wry with this salute to dyed-in-the-wool and often wooly-brained thespians. Michael Maloney plays Joe, maxing out his credit cards and wits to realize a dream. Does he succeed? With Richard Briers, Joan Collins, Nicholas Farrell, Absolutely Fabulous alumna Jennifer Saunders and Julia Sawalha and more joining Maloney, one thing is certain: the show must go on.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
Madame Bovary
Description: Lonely Emma Bovary longs for romance, glamour, possessions. Wed to a country doctor she instead gets routine, motherhood and penny-pinching. So when she catches the eye of a handsome aristocrat, Emma risks all to reach for what she thinks will be happiness. Jennifer Jones stars in this lush adaptation of Gustave Flaubert's famous novel that scandalized 19th century France. The film's capstone is the stunning ballroom scene, contrasting Emma's social success with her husband's failure, culminating in his drunken arrival on the dance floor. In this famed sequence (highlighted by the unforgettable music of Miklos Rozsa), masterful director Vincente Minnelli skillfully combines dissolves, cross-cuts, pans, long takes- a library of techniques into a seamless triumph of head-spinning gaiety, heart-breaking despair, and moviemaking artistry.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
- NEW 4K RESTORATION OF THE FILM FROM PRESERVATION ELEMENTS (2023)
- M-G-M 25th anniversary retrospective film SOME OF THE BEST (1949)
- Classic TOM & JERRY cartoon LOVE THAT PUP
- Original Theatrical Trailer
- Optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature
The Great Ziegfeld
Description: This 1936 Best Picture Oscar® winner is every bit extravagant as its subject: theatrical empresario Florence Ziegfeld, Jr. Said Newsweek, "it carries on his tradition of superlatives: the most expensive actors, the best dancers, the most beautiful girls…" William Powell gives one of his most acclaimed performances as the legendary Ziegfeld. Joining him are other stars from the MGM constellation: Myrna Loy (Powell's partner in The Thin Man series), Luise Rainer (the portrayal of actress Anna Held that won her the first of two consecutive Oscars®), The Wizard of Oz's Frank Morgan and Ray Bolger, and, in a rare screen appearance, the legendary Ziegfeld star Fannie Brice. Of course, it wouldn't be Ziegfeld without a parade of tunes (more than 20!), Showgirls (more than 300!) and dazzling set pieces. Most spectacular of all is the massive "wedding cake" sequence said to Irving Berlin's "A Pretty Girl is Like a Melody". No applause was added to the soundtrack of this scene. Live audiences, provided plenty… and still do. Meticulously remastered and presented in its "Roadshow version", with original Overture, Entr'acte and Exit music, this new Blu-ray release from Warner Archive aptly can be described by paraphrasing one of the many original songs written for the film-It Never Looked So Beautiful Before!
Special Features and Technical Specs:
- NEW 4K RESTORATION OF THE FILM FROM PRESERVATION ELEMENTS (2023)
- Historical retrospective:
- "Ziegfeld on Film"
- Vintage Newsreel excerpt "New York hails 'The Great Ziegfeld'"
- Classic Warner Bros. Cartoon: "TOY TOWN HALL"
- Audio-only LEO IS ON THE AIR Radio promotional program
- Original Theatrical Trailer
- Optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature
Gentleman Jim
Description: Looking lithe and lean, and more handsome than should be allowed by law, Errol Flynn was never better suited to a role than the legendary boxer James J. "Gentleman Jim" Corbett. Indeed, this rousing screen biography captures the essence of two colorful personalities – Flynn and Corbett – at the height of their careers. Set primarily against the backdrop of the 1880's San Francisco, the film follows Corbett's rise from bank clerk to world champion. With his lightning quick punches and dance-like footwork, the glib, cocky Irishman revolutionized the heretofore illegal prizefighting game, elevating it from the bare knuckle brawling to the sport of skill it is today. An excellent supporting cast of Warner Bros. favorites features the lovely Alexis Smith, the always hearty Alan Hale, and the irresistible bluster of Ward Bond, whose unforgettable portrayal of the great John L Sullivan will touch your heart. For Flynn at his best and an arousing, sometimes wistful look back at professional boxing early days, Gentleman Jim ranks as one of the finest of many biographical classics to come out of the golden age at Warner Bros.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
- NEW 4K RESTORATION FROM THE ORIGINAL NITRATE CAMERA NEGATIVE (2023)
- Classic Warner Bros. Cartoons:
- "THE DOVER BOYS AT PIMENTO UNIVERSITY"
- "FONEY FABLES"
- "HOBBY HORSE-LAFFS"
- Audio-only Lady Esther Screen Guild Playhouse (2/14/1944) Radio Broadcast with Errol Flynn and Alexis Smith
- Original Theatrical Trailer
- Optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature
Anna Christie
Description: When it was learned that Greta Garbo, was cast as a disillusioned prostitute in Anna Christie, even her most devoted admirers were skeptical. Not only was it an unglamourous role for the 24-year-old actress, but it was also to be her first talking picture. Garbo's answer was to play it with superbly. With her first, and now famous spoken line ("Gimme a whiskey, ginger ale on the side. And don't be stingy baby") Garbo conquered the world of sound films.. Based on Eugene O'Neill's Pulitzer Prize-winning play, Garbo give a fascinating performance as an embittered prostitute who returns home to her father, a barge captain. She finds sympathy in the gruff, but kindly Marthy (Marie Dressler), but when a sailor (Charles Bickford) falls in love with Anna, she is forced to reveal her tarnished past to both him and her father, leading to a riveting climax. Among the Special Features on this new Warner Archive Blu-ray disc is the German-language version of the scenario, starring Garbo with a different cast and director. Filmed on the same sets after the original English version was completed, this alternate version is a uniquely different take of the source material, one which Garbo allegedly preferred to the more-widely-known English language version.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
- NEW 4K RESTORATION OF THE FILM FROM PRESERVATION ELEMENTS (2023)
- 1930 German Language version directed by Jacques Feyder starring Garbo (HD)
- M-G-M Parade television episode #30 with Walter Pidgeon on Greta Garbo's career
- Classic Warner Bros. cartoon "THE BOOZE HANGS HIGH" (HD)
- Audio-only Lux Radio Theater (2/7/1938) ANNA CHRISTIE broadcast with Joan Crawford and Spencer Tracy
- Optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature
Tarzan, the Ape Man
Description: "Tarzan…Jane…Tarzan….Jane", these are the real words spoken by Johnny Weissmuller making his screen debut as Tarzan, the Ape Man to Maureen O'Sullivan as the lady Jane. And when cheetah made three, the treetop trio won over the whole country. The first of the M-G-M Tarzan adventures, Tarzan, the Ape Man remains the greatest jungle thriller of all time. Heading the cast, Olympic swimming champion Weissmuller bursts with bravery as the loin cloth-sporting, vine- swinging tough but gentle–hearted king of the wilderness and lovely O' Sullivan exudes charming grace as the young English socialite, who, though at first fearful, eventually forsakes civilization in order to remain in the wild with her primitive and enthusiastic lover. Together the young couple faces a world of barbaric danger: while searching for the "elephant burial ground" Tarzan is forced to fight a Gorilla to the death! And the famous stampede of wild elements charging in response to their friend's call is one of the most spectacular sequences ever filmed. Through it all, Tarzan triumphs! The film was so successful in its initial release, that it was followed by five sequels made over the ensuing decade at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. More than 90 years after its initial debut, Weissmuller and O'Sullivan still light up the screen with adventure and romance in this all-time classic.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
- NEW 4K RESTORATION OF THE FILM FROM PRESERVATION ELEMENTS (2023)
- Documentary: TARZAN: SILVER SCREEN KING OF THE JUNGLE
- Classic Warner Bros. cartoons:
- "I WISH I HAD WINGS"
- "MOONLIGHT FOR TWO"
- Original Theatrical Trailer
- Theatrical Trailer
- Optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature
Saving Grace
Description: Grace Trevethyn (Brenda Blethyn) has just discovered that she's broke! Her husband passed away leaving her with nothing but a mound of debt and a ton of worries. Enter Grace's bubbling pot-head gardener (Craig Ferguson) with an ingenious plan. Together they turn Grace's greenhouse into a marijuana factory. The profits soar through the roof, but drawing too much attention from the eccentric locals, they now have an ambitious constable hot on their trail. Two-time Academy Award® nominee (Secrets and Lies, Little Voice) Brenda Blethyn gives an outstanding performance opposite the uniquely talented Craig Ferguson (The Late Show with Craig Ferguson, The Drew Carey Show) in a potent comedy that will just make you "say yes to Saving Grace" (Leah Rosen, People Magazine).
Special Features and Technical Specs:
- BRAND NEW MASTER (2023)
- Two audio commentaries with cast and creators
- Original Theatrical Trailer
- Optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature
A Midwinter's Tale
Description: To be or not to be? To act or not to act? They are the same question to Joe, a struggling (read: jobless) actor whose every sinew and synapse cries out to perform – and to soften the blow of not landing a part in a mega budget sci-fi movie. So in the stalwart (read: desperate) tradition of actors everywhere, Joe vows to put on a show, a special (read: even more desperate) version of the greatest play in the English tongue. Writer/director Kenneth Branagh serves up a Hamlet on wry with this salute to dyed-in-the-wool and often wooly-brained thespians. Michael Maloney plays Joe, maxing out his credit cards and wits to realize a dream. Does he succeed? With Richard Briers, Joan Collins, Nicholas Farrell, Absolutely Fabulous alumna Jennifer Saunders and Julia Sawalha and more joining Maloney, one thing is certain: the show must go on.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
- BRAND NEW MASTER (2023)
- Original Theatrical Trailer
- Optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature
