Warner Archive Announces April Releases
HomeWarner Archive Announces April Releases
Posted March 20, 2024 08:02 PM by Webmaster
Warner Archive has announced its April batch of Blu-ray releases. They are: The Mask of Fu Manchu (1932), The Nun's Story (1959), The Rain People (1969), You're a Big Boy Now (1966), Friendly Persuasion (1956), Scooby-Doo On Zombie Island / Return to Zombie Island (1998-2019).
The Mask of Fu Manchu
Description: Boris Karloff takes one his most celebrated cinematics turn as the diabolical fiend Dr. Fu Manchu, and Myrna Loy plays his exotic daughter in this 1932 cult horror classic. This time, the evil Fu Manchu patiently awaits the discovery of Genghis Khan's tomb. For he is certain that possession of Khan's mask and sword will enable him to rule the East and lead it to victory over the hated Western world. When British scientists in the Gobi Desert discover the tomb, Fu captures and tortures them in his elaborate Torture Garden, hoping they will take him to the treasure he craves. But an unexpected traitor has other plans for the doctor. Based on Sax Rohmer's original story "The Mask of Fu Manchu" is "fast moving and humorous" (Halliwell's Film Guide) and full of pre-code suspense! The film is presented in its original, uncut theatrical release version as first seen in 1932.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
The Rain People
Description: Unsure of herself, months pregnant and feeling trapped, Natalie Ravenna leaves her sleeping husband a note and drives away from her Long Island home one rainy morning to find herself. Natalie is the heroine of Francis Ford Coppola's intensely moving drama, THE RAIN PEOPLE. Ahead of its time from both its filmmaking and feminist points of view, the film took Coppola and his eight-vehicle crew through eighteen states, lending this poignant tale a realistic, rootless tone. On board were three actors who brought a searing truth to the project: Shirley Knight as Natalie, and future stars of "The Godfather" James Caan and Robert Duvall as the lonely men who bring tenderness and tragedy Natalie's way. What they and Coppola brought our way is a movie that remains powerful, touching and relevant decades after its production.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
You're a Big Boy Now
Description: Bernard Chanticleer (Peter Kastner) is a very nice young man anxious to step out into the "adult world." His plan is to move out of his parents' Long Island house into an eighth-floor Greenwich Village walkup – and try to convince someone to share his new "liberated lifestyle" with him. YOU'RE A BIG BOY NOW was Francis Ford Coppola's UCLA Film School Master thesis – and a hilarious, high-speed debut in film comedy for the future maker of "The Godfather" and "Apocalypse Now". Fresh off A Patch of Blue, Elizabeth Hartman bewitchingly plays the free spirit who tempts Bernard. Karen Black makes her own screen debut as the love object that lovesick Bernard overlooks and Geraldine Page nearly steals the show with her Academy Award-nominated performance as Bernard's possessive mother.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
Friendly Persuasion
Description: For two years the Civil War has been elsewhere. Now Confederate forces are nearby, looting and burning. It's time to fight back, Jess Birdwell's neighbors insist. Yet Birdwell, a Quaker, know there must be a better way to settle things. In a role ideally suiting his stalwart persona, Gary Cooper plays Jess in William Wyler's beloved and acclaimed film of Jessamyn West's novel Friendly Persuasion. The film earned six Academy Award nominations including Best Picture. Leading lady Dorothy McGuire was named Best Actress by the National Board of Review for her outstanding performance as Eliza Birdwell, and 24 year-old Anthony Perkins became a rising star, giving his first major film appearance in the integral role of the Birdwell's son Josh. Friendly Persuasion is a timeless classic, and a testament to the great artistry of all those involved in creating this masterful film.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
The Nun's Story
Description: Director Fred Zinnemann's The Nun's Story is an unforgettable revelation of the seldom-seen world behind convent walls. This landmark motion picture classic stars a radiant Audrey Hepburn portrays a nun whose life journey takes her from the staff of a mental asylum to a much-desired position as a surgical nurse in the Belgian Congo. But when she returns to her native Belgium as World War II breaks out, she is torn between the needs of the Resistance and the church's neutrality. The Nun's Story earned eight Oscar® nominations, including Best Picture; New York Film Critics' Awards for Best Actress and Director; and National Board of Review Awards for Best Picture, Director and Supporting Actress (Edith Evans).
Special Features and Technical Specs:
Scooby-Doo On Zombie Island / Return to Zombie Island
Description: It's two thrilling trips to Zombie Island one one Blu-ray Disc as Scooby-Doo, Shaggy, Velma, Daphne and Fred reunite to solve the most frightfully funny mystery of their careers. The scream team's headed to a haunted bayou island to investigate the ghost of Moonscar the Pirate. But it turns out the swashbuckler's spirit isn't the only creepy character on the island. The sleuths also meet up with cat creatures and zombies…and it looks like for the first time in their lives these ghouls might actually be real. SCOOBY-DOO ON ZOMBIE ISLAND is the most hilarious Scooby adventure of all time that dishes up equal portions of music, laughs, thrills and chills. The gang's trip to ZOMBIE ISLAND became one of the most popular of Scooby's feature-length adventures, and twenty years later led to a sequel! In SCOOBY-DOO! RETURN TO ZOMBIE ISLAND, Scooby, Shaggy and the Mystery Inc. gang win a vacation of a lifetime at Monster Island Resort. Velma, Daphne and Fred can't help but notice how strangely familiar the surroundings are there. The gang soon finds that paradise has a price as they encounter an army of zombies and creepy cat people. Hop on board and travel with Scooby-Doo and the gang as they unearth the mystery of ZOMBIE ISLAND in this long-awaited sequel to the original.
STREET DATE: APRIL 30.
The Mask of Fu Manchu
Description: Boris Karloff takes one his most celebrated cinematics turn as the diabolical fiend Dr. Fu Manchu, and Myrna Loy plays his exotic daughter in this 1932 cult horror classic. This time, the evil Fu Manchu patiently awaits the discovery of Genghis Khan's tomb. For he is certain that possession of Khan's mask and sword will enable him to rule the East and lead it to victory over the hated Western world. When British scientists in the Gobi Desert discover the tomb, Fu captures and tortures them in his elaborate Torture Garden, hoping they will take him to the treasure he craves. But an unexpected traitor has other plans for the doctor. Based on Sax Rohmer's original story "The Mask of Fu Manchu" is "fast moving and humorous" (Halliwell's Film Guide) and full of pre-code suspense! The film is presented in its original, uncut theatrical release version as first seen in 1932.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
- NEW 4K RESTORATION FROM THE BEST PRESERVATION ELEMENTS
- Audio Commentary by Film Historian Greg Mank
- Classic Cartoons "FREDDY THE FRESHMAN"
- "THE QUEEN WAS IN THE PARLOR "
- Optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature
The Rain People
Description: Unsure of herself, months pregnant and feeling trapped, Natalie Ravenna leaves her sleeping husband a note and drives away from her Long Island home one rainy morning to find herself. Natalie is the heroine of Francis Ford Coppola's intensely moving drama, THE RAIN PEOPLE. Ahead of its time from both its filmmaking and feminist points of view, the film took Coppola and his eight-vehicle crew through eighteen states, lending this poignant tale a realistic, rootless tone. On board were three actors who brought a searing truth to the project: Shirley Knight as Natalie, and future stars of "The Godfather" James Caan and Robert Duvall as the lonely men who bring tenderness and tragedy Natalie's way. What they and Coppola brought our way is a movie that remains powerful, touching and relevant decades after its production.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
- NEW 4K RESTORATION FROM THE ORIGINAL CAMERA NEGATIVE
- Original trailer
- Optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature
You're a Big Boy Now
Description: Bernard Chanticleer (Peter Kastner) is a very nice young man anxious to step out into the "adult world." His plan is to move out of his parents' Long Island house into an eighth-floor Greenwich Village walkup – and try to convince someone to share his new "liberated lifestyle" with him. YOU'RE A BIG BOY NOW was Francis Ford Coppola's UCLA Film School Master thesis – and a hilarious, high-speed debut in film comedy for the future maker of "The Godfather" and "Apocalypse Now". Fresh off A Patch of Blue, Elizabeth Hartman bewitchingly plays the free spirit who tempts Bernard. Karen Black makes her own screen debut as the love object that lovesick Bernard overlooks and Geraldine Page nearly steals the show with her Academy Award-nominated performance as Bernard's possessive mother.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
- NEW 4K RESTORATION FROM THE ORIGINAL CAMERA NEGATIVE
- Original trailer
- Optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature
Friendly Persuasion
Description: For two years the Civil War has been elsewhere. Now Confederate forces are nearby, looting and burning. It's time to fight back, Jess Birdwell's neighbors insist. Yet Birdwell, a Quaker, know there must be a better way to settle things. In a role ideally suiting his stalwart persona, Gary Cooper plays Jess in William Wyler's beloved and acclaimed film of Jessamyn West's novel Friendly Persuasion. The film earned six Academy Award nominations including Best Picture. Leading lady Dorothy McGuire was named Best Actress by the National Board of Review for her outstanding performance as Eliza Birdwell, and 24 year-old Anthony Perkins became a rising star, giving his first major film appearance in the integral role of the Birdwell's son Josh. Friendly Persuasion is a timeless classic, and a testament to the great artistry of all those involved in creating this masterful film.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
- NEW 4K RESTORATION FROM THE ORIGINAL CAMERA NEGATIVE
- Excerpt for "Wide Wide World" television series on the making of the film
- Original trailer
- Optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature
The Nun's Story
Description: Director Fred Zinnemann's The Nun's Story is an unforgettable revelation of the seldom-seen world behind convent walls. This landmark motion picture classic stars a radiant Audrey Hepburn portrays a nun whose life journey takes her from the staff of a mental asylum to a much-desired position as a surgical nurse in the Belgian Congo. But when she returns to her native Belgium as World War II breaks out, she is torn between the needs of the Resistance and the church's neutrality. The Nun's Story earned eight Oscar® nominations, including Best Picture; New York Film Critics' Awards for Best Actress and Director; and National Board of Review Awards for Best Picture, Director and Supporting Actress (Edith Evans).
Special Features and Technical Specs:
- NEW 4K RESTORATION FROM THE ORIGINAL CAMERA NEGATIVE
- Original trailer
- Optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature
Scooby-Doo On Zombie Island / Return to Zombie Island
Description: It's two thrilling trips to Zombie Island one one Blu-ray Disc as Scooby-Doo, Shaggy, Velma, Daphne and Fred reunite to solve the most frightfully funny mystery of their careers. The scream team's headed to a haunted bayou island to investigate the ghost of Moonscar the Pirate. But it turns out the swashbuckler's spirit isn't the only creepy character on the island. The sleuths also meet up with cat creatures and zombies…and it looks like for the first time in their lives these ghouls might actually be real. SCOOBY-DOO ON ZOMBIE ISLAND is the most hilarious Scooby adventure of all time that dishes up equal portions of music, laughs, thrills and chills. The gang's trip to ZOMBIE ISLAND became one of the most popular of Scooby's feature-length adventures, and twenty years later led to a sequel! In SCOOBY-DOO! RETURN TO ZOMBIE ISLAND, Scooby, Shaggy and the Mystery Inc. gang win a vacation of a lifetime at Monster Island Resort. Velma, Daphne and Fred can't help but notice how strangely familiar the surroundings are there. The gang soon finds that paradise has a price as they encounter an army of zombies and creepy cat people. Hop on board and travel with Scooby-Doo and the gang as they unearth the mystery of ZOMBIE ISLAND in this long-awaited sequel to the original.
STREET DATE: APRIL 30.
