Warner Archive Announces April Releases
HomeWarner Archive Announces April Releases
Posted March 11, 2026 10:38 PM by Webmaster
Warner Archive has announced its April batch of releases. They are: Private Benjamin (1980), 20,000 Years in Sing Sing (1932), Crack-Up (1946), King Richard and the Crusaders (1954), Captains Courageous (1937), Arrowsmith (1931), George Stevens: A Filmmaker's Journey (1984), and Monogram Matinee Volume Two.
Private Benjamin
Description: Private Benjamin's immovable object is pampered Judy Benjamin, a wedding night widow. The irresistible force is a three-year, expense paid hitch in the US Army. What's Judy doing in combat boots and fatigue? Our recruiter seductively describes today's "New Army ", and gullible Judy takes the bait. Academy Award® winner Goldie Hawn is private first class in her Oscar®-nominated role of Judy, a fish out of water coming of age via the rigors of basic training and a European assignment. This box-office champion is also highlighted by a top-notch supporting cast including Robert Webber, Mary Kay Place, Albert Brooks, and Eileen Brennan, also an Oscar nominee and Emmy winner for the TV series this movie inspired. Now meticulously remastered from 4K scans of the original camera negative Private Benjamin is ready to return to duty as one of the screen's most beloved comedies.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
Description: Academy Award® winners Bette Davis and Spencer Tracy were relative newcomers to the big screen when Warner Bros. and director Michael Curtiz cast them in the moving, true drama of the relationship between a convict and the warden of the notorious Sing Sing penitentiary who stakes his reputation, career and the future of the prison's inmates on the honor of a thief and murderer--betting that the man will return voluntarily to face his execution at the federal penitentiary known as the "Castle on the Hudson" When hardened thief Tom Gordon (Tracy) is sentenced to serve a prison term at Sing Sing, he believes his friends will help him get out. But after some time, the incorrigible prisoner realizes that his associates on the outside are not going to help him, and under the guidance of reformist warden Paul Long (Arthur Byron), Gordon gradually becomes a model prisoner. When Gordon's girlfriend, Fay Wilson (Davis) is attacked, Long grants Gordon a furlough to see her. But Gordon confronts her attacker and kills him. Now, Gordon can choose to flee with Wilson . . . or return to prison--saving the work of the only man who has ever believed in him--and to a one-way walk to the electric chair.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
Description: After a train wreck sends art critic George Steele (Pat O'Brien) into a mental tailspin, he's fired from his job at a New York art museum. Seems unjust – until you learn there was no train wreck. This relentless, nervous, gutsy Film Noir explores the sinister world of violence, and the moneyed world of aesthetics as Steele's attempt to reconstruct what really happened leads him to murder, mania, and an international conspiracy that threatens the museum's masterpieces. Herbert Marshall (The Letter) joins the hunt as a mysterious Brit who's chummy with the cops. And Noir great Claire Trevor (Key Largo) plays Steele's sweetheart, a savvy journalist who may know a lot more than she's telling. This nifty film-noir thriller deserves to be better known, and hopefully this sparkling new restoration will make Crack-Up a rediscovery of note for fans of the genre.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
Description: With royal banners unfilled and a regal cast, King Richard and the Crusaders venture forth, bringing to the big CinemaScope® screen Sir Walter Scott's 1825 classic of myth in history, The Talisman. Academy Award® winners Rex Harrison and George Sanders join Virginia Mayo and Laurence Harvey in a legendary once-upon-a-time screen spectacular of knighthood, intrigue, and far–flung fields of battle. Richard the Lionhearted (Sanders), leader of the Third Crusade, intends to take the fight to Muslim leader Saladin (Harrison) and never suspects that the physician who comes to the Christian camp to tend him is Saladin himself. The wily foe is captivated by the alluring Lady Edith (Mayo), even though errant knight Kenneth (Harvey) also seeks Her Ladyship's hand. There is much more than war to be settled here. There is love and war.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
Description: In this superb adaptation of Rudyard Kipling's poignant classic, Spencer Tracy won his first Academy Award® for Best Actor as Manuel, a Portuguese fisherman who teaches human values to a millionaire's spoiled young son (Freddie Bartholomew). In a characterization ranging from grave to jolly, mystical to courageous, this is one of Tracy's finest and most colorful roles ever. Bartholomew is unforgettable in the role of 12-year-old Harvey Cheney, who falls overboard while bound for Europe with his father (Melvyn Douglas). The boy's transformation begins when he is saved by Manuel and brought aboard a New England fishing schooner captained by Disko (Lionel Barrymore). There, he is instantly put to work alongside Dan (Mickey Rooney), the captain's son. Through the slow and difficult mastery of skills, the boy changes from a spoiled brat into a gallant, brave apprentice. With its magnificent sea photography and All-Star cast, and superb direction from the great Victor Fleming, "Captains Courageous" has an epic sweep and power that continues to draw audiences irresistibly under its spell.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
Description: Based on Sinclair Lewis' 1925 Pulitzer Prize winning Sinclair novel, ARROWSMITH is the compelling story of a man torn between two sets of values. Ronald Colman stars as Martin Arrowsmith, and idealistic small-town doctor and research scientist who relocates to the West Indies. His determination to end the bubonic plague epidemic there sets off a tragic series of events which force him to come to terms with his career and personal life. Producer Samuel Goldwyn borrowed the services of the great John Ford to direct and cast his number one leading man (Colman) to portray the titular role of Arrowsmith. Portraying Arrowsmith's devoted wife was Helen Hayes, allowing her a rare opportunity to lend her legendary talents to the big screen. Arrowsmith received Academy Award® nominations for Best Picture, Best Screen Adaptation, Best Art and Set direction, and Best Cinematography. Restored by the Library of Congress in association with The Film Foundation, this presentation of Arrowsmith provides an opportunity for new generations to discover this unique and powerful classic of American cinema.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
"Life is a journey," Lt. Colonel George Stevens wrote in his wartime journal. "And it's always most interesting when you're not sure where you're going." Signposts marking Stevens' life journey are here in a celebration of his work and times. Filmmakers such as Christopher Nolan, Mike Nichols, Martin Scorsese, and Guillermo del Toro celebrate the majesty and humanity of his work. A Filmmaker's Journey captures the moviemaker's career sweep from laugh-filled early works to penetrating postwar tales of social consciousness that led to two Oscars for outstanding directing. The films explored are unforgettable: Alice Adams, Swing Time, Gunga Din, A Place in the Sun, Shane, and Giant—plus Stevens' own color combat footage he shot during World War II in Europe. The emotional impact is lasting. It's a journey well worth taking, now more than ever—this acclaimed 1984 documentary has been meticulously restored in a 4K HDR presentation. The Warner Archive Collection is proud to be the distributor of George Stevens Jr.'s outstanding documentary which brilliantly chronicles the cinematic legacy of his father.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
Description: It's time for another Monogram Matinee! This double-feature disc includes one of Monogram's rare higher-budget offerings which holds a unique place in film history.
LOUISIANA (1947), directed by Phil Karlson, was the semi-autobiographical story of that state's governor…Jimmie Davis, who was not only a well-liked political leader, but had also established himself as country music singer and composer, having written the famous song "You are My Sunshine". Davis played himself in the story of his life not only in show business but tracing his backwoods origins to his rise as a Sheriff, Mayor, and eventually the state's governor. Davis was in office during the filming and credited this film as integral in his re-election as the state's leader.
SONG OF THE RANGE (1944), the first of many Monogram westerns built around the popular singing cowboy Jimmy Wakely. In this musical oater, Jimmy and his 'saddle pals' are up against a gang of outlaws but save the day with plenty of charming musical interludes along the way. With both films having vanished from distribution for decades, this new presentation derived from 4k scans of best surviving nitrate materials will surely delight loyal fans of these Monogram "B's"
Private Benjamin
Description: Private Benjamin's immovable object is pampered Judy Benjamin, a wedding night widow. The irresistible force is a three-year, expense paid hitch in the US Army. What's Judy doing in combat boots and fatigue? Our recruiter seductively describes today's "New Army ", and gullible Judy takes the bait. Academy Award® winner Goldie Hawn is private first class in her Oscar®-nominated role of Judy, a fish out of water coming of age via the rigors of basic training and a European assignment. This box-office champion is also highlighted by a top-notch supporting cast including Robert Webber, Mary Kay Place, Albert Brooks, and Eileen Brennan, also an Oscar nominee and Emmy winner for the TV series this movie inspired. Now meticulously remastered from 4K scans of the original camera negative Private Benjamin is ready to return to duty as one of the screen's most beloved comedies.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
- NEW 4K RESTORATION FROM THE ORIGINAL CAMERA NEGATIVE
- Two episodes of the PRIVATE BENJAMIN TV series
- Original Theatrical trailer
- Optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature
Description: Academy Award® winners Bette Davis and Spencer Tracy were relative newcomers to the big screen when Warner Bros. and director Michael Curtiz cast them in the moving, true drama of the relationship between a convict and the warden of the notorious Sing Sing penitentiary who stakes his reputation, career and the future of the prison's inmates on the honor of a thief and murderer--betting that the man will return voluntarily to face his execution at the federal penitentiary known as the "Castle on the Hudson" When hardened thief Tom Gordon (Tracy) is sentenced to serve a prison term at Sing Sing, he believes his friends will help him get out. But after some time, the incorrigible prisoner realizes that his associates on the outside are not going to help him, and under the guidance of reformist warden Paul Long (Arthur Byron), Gordon gradually becomes a model prisoner. When Gordon's girlfriend, Fay Wilson (Davis) is attacked, Long grants Gordon a furlough to see her. But Gordon confronts her attacker and kills him. Now, Gordon can choose to flee with Wilson . . . or return to prison--saving the work of the only man who has ever believed in him--and to a one-way walk to the electric chair.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
- NEW 4K RESTORATION FROM THE ORIGINAL CAMERA NEGATIVE
- Classic WB shorts:
- 20,000 YEARS FOR THE CHAIN GANG
- THAT GOES DOUBLE
- Classic WB cartoons:
- CROSBY, COLUMBO AND VALLEE
- THE QUEEN WAS IN THE PARLOR
- Original Theatrical Trailer
- Optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature
Description: After a train wreck sends art critic George Steele (Pat O'Brien) into a mental tailspin, he's fired from his job at a New York art museum. Seems unjust – until you learn there was no train wreck. This relentless, nervous, gutsy Film Noir explores the sinister world of violence, and the moneyed world of aesthetics as Steele's attempt to reconstruct what really happened leads him to murder, mania, and an international conspiracy that threatens the museum's masterpieces. Herbert Marshall (The Letter) joins the hunt as a mysterious Brit who's chummy with the cops. And Noir great Claire Trevor (Key Largo) plays Steele's sweetheart, a savvy journalist who may know a lot more than she's telling. This nifty film-noir thriller deserves to be better known, and hopefully this sparkling new restoration will make Crack-Up a rediscovery of note for fans of the genre.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
- NEW 4K RESTORATION FROM THE ORIGINAL CAMERA NEGATIVE
- Crime Does Not Pay' short subject "PURITY SQUAD"
- Original Theatrical Trailer
- Optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature
Description: With royal banners unfilled and a regal cast, King Richard and the Crusaders venture forth, bringing to the big CinemaScope® screen Sir Walter Scott's 1825 classic of myth in history, The Talisman. Academy Award® winners Rex Harrison and George Sanders join Virginia Mayo and Laurence Harvey in a legendary once-upon-a-time screen spectacular of knighthood, intrigue, and far–flung fields of battle. Richard the Lionhearted (Sanders), leader of the Third Crusade, intends to take the fight to Muslim leader Saladin (Harrison) and never suspects that the physician who comes to the Christian camp to tend him is Saladin himself. The wily foe is captivated by the alluring Lady Edith (Mayo), even though errant knight Kenneth (Harvey) also seeks Her Ladyship's hand. There is much more than war to be settled here. There is love and war.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
- NEW 4K RESTORATION FROM THE ORIGINAL CAMERA NEGATIVE
- Classic WB Cartoons:
- "SATAN'S WAITIN'"
- "BABY BUGGY BUNNY"
- Classic Joe McDoakes Short "SO YOU WANT TO BE A BANKER"
- Original theatrical trailer
- Optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature
Description: In this superb adaptation of Rudyard Kipling's poignant classic, Spencer Tracy won his first Academy Award® for Best Actor as Manuel, a Portuguese fisherman who teaches human values to a millionaire's spoiled young son (Freddie Bartholomew). In a characterization ranging from grave to jolly, mystical to courageous, this is one of Tracy's finest and most colorful roles ever. Bartholomew is unforgettable in the role of 12-year-old Harvey Cheney, who falls overboard while bound for Europe with his father (Melvyn Douglas). The boy's transformation begins when he is saved by Manuel and brought aboard a New England fishing schooner captained by Disko (Lionel Barrymore). There, he is instantly put to work alongside Dan (Mickey Rooney), the captain's son. Through the slow and difficult mastery of skills, the boy changes from a spoiled brat into a gallant, brave apprentice. With its magnificent sea photography and All-Star cast, and superb direction from the great Victor Fleming, "Captains Courageous" has an epic sweep and power that continues to draw audiences irresistibly under its spell.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
- NEW 4K RESTORATION FROM THE BEST PRESERVATION ELEMENTS
- MGM CARTOON "THE WAYWARD PUPS"
- MGM Robert Benchley short "HOW TO START THE DAY"
- Leo is On The air CAPTAINS COURAGEOUS Radio Promo (audio only)
- Original Theatrical Trailer
- Optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature
Description: Based on Sinclair Lewis' 1925 Pulitzer Prize winning Sinclair novel, ARROWSMITH is the compelling story of a man torn between two sets of values. Ronald Colman stars as Martin Arrowsmith, and idealistic small-town doctor and research scientist who relocates to the West Indies. His determination to end the bubonic plague epidemic there sets off a tragic series of events which force him to come to terms with his career and personal life. Producer Samuel Goldwyn borrowed the services of the great John Ford to direct and cast his number one leading man (Colman) to portray the titular role of Arrowsmith. Portraying Arrowsmith's devoted wife was Helen Hayes, allowing her a rare opportunity to lend her legendary talents to the big screen. Arrowsmith received Academy Award® nominations for Best Picture, Best Screen Adaptation, Best Art and Set direction, and Best Cinematography. Restored by the Library of Congress in association with The Film Foundation, this presentation of Arrowsmith provides an opportunity for new generations to discover this unique and powerful classic of American cinema.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
- NEW RESTORATION BY THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS AND THE FILM FOUNDATION (2023)
- LUX RADIO THEATER with SPENCER TRACY & FAY WRAY (1937)
"Life is a journey," Lt. Colonel George Stevens wrote in his wartime journal. "And it's always most interesting when you're not sure where you're going." Signposts marking Stevens' life journey are here in a celebration of his work and times. Filmmakers such as Christopher Nolan, Mike Nichols, Martin Scorsese, and Guillermo del Toro celebrate the majesty and humanity of his work. A Filmmaker's Journey captures the moviemaker's career sweep from laugh-filled early works to penetrating postwar tales of social consciousness that led to two Oscars for outstanding directing. The films explored are unforgettable: Alice Adams, Swing Time, Gunga Din, A Place in the Sun, Shane, and Giant—plus Stevens' own color combat footage he shot during World War II in Europe. The emotional impact is lasting. It's a journey well worth taking, now more than ever—this acclaimed 1984 documentary has been meticulously restored in a 4K HDR presentation. The Warner Archive Collection is proud to be the distributor of George Stevens Jr.'s outstanding documentary which brilliantly chronicles the cinematic legacy of his father.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
- TWO-DISC (4K BLU-RAY/BLU-RAY) COMBO PACK RELEASE
- NEW 4K RESTORATION FROM THE ORIGINAL CAMERA NEGATIVE
- Christopher Nolan speaks of Stevens' creativity and humanistic ethics of Shane
- Guillermo del Toro speaks of Stevens as modern auteur and The Greatest Story Ever Told as his most ambitious work.
- Martin Scorsese speaks of Stevens' intensity and artistry and of The Greatest Story Ever Told as the final movement of Stevens' multi-picture symphony.
- Optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature
Description: It's time for another Monogram Matinee! This double-feature disc includes one of Monogram's rare higher-budget offerings which holds a unique place in film history.
LOUISIANA (1947), directed by Phil Karlson, was the semi-autobiographical story of that state's governor…Jimmie Davis, who was not only a well-liked political leader, but had also established himself as country music singer and composer, having written the famous song "You are My Sunshine". Davis played himself in the story of his life not only in show business but tracing his backwoods origins to his rise as a Sheriff, Mayor, and eventually the state's governor. Davis was in office during the filming and credited this film as integral in his re-election as the state's leader.
SONG OF THE RANGE (1944), the first of many Monogram westerns built around the popular singing cowboy Jimmy Wakely. In this musical oater, Jimmy and his 'saddle pals' are up against a gang of outlaws but save the day with plenty of charming musical interludes along the way. With both films having vanished from distribution for decades, this new presentation derived from 4k scans of best surviving nitrate materials will surely delight loyal fans of these Monogram "B's"
