Most wanted on DVD - Britmovie

Brief Encounter · 30-06-2006, 04:40 PM

Wasn't sure what the best place for this topic was, so anyway...

I'm a big Petula Clark fan, and whilst many of the films she starred in were terrible, some are forgotten gems, and deserve to be seen again. I'm pleased my favourite one, The Card, is shortly to be issued on DVD, and her other best role, The Runaway Bus, is also in the works I believe (but you didn't hear that from me!).

I also think these films are worthy:

London Town (1946) OK, it's not that good, but a great historical document with some lovely songs in glorious technicolour.

Easy Money (1948) This isn't bad at all. I enjoyed the other mini-stories in the film too.

The HUGGETT films ought to make up a DVD box set. I can't believe they remain unavailable; they were rather popular in their day, weren't they? Of course, the original Huggett film, Holiday Camp, should be included if there was a boxset.

Don't Ever Leave Me (1949) Pet's first starring role. Features Jimmy Hanley and Anthony Newley. Actually, it's not that good, but she sings in it. What more do you need?

The Romantic Age (1949) This film is generally thought of as awful (so I believe). I think it's brilliant in a cheap and cheesy way! Gotta love Mai Zetterling as the sexy schoolgirl. Good old Hugh Williams... and poor Pet. Can't believe they got away with it at the time though. Perhaps because no one saw it...

Dance Hall (1950) Another that I don't think is that good. Actually, it bored me. But it features Diana Dors and the Ted Heath Band, so is much wanted by collectors of them.

White Corridors (1951) BAFTA-nominated drama set in a provincial hospital. Googie Withers stars. A crying shame this has been overlooked.

Made In Heaven (1952) Great film, in a 'so bad it's good' kinda way.

The Gay Dog (1954) Wilfred Pickles and a host of other Brit character actors make up the ensemble in this slice of Yorkshire life racing greyhounds. William Russell plays Petula's boyfriend, and she sings to him. Aaah...

The rest I haven't seen, or aren't worthy ;)

Sorry, I seem to have turned this into a 'Petula films I want on DVD' thread. Feel free to add your own non-Petula films!!

JamesM · 30-06-2006, 04:57 PM

If you look for the posts of 'Harold Pelham' you shall see that this poster was proposing to release many of these films on DVD.

JamesM · 30-06-2006, 05:00 PM

I see 'Harold Pelham' has gone along with his posts. bHe was talking about releasing Dance Hall first.

Brief Encounter · 30-06-2006, 05:09 PM

Shame. Does anyone who works on this board know how I can contact him?

Now how can I persuade someone to issue these films?

Brief Encounter · 30-06-2006, 05:22 PM

He seems to have changed his name to 'Excalibur', so is still here. I've sent him a message...

caroline · 27-07-2006, 09:44 PM

I enjoyed Easy Money ( especially the off key rendition of ' She's A Shady Lady Spiv' by Greta Gynt . )
Also enjoyed The Runaway Bus .
In 1993 , I was watching one of those Portmanteau style films . The next 'story' was called Fumed Oak & had Petula Clark in it . Sadly Channel 4 had a problem & have never reshown it :mad:

I loved another Portmanteau Film called Bond Street , but have never seen it available to rent or buy

Brief Encounter · 28-07-2006, 12:15 AM

Yes, Easy Money is a good film, even the bits without Petula ;)

Fumed Oak, with Petula? Any more info? I've never heard of this before...

JamesM · 28-07-2006, 12:30 AM

I cannot find 'Excaliber' in the members list.

caroline · 28-07-2006, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brief Encounter

Yes, Easy Money is a good film, even the bits without Petula ;)

Fumed Oak, with Petula? Any more info? I've never heard of this before...

Sorry , I cannot remember the title of the film . It had 3 different stories & that was the title of the one I saw a few seconds of , before Channel 4 cut out & the film was never to be seen again . Channel 4 apologised but makes me wonder if there was a problem with the film quality ?

Holiday Camp is a good film as is Bank Holiday with Margaret Lockwood - ages since I've seen them though .

Brief Encounter · 04-08-2006, 03:14 PM

Caroline - is this the film you're thinking of? Meet Me Tonight (1952) Petula isn't credited though.

JamesM - he seems to have reverted back to Harold Pelham.

JamesM · 04-08-2006, 03:31 PM

He hasn't been active since January 7th 2006, but you will have seen his messages. The Dance Hall thread has gone though, I think.

ChristineCB · 30-08-2006, 02:56 PM

I'd love to find a website that had some voting mechanism for Films Wanted On DVD as if web-based voting would be sufficient to kick-start the release of older films on DVD.

For USA TV series, there is a site called

TVShowsOnDVD.com

where the free-signup 'members' can vote for series titles. This is a great little site that may or may not have any function within studio DVD-production.

And perhaps movie-production companies are so numerous and rights-issues are so clogged that such a site wouldn't be worthy.

I'd love to see BRIGHTON STRANGLER released. And BLITHE SPIRIT to be re-released. And of course BEDAZZLED, which always is threatened with "soon to be released". Oh well... the joys of VHS.

sheriff_bart · 30-08-2006, 04:35 PM

BEDAZZLED has been released heres the link

http://www.play.com/DVD/DVD/4-/58197...d/Product.html

also BLITHE SPIRIT

http://www.play.com/DVD/DVD/4-/11228...=blithe+spirit

Brief Encounter · 30-08-2006, 10:10 PM

Yes Christine, it would be nice if the companies who own the material actually wanted audience feedback!

Have done some research on who owns the Petula films yet to be issued on DVD:

Medal For The General (1944) Owned by Granada International

Strawberry Roan (1945) Granada International

Murder In Reverse (1945) Granada International

Trouble At Townsend (1946) Granada International (25-min children's instructional film)

London Town (1946) Granada International

Easy Money (1948) Granada International

Here Come The Huggetts (1948) Granada International

Vote For Huggett (1949) Granada International

Here Come The Huggetts (1949) Granada International

Don't Ever Leave Me (1949) Granada International

The Romantic Age (1949) Granada International

Dance Hall (1950) Canal + Image UK

Tin Pan Alley (1951) Pathe Pictorial. 8 mins long docu starring Beverley Sisters, Vera Lynn etc.

White Corridors (1951) Rank International

Madame Louise (1951). Produced by Nettlefold Films, distributed by Butcher's Film Service. I cannot determine who now owns them! Can anyone here help?

Made In Heaven (1952) Rank International

The Gay Dog (1954) Produced by Coronet Pictures, distributed by Eros. As with Madame Louise, I can't find out ownership details.

The Happiness of Three Women (1954) Produced by Advance, distributed by Adelphi Films. Can't establish ownership. Can anyone help?

Track The Man Down (1955) Paramount

That Woman Opposite (1957) Canal + Image UK

6-5 Special (1957) Canal + Image UK

ChristineCB · 01-09-2006, 09:14 PM

For the companies that own the rights to these films, I'm hope it's a matter of selecting the best restoration process done within their budget.

A couple of months ago, several John Wayne films were released (Island in the Sky and two others) which were the subject of some rights battles. Three Jimmy Stewart films were released a couple of weeks ago (Spirit of St Louis, Stratton Story and ??) which were also rumored to be delayed for rights issues.

There are still many more to go. The fact that X number of films get the rights issues solved but some remain make me wonder if "rights issues" are the only reason. "You can decide on 3 or 5, but you can't on 6 or 10?"

I sometimes get the feeling that production companies withhold titles for the sake of withholding them. As if rarity will make the public clamoring louder and will draw bigger revenues. Or maybe they think John Wayne's about ready to make brand new blockbusters and that will make his older films more valuable?!!

Yeah. Right. Uh, Dear Production Companies, if you're going to hold your breath for that concept, I suggest you tape a plastic bag over your head first. That way, you can hold your breath so much better.

The Conde Naste type mentality of withholding access to the old THE SHADOW radio series episodes makes me think they believe they'll get more money is 20 years after everyone who remembers them dies off. Yeah. Right. Like kids with 3-minute attention spans will really enjoy dedicating 30 whole minutes to a radio re-broadcast. I'd recommend they release them sooner than later to keep the fields of interest growing, not dying off.

30-06-2006, 04:40 PM	#1
Brief Encounter is anticipating the Margaret boxset Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: London Posts: 276 My Mood: Country: iTrader: (0)	Most wanted on DVD Wasn't sure what the best place for this topic was, so anyway... I'm a big Petula Clark fan, and whilst many of the films she starred in were terrible, some are forgotten gems, and deserve to be seen again. I'm pleased my favourite one, The Card, is shortly to be issued on DVD, and her other best role, The Runaway Bus, is also in the works I believe (but you didn't hear that from me!). I also think these films are worthy: London Town (1946) OK, it's not that good, but a great historical document with some lovely songs in glorious technicolour. Easy Money (1948) This isn't bad at all. I enjoyed the other mini-stories in the film too. The HUGGETT films ought to make up a DVD box set. I can't believe they remain unavailable; they were rather popular in their day, weren't they? Of course, the original Huggett film, Holiday Camp, should be included if there was a boxset. Don't Ever Leave Me (1949) Pet's first starring role. Features Jimmy Hanley and Anthony Newley. Actually, it's not that good, but she sings in it. What more do you need? The Romantic Age (1949) This film is generally thought of as awful (so I believe). I think it's brilliant in a cheap and cheesy way! Gotta love Mai Zetterling as the sexy schoolgirl. Good old Hugh Williams... and poor Pet. Can't believe they got away with it at the time though. Perhaps because no one saw it... Dance Hall (1950) Another that I don't think is that good. Actually, it bored me. But it features Diana Dors and the Ted Heath Band, so is much wanted by collectors of them. White Corridors (1951) BAFTA-nominated drama set in a provincial hospital. Googie Withers stars. A crying shame this has been overlooked. Made In Heaven (1952) Great film, in a 'so bad it's good' kinda way. The Gay Dog (1954) Wilfred Pickles and a host of other Brit character actors make up the ensemble in this slice of Yorkshire life racing greyhounds. William Russell plays Petula's boyfriend, and she sings to him. Aaah... The rest I haven't seen, or aren't worthy ;) Sorry, I seem to have turned this into a 'Petula films I want on DVD' thread. Feel free to add your own non-Petula films!!

04-08-2006, 03:31 PM	#11
JamesM has no status. Moderator Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: London Posts: 1,413 Country: iTrader: (0)	He hasn't been active since January 7th 2006, but you will have seen his messages. The Dance Hall thread has gone though, I think. Last edited by JamesM; 02-09-2006 at 06:46 AM.

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30-06-2006, 04:57 PM	#2
JamesM has no status. Moderator Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: London Posts: 1,413 Country: iTrader: (0)	If you look for the posts of 'Harold Pelham' you shall see that this poster was proposing to release many of these films on DVD.

30-06-2006, 05:00 PM	#3
JamesM has no status. Moderator Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: London Posts: 1,413 Country: iTrader: (0)	I see 'Harold Pelham' has gone along with his posts. bHe was talking about releasing Dance Hall first.

30-06-2006, 05:09 PM	#4
Brief Encounter is anticipating the Margaret boxset Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: London Posts: 276 My Mood: Country: iTrader: (0)	Shame. Does anyone who works on this board know how I can contact him? Now how can I persuade someone to issue these films?

30-06-2006, 05:22 PM	#5
Brief Encounter is anticipating the Margaret boxset Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: London Posts: 276 My Mood: Country: iTrader: (0)	He seems to have changed his name to 'Excalibur', so is still here. I've sent him a message...

27-07-2006, 09:44 PM	#6
caroline has no status. Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Norfolk Posts: 23 Country: iTrader: (0)	I enjoyed Easy Money ( especially the off key rendition of ' She's A Shady Lady Spiv' by Greta Gynt . ) Also enjoyed The Runaway Bus . In 1993 , I was watching one of those Portmanteau style films . The next 'story' was called Fumed Oak & had Petula Clark in it . Sadly Channel 4 had a problem & have never reshown it :mad: I loved another Portmanteau Film called Bond Street , but have never seen it available to rent or buy

28-07-2006, 12:15 AM	#7
Brief Encounter is anticipating the Margaret boxset Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: London Posts: 276 My Mood: Country: iTrader: (0)	Yes, Easy Money is a good film, even the bits without Petula ;) Fumed Oak, with Petula? Any more info? I've never heard of this before...

28-07-2006, 12:30 AM	#8
JamesM has no status. Moderator Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: London Posts: 1,413 Country: iTrader: (0)	I cannot find 'Excaliber' in the members list.

04-08-2006, 03:14 PM	#10
Brief Encounter is anticipating the Margaret boxset Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: London Posts: 276 My Mood: Country: iTrader: (0)	Caroline - is this the film you're thinking of? Meet Me Tonight (1952) Petula isn't credited though. JamesM - he seems to have reverted back to Harold Pelham.

30-08-2006, 02:56 PM	#12
ChristineCB has no status. Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 1,738 Country: iTrader: (13)	I'd love to find a website that had some voting mechanism for Films Wanted On DVD as if web-based voting would be sufficient to kick-start the release of older films on DVD. For USA TV series, there is a site called TVShowsOnDVD.com where the free-signup 'members' can vote for series titles. This is a great little site that may or may not have any function within studio DVD-production. And perhaps movie-production companies are so numerous and rights-issues are so clogged that such a site wouldn't be worthy. I'd love to see BRIGHTON STRANGLER released. And BLITHE SPIRIT to be re-released. And of course BEDAZZLED, which always is threatened with "soon to be released". Oh well... the joys of VHS.

30-08-2006, 04:35 PM	#13
sheriff_bart has no status. Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Redcar, Cleveland Posts: 45 Country: iTrader: (0)	BEDAZZLED has been released heres the link http://www.play.com/DVD/DVD/4-/58197...d/Product.html also BLITHE SPIRIT http://www.play.com/DVD/DVD/4-/11228...=blithe+spirit

30-08-2006, 10:10 PM	#14
Brief Encounter is anticipating the Margaret boxset Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: London Posts: 276 My Mood: Country: iTrader: (0)	Yes Christine, it would be nice if the companies who own the material actually wanted audience feedback! Have done some research on who owns the Petula films yet to be issued on DVD: Medal For The General (1944) Owned by Granada International Strawberry Roan (1945) Granada International Murder In Reverse (1945) Granada International Trouble At Townsend (1946) Granada International (25-min children's instructional film) London Town (1946) Granada International Easy Money (1948) Granada International Here Come The Huggetts (1948) Granada International Vote For Huggett (1949) Granada International Here Come The Huggetts (1949) Granada International Don't Ever Leave Me (1949) Granada International The Romantic Age (1949) Granada International Dance Hall (1950) Canal + Image UK Tin Pan Alley (1951) Pathe Pictorial. 8 mins long docu starring Beverley Sisters, Vera Lynn etc. White Corridors (1951) Rank International Madame Louise (1951). Produced by Nettlefold Films, distributed by Butcher's Film Service. I cannot determine who now owns them! Can anyone here help? Made In Heaven (1952) Rank International The Gay Dog (1954) Produced by Coronet Pictures, distributed by Eros. As with Madame Louise, I can't find out ownership details. The Happiness of Three Women (1954) Produced by Advance, distributed by Adelphi Films. Can't establish ownership. Can anyone help? Track The Man Down (1955) Paramount That Woman Opposite (1957) Canal + Image UK 6-5 Special (1957) Canal + Image UK

01-09-2006, 09:14 PM	#15
ChristineCB has no status. Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 1,738 Country: iTrader: (13)	For the companies that own the rights to these films, I'm hope it's a matter of selecting the best restoration process done within their budget. A couple of months ago, several John Wayne films were released (Island in the Sky and two others) which were the subject of some rights battles. Three Jimmy Stewart films were released a couple of weeks ago (Spirit of St Louis, Stratton Story and ??) which were also rumored to be delayed for rights issues. There are still many more to go. The fact that X number of films get the rights issues solved but some remain make me wonder if "rights issues" are the only reason. "You can decide on 3 or 5, but you can't on 6 or 10?" I sometimes get the feeling that production companies withhold titles for the sake of withholding them. As if rarity will make the public clamoring louder and will draw bigger revenues. Or maybe they think John Wayne's about ready to make brand new blockbusters and that will make his older films more valuable?!! Yeah. Right. Uh, Dear Production Companies, if you're going to hold your breath for that concept, I suggest you tape a plastic bag over your head first. That way, you can hold your breath so much better. The Conde Naste type mentality of withholding access to the old THE SHADOW radio series episodes makes me think they believe they'll get more money is 20 years after everyone who remembers them dies off. Yeah. Right. Like kids with 3-minute attention spans will really enjoy dedicating 30 whole minutes to a radio re-broadcast. I'd recommend they release them sooner than later to keep the fields of interest growing, not dying off.