Columbia Classics

[eerik]

For me personally, this Vol. 5 set has the best lineup of films since the first one. Haven’t seen All the King’s Men but the others are exceptional titles. I’ve always thought Criterion are sitting on the three they released previously. Sony really made something out of their celebratory year but a part of me wishes they’d given their Sony Pictures Classics library another go though. Seeing the 2022 set being readily available almost two years later after multiple significant price drops is very unfortunate and probably what makes this a one-off thing.

SPC set was always going to be a one off. It is labeled as the 30th Anniversary collection, not volume 1 of anything. I believe they did a DVD collection for their 10th anniversary, any maybe one more, but none on Blu-ray. Maybe we'll get another for 40th anniversary if we are lucky.

Anyways, back to Columbia Classics, good to see that volume 5 puts us back to the somewhat regular schedule. Vol. 4 was more than likely just internally delayed from late 2023 to February 2024 to be part of the centennial.

[nicolas]

For me personally, this Vol. 5 set has the best lineup of films since the first one. Haven’t seen All the King’s Men but the others are exceptional titles. I’ve always thought Criterion are sitting on the three they released previously. Sony really made something out of their celebratory year but a part of me wishes they’d given their Sony Pictures Classics library another go though. Seeing the 2022 set being readily available almost two years later after multiple significant price drops is very unfortunate and probably what makes this a one-off thing.

SPC set was always going to be a one off. It is labeled as the 30th Anniversary collection, not volume 1 of anything. I believe they did a DVD collection for their 10th anniversary, any maybe one more, but none on Blu-ray. Maybe we'll get another for 40th anniversary if we are lucky.

Anyways, back to Columbia Classics, good to see that volume 5 puts us back to the somewhat regular schedule. Vol. 4 was more than likely just internally delayed from late 2023 to February 2024 to be part of the centennial.

I know that the set is a 30th Anniversary Collection, which shattered my hopes at the time already. It was a good start though and totally unexpected. I thought of Sony maybe doing an Almodóvar set with the many films of his they have the rights for. Hopefully something in that vein is in the works in time for his next film. Criterion is also a possibility for that.

[Finch]

Body Double to be released as a 4K steelbook by Sony on Sept 24 in HDR10 and DV with archival extras.

[nicolas]

Columbia Classics Vol. 5 Full Breakdown courtesy of Variety:
“All the King’s Men” (1949)
* 4K Ultra HD includes:
* Feature presented in 4K resolution with Dolby Vision
* Mono DTS-HD Master Audio

* Blu-ray Includes:
* Feature presented in high definition, sourced from the 4K master
* Mono DTS-HD Master Audio
* (new) Audio Commentary Featuring Film Historians Julie Kirgo and Peter Hankoff
* (new) “Force of Will: The Making of ‘All The King’s Men’“ featurette
* Theatrical trailer

“On the Waterfront” (1954)
* 4K Ultra HDs include:
* Feature presented in 4K resolution with Dolby Vision, restored from the original camera negative
* 3 separate 4K presentations of the film, with 1.66, 1.37 and 1.85 aspect ratios, plus noted audio options
* Dolby Atmos English audio
* 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio
* Mono DTS-HD Master Audio

* Blu-ray includes:
* Feature presented in high definition at 1.66 aspect ratio, sourced from the 4K master
* 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio
* Mono DTS-HD Master Audio
* (new) “Budd Schulberg: A Righteous Indignation” featurette
* (new) “Boris Kaufman: A Vision Beyond Borders” featurette
* Audio commentary featuring critic Richard Schickel and film historian Jeff Young
* “Contender: Mastering the Method” Featurette
* Interview with director Elia Kazan
* Martin Scorsese and Kent Jones featurette
* Eva Marie Saint interview
* Thomas Hanley interview
* On the Aspect Ratio
* Stills gallery
* Theatrical trailer

“A Man For All Seasons” (1966)
* 4K Ultra HD includes:
* Feature presented in 4K resolution with Dolby Vision, restored from the original camera negative
* Dolby Atmos English audio5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio

* Blu-ray includes:
* Feature presented in high definition, sourced from the 4K master
* 5.1 DTS-HD Master AudioMono DTS-HD Master AudioSpecial Features:
* Audio commentary*featuring Lem Dobbs, Julie Kirgo and Nick Redman
* (new) “Moral Clarity with Bishop Robert Barron” featurette
* “The Life of St. Thomas More” featurette
* Theatrical trailer(s)
* Mono DTS-HD Master Audio

“Tootsie” (1982)
* 4K Ultra HD includes:
* Feature presented in 4K resolution with Dolby Vision, restored from the original camera negative
* Dolby Atmos English audio
* 5.0 DTS-HD Master Audio
* Mono DTS-HD Master Audio

* Blu-ray includes:
* Feature presented in high definition, from the 4K master
* 5.0 DTS-HD Master AudioMono DTS-HD Master Audio
* (new) Audio Commentary with Film Critic Cerise Howard & Filmmaker Rohan Spong
* “A Better Man: The Making of Tootsie” documentary
* Dustin Hoffman interview
* 9 deleted scenes
* Screen test footage
* Theatrical trailer

“The Age of Innocence” (1993)
* 4K Ultra HD includes:
* Feature presented in 4K resolution with Dolby Vision, restored from the original camera negative
* Dolby Atmos English audio (High Dynamic Range and Dolby Atmos audio approved by editor Thelma Schoonmaker)
* 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio
* 2-Channel Surround DTS-HD Master Audio

* Blu-ray includes:
* Feature presented in high definition, sourced from the 4K master
* 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio
* 2-Channel Surround DTS-HD Master Audio
* Martin Scorsese interview
* Jay Cocks interview
* Original 1993 making-of featurette
* Moments from Set: B-Roll
* Theatrical trailer

“Little Women” (2019)
* 4K Ultra HD includes:
* Feature presented in 4K resolution with Dolby Vision
* Dolby Atmos English audio
* 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio
* Special features:
* (new) Audio Commentary Featuring Writer / Director Greta Gerwig and Saoirse Ronan
* (new) Revisiting Little Women: A Conversation with Greta Gerwig and Saoirse Ronan
* Theatrical trailer

* Blu-ray includes:
* Feature presented in high definition, sourced from the 4K master
* 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio
* Special features:
* “A New Generation of Little Women” featurette
* “Making a Modern Classic” featurette
* “Greta Gerwig: Women Making Art” featurette
* Hair & make-up test sequence
* “Little Women” behind the scenes
* Orchard House, home of Louisa May Alcott

Bonus Disc
* The Belle of Broadway (1926) – presented in HD resolution
* Ladies of Leisure (1926) – presented in 4K resolution (SDR)
* The Desert Bride (1928) – presented in 4K resolution (SDR)
* The Scarlet Lady (1928) – presented in 4K resolution (SDR)

[Mario G.]

Bonus Disc
* The Belle of Broadway (1926) – presented in HD resolution
* Ladies of Leisure (1926) – presented in 4K resolution (SDR)
* The Desert Bride (1928) – presented in 4K resolution (SDR)
* The Scarlet Lady (1928) – presented in 4K resolution (SDR)

Does anyone know whether these are just general bonus films or do they tie into a collected film in someway?

[nicolas]

Bonus Disc
* The Belle of Broadway (1926) – presented in HD resolution
* Ladies of Leisure (1926) – presented in 4K resolution (SDR)
* The Desert Bride (1928) – presented in 4K resolution (SDR)
* The Scarlet Lady (1928) – presented in 4K resolution (SDR)

Does anyone know whether these are just general bonus films or do they tie into a collected film in someway?

One member on the other forum mentioned that one of these films was considered lost until a print surfaced a few years ago from a collector. The others are probably “just” minimally restored catalogue titles they’ve preserved for archival purposes in the first place. They probably didn’t see that these have any significant sale potential in single releases or even when licensed to boutique labels. In a collection like this, these are very welcome though as “cherries” on top similar to the Starman TV series of the last set.

[eerik]

Bonus Disc
* The Belle of Broadway (1926) – presented in HD resolution
* Ladies of Leisure (1926) – presented in 4K resolution (SDR)
* The Desert Bride (1928) – presented in 4K resolution (SDR)
* The Scarlet Lady (1928) – presented in 4K resolution (SDR)

Does anyone know whether these are just general bonus films or do they tie into a collected film in someway?

Probably just some of Columbia's earliest surviving films?

[What A Disgrace]

It would have made more sense to put some early Capra silents in there, but I suppose they'll save that for when they finally get around to the next set, which will probably contain their last Best Picture winner...

[eerik]

It would have made more sense to put some early Capra silents in there, but I suppose they'll save that for when they finally get around to the next set, which will probably contain their last Best Picture winner...

I really hope they will continue doing these sets, but the trailer for this one has a strange line "Complete Your Columbia Classics Collection" which to me reads like this might be the last one.

[andyli]

Oh they'll release a sixth one, and then tell us to re-complete the complete collection.

[Captain Paranoia]

Oh they'll release a sixth one, and then tell us to re-complete the complete collection.

To me it reads as that usual "collect them all" slogan that is usually found in ads such as these.

(On a side note, the inclusion of a Gerwig/Ronan commentary track is enough to get me excited for this release).

[Finch]

Sony have announced a Blu-ray for Once to Every Woman (1934) with Ralph Bellamy and Fay Wray, dated September 10. No extras as with Man's Castle.

[domino harvey]

Did Sony hire the guy at Warner Archives who threw the dart at the board to pick new titles?

[eerik]

To me it reads as that usual "collect them all" slogan that is usually found in ads such as these.

(On a side note, the inclusion of a Gerwig/Ronan commentary track is enough to get me excited for this release).

That's what I thought at first, but none of the previous trailers said anything like that. I hope they keep doing these. Even if they only care about the Oscar nominations, they could do at least 2 or 3 with their non-winning Best Picture nominees alone.

[pistolwink]

Did Sony hire the guy at Warner Archives who threw the dart at the board to pick new titles?

are you doubting the 21st-century commercial juggernaut that is Ralph Bellamy?

[nicolas]

I hope this is the right thread for Sony catalogue announcements. If not, please move and let me know where to post the next time.

Sony just announced LITTLE WOMEN (1994) in 4K for November 19:

Feature scanned from the original camera negative, presented in 4K resolution with Dolby Vision
English 5.1 DTS-HD MA, English 2-Channel Surround DTS-HD MA
Special Features:
Commentary with Director Gillian Armstrong
Deleted Scenes with Commentary
The Making of Little Women
Costume and Production Design Featurette
Theatrical Trailer

[therewillbeblus]

Too bad it's not paired with a UHD of Sofia Coppola's Marie Antoinette!

[nicolas]

Too bad it's not paired with a UHD of Sofia Coppola's Marie Antoinette!

Hopefully this one’s already in the works and only waiting for Coppola’s approval just like Lost in Translation.

[captveg]

Couple of smaller Sony Pictures Classics titles on BD on 10/15/24: Nine Queens (2000) and Secret Ballot (2001).

[captveg]

12/3/24 UHDs:

Legends of the Fall (1994)
The Talk of the Town (1942) (may also get a stand alone BD release)

[Tuppence]

Bonus Disc
* The Belle of Broadway (1926) – presented in HD resolution
* Ladies of Leisure (1926) – presented in 4K resolution (SDR)
* The Desert Bride (1928) – presented in 4K resolution (SDR)
* The Scarlet Lady (1928) – presented in 4K resolution (SDR)

Having just received the UK version of this set, I was startled to find an unannounced fifth film on the bonus disc, The Price She Paid, also in 4K SDR.

Furthermore, I can confirm each aspect ratio for On The Waterfront is given its own UHD disc.

[JSC]

I didn't know quite where to place this, but since it's part of a previous Columbia Classics package,
I said whaa....?


https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/His-Girl ... ay/370661/

Apparently, it's also available on ebay in a triple feature pack with 3D versions of Gamera and
The Brain that Wouldn't Die!

[domino harvey]

It’s so realistic that it feels like you can reach out and cuck Ralph Bellamy

[JSC]

... not to mention that umbrella and galoshes.

What I don't get is if a company wants to retro-fit movies in 3D, why not do Hawks' The Thing?
At least it sort of nominally goes with the other two movies. Then again, it's still in copyright. Actually,
I totally forgot that His Girl Friday is in the public domain.

[Captain Paranoia]

I totally forgot that His Girl Friday is in the public domain.

I remember having a public-domain double feature DVD of that film alongside Charade when I was younger (It looked like what one could expect from a public domain DVD, it's telling Criterion has released both of these films on Blu-Ray).