Columbia Classics: Frank Capra at Columbia

[yoloswegmaster]

MifuneFan has found a listing for a Frank Capra at Columbia boxset that is being released in November. No confirmed titles yet but 21 films will be in the set, including several titles making their disc debut. There will be 4K discs included but no confirmation yet if all the titles are on 4K or only a select few and the rest being on BD.

[domino harvey]

MifuneFan has found a listing for a Frank Capra at Columbia boxset that is being released in November. No confirmed titles yet but 21 films will be in the set, including several titles making their disc debut. There will be 4K discs included but no confirmation yet if all the titles are on 4K or only a select few and the rest being on BD.

Wow! Hopefully (and presumably) everything is available on Blu-ray in the set, but this is a much worthier use of energy than something like their Stooges box

[The Elegant Dandy Fop]

I remember back in 2010 seeing about three or four new prints made of his silent work and always expected them to arrive on DVD. Hopefully they put those on this set!

[dwk]

Press release for the Capra set

FRANK CAPRA AT COLUMBIA COLLECTION

​
Celebrating 100 Years of Columbia Pictures
And One of the Most Iconic Filmmakers of All Time


20 Films Directed by Frank Capra from the Columbia Pictures Library
In a Limited Edition Gift Set November 19th
​
All 20 Films Presented on Blu-ray Disc™,
With Nine of Those Films Also on 4K Ultra HD™
​
​
CULVER CITY, Calif. (September 12th, 2024) – Celebrate 100 years of Columbia Pictures and the work of iconic and award-winning filmmaker Frank Capra as Sony Pictures Home Entertainment proudly assembles 20 of his films, exclusively within the FRANK CAPRA AT COLUMBIA COLLECTION, available November 19. Each film is presented in high definition from original and existing elements, with nine films also presented in full 4K resolution!

From romantic pursuits to explosive action, from spectacular thrills to insightful social commentary, the FRANK CAPRA AT COLUMBIA collection features a wide variety of films that still feel fresh and timely today: the perfect collection of films for any mood or occasion! Then for fans of classic cinema, the scope of pre-code rarities to Best Picture-winning classics makes this set a must-own!

The 20 films in the FRANK CAPRA AT COLUMBIA COLLECTION represent Capra’s earlier work at the studio through to the more well-known award-winning blockbusters, with many films making their long-awaited disc debut! The discs are included within a coffee table-worthy sleek outer box that opens to showcase the films inside. The set also includes several new commentaries from film historians, hours of archival special features, and the full feature-length 2024 documentary, FRANK CAPRA: MR AMERICA!

In addition to the physical gift set, several Frank Capra classics will also be debuting at digital retailers this holiday season, including SO THIS IS LOVE, THE WAY OF THE STRONG, THAT CERTAIN THING, THE MIRACLE WOMAN and LADY FOR A DAY. These must-see films will be available for digital purchase or rental, alongside such favorites as IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT, MR. DEEDS GOES TO TOWN, LOST HORIZON, YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU and MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON. FRANK CAPRA: MR AMERICA is also available now for digital rental or purchase.
​
SO THIS IS LOVE (1928) Bu-ray

Synopsis: Dress designer Jerry McGuire, (William Collier Jr.) is secretly in love with Hilda Jensen (Shirly Mason) who works at the delicatessen. But Hilda is in love with the self-admiring pugilist Spike Mullins (Johnnie Walker). Can Jerry summon up the courage to woo Hilda? And more importantly stand up to Spike? With all-new music score by Michael D. Mortilla.
Presented in High Definition on Blu-ray Disc; English DTS-HD MA Stereo Audio; Includes All-New Commentary with Film Historians Stan Taffel and Bryan Cooper
SO THIS IS LOVE has a run time of approximately 55 minutes and is not rated.

THE WAY OF THE STRONG (1928) Blu-ray

Synopsis: Handsome Williams (Mitchell Lewis), a brutal bootlegger, falls for blind violinist, Nora (Alice Day). Handsome’s rivals recognize that she is his vulnerability--and target the innocent Nora as retribution. With all-new music score by Michael D. Mortilla
Presented in High Definition on Blu-ray Disc; English DTS-HD MA Stereo Audio; Includes All-New Commentary with Film Historians Stan Taffel and Bryan Cooper
THE WAY OF THE STRONG has a run time of approximately 58 minutes and is not rated.

THAT CERTAIN THING (1928) Blu-ray

Synopsis: Viola Dana plays Molly, a poor girl who falls in love with A.B. Charles, Jr. (Ralph Graves), son of a millionaire restaurateur. When the son meets and impulsively marries Molly, his father cuts him off without a dime, but with Molly’s ingenuity and “that certain thing,” her prospects are better than ever. With all-new music score by Donald Sosin.
Presented in High Definition on Blu-ray Disc; English DTS-HD MA Stereo Audio
THAT CERTAIN THING has a run time of approximately 64 minutes and is not rated.

SUBMARINE (1928) 4K UHD

Synopsis: Columbia’s first film to be released with a synchronized score is a taut drama about a deep-sea diver's efforts (Jack Holt) to rescue the crew of a submarine lodged 400 feet underwater, with Ralph Graves, his best friend and rival, on board. Newly reconstructed score by Rodney Sauer, from original source materials, performed by the Mont Alto Orchestra.
Presented in 4K SDR on 4K Ultra HD disc and in High Definition on Blu-ray Disc; English DTS-HD MA Mono Audio

SUBMARINE has a run time of approximately 103 minutes and is not rated.

THE YOUNGER GENERATION (1929) 4K UHD

Synopsis: In this moving drama, Jean Hersholt is a Jewish pushcart vendor whose ambitious son’s success allows him to move the family to a fancy uptown address where new tensions push father and son apart. Columbia Pictures first “talkie” contained limited dialog. Includes restored audio, including newly reconstructed score by Rodney Sauer, performed by the Mont Alto Orchestra.
Presented in 4K SDR on 4K Ultra HD disc and in High Definition on Blu-ray Disc; English DTS-HD MA Mono Audio
THE YOUNGER GENERATION has a run time of approximately 83 minutes and is not rated.

FLIGHT (1929) Blu-ray

Synopsis: The second of three technological spectacles featuring Jack Holt and Ralph Graves as rivals in love despite a friendship forged as Marine Corps fliers in training and action.
Presented in High Definition on Blu-ray Disc; English DTS-HD MA Mono Audio; Includes the Theatrical Trailer
FLIGHT has a run time of approximately 120 minutes and is not rated.

LADIES OF LEISURE (1930) Blu-ray

Synopsis: Kay (Barbara Stanwyck) is a wild party girl out to snare herself a rich suitor. Jerry (Ralph Graves) is a young man from an affluent family striving to become an artist. What starts out as a relationship of mutual convenience soon blossoms into love in this charming film.
Presented in High Definition on Blu-ray Disc; English DTS-HD MA Mono Audio; Includes an Audio Commentary with Film Historian Jeremy Arnold
LADIES OF LEISURE has a run time of approximately 98 minutes and is not rated.

RAIN OR SHINE (1930) Blu-ray

Synopsis: Mary (Joan Peers) inherits her late father's financially floundering circus. With the help of her charismatic manager, Smiley Johnson (Joe Cook), they try to salvage the big top. Presented with an alternate version released without sync dialog, created for international audiences.
Both Domestic and International Versions of the Film Presented in High Definition on Blu-ray Disc; English DTS-HD MA Mono Audio; Includes the “Frank Capra Finds a Place in the Sun with Michel Gondry” Featurette
RAIN OR SHINE has a run time of approximately 88 minutes and is not rated.

DIRIGIBLE (1931) 4K UHD

Synopsis: Adventure duo Jack Holt and Ralph Graves pair again as great rivals, but better friends challenging the elements and attempting to conquer the air and the South Pole.
Presented in 4K SDR on 4K Ultra HD disc and in High Definition on Blu-ray Disc; English DTS-HD MA Mono Audio
DIRIGIBLE has a run time of approximately 100 minutes and is not rated.

THE MIRACLE WOMAN (1931) Blu-ray

Synopsis: Barbara Stanwyck shines as the daughter of an undervalued minister, who, grieving after her father's death, joins a fraudulent church as a preacher. David Manners, a blind ex-pilot, hears Stanwyck preaching and goes to her.
Presented in High Definition on Blu-ray Disc; English DTS-HD MA Mono Audio; Includes the “Ron Howard on The Miracle Woman” Featurette
THE MIRACLE WOMAN has a run time of approximately 90 minutes and is not rated.

PLATINUM BLONDE (1931) 4K UHD

Synopsis: A wise-cracking newspaper reporter’s entanglement with a wealthy socialite (the glittering Jean Harlow) stirs the class prejudices of both her publicity-shy family and his ink-stained pals (including Loretta Young) in this fast-paced classic Capra comedy.
Presented in 4K with Dolby Vision on 4K Ultra HD disc and in High Definition on Blu-ray Disc; English DTS-HD MA Mono Audio
PLATINUM BLONDE has a run time of approximately 88 minutes and is not rated.

AMERICAN MADNESS (1932) Blu-ray

Synopsis: Walter Huston stars as an idealistic bank president dealing with the aftermath of a robbery. While rallying local businessmen to deposit funds to keep the bank afloat, he learns the truth about the loyalties of the people around him.
Presented in High Definition on Blu-ray Disc; English DTS-HD MA Mono Audio; Includes an All-New Commentary with Film Historian Steven C. Smith Featuring Victoria Riskin, Plus Commentary with Frank Capra Jr. & Author Cathrine Kellison and the “Frank Capra Jr. Remembers...‘American Madness’” Featurette
AMERICAN MADNESS has a run time of approximately 76 minutes and is not rated.

THE BITTER TEA OF GENERAL YEN (1932) Blu-ray

Synopsis: Barbara Stanwyck plays an American missionary who reluctantly falls for the General who kidnaps her amid the Chinese Civil War.
Presented in High Definition on Blu-ray Disc; English DTS-HD MA Mono Audio; Includes an All-New Commentary with Film Historian Kimberly Truhler, Plus the “Defining Capra's Early Style with Martin Scorsese and Ron Howard” Featurette
THE BITTER TEA OF GENERAL YEN has a run time of approximately 87 minutes and is not rated.

FORBIDDEN (1932) Blu-ray

Synopsis: In this pre-code romantic drama, Barbara Stanwyck stars as a staid librarian swept away by a charming married man (Adolph Menjou). When their affair produces a daughter, Menjou proposes an unconventional, heart-breaking solution.
Presented in High Definition on Blu-ray Disc; English DTS-HD MA Mono Audio; Includes a Commentary with Author Jeanine Basinger
FORBIDDEN has a run time of approximately 85 minutes and is not rated.

LADY FOR A DAY (1933) Blu-ray

Synopsis: A gangster and his gal help his good luck charm, Apple Annie, a depression-era apple seller, convince her daughter’s future in-laws she’s a proper match.
Presented in High Definition on Blu-ray Disc; English DTS-HD MA Mono Audio
LADY FOR A DAY has a run time of approximately 95 minutes and is not rated.

IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT (1934) 4K UHD

Synopsis: Winner of all 5 major 1934 Oscars®, including Best Picture! When a brash reporter (Clark Gable) meets a runaway heiress (Claudette Colbert), can love be far behind?
Presented in 4K with Dolby Vision on 4K Ultra HD disc and in High Definition on Blu-ray Disc; English DTS-HD MA Mono Audio; Includes an All-New Commentary with Film Historian Julie Kirgo, Plus Commentary by Frank Capra Jr., 2 Featurettes, Original Live Radio Broadcast and a Theatrical Trailer
IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT has a run time of approximately 105 minutes and is not rated.

MR. DEEDS GOES TO TOWN (1936) 4K UHD

Synopsis: Gary Cooper plays Longfellow Deeds, whose simple rural life is upended when he inherits his uncle's fortune. Jean Arthur is the cynical reporter tasked with exposing him for laughs (and circulation) but ends up overwhelmed by his honesty and decency.
Presented in 4K with Dolby Vision on 4K Ultra HD disc and in High Definition on Blu-ray Disc; English DTS-HD MA Mono Audio; Includes an All-New Commentary with Victorian Riskin and Steven C. Smith, Plus Commentary by Frank Capra Jr., Featurette, and a Theatrical Re-Release Trailer
MR. DEEDS GOES TO TOWN has a run time of approximately 116 minutes and is not rated.

LOST HORIZON (1937) 4K UHD

Synopsis: Ronald Colman and Jane Wyatt star in this unique journey to the enchanted paradise of Shangri-La, where time stands still.
Presented in 4K with Dolby Vision on 4K Ultra HD disc and in High Definition on Blu-ray Disc; English DTS-HD MA Mono Audio; Includes Commentary with Charles Champlin and Bob Gitt, Alternate Ending, 4 Featurettes, 5 Theatrical Teasers & Trailers
LOST HORIZON has a run time of approximately 133 minutes and is not rated.

YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU (1938) 4K UHD

Synopsis: A man from a family of rich snobs becomes engaged to a woman from a good-natured but decidedly eccentric family. Winner of the Academy Award® for Best Picture!
Presented in 4K with Dolby Vision on 4K Ultra HD disc and in High Definition on Blu-ray Disc; English DTS-HD MA Mono Audio; Includes Commentary with Frank Capra Jr. & Author Cathrine Kellison, Featurette and Theatrical Trailer
YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU has a run time of approximately 126 minutes and is not rated.

MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON (1939) 4K UHD

Synopsis: James Stewart takes on the powers-that-be in our nation's capital in Frank Capra's timeless classic. Nominated for eleven 1939 Oscars®, including Best Picture.
Presented in 4K with Dolby Vision on 4K Ultra HD disc and in High Definition on Blu-ray Disc; English DTS-HD MA Mono Audio; Includes an All-New Commentary with Film Historian Julie Kirgo, Plus Commentary with Frank Capra Jr., 5 Featurettes, “Frank Capra’s American Dream” Documentary and Theatrical Trailers
MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON has a run time of approximately 129 minutes and is not rated.

FRANK CAPRA: MR AMERICA (2024) Blu-ray

Synopsis: FRANK CAPRA: MR AMERICA tells the story of Frank Capra, a young immigrant who rose through the ranks of early Hollywood to become one of the Great American storytellers and one of the most successful and influential film directors of his generation. His iconic films, including IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT, MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON, and IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE, offered an inspiring vision of America where ideals win out, integrity triumphs, and ordinary people have their day. The documentary uses never-before-seen footage and audio tapes from Capra’s life to examine his career and relationship with America, offering a portrait of a complicated man whose tales of hope in difficult times still speak to audiences today. Written and Directed by Matthew Wells.
Presented in High Definition on Blu-ray Disc; English DTS-HD MA Audio; Includes a Theatrical Trailer
FRANK CAPRA: MR AMERICA has a run time of approximately 92 minutes and is rated PG-13 for brief strong language, smoking and thematic elements.

[domino harvey]

Looks incredible!

[bottlesofsmoke]

Wow, this is absolutely fantastic, The UHDs are just a bonus to those earlier films in HD! I’ll have to reread Dan Callahan’s chapter on the Capra films in his Stanwyck book before rewatching.
Interesting that The Power of the Press isn’t included, I wonder why? It’s generally considered his best silent, must be a rights thing. Like Broadway Bill which got remade by Paramount in the 50s (and they put out the DVD of the earlier film) so Sony must not have the rights.

[videozor]

Happy that The Bitter Tea... is getting a decent BD
Can retire the old DVD. Glad didn't buy a bare bone BD...

[domino harvey]

Wow, this is absolutely fantastic, The UHDs are just a bonus to those earlier films in HD! I’ll have to reread Dan Callahan’s chapter on the Capra films in his Stanwyck book before rewatching.
Interesting that The Power of the Press isn’t included, I wonder why? It’s generally considered his best silent, must be a rights thing. Like Broadway Bill which got remade by Paramount in the 50s (and they put out the DVD of the earlier film) so Sony must not have the rights.

Paramount put out the remake, Riding High, on DVD too— it’s one of my favorite Capras, hopefully someone already licensed it for Blu before the Paramount freeze

[Peacock]

Happy that The Bitter Tea... is getting a decent BD
Can retire the old DVD. Glad didn't buy a bare bone BD...

Bitter Tea has been out on Blu-ray for ages! Originally as a MOD disc but later a pressed one.

[knives]

Wow. This is release of the year sort of thing.

[domino harvey]

Lady For a Day doesn’t carry over any of the extras from Inception’s long OOP Blu-ray, but I never listen to family member commentaries so not a big deal at all to me

[domino harvey]

No slots!!!

[knives]

And I repeat

Wow. This is release of the year sort of thing.

[cdnchris]

No slots!!!

I think they've been generally good about that with their sets, but still great to see.

I'm more shocked that there will be, what, 9(!) 4Ks in here. I fell behind on picking up the Blu-rays that have already been available, so that will make this less painful. No word on the price yet, though? I don't think any of the announcements I've seen have shown one.

[ryannichols7]

if this is what Sony plans to be doing in house, I can kinda forgive them for doing less licensing (though the Criterion Funny Girl seems to indicate they'll be able to continue that)

why couldn't it have been Sony to get the Fox catalog, for example? I'd give a lot to see an updated Ford at Fox like this!!

[MichaelB]

Thank Christ for that. Hopefully all the people who've been bombarding my colleagues at Powerhouse for many, many years with requests - and sometimes quite aggressive demands - for a Capra box set will finally realise why such a thing was never on the cards; none of these films was available for licensing, and we now know why.

[Grand Wazoo]

Looks incredible. What do we think this will cost?

[Saturnome]

I feel I have no rights to complain, yet I wish The Power of the Press was included !

[domino harvey]

The Matinee Idol is VERY conspicuously missing despite being Columbia. I believe blackface is the central focus of the film, so that's presumably why

[Aspect]

I’ve been a cinephile for a very long time and seen the entire filmographies of many great directors, but I’ve somehow only seen two Capras (It Happened One Night and It’s a Wonderful Life, both of which I thought were great, though I prefer It Happened One Night). I know, unforgivable.

This appears to be a very tempting set ripe for exploration.

What are the forum favorites included here?

[knives]

Definitely Bitter Tea

[Saturnome]

Missing films :
The Matinee Idol (1928) : was released on DVD with “Frank Capra’s American Dream”, that documentary is included here.
Say it with Sables (1928) : lost.
The Power of the Press (1928) : ???
The Donovan Affair (1929) : film exist, but the soundtrack is lost.
Broadway Bill (1934) : I believe Paramount owns it now ? It got a Warner DVD release.

[TechnicolorAcid]

I too haven’t seen much Capra (indeed I lived too long without seeing It’s a Wonderful Life) but out of what I’ve seen Lost Horizon proved itself a warm and charming little fantasy and I enjoyed my time in it’s little world very much.

[domino harvey]

What are the forum favorites included here?

American Madness is my fave Capra and is included here, though it already had a Blu-ray release

[nicolas]

Looks incredible. What do we think this will cost?

I think they've been generally good about that with their sets, but still great to see.

I'm more shocked that there will be, what, 9(!) 4Ks in here. I fell behind on picking up the Blu-rays that have already been available, so that will make this less painful. No word on the price yet, though? I don't think any of the announcements I've seen have shown one.

MifuneFan at BR said it’ll be in the regions of the Columbia Classics set with a MSRP of around $215 and it should be available for $150 in stores.