Tag Archives: Black & White

The 1940 film His Girl Friday on Criterion 4K

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The 1940 film “His Girl Friday“ arrives on 4K UHD Blu-ray this December 2nd via The Criterion Collection. Howard Hawks directed the movie. It starred Cary Grant, Rosalind Russell, Ralph Bellamy, Gene Lockhart, Porter Hall, Ernest Truex, and Cliff Edwards. EDITORIAL NOTE: This movie was previously released on the 4K UHD format as part of a box set from Sony [“Columbia Classics 4K Ultra HD Collection: Vol. 4“].

This features a new digital 4K restoration. The tech specs for the 4K UHD Blu-ray include a Black and White 2160p video presentation in a 1.37:1 aspect ratio featuring Dolby Vision and HDR10, accompanied by Uncompressed (Linear PCM) Mono sound. The 3-disc set will come as a “combo pack” with its Blu-ray Disc counterpart and a bonus disc. Those Blu-rays will also include the 1931 film “The Front Page” — “Lewis Milestone’s famous pre-Code adaptation of the same material.”

The 4K UHD Blu-ray is now available for preorder at Amazon. You can also preorder directly via the Criterion website. The bonus materials set to be included with this release are listed below and span across 3 discs (one 4K, two Blu-ray).

  • One 4K UHD disc of the film presented in Dolby Vision HDR and two Blu-rays with the film, The Front Page, and the special features
  • 4K digital restoration of The Front Page, made from a recently discovered print of director Lewis Milestone’s preferred version, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack
  • Interview with film scholar David Bordwell
  • Archival interviews with His Girl Friday director Howard Hawks
  • Featurettes from 1999 and 2006 about Hawks and actor Rosalind Russell
  • Radio adaptation of His Girl Friday from 1940
  • Program about the restoration of The Front Page
  • Program about playwright and screenwriter Ben Hecht
  • Radio adaptations of the play The Front Page from 1937 and 1946
  • Trailers
  • English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
  • Plus: Essays on His Girl Friday and The Front Page by film critics Farran Smith Nehme and Michael Sragow
  • Cover by Randy Glass

Nightmare Alley gets a Criterion 4K in October

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The 2021 film “Nightmare Alley“ is coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray on October 28th via The Criterion Collection. Guillermo del Toro directed and co-wrote the movie. It starred Bradley Cooper, Cate Blanchett, Toni Collette, and Willem Dafoe. It also co-starred Richard Jenkins, Rooney Mara, Ron Perlman, and David Strathairn. It’s worth noting that this film is “Certified Fresh” on Rotten Tomatoes, based on critics’ reviews.

The theatrical cut movie has received a 4K digital master. The tech specs for the 4K include a 2160p video presentation in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio with Dolby Vision and HDR10, along with Dolby Atmos sound for the theatrical cut. Also, you’ll get a 4K digital master of “Nightmare Alley: Vision in Darkness and Light” (2025) on a separate 4K disc. This is “a new 159-minute, black-and-white extended director’s cut, supervised by director Guillermo del Toro.” The other 4K tech specs include a 2160p Black & White video presentation in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio with Dolby Vision and HDR10, along with a lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround sound mix.

This 4-disc release will come as a “combo pack” and include a 4K for each version of the film as well as a Blu-ray for each version of the film. You can find the 4K UHD Blu-ray now available for preorder at Amazon as well as directly via the Criterion website. The bonus materials set to be included with this release are listed in detail below.

  • New audio commentary on the extended director’s cut featuring del Toro
  • New documentary on the film’s performances, visual language, costume and production design, and score
  • New conversation between del Toro and actor and producer Bradley Cooper
  • New conversation between del Toro and co-screenwriter Kim Morgan
  • Trailers
  • English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing and English descriptive audio
  • PLUS: An essay by crime-fiction and true-crime expert Sarah Weinman
  • New cover by Thomas Ott

The 1950 film Harvey is coming to 4K in August

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The 1950 film “Harvey“ is coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray on August 19th via Universal Studios Home Entertainment. Henry Koster directed the movie. It starred James Stewart, Josephine Hull, Charles Drake, Cecil Kellaway, Victoria Horne, Wallace Ford, and Peggy Dow. It’s worth noting this motion picture is celebrating its 75th anniversary.

The tech specs for the 4K included a 2160p Black & White presentation in a 1.37:1 aspect ratio with Dolby Vision and HDR10 forms of high dynamic range. It will include lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono sound on a BD-66 disc. The release will come as a “combo pack” with its Blu-ray Disc counterpart included as well as a digital copy, compatible with Movies Anywhere.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray is now available for preorder at Amazon and Walmart. The bonus materials set to be included are listed below.

  • Special Introduction by Film Star James Stewart with Photographic Montage
  • Theatrical Trailer
  • 100 Years of Universal: The Carl Laemmle Era
  • 100 Years of Universal: The Lew Wasserman Era

The 1950 film Sunset Boulevard on 4K in August

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The 1950 film “Sunset Boulevard” is coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray on August 5th via Paramount Home Media Distribution. This will mark the film’s 75th anniversary. The legendary Billy Wilder co-wrote and directed the movie. It starred William Holden, Gloria Swanson, Erich von Stroheim, Nancy Olson, Fred Clark, and Jack Webb. It’s worth noting that this film is still “Certified Fresh” by critics on Rotten Tomatoes.

The tech specs for the 4K include a 2160p Black & White video presentation in a 1.37:1 aspect ratio with Dolby Vision and HDR10 forms of high dynamic range. It will feature lossless Dolby TrueHD 2.0 Mono sound. The release will come as a “combo pack” with its Blu-ray Disc counterpart and a digital copy included. There is no information yet regarding the specifics of the bonus materials. However, you can likely expect legacy DVD & Blu-ray extras to be ported over.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray is now available for preorder at Amazon. Stay tuned for further details about this upcoming physical media release.

Some Like It Hot gets a Criterion 4K in April

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The 1959 film “Some Like It Hot” will be released on 4K UHD Blu-ray on April 8th via The Criterion Collection. The film was directed and co-written by Billy Wilder. It starred Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon, George Raft, Pat O’Brien, Joe E. Brown, Nehemiah Persoff, and Joan Shawlee.

The movie has received a 4K digital restoration. The tech specs for include a Black & White 2160p video presentation in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio with Dolby Vision (or HDR10) and uncompressed PCM Mono and an alternate DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless surround sound. The 2-disc set will be a “combo pack” with the Blu-ray Disc HD counterpart included. You cannot yet find the 4K UHD Blu-ray available for preorder at Amazon or Walmart, but stay tuned for an update. You can directly preorder this 4K UHD Blu-ray from the Criterion website. The following bonus materials will be included on this release.

  • Audio commentary from 1989 featuring film scholar Howard Suber
  • Program on Orry-Kelly’s costumes for the film, featuring costume designer and historian Deborah Nadoolman Landis and costume historian and archivist Larry McQueen
  • Three behind-the-scenes documentaries
  • Appearances by director Billy Wilder on The Dick Cavett Show from 1982
  • Conversation from 2001 between actor Tony Curtis and film critic Leonard Maltin
  • French television interview from 1988 with actor Jack Lemmon
  • Radio interview from 1955 with actor Marilyn Monroe
  • Trailer
  • English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
  • PLUS: An essay by author Sam Wasson
  • Cover by F. Ron Miller

NOTE: This film was previously released on the 4K UHD Blu-ray format by Kino Lorber (KL Studio Classics) back in 2022. That previous release also featured Dolby Vision (or HDR10) and also contained the options of lossless Mono 2.0 or 5.1 surround sound. This upcoming 2025 Criterion 4K UHD Blu-ray release comes from a 4K digital restoration that Criterion likely oversaw.

Yojimbo and Sanjuro on 4K via Criterion in January

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The films “Yojimbo“ (1961) and “Sanjuro“ (1962) are officially set for release on 4K UHD Blu-ray as “Two Samurai Films by Akira Kurosawa” on January 7th via The Criterion Collection. Akira Kurosawa directed and co-wrote both Japanese films which starred Toshirô Mifune.

Each film has received a 4K digital restoration. The tech specs for the 4K release include Black & White 2160p SDR (standard dynamic range) video presentation in the 2.39:1 aspect ratio with uncompressed LPCM Mono sound and optional DTS-HD Master Audio Perspecta 3.0 soundtracks, “preserving the original simulated stereo effects.” The 4-disc set will come as a “combo pack” with each film on its own 4K UHD Blu-ray and Blu-ray Disc.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray is now available for preorder at Amazon. You can also preorder directly via Criterion’s website. The bonus materials set to be included with the release are listed below.

  • Audio commentaries by Kurosawa scholar Stephen Prince
  • Documentaries on the making of Yojimbo and Sanjuro, created as part of the Toho Masterworks series Akira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful to Create
  • Teasers and trailers
  • Stills galleries of behind-the-scenes photos
  • PLUS: Essays by film writers Alexander Sesonske and Michael Sragow and comments from Kurosawa and members of his casts and crews
  • Covers by Lucien S. Y. Yang

1942 classic Casablanca comes to 4K in November

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The classic 1942 film “Casablanca” is officially coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray on November 8th via Warner Bros. Home Entertainment.  The film, directed by Michael Curtiz, starred Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Paul Henreid, Conrad Veidt, Sydney Greenstreet, Peter Lorre, Dooley Wilson, and Claude Rains.  It also is worth noting that it won a total of 3 Academy Awards (“Oscars”), including “Best Picture.“

The movie has received a new 2022 4K restoration, from Warner’s Motion Picture Imagine labs, as described below [taken from the press release]:

“The new Casablanca 4K Ultra High-Definition image was restored and remastered from a 2022 4K 16bit film scan of the best-surviving nitrate film elements. The 4K-scanned digital images went through an extensive digital restoration process to clean and repair the picture for an unprecedented and pristine ultra-high-resolution presentation.  The restored images were then graded in High Dynamic Range for today’s premium 4K display experience, providing the highest fidelity in image contrast and detail retention.  This work was meticulously handled by Warner Bros. Motion Picture Imaging.  The original theatrical mono audio has also been newly restored as well, providing a richer and broader frequency response than previously possible.”

UPDATE #1: Tech specs for the release include a 2160p video Black & White video presentation in the 1.37:1 aspect ratio with HDR10 form of high dynamic range and a restored DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono sound mix.  The release will come in the form of a “combo pack” meaning that it will have its Blu-ray Disc counterpart and include a digital code (copy) of the film.

UPDATE #2:  You can now find the 4K UHD Blu-ray available for preorder over at Amazon.  The bonus materials set to be included with this release of the film are listed below.

  • Commentary by Roger Ebert [on 4K and Blu-ray]
  • Commentary by Rudy Behlmer [on 4K and Blu-ray]
  • Introduction by Lauren Bacall [on 4K and Blu-ray]
  • Warner Night at the Movies
    • Now, Voyager trailer
    • Newsreel
    • Vaudeville Days (1942 WB short)
    • The Bird Came C.O.D. (1942 WB cartoon)
    • The Squawkin’ Hawk (1942 WB cartoon)
    • The Dover Boys at Pimento University (1942 WB cartoon)
  • Great Performances: Bacall on Bogart (1988 PBS special)
  • Michael Curtiz: The Greatest Director You’ve Never Heard Of
  • Casablanca: An Unlikely Classic
  • You Must Remember This: A Tribute to Casablanca (1992 TEC documentary)
  • As Time Goes By: The Children Remember
  • Deleted Scenes
  • Outtakes
  • Who Holds Tomorrow? (1955 “Casablanca” TV episode)
  • Carrotblanca (1955 WB Cartoon)
  • Scoring Stage Sessions (audio only)
  • Lady Esther Screen Guild Theater Radio Broadcast – 4/26/43 (audio only)
  • Vox Pop Radio Broadcast – 11/19/47 (audio only)
  • Trailers

Further below, after the break, you can find the full details about this upcoming 4K release of the film.

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1944 Billy Wilder film Double Indemnity on 4K in May

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The 1944 film noir “Double Indemnity” is officially coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray and Blu-ray Disc on May 31st via The Criterion Collection.  The film, directed and co-written by Billy Wilder, starred Fred MacMurray, Barbara Stanwyck, and Edward G. Robinson.

This release comes from a new 4K restoration.  The tech specs for the 4K UHD Blu-ray include a 2160p Black & White video presentation in the 1.37:1 aspect ratio with Dolby Vision and HDR10 forms of high dynamic range and an uncompressed LPCM Mono sound mix.  Tech specs for the Blu-ray include a 1080p HD Black & White video presentation in the 1.37:1 aspect ratio and LPCM Mono sound.  The 4K release will come in the form of a “combo pack” with its Blu-ray Disc counterpart included.  You can now find the 4K UHD Blu-ray and the Blu-ray from Criterion available for preorder over at Amazon.

Bonus materials set to be included with the releases are listed below.

  • Audio commentary featuring film critic Richard Schickel
  • New interview with film scholar Noah Isenberg, editor of Billy Wilder on Assignment
  • New conversation between film historians Eddie Muller and Imogen Sara Smith
  • Billy, How Did You Do It?, a 1992 film by Volker Schlöndorff and Gisela Grischow featuring interviews with director Billy Wilder
  • Shadows of Suspense, a 2006 documentary on the making of Double Indemnity
  • Audio excerpts from 1971 and 1972 interviews with cinematographer John F. Seitz
  • Radio adaptations from 1945 and 1950
  • Trailer

Kenneth Branagh film Belfast on Blu-ray in March

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The 2021 film “Belfast“ is officially coming to Blu-ray on March 1st via Universal Studios Home Entertainment.  The film, written & directed by Kenneth Branagh, stars Caitríona Balfe, Judi Dench, Jamie Dornan, Ciarán Hinds, Colin Morgan, and Jude Hill.  It is most certainly worth noting, at the time of writing, this film is “Certified Fresh” over at Rotten Tomatoes.

The tech specs for the Blu-ray include a Black & White 1080p HD video presentation in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio with DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless surround sound on a BD-50 disc.  The release will come with a digital code (copy) of the film compatible with Movies Anywhere.  You can now find the Blu-ray available for preorder over at Amazon.  The bonus materials that are set to be included with this release are listed below.

  • Alternate Ending featuring Kenneth Branagh – Commentary with Writer/Director Kenneth Branagh
  • Deleted Scenes – Commentary with Writer/Director Kenneth Branagh
  • A City of Stories: The Making of BELFAST – Go behind the scenes of BELFAST with cast and crew to learn more about the characters, filming location and Kenneth’s childhood in Ireland.
  • Everyone’s Inner Child – Kenneth Branagh, Jamie Dornan, Caitríona Balfe, Ciarán Hinds, and Judi Dench reminisce about their childhoods.
  • Feature Commentary with Writer/Director Kenneth Branagh

Further below, after the break, you can find the trailer for the film and the full announcement regarding the home video release(s).

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