It seems these days that even the smallest theatrical releases are put out on DVD, no matter how the movie performed at the box office. But have there been theatrical movies that have NEVER been released on home video? I couldn't think of any, but there must be some.
Drexl
12-02-04, 06:34 PM
Captain EO?
jaeufraser
12-02-04, 06:47 PM
Theatrical releases are expensive when you take into consideration prints and advertising. If the film is worth spending the money to put it in theaters, than it's definately worth it to put it out on video, as that endeavor (absent a massive marketing campaign) is in general much cheaper.
So I'd venture to say...except for specialty products (like stuff at amusement parks) and except for stuff in legal battles, this will never happen.
DVD releasing is much cheaper. That's why you have straight to video products, because they make a movie that just can't jusitfy the expenses of a theatrical release, but can make its profits on the DVD side.
Giantrobo
12-02-04, 06:50 PM
How can you say "never"? Who can say what's coming to dvd.
PopcornTreeCt
12-02-04, 07:22 PM
Prozac Nation
DonnachaOne
12-02-04, 07:26 PM
I can only imagine a ton of old films that never got attention for VHS, and as a result no-one has heard of them or has interest in them anymore.Originally posted by PopcornTreeCt
Prozac Nation R1 in January, right?
Never mind the fact that you can get the japanese DVD.
Alan Smithee
12-02-04, 08:52 PM
There was a movie called "Turtle Beach" that came out in April 1992 from Warner. That time of year is usually a dumping ground for stuff that hasn't been released, right before all the big movies start coming out in May. I worked at a theater at the time and watched the first showing, though I couldn't tell you what it was about. I remember the music was pretty good but the rest of the movie was forgettable. So far I've never seen a video release of any kind for it, don't think it's even been on cable.
-I stand corrected, it was retitled "The Killing Beach" on VHS.
PopcornTreeCt
12-02-04, 09:27 PM
Originally posted by DonnachaOne
I can only imagine a ton of old films that never got attention for VHS, and as a result no-one has heard of them or has interest in them anymore. R1 in January, right?
Never mind the fact that you can get the japanese DVD.
Source? I haven't heard any news at all about a R1 release.
Chrisedge
12-03-04, 06:05 PM
Lots of old movies. I'm looking a film noir movie called "Repeat Performance" for my mom for years. Shown on TV, Never seen a video release of this movie.
Mondo Kane
12-03-04, 06:18 PM
Thomasine and Bushrod
Forum Troll
12-04-04, 01:56 AM
Originally posted by Drexl
Captain EO?
It's out there, you just have to know where to look.
shaun3000
12-04-04, 04:39 PM
Song of the South in the US.
obscurelabel
12-04-04, 05:28 PM
Just a few high profile titles off the top of my head:
Nightmare Alley (supposedly legal problems between Fox and the estate George Jessel, who was the producer)
The High and the Mighty (announced for 2005 from Paramount)
Pretty Poison (pretty sure no VHS or laserdisc on this one, I don't know what the holdup is)
Did Samuel Fuller's White Dog ever get a video release? Perhaps outside of the U.S., I'm not sure.
As others have said, there are probably scores (hundreds? thousands?) of old, obscure titles that have never been released on home video in any format.
Add to that of course all of the films that have been lost (no copies exist) before the advent of TV (50% of titles produced before 1950 by some estimates, mostly silents but some sound films as well). This includes silent features directed by Hitchcock, Lang, and Ford, among many other great directors.
marty888
12-04-04, 06:16 PM
Originally posted by obscurelabel
Just a few high profile titles off the top of my head:
Nightmare Alley (supposedly legal problems between Fox and the estate George Jessel, who was the producer)
The High and the Mighty (announced for 2005 from Paramount)
Pretty Poison (pretty sure no VHS or laserdisc on this one, I don't know what the holdup is)
Did Samuel Fuller's White Dog ever get a video release? Perhaps outside of the U.S., I'm not sure.
As others have said, there are probably scores (hundreds? thousands?) of old, obscure titles that have never been released on home video in any format.
Yeah, I'm waiting for those 4 also - and I still have a "want list" from the VHS days for titles that are totally MIA.
Not to mention several hundred VHS tapes I have of titles yet to reach DVD.
Tarnower
12-04-04, 06:57 PM
1980's "Resurrection" with Ellen Burstyn. I believe the director was Daniel Petrie (not positive; too lazy to look at IMDB). Terrific little gem. Burstyn and Eva LeGallienne received Oscar noms for their acting. I don't even recall this on VHS, much less DVD. A shame, since it's one of Burstyn's best performances. Also starred Sam Shepard.
Buy: