John Wayne's Batjac productions?

obscurelabel · 11-25-03, 01:13 PM

Seeing "McLintock!" mentioned in the recent thread about best and worst DVD transfers (McL is noted as among the worst) got me to thinking about other titles from John Wayne's Batjac production company and their current status.

Briefly, on McL - Wayne's own production company, Batjac, produced this movie and owned the rights to it. In 1991, the copyright was up for renewal, but the company neglected to do this and the film went into the public domain. GoodTimes video released pan and scan VHS and, later, DVD versions of the film, sourced from whatever 35mm and 16mm prints they could piece together -- the DVD release has been denounced here and elsewhere as having one of the worst video transfers ever. The Wayne estate issued a VHS copy (full frame) that I have not seen, but the source materials (from Batjac's archive) were said to be in much better shape than the GoodTimes version. Batjac tried and failed to re-assert their copyright to the film based on their rights to the screenplay; the (separate) copyrights to the music used in the film remained in force, however, and GoodTimes was forced to use different music on their release (how they were able to separate the music from dialog and sound effects on the soundtrack, I don't know).

Batjac produced 21 films, eight starring Wayne, including a couple that have never been released on video in any format (as far as I know), "The High and the Mighty" (starring Wayne) and "Seven Men From Now" (starring Randolph Scott), which turn up on many DVD "most wanted" lists (and maybe discussed on this forum, I couldn't find any threads). "Hondo" has been released on VHS but not DVD AFAIK. Not that any of these films are masterpieces, necessarily, but Wayne fans and fans of the participants in these other movies would like to see these available for home viewing on DVD.

Michael Wayne, who ran his father's company and other business interests of the John Wayne estate, passed away on April 2, 2003.

I'm wondering if any of the members of this forum have any information on the current status of the Batjac films not yet released on DVD.

Thanks.

Hendrik · 11-25-03, 01:23 PM

"...Not that any of these films are masterpieces..."

...well... no... but I would jump on a DVD of Hondo or The High And The Mighty, to name just those two...

. . .

. . .

ken_572002 · 11-25-03, 04:10 PM

This certainly isn't gospel, but I've heard a rumor about the upcoming releases of "High and the Mighty", "Hondo", "Island in the Sky", and "McLintock" on DVD. This news supposedly came from Mark LaCava, grandson of the Duke. Word is that they had the materials and were getting ready to do the transfers. He did not have a date. Apparently he owns/manages a transfer
house in Burbank where they will be doing the DVD work.

Let's hope this rumor is true!

Steve Phillips · 11-25-03, 06:49 PM

They tried unsuccessfully to get clearance to show HONDO at the recent World 3-D Film Expo.

Too bad, as it would have been wonderful to see the film in the original dual projection polarized 3-D version (clear glasses) instead of the terrible red/blue anaglyph conversion they showed on TV a decade ago. It was a real insult to the original 3-D version.

A DVD would be welcome, and of course it would have to include a modified flat version of the film, but wouldn't it be great it they included a field sequential 3-D version as well?

Nah, it won't happen.

11-25-03, 01:13 PM	#1
obscurelabel DVD Talk Gold Edition Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Lower Appalachia Posts: 2,082	John Wayne's Batjac productions? Seeing "McLintock!" mentioned in the recent thread about best and worst DVD transfers (McL is noted as among the worst) got me to thinking about other titles from John Wayne's Batjac production company and their current status. Briefly, on McL - Wayne's own production company, Batjac, produced this movie and owned the rights to it. In 1991, the copyright was up for renewal, but the company neglected to do this and the film went into the public domain. GoodTimes video released pan and scan VHS and, later, DVD versions of the film, sourced from whatever 35mm and 16mm prints they could piece together -- the DVD release has been denounced here and elsewhere as having one of the worst video transfers ever. The Wayne estate issued a VHS copy (full frame) that I have not seen, but the source materials (from Batjac's archive) were said to be in much better shape than the GoodTimes version. Batjac tried and failed to re-assert their copyright to the film based on their rights to the screenplay; the (separate) copyrights to the music used in the film remained in force, however, and GoodTimes was forced to use different music on their release (how they were able to separate the music from dialog and sound effects on the soundtrack, I don't know). Batjac produced 21 films, eight starring Wayne, including a couple that have never been released on video in any format (as far as I know), "The High and the Mighty" (starring Wayne) and "Seven Men From Now" (starring Randolph Scott), which turn up on many DVD "most wanted" lists (and maybe discussed on this forum, I couldn't find any threads). "Hondo" has been released on VHS but not DVD AFAIK. Not that any of these films are masterpieces, necessarily, but Wayne fans and fans of the participants in these other movies would like to see these available for home viewing on DVD. Michael Wayne, who ran his father's company and other business interests of the John Wayne estate, passed away on April 2, 2003. I'm wondering if any of the members of this forum have any information on the current status of the Batjac films not yet released on DVD. Thanks.

11-25-03, 01:23 PM	#2
Hendrik DVD Talk Limited Edition Join Date: Feb 1999 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah - USA Posts: 5,196	"...Not that any of these films are masterpieces..." ...well... no... but I would jump on a DVD of Hondo or The High And The Mighty, to name just those two... . . . . . .

11-25-03, 04:10 PM	#3
ken_572002 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 337	This certainly isn't gospel, but I've heard a rumor about the upcoming releases of "High and the Mighty", "Hondo", "Island in the Sky", and "McLintock" on DVD. This news supposedly came from Mark LaCava, grandson of the Duke. Word is that they had the materials and were getting ready to do the transfers. He did not have a date. Apparently he owns/manages a transfer house in Burbank where they will be doing the DVD work. Let's hope this rumor is true!

11-25-03, 06:49 PM	#4
Steve Phillips DVD Talk Special Edition Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 1,446	They tried unsuccessfully to get clearance to show HONDO at the recent World 3-D Film Expo. Too bad, as it would have been wonderful to see the film in the original dual projection polarized 3-D version (clear glasses) instead of the terrible red/blue anaglyph conversion they showed on TV a decade ago. It was a real insult to the original 3-D version. A DVD would be welcome, and of course it would have to include a modified flat version of the film, but wouldn't it be great it they included a field sequential 3-D version as well? Nah, it won't happen.