My sources at MGM aren't too optimistic about CHARLY's chances as a 16:9 anamorphic release, but continue to look into it. (Bear in mind, the decision about whether to pursue a 16:9 version isn't up to them; that falls in the realm of Home Video, a different, though related department at MGM, as well as Disney themselves.) I hope to have some idea what's happening within the next two weeks.

In the meantime, I received my Region 2/PAL DVD of CHARLY in the mail today. It is indeed 16:9 anamorphic and looks quite good. The label is Pearson Television International, Ltd., and they seemed to have licensed the same set of Disney-owned ABC Theatrical titles which are presently distributed through MGM.

Can anyone out there confirm the specs on their other ABC titles, i.e., JUNIOR BONNER, HELL IN THE PACIFIC, THE LAST VALLEY, etc. Are these 16:9 transfers, too?

I have the recent MGM issue of "Hell in the Pacific". It's a SS/SL 4:3 letterboxed disc, not 16x9. The image quality is acceptable.

Actually, I mean the specs on the Region 2/PAL titles....

I read some time ago that the Region 2 HELL IN THE PACIFIC is pan & scan after the opening credits with no alternate ending.

Any updates from MGM?

I think you should Instant Message every DVDTalk member with this Charly update

Has anyone in this thread read Flowers of Algernon?

Does anyone believe in DVD movies being OAR? (Not the boat oar... Original Aspect Ratio.)

This can't wait!

p.s. - make sure to sign the petition: http://www.ipetitions.com/campaigns/Tootiefruityville/

Yes, before I saw the movie in 1968.

I bought the R2 awhile back.

any new word on this title Stuart?

Yeah, I got the book for my 12th birthday (1968). It's good and I liked the movie, too. I saw it five times when I was a kid.

Old Fogey devilpants

Mom?

This may have nothing to do with anything but it seems that DDD and DVDPlanet have indicated the date of March 15, 2005

Yes, I just spotted that at DDD this morning - let's hope it means that they are rethinking this one.

DVDEmpire & DVDPlanet both now show a 3/08/05 release date - but neither has any indication about the aspect ratio.

Anyone heard anything new?

Thank god I finished reading Flowers for Algernon over the Holidays! The story is quite compelling. After reading the book, I read the Cliff Notes too! I will buy an OAR version, but FS is out of the question.

CHARLY should be Widescreen *only*.

Charly is here and the film is anamorphic widescreen too! MGM, thank you for listening.