Abbott and Costello Complete Universal Collection Oct 28
 

28 films on 15 discs $119.98 SRP

http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/content.php?contentid=68664

Aside from the fact this seems to have commentaries how does it overlap w/ the previous 4 vols that were released?

Other than "It Ain't Hay," this looks like the same 4 volumes repackaged. They even have the same "bonus disc," which is the last disc in volume 4.

I don't think "It Ain't Hay" has been on DVD before.

An additional advantage seems to be single-sided discs? The others are all 2 double-sided-disc sets, but this complete set claims to be 15 discs plus a bonus disc.

The "World of Abbott and Costello" feature on that bonus disc is horrible--I understand including it from a historical standpoint, but I honestly can't imagine anyone watching and enjoying that.

I really wish they could have issued the remaining films. I'd appreciate any corrections, but I think they're:

not on DVD (VHS only?):
Rio Rita (1942)
Abbott and Costello Meet Captain Kidd (1952)

Public Domain versions:
Noose Hangs High, The (1948)
Africa Screams (1949) (I don't have it, but supposedly the Image Entertainment or Hal Roach release is good quality)
Jack and the Beanstalk (1952) (again, don't have it, but I read that the Good Times release is good quality)

I don't know if these are PD or not, but they're available on a double feature disc that seems to be decent quality:
Lost in a Harem (1944)
Abbott and Costello in Hollywood (1945)

There's also:
Fireman Save My Child (1954), which also isn't on DVD, but was supposed to be an A&C movie, and they are in some shots, but they had to back out because of Costello's health (this would have been a great special feature, instead of that horrible "World of...")

Well, here we go with another slap at true fans who supported all the earlier releases and must now double and triple-dip to complete the collection.

I'd always heard that It Ain't Hay was held back because the original negatives were long gone and the best material they had was in bad shape (the Damon Runyon estate issues being a cover story). I'll be anxious to see if they found master-worthy material or just figured one 16mm print won't stand out so much in a 28-film collection.

The Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet Frankenstein commentary is no doubt repeated from the Comedy Legends edition. I am really looking forward to those new commentaries, they picked good titles for it.

This site claims that a restored Abbott and Costello Meet Captain Kidd is due to be released this year by Warner Bros.

The colorized Legend Films version of Africa Screams is decent if you're open to that.

I don't know if The Noose Hangs High is in the public domain (it was indeed one of their independent productions), but my MGM Home Entertainment DVD release looks just fine. Lost in a Harem and Abbott and Costello in Hollywood are not PD, that release is a Warner Bros. packaging of two of their MGM films. Unfortunately, the other MGM production, Rio Rita, is still not on DVD (hoping for a double-up with Abbott and Costello Meet Captain Kidd).

I'm glad The World of Abbott and Costello is included. The obnoxious carnival barking narration of Jack E. Leonard is funny in itself. I see the feature as a good introduction course to Abbott and Costello for people unfamiliar with them (like kids). The inclusion of Fireman, Save My Child would be interesting, insofar as it's early Buddy Hackett and a conversion of an A&C script into a Spike Jones vehicle. I don't imagine it coming out on DVD otherwise.

It Ain't Hay is tied up in some legal dispute. That's why it's never seen the light of day on DVD.

EDIT: Didn't read the whole post. It' Ain't Hay was tied up in some legal dispute. Looks like it's been resolved.

Man, I will have to find the money for the double dip. Having It Ain't Hay, the new commentaries and dumping the current DVD-18s make this well worth owning. I have the current DVD-18s volumes and the two original monster individual releases so hopefully that can pay for a portion of the new set.

I already have the MGM double feature and a Roan release with Jack and the Beanstalk and Africa Screams so this will get me closer to a complete collection.

Are you sure you are not confusing The World of Abbott & Costello with the Jerry Seinfeld doc? The World of Abbott & Costello is awesome, their greatest hits, but I couldn't watch the Seinfeld segment.

I hate the idea of double dipping, but I think this is a must.

I have two copies of Jack & the Beanstalk, one bookends in Black & white, one in sepia. Which is correct?

I've been holding on to my image laserdisc of Jack and the Beanstalk, didn't know that Roan released the same restored version to DVD, thanks!
In 1952 the bookend segments were seen in Sepiatone.

You can still purchase the Roan Group release of Jack and the Beanstalk and Africa Screams.

https://buy.tromamovies.com/index.php?cPath=4_5

Thanks! I put in an order and found a 20% off sale in effect - so restored Jack in the Beanstalk + Africa Screams cost only $8 (plus $5 ship)

What would have made this set even better is if they had also added as extras, the bloopers that A&C did on most all of these films. I have these rare bloopers and, it would truly have been great if they could have added the bloopers to each movie as an extra. Its shocking to hear Lou Swearing and being naughty. Anyone else have these rare collection of bloopers?? Really great to have.

Yes, you're right! There are some on the laserdisc version of Africa Screams + there were some on a tape of Lou's This Is Your Life that I have. The outtakes give you a glimpse of what fun there was on an Abbott and Costello set.

Interesting to see TV's Frank doing an audio commentary. Is he known for this "Film Historian" sort of thing?

You can read all about this new set and other pertinent info on all of their films over at HTF.

Lots more interesting insider information on this release is posted at the Monster Horror Film Board.

What about "Dance with Me Henry" and "30 Foot Bride of Candy Rock"?

Dance With Me Henry is available separately from MGM. (I think it was released the same time as Noose Hangs High?)

Sadly, the Lou-only 30 Ft. Bride has never been released on DVD.

Having never picked up the previous volumes, I am gonna have to get this set.

The Noose Hangs High is currently on sale in Amazon's "3 for $10 Sale"

Abbott & Costello in Hollywood / Lost in a Harem is included in the Classic Comedy Teams Collection (w 3 Stooges: Gold Raiders / Meet the Baron & Laurel and Hardy: Air Raid Wardens / Nothing But Trouble), currently on sale in Amazon's "Buy 1 Get 1 Free on select Warner Titles"

It's called, "HOLLYWOOD BLOOPERS (Outtakes from your favorite stars)."

Special Edition from Catcom 2002.. Front cover shows Betty Boop, Bogie, Cagney, Bud and Lou. Almost 4 hours of fun. UPC 741914031765

I had been looking for it for quite awhile and just by luck found it in a nostalgic restaurant in Santa Barbara.

A must for any A&B collector!!!

[QUOTE=sparks;8913632]It's called, "HOLLYWOOD BLOOPERS (Outtakes from your favorite stars)."

Ahh yes I do have that plus many other Blooper tapes but, the bloopers I was talking of are from a tape I got back in the early 1980's and is about 30 minutes of bloopers from their Universal films. And then, I have a blooper tape which has bloopers from one of their films and these bloopers are not on the 1980's tape.

Also, on the 1980's tape, it has bloopers shown from different camera angles of the same flubs they make.

What I need to do is gather all these bloopers of A&C and put them all onto a DVD-R. I been wanting to do this for a long time now and so I should get to work on it. At least this way these bloopers will be preserved.

It still would have been great if all these bloopers could have been put in the new set coming, as it would be so perfect and of course the fans would love this!

anybody running reviews on this yet?

Here's DVDBeaver's review.

The packaging looks awesome!

Jack and the Beanstalk on BD Tuesday the 28th! No other details given, but it's less than $10.