For the past two years around this time, CL has taken a look at various top titles that still weren't available on DVD. As we noted in the first installment, "With the explosive advent of the DVD home entertainment format... it's not unreasonable to assume that most of cinema's big titles have long been available for consumers to enjoy. But that's hardly been the case."
In that first roundup two years ago, we cited 50 movies that weren't yet available on DVD, including biggies like Schindler's List, Bambi and La Dolce Vita. Those titles have since been issued on disc, along with many others: Of those initial 50 films, 34 are now available on DVD (actually, one's still on its way: King Kong, due November 22). In the second roundup a year ago, we mentioned 15 more unavailable titles -- of that crop, only seven have since been released. All told, 24 of the 65 films plugged by CL are still not available on DVD.
The reasons are varied. For one thing, studios naturally pay more attention to preparing DVDs for recent theatrical features than for old catalogue titles -- as painful as it may be to absorb, more people will invariably buy or rent the DVD for, say, Christmas With the Kranks or Monster-In-Law than for Gunga Din or Ninotchka. Another reason is that a select few DVD outfits -- most notably Warner Bros. and Criterion -- do go that extra mile in treating their classic titles with respect. Therefore, to make sure their finished products won't disappoint fans, these groups take their time, recording new audio commentaries, shooting new documentaries and combing the vaults for invaluable extras.
Whatever the reasons, it's a safe bet that the format's continuing popularity will insure that most older pictures of note will eventually make it to DVD at some point. For now, here's a checklist of the aforementioned 24 movies yet to make it to disc, followed by a look at 20 additional MIA titles.
Greed (1925), Erich Von Stroheim's silent -- and butchered -- classic, recently the beneficiary of a restoration process that upped the running time from two to four hours.
Wings (1927), a drama about World War I pilots -- and the very first Academy Award winner for Best Picture.
Island of Lost Souls (1933), with Charles Laughton headlining the best of the various screen adaptations of H.G. Wells' The Island of Dr. Moreau.
Sergeant York (1941), featuring Gary Cooper's Oscar-winning performance as the pacifist who became a World War I hero.
The Magnificent Ambersons (1942), Orson Welles' follow-up to Citizen Kane, a lavish adaptation of the Booth Tarkington novel that was severely truncated by the studio.
Song of the South (1946), now-controversial Disney feature that mixes live-action and animation as Uncle Remus (James Baskett) spins yarns relating the exploits of Brer Rabbit.
The Heiress (1949), exquisite period drama showcasing Olivia de Havilland's Oscar-winning portrayal of duped spinster.
The Gunfighter (1950), critical favorite with Gregory Peck giving one of his finest performances as Jimmy Ringo, an aging gunslinger trying to leave his notorious reputation behind.
The African Queen (1951), John Huston classic for which Humphrey Bogart won his only Oscar, as a drunken riverboat captain verbally sparring with fussy Katharine Hepburn during World War I.
Abbott and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1953), with the boys pitted against Boris Karloff in one of the few prominent A&C comedies not yet available on DVD.
Lust For Life (1956), perhaps Kirk Douglas' finest hour, as he delivers an impassioned performance as tortured artist Vincent Van Gogh.
The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957), popular sci-fi yarn with excellent special effects.
Some Came Running (1958), classic melodrama with Shirley MacLaine breaking hearts as the pitiable party girl who falls for returning vet Frank Sinatra.
Porgy and Bess (1959), George Gershwin opera about the poor folks on Catfish Row -- and the film on this list least likely to ever show up on DVD (Gershwin wasn't pleased with this adaptation, and his estate has kept it out of circulation for decades; it's never even been available on video).
Frankenstein Meets the Space Monster, a.k.a Mars Invades Puerto Rico (1965), perhaps the worst movie ever made, and therefore worthy of DVD immortality.
Conqueror Worm, a.k.a. The Witchfinder General (1968), gripping cult favorite with Vincent Price as a sadistic witch hunter.
Beyond the Valley of the Dolls (1970), notorious camp outing co-written by Russ Meyer and Roger Ebert.
Let It Be (1970), with John, Paul, George and Ringo all taking home Oscars (for Best Original Song Score) for this behind-the-scenes documentary that follows The Beatles as they record the title album.
1900 (1976), Bernardo Bertolucci's sprawling Italian saga starring Robert De Niro, Gerard Depardieu and Burt Lancaster.
Reds (1981), Warren Beatty's awesome, Oscar-winning epic about American Communist John Reed, set against the backdrop of the Russian Revolution and largely focusing on his relationship with Louise Bryant (a superb Diane Keaton).
Yentl (1983), Barbra Streisand's love-it-or-leave-it musical about a turn-of-the-century Jewish girl who disguises herself as a boy in order to study the Torah.
Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse (1991), a compelling look at the tumultuous making of Apocalypse Now.
Raise the Red Lantern (1991), Zhang Yimou's extraordinary drama about power plays among concubines, and my pick for the best foreign film of the 1990s.
Hamlet (1996), the Kenneth Branagh version, and a film whose ultra-widescreen 70mm presentation makes it a natural for this format.
Twenty More MIA DVDs:
The Jazz Singer (1927). Cinema's first talkie can't be found on DVD, but the campy 1980 remake starring Neil Diamond is already available! Come on...
Morocco (1930). Marlene Dietrich stars as a sultry nightclub singer who makes eyes at soldier Gary Cooper. Early Dietrich is ill-represented in this format: Shanghai Express and Blonde Venus (both 1932) are also unavailable.
The Informer (1935). Director John Ford, lead Victor McLaglen, scripter Dudley Nichols and composer Max Steiner all won Oscars for this powerful drama about a simple-minded brute who betrays his best friend during The Troubles in 1920s Ireland.
Jane Eyre (1944). Joan Fontaine is Jane and Orson Welles broods as Mr. Rochester in this atmospheric adaptation of the Charlotte Bronte novel.
A Tree Grows In Brooklyn (1945). Elia Kazan directed this reliable weepie about a Brooklyn family struggling through adversity.
Fort Apache (1948). The first entry in John Ford's Cavalry trilogy (followed by She Wore a Yellow Ribbon and Rio Grande, all starring John Wayne) is oddly the only one of the three not yet available on disc.
Quo Vadis (1951). A massive hit in its day, this period costumer centers on the forbidden love affair between a Roman officer (Robert Taylor) and a Christian woman (Deborah Kerr).
The Girl Can't Help It (1956). Director Frank Tashlin's cult flick has endured for two reasons: the presence of blonde bombshell Jayne Mansfield (at one point shown holding two milk bottles in front of her enormous chest) and a slate of rock & roll acts that includes Little Richard, Fats Domino, The Platters and countless others.
Becket (1964). Richard Burton and Peter O'Toole provide the acting chops in this lavish historical saga about the squabbles between King Henry II (Pete) and the Archbishop of Canterbury (Rick).
Cul-De-Sac (1966). This early effort from Roman Polanski centers on the power plays that ensue between a married couple (Donald Pleasence and Francoise Dorleac) and the gangsters (Lionel Stander and Jack MacGowran) who show up at their isolated island home.
Bedazzled (1967). Stanley Donen directs the Brit comedy team of Dudley Moore and Peter Cook in this comic updating of the Faust story.
Petulia (1968). A doctor (George C. Scott) falls for the title oddball (Julie Christie) in this cult title that's been championed by more than one critic as one of the underrated classics of the 60s.
Snoopy Come Home (1972). Considering how many Peanuts animated efforts are already on DVD, it's strange that this popular hit -- one of the few Peanuts movies to have actually been given a theatrical release -- is among the no-shows.
Silent Movie (1976). OK, this silly romp (in which the only word of dialogue is spoken by mime Marcel Marceau!) may not represent Mel Brooks at his finest, but with The Producers all the rage these days, why not release his entire catalogue on DVD? And while we're on the subject, where are High Anxiety (Mel's Hitchcock spoof) and Robin Hood: Men In Tights?
The Boys In Company C (1978). Like the same year's Go Tell the Spartans (recently released on DVD), this is a solid Vietnam War flick that was unfortunately overshadowed by the era's more high-profile titles in this vein, The Deer Hunter and Apocalypse Now.
Wise Blood (1979). John Huston tackles Flannery O'Connor in this unique film starring Brad Dourif as the unorthodox preacher of the Church Without Christ.
True Confessions (1981). Director Ulu Grosbard helmed this compelling drama about two brothers -- a detective (Robert Duvall) and a priest (Robert De Niro) -- both affected by a young woman's murder. Another Grosbard gem, Straight Time (with Dustin Hoffman as an ex-con on parole), is similarly unavailable on disc.
Kiss of the Spider Woman (1985). William Hurt earned the Best Actor Oscar for his flamboyant turn as a homosexual locked up alongside a political prisoner (Raul Julia) in a Latin American hellhole.
She's Gotta Have It (1986). Spike Lee plays Mars Blackmon in the indie hit that initially put the distinctive writer-director-actor on the map.
Night On Earth (1991). Taxi cab confessions are at the center of this Jim Jarmusch effort starring Winona Ryder, Gena Rowlands and Roberto Benigni.
