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TCM Greatest Classic Legends: Lucille Ball


Brock

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It's too bad they aren't including any movies that HAVEN'T been previously released on DVD (especially TLLT -- this will be the third time it has been released on DVD!)but I am in favour of anything to commemorate Lucy's centennial!

 

Warner Home Video and Turner Classic Movies March 28 said they will bow four new classic film collections on DVD this summer featuring stars such Lucille Ball, Burt Lancaster, James Cagney, Laurence Olivier, Charlton Heston, Elizabeth Taylor, and Greta Garbo, among others.

 

The collections, available July 12 for $27.92 per set, include “TCM Greatest Classic Legends: Lucille Ball,” featuring movies The Long, Long Trailer, Forever Darling, Room Service, Du Barry Was a Lady; “TCM Greatest Classic Legends: Burt Lancaster,” featuring Local Hero, Seven Days in May, Executive Action, The Flame and the Arrow; “TCM Greatest Classic Films: Shakespeare,” including A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream, Othello, Romeo and Juliet, Antony and Cleopatra, and “TCM Greatest Classic Films: Literary Romance,” featuring Little Women, Pride and Prejudice, Madame Bovary, Anna Karenina.

 

All collections (www.tcm.com) include related bonus material and special features.

The Lucille Ball collection is timed to coincide with the late actress’ 100th birthday Aug. 6, the date TCM will air a 24-hour film marathon in her honor.

 

TCM will also promote the DVD collections in on-air promotional spots on Turner Networks and print ads.

 

WHV and TCM first began co-releasing select film collections in 2009. Previous collections targeted war films, horror, John Wayne, musicals, westerns, sci-fi and murder mysteries.

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In case anyone is curious, these sets are the exact same material from the single releases, nothing new. They put them on double sided discs (thus, two movies per disc) with new (but rarely exciting) packaging.

 

It really is a shame they didn't take this opportunity to release films that haven't been put on disc before and gave us four easily accessible movies. I'm holding out hope that we hear something about a new set soon...

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In case anyone is curious, these sets are the exact same material from the single releases, nothing new. They put them on double sided discs (thus, two movies per disc) with new (but rarely exciting) packaging.

 

It really is a shame they didn't take this opportunity to release films that haven't been put on disc before and gave us four easily accessible movies. I'm holding out hope that we hear something about a new set soon...

 

 

Plus the fact that TCM has already released TLLT and Room Service in two previous four-movie packages. Some of the releases, however, have some of the bonus material removed. A lot of the extras on the double-sided Meet Me In St. Louis release are inaccessible.

 

They should have released Best Foot Forward in this set at least if they wanted to be cheap about it. While it has already been released on DVD it was just an Amazon exclusive.

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I agree with all that's been said. I'm glad to see Lucy's 100th being commemorated but I wish they'd release some new material! I'd love to see some of Lucy's earlier movies (late 30s, early 40s) or even something more well-known like Miss Grant Takes Richmond officially released on DVD.

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Add "Five Came Back" to that list. I wish I had it on DVD.

 

Right, all. And at least that Turner "Lucille Ball Signature Collection" had at least what, 10 or 12 titles?? Nice packaging too. Should get at least that many -- especially those mentioned that have never seen a DVD release to date. Harumph.

 

Speaking of which, hopefully you folks are aware of a handul of titles available through Warner Bros. Archive program, where such titles as Having Wonderful Time, Meet the People, Joy of Living are available.

:D

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Right, all. And at least that Turner "Lucille Ball Signature Collection" had at least what, 10 or 12 titles?? Nice packaging too. Should get at least that many -- especially those mentioned that have never seen a DVD release to date. Harumph.

 

Speaking of which, hopefully you folks are aware of a handul of titles available through Warner Bros. Archive program, where such titles as Having Wonderful Time, Meet the People, Joy of Living are available.

:D

Yes, if they insist on releasing the same damned titles all the time, then they should RE release the ones TCM put out on Beta years ag, the Lucille Ball signature collection, 12 of her black and white tiles from the old days that included The Big Street but also had some of the titles you guys mention above.

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Kinda makes you wonder who they are catering too.. doesn't it?. certainly not the fans.. (or obsessive fans like us).. they are just cashing in on her I Love Lucy fame and a 100th birtday is a good way to repackage and move stale merchandise! At the very least, wouldn't you think Robert Osbourne would have some say in what it should contain.. didn't Lucille aqire Robert and Carole Cook for her Little Theatre Group when she had RKO? So if anything, gratitude .. but maybe he made suggestions and the braSs didn't listen.. or maybe he got to pick what TCM will be showing this Aug 6.. i don't have cable currently.. so I guess I could go online to see what they are gonna have on her birthday..requardless.. still is a crapy way to salute her with stuff that's already available..

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They released a few female star sets a few years back (Dietrich, West, Lombard, possibly others), no extras, flipper discs that sometimes housed two movies per side. Not the treatment those movies deserved (especially not some of the Dietrich-Sternberg movies) but it got the movies released. I'd love for them to do the same with Lucy, five or six movies for twenty some dollars.

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Kinda makes you wonder who they are catering too.. doesn't it?. certainly not the fans.. (or obsessive fans like us).. they are just cashing in on her I Love Lucy fame and a 100th birtday is a good way to repackage and move stale merchandise! At the very least, wouldn't you think Robert Osbourne would have some say in what it should contain.. didn't Lucille aqire Robert and Carole Cook for her Little Theatre Group when she had RKO? So if anything, gratitude .. but maybe he made suggestions and the braSs didn't listen.. or maybe he got to pick what TCM will be showing this Aug 6.. i don't have cable currently.. so I guess I could go online to see what they are gonna have on her birthday..requardless.. still is a crapy way to salute her with stuff that's already available..

Watch Bravo's DESILU and when you hear Robert Osborne, he certainly does not ooze love for Lucy with the stories he tells. Although she mentored him, used him as her escort on some evenings even, but he is far from a Wanda or Frank, that's fer dang sure.

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They released a few female star sets a few years back (Dietrich, West, Lombard, possibly others), no extras, flipper discs that sometimes housed two movies per side. Not the treatment those movies deserved (especially not some of the Dietrich-Sternberg movies) but it got the movies released. I'd love for them to do the same with Lucy, five or six movies for twenty some dollars.

Yes, i got the Mae West one, let's face it, these women did not have the same number of major titles associated with them as Lucy has and it's still early, they're still doing her tv shows, when they finally run out i'm sure they'll concentrate more on her movies and things we have not yet seen available.

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Watch Bravo's DESILU and when you hear Robert Osborne, he certainly does not ooze love for Lucy with the stories he tells. Although she mentored him, used him as her escort on some evenings even, but he is far from a Wanda or Frank, that's fer dang sure.

 

I'm probably biased because I LOVE Robert Osborne, but I think he has a LOT of respect and admiration for Lucy. It's been at least a year since I've watched Bravo's Desilu story, so I'll have to rewatch that, but in every Robert Osborne interview I've read or seen he shows (I think) nothing but praise and gratitude for Lucy. He ALWAYS gives her credit for getting him started as a writer/film critic, and often comments on what a smart, savvy, and generous woman Lucy was. He does sometimes seem to look at her from a more "scholarly" angle, but I definitely think Robert Osborne loved Lucy and is extremely grateful for his friendship with her. I remember when I met him in Jamestown in 2006, he said during the headliner event with Carole Cook that Lucy was and is a terrific role model and there's no better person for people to admire. :)

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Yes, i got the Mae West one, let's face it, these women did not have the same number of major titles associated with them as Lucy has and it's still early, they're still doing her tv shows, when they finally run out i'm sure they'll concentrate more on her movies and things we have not yet seen available.

 

I have no qualms with waiting, I already have most of Lucy's movies that I want. But what's sad are the opportunities being missed here, especially the marketing possibilities (it doesn't get any better than a 100th birthday tie-in) that would surely boost sales.

 

But we've still got a little time for something to be announced, so maybe we'll all be pleasantly surprised in the next few weeks.

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I'm probably biased because I LOVE Robert Osborne, but I think he has a LOT of respect and admiration for Lucy. It's been at least a year since I've watched Bravo's Desilu story, so I'll have to rewatch that, but in every Robert Osborne interview I've read or seen he shows (I think) nothing but praise and gratitude for Lucy. He ALWAYS gives her credit for getting him started as a writer/film critic, and often comments on what a smart, savvy, and generous woman Lucy was. He does sometimes seem to look at her from a more "scholarly" angle, but I definitely think Robert Osborne loved Lucy and is extremely grateful for his friendship with her. I remember when I met him in Jamestown in 2006, he said during the headliner event with Carole Cook that Lucy was and is a terrific role model and there's no better person for people to admire. :)

I know, it's just that i despise the Desilu authors and some of the content in there is so vile and Bob is just one of many who utters some negative swill that i wish weren't in there, but then again, i'm at fault with that, i seem to criticize some things about her myself but cannot stand anyone else doing it which i know is wrong. I keep sayng i WANT warts and all bios but when they're showing the warts i have problems with that sometimes.

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How did I miss this Bravo special? Just something else that needs to be released NOW.

Believe it or not, over the years, there have been specials released on her on A and E of course, Bravo, even the travel channel had one. Hers was a fascinatng life, she wasn't only a wife mother superstar icon, but a movie star, Queen of television, Broadway star, owner and President of a Hollywood studio, legend, beloved the world over, you name it, she did it.

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I know, it's just that i despise the Desilu authors and some of the content in there is so vile and Bob is just one of many who utters some negative swill that i wish weren't in there, but then again, i'm at fault with that, i seem to criticize some things about her myself but cannot stand anyone else doing it which i know is wrong. I keep sayng i WANT warts and all bios but when they're showing the warts i have problems with that sometimes.

 

Robert completely defended Lucy on The Joan Rivers Show when Herbie (and Maury) started attacking her. He's clearly very grateful for what Lucy did for him. I can't remember him saying anything really negative about her.

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I'm probably biased because I LOVE Robert Osborne, but I think he has a LOT of respect and admiration for Lucy. It's been at least a year since I've watched Bravo's Desilu story, so I'll have to rewatch that, but in every Robert Osborne interview I've read or seen he shows (I think) nothing but praise and gratitude for Lucy. He ALWAYS gives her credit for getting him started as a writer/film critic, and often comments on what a smart, savvy, and generous woman Lucy was. He does sometimes seem to look at her from a more "scholarly" angle, but I definitely think Robert Osborne loved Lucy and is extremely grateful for his friendship with her. I remember when I met him in Jamestown in 2006, he said during the headliner event with Carole Cook that Lucy was and is a terrific role model and there's no better person for people to admire. :)

 

I would assume every minute with her wasn't exactly a laugh riot... I'd imagine she could be "trying".. but I like knowing about her "bad" side because I appreciate her "good" side even more!!! I'm glad she isn't the charecter she plays.. those less than perfect moments of her personality just endear me even more to her... She had a hard time in the beginning.. .. like many of us, but unlike us(me especially) she overcomes her difficult times and is able to aquire fame, fortune and glory!!! Wish I knew her tactics to get where she got!!!!!!

 

I wonder if she would be where she is if I Love Lucy ever existed.. my feeling is no.... although my crazy ass would definately have The Fuller Brush Girl in my collection because I love beautiful, funny women!!!! By the way.. I love "That's Right Your Wrong!".. and I think she is terriffic in it and it would be great to have that in a 100th birthday dvd collection with other lesser known fun Lucy movies!!! (in Lover Come Back "He's got a knife!".. her pantamime is priceless!)

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I would assume every minute with her wasn't exactly a laugh riot... I'd imagine she could be "trying".. but I like knowing about her "bad" side because I appreciate her "good" side even more!!! I'm glad she isn't the charecter she plays.. those less than perfect moments of her personality just endear me even more to her... She had a hard time in the beginning.. .. like many of us, but unlike us(me especially) she overcomes her difficult times and is able to aquire fame, fortune and glory!!! Wish I knew her tactics to get where she got!!!!!!

 

I wonder if she would be where she is if I Love Lucy ever existed.. my feeling is no.... although my crazy ass would definately have The Fuller Brush Girl in my collection because I love beautiful, funny women!!!! By the way.. I love "That's Right Your Wrong!".. and I think she is terriffic in it and it would be great to have that in a 100th birthday dvd collection with other lesser known fun Lucy movies!!! (in Lover Come Back "He's got a knife!".. her pantamime is priceless!)

As Milton Berle once said, if she hadn't been a perfectionist, she wouldn't have gotten where she was, as for the ILL success, she was finally being thought of as a comic actress in movies with Fuller Brush Girl so maybe she would have gone on to more comedic films, but her radio show led to the series and one has to wonder why they culd not figure out what to do with her in movies, making her a glamour girl instead of comic and then they put this brilliant visual comic on radio to be further unappreciated, finally TV came along and the world discovered her real talents. I too feel that her BAD side as you call it was endearing, she was human after all, so why should she have been different from all other superstars who made it that high on the entertainment ladder? I think it was just the being a woman thing that hurt her, especially running her show and a studio.

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I would assume every minute with her wasn't exactly a laugh riot... I'd imagine she could be "trying".. but I like knowing about her "bad" side because I appreciate her "good" side even more!!! I'm glad she isn't the charecter she plays.. those less than perfect moments of her personality just endear me even more to her... She had a hard time in the beginning.. .. like many of us, but unlike us(me especially) she overcomes her difficult times and is able to aquire fame, fortune and glory!!! Wish I knew her tactics to get where she got!!!!!!

 

I wonder if she would be where she is if I Love Lucy ever existed.. my feeling is no.... although my crazy ass would definately have The Fuller Brush Girl in my collection because I love beautiful, funny women!!!! By the way.. I love "That's Right Your Wrong!".. and I think she is terriffic in it and it would be great to have that in a 100th birthday dvd collection with other lesser known fun Lucy movies!!! (in Lover Come Back "He's got a knife!".. her pantamime is priceless!)

As for her relationship with her STUDENTS, she's said many a negative thing herself about them, that some of them only wanted fame but they wanted to study forever instead of actually going out and trying to get work. She also said sh3e had to play psychiatrist to them and hated the pitiful messes who always needed to cry on her shoulder instead of just getting on, as she had done herself.

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