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Info Wanted: vhs, laserdisc, and other titles that aren't on dvd?

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okay, I know there are websites claiming there are hundreds of these movies, but then I google some of the titles and find dvd copies for most of them. I figure such a list on this site would be valuable for us collectors of weired stuff. Now Im not counting unofficial bootlegs and non-shows/movies, like excersize videos and school lectures, but what titles do you know of that are not available on dvd? here are some that I know of

Shining time station (most of the show never even made vhs)
where in the world is carmen sad diego(never on home video)
tales of the 3rd dimension (vhs)
song of the south (duh)

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I know of one: Jud (1971) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0067281/. It’s an obscure Vietnam War drama film that apparently had a video release by Prism Entertainment Corporation but I haven’t seen any evidence of its existence and I can’t find any evidence of a DVD release. However I am in possesion of a VCD bootleg version of this from China.

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The Star Wars Trilogy Special Edition 😃

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Storia di Una Donna (1970).
(not available in ANY medium)

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Wazzles said:

The Star Wars Trilogy Special Edition 😃

That should’ve been the first example cited. 😃

Maybe this thread should be made into a sticky because of the obvious value as a reference point.

Interesting list here: http://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/films-dvd/

Let’s see…

The chronologically re-edited versions of The Godfather films (Epic & Trilogy).

None Shall Escape - an Oscar nominee that was released in 1944 and is one of the first films to explore the topic of Nazi atrocities. It’s been shown on TCM and regularly on Film4 and the latter airing contains the post-2004 S.P.H.E logo at the end, which indicates that Sony has supplied it in recent years (meaning it’s something they’ve looked at and it’s ready to go onto DVD/Blu-Ray) but there’s no legal home video release of any kind.

Dancing in the Street (known in the US as “WGBH” Rock & Roll), a fantastic PBS/WGBH and BBC production that charts the history of Rock & Roll, right up to House and Hip-Hop. It will probably never receive a re-release on any modern video format because of the negotiations and royalties involved for re-licensing the music that was used.

Seasons 3 to 6 of HBO’s Dream On. They had UK VHS releases but don’t appear to be listed anywhere. The entire run was also shown on British TV during the earlier 2000s but only the first two seasons have made it onto DVD.

Star Trek: The Motion Picture (Special Longer Version). Robert Wise’s director’s edition from 2001 is different from the SLV that was available on VHS, Beta, LD, VHD and even VideoCD and used for network television broadcasts but never surfaced on DVD. Wise loathed it, along with the theatrical release so he was probably glad.

Gore Vidal’s Billy the Kid - can be found on VHS and LD but no there’s no DVD, let alone Blu-Ray and the version shown on UK TV is cut to ribbons.

Zooman (1995), caught it once on TV but the only home video release appears to be VHS.

Split Image (1982), has popped up on TV in the past and was released on VHS and CED but nothing since.

Brothers (1977) - a thinly disguised biopic of “Soledad Brother”, George Jackson. Again, popped up on TV a couple of times and was released on VHS but nothing since.

Hors La Vie - managed to (luckily) catch this once on British TV in the 90s. Despite being highly acclaimed and often shown in recent years at film festivals around the world, along with the announcement in 2013 of a complete box set of Maroun Bagdadi’s work, there is strangely no DVD/Blu-Ray release.

The theatrical release of Explorers, distinguished by an early scene featuring the lead characters walking to school (and is included on the re-edited DVD as a deleted scene) has received an HDTV airing in recent years but nothing on home video beyond the 80s UK copies.

Ron Howard’s director’s cut of Ransom was issued on LD but hasn’t made it onto DVD or Blu-Ray.

“Logic is the battlefield of adulthood.”

  • Howard Berk
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Hollywood - the 1980 Kevin Brownlow silent film documentary series that remains stuck in clip licensing hell.

Around 2006 there was going to be a Region 2 DVD release from Network, under official license from Fremantle/Thames, but it was pulled just before street date because the proper licensing wasn’t obtained for the film excerpts. Some copies got out, I know this because I read a forum post from someone who obtained a copy, but over the years I’ve never heard anything else about anybody else having copies. It remains listed on Amazon.co.uk, but I’ve never seen a third-party seller offering a copy.

I hope another escaped copy of that Network set turns up someday, because it would actually be in its native PAL. Otherwise, the best copies are the U.S. laserdiscs from HBO, but they are NTSC conversions.

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It Came From Hollywood (1981) A compilation of cheesy movies riffed on proto MST3K style by Dan Ackroyd, Gilda Radner, John Candy, and Cheech & Chong. Many of the movies featured later became MST3K episodes. A DVD was announced in the early 2000’s by Paramount but vanished without a trace. It’s safe to say the licensing rights for all the footage used is probably an expensive nightmare.

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Where were you in '77?

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slumberdore said:

Another interesting list here: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/KeepCirculatingTheTapes/Film

A very interesting list. Quite a few of the entries have been shown on British TV. I specifically remember watching Looking for Mr Goodbar at one point.

Some more contenders…

The extended (by 7 minutes) version of Colors has never been made available beyond the LD and VHS releases.

(Slightly) extended version of Blue Thunder: some of the P&S VHS/LD releases contain additional footage during the car chase sequence. All of the subsequent home video versions, including the Blu-Ray are taken from the theatrical release. This alternate version has turned up on TV in the past.

The expanded edition of Lawrence Kasdan’s Wyatt Earp was issued on NTSC LD and VHS but nothing else since.

Ridley Scott provided an audio commentary track for the LD of G.I. Jane but it has been omitted from the subsequent DVD and Blu-Ray.

The steamier version of The Carpetbaggers, which was renowned for its (at the time) fairly adult scenes is apparently unavailable on DVD, or even LD. It appears that Paramount have erroneously used a censored master.

Men Don’t Tell - Golden Globe nominated drama starring Peter Strauss, originally aired on CBS and based on the true story of a battered husband. It’s been shown on Lifetime and other channels but there has never been a home video release or (in the US) further over-the-air broadcasts, allegedly due to ire from a number of women’s groups towards the storyline.

Nicholas Meyer produced a widescreen, director’s cut of The Day After - featuring an audio commentary track. It was released on a special edition LD but hasn’t been repackaged for DVD/Blu-Ray.

“Logic is the battlefield of adulthood.”

  • Howard Berk
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THE WIZARD OF SPEED AND TIME. Mike Jittlov holds all the 35mm materials for the film but is so distrustful of distributors based on previous experiences that nothing will likely happen with the film 😦 Certainly the LD capture from ten years ago that still circulates could be improved upon.

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I thought there were still legal issues between Jittlov and Richard Kaye, and that’s why it’s never been re-released? Or is it really just Jittlov’s fear of getting screwed over yet again?

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TServo2049 said:

I thought there were still legal issues between Jittlov and Richard Kaye, and that’s why it’s never been re-released? Or is it really just Jittlov’s fear of getting screwed over yet again?

Richard Kaye died in 2004, so it’s definitely more Jittlov’s fear of being screwed over again. I know that Mike has the negative of the film back now (which is likely melting in his basement - argh!), and is certainly under the impression that he has all rights to the film too; he says that Kaye sold the film to SGE illegally without his signature, and therefore the rights are his by default, though I suspect the truth might be more complicated than that.

Anyway, have been long ruminating on the idea of kicking off a Jittlov project on here for a while, as I’ve been collecting stuff for the last couple of years, including a few shorts on (faded) 16mm and German and Spanish dubs of WOSAT (the latter on Betamax!), among others. A lot of the existing rips were done in the VCD days and could be hugely improved upon! Many of the shorts will probably never see an official release due to music rights issues (he never got clearance for Petula Clark’s “I Know A Place” in Animato, for example).

EDIT: Forgot to add that one of the main obstacles in the film being re-released is that Mike is dead set on further editing the film to make his official Director’s Cut (he sees it as only 60-70% complete), and not releasing it until then. So in the absence of finding a distributor he trusts, he has to fund that himself, which is unlikely.

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This is shaping up to be a great resource.

Yet another interesting list: http://hanna-barbera.wikia.com/wiki/Category:Cartoons_not_yet_on_DVD

A few more…

Coast to Coast (1987) - a road movie comedy co-produced by the BBC with John Shea and Lenny Henry in the lead roles. Hugely popular but it has never received further airings or a home video release of any kind, ever. The production company and Lenny Henry have confirmed that this situation will probably never change as the extensive usage of Motown songs for the soundtrack would cost the BBC hundreds of thousands in re-licencing fees.

Seasons 3 to 6 of Judging Amy. The first two seasons are available on DVD but with the soundtrack altered due to licensing issues. Lead actress, Amy Brenneman has attributed the lack of a complete release to intransigence between the drama’s co-producers, Fox and CBS.

Muppet Babies - I haven’t been able to watch this since the mid 80s when the BBC had the rights. Even on VHS, it had a patchy release history. Again, licensing issues are an obstacle to any DVD/Blu-Ray release because of the sheer volume of the film clips that were used during each episode. However surely an organisation such as Disney has the resources to get this resolved? Especially now that they own Lucasfilm.

Doublecrossed (1991) - HBO biopic starring Dennis Hopper as Barry Seal, a drug/gun runner, turned DEA informant and undercover operative. Available on VHS and LD but nothing since.

The uncut (not the NC-17) version of Ken Russell’s “Whore” (aka “If You Can’t Say It, Just See It”) has only ever been issued on NTSC VHS.

“Logic is the battlefield of adulthood.”

  • Howard Berk
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Got some more to add. Some of this list I compiled after recalling films and TV programmes from the past that I enjoyed but haven’t seen in years and sadly in some cases, may never get to watch again. No wonder Bob Monkhouse recorded TV broadcasts so religiously…

Glory and Honor (1998) - Kevin Hooks directed TNT biopic starring Delroy Lindo and Henry Czerny as Matthew Henson and Robert Peary, it charts their rocky friendship over 20 years during their historic quest to reach the North Pole.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glory_%26_Honor

Was originally broadcast on TNT and I’ve seen it appear on UK TV a couple of times but despite winning several awards, home video availability is limited to a 90s Warner VHS issuing.

The CBS/Universal co-produced police drama, “The District” that ran from 2000 to 2004. It was nominated for 14 awards and continues to be shown internationally but there has never been any home video release, ever.

Valerie/Valerie’s Family/The Hogan Show 80s-90s Lorimar co-produced sitcom drama, originally starring Valerie Harper in the lead role. I used to watch this during the late 80s when the BBC had the rights for a while. If the story is correct, TV executives who co-own the rights are blocking a DVD release because of animosity towards Harper, who (has inoperable brain cancer!) would benefit financially from the sales.

Major Dad - Universal produced sitcom that racked up several awards and nominations during a four season run but there’s no DVD release.

South Central - satirical drama featuring Larenz Tate that was cancelled by Fox (along with an entire block of other programming) after the first season aired. I haven’t seen this since the original 1994 broadcast and it’s unavailable on home video.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Central_(TV_series)

The Bronx Zoo - late 80s drama centring around the staff and students of an unruly school that ran for two seasons. Features a lot of already well established actors and newcomers who went on to become stars, such as Cuba Gooding Jr. Again, I’ve not seen this rebroadcast since the original 80s UK airing and the best offerings are dark, muddy VHS TV-rips.

Nurses - 3 season spin-off from Empty Nest that originally aired on NBC in the US and Channel 4 in the UK (for which the cast recorded specific TV promos). No home video release, of any kind.

My World and Welcome to It - award winning, late 60s US sitcom starring William Windom that was based on the work of James Thurber. Totally ahead of its time and as such, despite the acclaim, it was cancelled by NBC after one season. Never been issued on home video but 16mm prints exist, apparently.

Pete Smith Specialties - a series of more than 150 short films, produced and narrated by Pete Smith that landed him over a dozen nominations and several awards. No DVD release, or anything else - as far as I can ascertain.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pete_Smith_(film_producer)#Pete_Smith_Specialties

“Logic is the battlefield of adulthood.”

  • Howard Berk
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The Pete Smith shorts air on Turner Classic Movies regularly.

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Where were you in '77?

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SilverWook said:

The Pete Smith shorts air on Turner Classic Movies regularly.

Ok. Part of the legacy of Ted Turner’s raiding of MGM’s back catalogue?

“Logic is the battlefield of adulthood.”

  • Howard Berk
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Not sure if this has been mentioned or if I am correct, but I bleieve John Wu’s “The Killer” was only released on LD.

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Dennis Potter’s Blackeyes: four part mini-series that was broadcast by the BBC in 1989 and keeping in tradition with Potter’s work, elicited widespread controversy because of the sexual content. I haven’t seen it repeated anywhere since the original airing and it’s commercially unavailable on any home video format - which is strange because nearly everything else that he wrote and produced for various TV networks during his lengthy career has been released on DVD.

Midnight Patrol: Adventures in the Dream Zone aka Potsworth and the Midnight Patrol - also broadcast by the BBC under the title of Potsworth & Co. 1990 Hanna-Barbera production which featured the original TESB Emperor, Clive Revill in the lead voice role. Enjoyed massive ratings in the US and UK during the original run but no further seasons were commissioned. Apparently Hanna-Barbera Video marketed a compilation of several episodes on NTSC VHS but there has never been a complete release on any home video medium.

Another Gore Vidal entry… His excellent 1996 “American Presidency” mini-series is only available on VHS and even that is hard to find and commands ridiculous prices. Someone has uploaded a copy to YouTube but imho it deserves to be savoured in high quality.

Canadian TV news drama, E.N.G. - ran for five seasons, was broadcast internationally and received dozens of awards and nominations but nonetheless the production company, Alliance, has no plans for a DVD release.

Midnight Caller - three season Talk Radio drama, produced by Lorimar and broadcast on NBC and in the UK on the ITV network. A winner of two primetime Emmmy’s and several other nominations because the story lines never shied away from controversial subject matter. Hasn’t been issued on DVD and I don’t think there was even a VHS release.

“Logic is the battlefield of adulthood.”

  • Howard Berk
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JayArgonaut said:

BobaJett said:

Not sure if this has been mentioned or if I am correct, but I bleieve John Wu’s “The Killer” was only released on LD.

John Woo’s “The Killer” is available on DVD and Blu-Ray. 😃

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_0_19?url=search-alias%3Dmovies-tv&field-keywords=john+woo+the+killer&sprefix=John+Woo+the+killer%2Caps%2C835

Correct me if Im wrong, but for the longest time, the copies on DVD and whatnot, on eBay were just that, copies of copies. I remember it was released on LD for a limited time then discontinued. Are the BD’s any good?

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BobaJett said:

Correct me if Im wrong, but for the longest time, the copies on DVD and whatnot, on eBay were just that, copies of copies. I remember it was released on LD for a limited time then discontinued. Are the BD’s any good?

“Copies of copies”? As in bootlegs or pirates? The ones in the Amazon link are all legitimate studio releases.

As for the BD’s, apparently the US version has a poor transfer but good extras whilst the Hong Kong release has superior video quality (and English subtitles) but lacks the extras of its Western counterpart.

http://www.dvdcompare.net/comparisons/film.php?fid=16053#overall

http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/The-Killer-Blu-ray/9318/

“Logic is the battlefield of adulthood.”

  • Howard Berk
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I think he meant the Criterion Version of the Killer witch is OOP

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That one Cartoon Network series comes to mind, “Whatever Happened to Robot Jones?”. It’s been re-aired a couple of times but never got onto DVD. Nor did it get onto video, for that matter… does it count?

Ol’ George has the GOUT, I see.

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Yep.

“Logic is the battlefield of adulthood.”

  • Howard Berk
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A few more additions to the list…

The more I look for stuff that I used to watch in the past, the more I find haven’t made it onto DVD - or any other format for that matter.

Hangin’ with Mr Cooper - Warner Bros. produced 90s sitcom that ran for five seasons on ABC and also on Channel 4 in the UK. Recipient of numerous accolades but no DVD release.

For Your Love - another Warner Bros. produced, five season sitcom that aired on NBC, The WB and in the UK, on Channel 4. Nominated for eight awards. No DVD release or any other kind of home video availability.

Night Stand, aka Night Stand with Dick Dietrick. Four season talk show satire, produced by Big Ticket Television and broadcast in first-run syndication in the US and also on ITV in the UK. Featured Jerry Springer, Jimmie Walker, Phil Hartman and others in real-life cameos. Unavailable on DVD.

“Logic is the battlefield of adulthood.”

  • Howard Berk