UPDATE, July 3: For those of you who were disappointed by Warner Archive’s delay in releasing The Mind Reader and other pre-code titles back on June 26, hopefully this bit of conversation between the Warner Archives Twitter account and Lou Lumenick of the New York Post means what I think:
FORBIDDEN HOLLYWOOD Vols. 4 and 5 coming on 7/10 @WarnerArchive
— Lou Lumenick (@LouLumenick) July 3, 2012
That’s one week from today, July 10!
And I finally get the feeling that many of the pre-code Warren William titles we’ve been waiting for are soon to follow!
At the bottom of Lou Lumenick’s recent DVD Extra column for the New York Post (Under the huge Stanwyck image!) comes the news that “The Warner Archive Collection has revived the ‘Forbidden Hollywood’ label — used for four TCM-branded DVD sets and by MGM/UA when it was handling Turner titles back in the VHS era — for its pre-code offerings.”
The Mind Reader starring Warren William and Constance Cummings will be among the first half dozen titles released to the new Forbidden Hollywood collection on June 26.
My first thoughts:
Finally @WarnerArchive to release The Mind Reader 6/26. Thanks @LouLumenick for that scoop! Need Employees’ Entrance/Skyscraper Souls next!
— Cliff Aliperti (@IEphemera) May 22, 2012
A 140 character limit kept me from adding The Mouthpiece to that request, but between us that’s pretty obvious, isn’t it?
Other titles releasing under the Forbidden Hollywood banner on June 26 are Ladies They Talk About (1933), Hard to Handle (1933), Jewel Robbery (1932), Lawyer Man (1932) and Man Wanted (1932).
Once again see Lumenick’s entire article at the New York Post.
Available on Amazon for just $2.99 -
Hurray! (Maybe they picked The Mind Reader to go first based on the masthead photo for your website?)
I completely forgot which pic I took that shot from until today’s post when I unintentionally included the full image. It looks kind of cool from the Blog page at the moment since the image excerpt cuts off right about at Warren’s neck!
I really believe The Mind Reader is going to be the first of the big 5-6 Warren William pre-code titles to gain Warner Archive Collection entry from now through the end of 2012. Nothing more than a hunch beyond that belief. But those presumed releases would remove one of my few remaining complaints … there’s no denying it at this point, Warren is really starting to get his just due!
Terrific news! Yes, definitely The Mouthpiece to come next, as well as Employees’ Entrance – essential WW.
And you can’t mention Employees’ Entrance without Skyscraper Souls … I almost feel they should be packaged together.
While I obviously wish there were more WW titles included it is nice to see Jewel Robbery with my other favorite William (Powell)Can’t beat a gentleman thief who passes out the reefer! I have often daydreamed about a WW exclusive Forbidden Hollywood. They did others that focused on one director or mostly one actress. Although his movies are great I highly doubt they were getting many calls for a William Wellman set.Why not Warren?!
I love love Jewel Robbery (the link on the title follows to an article I wrote on my main site, Immortal Ephemera). Those funny cigarettes make Jewel Robbery an excellent choice when trying to win over close minded movie fans to our beloved oldies. Everyone always gets a huge kick out of it!
Bob, I’ve fantasized about a Wellman-like Forbidden Hollywood collection dedicated to Warren many times on this site. I push the limits with 6 movies for my fantasy collection, but what the heck, they’re only 65-70 minutes each!
Good on them putting Hard To Handle in the set as well. It’s my pick for funniest and most twisted of the Cagney comedies: “Oh, you’ve never seen a grapefruit. Lock him up and show him a grapefruit!”
Hey there!
Any more info about this? I’ve looked for pre-order on the web but didn’t see it. Please tell me it’s still on!
Hey Bob, that’s a great question because I don’t see it–or any of the other Forbidden titles–either. I put a tweet out late tonight directly addressing both Warner Archive and author of the original Post article, Lou Lumenick. They’re usually both pretty good about answering me, so hopefully I can have more info for you (and me!) sometime Tuesday.
Bob, sounds like the NY Post (and then I) jumped the gun, but that it is coming soon. Warner Archive couldn’t give specifics regarding a date of release but did mention recording a podcast about The Mind Reader (or at least including it) … so coming soon is the best I’ve got.
Which is a better answer than it could have been!
Bob, see update at top of post–it looks like next Tuesday now, July 10.