"Casablanca" (1942) / December 2nd

[rezpekt]

Warner Home Video have announced the US Blu-ray Disc release of Casablanca (Ultimate Collector’s Edition) on 2nd December 2008 priced at $64.99 SRP. Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman star in one of the great Hollywood classics that debuts on Blu-ray Disc as a premium giftset this Christmas.

All of the content of the Special Edition DVD and HD DVD editions are featured alongside a documentary on the life of Jack Warner - 1993 documentary: Jack L. Warner: The Last Mogul - in this set that is elegantly boxed in an intricate laser-cut Moroccan design and will include collectibles such as reproductions of executive memos and props**, a branded passport holder, luggage tag, photo book and mail-in offer for a movie poster.

** 1) Memo from Hal Wallis that “Casablanca” is the new title 2) Memo from Wallis to Jack Warner strongly urging casting of Bogart over George Raft 3) Letter from Publicity head Charles Einfeld to publicist Marty Weiser to “sell” Bogart as a romantic lead 4) Victor Laszlo’s “letter of transit.

There is no region coding and there are no announced plans for a standard, non-UCE release.

Extras (presented in Standard Definition)…

Disc 1:

Behind the Story

* Introduction by Lauren Bacall
* Commentary by film critic Roger Ebert
* Commentary by film historian/author Rudy Behlmer
* 1988 TCM special: Bacall on Bogart [Laurel Bacall’s candid and moving reminiscences about her husband’s life and career]
* You Must Remember This: A Tribute to Casablanca [Bacall hosts this spellbinding backstage tour]
* As Time Goes By: The Children Remember [Stephen Bogart and Pia Lindstrom remember their parents, Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman]
* Production history gallery


Additional Footage

* Deleted scenes
* Outtakes
* Who Holds Tomorrow? Premiere episode from the 1955 Warner Bros. Presents series, starring Charles McGraw
* 1995 WB Cartoon: Carrotblanca


Audio

* Scoring Stage Sessions
* Knock on Wood Alternate Version, Wilson with Piano
* As Time Goes By Part One Alternate Take, Wilson with Piano
* As Time Goes By Part One Film Version, Wilson with Piano
* Rick Sees Ilsa Instrumental Medley
* As Time Goes By Part Two Alternate Take, Wilson with Piano
* As Time Goes By Part Two Film Version, Wilson with Piano
* At La Belle Aurore Instrumental Medley
* Dat’s What Noah Done Outtake, Wilson with Piano
* April 26,1943 Screen Guild Players Radio Broadcast


Trailers

* Theatrical trailer
* 1992 re-release trailer



Disc 2: - Most likely a standard DVD…

* 1993 documentary: Jack L. Warner: The Last Mogul

http://dvdtimes.co.uk/content.php?contentid=68519

[DigitalFreakNYC]

Please tell me this is going to be available outside of that set as well.

[rezpekt]

Originally Posted by DigitalFreakNYC

Please tell me this is going to be available outside of that set as well.

There is no region coding and there are no announced plans for a standard, non-UCE release.

Maybe in the future...

[Squozen]

Ah, it's a great film, I'll pay stupid money for this one... if the transfer isn't borked. They have good prints, hopefully the transfer holds up to the standard I expect of an 'Ultimate Collector's Edition'.

[BambooLounge]

Just want to confirm...the Disc 2 Jack Warner doc is the only extra feature that is not available on the HD-DVD?

[Godstar]

Would the transfer be any different than the previous BD release? I'm guessing they aren't doing anything but adding extras on that they didn't before.

[squall4008]

hopefully this will have standard packaging as well as the deluxe packaging, kind of like what they did with Blade Runner or the upcoming re-release of A Christmas Story, i really hate deluxe packaging

[squall4008]

Originally Posted by Godstar

Would the transfer be any different than the previous BD release? I'm guessing they aren't doing anything but adding extras on that they didn't before.

what previous BD release? It was an HD DVD exclusive release by Warner this will be the first time it hits BD, but it probably will be the same transfer as the HD DVD, not that thats a bad thing.

[bookcase]

Originally Posted by squall4008

hopefully this will have standard packaging as well as the deluxe packaging, kind of like what they did with Blade Runner or the upcoming re-release of A Christmas Story, i really hate deluxe packaging

+1. I don't need deluxe packaging, and I loathe paying more for it.

[dmarvin]

This is one I will probably go out and spend the extra money on, however stupid that seems. For one, I really want that Jack Warner documentary and highly doubt they will release the standalone disc with that extra DVD included. For two, I'm sure this will look nice displayed on my shelf.

[Jimbo976]

Undecied if I will buy the bigger set. I was 110% on board to buy a regular release on day 1 but not sure if I want to pay double for a "deluxe" release.

[project-blu]

Originally Posted by Jimbo976

Undecied if I will buy the bigger set. I was 110% on board to buy a regular release on day 1 but not sure if I want to pay double for a "deluxe" release.

agreed. casablanca ain't no 65.00 msrp title. freaking ridiculous.

[bookcase]

I have a feeling they'll release a standard BD, even though it's not been announced yet. There's no way Warner will want to miss out on sales from those who are not willing to shell out top dollar for a deluxe edition.

[gtgcoolkid]

Originally Posted by bookcase

I have a feeling they'll release a standard BD, even though it's not been announced yet. There's no way Warner will want to miss out on sales from those who are not willing to shell out top dollar for a deluxe edition.

Yeah I think so too. No way they are only releasing this set.

[Godstar]

Originally Posted by squall4008

what previous BD release? It was an HD DVD exclusive release by Warner this will be the first time it hits BD, but it probably will be the same transfer as the HD DVD, not that thats a bad thing.

Ah ok, thought it was out on BD already and this was a re-release like Casino Royale.