Earlier today, Paramount Home Media Distribution announced the beginning of a new, monthly sweepstakes designed to commemorate the studio's centennial. Beginning this month, consumers can apply to win an all-expenses-paid vacation to cities featured in classic Paramount films.
From the official press release:
"Destinations may include cities inspired by some of Paramount's classic films such as New York City where Francis Ford Coppola's epic masterpiece The Godfather and the beloved classic Breakfast at Tiffany's were filmed; Chicago, IL, where Ferris Bueller had the best day off ever; San Antonio, TX, where the breathtaking drama Wings was filmed with a cast of thousands; or Hollywood, CA, setting and subject of Sunset Boulevard and home to countless film productions. Visitors to Paramount's Facebook page can enter every month throughout the year."
Additionally, this same press release offers further information about Paramount's centennial Blu-ray plans. As with the sweepstakes, each coming month will see the release of a previously unavailable (on Blu-ray) title; so far, Paramount has issued detailed Blu-ray specifications for the following titles:
I'm all about Clue on blu, but, Paramount, come on. INDIANA JONES?? If it's not too much trouble?? I mean, it's only a tentpole franchise for you guys and a well put together boxset would likely be a top seller for the year.
Not bad.What about Sunset Blvd.,The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance ,Stalag 17,El Dorado ,The Sons of Katie Elder ,Seven Men From Now,Sophie's Choice,Shane,Paper Moon,Don't Look Now,Hud,The Parallax View,The Tenant,Nashville,The Shootist,Sorcerer,Heaven Can Wait,Ordinary People,Atlantic City,The Duellists,Witness,Gallipoli and Marathon Man?(i will stop here)
Especially Sunset Blvd? :/ Shane anyone?
Disappointing!Shame that they don't show respect to their catalogue titles as Universal does.
Interesting variety, but as others have noted there are far better films that should have taken precedence. WINGS, CHINATOWN, and TO CATCH A THIEF are the big titles here. HONDO isn't bad, either, and if it actually includes a 3-D Blu-ray release, I may just have to consider getting a 3-D TV when it's time to get a new one. It would probably take at least another half-dozen of the 1950s 3-D classics and one or two from the 70s-80s to come out on 3-D Blu-rays for me to actually take the 3-D plunge, however.
What about these titles Pramount? All were finacially sucessful at the BO
Titanic
Indiana Jones trilogy
Beverly Hills Cop 2
Breakdown
Another 48 HRS.
Firday The 13th parts 4-8
Marathon Man
Up In Smoke
Escape From Alcatraz
Pet Sematary
The Addams Family 1&2
Payback (Original Theatrical Version)
The Longest Yard (1974)
wow, didn't realize Hondo was in 3D originally.
Barbarella--awesome!
some of those other films could be coming out later in the year.
I mean if these films are coming out then of course those other films will make it out.
I was obsessed with Clue when I was a kid, I'd rent the movie every week and make somebody play the game with me so I'm in for that. Also for Clueless, which I'm surprised they've waited this long. It's been on TV in HD many times and I kind of thought they'd release it after Brittany Murphy's death to try and make money off that.. which would've been a gross thing to do, but still, thought it'd be out before now
I am more than pleased that Paramount is releasing To Catch a Thief, Wings and Chinatown. Even though I am not a fan of Love Story I can see why they choose to release it since it was so huge for them. But if these are the choices for the "1" classic title each month then it is sad. Look at what they are releasing vs. Universal.
I know Clue has its fans but why not release Nashville or The Odd Couple instead? Hondo is distributed by them on Home Video but was originally released theatrical by Warner Bros. Paramount picked up the rights along with a bunch of other films from the Wayne estate for DVD blu ray etc. How about The Shootist (His last film) instead? Like Clue, Barbarella has a cult following. But how about the original War of the Worlds instead?
They could release Witness, Marathon Man, The Miracle of Morgan's Creek, The Bad News Bears, The Greatest Show on Earth, Heaven Can Wait, Romeo & Juliet and many others that had a impact in the history of the studio. Paramount (when they release) does have nice quality PQ on the classic titles they have released. But at the same time they have no desire to really release most of the titles collectors are really craving.
'Barbarella'! -- now that would be some hi-def eye candy -- and then some .... the opening credit sequence is worth the price of admission alone (and probably the main reason to watch this). Fonda was such a sex kitten back then .... still is I suppose, especially for given her age
Nice, Clue comes out my birthday month :-D It'd be nice to finally have the infamous missing alternate "this person did it!" endings, but I doubt we'll finally get them. I'm guessing we'll be stuck with the same three endings.
While it's great to see a Blu-ray release (hoping also for 3-D), I'd completely forgotten that HONDO was actually a Warner Brothers picture. So how does that tie in with Paramount's centennial, then? Releasing it to Blu-ray certainly makes sense, as there are John Wayne fans, western fans, and it's a good way to cash in on the 3-D craze, but promoting it as part of Paramount's 100 Years makes no sense (like Universal promoting PSYCHO or a few of their other Hitchcocks that were actually Paramount productions, but at least in that case both studios coincidentally are celebrating their centennial the same year).
But yeah, these are nice, but I sure hope they do more than one classic a month or have four really spectacular and truly classic titles lined up for the rest of the year.
I certainly agree that Paramount needs to release on blu-ray far more titles in its catalog and far more frequently than it has been doing. It seems one classic blu-ray per month is only slightly more frequent than Paramount's usual classic blu-ray release schedule. Compare that to the smaller Criterion Collection, which releases at least four blu-ray titles per month in sophisticated, deluxe packaging.
The sweepstakes idea could be interesting for some winners, but, in terms of new titles on blu-ray the studio needs to learn a lesson from Universal, which is restoring many of its classics and issuing them (albeit along with a number of titles that have already been released on blu) and packaging them encased in attractive, 100th-anniversary-themed, fold-out slipcovers.
IMO, most of the titles mentioned in the comments above would make terrific films to be issued on blu as part of Paramount's centennial. In any case, of the titles mentioned in this article, Chinatown and Sunset Blvd. remain far and away the most intriguing titles for me and I've already preordered the Chinatown blu-ray. I hope we won't have to wait long for Sunset Blvd.
Yeah, sorry - don't want to seem ungrateful - but put me down as severely underwhelmed. Twelve new releases in their centennial year? Whoop-de-doo. Wonder what the catering will be like at their centennial party? Cucumber sandwiches and a plastic cup of fizzy "pop" for everyone?
I guess next year it'll all get back to normal and we can expect another four or so. Lame.
By the way - just to rub salt in the wound - nobody mentioned ROSEMARY'S BABY.
I understand these are desired titles. I'll most likely pu Clueless and Hondo along with already ordered Chinatown, Wings and To Catch of Thief. BUT the point I was trying to make is when you hit a milestone like 100 and you ought to go for the Gold. Universal has made a point to restore and remaster most of the major titles during the period that defined who they were. Yes, Chinatown, Wings, Love Story, To Catch a Thief and even Clueless are a major part of Paramount's history. But to not release films like Roman Holiday, Sunset Blvd., Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, The Greatest Show on Earth, Nashville, The Odd Couple, Hud, A Place in the Sun, War of the Worlds and such is not a studio that is serious about the milestone.
If they were doing a major push like Universal and releasing many titles then I would have no problem. But with the limited releases they are producing for this 'celebration' this is a disapointment. Because if they are not going to release them during the Special Moment then when will they? I'm sure if it wasn't Universal's 100 we would not be getting Buck Privates or Pillow Talk. I would guess the last four spots would have at least Sunset Blvd and Roman Holiday, hopefully War of the Worlds or Rosemary's Baby for Halloween.
Interesting list. Notable absence of Indiana Jones. Here is what I would like to see: The Desperate Hours, Sunset Boulevard, The Dead Zone, Rosemary's Baby, Catch-22, An Officer and a Gentleman, Ordinary People, School of Rock, Searching for Bobby Fischer, Snake Eyes, Terms of Endearment
Okay I litterally screamed when I read Clue. That is hands down my all time favorite movie and I have been wanting that on blu ray since blu rays started! I have seen the movie at lease 200 times and know it by heart. I am fortunate to have gotten Eileen Brennan's, Christopher Lloyds and Howard Hessman's autographs on my clue DVD and lloyd and hessman on a advance screening promo 8x10. I really hope Paramount does this right and includes the original 4th ending as well as any deleted scenes, making of and audio commenteries. It so deserves it! *squee*
I'm hoping for Friday the 13th part 4 with a good transfer. Titanic is going to be a big draw so, you know that's coming. There has to be some Paramount Releases that I'm overlooking, I just can't think of any right now.
OH YES! Clueless for me! As for those screaming for Cameron's Titanic, it'll probably be announced for later in the year. It would be crazy to announce a blu-ray release date before the 3D re-release in April. That would more than likely impact box office receipts.
CLUE!!! Day one!! One of my all time favorites. Sure it's no masterpiece, but the script is priceless and the frenetic acting is a pure joy. Trust me, this movie has a TON of fans.
Thanks Paramount!!!
That said, no Indiana Jones? no Witness? no Sunset Boulevard? Please!
Looking at some posts on HTF, it seems a few knowledgeable people are quietly certain that we will be seeing many more (and more impressive) catalogue releases than the ones mentioned in this press release.
Which is a relief.
Here's hoping for
Rosemary's Baby
The Tenant
Marathon Man
Alfie
The Odd Couple
Catch 22
Waterloo
Murder on the Orient Express
Dragonslayer
Nashville
The Duellists
Escape From Alcatraz
Funeral in Berlin
Paint Your Wagon
Popeye
The Keep
Seconds
Looking for Mr Goodbar
Young Sherlock Holmes
Witness
The Hondo release is unlikely to be the 3D version. I believe that it was only recently restored to 3d and that the rights probably do not belong to Paramont for that restoration. But it would be cool if it was released.
Memories.... 
