Fox announces nine fan favorites to be released on Blu-ray for the first time
The fans have spoken, and their top two 20th Century Fox classic film picks from the '30s, '40s, '50s, and '60s will be released on Blu-ray for the first time on August 6, 2013.
And The Duke is still king. A pair of John Wayne films ("North to Alaska," "The Undefeated") are the fan favorites from the '60s.
Here's the release from Fox, with the other winners announced:
LOS ANGELES (March 6, 2013) – Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment announced today the winning titles of its first-of-its-kind VOICE YOUR CHOICE campaign. The unique initiative allowed film lovers to vote on classic films from each decade - from the 1930s through the 1960s -they’d like to see digitally restored and transferred to Blu-ray for the very first time. The response from fans was overwhelming – over 42,000 people cast 80,000 votes – and to thank fans for participating, Fox has decided to release BOTH the winning and runner-up film from each decade on Blu-ray on December 3, 2013. Additionally, CALVALCADE, which received the most write-in votes out of over 8,000 submitted, will be released on Blu-ray August 6, 2013. All titles will be available for purchase on www.foxconnect.com.
Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment boasts a rich catalog featuring many of the most beloved films of all time. With the VOICE YOUR CHOICE program, Fox is able to connect directly with film aficionados and react to their interests. The support for the inaugural VOICE YOUR CHOICE program was so successful, Fox is planning a second vote later this year with all new titles!
The winning films are:
1930s
● Jesse James (#1)
○ (1939) The legend of Jesse James stars Tyrone Power as the most infamous bandit in the history of the West. Jesse James was a young Missouri farmer forced outside the law after ruthless agents for the transcontinental railroad kill his ailing mother and steal his family's land. Together with his brother Frank (Henry Fonda), Jesse forms a gang of masked outlaws to strike back at the railroad company and the banks that have joined forces to swindle the oppressed farmers.
● Call of the Wild (#2)
○ (1935) Jack Thornton has trouble winning enough at cards for the stake he needs to get to the Alaska gold fields. His luck changes when he pays $250 for Buck, a sled dog that is part wolf to keep him from being shot by an arrogant Englishman also headed for the Yukon.
1940s
● The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (#1) trailer
○ (1947) A romance between a young widow and a sea captain's ghost weaves a magical tale of immortal love. Determined to live her life the way she wants, newly widowed Lucy Muir (Gene Tierney) declines her straitlaced in-laws demand that she live with them and moves with her daughter (a young Natalie Wood) to the seaside into a cottage haunted by the handsome, blustering Captain Gregg (Rex Harrison). A deal is struck between the two in the wee hours of the morning allowing Lucy to stay in the house and the captain to materialize only in the master bedroom. As they gradually get to know each other better, Lucy's spunk and stubbornness gains first the captain's grudging respect, then his heart. But when another man woos Lucy, both must face that her future lies with the living, not in the spirit world.
● The Black Swan (#2) trailer
○ (1942) Tyrone Power and Maureen O’Hara cross romantic swords in this epic Oscar-winning swash buckler about a pirate determined to reform his thieving ways – after he steals one last heart! Recently reformed pirate Jamie Boy (Power) is supposed to be helping the new Governor of Jamaica, Captain Morgan, rid the Caribbean of black-hearted buccaneers. But when Jamie falls head over keel for the heavenly – but hotheaded – Lady Margaret (O’Hara), he gives caution the heave-ho, kidnaps Margaret and sets sail for the adventure of a lifetime! Packed with “action, excitement, thundering guns and a maiden in distress"
1950s
● Carmen Jones (#1)
○ (1954) Powered by Georges Bizet's grand music and Oscar Hammerstein II's magnificent lyrics, this Americanized all-black version of the classic opera Carmen is "a dynamic superb show" with a positively "incandescent Carmen." (Newsweek) Oscar-nominee Dorothy Dandridge stars in the title role, a passionate, sexy creature who lures Joe (Harry Belafonte), a handsome soldier, away from his sweetheart (Olga James). Following a fatal brawl with his sergeant, Joe deserts his regiment with the sultry femme fatale. But Carmen soon tires of him and takes up with a heavyweight prize-fighter (Joe Adams). Triggering Joe's tragic revenge. Helping to set the screen on fire are Pearl Bailey and Diahann Carroll, part of the "sensational troupe" that makes this jubilant musical film "hard to beat."
● Desk Set (#2)
○ (1957) Bunny Watson (Katharine Hepburn) heads up the research department at the Federal Broadcasting Company, a major TV network. And she does her job very well, thank you very much. Assigned by the network president to introduce computers into some of the department’s functions, Richard Sumner (Spencer Tracy) arrives at Bunny’s well-run division to observe daily activities. Unfortunately, however, Sumner is ordered to keep his mission secret. As a result, the whole staff believes they are being replaced. To make matters worse, there appears to be more than a little electricity between Bunny and Sumner, which upsets Bunny’s boyfriend Mike (Gig Young). As the tension mounts in the office, so do the laughs in this classic romantic comedy.
1960s
● North to Alaska (#1) trailer
○ (1960) John Wayne and Stewart Granger strike it rich in this rousing comedy-adventure set in the heyday of the Alaskan gold rush. When prospectors Sam McCord (Wayne) and George Pratt (Granger) hit the mother lode, George asks Sam to go to Seattle and fetch his sweetheart, Jennie, but she has already married someone else. Determined to bring George a new love, Sam invites a saloon dancer (Capucine) back to Nome as Jennie’s replacement.
● The Undefeated (#2)
○ (1969) In the tumultuous aftermath of the Civil War, Union Calvary officer John Henry Thomas takes his heroic men west while southerner James Langdon takes his soldiers to Mexico. When their paths cross, they forge an uneasy friendship that is quickly tested as they get caught between Mexican rebels and the Emperor's forces, and find themselves fighting side by side.
Write-In
● Cavalcade (#1)
○ (1933) The Best Picture winner offers a view of English life starting New Year’s Eve 1899 through New Year’s Day 1933. Presented from the point of view of wealthy London residents Jane and Robert Marryot, several historical events serve as background for the film, including the Second Boer War, the death of Queen Victoria, the sinking of the Titanic and World War I.
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