Tex Avery

[Goragio]

Any chance of ever seeing a Tex Avery collection on DVD?

[Michael Brooke]

Yes, if you come round to my flat, but I suspect my five home-made DVDs sourced from off-air broadcasts going back a decade and a half probably isn’t what you’re thinking of! (I only did it because it made accessing individual cartoons easier – the quality is appalling!)

I don’t know of any plans to release them on DVD – but I live in hope, as MGM released an eight-disc laserdisc box set in the early 1990s spanning his entire output from 1942-1955. In fact, I nearly bought a player purely because this set existed – and if anyone from MGM is outraged by my self-confessed copyright infringement above, let the record show I’d be the first in the queue to buy a DVD version.

In the meantime, you can get hold of a few of his very early Warner Bros efforts on the Australian <I>Cartoon Classics</I> series – they’re not very good either in terms of transfer quality or indeed artistic merit, as he’d really only hit his stride when he got to MGM – but the discs were ridiculously cheap when I bought them: something like four quid each!

[Mario Gauci]

I would also very much like to see a Box Set of all Tex Avery’s work at MGM on DVD. The inspired lunacy and unbridled invention of his output there is quite unrivalled in the annals of cartoon short subjects. Although most of them stand up to repeated viewings, and there are many which I have yet to watch, if I had to pick one favourite I’d have to go for BAD LUCK BLACKIE (1949).

Let’s hope MGM come to their senses soon and realize that there is a market for such compilations of their favorite cartoon characters (as evidenced by the similar DVDs released by Disney for Mickey Mouse and their Silly Symphonies series). We also need a complete Merrie Melodies and Looney Tunes Box Set and another one for Tom and Jerry – although I can do without the ones produced during the Chuck Jones phase in the Sixties.

[jonathan.e]

Originally posted by Michael Brooke
....as MGM released an eight-disc laserdisc box set in the early 1990s spanning his entire output from 1942-1955. In fact, I nearly bought a player purely because this set existed....


You should have given in to temptation - it’s a superb set which I’ve watched over and over for many years now. Doesn’t hurt that it’s worth big bucks either, although I just can’t bring myself to sell it.

I can’t believe you never invested in an LD player Michael. Do you mean to say that until DVD came along you were subsisting on pre-recorded VHS??!!

[Michael Brooke]

Originally posted by jonathan.e
I can’t believe you never invested in an LD player Michael. Do you mean to say that until DVD came along you were subsisting on pre-recorded VHS??!!

Nope - I had the horrendously unfair advantage of working in a repertory cinema showing anything up to twenty films a week, any of which I could just pop in and see free of charge! (Including Tex Avery compilations with an audience - during the last one I programmed, the audience started applauding after the third or fourth cartoon and then made it routine!)

The downside, though, is that like all repertory cinema staff I earned an absolute pittance, so I couldn't even afford much in the way of VHS, let alone laserdiscs. Oh well, I've more than made up for it since!

[Blany]

I'd love to see a complete Tex Avery works on DVD. There was some videos released in the early 90's but these only contained about 15 shorts each so there's still loads out there.

[jonathan.e]

Here (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1535701096)’s the LD set.

[Nicadeemas]

Our prayers may well have been answered. Check this out.

Tex Avery DVD box set (http://pub125.ezboard.com/fcriterioncollectionforumfrm4.showMessage?topicID=863.topic)

Nic

[jonathan.e]

Great news. Will Johnny Frenchman insist on locked subs though?

Up for pre-order
http://www.cinestore.com/html/fiche_produits.php?id=20147 @ £53
http://www.cinestore.com/html/fiche_produits.php?id=20146 @ £63

[Blany]

Fantastic. I've been collecting Tex Avery animation art for years and have been stuck with the videos released in the early 90's. This looks like it's going to be an excellent set.

[captainfearless]

tex avery dvds are available ,r3 hong kong .i have 2 or 3,which
have l.r.r.riding hood,magical maestro etc,only ok quality ,but
i paid about £3 each(not pirates!!)

[zenza]

Originally posted by jonathan.e
[B]Great news. Will Johnny Frenchman insist on locked subs though?

That's what I was wondering? I hope they don't have forced french subs.:(

[SimonI]

Amazon France already list a Le Monde fou de Tex Avery - Édition Digipack 2 DVD (http://www.thedvdforums.com/jump2.php?url=http://www.amazon.fr/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000A12FN/thedvdforum09-21) for €24, although the one review gives it one star and ends with what sounds like a rude comment: "Totalement Fadasse Nº1"...

That 5 DVD set with tin looks good, though - I can feel a pre-order comin' on! €90 a bit steep though... (maybe)

[brunny78]

anyone figured out if this'll have locked french subs yet?

[Goragio]

Does this mean an english release is on the cards?

Have other similar dvds been released in France but nowhere else?

[evilsly]

I'd be very interested in this set too

[jonathan.e]

More details in French here:

http://www.dvdrama.com/news.php?7343&PHPSESSID=029eb38fdc00d836806c810b8fffeaf1

[SimonI]

La définition est précise, les couleurs sont sublimes et la compression ne pose aucun problème. Sounds good - the article doesn't mention the subs at all but since they are not visible on the screen grabs does that mean they are optional?

[jonathan.e]

Originally posted by SimonI
Sounds good - the article doesn't mention the subs at all but since they are not visible on the screen grabs does that mean they are optional?


A good point. Let’s hope so. Either that or they grabbed frames without dialogue.

[Cornelius]

That set looks fantastic and just in time for christmas. Do the prices quoted include p+p as well?

[SdG]

Originally posted by SimonI
Amazon France already list a Le Monde fou de Tex Avery - Édition Digipack 2 DVD (http://www.thedvdforums.com/jump2.php?url=http://www.amazon.fr/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000A12FN/thedvdforum09-21) for €24, although the one review gives it one star and ends with what sounds like a rude comment: "Totalement Fadasse Nº1"...

I think the reason for the rude comments are these are just about the one character and not a collection of his best cartoons.

have a look here

http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/releaseinfo.cfm?ReleaseID=3184

I 've never heard of the character it maybe not very good I'm not sure.

Stuart.

[Michael Brooke]

Originally posted by SimonI
Sounds good - the article doesn't mention the subs at all but since they are not visible on the screen grabs does that mean they are optional?

I don't know for certain, but I'm quietly optimistic because <I>une version française</I> is included.

This in itself confirms that the subtitles aren't permanently burned in, which means that even if they're locked onto the English version they're probably removable via the Toshiba remote hack that I use for disabling the subtitles on all my other allegedly locked-subs French DVDs.

But this is pure guesswork on my part - the phrase to look for (which I haven't yet come across with regard to this set) is "sous-titres obligatoires avec le V.O.", which means that they're compulsory.

[Goragio]

Any further news on the subtitle situation?

[BobP]

Originally posted by SdG
I think the reason for the rude comments are these are just about the one character and not a collection of his best cartoons.
I think the reason for the rude comments is that these aren't Tex Avery cartoons!!!

Neither are the other volumes THE WACKY WORLD OF TEX AVERY – POWER POOCH TO THE RESCUE or THE WACKY WORLD OF TEX AVERY – POMPEII PETE IN THE 22ND CENTURY. As ads for them say "we are introduced to a whole barrage of new wacky characters, paying homage to the great man" and "A compilation of wacky, uproariously funny segments emulating the style of legendary animator Tex Avery".

Tex Avery never created these characters, not even as concepts, they've just stuck his name on the front (and seemingly animated him as a character!) to sell the things.

The words "Ten Foot Barge Pole" spring to mind :gag:

[Cornelius]

Any updates about these sets? subtitles etc.

[jonathan.e]

Originally posted by Cornelius
Any updates about these sets? subtitles etc.


Nothing here (http://www.dvdfr.com/dvd/dvd.php?id=8992) to suggest the subs are locked.

Up for pre-order at Amazon France BTW for 90 Euros. Sold my LD box set for $200 so this upgrade is free + $90 for me! :thumbs:

[Cornelius]

Originally posted by jonathan.e
Nothing here (http://www.dvdfr.com/dvd/dvd.php?id=8992) to suggest the subs are locked.

Up for pre-order at Amazon France BTW for 90 Euros. Cheers that's good to know... and I think I'll preorder it from Amazon.Fr.

Now all I've got to decide is do I go for the tin or the 4 disc version. Is it worth paying another tenner for the tin and documentary disc?

[jonathan.e]

Originally posted by Cornelius
Is it worth paying another tenner for the tin and documentary disc?

I did. Shipping now from Amazon. :thumbs:

[SimonI]

Think I will go for that one too - always a sucker for an LE tin :p

[2099net]

Has anyone had their LE Tin shipped from Amazon.fr yet? And has anyone got the 4 disc set to report on subtitles?

[SimonI]

Mine was shipped on Wednesday (the day of release) - should be here in a few of days.

[Cornelius]

Originally posted by jonathan.e
I did. Shipping now from Amazon. :thumbs: Yeah I opted for the LE Tin. Shipped on Tuesday. :thumbs:

[Andy]

Big fan of Tex Avery cartoons - so may go for this.

In no hurry this side of Christmas, so will most likely wait until after the hols before ordering (will hopefully have some money then!), very interested to hear if you can remove the subs and what the picture quality is like.

How much does the tin work out to be in £'s?

[2099net]

I preordered the Tin about a week before release, and they've not sent it out, and the availability is listed as 5-6 days. I'm just wondering if they will get more in, or is the Limited Release truely is a limited release. :(

[SimonI]

Andy - about £66 with shipping to the UK. Not cheap - especially when compared to the recent 4 disk Looney Tunes Collection!

[SimonI]

2099net - who did you order it from? I ordered mine from Amazon on the 9th and they shipped it the next day.

[2099net]

Amazon.fr on the 1st December :(

[RichDB10]

Ordered mine from Amazon.Fr some time ago along with 'Dogville' LE and neither have shipped either!!

[jonathan.e]

Just got my set - NO FIXED SUBS!!!! :clap:

After having owned the LD set and this I can say that pic quality is (as expected) comparable with the laserdiscs. No Looney Tunes style restoration here but the quality of the characters and ideas more than makes up for the unrestored image quality.

Tin box is sweet and the book has some great sketches inside with a smattering of French text. If you were sitting on the fence about this release I say go for it - The cartoons are classics.

Will check out the doco disc and report back on that later.

[vanmunchen]

Just got my set - NO FIXED SUBS!!!!

Thanks Jonathan. That's what I've been waiting to hear!

[Nicadeemas]

Mine arrived today. Nice tin (very much like the BoB tin), No fixed subs :thumbs: and hours of hilarity. I've been waiting for this for ever.

Highly recommended.

Nic

[RichDB10]

Still waiting.......tbh the whole subtitle issue doesn't bother me in the slightest i find it a little more grating that there are 'censorship' issues pertaining to two shorts not being included in the set etc.

[e9725388]

Could anyone report about the two documentaries on the 5th disc? Are they in French or English?

[jonathan.e]

One of the docos is American/English? in origin so is in English with removable French subs and the other is a new French documentary that is (wonder of wonders) subtitled in English!

[e9725388]

thanks!

[Njål]

While the set is mostly great, be aware that it has been censored:
Uncle Tom's Cabana and Half Pint Pygmy are completely missing, and at least Blitz Wolf, Happy-Go-Nutty, Henpecked Hoboes and Lucky Ducky are somewhat censored.

[SimonI]

It was back on 24hour availability on Amazon France yesterday...

[Njål]

The 4-disc Tex Avery 4-disc set will be available at a lower price March 3rd: Amazon.fr (http://www.thedvdforums.com/jump2.php?url=http://www.amazon.fr/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0001FAI7Y/thedvdforum09-21)

[Green Rizla]

is the 4 disc set still available anywhere? thanks

[Alan b]

Moving to Classic Cinema and DVD Forum

[jonathan.e]

Now who else was watching Charlie Brooker last week? :D

[gareth101]

I've got to admit I've mixed feelings about Brookers show. I've always liked his column in the Guardian not sure his style transfers so well to TV. Been slagged off in the reviews I've seen in tha papers. Thought the I've got an idea sketch from last weeks show was appallingly bad and overlong. I'll contiune to take a look but very much aimed at a niche audience I think.

[jonathan.e]

Hmmm....Other telly reviewers jumping at the chance to slag one of their own for doing what they’d all love to be able to....What a shock! :D

[Spectre07]

What channel, day and time is this Brooker on?

[John Hodson]

See this thread (http://thedvdforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=416296) in the TV Forum.

[Green Rizla]

is the 4 disc set still available anywhere? thanks

anyone?

[John Hodson]

Here (http://www.thedvdforums.com/jump2.php?url=http://www.amazon.fr/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000DF12D/thedvdforum09-21)

[John Hodson]

The Bits reports that Warner is releasing Tex Avery's Droopy: The Complete Theatrical Collection in R1 in May.

[Dunbar]

I need some clarification here. Tex Avery made his best cartoons while working for MGM, from 1942 to 1957. These are the cartoons everybody wants on DVD (released earlier on LD and on DVD in France). Before that Avery worked for Warner. Correct so far?

Now Warner is releasing “Tex Avery's Droopy”, a character created after he left Warner (as far as I know). Two questions;

Is it Warner that now own the rights to the MGM cartoons? (they are still two different companies?)
Droopy is just one of Avery’s characters, meaning that this is far from a complete Tex Avery set?

[Mike]

Warners owns the rights to MGM films prior to 1984.

[Douglas R]

Warners owns the rights to MGM films prior to 1984.

Actually it's all MGM films prior to 1986.

[EvaUnit02]

Actually it's all MGM films prior to 1986.They were part of the Turner MGM library then?

[Douglas R]

Ted Turner purchased MGM/UA in 1986. However the purchase left him in too much debt so he had to re-sell everything except the MGM film library.

[John Hodson]

From The Bits:

Here's even better news from Warner: The studio has announced Tex Avery's Droopy: The Complete Theatrical Collection for release on 5/15 (SRP $26.99). The 2-disc set will include 24 re-mastered and unedited animated shorts, including Dumb-Hounded, The Shooting of Dan McGoo, Wild and Woolfy, Northwest Hounded Police, Señor Droopy, Wags to Riches, Out-Foxed, The Chump Champ, Daredevil Droopy, Droopy's Good Deed, Droopy’s "Double Trouble", Caballero Droopy, The Three Little Pups, Drag-a-Long Droopy, Homesteader Droopy, Dixieland Droopy and Deputy Droopy. The set will also include 7 Cinemascope shorts in anamorphic widescreen, including Millionaire Droopy, Grin and Share It, Blackboard Jumble, One Droopy Knight, Sheep Wrecked, Mutts About Racing and Droopy Leprechaun. Extras on the set will include the Droopy and Friends: A Laugh Back documentary and the Doggone Gags montage.

[John Hodson]

From Digitally Obsessed:

Tex Avery's Droopy The Complete Theatrical Collection

AVAILABLE FOR THE FIRST TIME ON DVD MAY 15, 2007

It's a doggone good time as Warner Home Video presents Tex Avery's Droopy The Complete Theatrical Collection, available for the first time on DVD! The 2-Disc DVD Collector's set, a must-have for fans of classic animation, is available on May 15, 2007 and includes the Academy Award® nominated animated short "One Droopy Knight". The DVD is priced to own at $26.99 SRP with an order due date of April 10, 2007.

World renowned Tex Avery created Droopy Dog, a low-key animated movie character at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. This mournful deadpan witty basset hound detective, who spoke in a jowly monotone voice, was shrewd enough to outwit his enemies - the conniving Butch the Irish bulldog and the thieving, Nasty Wolf and English Fox.

SYNOPSIS
Droopy, a detective basset hound, lulls the bad guys into a false sense of security by acting slow and dumb when in actual fact he is a genius. The shrewd Droopy always outwits his enemies!

Tex Avery's Droopy: The Complete Theatrical Collection DVD features 24 re-mastered and unedited animated shorts including:

* Dumb-Hounded
* The Shooting of Dan McGoo
* Wild and Woolfy
* Northwest Hounded Police
* Señor Droopy
* Wags to Riches
* Out-Foxed
* The Chump Champ
* Daredevil Droopy
* Droopy's Good Deed
* Droopy's "Double Trouble"
* Caballero Droopy
* The Three Little Pups
* Drag-A-Long Droopy
* Homesteader Droopy
* Dixieland Droopy
* Deputy Droopy

Tex Avery's Droopy The Complete Theatrical Collection DVD also features 7 animated shorts in its original 16x9 Cinemascope version including:

* Millionaire Droopy
* Grin And Share It
* Blackboard Jumble
* One Droopy Knight
* Sheep Wrecked
* Mutts About Racing
* Droopy Leprechaun

EXTRA DVD CONTENT
The special features include:

* "Droopy and Friends: A Laugh Back" - a documentary retrospective featuring the highlights of Tex Avery's iconic character and band of regular misfits, which made the collection so memorable and dear to our hearts. Peppered through the featurettes will be moments reflecting Tex's early days, from inspiration, to his passions as an artist, entertainer and eventual auteur.

* "Doggone Gags" - a montage of great moments from the Droopy series, culled together in the fashion of a gag reel.