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Will Warner's release a Blu Ray of Jekyll and Mr. Hyde?

posted 9 years ago by mike-2620
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I have most of the Universal classic horror films in Blu ray. All beautifully restored to pristine condition despite their age. So it puzzles me why Warner Bros have overlooked this horror classic of ' Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde ( 1931). Warner's released the film on DVD as a double bill with the Spencer Tracy version some years ago.
This film is simply crying out for a brand new uncut restoration and Blu Ray transfer.So Warner Brothers- please do the right thing and release it. Or is it perhaps a copyright issue that is holding it up? This was originally a MGM feature when it was first released.

[–] angmc43 9 years ago

Actually, it was a Paramount film. MGM bought the rights- and kept it suppressed- to avoid any competition for its own 1941 production. Since Warner owns the rights to the MGM films (and any film in their ownership), they have no problem releasing it.
The problem is the film. I'm afraid this DVD edition is the best condition they can do. The film suffered some cuts in the past, and although some have been restored- Hyde's "I am Jekyll!" for instance- the missing footage is probably lost forever. They also may lack any better master prints to make a better restoration.
They can release it on Blu-Ray, but it probably won't be the 'brand new restoration' transfer like DRACULA.