WIZARD OF OZ & More Set for TCM's Classic Film Festival

By: Apr. 07, 2014
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Warner Bros. Home Entertainment (WBHE) has announced that six of their classic films with upcoming tent-pole Blu-ray™ anniversary and special editions will be featured at the 2014 TCM Classic Film Festival from April 10-13 in Hollywood.

The films include Jerry Lewis' celebrated comedy The Nutty Professor (50th anni­versary); Mel Brooks' comedy classic Blazing Saddles (40th anniversary); the timeless The Wizard of Oz 75th anniversary, now in stunning IMAX® 3D; The Women (75th anniversary), and newly-restored versions of the 1939 Oscar®-winner Gone with the Wind (75th anniversary), and William Friedkin's cult suspense thriller Sorcerer which will have its U.S. premiere.

TCM has also scheduled several special events to accompany the participating Warner films:

· Mel Brooks will appear before the screening of Blazing Saddles at the TCL Chinese Theatre IMAX® onFriday, April 11, at 9 p.m.

· William Friedkin will be interviewed by film historian Eddie Muller at Club TCM Friday, April 11, at 4 p.m.Friedkin will discuss his career, and will sign copies of his autobiography, The Friedkin Connection: A Memoir. His film, Sorcerer will screen Saturday, April 12 at 9:15 p.m. at the TCL Chinese Theatre IMAX®.

· TCM will honor Jerry Lewis with a hand and footprint ceremony in front of the TCL Chinese Theatre IMAX® (Saturday, April 12 at 10 a.m.), and then The Nutty Professor will be screened later that evening (El Capitan Theater at 6:15 p.m.), with Lewis taking part in a Q&A moderated by actress/producer Illeana Douglas, prior to the screening.

· Emmy Award®-winning producer and best-selling author John Fricke will celebrate the 75th anniversary of The Wizard of Oz with a talk entitled Judy Garland: A Legendary Film Career. (Sunday, April 13 at 1:30 p.m). Screening to follow that evening at TCL Chinese Theatre IMAX® at 7:30 p.m.

· To celebrate the 75th anniversary of Gone with the Wind, a selection of storyboard and concept art paintings and other fascinating items will be on display at Club TCM in the lobby of the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. Screening will take place at TCL Chinese Theatre IMAX®, Sunday, April 13, at 1:30 p.m.

· The Women will be shown at the El Capitan Theater on Saturday, April 12, at 9:30 PM, with a pre-screening discussion led by actress Anna Kendrick.

About the New Editions from WBHE

The Nutty Professor 50th Anniversary Collector's Edition

Lewis directed, stars in, and co-wrote (with Bill Richmond) the parody of the classic "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" tale. Mr. Lewis has helped compile entertaining Extra content for this release, highlights of which include a new featurette, Jerry Lewis: No Apologies, an intimate look at "The King of Comedy"; a 48-page book of the film's original story boards; a 44-page book of excerpts from Jerry's cutting script with personal notes; and a recreated "Being a Person" book, written by Jerry for the film's crew. Two other well-known Lewis comedies,Cinderfella and The Errand Boy will also be included. (Debuts June 3)

Blazing Saddles 40th Anniversary Blu-ray

A new 40th Anniversary Blu-ray Edition will include a new featurette Blaze of Glory: Mel Brooks' Wild, Wild Westwith Mel Brooks reflecting on his own movie-making chutzpah. The new edition will also contain 10 quotable art cards, vintage Extra content including Brooks' commentary, cast reunion documentary, and "Black Bart," the 1975 television pilot inspired by the movie. (May 6)

Sorcerer

William Friedkin's cult suspense thriller, largely overlooked since its 1977 release, has now been fully restored by WBHE and packaged as a 40-page Blu-ray book with film stills, a new personal forward by Mr. Friedkin and excerpts from his book, "The Friedkin Connection: A Memoir." (April 22)

The Wizard of Oz 75th Anniversary

The beloved classic is currently celebrating its 75th Anniversary in 3D for the first time, and with a limited and numbered 75th Anniversary Collector's Edition. Loaded with new exclusive collectible memorabilia, a new documentary and more than 16 hours of extras, this edition is available now.

Gone With the Wind 75th Anniversary

One of the world's more enduring films also celebrates its 75th Anniversary this year, and WBHE will release a spectacular new 75th Anniversary Ultimate Collectors' Edition in limited collectible packaging with collectible memorabilia and brand-new special features. More information to come for this Fall 2014 release.

The Women 75th Anniversary

This classic celebrates its anniversary with a Blu-ray debut. George Cukor directs an all-female cast in this catty tale of battling and bonding. Joan Crawford, Rosalind Russell, Joan Fontaine, Mary Boland and Paulette Goddard are among the array of husband snatchers, snitches and lovelorn ladies. (May 6)

Additional WBHE classic films being screened at the Festival include Meet Me in St. Louis, with an appearance by Margaret O'Brien (Friday, April 11, 3 p.m., TCL Chinese Theatre IMAX®) and Best Years of Our Lives (Friday, April 11, 8:45 p.m., Chinese Multiplex 1).

Note: All Festival information (including dates, times, location) is subject to change.

Note: All enhanced content listed above is subject to change.

Academy Award(s)® and Oscar(s)® are registered trademarks and services marks of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

IMAX®, IMAX® 3D, IMAX DMR®, Experience It In IMAX®, An IMAX 3D Experience®, The IMAX Experience® and IMAX Is Believing® are trademarks of IMAX Corporation.

About the TCM Classic Film Festival

For the fifth consecutive year, thousands of movie lovers from around the globe will descend upon Hollywood for the TCM Classic Film Festival. The 2014 festival is set to take place Thursday, April 10 - Sunday, April 13, coinciding with TCM's 20th Anniversary as a leading authority in classic film. Over four packed days and nights, attendees will be treated to an extensive lineup of great movies, appearances by legendary stars and filmmakers, fascinating presentations and panel discussions, special events and more. The Festival's theme this year is Family in the Movies: The Ties that Bind.

Club TCM is the central gathering point for festival passholders. Located in the lobby of the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, Club TCM will feature a remarkable slate that includes live interviews with classic film stars, filmmakers and craftspeople; exhibits of movie-inspired artwork and Hollywood artifacts; discussions with film critics and movie experts; and more.

Passes for the 2014 TCM Classic Film Festival can be purchased through the festival Website at http://www.tcm.com/festival.

About Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Inc.

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment (WBHE) brings together Warner Bros. Entertainment's home video, digital distribution and interactive entertainment businesses in order to maximize current and next-generation distribution scenarios. An industry leader since its inception, WBHE oversees the global distribution of content through packaged goods (Blu-ray Disc™ and DVD) and digital media in the form of electronic sell-through and video-on-demand via cable, satellite, online and mobile channels, and is a significant developer and publisher for console and online video game titles worldwide. WBHE distributes its product through third party retail partners and licensees, as well as directly to consumers through WBShop.com and WBUltra.



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