Dial M for Murder gets Blu-ray 3D release

Finally, Dial M for Murder will be available on Blu-ray 3D. This marks the first 3D film from the 1950's to be released in this format.

Originally shot in WarnerVision 3Dimension (basically two cameras), the studio had left and right film reels to remaster this from. Despite the common misconception that 1950's films were all red/cyan anaglyph, most were in fact shot with two cameras, projected with two synchronized projectors, and viewed with passive glasses (similar to RealD). It wasn't until the 1980's 3D revival that many 50's films were rereleased as mediocre anaglyphs, because of the expense and lack of equipment/personnel to operate twin projectors.

By the release of Dial M for Murder, 3D was on the way out in favor of CinemaScope (a much cheaper-to-produce way to get people away from their TV's and back in the cinema). Most theaters opted to only show the film in 2D. Since then, the only way to see it was on some very low quality anaglyph copies or a rare dual-projector screening.Finally, emerging filmmakers will be able to study and learn what Hitchcock did with 3D almost 60 years ago, and classic cinema fans will be able to watch the Academy Award-winning Grace Kelly in all her 3D glory. I for one hope this is the start of many Blu-ray releases of vintage stereoscopic films.

Jeff Baker, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Theatrical Catalog, said in the press release: "Given the current trend toward 3D, we're delighted to be releasing this authentic classic 3D. This is not a conversion from 2D to 3D, but an original work, with a big tip of the cap to MPI, that illustrates just how good 3D can be. The Warner library has the largest number of classic 3D titles (15) of any studio and over the years we've been looking to release them, but not until now has the technology been perfected to the point we can do that. We're hoping Dial M for Murder is the first of several classic 3D films to be released, with the long-awaited, much requested "House of Wax" expected next."

Full press release after the break.

DIAL M FOR MURDER RETURNS IN 3D!
On Blu-ray 3D™ October 9 From Warner Home Video
Oscar® Winners Grace Kelly and Ray Milland Star

Hitchcock's Classic Strangers on a Train Remastered for its Blu-ray Debut

Burbank, Calif., June 22, 2012 – Dial M for Murder, Alfred Hitchock's suspense classic, was among the first films that helped Warner Bros. introduce 3D in U.S. theatres in the early '50s. Now, thanks to advanced Blu-ray™ technology and the tireless efforts of Warner Bros.' Motion Picture Imaging (MPI) division, Warner Home Video has meticulously and painstakingly restored the original 3D presentation, and, when Dial M for Murder Blu-ray 3D debuts October 9, audiences will finally be able to see the film in their homes as it was originally meant to be seen. A 2D version will also be included for those who have yet to upgrade TVs and players to 3D. Dial M for Murder Blu-ray 3D will be priced at $35.99 SRP, and the order due date is September 4.

Originally designed to lure audiences away from their TV sets, 3D utilized a "left-eye/right-eye" dual projection process and polarized glasses, the basis for what is seen today. However, with the advent of CinemaScope ("the miracle you can see without glasses") and the higher costs associated with 3D, the fad was fading by the time Dial M for Murder was released in theatres. As a result, most 1954 moviegoers only saw the film projected in 2D, and it wasn't until the early 1980s that a classic 3D film revival allowedDial M for Murder to be briefly seen theatrically, albeit in a "faux 3D" 70 mm composite print.

To ready Dial M for Murder for this current release, MPI's work included a 4K scan of the original camera negative, and a full restoration of the two "eyes," as well as convergence fixes to ensure perfect alignment.

Said Jeff Baker, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Theatrical Catalog,

"Given the current trend toward 3D, we're delighted to be releasing this authentic classic 3D. This is not a conversion from 2D to 3D, but an original work, with a big tip of the cap to MPI, that illustrates just how good 3D can be. The Warner library has the largest number of classic 3D titles (15) of any studio and over the years we've been looking to release them, but not until now has the technology been perfected to the point we can do that. We're hoping Dial M for Murder is the first of several classic 3D films to be released, with the long-awaited, much requested "House of Wax" expected next."

Ranked number 9 on the American Film Institute's 2008 list of the 10 greatest films in the "Mystery" genre, Dial M for Murder was adapted by Frederick Knott from his hit Broadway stage play. The film stars two Oscar® winners: Grace Kelly (Best Actress in a Leading Role, The Country Girl, 1954) in her Hitchcock film debut and Ray Milland (Best Actor in a Leading Role, The Lost Weekend, 1945). Robert Cummings ("The Bob Cummings Show") and John Williams (Midnight Lace) also star.

Synopsis – Dial M for Murder

When American writer Mark Halliday (Cummings) begins a relationship with the very married Margot Wendice (Kelly) in London, he unknowingly sets off a chain of blackmail and murder. After sensing Margot's affections for Halliday, her husband, Tony Wendice (Milland), fears divorce and disinheritance, and plots her death. Knowing former school chum Captain Lesgate aka Charles Swann (Anthony Dawson) is involved in illegal activities, Tony blackmails him into conspiring to kill Margot. When she ends up killing Lesgate in self-defense, Tony implicates her as being guilty of premeditated murder. Halliday must out-strategize Tony to save Margot's life.

Special Features:

Featurettes: Hitchcock and Dial M and 3D: A Brief History

· Original 1954 Theatrical trailer

Classic Thriller, Strangers on a Train, newly remastered and new to Blu-ray

The movie Roger Ebert calls "a first-rate thriller" tells the tale of a fateful train trip, with strangers offering to "exchange" murders, each killing the person the other wants dead. Hitchcock dramatically reinforces the duality of human nature as he introduces tennis star Guy (Farley Granger) who hates his unfaithful wife, and mysterious Bruno (Robert Walker) who hates his father. Strangers on a Train, co-adapted by legendary detective fiction writer Raymond Chandler from a novel by Patricia Highsmith (The Talented Mr.Ripley), was Oscar-nominated for Best Cinematography, and placed #32 of AFI's list of the 100 Most Thrilling Films. It's not surprising, since "Master of Suspense" Hitchcock's tagline for the film is "a hundred and one breathless minutes of matchless suspense."

Special Features:

· Commentary by Peter Bogdanovich, Joseph Stefano, Andrew Wilson, Joe Alves, Peter Benchley, Tere Caruba, Whitfield Cook, Katie Fiala, Richard Franklin, Alfred Hitchcock, Patricia Hitchcock O'Connell, Kasey Rogers, Richard Schickel and Mary Stone

· "Strangers on a Train: A Hitchcock Classic"

· "Strangers on a Train: The Victim's P.O.V."

· "Strangers on a Train: An Appreciation by M. Night Shyamalan"

· "The Hitchcocks on Hitch"

· "Alfred Hitchcock's Historical Meeting"

· "Preview Version"

· Theatrical Trailer

DIAL M FOR MURDER BLU-RAY 3D

Street Date: October 9, 2012

Order Due Date: September 4, 2012

Rating: PG

Feature Run time: 105 mins.

Pricing: $35.99 SRP

Cat: 1000298479

STRANGERS ON A TRAIN BLU-RAY DISC™

Street Date: October 9, 2012

Order Due Date: September 4, 2012

Rating: PG

Feature Run time: 101 mins.

Pricing: $19.98 SRP

Cat: 1000298868

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

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