It was announced last week from Michael's Movie Mayhem that Anchor Bay has over 100 titles being discontinued from their library. Many of these you will see are some of the staple genre titles that have made Anchor Bay one of the best DVD companies in the business. But since Starz Entertainment has bought out Anchor Bay, they have been revamping it as a vehicle for their own distribution purposes, mainly for new straight-to-video titles as well as their own in-house production company. This has led to much criticism of both quality of the horror films to some of the theatrical releases like Alphabet Killer and Righteous Kill. 

It is evident that Anchor Bay wants to move away from the cult classics that they once carried like Wicker Man and Two-Lane BlackTop, but their core horror and cult films are long gone to Blue Underground, and AB has gone the way of the large studio by repackaging their popular titles umpteen times until no one wants them anymore. Halloween, Hellraiser and Heathers are probably the most frequent victims of such practices by AB. 

It was also stated recently at the AVManiacs forum (source: bloody-disgusting.com) that Mark Ward, the VP of Acquisitions at Anchor Bay, among many people, were let go in and around December of 2008. I am sure economy has something to do with it, but it also seems to indicate the direction that Anchor Bay is moving towards. They are becoming more main stream by focusing their audience to their own theatrically distributed titles. 

So below is a LONG list of the titles recently announced as discontinued. For the most part, this is not the end all, be all of OOP lists and AB still has good stuff left, and it will take time for all of this to dry up. Also there is a major shift that is apparent and, mostly that these titles that are being dicontinued are more than likely due to contractual agreements that have expired. The two major distribution companies that you will see in this list that have allowed Anchor Bay distribution rights are 20th Century Fox and Studio Canal. Studio Canal is the third largest film library in the world and they have struck a deal with Lions Gate in the past year or so and we are seeing many of the foreign films move to their company for US DVD distribution. Twentieth Century Fox on the other hand may just back to the rightful owners. No word on any re-releases for any of these titles at this time. You can also check out the DVDTalk Forum where the list gets posted and for, sometimes, a lively discussion.

In addition, a member in our own forum has come across some recent AB titles from the Hammer Collection that Amazon now offers DVD-R versions of the film. Not every Hammer title is offered as a DVD-R, but a handful of the ones that have been discontinued are available. What this means for Hammer, AB and the OOP Market has yet to be determined. Notes about select DVDs will follow the images, so please read those as they will give some insight into which might be good pick-ups. Without further ado, here is THE LIST:

  

NOTES:

 WENT THE DAY WELL / THE CRUEL SEA - Both of these are British War films which have excellent reviews, particularly The Cruel Sea. I highly recommend that title. I also recommend getting the boxed set of the BRITISH WAR COLLECTION. While the DAM BUSTERS was released as an individual title, I am not sure that THE SHIP THAT DIED OF SHAME and THE COLDITZ STORY was released separate from the boxed set. These are from the Studio Canal label.

 Both the ALEC GUINESS COLLECTION and PETER SELLERS COLLECTION are of the Studio Canal and Lions Gate is re-releasing these in February.

THE SERVENT - A classic Dirk Bogarde film from Studio Canal. This title is also featured in the DIRK BOGARDE COLLECTION boxed set, which has been discontinued for a while. 

THE DAYDREAMERS/MAD MONSTER PARTY - These are both from Studio Canal from the Rankin/Bass Collection. These are the same people that made A YEAR WITHOUT SANTA CLAUSE and RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER. Those titles were released from both Sony and Warner Brothers in previous years. Whether these will go to Lions Gate or Warner will get them is hard to say. Its unlikely Mad Monster Party will stay long out of print, but weirder things have happened. The Daydreamers has less response from audiences as its lesser known, and even the reviews are not the same enthusiasm as Mad Monster Party. Mad Monster Party had an original release back in AB's heyday and then was re-released with the orange cover. You will find that some of these newer versions have an o-sleeve, while some do not. Daydreamers also has an older version, which is still available on Amazon. And, in addition to these two Rankin/Bass titles from Anchor Bay, there is also the WACKY WORLD OF MOTHER GOOSE.

THE HAMMER HORROR COLLECTION - These particular titles are from Studio Canal. But given that Amazon has been doing some DVD-R versions with Hammer, it may be evident that AB still maintains the rights to these films. It is strange that for years they have been out of print, only to recently allow Amazon duplication rights on their website. The best title of the 3, however, is probably Blood from the Mummy's Tomb, which stars Valerie Leon in, perhaps, her most sexy role. BLOOD and SCARS were released in 2 versions, the first was a Limited Edition which came with an extra disc featuring about 30-minutes to an hours worth of Hammer trailers. They were limited to 10,000 copies each, at which time they became the single disc, which are the ones currently available. TO THE DEVIL A DAUGHTER features Nastassja Kinski in her first role and her first nude role, all in one. It is one of the more famous Hammer films as it was taken from the famous book by Dennis Wheatley. LUST FOR A VAMPIRE and ANNIVERSARY are more great titles from Hammer.

WICKERMAN is now currently being released by Lion's Gate

AGATHA CHRISTIE COLLECTION are currently being released by Lion's Gate

THE JAZZ SINGER - This is just the Mother's Day O'Card version. The regular version is still available and is still in print. 

DANIELLE STEEL - These are not released by Studio Canal or Fox, but NBC Studios. I am not sure if Universal will handle these at a later point. For the most part, these are all good sellers. The earlier titles that were discontinued are harder to find and many of these were overproduced and found their way into discount bins. The title DADDY might have some interest as it features a young Ben Affleck. For you Mr. Skin fans out there, Linda Carter is in it and there might be that very small chance she shows some skin (if you pause it in the right place), and also Jack Bender directs, who is now one of the prominent directors on the show Lost. 

FRANCES / PLENTY - both of these titles were previously released by Republic Pictures (who was bought by Artisan, later to be bought by Spelling Studios, who was bought out by Viacom, thus became part of Paramount, and so was then released for distribution to Lions Gate). Where these titles will end up is hard to say. It would seem likely that Lions Gate would get them, but with all the buying and selling these companies do, you never know.

MOVING VIOLATIONS - This was part of the 80's TEEN PACK that was discontinued recently that held MISCHIEF and LICENSE TO DRIVE. These are 20th Century Fox titles.

CAN'T STOP THE MUSIC - Complete 80's charm and smarm. This is camp classic at its finest with The Village People and Bruce Jenner, how much funner is that? It is goofy and complete with terrible acting and dialogue that you will find compelling in every scene. If not to own, then you have to at least watch it. 

BAD BOYS - The Sean Penn version. This is currently released by Lions Gate.

VISITING HOURS - I am biased on this one, so dont take my word on it. But its one of those cult horror films that reeks "I love it!" Its a bit of 80's slasher type that is more heavy on suspense than gore. I saw this a long time ago when I was young, but it made an impression on my vulnerable mind back then. 

ONLY THE LONELY - A 20th Century Fox title starring John Candy. It is directed by Chris Columbus who also directed HOME ALONE and ADVENTURES IN BABYSITTING. 

HIDING OUT - This has been discontinued for some time now, but is being re-released by Lion's Gate in April.

SIX PACK / WHEEL FOR A HEART - Two racing movies, both from 20th Century Fox. They both appear good with decent reviews. Anything with Kenny Rogers can't be that bad, right?

CEMETARY MAN - A 20th Century Fox title. This might be one of the best titles to grab in the list. It features an early work by Rupert Everet in one of his best roles to date. The film is more than just a Zombie film, but as the Italians like to make them! It also features a stunning Anna Falchi! And from director Michael Soavi. It has all the markings of a great title.

HONKY TONK FREEWAY - I know nothing about, but it looks like it could be cool title.

TALES OF BEATRIX POTTER - An artistic rendition of Beatrix Potters famous tales. This is a great family and kids film, and also a famous performance by the Royal Ballet Company from 1971. A classic in its genre. This is a Studio Canal title.

GIRL 6 - From a Spike Lee Joint, this title is from 20th Century Fox, with a good cast and interesting story. I would be cautious with high calibur stuff like this, but you never know. Worth watching.

DIRTY MARY CRAZY LARRY - This might also be a hit title to check out. I have never seen it, but it has lots of reviews and high ratings across the board. Susan George is also nice to see, and Peter Fonda following his biker trip with Dennis Hopper in Easy Riders, makes this road action film an underground classic.

 

Check out our forum for updates and chat about these titles. If you know of any updates, please let us know by posting in the forum here.