MovieChat Forums > It Ain't Hay (1943) Discussion > Universal Rip Off

Universal Rip Off

posted 16 years ago by SteveM-1
5 replies | jump to latest

Just learned that Universal is releasing a new DVD set: Abbott & Costello: The Complete Universal Pictures Collection DVD set. This will include every A&C picture released by Universal Studios and will run about $90.00 American.

The problem is that they've already released almost all of these movies in The Best of Abbott & Costello volumes 1-4. Being a huge A&C fan, I bought all of these volumes a long time ago. I've been enjoying them ever since.

The difference between the 4 volume sets and the "Complete Collection" is that the Complete Collection finally includes "It Ain't Hay". This movie was not released with the previous 4 volume set due to some tie-up with the film rights. "It Ain't Hay" will only be released in this huge $90 volume, so that's how much you have to pay if you want to see this long lost film. No way will I pay $90 to view one "New Release" and 30 duplicates (in addition to 27 films previously released, this collection will also have "The World of Abbott & Costello", "Abbott & Costello meet Jerry Seinfeld", and "Abbott & Costello meet the Monsters" Documentaries. These were all previously released on The Best of Abbott & Costello volume 4). It's true that a number of these films will now have Audio Commentaries added, but it's still not worth it.

I get really ticked when Studios feel they have to Double Dip like this. Releasing all of these films once, then releasing them all again just so you can get some small extra features is just wrong. Folks need to do it right the first time.

I know that a lot of studios and filmmakers do this, but it ain't right.

[–] docdespicable 16 years ago

Right on, man! And then such studios are flabbergasted when movies are downloaded illegally! Having the rights to a film (or anything else) ought not include the "right" to feck you around as they please!

[–] dmnemaine 13 years ago

Well, that's corporate capitalism at its best/worst. Fortunately, I didn't get the earlier sets, and waited until the "Complete Collection" was half price.

[–] www1125 13 years ago

IT AIN'T HAY is still available though. I got it on DVD this past Christmas from my father. Where he got it, I don't know, but he said it wasn't cheap. The print was really good quality though.

"There's one way to find out if a man is honest:ask him. If he says "Yes" you know he is crooked."

[–] LarrupinLou 7 years ago

I got the movie brand new on DVD for only $13, FWIW.

No blah, blah, blah!

[–] wolverineland 8 years ago

I too purchashed the four volume set and refused to repurchase the entire collection again for just one movie. I just waited patiently for It Ain't Hay to get a separate release. The Universal Vault Series put out IAH separately on a disc and I finally bought it. I did go through the same thing purchasing a Wheeler and Woolsey box set. I had to purchase a double feature disc just to get two movies that should have been in the original box set.