MovieChat Forums > The Blue Veil (1951) Discussion > The TRUTH about the Copies of this magni...

The TRUTH about the Copies of this magnificent Movie.

posted 16 years ago by jackjock14
8 replies | jump to latest

The Blue Veil is a highly desired film but it has never officially been available on DVD (it was never released on VHS, Beta, or LaserDisc either in any country) It has to do with French copyright laws. The story’s original writer François Campaux (writer of the original story that the movie is based on “Le onVoile bleu”) or his heirs are and have been the major obstacle to getting this move re-released.

This move seems to attract the most unctuous of film/DVD collectors and sellers. I have spent nearly $1,000.00 trying to get a decent copy of this film. Purchasing DVD’s and video from people that swore they had a beautiful copy of the movie. Every one of them with out exception was taken from a 1980 broadcast (illegal by the way) by KNXT in Los Angeles. The copies are horrible and the fabulous cinematography by Franz Planer is reduced to looking through dirty dishwater.

Yet even today sellers are still trying to sell (at large prices) “exclusive” or “better quality” versions of this same worn out video taped version. If you happen to have a 16MM copy (yes there are some out there) let me know I would love to buy one.

[–] tcvll 16 years ago

Thanks for the update! This explains so much as the copy I have is one of those that was copied from that station in Los Angeles. The seller on Ebay assured me that is was a great copy...and of course it was horrible! I wish that Turner Classic Movies channel could show it the way it was intended to be seen.

[–] stephenray 15 years ago

Thank you jackjock14 for telling the real story about the availability of a copy of this movie! I also spent big bucks on 'improved copy' and 'best copy available' and have had a lot of hassle with sellers over this one - they were ALL the same copy of that LA TV Station! Now apparently there is a copy from the estate of Jane Wyman (it was her favorite) around and available, but I'm not biting. I'm just relieved to know it wasn't just me who had this experience. Maybe someone will point out to the owners of this one that they could make a small fortune (like so maybe sellers on eBay and I Offer have) by putting it out - a real studio-produced version. But doesn't seem likely.

[–] afsnowbird 15 years ago

Thank you, jackjock14, for this fascinating information. It explains why this wonderful movie hasn't shown up on TV in such a long time. Wouldn't it be great if the legal tangles could be straightened so that this movie could be seen again?

[–] prjdean 15 years ago

I love this movie -- I have a copy too of the LA showing , not really that bad --

It is criminal that this great performance by Jane Wyman(my favorite) has been lost to so many generations of movie fans - it deserves rediscovery!!

It ranks with Imitation of life, Madame X and To Each his Own as one of the greatest tearjerkers ever..

[–] FANatic-10 14 years ago

I got a copy of the old 1980's tv showing copy of this movie. The quality of the video is as you would expect it to be, pretty bad, but it was the complete movie and it was watchable. The movie itself was an awesomely effective tearjerker, episodic, charming, poignant. I thought it was well worth seeing, even under less than optimal circumstances. Its a shame that it looks like it will never get out of this legal mess and have a decent dvd release.

[–] 16mmRay 13 years ago

I have a beautiful 16mm print of THE BLUE VEIL, struck in the early 60s. The distribution rights expired way back in 1971!

[–] jononfire 9 years ago

If you're still there, could you possibly make a copy in any format?

[–] jackjock14 9 years ago

Hi Jon
I got a complete 16mm copy and several duplicate reels of The Blue Veil on Ebay about 5 years ago. I have been going back and forth about making an investment in converting it to DVD or Bluray. A really good quality transfer will be several hundred dollars maybe as high as a thousand.

Cheers