Restore Abbott & Costello’s Jack and the Beanstalk Kickstarter
Heeeeyyyyyyyyy, Abbott & Costello fans, the 3-D Film Archive and ClassicFlix are at it again! Bob Furmanek and the team that recently completed the stellar restoration and Blu-ray release of Abbott & Costello’s Africa Screams (1949) have launched a new Kickstarter. This time the restoration team will use their magic on the duo’s first color feature Jack and the Beanstalk (1952).
Like their Africa Screams release, this should prove to be the definitive home video release of the film. Plus, it will be packed with extras. The great news is the project has already exceeded its funding goal, so the disc will definitely be produced. Additional stretch goals will also be announced on the Kickstarter site soon.
Click on the following link to join me in backing this worthy project: Restore Jack and the Beanstalk
Below is more information taken from the Kickstarter page:
Since October 2015, my 3-D Film Archive has successfully restored twenty-one vintage features for preservation and Blu-ray release. Last December, 627 generous backers supported our campaign to restore Abbott and Costello’s classic, Africa Screams. This critically acclaimed limited edition Blu-ray and DVD is currently available from our friends at ClassicFlix.com
Production of Abbott and Costello’s first color feature film began on July 9, 1951 at the Hal Roach Studios in Culver City, CA. To commemorate the anniversary, I am thrilled to announce a 70th anniversary restoration of Jack and the Beanstalk!
Lou Costello’s Exclusive Productions owned this film but sold off the rights in the mid-1950’s. Unfortunately, the original 35mm master materials (camera negative, color separations, fine grain master positive) no longer survive. Our restoration will be mastered from archival 35mm SuperCinecolor positive print elements.
If we reach our initial goal of $7500, this deluxe Limited Edition region free Blu-ray and DVD will be released in July 2021 by ClassicFlix and will be loaded with outstanding bonus features. They include;
- Commentary track by noted Abbott and Costello expert Ron Palumbo.
- Restored Sepia-toned opening and closing scenes.
- Original 1952 SuperCinecolor 35mm trailer.
- Behind the scenes on-set production photos.
- A look at the complex Cinecolor process by film historian Jack Theakston.
- Deleted scenes photo gallery.
- Jack and the Beanstalk radio sketch from 1945 with Rudy Vallee.
- Kodachrome wardrobe test slides with Lou, Buddy Baer and Dorothy Ford.
- Posters, pressbook and lobbycards photo gallery.
- 1952 World Premiere photos at the Fabian Theatre in Paterson, NJ.
- Restored color trailer for Abbott and Costello Meet Captain Kidd.
Plus a few surprises!
Quite honestly, there is nobody better suited to the task of bringing this wonderful film back to life. I have been interested in the preservation of Jack and the Beanstalk for over 40 years.
In 1980, I found and saved the only surviving footage of the original 35mm Eastman color camera negative; I produced an acclaimed Laser Disc release for Image Entertainment in 1993 and held a gala 50th anniversary screening in a beautiful 3,300 seat movie palace in 2002.
Our initial goal is to raise $7500 which will cover 4K scanning of the 35mm elements; frame-by-frame digital clean-up of dirt and damage; flicker reduction; scene-to-scene color correction and audio sweetening. Once that goal is met, we will unlock several exciting stretch goals which are described in the introductory video.
Every pledge of $25.00 and higher will ensure that your name is listed on-screen in the post-feature Restoration credits.
Our campaign is very basic this time with five reward levels. Of course, you are more than welcome to pledge higher if you want to help us unlock those VERY unique stretch goals as soon as possible.
As a special bonus for collectors, a pledge of $100 or more will get you a 35mm frame (aka film cell) of Bud and Lou taken from an original SuperCinecolor print. This is an actual piece of the film that was shown in theaters when Jack and the Beanstalk was first released in 1952!
For a pledge of $200.00 and higher, you will also get an original 35mm SuperCinecolor frame from the coming attraction trailer for Abbott and Costello Meet Captain Kidd. This special scene features unique footage of Bud and Lou telling the audience about their new movie.
Rest assured, this will truly be THE definitive version of the first Abbott and Costello film in color. On behalf of the entire restoration team, we truly appreciate your interest and thank you very much for looking at our campaign.
Please make a pledge now to help us restore this beloved and timeless comedy classic.
