Tex Avery MGM shorts release coming

[mattpricetime]

Full details aren't out yet but with a video posted it looks like this release is from Warner Archive in february. It also seems to confirm something Jerry Beck hinted at last month.

MGM sits in that weird netherealm when Classic Animation vs Hanna Barbera fandoms split up because both tend to like those. But this release also explains another "big" project that no doubt took up resources last year for Warner Archive.

Packaging shows Droopy, Red Hot Riding Hood and the Wolf. So I assume this collection is a first volume and will include his one-shots and recurring characters. Them reusing Droopy might also mean they are trying to include star power to help avert the chance of drop offs. I wouldn't be surprised if they use the same strategy for Hanna and Barbera's one shots at MGM being combined with Tom and Jerry. If maybe Barney Bear, captain and the kids and the happy harmones may go together instead of separate, etc

The unboxing video shows a bluray but like the Popeye releases I expect it will have both a blu and dvd options available the same day.

[scoobnick]

Tex was a animation genius , and his shorts are some of my favorite cartoons

[mattpricetime]

The Bluray is up for pre-order on WB shop. A dvd version is not which isn't too surprising. As this month Warner Archive released two movies new to American home media. Both dvd versions exist but are exclusive to other websites for a period of time. I remember they did that with The Naked and the Dead too. So I expect it probably will exist but will either debut later to try to help the bluray sell or will be an exclusive. Interestingly neither version seem to be up on Amazon yet.

Also of note Warner Archive did in the past hold up the dvd version of The Blue Knight for about a month in hopes of getting the blu to sell better. So there's precedent for that too.

EDIT: Warner Archive seems to keep getting hammered over this so they basically had to spell it out in a tweet that they aren't allowed to say anything yet but that isn't a confirmation or negative. Which basically means one of three things.

A. The release is exclusive to another retailer first

B. The release is delayed to give the blu an advantage

C. (and least likely) the dvd goes to stores while the blu is from Warner Archive.

[mattpricetime]

Just as an update: They did say on their podcast there will be a DVD available later. I'm guessing the correct answer is B, but might be A and I just don't know which retailer got it.

For comparison, the two movies Warner Archive put to blu in January with exclusive dvds are now both re-added to Amazon with new dvd pre-orders for March. This policy seems to be continuing with new March releases. So don't be expecting the dvd or next blu volume until April at the earliest.