laureatedvd.com

[Maurice King]

Dear Mr. Barnes,

As an avid collector of classic movies - and knowing of your current connection with Universal - would it be possible to issue some of the great adventure films of Cecil B. De Mille ? De Mille - who was the Spielberg of his day - was one of the most successful film makers of all time. He was,in fact, the man who discovered Hollywood.
He was the first film maker to set up a studio in Hollywood
- The Lasky Famous Players Studio on the corner of Hollywood and Vine. This was before Chaplin.

I am not suggesting that you release all of his silent films
on DVD but it would be nice to have a boxed set of his
films of the 1930s amd '40s - like "The Plainsman," "Union Pacific," "North West Mounted Police," "Reap The Wild Wind" and "Unconquered." These are all wonderful action-packed spectacles with big stars like Gary Cooper, Barbara
Stanwyck, Paulette Goddard, Ray Milland and John Wayne. To see these on DVD would be a movie buff's delight - especially given the Laureate treatment.

Please put this idea forward to Universal.

M.C

[Ken Barnes]

Dear Maurice King,

As it happens I've had dozens and dozens of requests a De Mille collection. I'll certainly mention it to Universal.

Thanks
Ken Barnes

[C.Dowdeswell]

I second Maurice King's request for the great Cecil B. De Mille's westerns.

Last week, I watched BBC 2's excellent Seven Wonders of the Industrial World which deal with the building of the Union Pacific railroad across America. I remembered many of the
same incidents being featured in De Mille's epic Western "Union Pacific." I can't remember when this terrific film was last on TV but it certainly should be on DVD along with "The Plainsman" and the other classics which Maurice King mentioned.

A boxed set of Cecil B. De Mille would get my order straight away.

[D.Telford]

I am 67 years old and I bought my DVD player a year ago. Today I have a DVD collection of 118 classic movies. Most of these, I'm sorry to say, are from America. That's why I'm so pleased to see the Laureate company turning out so many much-loved classics on DVD. Meet John Doe and Citizen Kane are superb examples of how a film should be presented on DVD. The presentations are excellent and Mr. Ken Barnes delivers the best and most informative audio commentaries I've ever heard.

Please let's have more of the same.

By the way, I'm not the only one in my age group who collects classic films on DVD. No less than 17 of my friends are equally enthusiastic collectors.

We all look forward eagerly to the new boxed sets that will be released in November. And don't forget those De Mille masterpieces.

Derek Telford

[Keith Dunmore]

I'm 19 years old and I'm completely hooked on the classic movies of the '30s, 40s and 50s. Until Laureate Presentations came along, I had to order most of my classic favourites from the USA. As young as I am, I can only echo what Mr. Telford and others have said about the high standard of Laureate's presentations and the specialised talents of Ken Barnes.

It's good to know that Laureate is now working with Universal and I'm certainly looking forward to the "Road" pictures, the Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers and the Cary Grant.

I'm unfamiliar with the Marx Brothers - but I hear they are marvellous and, as soon as I can afford it, I'll certainly look into this package too.

K.D.

[Ken Barnes]

Hi Mark,

Thanks for your note. I'm really impressed by the wide range of age groups who are into classic movies. I never realised that you were only 15.

For your information, Cecil B. De Mille is one of Hollywood's great legendary figures. He was one of the industry's pioneers whose fame covered both the silent and the talkie era. You should take some time to look him up.
His style is not to everyone's taste - some people regard him as a hammy director but he sure knew how to reach audiences. I think the title that is most typical of him is
"The Ten Commandments" ( which he made as both a silent and sound film ). The 1956 version has sold over 2 million on
VHS and DVD.

As for John Wayne, he too is an acquired taste.But,like him or not, he is real giant of cinema and an actor of tremendous presence. We are currently planning a massive
20-film tribute to him for next year. This will cover a large slice of his long career and show him in a variety of settings and characterisations. The man is a unique figure
and probably the most successful film star of all time.

How do I feel about him ? I think he's terrific. But I can understand anyone who doesn't like him. Your tastes seem pretty broad for a 15 year-old and I admire that.

Hope this has been helpful.

Regards
Ken

[Ken Barnes]

Mark,

The titles for the proposed John Wayne tribute are still being discussed and until Universal agree the final line-up
I'm not able to mention any specific films.

Thanks for your interest though.

Best
Ken

[Peter Morley]

I must join in with the chorus of approval for the films of C.B. De Mille. His films have a sweep and style that's missing from today's movies. Maybe because he was essentially a storyteller, his films were like a box office magnet. Today they just don't make 'em like that anymore.

Keep the classics coming.

P.M.