Recommend a good public domain movie on DVD?

[PaulKTF]

I'm looking for a good movie on DVD that's in the public domain (IE: cheap!). Any that you think is good will do. :) Thanks!

[macready]

NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v121/macready/Night_Of_The_Living_Dead_1968.jpg

[CellPhoneFred]

Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis in...

http://www.swapsale.com/DVDAtWarWArmy.jpg

[AndrewS]

Carnival of Souls -

http://www.joebobbriggs.com/drivein/images/carnivalofsouls.jpg

[proufo]

Wuthering Heights

[Jack Theakston]

I wouldn't call AT WAR WITH THE ARMY a particularly good film. Certainly the lowest in the Martin and Lewis canon, at least in my opinion.

An incredible screwball comedy (and PD no less) is HI DIDDLE DIDDLE (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0035996/) (1943). The general transfer that's floating out there on DVD is no great shakes, but the film's a hoot!

[KevinP]

But public domain films often get horrendous DVD releases, just as public domain music does. Also like music, they can be released with care and restoration, but they're not necessarily cheap. Since some people are recommending movies but not specific DVD releases, don't just blindly buy the cheapest one. You might end up with a horribly transferred, unwatchable print of an excellent movie.

[Michael]

Carnival of Souls -

http://www.joebobbriggs.com/drivein/images/carnivalofsouls.jpg

...the Criterion DVD is a must have!

[Joel Cairo]

I think both "My Man Godfrey" (Powell/Lombard) and "His Girl Friday" probably qualify for this list...

...though I'd recommend the official releases, rather than some pirated knock-off.

-Kevin

[Johnny66]

But public domain films often get horrendous DVD releases, just as public domain music does. Also like music, they can be released with care and restoration, but they're not necessarily cheap. Since some people are recommending movies but not specific DVD releases, don't just blindly buy the cheapest one. You might end up with a horribly transferred, unwatchable print of an excellent movie.

Excellent point. Probably 95% of Hitchcock's 'British period' films are in the public domain - but all of them are in shoddy DVD releases. I love films like 'Murder' and 'Sabotage', and they are terrible on DVD. A tragedy.

[acjetnut]

"The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari" is quite a trip to watch.

[Eli]

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51GDMBM4VCL._SS500_.jpg

[BradOlson]

Santa Claus Conquers The Martians
Penny Serenade
Jackie Robinson Story
One-Eyed Jacks
Till The Clouds Roll By
Any Gun At Play
The Stranger
Pot O' Gold
Detour
DOA
Kansas City Confidential
Borderline
Horror Hotel/City of The Dead
Satanic Rites of Dracula
Boris Karloff/Bela Lugosi films
many serials

[John DeAngelis]

But public domain films often get horrendous DVD releases, just as public domain music does...

There are lots of well mastered movies that are available very cheaply. No need to get a badly mastered public domain movie.

[51nocaster]

There are lots of well mastered movies that are available very cheaply. No need to get a badly mastered public domain movie.

Perhaps he wants to have a public showing.

[PaulKTF]

Perhaps he wants to have a public showing.

Nope, not a public showing. I just like finding old, interesting movies that won't cost me too much to pick up. Alpha Video at http://www.oldies.com has a ton of interesting PD stuff, and most are $6 or less. You really can't go wrong with prices that low. :)

[PaulB]

Royal Wedding, Till The Clouds Roll By...both pretty good MGM musicals. Recently released by Warner...even though they are PD.

[Dan C]

I think both "My Man Godfrey" (Powell/Lombard) and "His Girl Friday" probably qualify for this list...

...though I'd recommend the official releases, rather than some pirated knock-off.

-Kevin

I watched a cheap knock-off of 'His Girl Friday' and it was unbearable. The official release is lovely and affordable enough. No reason not to encourage the studios to reissue these classics, IMHO. :)

[Tone]

Isn't "It's a Wonderful Life" PD?

[jojopuppyfish]

Wonderful life is not Public Domain.
Viacom's lawyers were able to assert that they owned music and other coprights in the film, and thus they were able to assert ownership.
FYI, Viacom acquired this film when they bought Liberty Films from Frank Capra......Liberty Films was suppose to be a new film company, but only this film was ever made.

[PaulB]

Wuthering Heights isn't Public Domain

[Chip TRG]

Brad beat me to it, but iwth the holidays upon us, I, too, recommend SANTA CLAUS CONQUERS THE MARTIANS!

It doesn't get much better/worse than this one!

[PaulKTF]

Brad beat me to it, but iwth the holidays upon us, I, too, recommend SANTA CLAUS CONQUERS THE MARTIANS!

It doesn't get much better/worse than this one!

"Droppo, you're the laziest martian on Mars!"

[Chip TRG]

"Droppo, you're the laziest martian on Mars!"

"Santa, you will never return to Earth, you belong to Mars now!

Ho...Ho...HO!!!!!!"

[proufo]

Wuthering Heights isn't Public DomainI believe it is. Or I got a cheap pirate here.

Locally they are selling several box sets of PD movies, 10 movies for 40 dollars or so.

WH is from 1939.