why aren't the musical films--"Porgy and Bess" and "Call Me
Madame"--available on video or tv?

Brilliant work, bobbie7-ga!

Thanks Magnesium!

For other researchers:

Here is the original answer that I asked the editors to remove:

============== 

Hello Giulio, 
 
Thank you for your question. 
 
Porgy and Bess 
============== 
 
The movie Porgy and Bess is not available on video or TV because the
Gershwin family disapproved of the movie for the following reasons:
 
“The Gershwin family strongly disapproved of this version; they felt
that producer Samuel Goldwyn had glamorized and "Hollywoodized" it too
much, and that he had made a mistake in firing the film's original
director, Rouben Mamoulian (director of the original stage version in
1935). They withdrew all copies of this film after its theatrical
release and first television showings in the mid 1960's. The only
place it can be seen now (early 1999) is the Library of Congress.”
 
“The Gershwin family was dissatisfied with the film, largely because
it was not staged as a true opera with all the recitative performed
musically, and also because the two leads had their singing voices
dubbed. Director Otto Preminger wanted to film on location, but
producer Samuel Goldwyn refused and insisted on using soundstages. The
film is currently (Nov. 2002) withheld from release because of action
by both the Gershwin and Goldwyn estates, as neither Samuel Goldwyn
nor the Gershwin family were satisfied with the film.”
 
Source: Internet Movie Database 
http://us.imdb.com/Trivia?0053182 
 
 
============= 
Call Me Madam 
============= 
 
According to an article by John Derbyshire published on April 30th,
2002 at the National Review Online, Call Me Madam is not available on
video or TV because the Irving  Berlin estate refuses to authorize
reproduction.
 
“Ethel Merman’s performance in Call Me Madam cannot legally be
purchased on video or DVD because the Irving Berlin estate, whose
executors should be hanged, drawn and quartered in public, refuses to
authorize reproduction.”
 
Source: National Review Online
http://www.nationalreview.com/derbyshire/derbyshire043002.asp
 
 
“Rumor has it that Irving Berlin hated the movie so much that he would
not allow it to be released on tape or shown on TV, and even went so
far as to stipulate that in his will.
 
(..) 
 
In articles I read mention was made of Berlin's dissatisfaction of
Hollywood in general (after the cancellation of his SAY IT WITH MUSIC
project).
 
The Berlin estate has been obtrusive regarding the release of Berlin's
movies on video.”
 
Source: Google Newsgroups 
http://groups.google.com/groups?q=Irving+Berlin+Call+me+madam++not+released+in+video&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&selm=9512071639.AA07030%40mail.wincom.net&rnum=1
 
 
The Berlin estate is holding up "Call Me Madam," just as they did
"Annie Get Your Gun" until recently.
Source: Google Newsgroups 
http://groups.google.com/groups?q=%22+Call+me+madam+%22+video&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&selm=17673-3CEAE489-20%40storefull-2111.public.lawson.webtv.net&rnum=4
 
 
From the DVDLaser Website: 
 
“As for Call Me Madam, it would technically be a Fox title but the
rights are held by the Irving Berlin estate, which isn’t budging at
the moment, despite the desires of just under 2%.
The DVDLaser Website 
http://www.dvdlaser.com/thetopten01list.htm 
 
 
“Legal wrangling over rights by the Berlin estate is what kept it off
the market until now. ’Call Me Madam' with Merman is missing for the
same reasons.”
http://www.epinions.com/content_26412748420/show_~allcom 
 
 
Search Criteria: 
 
"Call me Madam” Berlin estate 
“Porgy and Bess” Gershwin  
Internet Movie Database 
Google Newsgroups 
 
 
I hope the above information helps you in your research. If anything
is unclear, or if a link does not function, please request
clarification; I'll be glad to offer further assistance before you
rate my answer and close the question.
 
 
Best Regards, 
Bobbie7-ga
 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Request for Answer Clarification by giulio-ga on 05 Jun 2003 10:55 PDT

This is only the beginning of the answer.  We all know that the Berlin
estate owns the rights, just as they did with "Annie Get Your Gun." 
But they released "Annie" (despite its offensiveness to Native
Americans) and are still sitting on "Madam."  Why?  What are their
objections?  Are the "rumors" just that or are they factual?

<<But they released "Annie" (despite its offensiveness to Native 
Americans)>>>

I don't think a concern with this supposed "offensiveness" can be
assumed to trouble the Berlin estate. After all, the musical "Annie
Get Your Gun" is completely available for amateur production on stage
(as is the non-musical version, based heavily on the musical's
script). In addition, it's recently enjoyed a successful revival on
Broadway.

I think bobbie7's answer is right on: For whatever reason, the
families are either honoring the original composer's dislike of movie
renditions, or hold their own "grudge" against the movie
rendiditions--and therefore don't want them released.

kriswrite

The question is not what you "think" but what you "know."  Suggesting
that the Berlin estate nurtures an irrational "grudge" rather than a
sense of political correctness is to substitue one's personal opinion
for a rumor, neither of which has much validity. In point of fact, the
rumor that the political incorrectness of "Annie" kept the film from
going to video is the oldest of the rumors. One hopes that the Berlin
estate will someday state its reasons.

That "Annie" is available to community theaters etc. only makes the
theatres who might mount a production liable for whatever flack might
accrue; the Estate is off the hook.   And, in point of fact, the
recent Broadway revival toned down the play's political incorrectness.
 Like it or not--and I don't--political correctness is likely to be
with us for awhile yet.

As to Berlin's not liking movie "renditions," how does that jibe with
Berlin's active participation in "Blue Skies," "Holiday Inn," "White
Christmas,"
"There's No Business Like Show Business," etc.?  No, I'm afraid that
"grudge" doesn't explain it.  Perhaps Berlin objected to Betty
Hutton's usual over-the-top performance or an inadequate presentation
of some song or other.  After all, one might assume that Berlin and
Berlin estate were capable of aesthetic judgments, no? If anyone knows
how to reach the Berling estate, I'd be happy to broach the issue with
them.

I think you misunderstood me, so let me rephrase a few things.

First, when I wrote of movie "renditions," I was referring to the
films in question--not all films regarding these composers.

And just (as you say) the theatre company takes whatever "flack" is
dished out regarding "Annie Get Your Gun" (in my experience in pro and
amateur theatre, there is little or no flack to be taken), the
filmmakers and the distribution company would take the flack over the
film version, not the estate. In addition, this doesn't explain why
the CDs are available. (And in the case of "Annie Get Your Gun," the
offending song--"I'm An Indian, Too"--is included.) If the estates
were worried about offending people, I'm sure the CDs and scores would
be unavailable, too.

My point was simply: This is more than likely the best answer you're
going to get, unless you approach the estates yourself. (They aren't
likely to answer "on the record.")

Respectfully,
Kriswrite

The question is not what you "think" but what you "know."  Suggesting
that the Berlin estate nurtures an irrational "grudge" rather than a
sense of political correctness is to substitue one's personal opinion
for a rumor, neither of which has much validity. In point of fact, the
rumor that the political incorrectness of "Annie" kept the film from
going to video is the oldest of the rumors. One hopes that the Berlin
estate will someday state its reasons.

That "Annie" is available to community theaters etc. leaves the
theatres who mount a production liable for whatever flack might
accrue; the Estate is off the hook.   And, in point of fact, the
recent Broadway revival toned down the play's political incorrectness.
 Like it or not--and I don't--political correctness will probably be
with us for awhile yet.

As to Berlin's not liking movie "renditions," how does that jibe with
Berlin's active participation in "Blue Skies," "Holiday Inn," "White
Christmas,"
"There's No Business Like Show Business," etc.?  No, I'm afraid that
"grudge" doesn't explain it.  Perhaps Berlin objected to Betty
Hutton's usual over-the-top performance or to the inadequate
presentation of some song or other.  After all, one might assume that
Berlin and the Berlin estate were capable of aesthetic judgments, no?
If anyone knows how to reach the Berlin estate, I'd be happy to broach
the issue with them.

Points well taken.  You might be interested in knowing that both
Native Americans in this area and well-meaning arbiters of political
correctness objected to a community theatre production of a new
musical by Dale Wasserman because of its supposed political
incorrectness.  There were issues of costuming, implied ideas, and
even the use of the word "half-breed"--all this despite the fact that
the musical was set in the 19th Century and the costume for the Chief
copied from an actual photograph! Of course, this area is very close
to a reservation.  All--or none--of which has nothing to do with
"Annie."
When the tape of "Annie" was officially issued on video, I personally
found it unwatchable--hammy and raucous.  On the other hand, "Call Me
Madam" still seems charming and the implied commentary on foreign aid
more relevant than ever.