Tweet Petition to Release Charley Chase Columbia Comedy Shorts

All twenty of Charley Chase's films for Columbia Pictures (1937-40) have been restored and preserved in 35mm prints. Unfortunately, the upcoming DVD set by Sony Pictures Entertainment has been postponed due to the current state of the consumer market and (gasp!) a perceived lack of interest. Stan Taffel has started an online petition to let Sony know that there is interest in these culturally significant and very entertaining films.

Please take a quick moment to sign the online petition at http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/char ... mbiashorts so that Sony knows how much of a demand there is for these priceless comedies.

Send the link to the petition to every film fan and organization you think would help. Charley Chase was one of film comedy's greatest pioneers, who has been enjoying a renaissance in recent years...and we want this renaissance to continue!

Stan Taffel will send the final list of signatures to Sony at the end of June 2009.

Many thanks to Stan and Mike S. for their efforts to make this release a reality!

Yair Solan

Thanks for posting this, Yair -- I should have realized you were the one who would publicize this.

May I ask where else notice of this has been posted?

Thanks Bob, I also sent this over to silentcomedians.com and the Laurel & Hardy forum. As Stan T. noted, feel free to pass this along anywhere you deem fit, the more signatures the better.

Please take a quick moment to sign the online petition at http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/char ... mbiashorts so that Sony knows how much of a demand there is for these priceless comedies.

My wife and I signed the petition at Cinevent after seeing some of the Columbias there. Charley hadn't lost his touch - these are a lot of fun!

Michael Neno
www.NenoWorld.com
http://eventized.blogspot.com/
http://anmgmblog.blogspot.com/

I signed too. I think they'll get more response than they think.

Better get something close to 3,000, which I hear is the break-even point for niche-market DVDs.

Thanks Yair for all your help in getting the word out.

Many thanks to good buddy Yair for posting my petition address on this site. It's been a wild four year ride just getting Sony to locate elements for the Chase Columbia Shorts.

Once the happy info came back on the "Lost 4", all the materials were sent out here to Los Angeles. Elements were needed for the 16 other shorts that did see exposure on early television. Mike Schlessinger mentioned early on that they might need to borrow my 16mm originals of the sixteen TV prints. Happily, all 35mm elements were found so the now fully restored films look like they were shot yesterday.

I've seen the quality and it's a thing to behold. Now they have been mastered. All that's left is the packaging. I'm not backing down on this. Don't any of you either. If it takes another year or so, we will get these films out on DVD.

Stan Taffel

And now that Stan Taffel's patted himself on the back once again for something any number of people were actually working on (that's interesting, Mike Schlesinger said they might need my 16mm copies of the Chase Columbias as well, although the 35mm materials were always there at Sony so I doubt they ever actually needed any of them), get out there and sign those petitions. Sony lost a billion dollars this year, they're going to need some real convincing.

RICHARD M ROBERTS

What, Robert, you think they won't need Charley Chase to lose another billion this year?

In any case, that's Sony overall. I haven't seen any figures breaking out the entertainment division.

Bob

Richard M Roberts wrote

And now that Stan Taffel's patted himself on the back once again for something any number of people were actually working on (that's interesting, Mike Schlesinger said they might need my 16mm copies of the Chase Columbias as well


Always the charmer, you are.

Many thanks to good buddy Yair for posting my petition address on this site. It's been a wild four year ride just getting Sony to locate elements for the Chase Columbia Shorts.

Once the happy info came back on the "Lost 4", all the materials were sent out here to Los Angeles. Elements were needed for the 16 other shorts that did see exposure on early television. Mike Schlessinger mentioned early on that they might need to borrow my 16mm originals of the sixteen TV prints. Happily, all 35mm elements were found so the now fully restored films look like they were shot yesterday.

I've seen the quality and it's a thing to behold. Now they have been mastered. All that's left is the packaging. I'm not backing down on this. Don't any of you either. If it takes another year or so, we will get these films out on DVD.

Stan Taffel

And now that Stan Taffel's patted himself on the back once again for something any number of people were actually working on (that's interesting, Mike Schlesinger said they might need my 16mm copies of the Chase Columbias as well, although the 35mm materials were always there at Sony so I doubt they ever actually needed any of them), get out there and sign those petitions. Sony lost a billion dollars this year, they're going to need some real convincing.

RICHARD M ROBERTS

Jesus, Richard, what the hell is wrong with you? Why are you snarking on Stan? As a matter of fact, he WAS the one pushing for us to locate those missing four titles--and was doing so long before I moved over to DVDs. (And for the record, I was asking EVERYBODY if they had 16s of those titles, just in case worst came to worst. Happily, the original materials were eventually located--at LoC, by the way.) And "once again?" When has he patted himself on the back before? If there's anyone around here guilty of that, look in the mirror.

Don't let's turn this into alt.movies.silent 2.0.

Mike S.

Jesus, Richard, what the hell is wrong with you? Why are you snarking on Stan? As a matter of fact, he WAS the one pushing for us to locate those missing four titles--and was doing so long before I moved over to DVDs. (And for the record, I was asking EVERYBODY if they had 16s of those titles, just in case worst came to worst. Happily, the original materials were eventually located--at LoC, by the way.) And "once again?" When has he patted himself on the back before? If there's anyone around here guilty of that, look in the mirror.

Don't let's turn this into alt.movies.silent 2.0.

Mike S.[/quote]

Sorry Mike, I was more interested in hearing about the Chase shorts than about Stan. It is the films that matter here.

What is an interesting question is what does Sony consider the break -even point on a project like this. You've bandied about numbers to me in private, it might be a good idea to make some of that info public so we all know what we're up against here.

RICHARD M ROBERTS

[Mike Gebert]

Don't let's turn this into alt.movies.silent 2.0.

Even moreso, let's remember what the objective is here: encouraging folks to sign the petition.

Jesus, Richard, what the hell is wrong with you? Why are you snarking on Stan? As a matter of fact, he WAS the one pushing for us to locate those missing four titles--and was doing so long before I moved over to DVDs. (And for the record, I was asking EVERYBODY if they had 16s of those titles, just in case worst came to worst. Happily, the original materials were eventually located--at LoC, by the way.) And "once again?" When has he patted himself on the back before? If there's anyone around here guilty of that, look in the mirror.

Don't let's turn this into alt.movies.silent 2.0.
Mike S.

Richard Roberts wrote:Sorry Mike, I was more interested in hearing about the Chase shorts than about Stan. It is the films that matter here.


And that's the information I shared; it's about the Columbia Chase films and the quest to get them released on DVD for all to see.

Speaking of which, everyone please spread the word about signing the petition. It's now over 400 names and we need many more.

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/char ... mbiashorts

Thank you,
Stan Taffel

What is an interesting question is what does Sony consider the break -even point on a project like this. You've bandied about numbers to me in private, it might be a good idea to make some of that info public so we all know what we're up against here.

RICHARD M ROBERTS

It would be a very good idea...if you want to get me fired!

Mike S.

What is an interesting question is what does Sony consider the break -even point on a project like this. You've bandied about numbers to me in private, it might be a good idea to make some of that info public so we all know what we're up against here.

RICHARD M ROBERTS

It would be a very good idea...if you want to get me fired!

Mike S.

Well, we certainly do not want to do that, but it is important for people to realize that on a major studio release like this, selling a couple thousand units would not be considered a worthwhile venture, nor anything even in a profitable range. This is truly why it's important to get the word out on the petition. Conceivably, how many signatures do you think you need before Sony's Home Video Department will begin to take this seriously? Rob Farr said 3,000, would that be enough?

RICHARD M ROBERTS

What is an interesting question is what does Sony consider the break -even point on a project like this. You've bandied about numbers to me in private, it might be a good idea to make some of that info public so we all know what we're up against here.

RICHARD M ROBERTS

It would be a very good idea...if you want to get me fired!

Mike S.

Well, we certainly do not want to do that, but it is important for people to realize that on a major studio release like this, selling a couple thousand units would not be considered a worthwhile venture, nor anything even in a profitable range. This is truly why it's important to get the word out on the petition. Conceivably, how many signatures do you think you need before Sony's Home Video Department will begin to take this seriously? Rob Farr said 3,000, would that be enough?

RICHARD M ROBERTS

I'm sure of it. But frankly, I'd be thrilled if we even get to 1,000!

Mike S.

ANYONE WHO PICKS A FIGHT WITH MY LITTLE BROTHER STAN WILL HAVE TO FIGHT ME FIRST!!!

I'm sure of it. But frankly, I'd be thrilled if we even get to 1,000!

Mike S.

FWIW, I think Stan, Yair, Michael, Richard and anyone else who is working behind the scenes to convince Sony to put out a Chase DVD set deserve kudos and a tip of the hat.

I just wonder if it will have any impact. Seems like there have been numerous cases where fans started campaigns to reverse a decision to cancel this or that TV show and in most cases, failed.

Would a 1,000 signature petition really make any difference?

--John A.

Well, John, I can state with confidence that no one knows. But I can also state with confidence that it is more likely for a 1000-signature petition to have an effect than a 300-signature to have one. So I hope you've signed.

Bob

Well, John, I can state with confidence that no one knows. But I can also state with confidence that it is more likely for a 100-signature petition to have an effect than a 300-signature to have one. So I hope you've signed.

Bob

I signed alright, but I was just wondering if it would make any difference if I got my family, friends and the neighbor's cat to sign, given that most of them have never heard of Charley Chase.

--John A.

While 400 (or 1,000, or however many) signatures on the petition may not necessarily guarantee the release of these films, the other option (not pursuing a petition) certainly guarantees that these films will languish in the vaults.

Let's continue to get the word out about this petition...

Yair S.

As of noon today, we've got over 450 names on the petition. Next week, I'll be at two classic film events with flyers for the petition. One of the events is a Sons Of The Desert meeting. The other is at the Lasky Barn. There should be a lot of signers at both.

I had a number in mind as to how many names could be gotten on the petition. Since Sony doesn't expect any response in this regard, I believe that 1000 names with email addresses should be impressive enough to know there is a loyal following for Chase.

With the number of sales the Kino volumes did, the names I will submit should make them really think positively about a DVD release.

Stan Taffel

[Mike Gebert]

I doubt there's any magic number, it's more an intangible sense of real support out there. That said, while 1000 letters is insignificant in terms of how many TV viewers there are, 1000 signatures could well be a significant portion of anticipated sales for a DVD catalog title, which might expect to sell something like 10,000 to 30,000.

Unless of course they think the the petition is mostly phony. So recruit your friends who actually might know who Charley Chase is and could conceivably buy the set... not their dogs.

Unless of course they think the the petition is mostly phony. So recruit your friends who actually might know who Charley Chase is and could conceivably buy the set... not their dogs.

My dog is more of an Arbuckle fan.

I am most impressed by the comments that people have left.
When I send the hard copy along to the July meeting, I will be sure to highlight a selected few. There's one from Europe that is nice as well as another one from far away. Such great and kind words for Charley, I hope it turns the trick.

I might not highlight the one who wants Vera Vague shorts released.
.....not that there's anything wrong with that........

Stan Taffel

I'd buy a Vera Vague set. And the Complete Works of Harry Von Zell too. But after Charley is successfully released, the followups I'd like to see are Harry Langdon and Andy Clyde, who would require multiple volumes a la The Stooges.

I'll do battle for releasing the Charley Chases; I'll leave El Brendel and the Gloveslingers to someone else.

I would buy any of the Columbia short subject series so after this one, someone can pick up the gauntlet for another.

Personally, the next series I'd love to see is the Screen Snapahots. Starting in the early 20's, there are many out there and (thanks to Mike S.) several rare ones have been located and are being preserved. We have shown a few at Cinecon.

Stan Taffel

I'll do battle for releasing the Charley Chases; I'll leave El Brendel and the Gloveslingers to someone else.

I would buy any of the Columbia short subject series so after this one, someone can pick up the gauntlet for another.

Personally, the next series I'd love to see is the Screen Snapahots. Starting in the early 20's, there are many out there and (thanks to Mike S.) several rare ones have been located and are being preserved. We have shown a few at Cinecon.

Stan Taffel

Oh, I think El Brendel is spoken for.

100% agree about SCREEN SNAPSHOTS. The ones I have seen are surprisingly good.

--John A.

With the Chase Columbias getting some attention lately, I've rewatched a bunch of them recently - they do occasionally get a bad rap, which I think is unfounded. In fact, I think the Columbia series is hardly a decline for Chase - and may be even superior to his final Roach shorts. On the whole, I think the Chase Columbias are far superior to what Keaton & Langdon were able to turn out at the studio, perhaps at least partly due to Charley's success in avoiding Jules White throughout his tenure there (with one exception).