george feltenstein

This is the first of our REPLAY podcasts, where we revisit some of our early hidden gems, compilations, and most popular episodes.  

Episode specific description:
Prepare yourselves, film buffs and cinema enthusiasts, as we embark on a fascinating journey through the ever-evolving film and home entertainment industries with none other than George Feltonstein of Warner Brothers. We'll be tracing George's illustrious career, from his roots in MGM UA to his current role in preserving classic films at Warner Brothers. He'll also share his insights on the marketing and distribution of these timeless creations, and his role as the producer for over 100 restored soundtrack album CDs. 

In our conversation, we venture into the realm of technology's transformative impact on home entertainment. We unpack the revolutionary influence of the laserdisc format, the innovative extras MGM included in the Wizard of Oz anniversary edition, and the game-changing introduction of the DVD format by Warren Lieberfab in 1996. 

Brace yourselves as George and I tango with the complex dance of niche audiences, film preservation, and profitability in the cinematic world. We'll delve into his experiences in catalog marketing during the heyday of VHS and DVD, explore the rise of brand marketing, and dissect the success of film franchises like Forbidden Hollywood. On top of that, we'll also touch on the allure of precode and film noir films for younger audiences, the crucial role of technology in film preservation, and Warner Brother's unique relationship with UCLA. Trust me, you don't want to miss the stories behind the preservation of classic films such as The Wizard of Oz, Casablanca, and Singin' in the Rain, and the paramount importance of preserving the tales behind these films' creation.

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Otaku Media produces podcasts, behind-the-scenes extras, and media that connect creatives with their fans and businesses with their consumers. Contact us today to see how we can work together to achieve your goals. www.otakumedia.tv

Judy Garland fans and experts George Feltenstein from Warner Bros and author John Fricke join the podcast for a celebration of Judy's centennial. Together they share insights from their careers writing books, producing documentaries, and releasing Judy's films on VHS, Laserdisc, DVD, Blu-Ray, and 4K.  And then we dive into a discussion of "The Wizard of Oz" and the impact the film has had on American popular culture and film history.

John Fricke is regarded as the preeminent Judy Garland and "The Wizard of Oz" historian.  George Feltenstein has been the steward of the MGM/Turner/Warner Bros and now Warner Archive releases of the majority of Judy Garland's films.  Their friendship began with their collaboration on the VHS release of the 50th Anniversary of "The Wizard of Oz" and has continued over the last 33 years due to their mutual love and admiration for the talent of Judy Garland.

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Otaku Media produces podcasts, behind-the-scenes extras, and media that connect creatives with their fans and businesses with their consumers.  Contact us today to see how we can work together to achieve your goals.  www.otakumedia.tv

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Warner Archive & Warner Bros Catalog Group
Otaku Media produces podcasts, behind-the-scenes extras, and media that connect creatives with their fans and businesses with their consumers. Contact us today to see how we can work together to achieve your goals. www.otakumedia.tv

Warner Bros executive George Feltenstein and animation historian Jerry Beck take us on a nostalgic walk down memory lane as they talk about early theatrical Christmas animation and the development of the first Christmas holiday television specials.  

The discussion begins with Jerry providing a brief review of early animated Christmas films.  Then they start the discussion of television specials with the 1962 film “Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol,” and their fond memories of watching it as children.  Next is the 1964 Rankin and Bass stop-motion classic, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” which ushered in a series of subsequent holiday-themed stop-motion films.  The beloved 1965 Peanuts special, “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” set a new bar for animation based on comic strips, and offers some interesting stories about the development of consumer products.  And finally, George and Jerry discuss the work of Chuck Jones leading up to his Dr. Suess Christmas classic, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.”

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Otaku Media produces podcasts, behind-the-scenes extras, and media that connect creatives with their fans and businesses with their consumers. Contact us today to see how we can work together to achieve your goals. www.otakumedia.tv

This episode is part 3 of a three-part series with legendary home entertainment executive George Feltenstein.  In this episode George details the home entertainment release history of Hollywood classics Ben Hur, A Star is Born (1954), Looney Tunes, and Yankee Doodle Dandy.  Along the way, we hear the behind-the-scenes stories of the extras, the mystery behind the Judy Garland 1954 version of A Star is Born, and the development of the experiential extra "Warner Night at the Movies”.  We also discuss the current state of streaming and the impact on the physical DVD and Blu-ray market for collectors.

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Warner Archive & Warner Bros Catalog Group
Otaku Media produces podcasts, behind-the-scenes extras, and media that connect creatives with their fans and businesses with their consumers. Contact us today to see how we can work together to achieve your goals. www.otakumedia.tv

This episode is part 2 of a three-part series with legendary home entertainment executive George Feltenstein.  In this episode George details the home entertainment release history of Hollywood classics The Wizard of Oz, Casablanca, Singin’ in the Rain, North By Northwest, and Gone With the Wind.  Along the way, we hear the behind-the-scenes stories of the decisions made on what extras to include with each release, which extras are no longer available due to expired licenses, and George’s thoughts on which films he hopes will soon be released in 4K.

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Warner Archive & Warner Bros Catalog Group
Otaku Media produces podcasts, behind-the-scenes extras, and media that connect creatives with their fans and businesses with their consumers. Contact us today to see how we can work together to achieve your goals. www.otakumedia.tv

This episode is part 1 of a three-part series with legendary home entertainment executive George Feltenstein.  We discuss George’s early career working with MGM/UA during the era of VHS, before getting into the development of extras on Laserdisc in the mid-1980s.  George also provides background on the swift consumer adoption of DVDs in the late 1990s and the increasing importance of extras to the home video market. He relates his vision in developing the concept of anniversary releases and the brand marketing of boxsets around directors and actors or genres. We also discuss the importance of film preservation and how that works hand in hand with the release of classic Hollywood films both for broadcast or in the home entertainment market. 

Otaku Media produces podcasts, behind-the-scenes extras, and media that connect creatives with their fans and businesses with their consumers.  Contact us today to see how we can work together to achieve your goals.  www.otakumedia.tv

The Extras Facebook page
The Extras Twitter
Warner Archive & Warner Bros Catalog Group
Otaku Media produces podcasts, behind-the-scenes extras, and media that connect creatives with their fans and businesses with their consumers. Contact us today to see how we can work together to achieve your goals. www.otakumedia.tv