Disney's Acquisition of 20th Century Fox: The Elusiveness of Young Frankenstein and Classic Films
Disney's acquisition of 20th Century Fox has made it challenging to access classic movies from the studio. Some iconic films like The Hot Rock, Cocoon, Dutch, and Strange Days are now hard to find. Surprisingly, Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein, a beloved comedy classic, is also missing from streaming platforms and 4K discs. The only available option is the 2008 Blu-ray Disc, which is still in print. Despite being restored in 4K last year and receiving revival screenings, the film remains elusive in the current digital landscape.
It's puzzling that Disney hasn't reissued Young Frankenstein after its 4K restoration and successful revival screenings. The lack of physical media releases from Disney, except for major titles like Die Hard and Predator, is disappointing. Other studios like Warner Bros, Universal, and Paramount have licensed their films to companies like Arrow Video and Criterion, but Disney seems to be lagging in this aspect. Young Frankenstein's scarcity highlights the importance of physical media, a sentiment shared by director Christopher Miller.
While Young Frankenstein is still available on Blu-ray, its limited accessibility raises concerns about the preservation of classic films. The absence of such a renowned movie underscores the need for a more comprehensive approach to distributing and preserving cinematic treasures.