Reply from George Miller....re: Playhouse 90

[gfm31952 at aol.com]

Hi Rob, 

Thanks for the info regarding Playhouse 90. I wrote to CBS
a few weeks ago and they replied with essentially the same
tale of woe that you outlined...endless legalities and huge
costs. Maybe the only hope is if they ever become public
domain after 75 years. In the case of Playhouse 90 that's
16 years away. Thanks again Rob.

                   Regards,
                   George Miller 
 
 
-----Original Message-----
From: Rob via QuadList <quadlist at quadvideotapegroup.com>
To: quadlist <quadlist at quadvideotapegroup.com>
Cc: Rob <jeffwld at hotmail.com>
Sent: Thu, Nov 19, 2015 10:03 am
Subject: [QuadList] Message from George Miller....re: Playhouse 90



	
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Rob <jeffwld at hotmail.com>
                    
                    
			
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quadlist at quadvideotapegroup.com <quadlist at quadvideotapegroup.com>
                    
                
			
Subject
			
Message from George Miller....re: Playhouse 90
                
                
			
Date
			
Thu, 19 Nov 2015 16:03:18 +0000
		
	



The big hurdle with releasing Playhouse 90 on DVD involves complicated rights issues. The shows were based on books, movies, original screenplays, theatrical plays etc., all from a wide array of writers. Clearances and compensation from these writers (or their estates) would have to be obtained. Also, because it was "live" television, the contracts for the cast and crew had complex residual clauses for any rebroadcast. Director John Frankenheimer has stated in an interview that his contract (and all other Playhouse 90 directors) were to be paid double their original fee ($3,000) for any rerun of an episode. This also means that since home video wasn't contemplated at the time, there would have to be special agreements negotiated with all of the various unions and guilds to get DVD releases for this material. It has been done on a limited basis with the legitimate release of some "Westinghouse Studio One" episodes. (I'm not counting the bootleg DVD's out there of live television drama that are being treated as PD).



CBS insiders have stated that they simply have no interest (at this time) in dealing with the costly legal work involved in releasing Playhouse 90 given it's limited sales potential.



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