Blu-Ray Sales Figures for "Kane"

[Jay]

As noted in the following article, in its first week of sales back in September, Citizen Kane moved 19,000 units and brought in $757,000. I think it's safe to assume that, in the two months since it came out, the re-release has netted WB over $1 million, and that number will surely climb in the coming weeks as holiday sales pick up.

http://www.the-numbers.com/interactive/ ... ewsID=6616

So to those who think that a market for Welles' work doesn't exist, you're wrong. If "Kane" can still bring in over a million dollars in a home market re-release, then maybe we'll see a more comprehensive DVD or Blu-ray release of The Magnificent Ambersons and Journey into Fear.

[RayKelly]

That's the total sales, not net profits for Warner Home Video. It's not a disaster by any means, but not at all impressive to the bean counters.
While Citizen Kane on Blu-ray sold 19,000 units, the direct-to-DVD Barbie Princess Charm School sold 450,000 units since Sept. 6.
As for classic films, the much-anticipated release of the African Queen in 2010 resulted in 50,000 DVD and 20,000 Blu-ray sales in the first week alone!

[Roger Ryan]

...and Warners (along with everyone else) know that KANE remains Welles' most popular film - any other Welles product that may be released will be expected to sell less.

All the same, reportedly the MR. ARKADIN set sold pretty well for Criterion. There is definitely a fairly large niche market for Welles product, but the sales expectations are below what a company like Warners would be interested in.

[RayKelly]

I wish to God that Criterion was handling "The Magnificent Ambersons."

[Jay]

Yes, it's true that The African Queen sold more copies once it finally got a release in the US; however, WB is charging a lot more per unit for Kane on what is essentially a double-dip. Also, this was the first time that The African Queen was available in a Region 1 release, whereas Kane has been readily available on a quality DVD release for years. I'm just trying to look at the glass half-full. I don't have the data for the Kane 70th Anniversary re-release on DVD, but I'm sure that it boosts its total overall sales as well. Kane is definitely his most popular film, and these numbers wouldn't necessarily translate to a different Welles release, but it at least shows that a market does still exist for his work.

As for Criterion and Ambersons, they did handle its release on LD back in the 90s, and they put together a lot of great special features (commentary track, storyboards explaining the lost ending, etc.). It's a shame they couldn't re-release that edition on Blu/DVD. I have a copy that I'm currently trying to dub over to DVD, special features and all.