- Joined
- Feb 8, 1999
- Messages
- 18,374
- Real Name
- Robert Harris
I've noted before that I've had the pleasure of working with people at Universal over the years, in varying areas, inclusive of home video.
And I've bemoaned that fact that, accepting the problems with film elements from the old Paramount acquisition, that they've been sitting in the vault, virtually ignored.
No more!
I'm pleased to say that Universal Home Video has begun to access the collection with elegance, style and at a price point that is unbeatable.
Over the past few years we've become used to the Warner ethic of packaging films in groups -- normally five -- and streeting them at a very fair price; each title with its own packaging.
Universal took a route slightly more economically envisioned, both in dollars and in space, by using DVD-18s, a format that some players still seem to find problematic. I've never found them troublesome.
On April 4, three sets of discs will be released as part of the continuing Franchise Collection.
Each of these is dedicated to one of the great women in filmmaking in the 30s and 40s, and each comes very elegantly packaged and slipcased.
I've only been able to sample the first, encompassing five films from the Marlene Dietrich library, but in short time have come away thrilled not only at the quality of transfer, but at the price.
The original negatives no longer exist for these films, which means that whatever we have is based upon fine grain masters or other dupes, which can no longer be created. What exists exists, and that's it.
What we have in the collection are five fine films: Morocco, Blonde Venus and The Devil is a Woman -- all the work of Josef von Sternberg and all with his very special look and texture intact, plus The Flame of New Orleans and Golden Earrings.
Knowing the quality of extant elements, I'm extremely pleased.
The set has a street price of under $20 -- incredibly, that's under $4 a title.
Some may quibble that the set is not inclusive of extras. There might have been a documentary. But not at this price.
I couldn't be happier.
This set comes extremely highly recommended and should be a part of every serious collection.
As an aside, I had forgotten that Sterling Holloway, known to most of you as the voice of Winnie the Pooh, makes only his second appearance in a feature film in Blonde Venus. You'll easily recall his unmistakeable voice.
RAH
And I've bemoaned that fact that, accepting the problems with film elements from the old Paramount acquisition, that they've been sitting in the vault, virtually ignored.
No more!
I'm pleased to say that Universal Home Video has begun to access the collection with elegance, style and at a price point that is unbeatable.
Over the past few years we've become used to the Warner ethic of packaging films in groups -- normally five -- and streeting them at a very fair price; each title with its own packaging.
Universal took a route slightly more economically envisioned, both in dollars and in space, by using DVD-18s, a format that some players still seem to find problematic. I've never found them troublesome.
On April 4, three sets of discs will be released as part of the continuing Franchise Collection.
Each of these is dedicated to one of the great women in filmmaking in the 30s and 40s, and each comes very elegantly packaged and slipcased.
I've only been able to sample the first, encompassing five films from the Marlene Dietrich library, but in short time have come away thrilled not only at the quality of transfer, but at the price.
The original negatives no longer exist for these films, which means that whatever we have is based upon fine grain masters or other dupes, which can no longer be created. What exists exists, and that's it.
What we have in the collection are five fine films: Morocco, Blonde Venus and The Devil is a Woman -- all the work of Josef von Sternberg and all with his very special look and texture intact, plus The Flame of New Orleans and Golden Earrings.
Knowing the quality of extant elements, I'm extremely pleased.
The set has a street price of under $20 -- incredibly, that's under $4 a title.
Some may quibble that the set is not inclusive of extras. There might have been a documentary. But not at this price.
I couldn't be happier.
This set comes extremely highly recommended and should be a part of every serious collection.
As an aside, I had forgotten that Sterling Holloway, known to most of you as the voice of Winnie the Pooh, makes only his second appearance in a feature film in Blonde Venus. You'll easily recall his unmistakeable voice.
RAH
