A Few Words About A few words about...™ Musicals 4-Movie Collection -- in Blu-ray (1 Viewer)

[Michael1]

Derived from the multi-angle (as in channels) recordings that MGM was known for in this era. That's how we have true stereophonic sound for Wizard of Oz, Gone with the Wind, Meet Me in St. Louis, and Singin' in the Rain.

I don't think Gone With the Wind should be included on that list. I think all of the music survives only in mono, whether or not it was originally recorded on separate stems, though some stereo/surround rechanneling of some of the sound effects (notably the explosions in the siege of Atlanta sequence) has been done for home video.

 

[Jimbo64]

In case you missed it, here's the official 3-D Film Archive review: http://www.3dfilmarchive.com/kiss-me-kate-3-d-release

Bob, in one of the latter pictures in your review there is a blurb that states "In Perfected 3D", is this a reference to the single strip 3D prints that were available on some films?

 

[Peter Apruzzese]

Bob, in one of the latter pictures in your review there is a blurb that states "In Perfected 3D", is this a reference to the single strip 3D prints that were available on some films?

I don't think so. They were using that line "perfected" around the time that an external electronic control box for the projectors was made available that allowed minor phase & sync adjustments *while* the show was running.

 

[Bob Furmanek]

No, just a marketing push to assure moviegoers that with the newly-installed Polaroid sync control unit now in operation, they should see a perfect presentation.

Famous last words...

 

[Garysb]

I saw this set for $16.99 at Costco today.

Also at Costco That's Entertainment Trilogy $16.99.

 

[Mike Frezon]

Wow. That's two amazing deals...

Two great releases containing great films at incredible prices.

 

[RolandL]

I think I paid $17.99 for the Musicals 4-Movie Collection when it was first released.

 

[Robin9]

. . . . and I've never realised this until now, I don't think I've ever seen a pin-up type photo of Kathryn Grayson. . . . .

I have now!

I came across this today. I was astonished. I had completely forgotten about this discussion but this photo reminded me of it immediately.

 

[AnthonyClarke]

I have now!

View attachment 36824

I came across this today. I was astonished. I had completely forgotten about this discussion but this photo reminded me of it immediately.

As sopranos go, she's certainly more attractive than Birgitt Nillson or Joan Sutherland!

 

[Robin9]

As sopranos go, she's certainly more attractive than Birgitt Nillson or Joan Sutherland!

Impossible to argue with that!

 

[Nick*Z]

Grayson and Mario Lanza together in That Midnight Kiss and The Toast of New Orleans. Magic. Heaven. Sublime. Sheer talent on display and good looks to boot. You have to admire those ole MGM musicals. They packaged musical entertainment better than anybody else. Blu-rays of each of the aforementioned would be nice!

 

[RolandL]

I know it's only his voice, but I would like to see The Student Prince restored.

 

[Mikey1969]

I still wish they would have held out on releasing the That's Entertainment films until more of the original films from which the clips were taken had been given decent HD masters.

I remember that the third TE film was released to laserdisc as an expansive (and expensive!) box they went through the effort to re-configure the LD master using updated elements directly from the respective films, and the results were quite stunning for the day.

It would have also been appreciated if they had thrown in That's Dancing as well.

I saw this set for $16.99 at Costco today.

Also at Costco That's Entertainment Trilogy $16.99.

 

[Drew Salzan]

I still wish they would have held out on releasing the That's Entertainment films until more of the original films from which the clips were taken had been given decent HD masters.

I remember that the third TE film was released to laserdisc as an expansive (and expensive!) box they went through the effort to re-configure the LD master using updated elements directly from the respective films, and the results were quite stunning for the day.

It would have also been appreciated if they had thrown in That's Dancing as well.

I agree. The blu-ray set is hard to watch. The resolution of the sequences is quite inconsistent. It is obvious where they used and inserted HD masters and where they did not. The black and white ones, in particular, are very grainy and do not look any better than the DVD's. Let's hope.

 

[Malcolm R]

I saw this set for $16.99 at Costco today.

Also at Costco That's Entertainment Trilogy $16.99.

Yay, found the Musicals set at Costco today. I'd picked up the TE! set a couple weeks back.

 

[benbess]

The Musicals 4-movie collection is still available from Amazon for $27—less than $7 a movie! As RAH wrote in his original review, it seems like an pricing error in your favor. I could imagine each of these movies individually could be a $30 Criterion blu-ray. If there's anyone out there who likes musicals but doesn't yet have this set, well, it's highly recommended. Right now I'm watching The Band Wagon again, which is really funny—as well as tuneful and at times spectacular. Wonderful 3-strip Technicolor presentation with great sound. Here's what was written in the original review on this one....

"The Band Wagon - M-G-M - 1953 - Directed by Vincente Minnelli - Three-strip Technicolor - Stereo

Cast: Fred Astaire, Cyd Charisse, Oscar Levant, Nanette Fabray, Jack Buchanan

The second of the great M-G-M musicals in the set. Great fun.

Perfect color, densities, beautiful blacks and whites. A magnificent representation of the original on disc. Great stereo."


If you're like me, and sometimes wish for something else to be playing at your local movie theater, blu-ray sets like this provide a great option for your home theater.

 

[RolandL]

A magnificent representation of the original on disc. Great stereo."

Remix of original mono but does sound good.

 

[benbess]

PS Jack Buchanan does a great job playing a parody of an absurdly bad Broadway director and star. That fake BandWagon show within The Band Wagon movie is cringe-worthy, hilarious, and wonderful.

 

[TJPC]

Too bad this set includes “Calamity Jane”. This is a Warner musical. I like Doris Day well enough, and would buy this separately, but it does not fit the quality of the rest. This is especially true when you think of all the wonderful MGMs which still have not made it to Blu. yet.