- Joined
- Feb 8, 1999
- Messages
- 18,428
- Real Name
- Robert Harris
When most lovers of film think of the great directors, Sam Wood probably won't be on their list.
And yet, he directed some of our best loved motion pictures. Part of the problem may have been that he only live to 66, and passed away before what many might consider to be the modern era - 1949.
He began his career in 1917 as an actor. He was an assisstant director the following year on The Squaw Man and went on to direct over 30 films in the silent era.
Once we arrive in the sound years, you'll begin to recognize his work with Tugboat Annie in 1933, A Night at the Opera (1935), A Day at the Races (1937), Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1939), Kitty Foyle in 1940, Kings Row (1942), The Pride of the Yankees (1942) For Whom the Bell Tolls (1943) et al.
His film version of Thornton Wilder's brilliant Pulitzer Prize-winning play, Our Town, was shot and released in 1940, with a screenplay by Frank Craven, who plays Mr. Morgan. The score was by Aaron Copland. DP was Bert Glennon, and the production designer was William Cameron Menzies.
You should be getting the idea that this was an important project.
It stars William Holden in only his fourth credited performance. He made Golden Boy the year previous.
Martha Scott was appearing in her first film. You'll also find Fay Bainter, Beulah Bondi, Thomas Mitchell, Guy Kibbee and Stuart Erwin rounding out the major citizenry.
And yet, somehow it fell into the public domain, and has really only been seen in far less than stellar prints and videos ever since. I was able to access a 35mm nitrate in the mid-'70s and create a 16 dupe neg, but the print probably had survived because it was mis-lit.
Via the Library of Congress, Classic Flix has done something that I've been hoping for - a quality transfer from a 35mm element that allows the film to shine once again.
It's a winner, with a stable image, good gray scale and blacks, and comfortable grain.
One of the great plays made it to film almost 85 years ago and it can now be yours. I suggest that you support Classic Flix and the LoC.
I believe the aspect ratio is incorrectly stated as 1.33:1, but it's close enough for government work.
Quality extras give you more than enough to fill out an evening.
Image – 8.5
Audio – 9
Pass / Fail – Pass
Plays nicely with projectors - Yes
Worth your attention - 10
Slipcover rating - n/a but the cover art is glorious
Upgrade from DVD - Yup
Very Highly Recommended
Thank you for supporting HTF when you preorder using the link below. As an Amazon Associate HTF earns from qualifying purchases. If you are using an adblocker you will not see link.
And yet, he directed some of our best loved motion pictures. Part of the problem may have been that he only live to 66, and passed away before what many might consider to be the modern era - 1949.
He began his career in 1917 as an actor. He was an assisstant director the following year on The Squaw Man and went on to direct over 30 films in the silent era.
Once we arrive in the sound years, you'll begin to recognize his work with Tugboat Annie in 1933, A Night at the Opera (1935), A Day at the Races (1937), Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1939), Kitty Foyle in 1940, Kings Row (1942), The Pride of the Yankees (1942) For Whom the Bell Tolls (1943) et al.
His film version of Thornton Wilder's brilliant Pulitzer Prize-winning play, Our Town, was shot and released in 1940, with a screenplay by Frank Craven, who plays Mr. Morgan. The score was by Aaron Copland. DP was Bert Glennon, and the production designer was William Cameron Menzies.
You should be getting the idea that this was an important project.
It stars William Holden in only his fourth credited performance. He made Golden Boy the year previous.
Martha Scott was appearing in her first film. You'll also find Fay Bainter, Beulah Bondi, Thomas Mitchell, Guy Kibbee and Stuart Erwin rounding out the major citizenry.
And yet, somehow it fell into the public domain, and has really only been seen in far less than stellar prints and videos ever since. I was able to access a 35mm nitrate in the mid-'70s and create a 16 dupe neg, but the print probably had survived because it was mis-lit.
Via the Library of Congress, Classic Flix has done something that I've been hoping for - a quality transfer from a 35mm element that allows the film to shine once again.
It's a winner, with a stable image, good gray scale and blacks, and comfortable grain.
One of the great plays made it to film almost 85 years ago and it can now be yours. I suggest that you support Classic Flix and the LoC.
I believe the aspect ratio is incorrectly stated as 1.33:1, but it's close enough for government work.
Quality extras give you more than enough to fill out an evening.
Image – 8.5
Audio – 9
Pass / Fail – Pass
Plays nicely with projectors - Yes
Worth your attention - 10
Slipcover rating - n/a but the cover art is glorious
Upgrade from DVD - Yup
Very Highly Recommended
Thank you for supporting HTF when you preorder using the link below. As an Amazon Associate HTF earns from qualifying purchases. If you are using an adblocker you will not see link.
Last edited:
? 
