Robert Harris on The Bits: The Alamo (1 Viewer)

[Robert Harris]

I wish you and your team all the best for the work ahead!
A question: why the decision to scan to Vistavision instead of 65mm?
Many thanks,
Ole ALstrup

Scanning the cut scenes in Vista, as we need to copy from the 70mm print, and the Eastman duping stock is not produced in 65mm. VVLA is the closest we can get.
RAH

 

[Josh Steinberg]

Count me as someone who would be more than happy, thrilled even, to make a donation towards the funding of this restoration.

 

[johnSM]

Hi there.

I very rarely post here and - to be 100% honest - haven't even seen The Alamo, I am ashamed to say. However I am fully aware of its place in film history and would love to contribute something via PayPal. I'm sure with the combined generosity of many of us film fanatics out there a PayPal contribution system could actually generate quite a bit of funding for this restoration.

Cheers,

- John

 

[TonyD]

Wonderful, it's obvious how exciting this project is just looking at the number of new members posting right here.
I might not be able to donate much but I will send a few dollars
as soon as it is set up.

 

[John Hodson]

I'll help any way I can; count me in too.

 

[Powell&Pressburger]

Robert, Do you know at this time if you will be able to have the original studio opening logos attached or will they want the new version attached?

 

[wpatterson]

Robert,

I, too, am very pleased to hear about your work on The Alamo. I have been very impressed with your work on restoring Lawrence of Arabia, The Godfather and The Godfather Part II.

Would you by any chance have information regarding a possible 4K restoration of The Bridge on the River Kwai? It's my favorite David Lean film, and I always felt it could use a new restoration.

 

[Robert Harris]

Robert, Do you know at this time if you will be able to have the original studio opening logos attached or will they want the new version attached?

There were no logos.
RAH

 

[Robert Harris]

Would you by any chance have information regarding a possible 4K restoration of The Bridge on the River Kwai? It's my favorite David Lean film, and I always felt it could use a new restoration.

Kwai is in good hands at Columbia.
RAH

 

[Jo_C]

There were no logos.
RAH

Hmmm...interesting, Robert. Considering UA logos up until at least the 1960s were scarcely used at all..I could be wrong. Of course, today, in 2009, we'd see the MGM logo followed by the new UA logo as seen in "Valkyrie" (minus the MGM byline, of course).

 

[MatthewA]

Any UA films I've seen in repertory theaters made prior to the 1967 Transamerica acquisition have had no logos either. I've only seen 35mm prints of The Sweet Smell of Success, Some Like it Hot and West Side Story, but none of them had a logo.

 

[SFX]

Mr Harris,

I'm very excited to learn that you are involved in a new restoration project. I do appreciate all the work you did so far, and although by now I never had the chance to watch THE ALAMO - I'm just too young -, I'm sure this will be a new highlight, especially when there is a chance to do it in 70mm also for projection purpose. Berlin Festival's Retrospective earlier this year proved a deep interest in this format from a very young audience that, by now, did not have a chance of a regular 70mm-experience.

By the way, being not too familiar with restoration techniques, maybe you could explain to me why it is necessary first to print elements to Vistavision duping stock before scanning it (I'm aware of your remarks to Ole Alstrup earlier in this thread). Does this mean that available scanners are not able to handle 70mm release prints properly for a direct scan?

Yours very truly, all the best for your future work

Klaus

 

[Robert Harris]

And yet another link:
Robert Siegel's Golden Hollywood - The Alamo
This one from the Bits, and care of Robert Siegel.
RAH

 

[John Hodson]

And yet another link:
Robert Siegel's Golden Hollywood - The Alamo
This one from the Bits, and care of Robert Siegel.
RAH

That's fine work by Robert; this, though it's seven years old now, is also worth a read: ‘Remember the Alamo!’- John Wayne's 'The Alamo'

 

[Sam Posten]

Looks like good news! The original article has been updated:
Yellow Layer Failure, Vinegar Syndrome and Miscellaneous Musings by Robert A. Harris

You Can Contribute to the Alamo Restoration Effort
We that hope everyone who reads this column will help support Robert Harris' official effort to return The Alamo to its full original glory. The project's charitable sponsor is now accepting contribution checks toward the restoration of the film. (Note that links for credit card and PayPal donations will be available soon - check back here shortly.) All contributions are tax deductible. Contribution checks should be made out payable to...
Jacob Burns Film Center, Inc.
...with the information: "f/b/o Alamo Restoration" in the memo field, normally lower left.
The mailing address is:
Jacob Burns Film Center
405 Manville Road
Pleasantville, NY 10570
Att: Dominick Balletta

count me in as soon as Paypal is a go!

 

[marcuslaw]

That's fine work by Robert; this, though it's seven years old now, is also worth a read: ‘Remember the Alamo!’- John Wayne's 'The Alamo'

The article found with this link is dated 2002 and announces that, back then, you, Robert, and James Katz, had at least announced the intention to restore the Alamo. What, if anything, happened between then and the latest announcement towards its restoration? BTW, I mailed a check with my contribution the first day the Film Center information was announced! Good luck.

 

[Robert Harris]

The article found with this link is dated 2002 and announces that, back then, you, Robert, and James Katz, had at least announced the intention to restore the Alamo. What, if anything, happened between then and the latest announcement towards its restoration? BTW, I mailed a check with my contribution the first day the Film Center information was announced! Good luck.

First allow me to thank you for your contribution.
What has occurred, is that much like The Godfather(s), The Alamo could not be reconstructed or restored without high resolution (4k - 8k) digital tools. To attempt the restoration of a film in a resolution lower than that allowing the harvesting of all information gets you nowhere.
There are half a dozen shots in My Fair Lady, which was restored in 1994 that needed digital tools. Today those shots stand out as lower resolved and are best replaced and upgraded.
RAH

 

[John Morgan]

I hope everything comes together for THE ALAMO. And my dream is to someday (in the not too distant future) we will have a similar thread for IT'S A MAD MAD MAD MAD WORLD.

 

[Robert Harris]

As an update, we're realigning our fundraising effort toward Corporate Sponsorships only. The Jacob Burns Film Center is acting as charitable sponsor, with all contributions tax deductible. A link will be available shortly.
RAH

 

[Sam Posten]

Does that mean that no individuals will be able to contribute? Booo if so! =)