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Genius Press Release: The Little Rascals: The Complete Collection

#151
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11/3/08 at 3:31pm
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Re: Genius Press Release: The Little Rascals: The Complete Collection

Unfortunately, THE KID FROM BORNEO is a Blackhawk print. It looks pretty good, but tragically the sound is so distorted it sounds like everyone is GARGLING! from beginning to end. It does not sound this bad on ANY previous version.

MUSH AND MILK right after it is an MGM print and looks and sounds perfect! I especially love the old croan who looks like her face was hit by a train! The detail is so clear you can see that it is her actual face and not a mask!

On BEDTIME WORRIES, the sound is awesome. It is so good, you can actually hear the difference between Spanky's Texas accent and his parents Brooklyn accent. I think this is the episode that really began to show off Spanky's acting talent and sassy sarcasm that we all love so much.
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#152
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11/4/08 at 8:02am
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Re: Genius Press Release: The Little Rascals: The Complete Collection

Does anyone know if Bear Shooters has ever been released on DVD, laserdisc, or VHS with all of the cut dialogue intact?
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#153
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11/4/08 at 9:22am
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Re: Genius Press Release: The Little Rascals: The Complete Collection

Can anyone describe exactly what words were cut from BEAR SHOOTERS and WASHEE IRONEE? Was it dialogue considered inappropriate for censor reasons or was it just lost?
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#154
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11/4/08 at 10:17am
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Re: Genius Press Release: The Little Rascals: The Complete Collection

I suggest that the pros outweigh the cons on this set by far. So don't act rashly and send your DVD back. Give it a look.
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#155
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11/4/08 at 11:38am
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Re: Genius Press Release: The Little Rascals: The Complete Collection

I'm finally going through disc 1 and must say that if people are unhappy with the quality here then don't even bother with any upcoming L&H set. While these shorts are far from perfect they're still a lot better than the majority of those R2 L&H discs.

I just got done with BOXING GLOVES and was wondering if the audio was lost during the boxing match or did the film start out a silent and then switch to sound.

Also, I must say that LAZY DAYS is without a doubt one of the worst comedies I've ever seen. Hearing that baby be tortured the entire film was just ugly and the director or Roach needed a good punch in the face for putting that baby through that mess.
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#156
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11/4/08 at 1:20pm
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Re: Genius Press Release: The Little Rascals: The Complete Collection

Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael Elliott
I just got done with BOXING GLOVES and was wondering if the audio was lost during the boxing match or did the film start out a silent and then switch to sound.

That's just the way the film is. It is silent in some sections.

Quote:
Also, I must say that LAZY DAYS is without a doubt one of the worst comedies I've ever seen. Hearing that baby be tortured the entire film was just ugly and the director or Roach needed a good punch in the face for putting that baby through that mess.

I agree that LAZY DAYS is one of the worst.
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#157
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11/4/08 at 1:24pm
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Re: Genius Press Release: The Little Rascals: The Complete Collection

Quote:
Originally Posted by Darrell S.
Can anyone describe exactly what words were cut from BEAR SHOOTERS and WASHEE IRONEE? Was it dialogue considered inappropriate for censor reasons or was it just lost?

I don't know what's missing from BEAR SHOOTERS.

With WASHEE IRONEE there's a scene where a Chinese boy teaches the Gang how to clean their clothes after they've gotten mussed up playing football in the mud. He puts water or something in his mouth and spits it out all over the clothes, saying "Washee Clothesees". This was restored on the DVD Cabin Fever version.
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#158
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11/4/08 at 1:37pm
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Re: Genius Press Release: The Little Rascals: The Complete Collection

I have not yet seen for myself, but the rumor is that a line of dialogue is cut on Bear Shooters in the new set. Here is the dialogue with the censored line in parentheses:

Farina: "Hot Dog! You going with us, Spud?"

Spud: "Sure I'm going! [I suppose I'll get whipped though. Darnit! I'm going anyhow.]"

Farina: "Come on. Let's get going. Come on, Mule!"
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#159
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11/4/08 at 1:55pm
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Re: Genius Press Release: The Little Rascals: The Complete Collection

Quote:
Originally Posted by Timothy E
I have not yet seen for myself, but the rumor is that a line of dialogue is cut on Bear Shooters in the new set. Here is the dialogue with the censored line in parentheses:

Farina: "Hot Dog! You going with us, Spud?"

Spud: "Sure I'm going! [I suppose I'll get whipped though. Darnit! I'm going anyhow.]"

Farina: "Come on. Let's get going. Come on, Mule!"

That line is intact on the MGM laserdisc set.
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#160
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11/4/08 at 2:43pm
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Re: Genius Press Release: The Little Rascals: The Complete Collection

Quote:
Originally Posted by Joe Karlosi
That's just the way the film is. It is silent in some sections.


Thanks for the info. As for LAZY DAYS, I really hope they don't get any worse than that one.
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#161
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11/4/08 at 2:55pm
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Re: Genius Press Release: The Little Rascals: The Complete Collection

LAZY DAYS is one of the poorest of all. I think even Leonard Maltin said as much in his great book on OUR GANG. I don't know how many of these you've seen, but they get better and better as they go along. But you'll spot more occasional "rough" stuff like that poor kid getting tortured.
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#162
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11/4/08 at 4:15pm
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Re: Genius Press Release: The Little Rascals: The Complete Collection

Another one that is mean is A LAD AND A LAMP where Spanky wishes Cotton (Stymie's baby brother) was a monkey. Stymie says, "Don't do that. You don't have to sleep with him!" At the end, Cotton and Spanky have pot bellies because they've eaten so much. Spanky belly-bumps Cotton and knocks him down on his bottom where he bumps his head on a door stump and starts crying. He is obviously hurt and they just fade to black and THE END. But, keep watching. They get much better and treat all the kids with much more respect.
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#163
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11/4/08 at 7:20pm
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Re: Genius Press Release: The Little Rascals: The Complete Collection

I made the decision to keep this set and am glad I did. Yes, some parts of this release are disappointing if not downright aggrevating, but I agree the pros outweigh the cons.
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#164
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11/5/08 at 3:17am
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Re: Genius Press Release: The Little Rascals: The Complete Collection

I am absolutely LOVING this set, and while I can understand why some may be unhappy with certain aspects of it, NONE of the aforementioned issues has hindered my enjoyment of it in the least.

Stymie Rules!
Draco Dormiens Nunquam Titillandus.
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#165
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11/5/08 at 4:28am
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Re: Genius Press Release: The Little Rascals: The Complete Collection

I agree. I just can't get through these fast enough. As I go through them I am amazed how they've been cleaned up. It looks like they've gone through them and digitally elminated dirt. That may be why in some places it looks like things are moving around. Although, it is sad that some cuts have been made. I'm guessing for politically incorrect reasons?

As for ANNIVERSARY TROUBLE... Ugh! This is one of the most favorite classic episodes and they obviously just pulled this print out of a trash can. It is first of all a BAD Blackhawk 8mm print that is muddy, scratched up with muffled sound. This print looks like it was trampled by a herd of cattle. The only earthly reason I can imagine they used it is because it has Spanky's black-face routine where he pretends to be BUCKWHEAT intact. This was cut from other negatives. I guess they didn't want to insert it into a clean print and have it be a jarring difference in quality. But you can hear the long-debated line of BUCKWHEAT and see his lips form the words: "I's the man!" Scholars have debated this mysterious line for years. Many have claimed he was saying "Ice man!" What's the consensus out there? Anyone have any other ideas what they think it might be?
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#166
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11/5/08 at 8:42am
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Re: Genius Press Release: The Little Rascals: The Complete Collection

I was wondering if the use of the Blackhawk films was the fact they were the only surviving uncut prints. These films have gone through a lot of owners and rights holders over past 70 years and they were butchered during the 70's. I would have liked to have seen RHI/Genius at least attache the correct titles, even if they had to use the Blackhawk prints.

I am personally enjoying the set and have been amazed at how some of them look and upset at how others look, but I am glad to have them all on DVD. Come on Warner, release the MGM shorts in a collection also. They are not as good, but I would like to have them. I am waiting for Laughsmith (not holding my breath) for their collection of the silents. I would love to retire my four volume Laserdisc collection.
“For God's sake don't say yes until I've finished talking.” - Daryl F. Zanuck  
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#167
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11/5/08 at 9:10am
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Re: Genius Press Release: The Little Rascals: The Complete Collection

If they used the Blackhawk prints because they were the only surviving uncut prints, then why did they use the cut version of WASHEE IRONEE and BEAR SHOOTERS? I'm just wondering, not disputing anything. There seems to be wild inconsistencies on this set. You get several beautifully-restored shorts, then along comes a horrible mess like ANNIVERSARY TROUBLE or A TOUGH WINTER.
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#168
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11/5/08 at 9:42am
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Re: Genius Press Release: The Little Rascals: The Complete Collection

Yum Yum Eat Em Up
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#169
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11/5/08 at 11:26am
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Re: Genius Press Release: The Little Rascals: The Complete Collection

Quote:
Originally Posted by Darrell S.
Another one that is mean is A LAD AND A LAMP where Spanky wishes Cotton (Stymie's baby brother) was a monkey. Stymie says, "Don't do that. You don't have to sleep with him!" At the end, Cotton and Spanky have pot bellies because they've eaten so much. Spanky belly-bumps Cotton and knocks him down on his bottom where he bumps his head on a door stump and starts crying. He is obviously hurt and they just fade to black and THE END. But, keep watching. They get much better and treat all the kids with much more respect.

There are many more scenes of questionable taste in terms of child/animal endangerment. I had never before seen the silent episode, included in this set, in which Pete the Pup tries to hang himself; the actual scene is 10 times more graphic and near-heartbreaking than I'd imagined. It's awful to look at; I have no idea how they managed to shoot that scene without any physical risk to the dog.

The history of Our Gang is full of little on-screen mishaps and misjudgements on the part of the filmmakers. Forgotten Babies scares the !#$#@ out of me each time I see it; first there's that little girl who falls off the chair in the kitchen; lands on her hand practically--yet there it is for all to see. And then they had that baby crawling up and down the stairs. That was scary enough, but then they had Spanky propping the kid up on a pillow and dragging him down the stairs in another scene. ~~Shudder~~!
http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htf/...74#post2754974
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#170
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11/5/08 at 2:39pm
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Re: Genius Press Release: The Little Rascals: The Complete Collection

And don't forget when Spanky callously plops the kid onto the glue that's on the floor to keep him stuck so he can't get up! The kid kind of whimpers.
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#171
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11/5/08 at 6:46pm
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Re: Genius Press Release: The Little Rascals: The Complete Collection

Quote:
Originally Posted by ahollis
I was wondering if the use of the Blackhawk films was the fact they were the only surviving uncut prints. These films have gone through a lot of owners and rights holders over past 70 years and they were butchered during the 70's. I would have liked to have seen RHI/Genius at least attache the correct titles, even if they had to use the Blackhawk prints.

I am personally enjoying the set and have been amazed at how some of them look and upset at how others look, but I am glad to have them all on DVD. Come on Warner, release the MGM shorts in a collection also. They are not as good, but I would like to have them. I am waiting for Laughsmith (not holding my breath) for their collection of the silents. I would love to retire my four volume Laserdisc collection.

And I would love to buy your four volume laserdisc collection!!
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#172
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11/5/08 at 7:49pm
  • Joined: December 2000
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Re: Genius Press Release: The Little Rascals: The Complete Collection

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ethan Riley
There are many more scenes of questionable taste in terms of child/animal endangerment. I had never before seen the silent episode, included in this set, in which Pete the Pup tries to hang himself; the actual scene is 10 times more graphic and near-heartbreaking than I'd imagined. It's awful to look at; I have no idea how they managed to shoot that scene without any physical risk to the dog.

The history of Our Gang is full of little on-screen mishaps and misjudgements on the part of the filmmakers. Forgotten Babies scares the !#$#@ out of me each time I see it; first there's that little girl who falls off the chair in the kitchen; lands on her hand practically--yet there it is for all to see. And then they had that baby crawling up and down the stairs. That was scary enough, but then they had Spanky propping the kid up on a pillow and dragging him down the stairs in another scene. ~~Shudder~~!

OH! STOP IT!
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#173
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11/5/08 at 10:07pm
  • Joined: February 1999
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Re: Genius Press Release: The Little Rascals: The Complete Collection

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jack Cleveland
And I would love to buy your four volume laserdisc collection!!

Mine will be available shortly

* No longer looking for Hi-Vision Laserdiscs *
(I buried that format)

www.16cylinder.com
www.jet-x.com

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#174
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11/6/08 at 7:46am
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Re: Genius Press Release: The Little Rascals: The Complete Collection

OK, since I will be buying this set (and thank goodness I have the 12 Cabin Fever DVDs), can someone please take the time to give a detailed disc-by-disc description of deleted scenes/dialouge, substandard prints and other problems in the set? That way at least I'll know which ones to watch from Cabin Fever and which from the new set. So- any takers?
Bring "The continuing story of PEYTON PLACE" home on DVD: the one that started it all- from Dallas and Dynasty to Desperate Housewives and Gossip Girl!!! Starting this May, see the legendary saga starring Mia Farrow, Ryan O'Neal, Barbara Parkins, and Oscar-winner Dorothy Malone on DVD thru Shout!...
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#175
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11/6/08 at 2:30pm
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Re: Genius Press Release: The Little Rascals: The Complete Collection

Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian-W
Mine will be available shortly


Let me know! I have two of the sets, but want the other two!

Jack
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#176
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11/21/08 at 10:32am
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Re: Genius Press Release: The Little Rascals: The Complete Collection

Has anybody who contacted RHI/Genius gotten a response to these issues that have been brought up? I would love to buy this set but if things like the sound sync or garbled audio would be addressed and fixed for a future release I will wait. I know it's not every short that had problems but with my luck, it will be mostly like the ones I enjoy the most.

Matt

Hong Kong DVD Reviews and News
http://www.loveandbullets.com

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#177
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11/26/08 at 7:35am
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Re: Genius Press Release: The Little Rascals: The Complete Collection

Just a heads-up to anyone interested, Amazon has this now for 57% off for a total of just $38.99.
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#178
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11/26/08 at 11:04am
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Re: Genius Press Release: The Little Rascals: The Complete Collection

Quote:
Originally Posted by PaulP
Just a heads-up to anyone interested, Amazon has this now for 57% off for a total of just $38.99.

Not surprising that they would be dumping this already given all the problems with the set.
...When you eliminate the impossible whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth

Top 20 Films
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#179
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11/26/08 at 11:20am
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Re: Genius Press Release: The Little Rascals: The Complete Collection

I don't think one has anything to do with the other. Amazon is dropping a lot of prices for holiday sales.
BARBARA WRIGHT: You're from Earth?
MORTON DILL: No... no, ma'am, I... I'm from Alabama.
Doctor Who: Flight Through Eternity
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#180
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11/26/08 at 5:44pm
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Re: Genius Press Release: The Little Rascals: The Complete Collection

Quote:
Originally Posted by Randy Korstick
Not surprising that they would be dumping this already given all the problems with the set.
This is one of my favorite releases of the year so I'm not buying that reasoning for the price drop.





Crawdaddy
G.W. McLintock: Camille, you're on your own.
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