Rob_Ray

I've no idea of what the problem was and won't speculate. However, I'll point out that the 1929 version was a Paramount production. Most early Paramount talkies are now owned by Universal. Although Warner Bros. acquired certain remake rights in the late 1930s and may have even purchased the negative to the 1929 version, one can only imagine the hoops Warner had to jump through to clear all the remaining rights for both theatrical exhibition and home video of the Paramount original.

There was no music at all in the print that was screened at Cinecon last year.

Marc^H

Thanks Rob. I wasn't aware it was a Paramount movie.

I DID find out that is being shown at the Film Forum here in NYC on April 7, in a "new 35mm print":

THE LETTER

(1929) Unseen apart from incomplete 16mm prints, this first screen adaptation of the Somerset Maugham play about adultery and murder on an Indonesian rubber plantation stars legendary Broadway actress Jeanne Eagels (in the role played by Bette Davis in 1940), with Herbert Marshall — husband in the later version — as her lover. Of three surviving Eagels films, it's the only one with sound; she died of a drug overdose the same year.
2:45, 6:00, 9:15


Now that I'll get to see it, I am absolving Warner Home Video of their sin.

Joe Caps

This still does not explain why we are not getting th emusic only track from the 1940 version. I feel gyped.

Will Krupp

Old Acquaintance and The Gang's All Here have at least enjoyed semi-regular television play, but Letty Lynton has apparently remained unseen (and may now even have been lost)since its original run.

I know that Letty Lynton was withdrawn from circulation almost immediately after its first run when a court case proved that portions of the story had been plagiarized. I suspect that it no longer exists simply because I think SOMEONE SOMEWHERE would have seen at least a print of it otherwise. I would love to be wrong.

As for the new dvd, anybody have any thought on the alternate ending? I watched it first and noticed some differences concerning the lace, etc..but really didn't see that much difference from the version I knew, until I went back and watched the movie itself and then realized that



The movie plays just fine using either ending, and I can see now why two versions were prepared...but what does everybody think of it?

Douglas R

I've listened to the two Lux Radio Theater versions of The Letter on the disc. In the 1941 version of the play Betted Davis gives a similar performance to that which she gave in the film. But in the 1944 version Bette Davis gives a complete non-performance with no characterisation or expression in her voice, as if she was simply reading the lines with no interest whatsoever. Very strange!

Incidentally wasn't James Stephenson great as the lawyer. What a shame that he died so young a few years after making this film.

Jefferson

Again, I only pop in to HTF now to post my support of these classic titles.
I also want to thank Herb for his usual good job in reviewing this title.
I would have preferred ALL THIS AND HEAVEN TOO, but
this is a must have as well.

Where was that WB poll, where one could vote on classic titles?
Is there a similar poll up now?

Jeff_HR

Quote:

I would have preferred ALL THIS AND HEAVEN TOO, but this is a must have as well

Perhaps this will show up in a Bette Box in the near future.

Cogito, Ergo Sum
My DVD Library / The BLOOD is the Life!

Steve...O

A prolific poster over on Turner Classic Movies message board had this to say....



Steve

Herb Kane

Thanks Jefferson. The poll is long over but here is the thread discussing the details:

http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htfo...r+decision+tcm

My Top 25 Noirs:

25. 711 Ocean Drive (1950), 24. Odds Against Tomorrow (1959), 23. Desperate (1947), 22. Pushover (1954), 21. The Blue Dahlia (1946), 20. The File on Thelma Jordon (1949), 19. He Ran All the Way (1951), 18. The Asphalt Jungle (1950), 17. The Killing (1956), 16. I Walk Alone (1948), 15. They Live by Night (1948), 14. The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946), 13. The Narrow Margin (1952), 12. Kiss of Death (1947), 11. Conflict (1945), 10. Pickup on South Street (1953), 9. Where the Sidewalk Ends (1950), 8. Side Street (1950), 7. In a Lonely Place (1950), 6. Criss Cross (1949), 5. Angel Face (1952), 4. The Killers (1946), 3. Out of the Past (1947), 2. Double Indemnity (1944) and 1. The Maltese Falcon (1941)


Projector ISF calibrated by Gregg Loewen at www.lionav.com