IT's A Mad Mad Mad Mad World Restoration - Page 2

Robert Harris · 01-06-2003, 09:37 AM

I would not go that route as MGM are not the "bad guys."

They have a huge library, which, by no fault of current management, is probably in the worst shape in the industry.

They have an equally huge job on their hands producing preservation elements on printable titles, where there have been none produced in the past.

They are spending, and have been spending massive amounts of money on this project.

It simply isn't a case where they need to be publicly scolded. They haven't done anything wrong, and a campaign or public placement in that light would be adding insult to injury regarding what they are currently preserving.

Ronald Epstein · 01-06-2003, 04:51 PM

Okay, Robert....

Knowing that the film will be totally destroyed
in the near future, what do you recommend we do?

Who do we contact? How can we best bring this
issue to light to the people most responsible
without making anyone seem like the bad guy?

I am putting out a Newsletter to 33,000 members
in the next few days. Give me something that I
can present to our membership and perhaps I can
encourage everyone in this forum to campaign to
help save this film.

oscar_merkx · 01-06-2003, 05:41 PM

very good question indeed.

What would say the amount of $ 33000 do in the long run (£ 1 donation from every HTF member, sounds simple enough I would think and would not hesitate to donate more),

From what I can read from these pages that is most likely just a tiny drop in a large bucket. What kind of money are we talking about anyway ? Doesn't more publicity help this in the long run ?

I would think so and at the same time MGM will realise that it is worth saving after all. Or am I missing the point here /

Paul_Nyman · 01-06-2003, 11:55 PM

Ron I look forward to the newsletter!

This film is a CLASSIC! God I hope it's not to late to be saved?!?!

Darren Gross · 01-22-2003, 03:43 AM

Since certain elements of THE ALAMO and MAD WORLD will be insoluble by mid year, why not have MGM put up the $ to make the necessary duplicates and preservation material for these elements?

Leave out the b & w protection masters, digital print work (at least the output process, not the scanning) and fully timed answer prints and audio work to some later date. The costs couldn't be 1/4 or 10% of the estimated final budget.

Clearly, it's imperfect and would only be a stopgap measure, but it sounds like a gap that needs to be stopped.

This would at least provide the option of further work down the line, should Texas investors and financing opportunities change.

We've been hitting similar stumbling blocks with the NIGHT OF DARK SHADOWS restoration. That situation is a bit reversed though, because the separation masters are in excellent condition and I'm confident they'll remain that way for several years. The problem is that we're missing audio for many of the recovered scenes and the dialogue needs to be re-recorded. This has been going on for 3 + years. We're now looking into the possibility of recording the missing dialogue soon, as a stopgap measure. The actors are not getting any younger and three of them have such extensive relooping that if we were to lose one of them, the restoration would be impossible. At least it would give us a few more years to put this thing together.

Perhaps similar pre-emptive work might help give more time for these two other projects to happen. With the current state of the economy and venture capital being very tight, it seems that time is definitely needed in this case.

Best of luck, as always.

Darren

Ronald Epstein · 01-22-2003, 08:39 AM

Folks,

If you want this film restored, we need to act fast.

I usually hate trying to round up a huge support
effort that will probably fall on deaf ears, but
if you have any ideas how we can persuade MGM to
do the right thing, let me know.

Greg_M · 01-22-2003, 12:24 PM

Ron,

Why don't you find out what MGM/UA needs to restore the film. Maybe HTF can raise some of the cost through member donatations. This could be the first film restored/saved through the Home Theater Forum.

Paul_Nyman · 01-22-2003, 01:13 PM

what to do, what to do?

Anyone here have any creative ideas that will move to Restore this picture?

Matt Butler · 01-22-2003, 01:55 PM

I dont make alot of money but I'll kick a few bucks to save one of my favorite films.

This is indeed a travesty.

What can we do?

JeremySt · 01-22-2003, 03:07 PM

I want to do my part. IAMMMMW is one of my all time favorites. I would gladly kick a few dollars to this worthy cause.

Paul_Nyman · 01-22-2003, 03:34 PM

Ron,

What can be done...to get MGM's attention on this matter. Any avenues to reach them directly and voice our concern, be it by written letters, phone calls?

Thanks!