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Its always nice when something totally positive can offset the negative.
Shortly after I examined Capote, Fox's new Mel Brooks Collection arrived, and it immediately helped rid our office of the somber note left by Capote detritus.
I've always thought of Mr. Brooks as one of the funniest humans on earth, and this collection of his work, which I've previewed, checking each disc for quality reaffirms my thoughts. I now just need to find the time to re-visit each and every one of them.
There are a number of strange occurrences here. A number of the Fox logos look odd, but that may be Brooks humor. Hitchcock was known to mess about with logos. I don't recall those on the Brooks films from their original releases, but they must be as they were. I had simply never noticed it.
A sticker on the packaging announces: "Includes 5 HUGE HITS from Mel Brooks NEVER AVAILABLE BEFORE ON DVD! (We mean never!)
Of the eight films in the set, four are new to DVD.
And yes, this is funny.
High Anxiety, Robin Hood: Men in Tights, Silent Movie, and To Be or Not to Be.
Four others are re-issued or upgraded - all are in anamorphic widescreen.
Young Frankenstein, Blazing Saddles (on loan from WB), The Twelve Chairs, and History of the World: Part I.
Each of these films is beautifully transferred from the finest available elements, and each is worth the price of admission, which at street price works out to $8.75 per title.
The other thing that I like very much about this release, and which surprised me, is the packaging.
The eight films are each in their own clear slimpack, with double-sided cover. Each with its own interior bit of design.
Having looked forward to each new Mel Brooks film The Producers in 1968, this set allows me to not only bask in the glow of Mr. Brooks in-your-face humor, but also to dispose of laser discs and to be able to view these little comedic treasures in higher quality.
Just looking at the titles makes me smile.
The Mel Brooks Collection from Fox Home Video is of very high quality, has been thoughtfully produced by people at Fox who obviously love film, has been QC'd by a human, and...
Comes Extremely Highly Recommended!
If we were in November or December, this might well be the Christmas gift of the year.
RAH
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