A few words about...™ The Jazz Singer -- in Vitaphone audio

Robert Harris · 10-09-2007, 08:59 PM

I'm very tempted to preface the title of The Jazz Singer with the words "A George Feltenstein Production."

This newly minted DVD boxed set is a monolithic affair.

The centerpiece is, of course, the 1927 Warner production starring Al Jolson, that introduced sound to the moviegoing masses via a double system of a projector synchronized with a large format turntable. The discs themselves are fashioned after the Vitaphone discs.

With whites aglow, which always made me think of this as a late orthochromatic production -- whether it is or is not, I'm not certain, The Jazz Singer has never looked more sumptuous.

But in typical Feltensteinian methodology, that isn't what this boxed set is about, as the centerpiece is an 89 minute black & white production offered in standard definition and no multi-track offerings to take up space.

What this set brings to the table is a bit of Jolson, combined with a huge series of Vitagraph short films, some previously available as part of the Vitagraph laser boxed set, while a third disc gives us multiple documentaries regarding sound and the history of sound at WB, as seen over the past decades.

For the aficionado of the early sound film, The Jazz Singer boxed set is the "stuff that dreams are made of."

The Jazz Singer is Extremely Highly Recommended.

RAH

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Russell G · 10-09-2007, 09:54 PM

Mr. Harris, after a trying day, you've made my night! Nice to see this get the approval. I was excited when this was announced mainly cause I always kinda enjoyed "The Jazz Singer". When they announced all those shorts and the documentary, my jaw dropped. I've had this on pre-order since it was available to do so, much like the "Mickey Rooney & Judy Garland" collection which just arrived and I am yet to dip in to.

Curious to get your opinion on the sound, it was my understanding that Warner got their hands on un-played Vitaphone discs for the feature.

Steve...O · 10-09-2007, 10:28 PM

Thanks for RAH's comments. I'm currently working my way through the Rooney/Garland collection which is a contender for the collection of the year, but it sounds like THE JAZZ SINGER collection may supplant it.

I'm very anxious to get this collection. The great majority of these shorts will be new to me and it will be a wonderful learning experience going through them as well as the documentaries. One of the great joys of being a classic film fan is learning about the history of the films and the studios who made them.

I'm also interested in reading thoughts on the sound and am also with the understanding that original mint discs were used. There was a report in the silent movies newsgroup about a possible sound anomolies. Quoting from the post from "Gerbonzo":

Quote:

During the scene where JACK ROBIN is at the train station writing a letter to MARY, the sound track pauses while the letter insert is shown and seems to be out of sync throughout the scene where he is told that he is going to NEW YORK to appear in a big Broadway review.
The train scene fades out and we see the title card that says "THE CANTOR'S SIXTIETH BIRTHDAY" and 'GIVE MY REGARDS TO BROADWAY is still playing on the soundtrack. During the scene where JACK/JAKIE is reunited with his mother, the music cues are not quite where they used to be.

Then when there was the reel change for the synchronous sound section for the "BLUE SKIES" sequence-where we used to have dead sound while Jolson led his mother to the piano to start singing-the music seems to "blend" into Bert Fiske's piano intro to the song. Not quite the same
as we remember.

Same type of thing seems to happen before the big finale scene where Jolson sings "MAMMY". The film looks sharp in 95% of the transfer and sound is the clearest I have heard outside of the TURNER/RHINO Jolson disc of 11 years ago.

This poster does state that he viewed an advance copy so perhaps this was not the final version. In any case, minor quibbles aside this looks to be a 5 star release that I look forward to adding to my collection with hopes that sales will warrant more Vitaphone era releases.

Steve

Jonathan-S · 10-10-2007, 05:53 AM

It was also reported on the same newsgroup that the first batch of pressings have an error in the extras. Instead of a second clip from GOLD DIGGERS OF BROADWAY (as indicated on the menu) the lab apparently selected THE ROGUE SONG ballet by mistake. This was discovered too late and Warner decided to let the early pressings go out rather than hold up the release by two months. Apparently, all future pressings will be corrected and Warner will supply replacements of incorrect ones on request.

Personally, I'd rather have THE ROGUE SONG ballet anyway, so this may be one occasion where incorrect pressings are sought-after!

I can't verify any of this information - perhaps Mr Harris or anyone who has the discs can confirm or deny it.

Charles Ellis · 10-10-2007, 08:12 AM

Mr. Harris, it's Vitaphone- Vitagraph was an early studio in NYC, and WB's sound system got its name because it was based at the old Vitagraph studios.

Robert Harris · 10-10-2007, 11:03 AM

To Mr. Ellis,

I caught this shortly after I pressed the submit button, and it was corrected early this morning. Thank you, however, for you annotation.

I originally typed Vitagraph, as it was also the Warner storage facility in Brooklyn, NY.

RAH

Richard Matich · 10-10-2007, 11:52 PM

LOL. I might not have even noticed the mistake. I want to thank Mr. Harris again for his take on what is sure to be an A+ Warner/Feltenstein production. I will be getting this when its released on the 16th.

Corey3rd · 10-11-2007, 09:23 AM

This shall be going onto my Ray Regis Memorial shelf.

Tory · 10-11-2007, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonathan-S

It was also reported on the same newsgroup that the first batch of pressings have an error in the extras. Instead of a second clip from GOLD DIGGERS OF BROADWAY (as indicated on the menu) the lab apparently selected THE ROGUE SONG ballet by mistake. This was discovered too late and Warner decided to let the early pressings go out rather than hold up the release by two months. Apparently, all future pressings will be corrected and Warner will supply replacements of incorrect ones on request.

Personally, I'd rather have THE ROGUE SONG ballet anyway, so this may be one occasion where incorrect pressings are sought-after!

I can't verify any of this information - perhaps Mr Harris or anyone who has the discs can confirm or deny it.

If Warner does a replacement, they should include the Rogue Song as well so people won't lose anything.

Cees Alons · 10-12-2007, 05:42 AM

I'm glad I ordered it.
I mean I was very glad to being able to order this set when I did, but now I even more happy.

Thanks, Robert Harris for this piece of info - and thanks, George Feltenstein / Warner Bros. for this product!

Cees

Colin Jacobson · 10-12-2007, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonathan-S

It was also reported on the same newsgroup that the first batch of pressings have an error in the extras. Instead of a second clip from GOLD DIGGERS OF BROADWAY (as indicated on the menu) the lab apparently selected THE ROGUE SONG ballet by mistake. This was discovered too late and Warner decided to let the early pressings go out rather than hold up the release by two months. Apparently, all future pressings will be corrected and Warner will supply replacements of incorrect ones on request.

Personally, I'd rather have THE ROGUE SONG ballet anyway, so this may be one occasion where incorrect pressings are sought-after!

So what should the "Finale" of Gold Diggers look like? Since my review copy has a ballet, I assume that's the goofed-up "Rogue Song", but I want to be sure...