A few words about…™ San Francisco – in Blu-ray

I’ve never seen a quality print of W.S. Van Dyke’s San Francisco. With the majority of prints for this immensely popular film probably struck from the camera original, 84 years ago, that negative was probably in less than stellar shape before it was lost.

From what I’ve been able to ascertain, Warner Archive’s new, and surprisingly beautiful, new Blu-ray, was derived from multiple elements.

The base seems to have been an image harvest of a nitrate fine grain of the French version. That means that the track would be in French aside from Jeanette MacDonald’s vocals, and other musical numbers would be sub-titled. Main and ends, would also be French.

A second element, a safety duplicate fine grain, served for the rest of the film,

Long story short, San Francisco is a love story, set during the time of the quake, and is quite representative of the top special effects available at the time.

As pure entertainment, it’s a terrific film, and it finally looks very pleasing.

Gray scale, black levels, grain, all in order, and what will be expected.

A classic that deserves to be in every serious library.

Clark Gable’s big picture for the 1936.

1934 – It Happened One Night

1935 – Mutiny on the Bounty

1936 – San Francisco

Before he moved to color films in 1939.

Image – 4

Audio – 5

Pass / Fail – Pass

Upgrade from DVD – Without a doubt

Very Highly Recommended

RAH

[parsehtml]
<iframe style=”width:120px;height:240px;” marginwidth=”0″ marginheight=”0″ scrolling=”no” frameborder=”0″ src=”//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=htfbluraypricedrops0e-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B08SNMCMJG&asins=B08SNMCMJG&linkId=b3e4b72235a4ed225a767a0fbe07753d&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true”></iframe>
[/parsehtml]

Robert has been known in the film industry for his unmatched skill and passion in film preservation. Growing up around photography, his first home theater experience began at age ten with 16mm. Years later he was running 35 and 70mm at home.

His restoration projects have breathed new life into classic films like Lawrence of Arabia, Vertigo, My Fair Lady, Spartacus, and The Godfather series. Beyond his restoration work, he has also shared his expertise through publications, contributing to the academic discourse on film restoration. The Academy Film Archive houses the Robert A. Harris Collection, a testament to his significant contributions to film preservation.

Post Disclaimer

Some of our content may contain marketing links, which means we will receive a commission for purchases made via those links. In our editorial content, these affiliate links appear automatically, and our editorial teams are not influenced by our affiliate partnerships. We work with several providers (currently Skimlinks and Amazon) to manage our affiliate relationships. You can find out more about their services by visiting their sites.

Share this post:

View thread (24 replies)
Joined
May 22, 2020
Messages
35
Location
Los Angeles
Real Name
Craig H
Haven't seen this in a zillion years but I recall a low key yet masterful earthquake sequence. Slavko Vorkapich gets a credit up front for Montage (Sequence?)
 

Matt Hough

Reviewer
Senior HTF Member
Joined
Apr 24, 2006
Messages
26,200
Location
Charlotte, NC
Real Name
Matt Hough
Not too low key. Had it existed at the time, I'm sure the film would have won the Special Effects Oscar (didn't originate until 1939). The effects were so impressive that it inspired Fox to try something along the same lines of horrifying destruction the next year In Old Chicago, and it resulted in a big hit for them, too.
 

Sinbad75

Grip
Joined
Feb 5, 2020
Messages
16
Real Name
Jack
I'm curious to know if the included bonus cartoon, "Bottles" is an HD scan and how vibrant the color is. Should be breathtaking!
 

Pictureman

Agent
Joined
Apr 12, 2017
Messages
31
Real Name
Frank
Does the movie have the original ending? The DVD had the 1948 reissue version showing a still picture of the then modern city. The proper finish has scenes of rebuilding including work on some kind of bridge which I believe may be still there.
 
Last edited:

roxy1927

Senior HTF Member
Joined
Jul 10, 2018
Messages
2,029
Real Name
vincent parisi
I saw it a couple of times decades ago when the Regency had their MGM summer festivals. I just kind of remember Gable and MacDonald and Tracy triumphantly gazing at the wreck of the city that they are about to rebuild. I don't remember any bridge building or modern city and I usually remember that kind of thing because it is usually so jarring. Maybe I blocked it out. It is quite a terrific entertainment.
 

battlebeast

Senior HTF Member
Joined
Aug 10, 2010
Messages
4,470
Location
Edmonton, Alberta
Real Name
Warren
“Clark Gable's big picture for the 1936.

1934 - It Happened One Night
1935 - Mutiny on the Bounty
1936 - San Francisco

Before he moved to color films in 1939.”


Gee, Anyone know what film was Clark Gable was in in 1939?
 

RetroGuy

Stunt Coordinator
Joined
Feb 21, 2012
Messages
136
Location
San Francisco Bay Area
Real Name
David Edwards
Does the movie have the original ending? The DVD had the 1948 reissue version showing a still picture of the then modern city. The proper finish has scenes of rebuilding including work on some kind of bridge which I believe may be still there.
I received my copy today and am very happy to report that the original ending with the various scenes of 1936 San Francisco, including Market Street and the building of that now-forgotten bridge has been restored to the movie. The ending with the static picture of 1948 San Francisco has been relegated to the bonus features.
 

PMF

Premium
Senior HTF Member
Joined
May 6, 2015
Messages
6,011
Real Name
Philip
I refuse to purchase “San Francisco” until the day that WAC releases a BD of “Boys Town” and “Captains Courageous”.

Now, if you believe that one, I can get you a good deal on both the Brooklyn and Golden Gate Bridge. :)
 
Last edited:

battlebeast

Senior HTF Member
Joined
Aug 10, 2010
Messages
4,470
Location
Edmonton, Alberta
Real Name
Warren
I received my copy today and am very happy to report that the original ending with the various scenes of 1936 San Francisco, including Market Street and the building of that now-forgotten bridge has been restored to the movie. The ending with the static picture of 1948 San Francisco has been relegated to the bonus features.
Why would that have been cut?
 

BRAD1963

Supporting Actor
Joined
May 9, 2013
Messages
593
Real Name
BRAD
I just finished watching it. The transfer is stunning, the best it has ever looked. Oh, and the cartoon short "Bottles" is a welcome added treat, WAC is really knocking the releases out of the ballpark lately.
 

Sinbad75

Grip
Joined
Feb 5, 2020
Messages
16
Real Name
Jack
I just finished watching it. The transfer is stunning, the best it has ever looked. Oh, and the cartoon short "Bottles" is a welcome added treat, WAC is really knocking the releases out of the ballpark lately.
Is "Bottles" in HD? One of my favorite Harman/Ising cartoons.. Thanks !
 

battlebeast

Senior HTF Member
Joined
Aug 10, 2010
Messages
4,470
Location
Edmonton, Alberta
Real Name
Warren
I'm in the process of watching this... did anyone else notice an audio "hiss" throughout the film?

Also, did anyone watch the two travelogs? they both are in Technicolor, but the picture is fuzzy, a bit. is this because the elements were misaligned?
 

Nelson Au

Senior HTF Member
Joined
Mar 16, 1999
Messages
19,130
Today is the anniversary of the 1906 Earthquake, it’s more in my mind as San Francisco is right up the highway from me. As has been done every anniversary, the earthquake was commemorated at Lotta’s Fountain this morning. The fountain served as a meeting place in the aftermath of the quake.

I still have not watched this new blu ray yet. But it’s in the queue.
 
Most Popular