A few words about…™ Swing Time — in Blu-ray

4 Stars Time has not been especially kind to the film's elements - the OCN does not survive - but Criterion's offering has been nicely cleaned, and not overly so. A bit of wear and tear is still obvious, especially in projection.

Back in 1933, after appearing in Dancing Lady for M-G-M, Fred Astaire, who received 6th billing, just beneath Winnie Lightner, made a move to RKO, and so began a series of classic musicals that fans have been waiting to appear on Blu-ray.

There were ten films in the series, and the first to appear on Blu, via Criterion and their license with WB, is number six, Swing Time.

The great George Stevens directed, which was unusual. He only did one other musical, Damsel in Distress, a few year later.

As a film, it’s still charming, especially in its innocent ways – it was the ’30s, after all. It beautifully stands the test of time, in all its black & white glory, as captured by David Abel.

Time has not been especially kind to the film’s elements – the OCN does not survive – but Criterion’s offering has been nicely cleaned, and not overly so. A bit of wear and tear is still obvious, especially in projection.

The score is by someone named Kern.

Swing Time is an auspicious beginning for the Astarie/Rogers films on Blu-ray.

One down, nine to go.

Image – 4

Audio – 5

Pass / Fail – Pass

Upgrade from DVD – You bet’cha

Highly Recommended

RAH

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Astairefan

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Neil Powell
Back in 1933, after appearing in Dancing Lady for M-G-M, Fred Astaire, who received 6th billing, just beneath Winnie Lightner, made a move to RKO, and so began a series of classic musicals that fans have been waiting to appear on Blu-ray.

There were ten films in the series, and the first to appear on Blu, via Criterion and their license with WB, is number six, Swing Time.

The great George Stevens directed, which was unusual. He only did one other musical, Damsel in Distress, a few year later.

As a film, it's still charming, especially in its innocent ways - it was the '30s, after all. It beautifully stands the test of time, in all its black & white glory, as captured by David Abel.

Time has not been especially kind to the film's elements - the OCN does not survive - but Criterion's offering has been nicely cleaned, and not overly so. A bit of wear and tear is still obvious, especially in projection.

The score is by someone named Kern.

Swing Time is an auspicious beginning for the Astarie/Rogers films on Blu-ray.

One down, nine to go.

Image - 4

Audio - 5

Pass / Fail - Pass

Upgrade from DVD - You bet'cha

Highly Recommended

RAH

Sounds like a release to look forward to! Any word on whether any of the other films in the series are being worked on?
 

Angelo Colombus

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Angelo Colombus
My favorite is Top Hat but this is just as good. Last week I was watching the Fellini film Ginger & Fred and did read that Ginger Rogers sued the production and the distributors for 'misappropriation and infringement of her public personality'. The case was dismissed.
 

JoeDoakes

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Ray
Back in 1933, after appearing in Dancing Lady for M-G-M, Fred Astaire, who received 6th billing, just beneath Winnie Lightner, made a move to RKO, and so began a series of classic musicals that fans have been waiting to appear on Blu-ray.

Well, Winnie Lightner was a big star back then.
 

lark144

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mark gross
The score is by someone named Kern.
I don't know if this story is true, but I heard that the someone named Kern was originally hired as a gopher, but early on in the production Mr. Astaire heard him humming a tune.
 

lark144

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mark gross
Joke?

I loved his scores for the Flynn films. I believe he used two variants of the name, lengthening it for adventure yarns, but his Hart was in the musical genre.
Mr. Harris, I don't know where you get your information from, but I believe a Stein is larger than a Kern.
 

Ken_McAlinden

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Oh, dear. The fact that you would NEED to be told this is a joke is the problem.
I am hoping that Top Hat gets the Criterion treatment because:
  1. It's wonderful; and,
  2. The AFWA review will have the opportunity to say the music is by some guys named Irving and Max. :laugh:
 
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