I was working on a screenplay that involved an emergency move in an old western town to a more storm worthy building next door, which happened, decades before to be a “bawdy house.”
The gent who knew the town, and suggesting the move has the following dialogue:
“Lady, don’t get your bustle in an uproar. Ain’t been a loose woman on the premises since 1900. (misty eyed) Elsie, her name was. No teeth to speak of and a face like a washboard, but brother, could she—”
That’s the new Blu-ray of Henry Hathaway’s 1965 western from Paramount, The Sons of Katie Elder. Mr. Hathaway, one of the greats, began in cinema in 1917.
Special guest star is Mr. Wayne wearing that beautiful, historic Red River belt buckle. One of two (or three) that have “gone missing” over the years.
Always wanted one, but high quality reproductions are hard to find. That, and what was a belt buckle on Mr. Wayne, would appear on me, to be more of a piece of armor.
It’s a wonderful western, starring John Wayne and Dean Martin, and from a moderate seating distance, it’s just fine.
But get closer, and you realize that there’s no true resolution. It’s a wonderfully soft image, that probably hides a multitude of sins. I couldn’t be certain whether it was derived from seps (doubtful), or an IP.
Overall, a decent image. Nice color, which goes warmer for a reel or so. Nothing really wrong.
Just nothing really right either.
Wonderful score by Elmer Bernstein.
So speaking in western terms. Want a woman? Cheap?
Teeth become secondary.
Big difference however, from the DVD.
And at $9.99 delivered?
Image – 3.50
Audio – 5
Pass / Fail – Pass
Upgrade from DVD – Yes
Recommended
RAH
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.
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