- Joined
- Feb 8, 1999
- Messages
- 18,396
- Real Name
- Robert Harris
I've combined my words regarding You Only Live Once and T-Men.
Not because they are innately related as films, but rather, that they've been released by a new company, that especially for an indie outfit, is pulling out all the stops to create a superior product.
Classic Flix is an outfit out of California, which at least with these productions, has licensed the IP from Shout Factory.
They have my attention for one simple reason.
Quality.
They've accessed an element for YOLO from the BFI. Not certain where T-Men elements come from, but the overriding factor with that film is John Alton's cinematography, and here it's represented in spades, with rich black and deep shadows.
Not to be outdone, but in a different vein, YOLO was shot by Leon Shamroy.
T-Men, directed by Anthony Mann, and released in 1947, was in many ways the film that started his serious career, after six years in the business. It's a hard-hitting drama/docu-drama that (with the exception of the narration) nicely stands the test of time.
YOLO, directed by Fritz Lange, and release a decade earlier, was Mr. Lang's second American production, after Fury, another wonderful film, headlining Spencer Tracy.
Not only is the home video business a dangerous place to invest these days, but for a start-up to try to select interesting independent productions, handle them properly, from a tech perspective, and then market them...
Let's just say they not only have my respect, as their final products are superb, but they need to be supported by the home theater fans, so that they have a chance to grow.
Both films, are glorious black & white productions, with highly resolved images, based upon the methodology of shooting, with rich blacks, shadow details where necessary (and available)...
They've been cleaned up beautifully, without a loss of grain, and tracks are crisp and clear.
I'd be shirking my responsibilities, if I didn't make note of Dennis O'Keefe, the lead in T-Men.
Between 1930 and 1964, he appeared in over 160 films, usually (early on) without billing, in some terrific productions. By the late '30s he was receiving credit in numerous B productions, finally coming to the fore with roles in Topper Returns (1941), Hangmen Also Die! (1943), the Lewton / Tourneur class The Leopard Man (1943), The Story of Dr. Wassell (1944), T-Men (1947), among others.
I bring this up, as I was introduced to him around 1961, and fortunately, I had Dr. Wassel under my belt - I'd seen it numerous times - along with The Leppard Man, and was able to carry on a respectful conversation, and not embarrass myself.
What I learned, was that he was very much the working actor, as opposed to the star, and a true gentlemen - especially dealing with a kid.
Bottom line, Classic Flix is a welcome class act.
Please add their titles to your collections, help them to grow, and allow them to bring us more wonderful indie films.
Image - 4.25
Audio - 5
4k Up-rez - 4.5
Pass / Fail - Pass
Recommended
RAH
Not because they are innately related as films, but rather, that they've been released by a new company, that especially for an indie outfit, is pulling out all the stops to create a superior product.
Classic Flix is an outfit out of California, which at least with these productions, has licensed the IP from Shout Factory.
They have my attention for one simple reason.
Quality.
They've accessed an element for YOLO from the BFI. Not certain where T-Men elements come from, but the overriding factor with that film is John Alton's cinematography, and here it's represented in spades, with rich black and deep shadows.
Not to be outdone, but in a different vein, YOLO was shot by Leon Shamroy.
T-Men, directed by Anthony Mann, and released in 1947, was in many ways the film that started his serious career, after six years in the business. It's a hard-hitting drama/docu-drama that (with the exception of the narration) nicely stands the test of time.
YOLO, directed by Fritz Lange, and release a decade earlier, was Mr. Lang's second American production, after Fury, another wonderful film, headlining Spencer Tracy.
Not only is the home video business a dangerous place to invest these days, but for a start-up to try to select interesting independent productions, handle them properly, from a tech perspective, and then market them...
Let's just say they not only have my respect, as their final products are superb, but they need to be supported by the home theater fans, so that they have a chance to grow.
Both films, are glorious black & white productions, with highly resolved images, based upon the methodology of shooting, with rich blacks, shadow details where necessary (and available)...
They've been cleaned up beautifully, without a loss of grain, and tracks are crisp and clear.
I'd be shirking my responsibilities, if I didn't make note of Dennis O'Keefe, the lead in T-Men.
Between 1930 and 1964, he appeared in over 160 films, usually (early on) without billing, in some terrific productions. By the late '30s he was receiving credit in numerous B productions, finally coming to the fore with roles in Topper Returns (1941), Hangmen Also Die! (1943), the Lewton / Tourneur class The Leopard Man (1943), The Story of Dr. Wassell (1944), T-Men (1947), among others.
I bring this up, as I was introduced to him around 1961, and fortunately, I had Dr. Wassel under my belt - I'd seen it numerous times - along with The Leppard Man, and was able to carry on a respectful conversation, and not embarrass myself.
What I learned, was that he was very much the working actor, as opposed to the star, and a true gentlemen - especially dealing with a kid.
Bottom line, Classic Flix is a welcome class act.
Please add their titles to your collections, help them to grow, and allow them to bring us more wonderful indie films.
Image - 4.25
Audio - 5
4k Up-rez - 4.5
Pass / Fail - Pass
Recommended
RAH
