Albert71292
Stunt Coordinator
My “King of Jazz” just arrived from Amazon. Will start screening today!
Mine came today also. Haven't had a chance to watch yet though. I had pre-ordered mine from Criterion.
My “King of Jazz” just arrived from Amazon. Will start screening today!
Some very inventive camerawork which seems more advanced than the revues from the other studios at the time.
I’ll second your comments 100%. Amazing!Having never seen the film, but hearing the name over the years and loving two-color Technicolor, it was a blind buy for me. I got up early this morning to watch it and was blown away.
While not every segment works, the majority of it is just incredible. Whiteman and his orchestra were consummate performers, just oozing charm and talent. The dancing, as Bruce mentioned, was some of the most impressive I've seen in any film or on stage. The gargantuan sets and elaborate costumes are the kinds of extravagant touches we never see in films (or on stage) these days. As for the photography itself, I could not believe what I was seeing. This was the work of Director, designers, and technicians who were 100% in command of the Technicolor process. Everything was designed to the smallest detail to exploit the abilities (and play down the limitations) of two-color Technicolor. Seeing this restoration really made me aware of the gorgeous result that could be obtained from the process. The material sourced from the negative was incredible. You could have told me that it was filmed yesterday and I would have believed it. It was beautiful.
I'm so glad I took the plunge and bought this release. It really transported me to another time and place and got me excited for what is possible with modern restoration tools. Universal and the restoration team need to be commended for making this happen.
I can only echo everyone's praises. I have a special affection for the Sisters G, and the "Happy Feet" number; this sequence alone makes the movie immortal, in my opinion. I saw its re-premiere at MOMA in 2016, and a more wonderful welcoming back of a movie I've never witnessed. I had the VHS cassette from the early '80s, and even that managed to captivate, since it was also my key introduction to early musicals.
The Sisters G are big part of what makes KOJ special for me as well. In fact, after seeing them in this film I was inspired to soak up whatever info I could about them. They appear in most of the numbers, and come close to scene stealing with their iconic Louise Brooks haircuts. As shoddy as that MCA VHS tape was, the infectious quality of the film was still able to cast its spell on me.