- Joined
- Feb 8, 1999
- Messages
- 18,428
- Real Name
- Robert Harris
When one looks closely at a list of Paramount silent productions, it becomes obvious how fragmented their preservation has been, over the decades.
Old Ironsides, a 1926 production, directed by James Cruze (The Covered Wagon) has survived however, in decent condition, and in 35mm. Kino's new Blu-ray is derived from preservation elements from the Library of Congress. I believe there may be an unpreserved print at GEH, in addition to elements held by the studio.
When it opened at the Rivoli in New York, the end of the first half of the film, just before the intermission, the normal screen was flown out, revealing a Magnascope image, for the first time. The difference was huge - going form 12 x 18 feet, to 30 x 40. The process continued to be used occasionally over the next couple of decades, inclusive, as I recall, for the storm sequence in Portrait of Jennie.
The overall quality of the new release is quite good, while the piano score used for the film is an adaptation of the original Hugo Riesenfeld orchestral score heard at the Rivoli.
The film features a young Wallace Beery, Charles Farrell (Vern Albright, of My Little Margie fame), Esther Ralston and George Bancroft.
Look really closely, and you may be able to pick up Boris Karloff and Gary Cooper among the extras.
Image - 3.25
Audio - n/a
Pass / Fail - Pass
Recommended
RAH
Old Ironsides, a 1926 production, directed by James Cruze (The Covered Wagon) has survived however, in decent condition, and in 35mm. Kino's new Blu-ray is derived from preservation elements from the Library of Congress. I believe there may be an unpreserved print at GEH, in addition to elements held by the studio.
When it opened at the Rivoli in New York, the end of the first half of the film, just before the intermission, the normal screen was flown out, revealing a Magnascope image, for the first time. The difference was huge - going form 12 x 18 feet, to 30 x 40. The process continued to be used occasionally over the next couple of decades, inclusive, as I recall, for the storm sequence in Portrait of Jennie.
The overall quality of the new release is quite good, while the piano score used for the film is an adaptation of the original Hugo Riesenfeld orchestral score heard at the Rivoli.
The film features a young Wallace Beery, Charles Farrell (Vern Albright, of My Little Margie fame), Esther Ralston and George Bancroft.
Look really closely, and you may be able to pick up Boris Karloff and Gary Cooper among the extras.
Image - 3.25
Audio - n/a
Pass / Fail - Pass
Recommended
RAH
Last edited:
