- Joined
- Feb 8, 1999
- Messages
- 17,457
- Real Name
- Robert Harris
In the world of classic film elements, popularity generally signals element problems.
Add to that AnscoColor, early CinemaScope, and Stereo sound, and it spells major restoration and preservation costs, and headaches galore.
M-G-M's first foray into CinemaScope was in 1954, with seven productions, with 7B arriving mid-year.
One might surmise that had it not been for the 70mm re-issue, that all may have been well with the original negative, but that re-issue played havoc with the original elements.
Over sixty years later, the folks at the Warner Archive, checked their inventories, called in elements from multiple vaults, performed their requisite tests, and found that an early IP was the most promising candidate for the new 2k scan.
With color basically intact, and produced before the re-issue damage, their decision paid off.
Ansco didn't dupe particularly well, so dupe shots stand out a bit, and the main title sequence comes off as oversaturated, but once you hit production footage, it's clear sailing for the length of 102 minute production.
Grain is nominal, and attractive, color steady, and the audio tracks superb for the era.
Aspect ratio is properly 2.55:1.
I fully expected 7B47B to be a quality release, but my expectations for the flat version, at 1.75:1, were nil.
Once again, Warner Archive pulls a rabbit out of a hat with the alternate version, which apparently had some clean-up. Color is fine, and the film is far cleaner than typical sub-licensed product. It's a pleasure.
One of the most requested M-G-M musicals finally makes it to Blu-ray is gorgeous form.
Image - 4.8 (nicked a bit for the main title)
Audio - 5 (DTS-HD MA 5.1)
Pass / Fail - Pass
Upgrade from DVD - Absolutely!
Very Highly Recommended
RAH
Add to that AnscoColor, early CinemaScope, and Stereo sound, and it spells major restoration and preservation costs, and headaches galore.
M-G-M's first foray into CinemaScope was in 1954, with seven productions, with 7B arriving mid-year.
One might surmise that had it not been for the 70mm re-issue, that all may have been well with the original negative, but that re-issue played havoc with the original elements.
Over sixty years later, the folks at the Warner Archive, checked their inventories, called in elements from multiple vaults, performed their requisite tests, and found that an early IP was the most promising candidate for the new 2k scan.
With color basically intact, and produced before the re-issue damage, their decision paid off.
Ansco didn't dupe particularly well, so dupe shots stand out a bit, and the main title sequence comes off as oversaturated, but once you hit production footage, it's clear sailing for the length of 102 minute production.
Grain is nominal, and attractive, color steady, and the audio tracks superb for the era.
Aspect ratio is properly 2.55:1.
I fully expected 7B47B to be a quality release, but my expectations for the flat version, at 1.75:1, were nil.
Once again, Warner Archive pulls a rabbit out of a hat with the alternate version, which apparently had some clean-up. Color is fine, and the film is far cleaner than typical sub-licensed product. It's a pleasure.
One of the most requested M-G-M musicals finally makes it to Blu-ray is gorgeous form.
Image - 4.8 (nicked a bit for the main title)
Audio - 5 (DTS-HD MA 5.1)
Pass / Fail - Pass
Upgrade from DVD - Absolutely!
Very Highly Recommended
RAH
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