Blu-ray Review A Few Words About A few words about...™ - The Craving (1918)-- in Blu-ray (1 Viewer)

[Robert Harris]

For those who may be unaware, I'm a huge fan of the silent cinema. From the acknowledged classics to the unknown, I'm willing to experience and delight in watching an art form come to life.

Ben Model, travels the universe, illuminating audiences to the wonders of pre-sound cinema - playing piano in support of classics, and doing his stand up, explaining the history of the medium and the music that went along with it. I've been to a few of his appearances, and audiences love him. If he's every in your area, go see him perform.

Whenever Mr. Model comes up with a new Blu-ray, whether financially supported by the public or self-financed, I always find something new to appreciate, as he usually picks subjects that cry out of coverage.

So it is with Francis Ford's The Craving, a 1918 special effects laden drama, with Mr. Ford in the lead. His younger brother, Jack, was assistant director, although he's directed a few film previously.

He went on to make westerns, some of which survive.

I was concerned about quality with this release, as there just aren't great film elements out there, and the source of this restoration has a number of problems built in, especially the stuttering of a printer that was probably not running properly.

With that aside and the normal number of splices that one might expect to find, the data has been nicely handled.

Going along with The Craving are three short films, When the Tables Turned (1911), with Edith Story and Mr. Ford in the leads, directed by William Haddock, The Post Telegrapher (1912), a Bison production, again featuring Mr. Ford, directed by Ford and Thomas Ince. and Unmasked (1917) directed by Ford and Grace Cunard (the serial queen), and starring Mr. Ford.

There's also a short doc on Mr. Ford, the elder.

I'd like be crass and ask you to purchase to support the work of Mr. Model, even if you have only minor interest in silents or their history, but I won't do that.

The scores by Mr. Model are delightful, and work nicely with the imagery.

Image

Forensic - n/a

NSD - n/a

Audio – n/a

Pass / Fail – Pass

Plays nicely with projectors - Yes

Worth your attention - 7.5

Slipcover rating - n/a

Recommended

RAH


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https://www.amazon.com/Craving-Rest...refix=the+craving+blu-ray,aps,85&sr=8-1-fkmr0

 

[Stephen_J_H]

Mr. Model is also a frequent guest on the Nitrateville Radio podcast, which covers tons of silent and early sound films and the Herculean efforts to preserve them. https://www.nitrateville.com

 

[SD_Brian]

Surprisingly low price (for a new "boutique" release): $18.30 on Amazon. Sold!

 

[dana martin]

His younger brother, Jack, was assistant director, although he's directed a few film previously.

He went on to make westerns, some of which survive.

I was concerned about quality with this release, as there just aren't great film elements out there, and the source of this restoration has a number of problems built in, especially the stuttering of a printer that was probably not running properly.

With that aside and the normal number of splices that one might expect to find, the data has been nicely handled.

Going along with The Craving are three short films, When the Tables Turned (1911), with Edith Story and Mr. Ford in the leads, directed by William Haddock, The Post Telegrapher (1912), a Bison production, again featuring Mr. Ford, directed by Ford and Thomas Ince. and Unmasked (1917) directed by Ford and Grace Cunard (the serial queen), and starring Mr. Ford.

There's also a short doc on Mr. Ford, the elder.

I'd like be crass and ask you to purchase to support the work of Mr. Model, even if you have only minor interest in silents or their history, but I won't do that.

The scores by Mr. Model are delightful, and work nicely with the imagery.

Image

Forensic - n/a

NSD - n/a

Audio – n/a

Pass / Fail – Pass

Plays nicely with projectors - Yes

Worth your attention - 7.5

Slipcover rating - n/a

Recommended

RAH

For those who may be unaware, I'm a huge fan of the silent cinema. From the acknowledged classics to the unknown, I'm willing to experience and delight in watching an art form come to life.

Ben Model, travels the universe, illuminating audiences to the wonders of pre-sound cinema - playing piano in support of classics, and doing his stand up, explaining the history of the medium and the music that went along with it. I've been to a few of his appearances, and audiences love him. If he's every in your area, go see him perform.

Whenever Mr. Model comes up with a new Blu-ray, whether financially supported by the public or self-financed, I always find something new to appreciate, as he usually picks subjects that cry out of coverage.

So it is with Francis Ford's The Craving, a 1918 special effects laden drama, with Mr. Ford in the lead. His younger brother, Jack, was assistant director, although he's directed a few film previously.

He went on to make westerns, some of which survive.

I was concerned about quality with this release, as there just aren't great film elements out there, and the source of this restoration has a number of problems built in, especially the stuttering of a printer that was probably not running properly.

With that aside and the normal number of splices that one might expect to find, the data has been nicely handled.

Going along with The Craving are three short films, When the Tables Turned (1911), with Edith Story and Mr. Ford in the leads, directed by William Haddock, The Post Telegrapher (1912), a Bison production, again featuring Mr. Ford, directed by Ford and Thomas Ince. and Unmasked (1917) directed by Ford and Grace Cunard (the serial queen), and starring Mr. Ford.

There's also a short doc on Mr. Ford, the elder.

I'd like be crass and ask you to purchase to support the work of Mr. Model, even if you have only minor interest in silents or their history, but I won't do that.

The scores by Mr. Model are delightful, and work nicely with the imagery.

Image

Forensic - n/a

NSD - n/a

Audio – n/a

Pass / Fail – Pass

Plays nicely with projectors - Yes

Worth your attention - 7.5

Slipcover rating - n/a

Recommended

RAH

Another silent recommendation, that will be an addition, Ben does the work that anyone interested in film history should be paying attention to. 1888- 1929 and how many of these fragments even exist, so much lost history, relish what we can get, it's a capsule of the beginning of an industry, that since has changed the way people view the world.

Also as a side note, I heard tale that "that" Ford guy, was pretty good at making more than just Westerns, and that some of those survive as well.

 

[jim_falconer]

I'd like be crass and ask you to purchase to support the work of Mr. Model, even if you have only minor interest in silents or their history, but I won't do that.

Ask away, I (and I’m sure many other on here) will be happy to purchase this

 

[Charles Smith]

Yes indeed. Sold.

 

[B-ROLL]

Also as a side note, I heard tale that "that" Ford guy, was pretty good at making more than just Westerns, and that some of those survive as well.

I've heard he has a cameo in The Fabelmans ... ...

 

[Robert Harris]

With his Hollywood career seemingly over by 1941, he was able to only find work in the documentary field, beginning with Sex Hygiene (1942). I cannot recommend viewing.

Fortunately, several years later, he was able to find work in the hospitality industry with the Arizona Board of Tourism.

 

[bujaki]

Sex Hygiene is a hoot of a horror show meant to keep our boys pure while in the service.
I'm sure it didn't work as intended.

 

[Tony Bensley]

Sex Hygiene is a hoot of a horror show meant to keep our boys pure while in the service.
I'm sure it didn't work as intended.

This sounds like something I may have once viewed on TCM.

 

[Robert Harris]

This sounds like something I may have once viewed on TCM.

Doubtful.