- Joined
- Feb 8, 1999
- Messages
- 18,425
- Real Name
- Robert Harris
Classic Flix is becoming the go-to purveyor of early shorts with their second volume of the Our Gang comedies, re-titled Little Rascals via (as I recall) a change in ownership.
To get the elephant in the room out of the way, these seem to be digital restorations, which takes the films more than half way through the process of preservation. While they look lovely on the new Blu-ray, I have doubts that they've been recorded back to film. But that wouldn't (and shouldn't) be the responsibility of Classic Flix. It should be financed by the owner of the IP. I'm also not convinced that in all cases, the finest possible film elements were accessed, as that would necessitated an even high cost for CF. Again, not their fault. Considering all of the potential inherent problems in Classic Flix's path, this is a home run.
What we have here are eleven shots from 1930-31, that all else aside, look far better than they have in probably 75 years.
For those unfamiliar with the series, you'll find that while they creak a bit with age and early sound, they're still fun.
One of the kids is named Jackie Cooper, who joined the Our Gang team in 1929, leaving in 1931 to star as the child lead in Paramount's Skippy. The same year, he made The Champ with Wallace Beery at M-G-M. He was 9 years-old. He seemed to move around a bit, working for different studios and production entities. In 1940 he appeared in The Return of Frank James, as well as Life with Henry (as Henry Aldrich).
Years later, there was an adult actor, using the same name, who appeared as Perry White in the Superman films.
Unless one is fearful of black & white and early sound, this is a very worthwhile series, and kudos to Classic Flix for ponying up to make these films look great for Blu-ray.
Image – 4.5
Audio – 5
Pass / Fail – Pass
Upgrade from DVD - Absolutely!
Highly Recommended
RAH
To get the elephant in the room out of the way, these seem to be digital restorations, which takes the films more than half way through the process of preservation. While they look lovely on the new Blu-ray, I have doubts that they've been recorded back to film. But that wouldn't (and shouldn't) be the responsibility of Classic Flix. It should be financed by the owner of the IP. I'm also not convinced that in all cases, the finest possible film elements were accessed, as that would necessitated an even high cost for CF. Again, not their fault. Considering all of the potential inherent problems in Classic Flix's path, this is a home run.
What we have here are eleven shots from 1930-31, that all else aside, look far better than they have in probably 75 years.
For those unfamiliar with the series, you'll find that while they creak a bit with age and early sound, they're still fun.
One of the kids is named Jackie Cooper, who joined the Our Gang team in 1929, leaving in 1931 to star as the child lead in Paramount's Skippy. The same year, he made The Champ with Wallace Beery at M-G-M. He was 9 years-old. He seemed to move around a bit, working for different studios and production entities. In 1940 he appeared in The Return of Frank James, as well as Life with Henry (as Henry Aldrich).
Years later, there was an adult actor, using the same name, who appeared as Perry White in the Superman films.
Unless one is fearful of black & white and early sound, this is a very worthwhile series, and kudos to Classic Flix for ponying up to make these films look great for Blu-ray.
Image – 4.5
Audio – 5
Pass / Fail – Pass
Upgrade from DVD - Absolutely!
Highly Recommended
RAH
