Announcement: Nicholas Ray's 'Johnny Guitar' and John Ford's 'Rio Grande' on DVD and Blu-ray from Ol (1 Viewer)

[Bob Furmanek]

During this period of transition (March 1953 - September 1956) every studio had their own house ratio, but even that was subject to change.
For example, Paramount starting composing for 1.66:1 in March and then changed to 1.85:1/2.00:1 in September.
Universal-International started with 1.85:1 in March, changed to 2.00:1 in June and then continued to suggest 1.85:1 for some black and white titles.
There were some who remained consistent: Columbia started with 1.85:1 in March and maintained that ratio. MGM was the same with 1.75:1.
But one thing is certain: anything photographed before March 1953 was composed and intended for 1.33:1.
When determining the correct aspect ratio, it's crucial that the dates of principal photography be determined. We've done that research and have a complete database on the first 3 1/2 years of widescreen cinematography.
Bob

 

[Jack Theakston]

Without having seen the film presented in WS, I can't make any definitive judgment calls, but my experience with other Republic titles from that period is that they're shot for 1.85, but of course protected (ie. keeping boom mics out, etc) for narrower ratios down to 1.37.
Universal and Paramount both ended up having the policy of shooting 2-1, the widest flat widescreen ratio, and protecting for all the ratios down. That way, no matter what a theater was running, there would be no compromise.
Of course, the only way to tell with any film is that it must be tested in the widest AR prescribed at the time and see if it works.

 

[Chuck Pennington]

I will not get excited until I've seen them. There is nothing about "mastered from an archival 35mm print" that gives me any hope whatsoever that these will be new transfers or, should they be, that they will be any good. Prints? Generations away from a negative? I will wait.

Paramount released a gorgeous DVD of JOHNNY GUITAR in Spain several years ago. It was miles ahead of the previous UK and German releases. Perhaps an HD version of that transfer will be used for the Blu-ray here.

 

[haineshisway]

I have that DVD and it is indeed miles ahead of any other. That doesn't mean that that transfer would necessarily be a wonderful thing for Blu-ray - as I said, I'll wait and see on these two. Of course, I'm hoping for the best.

 

[TheVid]

I really like that Spanish dvd of JOHNNY, and it came in a cool steelbook version, so I'm going to jump the gun and pre-order the Olive Films blu-ray hoping for the very best! I'm crazy about the movie, the Victor Young score and that Peggy Lee song!

 

[Matt Hough]

Johnny Guitar is one of my earliest movie memories. My mother took me on a Saturday afternoon (I'm sure she wanted to see it though I don't remember her ever mentioning any particular fondness for Joan Crawford), and I can only remember bits and pieces of what I was seeing: I do remember them coming through the waterfall at the end rather vividly.

So, getting a first class Blu-ray of this movie is very important to me.

 

[Richard--W]

I knew the late Bob Bradshaw on whose Sedona ranch JOHNNY GUITAR was filmed. He manned one of the firehoses on top of the rocks to create the waterfall. He had lots of stories to tell. The script is really weird for a western. What I enjoy most is the red rock scenery and the vibrant color.

 

[Bob Furmanek]

I should point out that Paramount, more than any other studio, was notorious for zooming in and manipulating during telecine. Case in point: the HD master of KNOCK ON WOOD currently on Netflix. You'd swear it's an Academy ratio film, but the Olive DVD is widescreen. I haven't seen it but it should be 1.66.
And the Paramount DVD of RED GARTERS, one of their first widescreen movies, is heavily zoomed in and marketed as the Full Screen Collection...

 

[ahollis]

During this period of transition (March 1953 - September 1956) every studio had their own house ratio, but even that was subject to change.
When determining the correct aspect ratio, it's crucial that the dates of principal photography be determined. We've done that research and have a complete database on the first 3 1/2 years of widescreen cinematography.
Bob

Is that database available anywhere?

 

[Bob Furmanek]

No, just here at the moment. But Jack and I have some plans brewing...

 

[Ruz-El]

I'll await a review.

 

[Brandon Conway]

Blu-ray.com review for Johnny Guitar

It's Academy Ratio when Bob's research suggests it should be 1.66:1. However, the review confirms it's basically a quality HD version of the R2 DVD, so the AR discrepancy may not be a deal breaker for many.

 

[Bob Furmanek]

Republic officially changed to widescreen cinematography in August, 1953.
JOHNNY GUITAR began filming mid-October.
Variety lists 1.66:1 as the ratio.
This transfer appears to be field-enlarged.

 

[David Weicker]

Blu-ray.com review for Johnny Guitar
It's Academy Ratio when Bob's research suggests it should be 1.66:1. However, the review confirms it's basically a quality HD version of the R2 DVD, so the AR discrepancy may not be a deal breaker for many.

Isn't it unusual to have a review copy so far in advance of the actual release? Has the HTF staff gotten their review copy yet?
David

 

[Matt Hough]

Originally Posted by Bob Furmanek /t/320663/announcement-nicholas-rays-johnny-guitar-and-john-fords-rio-grande-on-dvd-and-blu-ray-from-olive/30#post_3942863
Republic officially changed to widescreen cinematography in August, 1953.
JOHNNY GUITAR began filming mid-October.
Variety lists 1.66:1 as the ratio.
This transfer appears to be field-enlarged.

Grrrrr.........

 

[bgart13]

I dunno. Looks like there's extra headroom in the caps. But, I've never seen it, so...