- Joined
- Jul 3, 1997
- Messages
- 66,693
- Real Name
- Ronald Epstein
Really, we can talk about this until we are
blue in the face. Obviously MGM isn't going
to budge and pony up the dough to restore this
film.
If this film belonged to Fox or Warner Home
Video, you can bet that those studio would have
done the necessary restoration.
Every studio holds a few "Holy Grail" films
that remain the pride and joy of that studio.
In most cases, the studios recognize the value
of these films and do whatever is necessary to
save them, often ponying up big money for full
restoration.
We can all list titles that Fox, Warner and
Columbia have painfully restored for DVD release.
Is Mad Mad Mad Mad World a "Holy Grail"
film for MGM? You bet it is! This film features
the largest assortment of comics from Hollywood's
golden age. It may not be the funniest film ever
made, but it is without question the greatest
comedy ever assembled.
What film at MGM holds even higher status? How
about West Side Story. Well, folks, MGM
didn't pony up any money to restore that film.
The recently released Special Edition boxed set
is the same transfer. If what I hear is correct,
West Side Story is also a film in danger
of being lost forever because nobody wants to pay
for a restoration.
I'm not pointing the finger at all the folks
at MGM Home Video. From what I hear, many of
them want the films restored. Decisions tend
to go higher up than that, and obviously all of
them are based on financial reasons.
Still, we are faced with losing Mad World
and West Side Story forever if the studio
doesn't recognize the value of the artwork it
has in its vault.
blue in the face. Obviously MGM isn't going
to budge and pony up the dough to restore this
film.
If this film belonged to Fox or Warner Home
Video, you can bet that those studio would have
done the necessary restoration.
Every studio holds a few "Holy Grail" films
that remain the pride and joy of that studio.
In most cases, the studios recognize the value
of these films and do whatever is necessary to
save them, often ponying up big money for full
restoration.
We can all list titles that Fox, Warner and
Columbia have painfully restored for DVD release.
Is Mad Mad Mad Mad World a "Holy Grail"
film for MGM? You bet it is! This film features
the largest assortment of comics from Hollywood's
golden age. It may not be the funniest film ever
made, but it is without question the greatest
comedy ever assembled.
What film at MGM holds even higher status? How
about West Side Story. Well, folks, MGM
didn't pony up any money to restore that film.
The recently released Special Edition boxed set
is the same transfer. If what I hear is correct,
West Side Story is also a film in danger
of being lost forever because nobody wants to pay
for a restoration.
I'm not pointing the finger at all the folks
at MGM Home Video. From what I hear, many of
them want the films restored. Decisions tend
to go higher up than that, and obviously all of
them are based on financial reasons.
Still, we are faced with losing Mad World
and West Side Story forever if the studio
doesn't recognize the value of the artwork it
has in its vault.