OMG Just received this from Gershwin Estate 1959 Porgy and Bess! They want it restored! (1 Viewer)

[OliverK]

When I saw one of the remaining 70mm prints last year it was quite an experience even with the fading that comes with the territory, the sound quality also was quite impressive. It is one of the last remaining big 65mm productions that have not yet made it to Blu-ray. I want all of them and as to the quality of Porgy and Bess as a movie we definitely have seen lesser movies make it to Blu-ray already that most probably have less commercial appeal.

I am also not sure if that has been brought up but for a Blu-ray a scan of the 35mm IP should yield pretty good results as can be seen with a bunch of other movies. That would not be a restoration nor would it be the best possible quality but it can result in a rather nice Blu-ray quality as we have recently seen with The Hallelujah Trail.

 

[Robert Harris]

When I saw one of the remaining 70mm prints last year it was quite an experience even with the fading that comes with the territory, the sound quality also was quite impressive. It is one of the last remaining big 65mm productions that have not yet made it to Blu-ray. I want all of them and as to the quality of Porgy and Bess as a movie we definitely have seen lesser movies make it to Blu-ray already that most probably have less commercial appeal.

I am also not sure if that has been brought up but for a Blu-ray a scan of the 35mm IP should yield pretty good results as can be seen with a bunch of other movies. That would not be a restoration nor would it be the best possible quality but it can result in a rather nice Blu-ray quality as we have recently seen with The Hallelujah Trail.

Which 35 IP are you referencing?

 

[OliverK]

Which 35 IP are you referencing?

The one that was used to create 35mm prints.
I take it this may not be an option for Porgy and Bess?

 

[Robert Harris]

The one that was used to create 35mm prints.
I take it this may not be an option for Porgy and Bess?

35mm prints were struck by Technicolor from reduction matrices.

 

[RobertMG]

When I saw one of the remaining 70mm prints last year it was quite an experience even with the fading that comes with the territory, the sound quality also was quite impressive. It is one of the last remaining big 65mm productions that have not yet made it to Blu-ray. I want all of them and as to the quality of Porgy and Bess as a movie we definitely have seen lesser movies make it to Blu-ray already that most probably have less commercial appeal.

I am also not sure if that has been brought up but for a Blu-ray a scan of the 35mm IP should yield pretty good results as can be seen with a bunch of other movies. That would not be a restoration nor would it be the best possible quality but it can result in a rather nice Blu-ray quality as we have recently seen with The Hallelujah Trail.

The soundtrack recording which I heard last night in full thanks to Man W the uncool here is wonderful I really do not remember the film being about 12 the last time WPIX aired it --it deserves to be rediscovered and if handled right given the treatment it deserves as Goldwyn's last film then the fun would be to see different opinions based on people seeing it restored to premiere quality

 

[RobertMG]

35mm prints were struck by Technicolor from reduction matrices.

Would 35mm be cost effective compared to 65mm?

 

[OliverK]

35mm prints were struck by Technicolor from reduction matrices.

So that is not a good path to bring Porgy and Bess to home video, 65mm it is then.

 

[uncledougie]

You never know when the right bug will be put in the right ear with such things. Here’s hoping.

 

[RobertMG]

35mm prints were struck by Technicolor from reduction matrices.

Mr H the film was put on the national Registry to save film where would they get the print from for that what would the condition be?

 

[Robert Harris]

Mr H the film was put on the national Registry to save film where would they get the print from for that

I don't believe anyone discussed prints, but there are certainly copies out there.

Registry accepts all sorts of pre-print.

 

[RobertMG]

I don't believe anyone discussed prints, but there are certainly copies out there.

Registry accepts all sorts of pre-print.

Interesting the LOC has a digital that can be viewed there

 

[RobertMG]

I don't believe anyone discussed prints, but there are certainly copies out there.

Registry accepts all sorts of pre-print.

I don't believe anyone discussed prints, but there are certainly copies out there.

Registry accepts all sorts of pre-print.

Mr Harris reading a great older article with your work on Lawrence WOW 26 months on that and 14 on Spartacus how long would a job like Porgy and Bess take?

 

[Robert Harris]

Mr Harris reading a great older article with your work on Lawrence WOW 26 months on that and 14 on Spartacus how long would a job like Porgy and Bess take?

I don't believe this is an extremely problematic film. After scanning, probably 90 - 120 days - tops.

 

[RobertMG]

I don't believe this is an extremely problematic film. After scanning, probably 90 - 120 days - tops.

AMAZING! Hope anyone key to the film is reading this!

 

[Robert Harris]

AMAZING! Hope anyone key to the film is reading this!

Doubtful.

 

[mark brown]

It is really not a very good film is it ?

 

[RobertMG]

Doubtful.

Porgy and Bess wins Oscar

 

[RobertMG]

It is really not a very good film is it ?

many different opinions many have not seen it in 40 years except the few here who saw it in rare screenings very mixed reviews here too at the time NYT's raved about it - we need to see it pristine to give it a new look

 

[RobertMG]

It is really not a very good film is it ?

Think Preminger was the biggest mistake the original director should have been kept AMAZING that William Wyler offered to take over the film but needed time and Goldwyn did not want to wait === Wyler - who knows how great this could have been?

 

[RobertMG]

Think Preminger was the biggest mistake the original director should have been kept AMAZING that William Wyler offered to take over the film but needed time and Goldwyn did not want to wait === Wyler - who knows how great this could have been?

Some great pics