Selznick's "The Garden of Allah" DVD Re-Release Coming 10/19/04 !!! (1 Viewer)

[Joe_Pinney]

I'm not sure this had been previously announced, but just by chance I happened across this listing for the 1936 David O. Selznick-produced early 3-Strip Technicolor smash hit The Garden of Allah on Amazon.com - it's getting a DVD re-release in October, this time by MGM Home Video!

 

[Walter Kittel]

This film features some truly gorgeous color cinematography. The subtle color graduations and pastels on display in this film are a sight to behold. Assuming the transfer is at least up to par with the out of print Anchor Bay release ( which I own ) then this DVD release is highly recommended for cinematography fans. I'm less enamored of the film's storyline, but the photography is pure eye candy.

- Walter.

 

[Drew Salzan]

Agreed. The tepid and mediocre narrative is more than compensated for by the lavish color photography (Ray Renahan?). Also, historically speaking, it's always a treat for me to watch early Technicolor photography.

What puzzles me is why this film has survived the years so well preserved, while others by the same studio like A STAR IS BORN and NOTHING SACRED have not? Anyone care to comment?

 

[Thomas T]

Drew, I would imagine that since both A Star Is Born and Nothing Sacred fell into the public domain, there was no incentive for the studio to preserve them while Garden Of Allah remained a copyrighted title.

 

[John Hodson]

Never a fan of 'big heads' but I love that cover art; I believe the current UK R2 is a straight port of the OOP Anchor Bay - I'm assuming this is also that same transfer?

 

[Drew Salzan]

How did some Selznick productions fall into public domain and others not? Strange.

 

[PaulP]

Thanks for the heads-up! I try to pay close attention to all announcements and frequent a lot of DVD sites, but missed this one somehow. And only $10. Great cover, yoo.