Press Release Warner Archive Collection Press Release: Rhapsody In Blue (1945) (Blu-ray) (1 Viewer)

[Ronald Epstein]

COMING TO BLU-RAY FROM THE WARNER ARCHIVE COLLECTION ON MAY 27th!
NEW 1080p HD Master from 4K Scan of original nitrate negative and nitrate lavender

RHAPSODY IN BLUE (1945) [EXTENDED PRE-RELEASE VERSION]
RUNNING TIME: 161 Minutes (includes Overture and newly-discovered footage)
B&W
BD-50
NOT RATED
Aspect Ratio 16x9 1.37:1 with side mattes
Audio DTS HD-MA 2.0 MONO
Subtitles: ENGLISH SDH

Cast: Robert Alda, Alexis Smith, Joan Leslie, Oscar Levant, Charles Coburn As themselves: Al Jolson, Paul Whiteman, Hazel Scott, Anne Brown, Tom Patricola
Robert Alda stars alongside musical greats Al Jolson, Paul Whiteman, and Oscar Levant in this lavish fictionalized biography of composer George Gershwin. The film traces Gershwin's rise from a "song plugger" for a Manhattan music publishing company to the heights of international fame and fortune. Gershwin's first big hit is "Swanee," introduced on Broadway by Al Jolson (playing himself). In collaboration with his lyricist brother, Ira (Herbert Rudley), George pens hit after hit in show after show. But George's kindly old music teacher wants his prize pupil to aspire to something more artistic. Gershwin responds with "Rhapsody in Blue," which debuts at Aeolian Hall in 1924 under the baton of bandleader Paul Whiteman (also playing himself). As his fame and workload grows, George finds he has no time at all for romance; the two ladies in his life both eventually realize that they'll always have to play second fiddle to Gershwin's muse. Warner Archive’s new Blu-ray disc restores over 12 minutes of footage to the film never before seen by the general public, and also includes the outstanding overture of Gershwin melodies which only accompanied the film during its New York and Hollywood premiere engagements.

 

[Ronald Epstein]

Thank you for supporting HTF when you preorder using the link below. As an Amazon Associate HTF earns from qualifying purchases. If you are using an adblocker you will not see link.

https://www.amazon.com/Rhapsody-in-...10-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

 

[ahollis]

Oh yes, this a pre-order.

 

[BobO'Link]

I thought my wallet was going to be safe again until I saw this listed...

 

[Charles Smith]

Sounds like a winner. "Fictionalized biography", absolutely, but with such superb Gershwin music by some of the great interpreters.

 

[Allansfirebird]

Sounds like a winner. "Fictionalized biography", absolutely, but with such superb Gershwin music by some of the great interpreters.

I blind-bought the prior WAC DVD over the holidays and was pleasantly surprised by how good it was.

Very excited to see the additional footage WB has managed to rediscover!

 

[Robin9]

I blind-bought the prior WAC DVD over the holidays and was pleasantly surprised by how good it was.

Very excited to see the additional footage WB has managed to rediscover!

Yes, that DVD-R has excellent picture quality. I'm very interested to see what a new scan of the nitrate negative will produce.

 

[Richard M S]

This is a definite must-buy. However I do wonder if the extra 12 minutes of footage consists of new or extended Gershwin musical numbers, or just more of the fictional exposition with Alan Alda. Or maybe a combination of both. Time will tell.

 

[Matt Hough]

This is a definite must-buy. However I do wonder if the extra 12 minutes of footage consists of new or extended Gershwin musical numbers, or just more of the fictional exposition with Alan Alda. Or maybe a combination of both. Time will tell.

I'm sure you meant Robert Alda (Alan's father).

 

[Richard M S]

I'm sure you meant Robert Alda (Alan's father).

Ha! Yes, Robert Alda!!

 

[darkrock17]

This is a definite must-buy. However I do wonder if the extra 12 minutes of footage consists of new or extended Gershwin musical numbers, or just more of the fictional exposition with Alan Alda. Or maybe a combination of both. Time will tell.

Alan Alda as Gershwin would be interesting, in between writing and composing An American In Paris; Gershwin does Groucho Marx.

 

[The-Cinema-Upstairs]

Yes, that DVD-R has excellent picture quality. I'm very interested to see what a new scan of the nitrate negative will produce.

Should look awesome! Been a bit since I watched my DVD but I seem to remember how great the audio sounded for the incredible Overture yet it reduced in quality significantly for the feature. Its gonna be a whole new experience watching this with restored audio throughout! We're really in for a treat with this release, guys!!

 

[richardburton84]

This is a definite must-buy. However I do wonder if the extra 12 minutes of footage consists of new or extended Gershwin musical numbers, or just more of the fictional exposition with Alan Alda. Or maybe a combination of both. Time will tell.

Ray Faiola wrote this about the new release over at Nitrateville, with a hint of what to expect in the new footage:

This has been in the works for years and it's so great that it is finally coming to fruition. Look for more "Blue Monday" and "Porgy and Bess".

Rhapsody in Blue Roadshow Version on Blu-ray - NitrateVille.com

 

[Ronald Epstein]

Thank you for supporting HTF when you preorder using the link below. As an Amazon Associate HTF earns from qualifying purchases. If you are using an adblocker you will not see link.

Amazon.com

 

[PaulaJ]

I saw this restoration at the TCM festival this past weekend and you all are in for treat. Beautiful!