Bill Burns
Supporting Actor
- Joined
- May 13, 2003
- Messages
- 747
While we have a few threads here for classic title recommendations, I thought I'd offer three Warner Bros. film titles (and a bonus suggestion 
) already out on DVD that would most benefit, I feel, from a digital restoration and subsequent re-release to DVD in a 2-disc SE, in keeping with recent Warner Bros. efforts such as Singin' in the Rain and Casablanca. For the two Three-Strip titles in this list, Warner's "Ultra Resolution" process would be very suitable, and their long-standing partnership with LDI could offer great benefits to all of these titles (assuming info provided by members here is correct, and LDI is not already involved in/associated with the UR process itself):
1. Stagecoach. This film is in grave need of restoration if the current DVD is representative of surviving elements. It's also one of the greatest of the John Ford westerns. Once restored, perhaps through the digital work of Lowry Digital Images, the film would lend itself beautifully to multiple commentaries, biographies/documentaries on John Ford, John Wayne, and perhaps the magnificent Claire Trevor, and various other supplements.
2. Show Boat (1951). This grand George Sidney picture looks simply awful on DVD, with often terrible registration and color timing/reproduction. UR registration and further digital restoration by LDI might do wonders for these elements, and the film itself is a terrific candidate for the 2-disc treatment, with bios/docs on Howard Keel, George Sidney, and others. If it would be possible to include one of the earlier Show Boat films in its entirety on a second (or perhaps third) disc, the release would be one to truly cherish (the '29 and '36 were both Universal, I believe, but MGM is listed on the IMDB as holding home video rights to the latter; if securing rights for either of these is possible -- did TCM restore the first to some extent, as suggested by posts on the IMDB? -- one or both would make priceless additions to the '51; a set of all three, restored and with supplements, could stand as a new benchmark for classics on disc).
3. On the Town. While this looks all right (passable) in its current form, it's one of the most enjoyable musicals ever made, and a newly restored edition would be very welcome.
Bonus:
4. Brigadoon; while not a 3-Strip film, this lovely musical is one of the best out there, and would make for a fine 2-disc SE. The current disc is widescreen but 4x3 formatted, the framing may be a bit off according to a few reports (the CinemaScope version of the film should be transferred at its full 2.55:1), and the alternate flat 35mm version mentioned on the IMDB is not included. Both versions should be offered in the same release, but not on the same disc, with the widescreen edition of course properly framed and 16x9 formatted, documentaries on the stars and filmmakers could be included, discussion of the adaptation from stage to screen (something that would be welcome for all of the musicals thusfar mentioned), scholar commentaries, etc. (Rudy Behlmer's commentaries are excellent and always appreciated).
Those are my top four. I might chime in with others later, but these are at the top of my list. A strong, multiple-version edition of #4 might also send a great signal to a competing studio who has yet to do proper justice to their R&H musicals. But the focus here is WB, and the above titles (including Stagecoach, of course, not just musicals -- there's a reason that's #1!) would enrich the format immeasurably if re-issued as SEs. WB, whatever quantity of their digital work is in-house and whatever quantity farmed out to LDI, has lead the way in offering beautifully, digitally restored motion pictures on DVD (The Adventures of Robin Hood, Casablanca: SE, Singin' in the Rain: SE, and one disc wonders such as Them! ... just a few examples of many), and I hope to see them continue that into 2004 and beyond (when rumors persist we may see elaborate SEs of Gone With the Wind, King Kong, and other favorites). In the glow of well-earned praise new offerings will continue to bring, I hope the above four, already out on disc but in much need of remastering, will not be forgotten.
If anyone would like to offer further recommendations, by all means chime in.
) already out on DVD that would most benefit, I feel, from a digital restoration and subsequent re-release to DVD in a 2-disc SE, in keeping with recent Warner Bros. efforts such as Singin' in the Rain and Casablanca. For the two Three-Strip titles in this list, Warner's "Ultra Resolution" process would be very suitable, and their long-standing partnership with LDI could offer great benefits to all of these titles (assuming info provided by members here is correct, and LDI is not already involved in/associated with the UR process itself):1. Stagecoach. This film is in grave need of restoration if the current DVD is representative of surviving elements. It's also one of the greatest of the John Ford westerns. Once restored, perhaps through the digital work of Lowry Digital Images, the film would lend itself beautifully to multiple commentaries, biographies/documentaries on John Ford, John Wayne, and perhaps the magnificent Claire Trevor, and various other supplements.
2. Show Boat (1951). This grand George Sidney picture looks simply awful on DVD, with often terrible registration and color timing/reproduction. UR registration and further digital restoration by LDI might do wonders for these elements, and the film itself is a terrific candidate for the 2-disc treatment, with bios/docs on Howard Keel, George Sidney, and others. If it would be possible to include one of the earlier Show Boat films in its entirety on a second (or perhaps third) disc, the release would be one to truly cherish (the '29 and '36 were both Universal, I believe, but MGM is listed on the IMDB as holding home video rights to the latter; if securing rights for either of these is possible -- did TCM restore the first to some extent, as suggested by posts on the IMDB? -- one or both would make priceless additions to the '51; a set of all three, restored and with supplements, could stand as a new benchmark for classics on disc).
3. On the Town. While this looks all right (passable) in its current form, it's one of the most enjoyable musicals ever made, and a newly restored edition would be very welcome.
Bonus:
4. Brigadoon; while not a 3-Strip film, this lovely musical is one of the best out there, and would make for a fine 2-disc SE. The current disc is widescreen but 4x3 formatted, the framing may be a bit off according to a few reports (the CinemaScope version of the film should be transferred at its full 2.55:1), and the alternate flat 35mm version mentioned on the IMDB is not included. Both versions should be offered in the same release, but not on the same disc, with the widescreen edition of course properly framed and 16x9 formatted, documentaries on the stars and filmmakers could be included, discussion of the adaptation from stage to screen (something that would be welcome for all of the musicals thusfar mentioned), scholar commentaries, etc. (Rudy Behlmer's commentaries are excellent and always appreciated).
Those are my top four. I might chime in with others later, but these are at the top of my list. A strong, multiple-version edition of #4 might also send a great signal to a competing studio who has yet to do proper justice to their R&H musicals
. But the focus here is WB, and the above titles (including Stagecoach, of course, not just musicals -- there's a reason that's #1!) would enrich the format immeasurably if re-issued as SEs. WB, whatever quantity of their digital work is in-house and whatever quantity farmed out to LDI, has lead the way in offering beautifully, digitally restored motion pictures on DVD (The Adventures of Robin Hood, Casablanca: SE, Singin' in the Rain: SE, and one disc wonders such as Them! ... just a few examples of many), and I hope to see them continue that into 2004 and beyond (when rumors persist we may see elaborate SEs of Gone With the Wind, King Kong, and other favorites). In the glow of well-earned praise new offerings will continue to bring, I hope the above four, already out on disc but in much need of remastering, will not be forgotten.If anyone would like to offer further recommendations, by all means chime in.
