Reviews and the new DVDs

Doug Sulpy <dsulpy RemoveThis @optonline.net> wrote in
news:020720030939226019%dsulpy@optonline.net:

> Of course, the '25 "Gold Rush" is another story...
>
> Doug

I was planning on buying the new Warner Gold Rush release specifically for
the 1925 version. But, as described in an earlier post, I recently found
the original 1925 version on the Front Row Entertainment DVD (for $3.99).
Yes, yes, I know the quality will be so much better on the new Warner
release, but I guess I just don't care very much & as long as the version I
have looks half way decent (which it does, and in a way, it looks like I'm
watching an actual film with all the scratches whizzing by:-), plus, I
always have the Image 1942 release if I'm in the mood for a good quality
print.

JV
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"Joseph Vitale" <jvital1.TakeThisOut@uic.edu> wrote in message
news:LHJMa.89209$R73.10677@sccrnsc04...
>
> I was planning on buying the new Warner Gold Rush release specifically for
> the 1925 version. But, as described in an earlier post, I recently found
> the original 1925 version on the Front Row Entertainment DVD (for $3.99).
> Yes, yes, I know the quality will be so much better on the new Warner
> release, but I guess I just don't care very much & as long as the version
I
> have looks half way decent (which it does, and in a way, it looks like I'm
> watching an actual film with all the scratches whizzing by:-)

Does the "Front Row" version have the scenes with the note that Georgia
gives to Jack? I've never seen that sequence before on a silent version of
"Gold Rush" anywhere else but on the new MK2 dvd. The '25 version of "The
Gold Rush" on the new release has scratches on the screen, and it looks like
an "actual film". It's just that it has less scratches than any other print
I've seen, and the screen is not cropped like most lesser quality releases.
A suggested retail price of nearly $30 doesn't necessarily mean that's what
you'll have to pay if you shop around, but considering your alternative of
$4, I suppose it's how much you value quality that dictates your purchase.

Frodis
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"Doug Sulpy" <dsulpy DeleteThis @optonline.net> wrote in message
news:020720030939226019%dsulpy@optonline.net...
> I suspect none of these reviewers actually knows anything about Chaplin
> (or cares), but are simply re-writing the press releases that came with
> their free copies of the new DVDs.
>
> How else to explain really ignorant statements like the one Bruce
> Calvert posted talking about "the DVD debut...." and comments elsewhere
> that the films haven't been available for years? Right. Maybe if you
> life in Antarctica.
>
> That said, how many of you are going out and buying these things? I've
> got to confess I jumped on board early and bought the French "Dictator"
> disc - but the prospect of seeing those color outtakes and the
> documentary was irresistible. However, I find myself not particularly
> inclined to buy the new sets, considering I have perfectly good looking
> copies of the films sitting on my shelf already. Will the new discs
> look better? Most assuredly. Is "Limelight" looking X% better worth
> another $25.00? I realize that over the years I've bought the
> videotape, laserdisc, and DVD of "Limelight" - It's a great film, don't
> get me wrong, but I've already paid about $60.00 per viewing to watch
> it! Ouch!
>
> Of course, the '25 "Gold Rush" is another story...

I'm with you, Doug. Right now, I'm only planning to buy the Gold Rush to
get the previously unreleased restored '25 version. Remember David
Shepard's reminder, some of these new releases are going to be the old
stretch-printed jobs that run at the wrong speed. I'm sure the new DVD's
images will be somewhat better, but unless they were digitally restored, I
seriously doubt they will look $25 worth of better.

Derek Gee
 >> Stay informed about: Reviews and the new DVDs 

Derek Gee wrote...

> I'm with you, Doug. Right now, I'm only planning to buy the Gold Rush to
> get the previously unreleased restored '25 version.


Me too. "The Gold Rush" is the only one I've bought.

I doubt that these new DVDs won't sell anywhere near as well as the
family and the media seem to expect. People that aren't into Chaplin
won't bother with them, and those of us who DO love Chaplin have
already got these films on DVD... except for the silent "Gold Rush."



--Shush--
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My set of discs arrived today and I've only had a chance to spot check them,
but what I've seen looks terrific.
The LIMELIGHT discs feature about 16 minutes Chaplin family Kodachrome home
movies (from 1950 in LA and 1959 on vacation in Europe).
It also features the complete 59 minute musical score.
All four films look better than I've ever seen them.

Richard Carnahan
 >> Stay informed about: Reviews and the new DVDs 

"Frodis" <antifrodis DeleteThis @antifrodis.com> wrote in
news:giqdnVAFwoBqEp6iXTWJjg@comcast.com:

> Does the "Front Row" version have the scenes with the note that
> Georgia gives to Jack?


I don't think so.

JV
 >> Stay informed about: Reviews and the new DVDs 

I was surprised to see the Warner set at Costco today, for 59.99. If I'd
known and waited, I could have saved 10.00 from my online purchase price. I
wonder if Tuesday's release of the 7dvd set of Essaney and Mutual films will
also be sold through Costco?

Limelight is beautiful, the first one I'm viewing from the new set. These
titles have a tremendous amount of supplemental material that would
practically merit the purchase by itself, even if the 4 feature films were
not included.

I hope good sales numbers encourage mainstream outlets like Costco.
 >> Stay informed about: Reviews and the new DVDs 

>From: "flatheadmt"

>
>I was surprised to see the Warner set at Costco today, for 59.99. If I'd
>known and waited, I could have saved 10.00 from my online purchase price. I
>wonder if Tuesday's release of the 7dvd set of Essaney and Mutual films will
>also be sold through Costco?

I've never seen an Image title at Costco. That's the great thing about
having Warners handling the films this time around.

Richard Carnahan
 >> Stay informed about: Reviews and the new DVDs 

"Derek Gee" <dgeeSPAMSUCKS DeleteThis @INVALID.twmi.rr.com> wrote in message news:<lcMMa.146643$BA.49511984@twister.columbus.rr.com>...


> Remember David
> Shepard's reminder, some of these new releases are going to be the old
> stretch-printed jobs that run at the wrong speed.
>
> Derek Gee

Minor speed quibbles aside, could you please clarify the accuracy of
this? I'm not particularly concerned about whether these might be run
i.e. at 20.5 fps instead of 21, but it would make a difference if
every third frame is repeated. What's the real deal?

Thanks,
DT
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"David Totheroh" <dtotheroh DeleteThis @aol.com> wrote in message
news:31dd3eaa.0307070609.6ba0ea23@posting.google.com...
> "Derek Gee" <dgeeSPAMSUCKS DeleteThis @INVALID.twmi.rr.com> wrote in message
news:<lcMMa.146643$BA.49511984@twister.columbus.rr.com>...
>
>
> > Remember David
> > Shepard's reminder, some of these new releases are going to be the old
> > stretch-printed jobs that run at the wrong speed.
> >
> > Derek Gee
>
> Minor speed quibbles aside, could you please clarify the accuracy of
> this? I'm not particularly concerned about whether these might be run
> i.e. at 20.5 fps instead of 21, but it would make a difference if
> every third frame is repeated. What's the real deal?
>
> Thanks,
> DT

You can verify the accuracy yourself. Do a Google search for groups -
alt.movies.chaplin, and there you will find David Shepard's post explaining
the Chaplin Estates new policy toward the films. Mr. Shepard detailed the
changes to each film.

Derek Gee
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"Derek Gee" <dgeeSPAMSUCKS DeleteThis @INVALID.twmi.rr.com> wrote in message news:<DUrOa.148561$BA.51003556@twister.columbus.rr.com>...
> "David Totheroh" <dtotheroh DeleteThis @aol.com> wrote in message
> news:31dd3eaa.0307070609.6ba0ea23@posting.google.com...
> > "Derek Gee" <dgeeSPAMSUCKS DeleteThis @INVALID.twmi.rr.com> wrote in message
> news:<lcMMa.146643$BA.49511984@twister.columbus.rr.com>...
> >
> >
> > > Remember David
> > > Shepard's reminder, some of these new releases are going to be the old
> > > stretch-printed jobs that run at the wrong speed.
> > >
> > > Derek Gee
> >
> > Minor speed quibbles aside, could you please clarify the accuracy of
> > this? I'm not particularly concerned about whether these might be run
> > i.e. at 20.5 fps instead of 21, but it would make a difference if
> > every third frame is repeated. What's the real deal?
> >
> > Thanks,
> > DT
>
> You can verify the accuracy yourself. Do a Google search for groups -
> alt.movies.chaplin, and there you will find David Shepard's post explaining
> the Chaplin Estates new policy toward the films. Mr. Shepard detailed the
> changes to each film.
>
> Derek Gee

I've done the search. I don't find it, that's why I asked if David
might clarify. Perhaps you can point me to the post that states the
Estate will only release versions of the FNs that are stretch printed.
 >> Stay informed about: Reviews and the new DVDs 

Here's what David S. wrote in 2001:

From: DShepFilm (dshepfilm@aol.com)
Subject: Long versions of Chaplin films to be withdrawn
Newsgroups: alt.movies.silent
View complete thread
Date: 2001-07-23 21:45:21 PST



Since 1992, the laserdisc and DVD editions of all Charles Chaplin's
films controlled by the filmmaker's family have been as close as
possible to the original editions (although "The Gold Rush" has been
available only in Chaplin's 1941 [released 1942] narrated version).

According to an article in the British fanzine "Chaplin Courier,"
after the rights move over to MK2 films for twelve years beginning
January 1, 2002, the films will be available only in the final
versions with the cuts and alterations made by Chaplin between the
1930s and 1970s. Kate Guyonvarch of Association Chaplin said
"Whatever Chaplin fans or cinephiles might have to say about the
changes/cuts Chaplin made late in life, HE made them, so he wanted
them. We must and do respect that."

The present USA DVD editions are scheduled to be withdrawn in
approximately two months, although possibly some retailers may be
remaindering copies until the end of the year.

These are the films which will be affected by the new policy:

A DOG'S LIFE, SHOULDER ARMS, THE PILGRIM. Running speeds will change
("The Chaplin Revue" contains considerable stretch printing) and
scenes will be eliminated.

SUNNYSIDE, A DAY'S PLEASURE, THE IDLE CLASS, PAY DAY Running speeds
will change. Some will be faster, some slower.

THE KID Scenes will be eliminated, running speed will change.

A WOMAN OF PARIS Scenes will be eliminated, running speed will
change.

THE GOLD RUSH Aperture (cropping) will change.

THE CIRCUS (New credit sequence with song will be moved back to head
of
picture).

CITY LIGHTS will be accompanied only by 1931 sound track.

MODERN TIMES Scene [final verse of nonsense song] will be eliminated.

LIMELIGHT Scene [Calvero borrowing money from armless man] will be
eliminated.

A KING IN NEW YORK Approximately 30 small bits will be eliminated.

I do not know what will happen with the extras on these editions or
what extras will be added to the new editions of Chaplin's final cut
versions.

Those who wish to own these films in the longer versions presently
available and those who wish to own them in Chaplin's final cut
versions will want to be guided accordingly.

David Shepard





On 8 Jul 2003 08:06:56 -0700, dtotheroh RemoveThis @aol.com (David Totheroh)
wrote:

>"Derek Gee" <dgeeSPAMSUCKS RemoveThis @INVALID.twmi.rr.com> wrote in message news:<DUrOa.148561$BA.51003556@twister.columbus.rr.com>...
>> "David Totheroh" <dtotheroh RemoveThis @aol.com> wrote in message
>> news:31dd3eaa.0307070609.6ba0ea23@posting.google.com...
>> > "Derek Gee" <dgeeSPAMSUCKS RemoveThis @INVALID.twmi.rr.com> wrote in message
>> news:<lcMMa.146643$BA.49511984@twister.columbus.rr.com>...
>> >
>> >
>> > > Remember David
>> > > Shepard's reminder, some of these new releases are going to be the old
>> > > stretch-printed jobs that run at the wrong speed.
>> > >
>> > > Derek Gee
>> >
>> > Minor speed quibbles aside, could you please clarify the accuracy of
>> > this? I'm not particularly concerned about whether these might be run
>> > i.e. at 20.5 fps instead of 21, but it would make a difference if
>> > every third frame is repeated. What's the real deal?
>> >
>> > Thanks,
>> > DT
>>
>> You can verify the accuracy yourself. Do a Google search for groups -
>> alt.movies.chaplin, and there you will find David Shepard's post explaining
>> the Chaplin Estates new policy toward the films. Mr. Shepard detailed the
>> changes to each film.
>>
>> Derek Gee
>
>I've done the search. I don't find it, that's why I asked if David
>might clarify. Perhaps you can point me to the post that states the
>Estate will only release versions of the FNs that are stretch printed.
 >> Stay informed about: Reviews and the new DVDs 

fromthefifties <> wrote in message news:<qe3mgv068ngfogcdditkh8m088mfqfqh3p RemoveThis @4ax.com>...
> Here's what David S. wrote in 2001:
>
>
> THE GOLD RUSH Aperture (cropping) will change.
>

Hi All:
We've watched the original version of TGR a few times since the dvd's
came out, but today we popped in the '42 release to compare quality.
The cropping is horrible. It looks like the old vhs copies. The Image
dvd's and laser discs are "window-boxed". Very obvious, for example,
when CC comes across Jim Sourdough's grave.
Modern Times is also cropped around the edges, though the print is
amazing.
I'm stymied by the family's decisions. Do they really think that
Charlie would prefer having a quarter of the aforementioned grave
marker off the picture? I don't think so...
Another question is the speed variation. The times we've noticed, it
seems to be running just a touch faster than the Image releases.
I doubt if we'll re-buy The Kid, The Circus, City Lights, The First
Nationals, etc unless they have some incredible goodies attached.

Another question I have...
In the 1925 Gold Rush, there are quite a few scenes that use different
takes than the 1942. One big example... Charlie does not baste the
shoe in the '25. But the take used in the '42 has him indicating 2
more minutes of cooking time and then basting the boot. It's much
funnier in the '42 version. The question remains, though... To Baste
Or Not To Baste? Knowing Kevin Brownlow's work, I'm sure the research
was painstaking, but how did the restoration team know which take is
the correct one? Given a choice, my vote would be "Baste!!"
Rick Deerfield
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