gagman66
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Posts posted by gagman66
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Wow! Check out this link. Sounds like a wonderful event. The Colleen Moore Blockbuster LILAC TIME (First National, 1928) with Gary Cooper has a special 80th Annivesary screening on Sunday, November 23rd, 2008 at 2:30 p.m.
http://www.silentfilmchicago.com/SFSCevents.htm
I wonder who is providing the print though and if it Is it 35 Millimeter? It doesn't say in this write-up? LILAC TIME is not Public-Domain, and Warner's still owns this movie. I would love to be able to see the film in a complete and quality 35 millimeter presentation! I have been calling for a complete restoration of this picture for years. My understanding is that there was quite a bit more of the Ariel footage in the European release. Yet for years, and years only mediocre truncated 16 Millimeter dupes have been accessible to the public.
I have been trying to find out if the synchronized scoring track still survives? As LILAC TIME was not released before the Warner Brothers merger in 1928, it used a different audio process than Vita-phone, but it did have a recorded track, and of course boasted the haunting popular standard "JEANNINE I DREAM OF LILAC TIME".
While I am excited about the completed restoration of HER WILD OAT (1927) which I haven't seen yet, and hope and pray that they will get to both SYNTHETIC SIN (1928), and WHY BE GOOD? (1929) as soon as possible. LILAC TIME deserves just as much consideration. As does IRENE (1926), since the 2-Strip Technicolor footage still survives! Who wouldn't want to see Colleen Moore's extraordinary dual-color eyes in Technicolor? How amazing would that be?
Let's hope and pray that they do indeed get to WHY BE GOOD?, and SYNTHETIC SIN as soon as possible! Both are still listed as Nitrate only at UCLA! The project has already been put off for Two years. It was first reported in late 2006. The longer Warner's sits around twiddling their thumbs, the chances are that these recently recovered prints could still be lost. They have not been transferred to Safety-stock. nosound just checked on this two weeks ago.
As I understand, all but a reel of sound disc's to SYNTHETIC SIN survives. WHY BE GOOD? though is in-tact. Purportedly Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks Orchestra were to re-create the missing portion of the SYNTHETIC SIN score.
Meantime Colleen Moore' HER WILD OAT (1927) is fully restored, and with any luck will pop up on TCM pretty soon. They still need to record a score. I asked Rodney Sauer about this, and He said that He and Mont Alto would be delighted to be able to score HER WILD OAT, or Marion Davies THE FAIR CO-ED. So far they have not been approached though.
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Karin,
Wow, thanks for the fantastic still from LILAC TIME! Colleen's leading man in WHY BE GOOD?, was Neil Hamilton. In SYNTHETIC SIN it was Antonio Mereno. I have no idea who the guy in the poster is? I can try to find out for you. I don't think that it is Norman Kerry?
Let's hope and pray that they do indeed get to WHY BE GOOD?, and SYNTHETIC SIN as soon as possible! Both are still listed as Nitrate only at UCLA! The project has already been put off for Two years. It was first reported in late 2006. The longer Warner's sits around twiddling their thumbs, the chances are that these recently recovered prints could still be lost. They have not been transferred to Safety-stock. nosound just checked on this two weeks ago.
As I understand, all but a reel of sound disc's to SYNTHETIC SIN survives. WHY BE GOOD? though is in-tact. Purportedly Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks Orchestra were to re-create the missing portion of the SYNTHETIC SIN score.
Meantime Colleen Moore' HER WILD OAT (1927) is fully restored, and with any luck will pop up on TCM pretty soon. They still need to record a score. I asked Rodney Sauer about this, and He said that He and Mont Alto would be delighted to be able to score HER WILD OAT, or Marion Davies THE FAIR CO-ED. So far they have not been approached though.
It would be great to see Colleen's IRENE (1926) restored too. It was one of the biggest films of that year, and the Two-Strip Technicolor footage still survives complete.
Big news, according to deadroll on Nitrateville both THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA and ORPHANS OF THE STORM will have brand new broadcast masters from Photo-play Productions debuting on TCM next week! I assume that means just what is implied, "Brand New Transfers, and Region 2 to Region 1 conversions"? On the downside I don't know who deadroll is, so he may not even know what he is talking about? Let's hope that He does.
http://nitrateville.com/viewtopic.php?t=2390
In addition, there is possible blockbuster news regarding WINGS on DVD. According to more sources on Nitrateville, Paramount is reportedly working on a fresh digital transfer as we speak! So it could actually be forthcoming in 2009. I have no idea though if they have any interest in the Carl Davis score or not? Mr. Davis scores are apparently very expensive. But this afterall is WINGS, and a major video label, so we can only hope it will be included.
http://nitrateville.com/viewtopic.php?t=1884
If both 7TH HEAVEN and WINGS beat THE BIG PARADE to an official DVD release that is very hard to believe. On the other hand the Acadamy restoratrion of WINGS was in 2002. THE BIG PARADE restoration wasn't completed until 2004. 7TH HEAVEN was restored in 2001, and a DVD has set on the shelf for the past 4 years un-released. So none of this happened over night.
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CelluloidKid,
I hate to be the barer of ill tidings here, but my Sister and my Niece positively loath this movie! They quite literally cringe every time it is on!
On the plus side, my Sister loves anything of Dickens A Christmas Carol, that is her all-time favorite! She has to have every single version both live and animated that there is. I paid a small fortune a couple years back for the old CBS Animated version from 1969, that used to run on Thanksgiving every year up until about 1977. Anyone remember this? It hasn't been shown on Television in nearly three decades! Just disappeared! It took me years, years to find a copy!
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Wow check out this link. Sounds like a wonderful event. The Colleen Moore Blockbuster LILAC TIME (First National, 1928) with Gary Cooper has a special 80th Annivesary screeing on Sunday, November 23rd, 2008 at 2:30 p.m.
http://www.silentfilmchicago.com/SFSCevents.htm
I wonder who is providing the print though and if it Is it 35 Millimeter? It doesn't say in this write-up? LILAC TIME is not Public-Domain, and Warner's still owns this movie. I would love to be able to see the film in a complete and quality 35 millimeter presentation! I have been calling for a complete restoration of this picture for years. My understanding is that there was quite a bit more of the Ariel footage in the European release. Yet for years, and years only mediocre truncated 16 Millimeter dupes have been accessible to the public.
I have been trying to find out if the synchronized scoring track still survives? As LILAC TIME was not released before the Warner Brothers merger in 1928, it used a different audio process than Vita-phone, but it did have a recorded track, and of course boasted the haunting popular standard "JEANNINE I DREAM OF LILAC TIME".
I am excited about the completed restoration of HER WILD OAT which I haven't seen yet, and hope and pray that they will get to both SYNTHETIC SIN, and WHY BE GOOD? as soon as possible. LILAC TIME clearly deserves just as much consideration. As does IRENE, since the 2-Strip Technicolor footage still survives! Who wouldn't want to see Colleen Moore's extraordinary dual-color eyes in Technicolor? How amazing would that be?
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Please note, There is a list of the top 200 vote getters yes. However, you can vote for any film not on DVD that is in the Data Base. Of the 16,000 some films that are listed, less than 4% are on commecial DVD! Under 4%! Just type in THE BIG PARADE. Surprisingly there is more than one movie with this title!
Obviously you select THE BIG PARADE (1925). Now look over on the right side of the main page about the movie. It says " Our records indicate this movie is not on home video." That is where you can vote. A Pop-up will appear. You will be asked to type your E-mail address in the box. If the pop-up is blocked, you may have to push "Ctrl" on your keyboard in order bring it up? Thanks much for voting my friend! Let me know if you have any trouble with this?
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CineSage_jr,
Hey, I said it first. I remembered this very well from an old AVENGERS episode called "DEATH OF A BATMAN"
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CelluloidKid,
Unfortunately, as you may know already the original 1925 version of this film only exists in poorly processed 16 Millimeter reduction prints. These were struck decades, and decades ago, and have never been properly restored. Therefore most versions of this Chaney Classic, including the Photo-play one, are derived from, and based on the continuity of the 1929 re-issue which still survives in 35 millimeter. The sad truth is, this edit bares surprisingly little resemblance to the 1925 cut of the film, and is considerably shorter. Approximately 2 full reels are missing from the re-release print. Worse the plot has been altered significantly, and numerous title cards even re-written. None of it for the better.
For example, when we first meet Christine (Mary Philbin), in the re-issue she is already in the Paris Opera House. But in the original film She and Raoul (Norman Kerry), are introduced to the audience on a Park bench together at the same time. Both wearing attire that looks nothing like what we see in the sound re-issue of this picture. The original film had more than just the Ball Masque sequence in Technicolor. But the other sequences have been lost. Never the less, the Photo-play Productions restoration is by far the best print that has ever been offered to the public on home video reistating all the original tints that the film had during it's original run.
Here are some Vintage Movie Posters, and Lobby-cards for both of these Famous films.
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Karin,
The War-time tune "My Buddy" was also used in both the original 1925 William Axt-David Mendoza, and 1983 Thames Silents Carl Davis score to THE BIG PARADE. The theme emphasized the close bound between "Bull" (Tom O'Brien), and "Slim" (Karl Dane) that developed over the course of the film.
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This is absurd. Batman is not Batman anyway, He is "The Batman!" And what about all those Bat-man in the British Army, do they get a cut???
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CineSage_jr,
With respect, I have never done this before. The multiple post's business. Others have, but not me. I only did it this time impulsively, to try and drum up some quick votes! I know that there is a much greater demand for this movie than the current numbers would reflect. Many people don't bother to vote, others I am finding have no idea even how to go about it. Some consider the vote to be worthless. They figure the studios pay no attention. I like to give them the benefit of the doubt.So do forgive me. My apologies for offending your delicate sensibilities. Now how about your being big enough to do the same thing???
While I can't delete every thread, I can go back and alter them. And I have done so. Hopefully, you are also able to do the same with your rather abrasive attitude. Your contention that everyone checks the whole forum for new posts each time that they log in is to say the least rather doubtful.
If you look around you will routinely see the same topic brought up by someone else in another thread days apart. This indicates to me quite clearly that they did not see the earlier post at all. And for the record I don't have a horse, but if I did he would be taught better manners than you have displayed here sir! So again, I beg your indulgence in-kind.
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I just can't express enough how important that it is that people actually make an effort to vote on the TCM Movie Data Base for King Vidor's THE BIG PARADE (1925) to be released on commercial DVD. At present this landmark feature frustratingly does not have enough votes to even crack the Top 200 of most requested titles not currently on home video! No wonder Warner's is in no hurry to release the film on DVD.
We have to start voting people. In-fact the only two Silent films in the 200 are Erich Von Stroheim's GREED which is actually in the Top 30 at number 27 1,967 votes. and William Wellman's WINGS (1927) at number 72 with 1,220 votes. Now compare that to THE BIG PARADE. Presently listed at a vastly disappointing 333 on the list with a meager 268 votes to it's credit! To be frank, that's ridiculous as THE BIG PARADE is a much better film than WINGS, and for my money certainly than GREED! In-fact very few movies rather Silent or Sound are more deserving, and as long over-due for an official DVD release than THE BIG PARADE is! To be honest, I can't think of a single one!
We are only allowed one vote a piece, but if everyone who has never seen THE BIG PARADE before and is very anxious to, would just take the time to vote the numbers would be way up. If everyone who has seen the film and loves it would vote, that would also be of great help.
Silent Mega-Star John Gilbert is woefully under-represented on DVD. The only one of his Silents to be officially released so far, is Clarence Brown's FLESH AND THE DEVIL (1926). Obviously because of Greta Garbo with little or no thought given to Gilbert. Poor Renee Adoree has none of her films currently out on commercial DVD! And even more astonishing not one of King Vidor's great Silent films has seen a commercial release! Vidor was one of the greatest directors of Classic Hollywood, if his work has started to fade into the shadows this isn't surprising given the sheer lack of exposure his pictures have received in recent years.
When I first heard about Vidor's Masterpiece being fully restored back in 2003, a project completed in 2004, I never dreamed that we would still be sitting here heading into 2009 with still no DVD release in sight! A DVD was tentatively announced for the films 80th Anniversary in 2005, for what ever reason, that never happened. 2009 marks the 85th Anniversary of MGM, so one would hope that several of the long awaited MGM Silent's will finally make it to official DVD in the coming year in order to mark the event.
To be honest, the lack of a commercial DVD of THE BIG PARADE doesn't bother me nearly as much as the film just not being shown on TCM anymore either. Up until Memorial Day 2004 TCM used to run the Thames Silents version of THE BIG PARADE at least once a year. That was the last time it was broadcast, May of 2004! So the highest grossing film of the entire Silent Era, and MGM's most popular and successful feature produced prior to GONE WITH THE WIND in 1939, has pretty much been out of circulation for the better part of this decade. There have been a few live screening's, but that is about it.
The older Thames Silent's edition produced by Kevin Brownlow, and the late David Gill back in 1983 has been completely dormant. In the pre-DVD days, this version was released on MGM VHS, and Laser-disc back in 1989. While this older transfer of THE BIG PARADE is admittedly a little soft, it certainly looks as good or better than the 1985 Paramount laser-disc of WINGS (The version the TCM presently runs), in my opinion. With far less artifacts. The newer master of THE BIG PARADE though is a fine grain print struck from the original negative, about 20 minutes longer, and is supposed to be a phenomenal improvement pictorially speaking. Or so I am told. What good does it do us though since it is not on DVD, and hasn't been broadcast on TCM at all thus far? Year after year since 2005, I have eagerly awaited the premier of the new restoration, and year after year, I have been completely disillusioned!
In the Spirit of the Armistice, Believe me, I dearly wanted THE BIG PARADE scheduled for November, when I talked with TCM programmer Charles Tabesh several times back in July. Unfortunately, I was told that TCM is still waiting on, has been holding out for, the newly mastered print to be made available to them in broadcast format. In any event, TCM Programmer would also like to give the restored version a big Prime-time Premier. He doesn't want to take away from that event in any way. So He has resisted running the shorter Thames Silents print in the interim. But unfortunately, He is at the mercy of Warner's, and there apparent maybe we will get around to this, maybe we won't attitude.
Personally, I see no reason why TCM can't continue to run the older restoration of THE BIG PARADE, until the new version is finally ready to go in broadcast format. Especially, because we have no assurance when that might be. For this reason, I think they need to seriously re-consider that they should still be airing the Thames Silents version. Like many people, I'm plenty anxious to see the new master, I have been waiting over 4 years, but the Thames version is the only one that I know, and I love it! They could re-master the older edition for broadcast in the same way that they did Garbo's FLESH AND THE DEVIL while retaining the great Carl Davis score.
The new version will not have the Carl Davis score at all. The best we can hope for is a reprisal by Robert Israel of the original 1925 William Axt-David Mendoza score, that He and his orchestra have performed at live screenings. The sad truth is, if this is what what Warner's plans to use, the recording session has yet to take place. I am excited to hear this score, as I have been told it is even better than the Davis one. In any eventual DVD release I would like to see the Thames version likewise included.
*Ampas March of 2005 Screening in Los Angeles*
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When I first heard about King Vidor's Masterpiece being fully restored back in 2003, a project completed in 2004, I never dreamed that we would still be sitting here heading into 2009 with still no DVD release in sight! A DVD was tentatively announced for the films 80th Anniversary in 2005, for what ever reason, that never happened. 2009 marks the 85th Anniversary of MGM, so one would hope that several of the long awaited MGM Silent's will finally make it to official DVD in the coming year in order to mark the event.
To be honest, the lack of a commercial DVD of THE BIG PARADE doesn't bother me nearly as much as the film just not being shown on TCM anymore either. Up until Memorial Day 2004 TCM used to run the Thames Silents version of THE BIG PARADE at least once a year. That was the last time it was broadcast, May of 2004! So the highest grossing film of the entire Silent Era, and MGM's most popular and successful feature produced prior to GONE WITH THE WIND in 1939, has pretty much been out of circulation for the better part of this decade. There have been a few live screening's, but that is about it.
The older Thames Silent's edition produced by Kevin Brownlow, and the late David Gill back in 1983 has been completely dormant. In the pre-DVD days, this version was released on MGM VHS, and Laser-disc back in 1989. While this older transfer of THE BIG PARADE is admittedly a little soft, it certainly looks as good or better than the 1985 Paramount laser-disc of WINGS (The version the TCM presently runs), in my opinion. With far less artifacts. The newer master of THE BIG PARADE though is a fine grain print struck from the original negative, about 20 minutes longer, and is supposed to be a phenomenal improvement pictorially speaking. Or so I am told. What good does it do us though since it is not on DVD, and hasn't been broadcast on TCM at all thus far? Year after year since 2005, I have eagerly awaited the premier of the new restoration, and year after year, I have been completely disillusioned!
In the Spirit of the Armistice, Believe me, I dearly wanted THE BIG PARADE scheduled for November, when I talked with TCM programmer Charles Tabesh several times back in July. Unfortunately, I was told that TCM is still waiting on, has been holding out for, the newly mastered print to be made available to them in broadcast format. In any event, TCM Programmer would also like to give the restored version a big Prime-time Premier. He doesn't want to take away from that event in any way. So He has resisted running the shorter Thames Silents print in the interim. But unfortunately, He is at the mercy of Warner's, and there apparent maybe we will get around to this, maybe we won't attitude.
Personally, I see no reason why TCM can't continue to run the older restoration of THE BIG PARADE, until the new version is finally ready to go in broadcast format. Especially, because we have no assurance when that might be. For this reason, I think they need to seriously re-consider that they should still be airing the Thames Silents version. Like many people, I'm plenty anxious to see the new master, I have been waiting over 4 years, but the Thames version is the only one that I know, and I love it! They could re-master the older edition for broadcast in the same way that they did Garbo's FLESH AND THE DEVIL while retaining the great Carl Davis score.
*Ampas March of 2005 Screening in Los Angeles*
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When I first heard about Vidor's Masterpiece being fully restored back in 2003, a project completed in 2004, I never dreamed that we would still be sitting here heading into 2009 with still no DVD release in sight! A DVD was tentatively announced for the films 80th Anniversary in 2005, for what ever reason, that never happened. 2009 marks the 85th Anniversary of MGM, so one would hope that several of the long awaited MGM Silent's will finally make it to official DVD in the coming year in order to mark the event.
To be honest, the lack of a commercial DVD of THE BIG PARADE doesn't bother me nearly as much as the film just not being shown on TCM anymore either. Up until Memorial Day 2004 TCM used to run the Thames Silents version of THE BIG PARADE at least once a year. That was the last time it was broadcast, May of 2004! So the highest grossing film of the entire Silent Era, and MGM's most popular and successful feature produced prior to GONE WITH THE WIND in 1939, has pretty much been out of circulation for the better part of this decade. There have been a few live screening's, but that is about it.
The older Thames Silent's edition produced by Kevin Brownlow, and the late David Gill back in 1983 has been completely dormant. In the pre-DVD days, this version was released on MGM VHS, and Laser-disc back in 1989. While this older transfer of THE BIG PARADE is admittedly a little soft, it certainly looks as good or better than the 1985 Paramount laser-disc of WINGS (The version the TCM presently runs), in my opinion. With far less artifacts. The newer master of THE BIG PARADE though is a fine grain print struck from the original negative, about 20 minutes longer, and is supposed to be a phenomenal improvement pictorially speaking. Or so I am told. What good does it do us though since it is not on DVD, and hasn't been broadcast on TCM at all thus far? Year after year since 2005, I have eagerly awaited the premier of the new restoration, and year after year, I have been completely disillusioned!
In the Spirit of the Armistice, Believe me, I dearly wanted THE BIG PARADE scheduled for November, when I talked with TCM programmer Charles Tabesh several times back in July. Unfortunately, I was told that TCM is still waiting on, has been holding out for, the newly mastered print to be made available to them in broadcast format. In any event, TCM Programmer would also like to give the restored version a big Prime-time Premier. He doesn't want to take away from that event in any way. So He has resisted running the shorter Thames Silents print in the interim. But unfortunately, He is at the mercy of Warner's, and there apparent maybe we will get around to this, maybe we won't attitude.
Personally, I see no reason why TCM can't continue to run the older restoration of THE BIG PARADE, until the new version is finally ready to go in broadcast format. Especially, because we have no assurance when that might be. For this reason, I think they need to seriously re-consider that they should still be airing the Thames Silents version. Like many people, I'm plenty anxious to see the new master, I have been waiting over 4 years, but the Thames version is the only one that I know, and I love it! They could re-master the older edition for broadcast in the same way that they did Garbo's FLESH AND THE DEVIL while retaining the great Carl Davis score.
*Ampas March of 2005 Screening in Los Angeles*
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Many people are quite angry with me for all the multiple posts on the TCM forums about voting for THE BIG PARADE. I have never done this before. Other folks have, but not me. Stunned over the numbers, I did so last night in an impulsive attempt to drum up some quick votes, My sincere apology to anyone, and everyone who was annoyed by these actions.
I know very well that there is in reality a much greater demand for this movie than the current numbers on the TCM Movie Data Base would reflect. Many people just don't bother to vote, others I am increasingly finding have no idea even how to go about it. So thanks Midge for your detailed instructons. Some people consider the vote to be completely worthless. They figure the studios pay very little or no attention. I like to give them the benefit of the doubt with regard to these matters. Voting certainly can't hurt the cause any.
Even more so than the lack of a DVD issue. It's vital that we request, nay demand that the movie to be shown on TCM again. Request a movie is not the same thing as voting for the DVD. In-fact I am constantly being asked by people why TCM never runs this film? Once more, they used to, but not since May 2004. I know dozens of people who have never seen the film before, and are very frustrated. Many of the people probably did not have TCM when it was last broadcast in any form by them.
Again, thank you one and all for your gracious time and support concerning this matter. You are the best!
*AMPAS March 2005 Screening in Los Angeles*
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I just can't express enough just how important that it is that people actually vote on the TCM Movie Data Base for King Vidor's THE BIG PARADE (1925) to be released on commercial DVD. At present this landmark feature frustratingly does not have enough votes to even crack the Top 200 of most requested titles not currently on home video! No wonder Warner's is in no hurry to release the film on DVD.
We have to start voting people. In-fact the only two Silent films in the 200 are Erich Von Stroheim's GREED which is actually in the Top 30 at number 27 1,967 votes. and William Wellman's WINGS (1927) at number 72 with 1,220 votes. Now compare that to THE BIG PARADE. Presently listed at a vastly disappointing 333 on the list with a meager 268 votes to it's credit! To be frank, that's ridiculous as THE BIG PARADE is a much better film than WINGS, and for my money certainly than GREED! In-fact very few movies rather Silent or Sound are more deserving, and as long over-due for an official DVD release than THE BIG PARADE is! To be honest, I can't think of a single one!
We are only allowed one vote a piece, but if everyone who has never seen THE BIG PARADE before and is very anxious to, would just take the time to vote the numbers would be way up. If everyone who has seen the film and loves it would vote, that would also be of great help.
Silent Mega-Star John Gilbert is woefully under-represented on DVD. The only one of his Silents to be officially released so far, is Clarence Brown's FLESH AND THE DEVIL (1926). Obviously because of Greta Garbo with little or no thought given to Gilbert. Poor Renee Adoree has none of her films currently out on commercial DVD! And even more astonishing not one of King Vidor's great Silent films has seen a commercial release! Vidor was one of the greatest directors of Classic Hollywood, if his work has started to fade into the shadows this isn't surprising given the sheer lack of exposure his pictures have received in recent years.
When I first heard about Vidor's Masterpiece being fully restored back in 2003, a project completed in 2004, I never dreamed that we would still be sitting here heading into 2009 with still no DVD release in sight! A DVD was tentatively announced for the films 80th Anniversary in 2005, for what ever reason, that never happened. 2009 marks the 85th Anniversary of MGM, so one would hope that several of the long awaited MGM Silent's will finally make it to official DVD in the coming year in order to mark the event.
To be honest, the lack of a commercial DVD of THE BIG PARADE doesn't bother me nearly as much as the film just not being shown on TCM anymore either. Up until Memorial Day 2004 TCM used to run the Thames Silents version of THE BIG PARADE at least once a year. That was the last time it was broadcast, May of 2004! So the highest grossing film of the entire Silent Era, and MGM's most popular and successful feature produced prior to GONE WITH THE WIND in 1939, has pretty much been out of circulation for the better part of this decade. There have been a few live screening's, but that is about it.
The older Thames Silent's edition produced by Kevin Brownlow, and the late David Gill back in 1983 has been completely dormant. In the pre-DVD days, this version was released on MGM VHS, and Laser-disc back in 1989. While this older transfer of THE BIG PARADE is admittedly a little soft, it certainly looks as good or better than the 1985 Paramount laser-disc of WINGS (The version the TCM presently runs), in my opinion. With far less artifacts. The newer master of THE BIG PARADE though is a fine grain print struck from the original negative, about 20 minutes longer, and is supposed to be a phenomenal improvement pictorially speaking. Or so I am told. What good does it do us though since it is not on DVD, and hasn't been broadcast on TCM at all thus far? Year after year since 2005, I have eagerly awaited the premier of the new restoration, and year after year, I have been completely disillusioned!
In the Spirit of the Armistice, Believe me, I dearly wanted THE BIG PARADE scheduled for November, when I talked with TCM programmer Charles Tabesh several times back in July. Unfortunately, I was told that TCM is still waiting on, has been holding out for, the newly mastered print to be made available to them in broadcast format. In any event, TCM Programmer would also like to give the restored version a big Prime-time Premier. He doesn't want to take away from that event in any way. So He has resisted running the shorter Thames Silents print in the interim. But unfortunately, He is at the mercy of Warner's, and there apparent maybe we will get around to this, maybe we won't attitude.
Personally, I see no reason why TCM can't continue to run the older restoration of THE BIG PARADE, until the new version is finally ready to go in broadcast format. Especially, because we have no assurance when that might be. For this reason, I think they need to seriously re-consider that they should still be airing the Thames Silents version. Like many people, I'm plenty anxious to see the new master, I have been waiting over 4 years, but the Thames version is the only one that I know, and I love it! They could re-master the older edition for broadcast in the same way that they did Garbo's FLESH AND THE DEVIL while retaining the great Carl Davis score.
The new version will not have the Carl Davis score at all. The best we can hope for is a reprisal by Robert Israel of the original 1925 William Axt-David Mendoza score, that He and his orchestra have performed at live screenings. The sad truth is, if this is what what Warner's plans to use, the recording session has yet to take place. I am excited to hear this score, as I have been told it is even better than the Davis one. In any eventual DVD release I would like to see the Thames version likewise included.
Otherwise the Davis score will be forgotten which doesn't seem at all fair. Although, he did keep several of the Themes that Axt-Mendoza had used back in 1925 i-tact in his own scoring arrangement in 1983.
*Ampas March of 2005 Screening in Los Angeles*
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It is great to see TCM paying tribute to the wonderful Janet Gaynor. However, it is relatively disappointing that TCM still has apparently not picked up the rights to either 7TH HEAVEN (1927) or STREET ANGEL (1928) seeing as both will be out on official DVD from Fox for the very first time in less than a month. I was really hoping that TCM would finally be able to run both of these outstanding films. Hopefully, a deal is still in the works with Fox for a broadcast sometime in the near future.
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Ray Bradbury has selected Lon Chaney's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA this month as a guest programmer. So which version will we see? TCM used to have the rights to Kevin Brownlow's Photo-play Productions restoration with the great Carl Davis score, but they have not aired it for a few years now. I don't know if they still have the contract or not? Prior to the deal with Photo-play in October of 2000, TCM used to run another version with some horrid singing throughout! I sure hope that doesn't pop up on the 20th in Priime-time!
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I just can't express enough just how important that it is that people actually vote on the TCM Movie Data Base for King Vidor's THE BIG PARADE (1925) to be released on commercial DVD. At present this landmark feature frustratingly does not have enough votes to even crack the Top 200 of most requested titles not currently on home video! No wonder Warner's is in no hurry to release the film on DVD.
We have to start voting people. In-fact the only two Silent films in the 200 are Erich Von Stroheim's GREED which is actually in the Top 30 at number 27 1,967 votes. and William Wellman's WINGS (1927) at number 72 with 1,220 votes. Now compare that to THE BIG PARADE. Presently listed at a vastly disappointing 333 on the list with a meager 268 votes to it's credit! To be frank, that's ridiculous as THE BIG PARADE is a much better film than WINGS, and for my money certainly than GREED! In-fact very few movies rather Silent or Sound are more deserving, and as long over-due for an official DVD release than THE BIG PARADE is! To be honest, I can't think of a single one!
We are only allowed one vote a piece, but if everyone who has never seen THE BIG PARADE before and is very anxious to, would just take the time to vote the numbers would be way up. If everyone who has seen the film and loves it would vote, that would also be of great help.
Silent Mega-Star John Gilbert is woefully under-represented on DVD. The only one of his Silents to be officially released so far, is Clarence Brown's FLESH AND THE DEVIL (1926). Obviously because of Greta Garbo with little or no thought given to Gilbert. Poor Renee Adoree has none of her films currently out on commercial DVD! And even more astonishing not one of King Vidor's great Silent films has seen a commercial release! Vidor was one of the greatest directors of Classic Hollywood, if his work has started to fade into the shadows this isn't surprising given the sheer lack of exposure his pictures have received in recent years.
When I first heard about Vidor's Masterpiece being fully restored back in 2003, a project completed in 2004, I never dreamed that we would still be sitting here heading into 2009 with still no DVD release in sight! A DVD was tentatively announced for the films 80th Anniversary in 2005, for what ever reason, that never happened. 2009 marks the 85th Anniversary of MGM, so one would hope that several of the long awaited MGM Silent's will finally make it to official DVD in the coming year in order to mark the event.
To be honest, the lack of a commercial DVD of THE BIG PARADE doesn't bother me nearly as much as the film just not being shown on TCM anymore either. Up until Memorial Day 2004 TCM used to run the Thames Silents version of THE BIG PARADE at least once a year. That was the last time it was broadcast, May of 2004! So the highest grossing film of the entire Silent Era, and MGM's most popular and successful feature produced prior to GONE WITH THE WIND in 1939, has pretty much been out of circulation for the better part of this decade. There have been a few live screening's, but that is about it.
The older Thames Silent's edition produced by Kevin Brownlow, and the late David Gill back in 1983 has been completely dormant. In the pre-DVD days, this version was released on MGM VHS, and Laser-disc back in 1989. While this older transfer of THE BIG PARADE is admittedly a little soft, it certainly looks as good or better than the 1985 Paramount laser-disc of WINGS (The version the TCM presently runs), in my opinion. With far less artifacts. The newer master of THE BIG PARADE though is a fine grain print struck from the original negative, about 20 minutes longer, and is supposed to be a phenomenal improvement pictorially speaking. Or so I am told. What good does it do us though since it is not on DVD, and hasn't been broadcast on TCM at all thus far? Year after year since 2005, I have eagerly awaited the premier of the new restoration, and year after year, I have been completely disillusioned!
In the Spirit of the Armistice, Believe me, I dearly wanted THE BIG PARADE scheduled for November, when I talked with TCM programmer Charles Tabesh several times back in July. Unfortunately, I was told that TCM is still waiting on, has been holding out for, the newly mastered print to be made available to them in broadcast format. In any event, TCM Programmer would also like to give the restored version a big Prime-time Premier. He doesn't want to take away from that event in any way. So He has resisted running the shorter Thames Silents print in the interim. But unfortunately, He is at the mercy of Warner's, and there apparent maybe we will get around to this, maybe we won't attitude.
Personally, I see no reason why TCM can't continue to run the older restoration of THE BIG PARADE, until the new version is finally ready to go in broadcast format. Especially, because we have no assurance when that might be. For this reason, I think they need to seriously re-consider that they should still be airing the Thames Silents version. Like many people, I'm plenty anxious to see the new master, I have been waiting over 4 years, but the Thames version is the only one that I know, and I love it! They could re-master the older edition for broadcast in the same way that they did Garbo's FLESH AND THE DEVIL while retaining the great Carl Davis score.
The new version will not have the Carl Davis score at all. The best we can hope for is a reprisal by Robert Israel of the original 1925 William Axt-David Mendoza score, that He and his orchestra have performed at live screenings. The sad truth is, if this is what what Warner's plans to use, the recording session has yet to take place. I am excited to hear this score, as I have been told it is even better than the Davis one. In any eventual DVD release I would like to see the Thames version likewise included. Otherwise the Davis score will be forgotten which doesn't seem at all fair. Although, he did keep several of the Themes that Axt-Mendoza had used back in 1925 i-tact in his own scoring arrangement in 1983.
*Ampas March of 2005 Screening in Los Angeles*
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Here is Garbo gobbling up poor John from FLESH AND THE DEVIL (1926). I don't remember if I posted this one before or not? Couldn't seem to find it?
*Gilbert and Garbo, Passion Explodes!*
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Wendy,
If you like Lars Hanson, Have you seen CAPTAIN SALVATION? It is an excellent feature. Marceline Day, Donald Crisp, Pauline Stark, and Ernest Torrence are all great. A really top notch cast.
Here is Garbo gobbling up poor John from FLESH AND THE DEVIL. I don't remember if I posted this one before or not? Couldn't seem to find it?
*Gilbert and Garbo, Passion Explodes!*
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Josef' Von Sternberg's THE LAST COMMAND (Paramount, 1928) with Emil Janning's, Evelyn Brent, and William Powell, has never been shown. Janning's took home a Best Actor Oscar for this film. The movie has recently been restored, and is currently touring the Art-Houses for live screenings. As a Paramount Silent TCM currently has no access to this picture.
The powerful World War One Drama THE PATENT LEATHER KID (First National, 1927), is owned by Warner's, but has yet to be restored. Richard Barthelmess received a Best Actor nomination for his performance in the film.
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*Janet Gaynor, George O'Brien, Margaret Livingston. From THE BLUE EAGLE (1926)*
*Marceline Day, And Lars Hanson. From CAPTAIN SALVATION (1927)*
*Lucky John Barrymore Romances Corinne Griffth!*
*Marion Davies, and On Screen Mom. From TILLIE THE TOILER (1927)*
*Vile Vixen Simone (Jetta Goudal) Flattens Sally (Marion Davies) in Robert Z. Leonard's THE CARDBOARD LOVER (1928)*
*Poor Colleen Moore Is Plenty Over-Worked in WHY BE GOOD? (1929)*
*Renee Adoree As Darling Josephita In THE TIDE OF THE EMPIRE (1929)*
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Ed,
Some Bad news. TCM does not consider the condition of THE CARDBOARD LOVER as fit to broadcast. Although it seems to me that ACROSS TO SINGAPORE has about the same amount of decomposition. SPRING FEVER had an awful lot of bubbling too.
Much worse news a guy on Nitrateville, claims that He had a missing reel of 35 Millimeter Nitrate from Clara Bow's THE PRIMROSE PATH in his house, when a fire broke out. He was going to send the film to UCLA to be restored. Now it is gone for good. Supposedly he placed a canister of Nitrate film on top of his oven briefly while cooking a Pizza. That sounds ridiculous I know, but the people on Nitratville know this guy. He would not lie about this. He is a real film collector! Still why would anyone do such a thing???
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ugaarte,
Happy that you enjoyed the Photos anyway. Clara Bow's Hair's looks allot different in the photo then you are perhaps used to seeing it. Still she is very pretty. Here are some more assorted Sepia-Tone Stills.
*John Gilbert And Aileen Pringle. From King Vidor's HIS HOUR (1924). Written by Madame Elenoir Glyn.*
*Janet Gaynor, George O'Brien, Margaret Livingston. From THE BLUE EAGLE (1926)*
*Marceline Day, And Lars Hanson. From CAPTAIN SALVATION (1927)*
*Lucky John Barrymore Romances Corinne Griffith!*
*Marion Davies, and On Screen Mom. From TILLIE THE TOILER (1927)*
*Vile Vixen Simone (Jetta Goudal) Flattens Sally (Marion Davies) in Robert Z. Leonard's THE CARDBOARD LOVER (1928)*
*Poor Colleen Moore Is Plenty Over-Worked In WHY BE GOOD? (1929)*
*Renee Adoree As Darling Josephita In THE TIDE OF THE EMPIRE (1929)*
Chaney's PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. Which version Will We See?
in General Discussions
Posted
CelluloidKid,
Big, Big news! According to deadroll on Nitrateville both THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA and ORPHANS OF THE STORM will have brand new broadcast masters from Photo-play Productions debuting on TCM next week! I assume that means just what is implied, "Brand New Transfers, and Region 2 to Region 1 conversions"? On the downside, I don't know who deadroll is, so he may not even know what he is talking about? Let's hope that He does. Here is the link.
http://nitrateville.com/viewtopic.php?t=2390
In addition, there is possible blockbuster news regarding WINGS on DVD. According to more sources on Nitrateville, Paramount is reportedly working on a fresh digital transfer as we speak! So it could actually be forthcoming in 2009. I have no idea though if they have any interest in the Carl Davis score or not? Mr. Davis scores are apparently very expensive. But this afterall is WINGS, and a major video label, so we can only hope it will be included.
http://nitrateville.com/viewtopic.php?t=1884
If both 7TH HEAVEN and WINGS beat THE BIG PARADE to an official DVD release that is very hard to believe. On the other hand the Acadamy restoratrion of WINGS was in 2002. THE BIG PARADE restoration wasn't completed until 2004. 7TH HEAVEN was restored in 2001, and a DVD has set on the shelf for the past 4 years un-released. So none of this happened over night.