gagman66
-
Posts
7,494 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Posts posted by gagman66
-
-
Featio,
I wish WINGS (1927) were available on official DVD, but it is not! I?m fortunate enough to have a DVD-R program of this picture, I authored from Laser-disc. However, A proper restoration by today?s standard?s, has apparently yet to be under-taken? The film looks OK, but could certainly use some work.
For the record, the Thames version of IT (1927) with Carl Davis score, has been shown on TCM before. It has been quite awhile, since it last aired though. I think the Image DVD, was just released earlier this year? In any case, it has not been on the market long.
Speaking of Clara Bow, I would really like to see DANCING MOTHERS (1926), and MAN TRAP (1926). These films never run on television anywhere! They have not been released on DVD either? Same with ?CHILDREN OF DIVORCE (1927), as well. The films still exist, intact as far as I?m aware? Paramount still own?s the copyrights, I believe? So, let's see them, once and again, alright?!
That studio in particular, get?s my goat for sitting on these titles, and dozens of other silent?s for decades! Epic films such as Demille?s original 1923 production of THE TEN COMMANDMENT?S, THE COVERED WAGON (1923), and OLD IRON SIDES (1926), for example, may never see a commercial DVD release! What a travesty!
-
While the 1925 version of THE MERRY WIDOW is a good movie, well worth seeing, it is probably not one of my top 10 favorite silent films? It also bares little resemblance to the Ernst Lubitsch 1934 sound production.
Mae Murray?s character here, is an Irish American dancer ?Sally O?Hara of the New York Follies?. Who?s stage troupe lands at Castellano, the capitol of the Austrian nation of Monte?Blanco. Here she meets up with a Prince Danilo (Gilbert), and his cousin the Crown Prince Mirko. (Roy D?Arcy). Both of whom are notorious womanizers! All though, she believes each of them to be just a couple of members of the Royal Guard.
Sally, is soon pursued by these two, as well as a dirty old Count, and none of their intentions towards her are what could be described as strictly honorable! Eventually, Danilo legitimately falls for her, and asks for her hand. The King and Queen, will have none of it of course!
What happens next, is a mix-mesh of mis-understanding?s between the two. Believed jilted, poor Sally reluctantly marries the count who is the richest man in all of the kingdom! Needless to say The marriage doesn?t last long! (Hence The Title!)
This film is quite long, some two and half hours. Yet it seems to wrap up quite abruptly, towards the end? Undoubtedly, MGM cut quite a bit out after the dueling sequence, before it?s general release? Von Stroheim likely intended the film to run at least another hour than it does!
-
I have the Erich Von Stroheim directed THE MERRY WIDOW (1925), with Mae Murray, and John Gilbert, on DVD-R. This is an extensive program, with a huge menu. Contact me at the link provided, if you are interested?
-
Nick,
I 'm sure I have mentioned this here before, but I have the complete 13 Chapter Thames HOLLYWOOD on five DVD-R's! These disc's were processed from laser-disc. I was not aware, that you have apparently never seen this series?
-
Ironically, I have THE RED KIMONA (1925) stored as a MPEG 2 file, in my slave-drive. I recorded it the last time TCM ran it back in July. I just have not gotten around to burning a copy, or watching it yet.
-
Sprydle,
Could it possibly be D.W. Griffith's "HEARTS OF THE WORLD" (1918), with Lillian Gish perhaps? I have not seen this film in quite awhile, so I can not say for sure? Initially, I thought you were talking about "THE FOUR HORSEMEN OF THE APOCALYPSE" (1921)? However, there is no lady in a wheel chair in that picture? There is a man in a wheel chair though? I'll give it some more thought? How long ago was it that you saw this movie? What did the girl look like?
-
It depends on what you consider a Super Hero nygirl? The major inspiration for all the Super Hero's that were to come were two very popular classic Pulp magazine characters. THE SHADOW created by Walter Gibson (under the pen name Maxwell Grant) in 1931, and DOC SAVAGE THE MAN OF BRONZE created by Lester Dent (known professionally as Kenneth Robeson) in late 1932. Without these two important and fabulous characters the Super hero genre itself may have never came into being?
In my view DOC SAVAGE, or Doctor Clark Savage Junior was actually the very first Super hero! Doc was "THE MAN OF TOMORROW" long before SUPERMAN! Doc had THE FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE long before Superman! Doc had all the fancy gadgets (which he designed himself) long before BATMAN and way before JAMES BOND! Much later that thief Bond stole all of Doc's inventions, and took credit for them! Hey James, Doc designed those babies not the the British Secret Service, and certainly not you!
It?s a fact that much of Superman and Batman was hugely ripped off from DOC SAVAGE! Doc was a master of stealth, and martial arts and a genius detective just like Batman! What?s more THE FANTASTIC FOUR, also was greatly influenced by DOC SAVAGE. Among other things, Monk Mayfair Doc?s famous aid more or less is BEN GRIM! Even WONDER WOMAN was directly inspired by Doc?s beautiful female cousin. PATRICIA "PAT" SAVAGE! Doc is without question one of the greatest ever literary figures who has sadly and senselessly been ignored by HOLLYWOOD over the decades!
If you ask me, there should have been literally dozens of Movies and TV series based on this amazing character over the years! Just as many as Sherlock Holmes, Tarzen, Zorro or anybody else! Numerous plans for TV shows and movies have inexplicably fallen through the cracks though ever sense the mid 1960's! The first big screen DOC SAVAGE was supposed to be TV 's popular RIFLE MEN, Lucus McCain, CHUCK CONNERS back in 1965! Unfrotunately, it never happened!
Doc and The fabulous five MONK, HAM, LONG TOM, RENNY and JOHNNY finally did make it to the big screen 10 years later in 1975 with DOC SAVAGE THE MAN OF BRONZE, which was very loosely based on the first Savage story (Published in February 1933). TV's Tarzen RON ELY seemed a solid choice for the "Bronze Knight Of The Running Board", and for the most part Doc's aid's were pretty well cast. This film started filming as a serious dramatic adventure, but someone else took over the production (I?ve forgotten who) and promptly turned the second half of the picture into an episode of the 1960's BATMAN series! The timing of the release was poor, and the unexpected G rating killed this often entertaining, but admittedly disappointing film at the box-office. Many Savage fans were upset at what they felt was more of a Parody of The Man of Bronze, than the authentic treatment that they expected to see!
Somewhere in the Warner Bros vault is tons of discarded footage from DOC SAVAGE: DEATH IN SILVER which George Pal was well into production of in 1973 before deciding to scrap it, and make THE MAN OF BRONZE first! Much of that footage may have turned up in the planned sequel "DOC SAVAGE ?ARCH ENEMY OF EVIL", but that project never got off the ground! None the less Pal was determined to make a new Doc picture in 1979, but he died in early 1980 before production could begin!
Since than several people have kicked around the idea of a new DOC SAVAGE film, and numerous TV projects! Including an Animated series. Most recently, CASTLE ROCK ENTERTAINMENT tried to persuade the aging ARNOLD SCHWARTZENEGER to play the part. Personally, I can't ever see Arnold as THE MAN OF BRONZE! 10 years ago, I thought KEVIN SORBO would be a very good choice, today he couldn't do it any longer.
As you may have guessed I'm a huge DOC SAVAGE fan, and would love to one day finally see this spectacular and extremely influential character at long last finally get his just due in the movies!
-
Bumble,
The first film you mentioned is likely THRILL OF A ROMANCE (1945?) With Esther Williams and Van Johnson. Sorry, but I do not recall the other title at the moment? I?ll give it some thought, but I?m fairly certain the first one is correct! If the film was in Technicolor, THRILL OF A ROMANCE is almost certainly the picture you are looking for? To my knowledge like most of Esther Williams movies it has yet to be released on DVD? Hopefully this will change pretty soon?
-
Drumshadow,
Rest assured, I'm pretty sure my DVD-R's will read just fine on your player! I have had great luck with Pansonic being a compatible brand! It's not just the machine, but the format that the DVD-R is written in and the software used to write it, that matters here. Mine are mostly all DVD Medium MPEG 2, at custom compression and noise reduction settings! (NTSC broadcast standard.)
My disc's are certain to play back on your machine if it is DVD-R/DVD-RW compatible! Plus be aware all blank media is not the same either, and can be a tricky investment! I use only name brand media!
My recordings are very comparable to commercial quality DVD's! You will not be disappointed! Say, give me your mailing adrress, and I will send you a free sample disc! I know that they will work for you! I have a vast collection of great silent classics, many that are very hard to find!
-
The movie you have reference to is one of the immortal masterpieces of all silent film comedy, THE FRESHMAN (1925). Arguably Harold Lloyd's finest film, and one of the most famous and successful comedy features of the entire decade of the 1920's. The girl is the stunningly beautiful Jobyna Ralston. Where did you see this picture? At a retrospective someplace, or on TCM? I don't think it has re-aired since this past April? If you interested in this picture (?) with the almost equally great GIRL SHY (1924), I have both of these titles together on one excellent DVD-R program!
-
dread again,
When are these two films scheduled to run? Thanks.
-
Please note, You can get TELL IT TO THE MARINES (1926) with a great Robert Israel score, on DVD-R from me! Likely my program is superior to what's being offered on Ebay? Plus you will get another great free bonus feature along with it.
This high quality program boast's a large and cool menu, with many thumbs and background stills. Please contact me direct for additional information. Hope to hear from you soon!
-
Rhonda Fleming was definitely Drop Dead Gorgeous people! WOW! So to was Maria Montez! Haven't heard anyone mention those two, or Susan Hayward either yet?
Going back to the 30's, Constance Bennett was certainly a beauty! Going back to the 20's, Corrine Griffith and Delores Costello were both strikingly beautiful ladies as well!
-
Thames HOLLYWOOD has aired on TCM in the past. Although it has been awhile since they have last run it.
Ironically, I just happen have this entire 13 part documentary on 5 DVD-R's! All of them processed from laser-disc! Interestingly enough, several people have actually asked me about this outstanding Kevin Brownlow-David Gill produced series, in just the past couple weeks! In fact I was just watching one of the episodes earlier this evening!
-
Wojo,
Yipes! I do beg you pardon! Dozens of people have expressed an interest in this program recently, and most have acquired copies. So I am not sure which person you are? Anyway, I hope your were pleased with the disc? I would definitely welcome hearing from you once again!
-
Nick,
Say, I have the silent version of THE MERRY WIDOW (1925), with Mae Murry, and John Gilbert on Super VHS ET, and will be making up a DVD-R of this feature soon! I haven't heard from you in quite awhile, and I have since lost your E-mail address? Hope to hear from you again very soon!
-
Wojo,
Say, I just happen to have THE PATSY (1928)/SHOW PEOPLE (1928), on DVD-R, as an King Vidor/Marion Davies double feature! In fact I just recently revamped the entire program, adding tinted background stills to the menu pages. Before hand they had been just Black and White. No doubt, these are two of the finest and certainly most underrated comedies of the late 1920's! Marion Davies definitely deserves an official DVD collection of her own! As do Mr. Vidor, and Billy Haines!
-
Johnny,
Hey, would you settle for a double feature of THE DOCKS OF NEW YORK (Paramount, 1928)/( GARDEN OF EDEN (United Artists,1928), I wonder? I have put together a DVD-R program of those two fine titles with large menu's and thumbs, and it looks spectacular!
-
Richard,
I have never seen THE LAST COMMAND or THE SHOW OFF. I would be interested in trading or borrowing with you. I have tons of Silent's, so what ever it is you are looking for I may well have it! I have been busy putting my silent Garbo's on DVD-R lately, about 7 titles in all. Mostly these are Super VHS recordings, and some Laser-disc. A surprising fact emerges, the most famous Garbo silents are not necessarily the best ones?
FLESH AND THE DEVIL (1926), needs re-mastering and I hope the new DVD-set allows for this? The Thames transfer is from 1987, and in some scenes the skilled lighting effect's appear mis-represented. Surely, a sharper transfer can be made with today?s technology? It's great they will be retaining Carl Davis masterful score to this film that's for sure.
The SINGLE STANDARD (1929), Directed by John Robertson, is my favorite Garbo silent, this film needs allot of work, it is all scratched up, although the resolution is still very good. The vintage William Axt score is extremely involving. For those of you who don't think Garbo was beautiful, you need to see her in this film!
A WOMAN OF AFFAIRS (1928), Directed By Clarence Brown, is another powerful picture, and Garbo's final appearance in a silent with John Gilbert as her leading man. It's a shame neither of these two films will be included in the new DVD set, particularly considering that A WOMAN OF AFFAIRS has been recently restored! I will always think of Garbo as a great silent star, I can't really stomach her in Talkies!
-
Keith, while I acknowledge the greatness of Murnau's SUNRISE (1927) (I recently acquired the official DVD release), why is it that I have never seen SEVENTH HEAVEN with Janet Gaynor and Charrles Farrel of the same year shown anywhere! This was once considered among the greatest silent films ever made! It has pretty much disappeared from sight over the past two decades! The film is not lost, so I hope sometime before long now it resurfaces. Many of the bigger name Silent?s of the 1920's are in shockingly poor shape! SUNRISE is in fairly good condition, but certainly could be much better!
Paramount and Fox, in particular have done a lousy job of preserving these very important and significant films in their Library?s. WHAT PRICE GLORY? (1926) has not been seen hardly at all in the past 30 years! WINGS (1927) is not in the best condition either. Or at least the latest to video transfer I have seen, (which is now some 15 years old or more) didn't show that it was!
These films deserve to be properly restored! It's time for those studios to get off their duffs and do something about it! It's not surprising that so many big name Paramount Silent?s have been completely lost! The company has no one to blame but themselves for gross negligence, if not outright ignorance on it's behalf! How disappointing!
-
I have this one on DVD-R, paired with THE RAGMAN (1925). This is an Ernest Lubitsch film, and a great romantic picture, with typical Lubitsch humor. Novarro was much greater than Valentino in my estimation! An outstanding and versatile actor, capable of playing light comedy and drama equally effectively. The Thames edition also boast's one of CARL DAVIS greatest scores!
I have not seen TCM run this movie in quite awhile. I hope that they will make a fresh transfer, as the Thames print is over 15 years old, and they are capable of much crisper video masters today. Although my DVD-R made from Super VHS ET source material still looks pretty good. The actual american title I believe was "THE STUDENT PRINCE", while the European title was "OLD HEIDELBERG".
Speaking of Norma Shearer, other than this film and Chaney's HE WHO GETS SLAPPED (1924), I have never seen any of her other silent's? By 1925 she was a major star, so there has to be some starring role titles locked away in the TCM vault that have not seen the light of day in some 80 years! How about unearthing some of these for our enjoyment soon? Who knows what surprises they might contain?
As for my favorite Silent's, I have seen so many it's difficult to chose. My long time favorites though have probably been KING VIDOR'S Masterpiece THE BIG PARADE (1925) with John Gilbert and Renee Adoree, Harold Lloyd's THE FRESHMAN (1925), and Chaplin's CITY LIGHTS (1931).
Some recent editions to that list among many, are TELL IT TO THE MARINES (1926), John Robertson's CAPTAIN SALVATION (1927), starring Lars Hanson, and Lewis Milestone's GARDEN OF EDEN (1928) starring CHARLES RAY and beautiful CORINNE GRIFFITH. These are great films. Strong Honerable mention goes WEST POINT (1927) with William Haines and Joan Crawford, Vidor's THE PATSY (1928) with Marion Davies and Marie Dressler, and James Cruz THE MATING CALL (Paramount, 1928), with Thomas Meighan and Renee Adoree. All of these titles fall into the line of forgotten or little remembered classics, that are ready to be rediscovered!
-
Actually, Beta tapes were much smaller than VHS. The first VCR's were neither Beta or VHS though. They were V-Cord and Ummatic format. There may have been another type that I have forgotten the name of? Those tapes were huge, much bigger than a VHS tape is! They didn't record as long either! The machines were probably in the neighborhood of $1500.00 or more when first introduced!
It's amazing I wasn't very old, but I remember one of the first commercials about some format of SONY VCR likely in late 1975. In it some guy with a mustache is with his follow workers on the night shift someplace, and he tells his work pals as he's ready to leave "I'm Going Home Now To Watch The Late Show!" Everyone just shakes their heads! Don't know why or how I recall this so vividly, but I do! Even stranger, since my memory is not normally my strong suit!
My dad bought the family's first VCR a Panasonic VHS, the in latter part of 1978 or early '79. I believe it cost over $900.00 bucks! I think the first thing we taped was a college football game? We had at least 7 more over the years 4 of them being Super VHS models.
Not counting two burners and a DVD-Rom drive, I have only had two DVD-players in my life so far, and I didn't buy the first one I had until December of 2001! I sold it about a year ago. My current DVD player is a Sony brand 5 disc changer.
I only bought a newer one, (now a couple years old) because the old one didn't read DVD-R's or DVD-RW's, just VCD?s. I still don't know if this one reads DVDR or DVDRW disc's yet? I hope it does, since I have a dual format burner now?
-
Thanks Hollywood 101, Sheesh, here I was just explaining this to someone else about a year ago at this time! Now I fell for the same blasted thing! Guess it just doesn't seem possible that was last year already to me?
-
Hey, I was just checking to see when and if the once lost Howard Hughes produced silent feature THREE ARABIAN KNIGHTS (1927), (which I missed much of when it debuted last December), might finally re-air on TCM?
I anxiously checked the August slate, hoping for the very best. Instead, I got the worst news I can think of! I noticed much to my considerable dismay, that SILENT SUNDAY NIGHTS will NOT be a part of the August TCM lineup at all!
So please tell me that SILENT SUNDAY NIGHTS has not been cancelled? I look forward to it most every week, and I can often count on something I have long been waiting on, to show up on this program!
TCM Removes Desert Nights from Nov schedule
in General Discussions
Posted
Why on earth are we complaining about LA BOHEME (1926), being scheduled here? I'm rejoicing myself, and very much looking forward to the broadcast!
For those of you have claimed to have seen LA BOHEME on TCM before, quote "dozen's of times", when the heck was this? Since some of you have apparently seen the TCM version, what kind of a score does have? Is it orchestral? Does anyone know the composer?
Now look people, understand that I have had TCM since May 1 of 1999! That's quite awhile! I have missed very few silent's aired, and have NEVER, I repeat NEVER once seen this movie!
So thank you so very much TCM, for finally scheduling it! Now if I could just persuade you to run in turn, the rarely seen Thames restoration of LILAC TIME (1928), starring Colleen Moore, and Gary Cooper, sometime soon again? Boy, would you have one happy viewer! I'm sure many other fans would love to see this picture shown as well!