gagman66
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Posts posted by gagman66
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Kinokima,
It's interesting to note that Charles Farrell coming off the success of *OLD IRONSIDES* and *THE ROUGH RIDERS*, was originally announced to play the lead roll of Jack Powell n *WINGS,* not Buddy Rogers.Director William Wellman probably felt that He and Richard Arlen looked a little to much alike. But in the end it worked out pretty well for Farrell since he Starred opposite Janet Gaynor in Frank Borzage's *SEVENTH HEAVEN,* another blockbuster hit, and the film took home three Academy Awards. On the other hand, the recasting robbed us the chance to see Farrell and Clara Bow together in the same film.
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> {quote:title=ValentineXavier wrote:}{quote}
> Yeah, I figured that pianos were the most common. The restored theater where I live has had the same organ since 1927, and they still play it for silents, unless they have an orchestra.
In the 20's, 6 to 9 piece Tango Orchestra's were an extremely popular form of live accompaniment for Silent films. Yet they seem to be lost to history. I have yet to see anyone recreate an authentic sounding Tango orchestra score for any Silent film. As I have heard many vintage recordings, I can say that these type's of orchestra's were capable of sounding as good or better than a full symphony with far less instrumentation involved. Think of the Silent Sunday Nights theme.
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JonasEB,
They should include both *CHILDREN OF DIVORCE* since it has not only Clara Bow but Gary Cooper, (Esther Ralston also means as much to me), and *BEGGARS OF LIFE* since it has both Richard Arlen and Louise Brooks. Not only that but *DIVORCE* was partly directed by Josef' Von Sternberg, and *BEGGARS* was directed by William Wellman. So it makes perfect sense. Both films have been restored in 2001 (LOC), and 2006 (George Eastman House) respectively. That is probably a problem, as two many archives are involved.
I don't yet have a Blu-ray player, but I do have the Murnau-Borzage set. A few years ago I listed *STREET ANGEL* as my favorite Silent film after *THE BIG PARADE.* It is wonderful to see it on TCM. It must have been to expensive to rent both *STREET ANGEL* and *SEVENTH HEAVEN* for 31 days of Oscar?
Do you have the Von Sternberg set from Criterion? It is incredible. Three outstanding Paramount Silents in the collection with wonderful extras. These transfers did come directly from the Paramount vault as I understand,not from the Library of Congress.
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> > {quote:title=gagman66 wrote:}{quote}
> >
> > "Paramount is working on its own version of WINGS using the Academy's beautiful tinted restoration, a new orchestral recording of the 1927 score by J. S.Zamecnik (which is wonderful) and sound effects as done in the roadshow screenings which will be executed with modern technology by Ben Burtt. Be patient."
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> > David Shepard
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> > http://nitrateville.com/viewtopic.php?p=48430#48430
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> Wonderful news. I'm quite surprised that Paramount is taking this on themselves. I hope they do offer a Blu-ray, a major studio releasing a silent on Blu would be very encouraging. Now, someone _please_ do The Wedding March ASAP.
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JonasEB,
*THE WEDDING MARCH* was licensed to Criterion in 2007. It could be coming out from them on DVD later this year. If default or one of the audio options will be the Carl Davis score from the 1998 Photoplay version though I don't know. I have The Photoplay version. While the print is superior to the old Paramount VHS, it still needs work. But the Technicolor scene looks great.
I am much more interested in *CHILDREN OF DIVORCE* than I am *THE WEDDING MARCH.* Mainly because I have never seen it. When Paramount does release *WINGS* this movie should be included as an Extra.
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Yes, *WHAT PRICE GLORY? (1926)* would be a nice tribute. This was actually on the TCM schedule last May but replaced at the last moment by another great Silent *FOUR SONS.* Nice to know that someone from the war still survives.
Harold Lloyd fans have to be upset that Jobyna Ralston as Sylvia, was supposed to be the big love interest in *WINGS,* but she is barely even in the movie? Gee, some guys have all the luck as Jack (Buddy Rogers), has three gorgeous women fighting over him more or less during the course of the film. Jobyna Ralston, Clara Bow, and Arlette Marchal in the Cabaret sequences. Bow was a gigantic Star and was added to the cast just to make sure that people went to see this picture. And they did in droves.
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Again people, a new version is on the way. It is being worked on now. David Shepard confirmed this morning. But it won't have the Carl Davis score, unless they include that as an alternate track? It will be a full recreation of the original 1927 J. S. Zamecnik score with Live Orchestra. The print will be a gorgeous recent restoration by the Academy Film Archive at AMPAS. Restoring most of the original tints, tones, and stencil color.
I've seen both the Gaylord Carter version airing right now, and the Carl Davis version, at least a dozen times each.I still prefer THE BIG PARADE, but I never get tired of either film.
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Theater Organ's were not all that common during the Silent Era, but allot of people believe that they were. Truth is it was much less expensive to hire a small 5 piece house band to play in the pit, than to install a great big gigantic organ and all those pipes. Some large Theater's had an Organ, and would alternate screenings with live Orchestra.
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The transfer in the Murnau-Borzage set from Fox is much better quality than the older single DVD release is. I think this is the same thing. You will notice that the audio of the Movie-tone track is also much improved.
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Only so much can be done with SUNRISE or WINGS. No camera negatives exist. SUNRISE is from a 5th generation print source, but it still looks very nice.
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This is the best print of *SUNRISE* that I have ever seen. I think it's better than what TCM started showing a couple years ago. Prior to that the transfer wasn't very good. This could be from the Region 2 Blu-ray. I never bothered recording because I have the Murnua-Borzage set.
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Stick in in you Ear buddy! Silent films are my life's blood pal. Without them I might as well be dead. Watch SUNRISE is is one of the great film ever made. Modern Films are 90% Garbage! To violent, to loud, Story's are mindless, they all look the same. CGI is the Pitts! Is it a Movie or a Video game? I can't tell the difference.
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Don't expect a new transfer of *WINGS* to air this evening. Sadly, It isn't going to happen. However, While it is the same old, same old tonight, there is very big late breaking news on *WINGS.* Presumably it will be coming to DVD and Blu-ray before to long now. Check out this quote by David Shepard this morning. It is the first real confirmation that Paramount is indeed doing something major with *WINGS.* Now if we could get a similar announcement concerning *THE BIG PARADE,* from Warner's.
*"Paramount is working on its own version of WINGS using the Academy's beautiful tinted restoration, a new orchestral recording of the 1927 score by J. S.Zamecnik (which is wonderful) and sound effects as done in the roadshow screenings which will be executed with modern technology by Ben Burtt. Be patient."*
*David Shepard*
http://nitrateville.com/viewtopic.php?t=8200&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0
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Don't expect a new transfer of *WINGS* to air this evening. Sadly, It isn't going to happen. However, While it is the same old, same old tonight, there is very big late breaking news on *WINGS.* Presumably it will be coming to DVD and Blu-ray before to long now. Check out this quote by David Shepard this morning. It is the first real confirmation that Paramount is indeed doing something major with *WINGS.* Now if we could get a similar announcement concerning *THE BIG PARADE,* from Warners.
*"Paramount is working on its own version of WINGS using the Academy's beautiful tinted restoration, a new orchestral recording of the 1927 score by J. S.Zamecnik (which is wonderful) and sound effects as done in the roadshow screenings which will be executed with modern technology by Ben Burtt. Be patient."*
*David Shepard*
http://nitrateville.com/viewtopic.php?t=8200&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0
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Ham,
No more awkward than it was for Lars Hanson during production of Victor Seastrom's *THE SCARLET LETTER* in 1926. Lars didn't understand a word of English at the time. Paul Wegener didn't either during the making of Rex Ingram's *THE MAGICIAN* that same year.
So, did everyone glance over the note from David Shepard here? No comments at all. That's pretty big news from a guy who would know.
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I believe that I saved it someplace. Thanks. Not sure where though. I am looking for the file. There is late breaking new on *WINGS.* Don't expect a new transfer of the film this evening. Sadly, It isn't going to happen. However, while we are getting the same old, same old Tonight, Presumably, *WINGS* will be coming to DVD and Blu-ray pretty soon. Check out this quote by David Shepard posted just this morning. It is the first real confirmation that Paramount is indeed doing something major with *WINGS.* Now if we could get a similar announcement concerning *THE BIG PARADE,* from Warners.
*"Paramount is working on its own version of WINGS using the Academy's beautiful tinted restoration, a new orchestral recording of the 1927 score by J. S.Zamecnik (which is wonderful) and sound effects as done in the roadshow screenings which will be executed with modern technology by Ben Burtt. Be patient."*
*David Shepard*
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I have many Super 8 Silent films. But I always played them with music.
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> {quote:title=calvinnme wrote:}{quote}
> "I'm very interested to see how people think that WINGS stacks up against THE BIG PARADE? I'm kind of surprised that any version of WINGS is still on Youtube. Clips from THE BIG PARADE have been posted many times, and they are repeatedly taken down after a short period of time. "
>
> I'm not surprised. All of MGM's silents are owned by Warner Brothers whose lawyers are very aggressive in their defense of their copyright. Wings along with the rest of the Paramount silent library is still owned by Paramount who thinks anything made before 1990 is ancient history and of no commercial value. I've sat through entire Paramount silent films on youtube that were up for over a year with nobody taking them down. I've lucked into a few early talkie Warner films in their entirety, but they were so cleverly disguised via some truncated name that you'd never find them by title.
Don't expect a new transfer of *WINGS* this evening. Sadly, It isn't going to happen. However, While it is the same old, same old Tonight, there is very big late breaking news on *WINGS.* Presumably it will be coming to DVD and Blu-ray pretty soon. Check out this quote by David Shepard this morning. It is the first real confirmation that Paramount is indeed doing something major with *WINGS.* Now if we could get a similar announcement concerning *THE BIG PARADE,* from Warners.
*"Paramount is working on its own version of WINGS using the Academy's beautiful tinted restoration, a new orchestral recording of the 1927 score by J. S.Zamecnik (which is wonderful) and sound effects as done in the roadshow screenings which will be executed with modern technology by Ben Burtt. Be patient."*
*David Shepard*
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Why on earth would you mute the scores? The music is half the mystique of Silent films. Granted there are some really bad scores out there, but there are also many, many excellent ones. Silent movies are not meant to be seen in silence. That is just plain Nuts! You have missed out on allot of great music by doing this. I don't get it.
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Jim,
Cool. Do they have the Axt-Mendoza scores? What is missing from the re-issue of these that are in the Thames versions? BEN HUR, I have a pretty good idea, the Technicolor footage, but I know nothing about what was cut from THE BIG PARADE. Last year someone posted a listing of the entire Axt-Mendoza score here. Carl Davis basically only kept about 5 or 6 melodies. I've seen the re-issue clip on THE MGM PARADE, and didn't think much of all the excessive sound effects during the Jimmy Leaves For the front sequence. The music is pretty much the same, but drowned out.
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It simply is not so, that no one but me has complained. Check old posts here, on THE GOLDEN AGE OF HOLLYWOOD, Silver Screen Oasis, Larry''s 66 Diner Etc,. you will find out very quickly that is not the case.
I have no problem with the Gaylord Carter score. For years I was used to it. I actually like the score quite a bit. But I am disappointed that we can't get a sharper crisper more recent transfer of the film itself. Something closer to say what the DVD extra of the 1923 THE TEN COMMANDMENTS looked like. Something that might actually translate half-ways decent to today's television sets. Instead of still seeing what was shown on the old AMC clear back in 1991. I still have that recording by the way on a Super VHS T-160 tape.
The sad thing is that the Photoplay Productions WINGS continues to remain more myth, legend and rumor, than it does established fact. There is more evidence that the Easter Bunny exists than the Photoplay WINGS. If I hadn't finally seen it for myself, I would never have believed it either.
Say, is your 16 millimeter of THE BIG PARADE the 1931 re-issue?
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Jim,
You mean Gaylord Carter for existing score right? Not Carl Davis? His wasn't composed until 1993. Yeah Dredroll posted three years ago too. It was my understanding the Gaylord Carter score was recorded in the late 70's.
The exact same thing that we got last time. No new transfer? What happened with the Hi-Def transfer that Paramount was supposed to be working on in the Fall of 2008???? Why were they working on it, if it was not going to be shown on TCM or someplace? I maintain that there is no NTSC Broadcast master of the Photoplay version and never has been one. What I would like to know is will this version ever see the light of day again?
The other thing is, how is is that my friend Kyle can take his Laser-disc and easily make up a DVD-R copy that is 5 to 6 times as sharp as what was seen on TCM three years ago? I mean it's not that tough to do, and at very little if any added expense either.
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My Oscar for best picture would have went to *SEVENTH HEAVEN.* Personally, I think it is a much better film than *WINGS.* No doubt *WINGS* won based on scope and spectacle. Although overall *SEVENTH HEAVEN* still received more awards. The biggest problem with *WINGS* is the ending makes no sense.
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I'm very interested to see how people think that WINGS stacks up against THE BIG PARADE? I'm kind of surprised that any version of WINGS is still on Youtube. Clips from THE BIG PARADE have been posted many times, and they are repeatedly taken down after a short period of time.
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Fred,
Those guys are just following Wild Bill Wellman's lead! I mean He never heard a swear word that he didn't like! Ha, Ha, Ha! Cursing is light in comparison to WHAT PRICE GLORY? (1926) Victor McLaglen and Edmund Lowe really tear it up. And none of that was in the script.
Hope that this isn't indicative of the print of WINGS that we will see tomorrow. Although actually the Monochrome looks allot better in those clips, than it did on TCM three years ago. Much crisper. Be sure to check out the two clips that I posted from the Tinted Photoplay version with the Carl Davis score on TCM CFU. Just in case we don't get that Sunday.
Should voices be added to some silent movies?
in General Discussions
Posted
I equate this nonsense with what was done with the Original *STAR TREK* series. Adding all this modern CGI garbage. You can't even get the series anymore without all these lame computer enhanced effects. Ridiculous! It makes me sick. Does the CGI make the episodes better? Definitely not! It looks stupid! And is a complete and utter desecration of the way the episodes were meant to be seen.They have altered the series-makers artistic vision. Not for the better. Worse they are circumventing history.