is WHV just going to put out all the MGM shorts as bonus features?

corey3rd · #1 04-25-2006, 12:54 AM

I just picked up Classic Musicals from the Dream Factory which has 7 MGM shorts (although one is a Tom & Jerry that's already been released). Seeing how the Marx Brothers and Thin Man boxsets also had a lot of MGM shorts, I wonder if all the non-T&J MGM shorts out as bonus features on boxsets before WHV puts out any sort of complete collection.

BTW the Avery cartoons look great. Have they been remastered for the always rumored DVD boxset?

Daffysleftfoot · #2 04-25-2006, 04:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by corey3rd

BTW the Avery cartoons look great. Have they been remastered for the always rumored DVD boxset?

I'll let Jerry Beck field this one.

MF TOON · #3 04-25-2006, 06:58 AM

I don't think any of these shorts have been remastered. They look like they're in great condition, but I highly doubt any of the current DVD transfers were sourced from remastered prints.

As for the cartoons' release context... I love the idea of including these as bonus shorts on upcoming classic movie releases, but I sure hope that isn't the sole intent to get these out to the public!

Ray Pointer · #4 04-25-2006, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MF TOON

I don't think any of these shorts have been remastered. They look like they're in great condition, but I highly doubt any of the current DVD transfers were sourced from remastered prints.

As for the cartoons' release context... I love the idea of including these as bonus shorts on upcoming classic movie releases, but I sure hope that isn't the sole intent to get these out to the public!

Since the majority, if not all of the Time-Warner film library has been transaferred to video or some form of digital video for running on TCM, there is no need to "remaster" prints.The usual proceedure is to transfer from existing negatives, using the positive print for the soundtrack source. Take into account also the tremendous volume of films they have, and the proceedures in "remastering" certain films that may not carry the importance as others, and it becomes a matter of practicality.

The procedure for "restoration" today is to work with the telecine transfers already on digital media and make the necessary corrections. This includes image stablization, which eliminates image weave due to shinkage, scratch and dirt removal, exposure correction (timing), and sound processing and enhancing.

Regarding the inclusion of certain shorts and cartoons, I've gotten the impression that some of these shorts and cartoons were not researched for their original releases in the feature film packages the way they played with in their theatrical releases. Does anyone know for sure?

MF TOON · #5 04-25-2006, 11:14 AM

I believe the idea is just to chose shorts from the studios output of the same year (as the accompanying feature) to give an example of what might have been seen had you gone to the cinema during 19__. I don't think they were too concerned with historical accuracy as far as pairing films with specific short subjects that accompanied one another upon original theatrical screenings. At least that's the idea I've gotten from their selections.

JERRY BECK · #6 04-25-2006, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MF TOON

I believe the idea is just to chose shorts from the studios output of the same year (as the accompanying feature) to give an example of what might have been seen had you gone to the cinema during 19__. I don't think they were too concerned with historical accuracy as far as pairing films with specific short subjects that accompanied one another upon original theatrical screenings. At least that's the idea I've gotten from their selections.

MF TOON is correct. That is the thinking behind the cartoon selections.

At this time, there are no plans to release any MGM cartoons as collections on DVD - except for the TEX AVERY cartoons, which will hopefully be restored in time for release NEXT year (no promises however).

MF TOON · #7 04-25-2006, 11:52 AM

Well than I'm sure glad I was able to score that brand new HH laserdisc set on Ebay last month that you put together with George Feltenstein!

**Matthew Hunter** · #8 04-25-2006, 12:03 PM

Tex Avery's great, but I guess that means directors like Harman, Ising, Gordon, Lundy, etc. will never get released? No great loss I suppose, but they SHOULD be made available.

Chow Hound · #9 04-25-2006, 01:04 PM

A Tex Avery set in 2007 is great news! Thanks for the info, Mr. Beck.

I just hope WHV doesn't chicken out at the last minute and edit them.

Leviathan · #10 04-25-2006, 01:23 PM

2007. Got that marked on my Calendar.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chow Hound

A Tex Avery set in 2007 is great news! Thanks for the info, Mr. Beck.

I just hope WHV doesn't chicken out at the last minute and edit them.

Or grab edited masters by mistake. (however, if they are indeed being restored, that might not be as much of a problem)