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Dominic McHugh · Guest

Today when watching 'South Pacific', I thought, not for the first time, what a shame it is that some of the greatest songs of all time are spoiled by the lurid colour washes over the picture during the music in this film. Both SP and Camelot are extremely fine musicals in themselves, but are spoiled, I think, by the direction of Joshua Logan. I wonder why he was entrusted with these films when he seems to understand the genre of the musical so little? 0h, for Stanley Donen! Does anyone know of any good films by Logan? Or why he directed these films?

Thank you

Dominic

PS I loved 'The Man with the Golden Arm', and particularly the Bernstein interview. It's nice to have film music REALLY appreciated at last!

Christoph Nestel · Guest

Which of the Rogers & Hammerstein Musicals are now available in UK on DVD. ? When I searched at www.play.com I found that "South Pacific" is not available. Thanks for your help.

Dominic McHugh · Guest

Dear Christopher

'The Sound of Music' and 'The King and I' have been available in the UK on DVD for over a year now, individually. I recommend Choices Direct (www.choicesdirect.co.uk)for UK orders. They are both 16.99, postage is free.

On Monday, 20th Century Fox released a UK version of the 6 R&H Musicals Boxset, comprising Sound of Music, King and I, South Pacific, State Fair, Oklahoma! and Carousel. (It was this release that sparked my little outburst about poor Joshua yesterday). However, the picture quality of Oklahoma! is absolutely abominable, and they have used the 'Full Screen' (4:3) format in this film after the opening titles, thus ruining many of the scenes with involved dancing. The Sound of Music and The King and I are identical to last year's releases, and they haven't even bothered to alter the packaging to match the new releases. Furthermore, the special features are sparse on all but SOM. Some are especially ridiculous, such as the supposed 'Singalong' on King and I; it is merely a playing of the soundtrack of some of the songs, but no words are included to allow you to sing along. I think that this is quite a half-hearted attempt. Again, and I feel it should be reiterated, the Laureate approach to producing DVDs is far superior to these musicals ('Hello Dolly' was equally pathetic earlier this year, special features-wise). The laxness is ovbious from a mere glance at the four new releases, all of which are said to contain 'Infrequent, mild violence', even though this presumably refers only to Oklahoma! It's also a nuisance to have to re-buy Sound of Music and King and I, and not get anything different from them. However, at least we have been deemed important enough to be allowed to see these films on DVD at last; they have been available in the USA for some months.
(£50.99 from Choices Direct; it may be cheaper elsewhere?).

Hope this is of some use.

Dominic

Dominic McHugh · Guest

that in 1999 the Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals were remastered (the main 6 anyway) and these are the versions used in the American boxset - but the region 2 release uses the rusty old version of oklahoma! and State Fair.

Inundation over. For the time being.
DM

Dominic McHugh · Guest

I do apologise for anglicising your name. I really wasn't concentrating. And of course, if you live in Germany, then Choices Direct might not be quite so willing to give you free postage. Who knows? You can always try Amazon.co.uk

D.M.

Christoph Nestel · Guest

Dear Domninic,

thanks for all the information. Now I also found the Rodgers & Hammerstein Collection at www.play.com. If you only search after the different film titles as I did first, you won't find them there with the search engine. But I'm really shocked to hear that there are titles included which are not presented in their original correct theatrical aspect ratio. This makes no sense and no fun...

Dominic McHugh · Guest

The only consolation of the set is 'Carousel', which seems to be a really good print with 5.0 sound. 'South Pacific' is also satisfactory, with 51. surround sound, but as you know I have reservations about the terrible colours in this film's songs. Oklahoma is abominable, however - and the sound is dreadful too (2.0).

Dominic

Ken Barnes · Guest

Yes, I tend to agree with you about Joshua Logan. He was an eminent theatrical director with a vivid track record which,film companies felt would carry over into films. Of course, "South Pacific" - despite its many shortcomings - was an immense box office hit, and nothing succeeds like success.

Did he make any good films? Yes. I think " Bus Stop" with Marilyn Monroe is pretty good and I like "Picnic" with William Holden and Kim Novak. But outside of these, I think his screen work was generally stodgy.

Thanks for your kind comments re. "The Man With The Golden Arm."