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Richard Moore · Guest

Dear Ken,

A previous thread on Danny Kaye has got me to thinking about a film I’ve got a very soft spot for but as far as I know has never been released on video (at least in the uk) let alone DVD, “The Five Pennies”. Whilst at first glance it’s a run of the mill partly fictionalised biopic (of jazz cornet player Loring “Red” Nichols) it does contain an (as usual brilliant performance by Kaye, A great Sylvia Fine score and support from Barbara Bel Geddes but also features Bob Crosby, Ray Anthony, Shelly Manne AND Louis Armstrong. Red Nichols even plays his “own” cornet.

I can’t help feeling this would make a great DVD (providing a decent Vistavision negative can be found!). I have a copy of the Stereo soundtrack album so as it was recorded this way (hopefully multi channel) maybe a stereo soundtrack could be created providing the masters still exist of course! (I’m a sound engineer and I’d mix it for free!)

The album states that it was a “Dena” production presented by paramount pictures – but I wouldn’t want to guess who owns the rights these day!

If (as was also hinted in a previous posting) you do issue some Danny Kaye films perhaps this could be a possibility!

Keep up the good work!

Richard Moore

Ken Barnes · Guest

Thanks Richard for your comments re.The 5 Pennies. This was an extremely popular and successful film in its day - and it's looked on today with great affection by Danny Kaye
fans.

I'm not certain who owns the rights today. I can tell you that about two years ago Universal Music were planning to issue the CD( which was originally issued on the Dot label)
and found that they had lost the rights. It could be that
Paramount no longer own the rights to the movie.

However, they did issue a very good DVD of "The Court Jester " (possibly Kaye's finest film - which was a Dena production )so maybe they still have releasing privileges.
If so, it would be good to see "Knock On Wood" ( my own
personal favourite of Kaye's films ) released on DVD.

I'll try to follow this up when I get time.

Regards
Ken Barnes