laureatedvd.com

[Ken Barnes]

Hi Mark,

I think you must be the early bird that got lucky.
I don't even have copies myself yet.

Actually, the Marx Brothers set was the first completed. This is because three of the four titles were done in the USA - all we did was add Animal Crackers to the set - sadly with no extras. But the quality of picture is pretty good for movies of this vintage. The other three sets are more elaborate and were all produced by the Laureate team.

The Fred and Ginger is leading the field and you should have that this week. Next to hit the market will be the "Roads" followed by Cary Grant.

Thanks
Ken

[Dominic McHugh]

I bought my Fred and Ginger boxset yesterday and enjoyed it hugely. The introductions by Ava Astaire are excellent, revealing the usual insights we have come to expect from her in Laureate presentations.

Is it my imagination, or does 'Change Partners' come from 'Carefree'? On the back of the box it says it's a Gershwin song (!) and comes from 'Shall We Dance?'!

A shame there are no audio commentaries, but the picture quality is the finest I have ever seen!

A resounding success, once again!

Dominic

[Ken Barnes]

Hi Dominic,

The mistake in crediting "Change Partners" to Gershwin is something that happened with the box design - which I never saw and wasn't asked to check. This was due mainly because the box sets were put together rather hurriedly in order to meet the release date.

In the future I will be checking all artwork before it goes to press. It will not happen again.

There were no audio commentaries this time for the same reason. But, I'm glad you like Ava's contribution which contains several hitherto unknown facts and tid bits of information.

There'll be more goodies to come next year.

Thanks for your support
Ken

[Dominic]

Glad somebody noticed (about the name I mean)! There is indeed no 'e' in any part of my name! I wondered where the confusion came from...?

As for Carefree, yes I know. The new box set unfortunately advertises 'Change Partners' as being one of Gershwin's songs from 'Shall We Dance?' but it was written by Irving Berlin - one of his very best!

I was watching Top Hat last night and I'm sure there's a cut early on in the film at the end of the florist's scene, though I could be going insane (it has been known): I thought the last line was something like 'Mr Berdini's niceties are very nice' but there's a jump to the next bit - is there a reason?

By the way, it was fascinating to see that the British censors cut the word 'Satan' from the song 'Get thee behind me' in 'Follow The Fleet'! Can't wait to finish watching the other films!

Dominic

[Ken Barnes]

Hi Mark,

Dominic is right about the cut - and the line of dialogue
is correct. This was the best print available but it had some dropped frames and that line of dialogue about "niceties" being "very nice" was a casualty. Elsewhere, we gave it the full treatment and I think the soundtrack is in the best condition of any previous video release.

One question. How come you obtained the Marx Brothers before release ? I mentioned this to Universal and they'd like to know where you bought it from. Would you mind letting me know ?

Thanks
Ken

[Dominic McHugh]

A shame about the casualty because the line is one of the funniest in the film! You wouldn't miss it if you didn't know it was meant to be there. Some of the dropped frames you mentioned are more obvious, however, because VERY occasionally a dance or line of song isn't quite in synch with the soundtrack. On the other hand, I must admit both soundtrack and picture quality are excellent and I probably shouldn't make so much fuss - but this is one of my all-time favourite films!!!!!

Incidentally, the DVD version of 'The Day of the Jackal' that I have (not a Laureate release, I hasten to add!) has several cut scenes, the most striking being the one where Edward Fox kills the maker of his special gun with which he is to carry out the assassination. This is a complete travesty!

Also, the box of the UK release of 'My Fair Lady' makes an abominable spelling mistake: Heresford instead of Hereford!
You're not alone in being at the mercy of the writers of DVD-blurbs!

I hope 'Swing Time' arrives in the not-too distant future! I've finished all the Fred films now-might have to get Cary Grant!

Best wishes

Dominic

[Ken Barnes]

Dear Mark,

Thanks for the info. My lips are sealed.

Best
Ken