Tweet Rags and Riches: The Mary Pickford Collection

By the by, Dennis, your mobile site is fantastic; extremely easy to browse and order from my iPhone. Top marks!

OK, I placed my last night and got a notice that it was shipped today? On a Sunday? That is quick service. Ordered the Blu-ray set. Should have it in just a few days! Very pleased. Now if we could just get restored versions of THE LITTLE AMERICAN, JOHANNA ENLISTS, POLLYANNA, and especially LITTLE ANNIE ROONEY. Long overdue. Yes the site was very easy to use. Very unlike the Warner Archive webpage which is a Bear.

Now if we could just get restored versions of THE LITTLE AMERICAN, JOHANNA ENLISTS, POLLYANNA, and especially LITTLE ANNIE ROONEY. Long overdue.

And quoting a line spoken by Margaret Dumont in DUCK SOUP: "I've already given Freedonia more than half the money my husband left me ... and now you're asking for ANOTHER twenty million dollars!"

(Except that in her case, it is supposed to be funny).

David Shepard

David,

Yeah, I could use the 20 Million Dollars too! Gladly settle for a couple hundred thousand.

I recently saw a really poor quality version of Johanna Enlists on youtube as well as Rosita on youtube. I really wanted to avoid watching it on such bad quality but I couldn't resist but watch these treasures in whatever format they are available as, we don't live forever you know.... haha

Anyway I'm not expecting any miracles, I hope in the future more Pickford films will be restored and screened to a big audience someday but I'm not holding my breath, it could take another ten years perhaps when I'm almost 35.

Anyway I'm not expecting any miracles, I hope in the future more Pickford films will be restored and screened to a big audience someday but I'm not holding my breath, it could take another ten years perhaps when I'm almost 35.

BOAS, my heart aches for you, child.

[Christopher Jacobs]

My disc arrived in today's mail already! I'll probably watch one or more of the features and bonus features tonight projected on a big screen, but I've already looked at the cute kid-friendly intros and outros for each film. These are roughly five minutes each at the beginning and end of each movie (so around a half-hour total for the three movies). They're designed to be shown in chronological order and should be ideal for introducing kids about 12 and under to silent films while giving them an amazingly comprehensive overview of early film history and technology without getting too terribly detailed. They may be cutesy but they're also very informative, each one building on what was discussed in the previous one while giving specific information about the particular film on that disc. While such short running times make them obviously limited in scope, they do use correct information and terminology instead of the vague and often inaccurate generalizations that usually show up in TV shows dealing with film history. They might also work quite effectively for film-history-deficient adults.

A quick skip through the chapter stops shows beautiful image quality (with some obvious wear on the negatives), and while SPARROWS looks very nice indeed, it actually seems about a generation further removed than the two earlier films, both of which looked incredibly sharp in the few minutes I watched. (Ironically, SPARROWS is tonight's movie on the summer cinema series of silents with live pipe organ scores down at MSUM about an hour's drive south of me!)

Anyway I'm not expecting any miracles, I hope in the future more Pickford films will be restored and screened to a big audience someday but I'm not holding my breath, it could take another ten years perhaps when I'm almost 35.

As long as you can still dodder in with your walker, hon.

:D OK, I placed my last night and got a notice that it was shipped today? On a Sunday? That is quick service. Ordered the Blu-ray set. Should have it in just a few days! Very pleased. Now if we could just get restored versions of THE LITTLE AMERICAN, JOHANNA ENLISTS, POLLYANNA, and especially LITTLE ANNIE ROONEY. Long overdue. Yes the site was very easy to use. Very unlike the Warner Archive webpage which is a Bear.

Yes, Amy is very industrious and wants to get every order out by no later than the next day.

As for the next batch of films, that is for the Pickford people to decide and I have my own opinions of what I would like, but you can discuss it with them as well. Of course, there's a transition period now and we're all waiting to see how everything works out.

Got my order today too! Fabulous. Can't wait to check it out in a few hours...

Any chance of putting HEART O' THE HILLS and THE LOVE LIGHT on Blu with different scores?

I'll second that RE: Heart O' The HIlls (if it ever comes out).

I received my new set today as well. "Sparrows" looks a little softer than the other two features (which look marvelously sharp), but it's still very watchable. I can't wait to see it again!

The scores sound like they're going to be fine (based on the few minutes I heard), and I'm glad the disc was encoded so that you could skip the introductions if you want.

The home movie (with Chaplin) came up stretched on my system, for some reason. It looks like an up-convert. "Ramona" isn't an up-convert, but the image seems a little off - like it's been over-processed somehow. No matter... those are relatively insignificant. The three features look fantastic, the scores sound nice, and the price can't be beat.

Silent blu-ray release of the year so far, IMHO. More, please! And soon. .

Mine arrived today as well. I sense a trend here. Kudos!

I ordered the Blu-ray and am also waiting for its arrival, which should be imminent if earlier posts are an indication. I've seen the three films on TCM so I know the restored prints should look pretty good. I do hope the actual making of the Blu-ray would yield a problem-free product. The problems on the Phantom of the Opera and A Trip to the Moon Blu-rays have shown us that this kind of endeavor is often fraught with perils!

I wonder why Milestone decided to add children-oriented content to this. This would be something Disney would do if it ever released silents. But what kids would ever hear of Milestone? For those wondering what this is, the email we got from Milestone says that this DVD/Blu-ray set is "designed to introduce younger viewers to the pleasures of silent films. Each film includes an optional short intro featuring a group of kids who discover a treasure trove of old films in an attic and learn a lot about film history in the process. Each silent feature also has an optional audio track with spoken intertitles and explanations to help them enjoy the experience even more!"

[Mike Gebert]

Well, I'd be introducing my kids to silents with it, except they already know silents (and, in fact, have already seen Sparrows).

Got mine already! Alas, I don't think I can get to it until after the SF Silent Film Fest. It's on the tiptop of the pile of DVDs!

I wonder why Milestone decided to add children-oriented content to this. This would be something Disney would do if it ever released silents. But what kids would ever hear of Milestone? For those wondering what this is, the email we got from Milestone says that this DVD/Blu-ray set is "designed to introduce younger viewers to the pleasures of silent films. Each film includes an optional short intro featuring a group of kids who discover a treasure trove of old films in an attic and learn a lot about film history in the process. Each silent feature also has an optional audio track with spoken intertitles and explanations to help them enjoy the experience even more!"

An interesting point, and I'll try to answer.

First and foremost, the release was produced by the Mary Pickford Institute For Film Education, so that's really the explanation. But obviously the answer, is why not? Hopefully, there'll be others without expertise who are coming to Mary Pickford for the first time -- and perhaps there will be elementary teachers using it in classes and public librarians who will use it as introductions for their patrons. For the rest of us, that's why I put it as an option on the menu.

And as for what kids would ever hear of Milestone, well, there's ours for one. He's sorta-kinda proud of our work. And we're considered to be very cool by the college crowd ever since we started our run of Killer of Sheep, The Exiles, On the Bowery and The Connection (this, after forty-eight years of nerdom, really boggles my mind). But we're not really out to introduce Milestone to anybody. My own family doesn't know what we do. We're about promoting the directors and the films. And for the past twelve years or so, Mary Pickford of course.

Just ordered mine. No problem selecting Blu-Ray. Can't wait.

I wonder why Milestone decided to add children-oriented content to this. This would be something Disney would do if it ever released silents. But what kids would ever hear of Milestone? For those wondering what this is, the email we got from Milestone says that this DVD/Blu-ray set is "designed to introduce younger viewers to the pleasures of silent films. Each film includes an optional short intro featuring a group of kids who discover a treasure trove of old films in an attic and learn a lot about film history in the process. Each silent feature also has an optional audio track with spoken intertitles and explanations to help them enjoy the experience even more!"

An interesting point, and I'll try to answer.

First and foremost, the release was produced by the Mary Pickford Institute For Film Education, so that's really the explanation. But obviously the answer, is why not? Hopefully, there'll be others without expertise who are coming to Mary Pickford for the first time -- and perhaps there will be elementary teachers using it in classes and public librarians who will use it as introductions for their patrons. For the rest of us, that's why I put it as an option on the menu.

And as for what kids would ever hear of Milestone, well, there's ours for one. He's sorta-kinda proud of our work. And we're considered to be very cool by the college crowd ever since we started our run of Killer of Sheep, The Exiles, On the Bowery and The Connection (this, after forty-eight years of nerdom, really boggles my mind). But we're not really out to introduce Milestone to anybody. My own family doesn't know what we do. We're about promoting the directors and the films. And for the past twelve years or so, Mary Pickford of course.

I'm sure it's well-intentioned but I'm not sure it would achieve the desired effect. One thing kids don't like is to be treated as kids, especially when the segments show them as cinema illiterates who need to be educated. I'm all for educating the public about film, but these little segments may strike some as condescending. TCM has a segment called "TCM Essential Jr." that also tries to appeal to younger viewers, and it does so without reminding the viewers how uneducated they are. Btw, I received the Blu-ray today so thanks for the first-class service.

I actually got a chance to watch these intros a while back in March at the Mary Pickford Institute and I found them informative for individuals who aren't familiar with early film history. I'm sure it's not a surprise for some to find that even adults don't know basic film history and can actually learn from the information provided. The intros reminded me of something one could find on PBS children's program on the topic of film education. I have personally found that a lot of children become attached to the Pickford characters and the intros are just a big plus because they do their job with establishing a context for silent film and early cinema. I think can be helpful since in this society now, everything is completely digitized and untouchable. Some people don't even know what a film reel looks like. Anyway, I apologize for saying too much. If silent film enthusiasts don't like the kiddie intros, there's the option of skipping them.

Finally had a chance to check these out. Excellent prints, with amazing detail. And, it sure is nice to have SPARROWS at the proper projection speed at last; the previous DVD was far too slow.

The image for THE HOODLUM is a bit jumpy for the first ten minutes or so, but is fairly steady after that. I'm extremely happy with this release. Kudos to all involved, and bring on more Pickford Blus!

One weird thing: SPARROWS and THE HOODLUM wouldn't play in my LG player from 2008, firmware updated through 2010, but played fine in my Samsung player from 2010, firmware updated through 2011. I haven't had problems playing other new Blu releases in my LG. Some players just don't like certain discs. The DARKMAN Blu won't play in my Samsung, but plays fine in my LG. Always helps to have multiple players on hand!

I got my copy yesterday too. Will be checking them out this weekend. I've already see the new restorations on TCM, but it's been a while. Though I recorded them at the time. Milestone needs to keep Bonnie Ruth Janofsky around for future projects. She did wonderful work for THE HOODLUM. Would be nice if other labels took notice as well.

Got mine yesterday and just did a spot check. WOW! Simply gorgeous. Thanks Dennis and Amy and to Dr Goessel for making these restorations possible.

I watched THE HOODLUM tonight. Loved the tinted stills, and menu music. First time I have seen it since it debuted on TCM a couple years back. There seem to be a few missing title-cards here and there. Again, I have to echo my sentiments from when I first saw this. Just a delightful picture. A lovely forgotten Gem, and probably Mary's most underrated film. I was rather surprised that this was distributed by First National back in 1919. Did not recall that. Bonnie Ruth Janofsky's score if very good. At times even exceptional. She needs to score allot more Silent films. I can imagine her working on Colleen Moore's HER WILD OAT for TCM.

Just joined. Glad to be here. Just ordered the Blu-Ray dvd. Can't wait to get it!!!

Just joined. Glad to be here. Just ordered the Blu-Ray dvd. Can't wait to get it!!!

The Blu-Ray either went out today or it's going out first thing in the morning!

Just joined. Glad to be here. Just ordered the Blu-Ray dvd. Can't wait to get it!!!

The Blu-Ray either went out today or it's going out first thing in the morning!

Just got it in today Sir. That was fast. Thank you very much, can't wait to watch them now.

I've waited a long time for this set to be release but, this monday, it finally came in the mail. I've watched "Poor Little Rich Girl" and part of "The Hoodlum" and I'm more than happy with what I saw, the image quality is better than I was expecting

As for the little intro, they are great for people who don't know nothing about silent cinema or children like my nice and nephew, but there is a lot of time during the movies that what I was reading on the intertitles might not easy to understand if you don't know your early 20th Century history.

So I what to say a big thank you to all of those who where involve in the process of bringing this box set to life

As for the little intro, they are great for people who don't know nothing about silent cinema or children like my nice and nephew, but there is a lot of time during the movies that what I was reading on the intertitles might not easy to understand if you don't know your early 20th Century history.
So I what to say a big thank you to all of those who where involve in the process of bringing this box set to life

You're welcome (mostly from the Pickford people who produced the set)! Funny thing, I haven't mentioned it before, but there IS an alternate soundtrack on the discs where Grandpa reads the intertitles for the very young and he does explain some of the more archaic terms.

Watched all of these last night. Looks absolutely amazing. Excellent work on these transfers. Love to see more Mary on Blu someday.

Just ordered my copy and two other titles. Looking forward to them.

Rick