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I know they're Alpha dvds so you can't expect perfection (or likely, even very good) but has anyone bought any of these fairly recent Gloria Swanson releases?

If only the contents of those cases matched the artwork! I think they'd be less disappointing if they were sold in plain brown paper sleeves. Really like to see Something to Think About myself.

I've got Alpha's Shifting Sands & Manhandled, but can't remember quality of prints; quality of scores is "un-listenable." Shouldn't be any problems with The Trespasser, however, being a talkie.

entredeuxguerres wrote:If only the contents of those cases matched the artwork! I think they'd be less disappointing if they were sold in plain brown paper sleeves. Really like to see Something to Think About myself.

I've got Alpha's Shifting Sands & Manhandled, but can't remember quality of prints; quality of scores is "un-listenable." Shouldn't be any problems with The Trespasser, however, being a talkie.

Yes I've noticed Alpha has improved at least in making great looking dvd covers (of course they're now usually just reprinting old poster images). The Trepasser is a talkie but it can still be a mess; re the Mary Pickford Kiki that's all over the place (don't know if Alpha has it) with a buzz that sounds like your worst AM radio nightmare. Alpha has released Mae Murray's Peacock Alley talkie (with the cover being the poster to Mae's earlier silent film of the same name) but that one is undoubtably as incomplete as the copies of it elsewhere.

I just watched Manhandled for the first time in several years, and would describe it as a typical grey-market silent: a many times duped print, much too dark (can't be brightened without loosing all contrast), titles faded, but still quite watchable, except, probably, by those constantly chattering about the latest 4K restoration. For the first 10 min. the score isn't bad at all, but thereafter goes steeply downhill. I've seen much worse, and for the money, it's acceptable.

If Something To Think About is no worse, I'd be satisfied, at an Alpha price; at a Kino price, no way.

Good God--what am I talking about! This is a GRAPEVINE! Had it shelved with some Alphas, and the artwork on the case made it look like them. But if Alpha had this title, it would probably look the same, as most of the grey-market products seem to have a common source.

The music is more likely to be the problem.... the prints should be fine for the silents.....

THE TRESPASSER recently surfaced on free-classic movies.com, with the Alpha logo. Considering its scarcity, it looks in decent shape. I know that some of the Alphas leave a lot to be desired, but they do a good job in making such films available for those of us with slender purses...

...and of course some of them are otherwise unavailable, unless on the 'gray' market...

earlytalkiebuffRob wrote:THE TRESPASSER recently surfaced on free-classic movies.com, with the Alpha logo. Considering its scarcity, it looks in decent shape. I know that some of the Alphas leave a lot to be desired, but they do a good job in making such films available for those of us with slender purses...

Having been broadcast on TCM, excellent copies are now in circulation. Comes close, incidentally, to being my favorite Swanson picture.

You can see The Trespasser here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzWDXm8PwYA



I found and downloaded Something To Think About the other day and now I can't find it again. So some of these films are out there to watch but difficult to find.

J

earlytalkiebuffRob wrote:THE TRESPASSER recently surfaced on free-classic movies.com, with the Alpha logo. Considering its scarcity, it looks in decent shape. I know that some of the Alphas leave a lot to be desired, but they do a good job in making such films available for those of us with slender purses...

I agree with you completely and loathe those idiotic one star "reviews" on Amazon and the like slamming these old pd releases for print quality. Honestly I think a lot of people just like to whine on the net.

Harlowgold wrote:

earlytalkiebuffRob wrote:THE TRESPASSER recently surfaced on free-classic movies.com, with the Alpha logo. Considering its scarcity, it looks in decent shape. I know that some of the Alphas leave a lot to be desired, but they do a good job in making such films available for those of us with slender purses...

I agree with you completely and loathe those idiotic one star "reviews" on Amazon and the like slamming these old pd releases for print quality. Honestly I think a lot of people just like to whine on the net.

I also agree. I've found some of Alpha's cheapie titles to be as enjoyable as some more expensive, restored titles that I own.

Scott Eckhardt wrote: I also agree. I've found some of Alpha's cheapie titles to be as enjoyable as some more expensive, restored titles that I own.

Just depends on quality of the PD prints they can find to copy--their copies of Animal Kingdom, Most Dangerous Game, Murder by the Clock, Big News, for ex., are as good as anything else currently available.

Their silents are particularly lousy, although there are probably exceptions even to that rule. But there've been no takers on the ones I was trying to GIVE away.

entredeuxguerres wrote:

Scott Eckhardt wrote: I also agree. I've found some of Alpha's cheapie titles to be as enjoyable as some more expensive, restored titles that I own.

Just depends on quality of the PD prints they can find to copy--their copies of Animal Kingdom, Most Dangerous Game, Murder by the Clock, Big News, for ex., are as good as anything else currently available.

Their silents are particularly lousy, although there are probably exceptions even to that rule. But there've been no takers on the ones I was trying to GIVE away.

There is a British equivalent, 'Elstree Hill', which may be connected. I bought their copy of THE MOST DANGEROUS GAME, muttering 'Oh bugger!' or something similar when I realised I hadn't spotted the company. Turned out to be a very nice, clear copy. Alpha's copy of OH, YEAH? was certainly very acceptable for such a rarity as well...

It often depends on which more upscale company the lowrent company swipes its source from. I believe that was the case with Alpha's MOST DANGEROUS GAME.

They have also put out discs mastered from poor VHS dupes, with ancient tape rolls intact.

Haven't bought any of the Alpha Glorias yet but did purchase the 1920 serial A WOMAN IN GREY in my last dvd order

since this is one of the few silent serials with every chapter surviving; also the serial was released on Super 8mm by Blackhawk in the late 1970's so presumably the print is from a copy of their release.

I have a Woman in Grey from Grapevine. It was an enjoyable series. Hopefully the Alpha print and sound will be good.

Matthew

Blackhawk also sold The Woman in Grey on 16mm. I have chapters one, two, three and seven. Their versions were shortened from the original versions. The introductory titles say it was because so much footage from the previous chapters was recycled in the current chapter. Presumably a one-reel chapter would be cheaper and sell better than 15 two-reel chapters.

silentfilm wrote:Blackhawk also sold The Woman in Grey on 16mm. I have chapters one, two, three and seven. Their versions were shortened from the original versions. The introductory titles say it was because so much footage from the previous chapters was recycled in the current chapter. Presumably a one-reel chapter would be cheaper and sell better than 15 two-reel chapters.

I know it's not a silent, but I ordered THE TRESPASSER from them - I haven't gotten it yet. Does anyone know how much is missing from PEACOCK ALLEY....and does the color scene remain?

busby1959 wrote:...Does anyone know how much is missing from PEACOCK ALLEY....and does the color scene remain?

Don't know how much is missing, but what remains is well worth watching (assuming you appreciate Mae's rather strange personality!). Color remains in my copy (somewhat faded of course), but that might not be true of Alphas'.


Just watched it again--only about 55 min, so a fair bit must be missing. Color, however, is quite good, for two-strip; but it lasts only a couple of minutes.

busby1959 wrote:

silentfilm wrote:Blackhawk also sold The Woman in Grey on 16mm. I have chapters one, two, three and seven. Their versions were shortened from the original versions. The introductory titles say it was because so much footage from the previous chapters was recycled in the current chapter. Presumably a one-reel chapter would be cheaper and sell better than 15 two-reel chapters.

I know it's not a silent, but I ordered THE TRESPASSER from them - I haven't gotten it yet. Does anyone know how much is missing from PEACOCK ALLEY....and does the color scene remain?

You can watch - and download if you wish - Peacock Alley here from Alpha's print https://free-classic-movies.com/movies- ... /index.php and yes, unfortunately the color segment is missing. I do recall a decade ago there was an inexpensive dvd about Hollywood musicals which I believe was hosted by Mickey Rooney and remember reading it had color footage of Mae in this movie in a clip. I never did get around to buying that one, does anyone remember the name? I believe Marilyn Monroe is pictured on the dvd sleeve. Even in it's edited form this movie is pretty eye opening the way characters treat and discuss the presumed immorality of Mae's character. Pre-code indeed!