Have to ask this question. Did Flicker Alley even try to get CHICAGO (1927) on TCM? I mean it just doesn't make any sense that they picked up both MISS MEND and LAILA, but have not broadcast CHICAGO at all in the two years it has been out on DVD. Don't get me wrong. I enjoyed LAILA allot. Thought it was a very fine film, but it doesn't seem anywhere near as commercially viable as CHICAGO would be. You have the modern remake that people know. Plus the Roxie Hart film from the 40's with Ginger Rogers which TCM airs on occasion to drum up interest from the dedicated 30's-50's crowd.I would think allot of people would be curious to see the first Hollywood version made in the same decade that the original stage play takes place. Maybe if De Mille's name was listed as director they would have picked it up right away? I just find it a shame this is not being shown, Because it is one of finest print transfers of among the best preserved Silents you will ever see. I know they have gotten frequent requests too, because I see it all the time listed on TCM's Suggest A Movie board. Even thought that site has persistent glitches and seldom works properly. It routinely skips several days of requests. They seem either incapable of fixing it, or just don't care. Very depressing.
Incidentally, where is the print of Mabel Normand's MICKEY (1918) coming from, which airs on TCM next month? I hope that it is a new restoration of some kind?
I haven't really heard much about those Sennett restorations? Will there be a DVD release?
