NitrateVille.com

While glancing at the coming attractions from Serial Squadron, I noticed that they have listed THE VAGABOND KING, 1930 coming to DVD with restored color. No info other than that, but I found that interesting.

Interesting--I'd rate it sensational! Though I know a color print exists (UCLA?), one scene from which was used in PBS "Broadway" series, I can't help feeling a little wary about this announcement, until I see a DVD actually offered for sale.

entredeuxguerres wrote:Interesting--I'd rate it sensational! Though I know a color print exists (UCLA?), one scene from which was used in PBS "Broadway" series, I can't help feeling a little wary about this announcement, until I see a DVD actually offered for sale.

It's listed on the site as "in production" along with a picture of what the dvd box would supposedly look like. There are two other items listed the same way. Something called ZUDORA and a Tarzan serial. I do find it strange that a company specializing in serials would be offering this. That said, their restored serials look great, If they do release it, it should be light years ahead of what we can currently get on this title.

Scott Eckhardt wrote:

entredeuxguerres wrote:Interesting--I'd rate it sensational! Though I know a color print exists (UCLA?), one scene from which was used in PBS "Broadway" series, I can't help feeling a little wary about this announcement, until I see a DVD actually offered for sale.

It's listed on the site as "in production" along with a picture of what the dvd box would supposedly look like. There are two other items listed the same way. Something called ZUDORA and a Tarzan serial. I do find it strange that a company specializing in serials would be offering this. That said, their restored serials look great, If they do release it, it should be light years ahead of what we can currently get on this title.

Yes they do produce a good product. The Beatrice Fairfax set was very good indeed.

"Zudora" sounded familiar, so I looked it up - I remembered reading about it awhile back. It's a 1914 serial from Thanhouser. Half-way through it, the name was changed to "The Million Dollar Mystery". According to the IMDB, only four of the original twenty chapters survive.

I almost went through the roof when I read about this! If it happens, it will be an answer to my prayers. Jeanette MacDonald and Lillian Roth in two-strip Technicolor? It doesn't get much better than that.

While it would certainly be wonderful, I feel more than a bit apprehensive. I was under the impression that Universal owns the 1930 version and that music rights could further complicate the situation. Serial Squadron appears to be a small company that deals primarily with PD material, of which THE VAGABOND KING certainly isn't.

Isn't The Vagabond King the one that UCLA restored (color version) years ago? I know a collector who claims to have a copy of this, but I've never seen it. It it sure seems unlikely that Eric would get a copy out of this particular collector.....

drednm wrote:Isn't The Vagabond King the one that UCLA restored (color version) years ago? ...

That's my impression, and how, presumably, PBS was able to show a glimpse of it in "Broadway."

On his FB page, Eric states "No, only UCLA has the 2-color technicolor of VK and I suppose there hasn't been enough funding available or interest to release it on DVD." So it sounds more likely his DVD will not be the color version. He also mention a release of THE DESERT SONG '29.

I'd ask Eric but he banned me from his page (heavens to Jill!) for arguing with him about Marion Davies' connection (there was none) to Beatrice Fairfax.....

OK. This supposed release is part of the Squadron Archive collection and not one of their standard releases. This is from the disclaimer on that page: "Copies of the following serials in which we have invested time and funds to preserve and restore (legally) are available to the public from this archive in accordance with Section 108 of the US Copyright Law which states that 'for preservation, scholarship or research, libraries or archives may reproduce, distribute or perform published works of art in their last 20 years of copyright if the work is not subject to commercial exploitation and cannot be obtained at a fair price.......By ordering a copy of one of these titles, you agree that you are a writer, reviewer, historian or library and research, review or study is your purpose in requesting a copy of any of these films which we have taken pains to restore as close to their original condition as possible."
And they do show a copy of the 1929 DESERT SONG as being available with the original two-color sequences "simulated". As I am not a lawyer, I don't have any idea if this is truly legal or what.

Scott Eckhardt wrote:OK. This supposed release is part of the Squadron Archive collection and not one of their standard releases. This is from the disclaimer on that page: "Copies of the following serials in which we have invested time and funds to preserve and restore (legally) are available to the public from this archive in accordance with Section 108 of the US Copyright Law which states that 'for preservation, scholarship or research, libraries or archives may reproduce, distribute or perform published works of art in their last 20 years of copyright if the work is not subject to commercial exploitation and cannot be obtained at a fair price.......By ordering a copy of one of these titles, you agree that you are a writer, reviewer, historian or library and research, review or study is your purpose in requesting a copy of any of these films which we have taken pains to restore as close to their original condition as possible."
And they do show a copy of the 1929 DESERT SONG as being available with the original two-color sequences "simulated". As I am not a lawyer, I don't have any idea if this is truly legal or what.

Well that's clear as Maine mud.....

drednm wrote:

Scott Eckhardt wrote:OK. This supposed release is part of the Squadron Archive collection and not one of their standard releases. This is from the disclaimer on that page: "Copies of the following serials in which we have invested time and funds to preserve and restore (legally) are available to the public from this archive in accordance with Section 108 of the US Copyright Law which states that 'for preservation, scholarship or research, libraries or archives may reproduce, distribute or perform published works of art in their last 20 years of copyright if the work is not subject to commercial exploitation and cannot be obtained at a fair price.......By ordering a copy of one of these titles, you agree that you are a writer, reviewer, historian or library and research, review or study is your purpose in requesting a copy of any of these films which we have taken pains to restore as close to their original condition as possible."
And they do show a copy of the 1929 DESERT SONG as being available with the original two-color sequences "simulated". As I am not a lawyer, I don't have any idea if this is truly legal or what.

Well that's clear as Maine mud.....

Hey, I didn't write it, I'm just passing it on.

Scott Eckhardt wrote:

drednm wrote:

Scott Eckhardt wrote:OK. This supposed release is part of the Squadron Archive collection and not one of their standard releases. This is from the disclaimer on that page: "Copies of the following serials in which we have invested time and funds to preserve and restore (legally) are available to the public from this archive in accordance with Section 108 of the US Copyright Law which states that 'for preservation, scholarship or research, libraries or archives may reproduce, distribute or perform published works of art in their last 20 years of copyright if the work is not subject to commercial exploitation and cannot be obtained at a fair price.......By ordering a copy of one of these titles, you agree that you are a writer, reviewer, historian or library and research, review or study is your purpose in requesting a copy of any of these films which we have taken pains to restore as close to their original condition as possible."
And they do show a copy of the 1929 DESERT SONG as being available with the original two-color sequences "simulated". As I am not a lawyer, I don't have any idea if this is truly legal or what.

Well that's clear as Maine mud.....

Hey, I didn't write it, I'm just passing it on.

Yes I know. I just went back and read it all. And I'm a better person for having done so.

Scott are you related to Joseph E ?

No, not related to Joseph E, (that I know of).

I'd say that it was a monochrome version of the film being released. As far as I can tell, the Technicolor print, restored in the 1990's, is still laying untouched, on a shelf in the UCLA archives.

Donald Binks wrote:I'd say that it was a monochrome version of the film being released. As far as I can tell, the Technicolor print, restored in the 1990's, is still laying untouched, on a shelf in the UCLA archives.

As the listing clearly states "with restored color" it most likely will not be in b/w.

Scott Eckhardt wrote:

Donald Binks wrote:I'd say that it was a monochrome version of the film being released. As far as I can tell, the Technicolor print, restored in the 1990's, is still laying untouched, on a shelf in the UCLA archives.

As the listing clearly states "with restored color" it most likely will not be in b/w.

Colorized? Which I wouldn't be opposed to if done with competence & taste, and if it made clearer & sharper the scenes that now appear so muddy & murky.

entredeuxguerres wrote:

Scott Eckhardt wrote:

Donald Binks wrote:I'd say that it was a monochrome version of the film being released. As far as I can tell, the Technicolor print, restored in the 1990's, is still laying untouched, on a shelf in the UCLA archives.

As the listing clearly states "with restored color" it most likely will not be in b/w.

Colorized? Which I wouldn't be opposed to if done with competence & taste, and if it made clearer & sharper the scenes that now appear so muddy & murky.

This listing says "with restored color" as opposed to their already released DESERT SONG '29, which they state has " simulated color" for the 2-color sequence at the beginning, and "light toning" for the balance of that film.

Scott Eckhardt wrote:

Donald Binks wrote:I'd say that it was a monochrome version of the film being released. As far as I can tell, the Technicolor print, restored in the 1990's, is still laying untouched, on a shelf in the UCLA archives.

As the listing clearly states "with restored color" it most likely will not be in b/w.

Well, if true, I will of course lead the parade down Main Street in celebration! It's a film I have wanted to see for at least 55 years.

Donald Binks wrote: Well, if true, I will of course lead the parade down Main Street in celebration! It's a film I have wanted to see for at least 55 years.

I don't mind you walking right behind me, but I've already been promised by the mayor that the lead position is mine.

entredeuxguerres wrote:

Donald Binks wrote: Well, if true, I will of course lead the parade down Main Street in celebration! It's a film I have wanted to see for at least 55 years.

I don't mind you walking right behind me, but I've already been promised by the mayor that the lead position is mine.

There's always someone trying to knock the star off my door! - I've just been on the 'phone to the Mayor and he said we can lead the parade together!

Before we get too excited, in past years I have been a semi-regular customer buying Serial Squadron releases. They usually do a good job on their products. If sourced from 35mm they usually look good, but if sourced from 16mm, sharpness and overall video quality can vary from fair to good, depending on source material.

Marr&Colton wrote:Before we get too excited, in past years I have been a semi-regular customer buying Serial Squadron releases. They usually do a good job on their products. If sourced from 35mm they usually look good, but if sourced from 16mm, sharpness and overall video quality can vary from fair to good, depending on source material.

Eric posted some frames as examples on his Serial Squadron FB page.....

drednm wrote:

Marr&Colton wrote:Before we get too excited, in past years I have been a semi-regular customer buying Serial Squadron releases. They usually do a good job on their products. If sourced from 35mm they usually look good, but if sourced from 16mm, sharpness and overall video quality can vary from fair to good, depending on source material.

Eric posted some frames as examples on his Serial Squadron FB page.....

Oh my. I must say, those screen grabs are disappointing, to say the least. They seem to be more tinted or toned than full color.
I suppose it's still a little better than what you can get now, but only just that.