John Gilbert's "Bardelys the Magnificent" on DVD

[silentfilm]

From David Shepard,

"We expect to release BARDELYS THE MAGNIFICENT on DVD through Flicker Alley next year, thanks to Warner Bros. and Sony who have both given the necessary permissions. It's no masterpiece, but it is a first-class Hollywood marshmallow, and lavishly produced. It is also a rather short film (especially with reel 3 missing; the gap has been patched with stills and some of the missing titles, taken from the cutting continuity) so my present thinking is to put it out as a double-header with John Gilbert in MONTE CRISTO, which has also been unavailable for many years."

[James Bazen]

This is fantastic! I can hardly wait for this.

From David Shepard,

"We expect to release BARDELYS THE MAGNIFICENT on DVD through Flicker Alley next year, thanks to Warner Bros. and Sony who have both given the necessary permissions. It's no masterpiece, but it is a first-class Hollywood marshmallow, and lavishly produced. It is also a rather short film (especially with reel 3 missing; the gap has been patched with stills and some of the missing titles, taken from the cutting continuity) so my present thinking is to put it out as a double-header with John Gilbert in MONTE CRISTO, which has also been unavailable for many years."

[Danny Burk]

Terrific news, not only in itself, but for its associated possibilities...

WB has a strict policy of "no third party releases", so I'm amazed that they've given their OK. (What, I'm curious, does Sony have to do with it, since copyright to silent MGM films is owned by WB?) If WB has now given the OK to a third party release, does this open the door to other MGM/WB silents via Flicker Alley?

Quite some time ago, I remember a comment (on a.m.s.?) along the lines that David Shepard had unsuccessfully tried to persuade Paramount to allow a third party release of their silents. Now that they've opened their doors to Criterion and Legend, can Paramount silents via Flicker Alley be far behind? (I'm aware that Criterion plans to release the von Sternbergs, WEDDING MARCH, and perhaps WINGS.)

Exciting news indeed.

[radiotelefonia]

If Criterion releases "The Wedding March", I would prefer the restoration by Photoplay Productions, Le Cinemateque Française, and the Library Of Congress, with Carl Davis music.

[Danny Burk]

If Criterion releases "The Wedding March", I would prefer the restoration by Photoplay Productions, Le Cinemateque Française, and the Library Of Congress, with Carl Davis music.

But...have you heard WEDDING MARCH's original soundtrack? IMO it's the most beautiful and perfect score written for any silent film. Much as I enjoy Carl Davis' music, I won't watch WEDDING MARCH with any score except the original...it's *that* good.

[Harold Aherne]

It's difficult to say whether this is a change in WB policy; they had allowed minor exceptions to the no-3rd-party releases in previous years...I think they permitted a small company to release the Bobby Jones golf shorts from the early 30s, and they let Fox release "The Black Camel" even though WB had at least some rights to it.

Of course, if they really have had a change of heart, it's wonderful to hear of, especially since I wasn't optimistic about them releasing "Confessions of a Queen", William Haines films, or a Pauline Starke box set. Now, about those Colleen Moore titles...

-Harold

[Gaucho]

(I'm aware that Criterion plans to release the von Sternbergs, WEDDING MARCH, and perhaps WINGS.)

I've read the posts over at Criterionforum.com regarding a possible Eclipse set release but found the language by the posters there to be more wishful thinking than substantiated rumor. Are there any other sources for this?

[Danny Burk]

I've read the posts over at Criterionforum.com regarding a possible Eclipse set release but found the language by the posters there to be more wishful thinking than substantiated rumor. Are there any other sources for this?

Yes, I've written to Tamara at Criterion, who indicated that they are in the works but couldn't give a release date. At criterionforum.org (not .com) there are posts by others who have likely done the same, as it seems common knowledge among a number of posters that it's more than just a rumor.

[Jim Roots]

It's difficult to say whether this is a change in WB policy; they had allowed minor exceptions to the no-3rd-party releases in previous years...I think they permitted a small company to release the Bobby Jones golf shorts from the early 30s, and they let Fox release "The Black Camel" even though WB had at least some rights to it.

Well, there's a Bobby Jones golf short on one of the Warners theme sets, in the "Warners Night at the Movies" extras section. I'm at work now and can't check through my collection to find out which one, but since I watched it within the past six months or so, it must be on the most recent film noir boxed set.

Jim

[dr.giraud]

If Criterion releases "The Wedding March", I would prefer the restoration by Photoplay Productions, Le Cinemateque Française, and the Library Of Congress, with Carl Davis music.

Not me. I don't want the Stroheim 1950s cut. I want the Paramount 1928 cut.

[Gaucho]

Yes, I've written to Tamara at Criterion, who indicated that they are in the works but couldn't give a release date. At criterionforum.org (not .com) there are posts by others who have likely done the same, as it seems common knowledge among a number of posters that it's more than just a rumor.

I wasn't challenging you, just asking - thanks.

[Harlett O'Dowd]

If Criterion releases "The Wedding March", I would prefer the restoration by Photoplay Productions, Le Cinemateque Française, and the Library Of Congress, with Carl Davis music.

Not me. I don't want the Stroheim 1950s cut. I want the Paramount 1928 cut.

???? was the Paramount cut what was released on VHS some years back?

what are the major differences?

What I really hope is that someone does a photo-reconstruction of THE HONEYMOON as a companion featurette.

I've said elsewhere this is my favorite Stroheim. Exciting news indeed!

[radiotelefonia]

THE WEDDING MARCH is the third film released with an original soundtrack in Argentina, exhibited by Max Glücksmann (The others being THE DIVINE LADY and THE BROADWAY MELODY, with Spanish language subtitles, also exhibited by Glücksmann). I didn't know that it was available... if so, I actually prefer that version.

THE HONEYMOON was released in Buenos Aires, of all dates, on December 31th, 1929. Unlike the success of the first film, the second film was an absolute disaster and the reviews were all negative.

If the film did survived, it might be along the many cans of reels that Roberto Di Chiara left unclassified in his archive.

Anyway, I despise Criterion (and most of their catalog of films): they are always looking for ways to make their DVD more expensive as possible filling their presentations with lots of unwelcome and unnecessary additions.

And if they are going to put such expensive prices, at least they should contribute some film subtitles in different languages.

[Richard P. May]

Re the BOBBY JONES golf shorts:
The 3rd party licensing was done by Turner, pre-WB. Arrangements were made with a golf club manufacturer to package and distribute them.

[Danny Burk]

???? was the Paramount cut what was released on VHS some years back?

what are the major differences?

What I really hope is that someone does a photo-reconstruction of THE HONEYMOON as a companion featurette.

I've said elsewhere this is my favorite Stroheim. Exciting news indeed!

I haven't watched the Paramount VHS because I couldn't tolerate the redone score, but what I remember from looking at the first few minutes 20+ years ago seemed the same as the 1928 version. I haven't seen the recut, but IIRC, the changes only involve the opening scenes (cityscapes of Vienna, etc). I'll have to dig out my Weinberg book and see if details are given there.

[dr.giraud]

???? was the Paramount cut what was released on VHS some years back?

what are the major differences?

What I really hope is that someone does a photo-reconstruction of THE HONEYMOON as a companion featurette.

I've said elsewhere this is my favorite Stroheim. Exciting news indeed!

I haven't watched the Paramount VHS because I couldn't tolerate the redone score, but what I remember from looking at the first few minutes 20+ years ago seemed the same as the 1928 version. I haven't seen the recut, but IIRC, the changes only involve the opening scenes (cityscapes of Vienna, etc). I'll have to dig out my Weinberg book and see if details are given there.

The VHS tape is the 1928 release version.