DRACULA '31 Anniversary

[Scoundrel]

" We’ve learned that Universal intends to celebrate the 90th anniversary of Dracula later this year, so there’s likely to be a new Blu-ray reissue of that film and (dare we hope?)
the possibility of a 4K release of the film too. That isn’t confirmed by any means,
so don’t expect it, but the title would certainly sell well on 4K UHD if the studio does decide to release it on the format ... "

https://thedigitalbits.com/columns/my-t ... 40521-1700

[robertelee]

I hate to say it, as I, a big supporter of UHD and rebought my entire collection on blu ray when that became possible.

How much would a 1931 film benefit from 4K? What level of detail is really picked up by film stocks that old? The blu ray is beautiful, but I feel like it looks just like a real film print or very close, and I am not sure it will look much better in the new format. If they want me to upgrade I will need to see compelling evidence it’s an improvement, or cool new special features.

[earlytalkiebuffRob]

...and not everyone who has gone from VHS to DVD to Blu-Ray will want to pay extra money for a film they already have which will then come out in another improved format, followed by another. And of course there are other demands on one's purse... Nice as these things undoubtedly are, I for one would sooner have a film which has not been made previously available, particularly if I haven't seen it. Fair enough if the earlier copies are poor or indifferent, or the improvements are significant (such as restoring the Technicolor to GLORIFYING THE AMERICAN GIRL, or the superb release of KING OF JAZZ), but otherwise...

There is also the question of space, as well as what to do with the previous copies...

[silentfilm]

How much would a 1931 film benefit from 4K? What level of detail is really picked up by film stocks that old?

If the film is the original camera negative or a fine grain print, 4K will reveal more detail. If the print used for the transfer is 16mm or is several generations away from the original, then 4K is a waste of time and money.

[Jay Salsberg]

The camera neg was destroyed in the late 1930s, and a new neg was struck (missing the censor-mandated deletions to the soundtrack and the studio-imposed deletion of the Van Sloan epilogue). The sound cuts have been restored, but it's unlikely anythiing can be done with the epilogue. It still exists, but in extremely warped and shrunken condition.

[robertelee]

I know that epilogue is in terrible shape, it I wish they would release it if only as a special feature, there’s a clip of it in a documentary, so it must be scannable. Attach a. Explanation of its condition to the start and let us see it please!

[earlytalkiebuffRob]

I know that epilogue is in terrible shape, it I wish they would release it if only as a special feature, there’s a clip of it in a documentary, so it must be scannable. Attach a. Explanation of its condition to the start and let us see it please!

Surely with modern technology they could do both, at not much extra cost. Then one could watch it with or without, or separate, as one liked. Why was it deleted, anyway!

[Harlett O'Dowd]

I know that epilogue is in terrible shape, it I wish they would release it if only as a special feature, there’s a clip of it in a documentary, so it must be scannable. Attach a. Explanation of its condition to the start and let us see it please!

Surely with modern technology they could do both, at not much extra cost. Then one could watch it with or without, or separate, as one liked. Why was it deleted, anyway!

I also believe they could scan one frame at a time and get something watchable.

[BudAbbott]

The camera neg was destroyed in the late 1930s, and a new neg was struck (missing the censor-mandated deletions to the soundtrack and the studio-imposed deletion of the Van Sloan epilogue). The sound cuts have been restored, but it's unlikely anythiing can be done with the epilogue. It still exists, but in extremely warped and shrunken condition.

This is the first I've heard about those sound cuts, and I'm curious: when were they restored? Are they on the home video releases?

[Jay Salsberg]

When the film was rereleased (on a double bill with FRANKENSTEIN) in 1938, the Hays Office demanded that Universal remove Dracula's screams while he is being staked. A few yells and long groans were removed from the soundtrack. Fortunately, these audio cuts survived (thanks to an original Vitaphone sound disk), and were restored to the film over a decade ago. IIRC, they've been included in all dvd and blu releases.

The Edward Van Sloan epilogue was also cut around the same time for the same double bill. Nobody knows the exact reason; but it's believed that it was done to eliminate the number of Edward Van Sloan curtain speeches in Universal's monster movies.

[earlytalkiebuffRob]

Had a look online and one reason given was religious sensibilities...

[Scoundrel]

Renfield's screams were shortened considerably as well.