"However, this film is still in need of a major restoration.
I can't believe that Universal wouldn't put out the efort to put a little care into a classic like this. Is that asking too much?
That's one of the reasons I prefer 20th Century Fox's DVD releases to many of the "restored" versions out there from other companies. Yes, many of the restored discs Fox puts out are of public domain films, but they still get far better treatment than many of the copyrighted classic films. If you took a look at Fox's restored discs of something like "My Man Godfrey" or "House on Haunted Hill," you'll notice that their black and white prints look superb.
I bet if the Paramount Marx Brothers movies were in the public domain, they'd get better treatment than they do now."
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The thing you have to realize is that there is simply no better print of this film available to restore from. Public domain films often appear in second-generation dupes, and the restorations are done from the original master print for optimal quality.
The Marx Bros. Paramounts are over 70 years old, and look as good as most films from that period. THE COCOANUTS, however, was almost lost, and the only surviving version was pieced together in the early 1960s. Given the age of the film and the state that it existed in for many years, we are lucky to have any copy at all today. The latest DVD release is the best I have seen so far, but it is still a rough picture any way they present it.
Matt
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Shaolin_Apu
18 years ago
I wish I could see some other copy of this film to ensure that. It is credible that people did not start to conserve the old films before it was too late. The theory of the three separate reels would anyway explain the major quality changes during the film. If all today's versions are based on that sixties compilation, the present DVD may be the best version there is available any longer.
The Apple Scruffs Corps Hon Mbr 05
Qui font Prime Musicque, sera en Honneur
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