I'm a big film buff. I'm something of an amateur film historian from the silent age to mid-20th century.
On that note, have you heard about the new 2010 restoration of "Metropolis"?
Also, as you are an amateur film historian, and accustomed to getting bootlegs when a film is nowhere else to be found, I was wondering if you would be interested in obtaining the extremely rare film "Pimpernel Smith", an updated version of "The Scarlet Pimpernel", starring Leslie Howard, set during World War II? If you have high-speed internet, I would be happy to send you the rapidshare links to a full DVD5 bootleg in a PM.
I just got this film on bootleg, and I don't understand all the fuss. It's a film about a boy who learns about friendship, and courage through Uncle Remus and his telling of true African folk tales. There are no scenes of him eating a watermelon, or saying "mammy." However these two stereotypes are available for full view in two other films released on DVD (The Jazz Singer, and the 1925 version of Wizard Of Oz). I also own the old Disney and Loony Tunes cartoons. Before the cartoons a celebrity comes out and drones on about how "these stereotypes were wrong then, but to act like they don't exist is even worse." You know, calling to attention things that would go over any kids head. This post is not meant to be confrontational by any means, but why can't we put these "warnings" before the film? Any group of people saying a certain film can't be released is wrong!
I think the people who want "Song of the South" banned are forgetting that the Ku Klux Klan would probably ban it too. After all, it's a movie in which the main character is a loveable, wise black man, who constantly saves the day. There's absolutely nothing racist about it. The arguments claiming that the movie is racist are ridiculous. For example:
Some former slaves and their masters are shown as having a friendly relationship.
So what? Not all slaveholders were cruel, most were just people who were raised having slaves and didn't know an better. Likewise, many slaves had been slaves since birth, and it was the only life they knew. I'm not defending slavery, but the fact is, that there really were some slaves who had friendly relationships with their masters.
Uncle Remus and other black characters use terms like "I'se", and use poor grammer.
So what? Slaves usually didn't have access to good education. It wasn't their fault, but as a result of their lack of schooling, they didn't speak "the King's English".
It reeks of of fascism! Hitler refused to allow certain art, and films to be shown, and this is no different. The fact is if you continued on your crusade to ban movies like this, movie's like Gone with the wind, Jazz singer, and frankly most of the films of that period (many have Afican American's acting in the sterotypical comic relief sort of way) would come under fire. I'm not for racism by any means, I'm also not for looking for it where it doesn't exist. If you don't want to see the film don't buy it, but don't deny others the right to see it!There are movies I don't like, but that doesn't mean they should be banned. It's the old saying "I don't agree with what you are saying, but I defend to the death your right to say it." I'm a firm believer in any form of expression, while some might be controversial it shows that it's out there. No one should be shut up. At the end of the day though, this film is a harmless tale of a troubled youth during RECONSTRUCTION (how else would Remus be allowed to openly talk about leaving), who befriends an african american who teaches him life lessons. The fact is Remus is the only positive adult character in the film!
I agree. Of course, "Song of the South" isn't really "banned", and hopefully won't be, but Disney doesn't want to release it, which is unfortunate.
But even if other people won't see past their own prejudices (funny bit of irony, eh?) and see the movie for the joyful romp it is, at least there are those like us who do see it for what it is. Their reaction is: "RACISM!!!". Mine? "Zip-a-de-do-da, zip-a-de-ay! My, oh my, what a wonderful day!"
Courage, men! We've not sunk before, and we'll not sink now!
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bpmct
13 years ago
Yeah, I heard about the new re-issue of "Metropolis." I'm trying to decide if I should get it, I already have the old version from "Kino." Thanks for the tip on the other movie, I get all my hard to find movies from ioffer.com, I hardly ever get on rapidshare (if ever). I might take you up on that offer, I loved seeing The Scarlet Pimpernel on Broadway 15 years back, it still stays with me. It'd be interesting to see it set during WWII. Speaking of which, have you seen "So Proudly We Hail?" Right now my focus is B-westerns...Gene Autry, Kenne Duncan, Tom Mix, so I got my "to watch" list pretty full. Uh, I could talk about classic Hollywood all day so I better bring this to an end, thanks for the post!
Check out my blog: briannostalgicentertainment.blogspot.com
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hbenthow
13 years ago
Yeah, I heard about the new re-issue of "Metropolis." I'm trying to decide if I should get it, I already have the old version from "Kino.
Both restorations are from Kino. The new restoration has 25 minutes that were missing in the 2001 restoration. I don't have the 2010 restoration yet, but I hear the the new footage adds a lot to the movie. It's the closest to a complete version ever seen since 1927.
Thanks for the tip on the other movie, I get all my hard to find movies from ioffer.com, I hardly ever get on rapidshare (if ever). I might take you up on that offer
I sent you a PM with the links. I also included a link to the website of a man who sells bootlegs of many movies not yet released on DVD. He has almost every rare title out there. If you can't find a title on
Ioffer.com or Ebay, it's a good chance he's got it.
I loved seeing The Scarlet Pimpernel on Broadway 15 years back, it still stays with me. It'd be interesting to see it set during WWII.
It's very interesting. It's produced and directed by Leslie Howard, who is also the star. It's somewhat noirish, and instead of saving the French royalty from their subjects, he saves people who are in danger from the Nazis.
Speaking of which, have you seen "So Proudly We Hail?"
No, but I've heard of it. It's with Claudette Colbert, isn't it?
Right now my focus is B-westerns...Gene Autry, Kenne Duncan, Tom Mix, so I got my "to watch" list pretty full. Uh, I could talk about classic Hollywood all day so I better bring this to an end, thanks for the post!
Have you ever seen the Buster Crabbe westerns with Fuzzy St. John? Or John Wayne's early 1930s westerns?
Courage, men! We've not sunk before, and we'll not sink now!
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bpmct
13 years ago
Thanks for the links. Yeah, check out "So Proudly We Hail" George Reeves is the male lead, in his pre-Superman days. It's funny you mention Buster Crabbe as a western star, he's one of my favorite serial stars and I just recently found out he did some time as a cowboy star. The western's channel was playing one the other day, and I caught the whole thing. I haven't bought any of "The Duke" yet, I'm sure I'll get there.
Check out my blog: briannostalgicentertainment.blogspot.com
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hbenthow
13 years ago
Yeah, check out "So Proudly We Hail" George Reeves is the male lead, in his pre-Superman days.
It sounds pretty interesting from what I just read about it. Apparently, Veronica Lake and Paulette Godard are also in it.
It's funny you mention Buster Crabbe as a western star, he's one of my favorite serial stars and I just recently found out he did some time as a cowboy star. The western's channel was playing one the other day, and I caught the whole thing.
He's most famous for serials, but he was in quite a few westerns as well. His sidekick was usually Fuzzy St. John.
I haven't bought any of "The Duke" yet, I'm sure I'll get there.
I've seen about twenty of his 1930s movies, and three of his serials. Most of his early movies are for Lone Star Pictures. His sidekick is often Gabby Hays, who had not yet developed his "Yer deeern tootin'" persona.
Courage, men! We've not sunk before, and we'll not sink now!
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