Larry36 Reviews

Lincoln (1974–1976)

Holbrook has a different take, but no subtitles on DVD.

[8/10 · 13 February 2021]

Hal Holbook's twangy Southern-Illinois-Kentucky accent is probably a more accurate rendition of the way Lincoln sounded. I read that a contemporary mentioned that his voice sounded somewhat high-pitched and squeaky. The series concentrates on the more intimate aspects of his life and helps to bring his character to life. I remember watching it when it first was telecast and am happy that I could see it again on DVD. I do wonder if the last two episodes should be viewed in reverse order? Unfortunately the DVD has no subtitles which I find frustrating at my age. It seems strange to me that so many DVDs and Blu-rays of older movies lack subtitles, since a good portion of people who are interested in them are older and often have problems with hearing. The dialog in productions like this one is often very important and entertaining, not like so many of those adventure, action movies that we see so much of today. Fortunately, it seems, most of the older films and tv series offered on steaming platforms seem to be accompanied by optional subtitles.

Jungle Queen (1945)

Fun to watch

[4/10 · 16 November 2020]

Nobody expected these "B" serials to be serious cinema (except for kids of the day), but they are so bad that they are fun to watch. The starchy costumes freshly washed and pressed from the wardrobe department (with some exception), the hokey dialog, the horrible acting, etc are almost unbearable. But, at my age, I like to look back on those days when I went to the Saturday late morning kiddie show for a dime and participated in the screaming and yelling while watching eight or nine cartoons. Then came the serial or serials which quieted us down somewhat because there was more dialog, no matter how inane. Hell would really break loose if a projector broke down. It's amusing now to watch actors trying to get a start before reaching higher status, such as Ruth Roman flitting around in a third-rate Tarzan movie set in flowing gown, beautiful coiffeur and hollywood makeup without getting a speck of dirt on her or her gown, or her cosmetics and hair being mussed up. If you don't expect much and if you are old enough to tolerate these cheapie movies, you will appreciate the very good transfer to Blu-ray and the optional subtitles.

Egypt (2005)

Great Mini Series

[10/10 · 21 December 2018]

I concur with the user reviews that this is a nicely filmed and well acted series. The location shooting makes it even more of a delight. I notice, as of this writing, that the set is still available on DVD from the UK and includes an extra disc about the pyramids. For those who are not used to buying European manufactured DVDs, be advised that you must be able to paly PAL region 2 discs on your machine.

Forever My Love (1962)

Condensed version is not worth watching

[2/10 · 8 December 2017]

This condensed re-release version of the Sissi trilogy, included in the Blu-ray Sissy collection, is very poorly transferred in this recent Blu-ray version as a bonus DVD. Unless you can't stand to hear the German language and/or read English subtitles, you should stay away from this film.

The trilogy in this collection is beautifully transferred in German with English subtitles. You can watch the three films in the original aspect ratio of 1.37:1 or the matted one of 1.78: 1 which removes a small portion on the top and bottom of the frame. The audio has been enhanced to Dolby digital 5.1.

The Sissy movies are a romanticized biography of the empress and a little "schmalzy" but still fun to watch. In any case Romy Schneider was at her most beautiful.

Project Twenty: The Twisted Cross (1956) Season Unknown, Episode Unknown

A great documentary and not "dated."

[29 January 2008]

I first saw this film when I was attending university back in 1959. It was one of the first outstanding documentaries on Nazi Germany. Even though some of the scenes are staged, bringing it somewhat into the "docudrama" realm, they are well integrated. I will never forget the writers' translated quotes from the German poet, Heinrich Heine, who was prophesying Germany's descent into barbarism as far back is the early 19th century.

The effective and beautifully written narration for "The Twisted Cross" is eloquently delivered by Alexander Scourby with his mid-Atlantic English sound (even though he was born in Brooklyn).

I believe this 50 year old documentary is still as effective today as it was then.

Celebrating Haydn with Peter Ustinov (1994 TV Movie)

Should be released on DVD

[9/10 · 2 July 2005]

A well written biography of Franz Joseph Haydn delivered with love and wit by Sir Peter Ustinov. This should be on a DVD since it has some nice location shots where Haydn spent his life and also it needs good audio for the musical excerpts. I know it would not attract a mass market since it is classical music, but there may be enough of us out there to make it pay.

Ustinov's narration held my interest and made me chuckle more than a few times. The music is well played by European artists.

Since I only have a copy of it on super VHS, I can't comment on its technical video quality, but I assume the master recording would generate a decent DVD.

Winged Migration (2001)

German PAL DVD version.

[10/10 · 30 May 2003]

The German DVD release is, as of yet, the only DVD on the market. It has a second disc which supplies the answers to those who have seen this documentary only in theaters. How did they photograph that? etc. The primary disc has an optional program which supplies additional information as to the species being photographed. Even though the disc is available only in German, one can still enjoy this extraordinary film. What "eye candy!" I can hardly wait to see this in High Definition TV (HDTV) someday.

How the West Was Won (1962)

DVD release is disappointing

[6/10 · 6 May 2002]

I enjoy this dated, somewhat red neck version of the conquering of the American West. I saw it in Cinerama when it was first released. How differently people received the movie in those days! MGM has been releasing many wide screen classics on DVD from the sixties. Unfortunately they are not formatting these letterbox releases for 16x9 TVs. I believe it was especially egregious that this old Cinerama release wasn't given better treatment. No 16x9 format, No 5.1 sound. After the conclusion of the overture, in comes blasting the Ted Turner intro instead of the beginning of the titles. C'mon doesn't anyone at MGM have some musical taste? I appreciate that MGM is releasing these older classics, but do they need to cut corners?

Things have changed since I wrote the above: Warners finally got it right with the newer DVD and Blu-ray releases.

The 7th Voyage of Sinbad (1958)

DVD release has one major flaw

[8/10 · 11 May 2001]

One of the major attractions of this delightful fantasy film is the music of Benny Herrmann. In the second laser disc release the music sound track was in stereo. It was the only Harryhausen Sinbad movie released on video which had a stereo sound track. I cannot understand how Columbia TriStar could release this in "fat" mono on DVD. They did a great video transfer formatted for 16x9 Tvs. I still recommend buying the DVD, but regret the audio oversight. I'm keeping my laser disc.

Triumph of the Will (1935)

Excellent DVD release.

[9/10 · 11 May 2001]

This thoroughly evil masterpiece of propaganda has never been released in a video format as sharp and clear as one will see on this Synapse Films DVD release. The commentary is rather mundane, but the other bonuses on this DVD more than make up for it. They include excellent subtitles in English (optional) and another Riefenstahl short propaganda film,TAG DER FREIHEIT (DAY OF FREEDOM), about the Wehrmacht. The video transfer is first class from a 35mm fine grain print. Even the presentations from television broadcast are not as sharp as this.

The Court Jester (1955)

Kayes best comedy

[10/10 · 10 May 2001]

If you don't like Danny in this film, I doubt if any of his films will please you. He performs his usual patter song (a la flamenco), a dance routine, a crooning love song and more. He also has a great supporting cast including Basil Rathbone in one of his last notable roles. My children saw this film before they had reached their teens and loved it.They also liked many of Kaye's other comedies. I remember how they wept when they heard of his death.

As a bonus the DVD has a lovely VistaVision picture transfer from a Technicolor print. I am grateful for Technicolor's superior dye transfer process which has enabled us to restore some of those lovely color films done by that process. The audio is mono and, unfortunately, distorted in a few passages which could also be noticed on the Laserdisc edition. However, don't let this stop you from watching this DVD. It is overall a very rewarding experience.

Rome: Power & Glory (1999– )

History made interesting

[8/10 · 7 October 2000]

I have been a buff of Roman history since I was a kid, so I was looking forward to finally view this series after watching one installment on TV. I was not disappointed after buying the DVD set. I enjoyed Coyotes narration so much that I watch three programs in a row. Even though there was some repetition with the visuals, I still learned a lot more than I knew about Rome.

Me and the Colonel (1958)

Film is unduly ignored

[10/10 · 8 December 1999]

This film was a wonderful vehicle for the talents of Danny Kaye who played a serious, dramatic role instead of the typical zany comedic parts he usually performed. Franz Werfel,a Jew who had to flee Nazi Germany, wrote the drama on which this film is based and used much humor(especially in the relationship between Jakobowsky and the Colonel) to take on a serious subject: anti-semitism in Europe during World War II.In order to do this, he had to create stereotypes, which is common in comedy.

A similar stereotyping is done in Mussorgsky's piano suite "Pictures at an Exhibition" in the part called "Samuel Goldenberg and Schmyl." However, instead of satirizing two Jews, Werfel was making fun of the differences between an anti-semitic Polish aristocrat and a bourgeois Jewish Pole who has the gift of being a survivor. Perhaps, because of this, the reception of the film has been cool. It has never been released on laser disc or DVD in the U.S. and is seldom seen on television. However, it is available in Germany on DVD in anamorphic 16x9 format, PAL Region 2 encoding.

Trinity and Beyond: The Atomic Bomb Movie (1995 Video)

Music alone is worth the price.

[9/10 · 5 November 1999]

The beautiful score this DVD is played energetically by the Moscow Symphony Orchestra and the disc format gives the viewer the option to play the music alone. This disc proves that CDs could be released in the 5.1 format for DVD players and would enhance the listening pleasure of any music lover. Stromberg and his collaborators have outdone themselves!