Klarinet Archive - Posting 000928.txt from 2003/04

From: Bill Hausmann <bhausmann1@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] "The Benny Goodman Story" redux
Date: Sat, 26 Apr 2003 00:44:24 -0400

At 04:09 PM 4/20/2003 -0400, you wrote:
>I considered buying the DVD of "The Benny Goodman Story" (1955) that was
>released last month, until I found out that so far, Universal has only
>released this movie in a full screen (TV format) version, with an aspect
>ratio of 1.33 : 1. It's in the Pan & Scan format. As a rule, anything
>released as Pan & Scan needs to be widescreen. Aspect ratios varied in
>the 1950s, but IMHO, 1.33 : 1 is only acceptable for movies that were
>originally released in 1.37 : 1. However, I wasn't able to find out the
>original aspect ratio of this movie from the usual sources, Amazon.com, the
>Internet Movie Database or the All Movie Guide. That means that Universal
>didn't give out the information--and that means there's a reason. (The
>Library of Congress online listing doesn't include the aspect ratio, BTW--I
>was curious enough to check.) The sound is still Dolby Digital 2.0 mono,
>apparently not remastered. In other words, this is the same old print
>that's been around for years on VHS. Universal has a history of releasing
>DVDs only in Pan & Scan with few or no extras (this one has a little
>biography featurette), then coming out with an improved, digitally
>remastered, widescreen edition a few months later, to the tune of much
>publicity. I think it's a tactic to get people to pay twice. Won't. I'm
>waiting for the higher quality DVD--and if there isn't one, then I'll just
>keep my VHS tape.

I just bought the upgraded DVD version of "Who Framed Roger Rabbit." The
two-DVD set contains BOTH full-screen AND letterbox formats! They also
include a $5.00 rebate for owners of previous DVD or videotape versions. I
wouldn't hold my breath waiting for "The Benny Goodman Story" to be
released in such a package, but it just proves they CAN do it, and at the
(NOT including rebate) very reasonable price of $19.99.

Bill Hausmann

If you have to mic a saxophone, the rest of the band is TOO LOUD!