haines his way

09/25/2002:
"BLURRY DAYS"

Well, dear readers, how can it already be Wednesday? This is what happens when you don’t get enough sleep – the days become a blur and you lose all track of time. I thought it was Tuesday, even though it is Wednesday. I know I did a lot of work on Tuesday, so why I thought it was Tuesday again I have no idea, but think it I did because, frankly, the days are a blur and I did not get enough sleep. The good news is, the trip to Minneapolis got canned – we’re doing the shoot somewhere outside of LA – much better and I won’t lose valuable writing time this weekend.
Last night I watched bits of quite a few new DVDs, including several Special Editions. First I scanned the brand spanking new Singin’ In The Rain DVD. I was quite excited to get it, because the reviews on the Internet have been amazing. I should know better than to read them, or more importantly to give them any credence whatsoever. Just before running it, I saw a post on a DVD newsgroup which complained mightily about the disc. I figured it was one of those Usenet idiots and I was ready to go on after viewing it and put him in his place. Only I couldn’t because he was absolutely right. The DVD is a major disappointment. It won’t be to most people, but anyone who has ever seen an IB Technicolor print of the film will be bitterly disappointed. I owned a Tech print of it and I am here to tell you that I’m bitterly disappointed. And it’s a shame because the transfer itself is absolutely stunning and rock-solid. It’s the color. Oh, it’s colorful, it’s bright, but it ain’t Technicolor. The skin tones are off (very brown) and nothing is vibrant like it should be. The first DVD release, while not great compared to the transfers they’re doing now, has more vibrant color than this, and it’s far from perfect. Given what I now know about the telecine process and color correction, there is simply no excuse for this. Why they don’t do the obvious – which is put it in synch with a Technicolor print and try to match is beyond me. When Warners did their rather stunning laserdisc transfer of The Searchers in the early nineties, that’s exactly what they did. Unfortunately, Warners used that nine year old transfer for the DVD, when they should have gone back and redone it again, digitally. But, I digress. I haven’t looked at the plethora of extras yet, and the price is right, so I suppose this will have to do until the next time.
Then I watched a bit of the A Hard Day’s Night Special Edition DVD. Again, rather disappointing. It’s anamorphically enhanced, which I like, but the print isn’t especially sharp and I hate the 5.1 stereo remix – it’s horrendous and they should have at least included the original mono. Again, haven’t looked at the extras, which are plentiful. Next, I looked at a bit of Spellbound, which looks and sounds splendid. Then a bit of Séance on a Wet Afternoon, a moody film from Bryan Forbes, with a great John Barry score. The print shows a ton of wear, but I’m happy to have it, and it’s enhanced for widescreen tvs, too. Then a bit of The Rocking Horse Winner, a wonderful British film with great performances. The transfer looks swell.
Then on to Grease. I recall the laserdisc looking really great – this DVD doesn’t look quite as good as I thought it would, but it sounds great, and while I’m not a huge fan of the film, I do like some of the musical numbers. And finally, I settled down and watched the first half of Heavenly Creatures, directed by Peter Jackson. I’d heard it was an absolute masterpiece, but so far, while I’m enjoying it, it is far from a masterpiece. First off, I find it really annoying when a film scene takes place in 1952 and there are record albums by Mario Lanza from 1956. And EPs, too, which didn’t exist back then. That’s just shoddy research and really idiotic. But the girls are excellent, and it looks lovely. I know the best is yet to come, so I’ll hold off being judgmental until I’ve seen the rest.
What am I, Ebert and Roeper all of a sudden? What is it, Tuesday all of a sudden? Or Wednesday all of a sudden? All of a sudden my heart sings (no mean feat). Oh, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below and perhaps by doing so I will no longer think it’s Tuesday.

Well, today is supposed to be Ask BK Day, and I think it will be Ask BK Day and that will give me a few days to work on the answers to your excellent questions, which I will then post on Saturday. Isn’t that a fine idea? Isn’t that just too too?
Have I mentioned that the days are a blur because I didn’t get enough sleep? Have I mentioned that I cannot breathe out of my right nostril?
Last night I dreamed I was at Manderley.
In my dream I was being directed by Kathryn Bigelow. I have no idea what in tarnation that means. I have never given Kathryn Bigelow a moment’s thought, nor have I seen her name recently, nor do I know what she looks like (in my dream she had an afro). This is what happens when the days are a blur and you haven’t gotten enough sleep. You dream you are being directed by Kathryn Bigelow.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must remember it’s Wednesday so I don’t relive Tuesday all over again – one Tuesday a week is enough, in my opinion (IMO, in Internet lingo). I must get through another long day and then I must go to a meeting for the New York Tourette benefit. I have informed everyone it must be a short meeting or otherwise I shall get cranky and I shall throw cheese bits at everyone. Today’s topic of discussion: Ask your excellent questions, and talk about whatever events are interesting you. I shall check in later, and I hope there are lots of posts like yesterday, so I can have a break from looking at video. And do keep reminding me that it’s Wednesday not Tuesday. Post away, my pretties.

Replies: 30 Unseemly Comments

BK: It's Wednesday.
BK: I was thinking of buying the new Singin' in the Rain DVD... I already have the original DVD release, and am pretty happy with it. I'm not usually the type for all the "extras", but are there some things on the disc that might sway my decision?
BK: Yesterday was Tuesday. Tomorrow will be Thursday.
BK: Is there any particular song that when you heard it performed in a new/different way (e.g. cabaret arrangement) totally changed the way you viewed the song for better or worse? *One of my favorite "twists" is Holly Cole's version of "I Can See Clearly Now". Oh, and another is Christine Andreas' "On A Clear Day" - when she auditioned for Sunday In the Park with George at Arena Stage about five years ago, she and her husband came into the room and totally blew us away - so much so, that we asked her to do it again! -They had just recently done the studio takes of it. I have never been so happy to step away from the piano to allow someone else to play.
BK: Today is Wednesday.
Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 09/25/2002 07:53 AM PST

BK: Don't forget -- Today is Wednesday. And if you need something to help you get to sleep, I can send over the 183-page ballot proposition material I received yesterday. The first 108 pages are devoted to the issue of Indian casinos.
Posted by Laura @ 09/25/2002 08:15 AM PST

Maybe you think it's still Tuesday since the last post was so early yesterday that it seems like it is the same day.
I loved yesterday's posts on the worst possible casting for WEST SIDE STORY so why don't we pick another show. For example GYPSY: Bernadette Peters as Rose... oops! Never Mind.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 09/25/2002 08:21 AM PST

Today is Wednesday.
My ask BK question: Is there a cast album or film soundtrack that you really like, where the show or film itself is pretty dreadful? For example, I love the soundtrack to The Wiz. but the film itself is SOOO bad. How about you?
Did you know Jose and I live in the same town?
Posted by Philip Crosby @ 09/25/2002 08:39 AM PST

Good morning, Bruce. Today is Wednesday, also known in some corners as "hump" day. (Interpret that as you will.)
My question for ask BK day:
What are your thoughts on the state of amplification in the legitimate theatre today? (Please feel free to comment, if you are so moved, on decibel levels, general quality, spatial balance, the various forms of microphones that are used, etc.)
Posted by Jay @ 09/25/2002 08:58 AM PST

Are you in Belgium? That might explain why you think it's Tuesday. Maybe you're part of an elaborate hidden video prank arranged by your close personal friend David Wechter. :)
Posted by JMK @ 09/25/2002 11:07 AM PST

Okay... here's one for Ask BK Day. Why do most DVDs come with three sides sealed under the shrinkwrap? It's bad enough getting the top seal open on a CD, but three sides of sticky tape that doesn't quite come off is too much. This is in addition to the sticky white security thingie inside which stores deactivate when you purchase them. Even many DVDs I've received by mail have three sides taped closed. What is the point of this outside of frustrating viewers before they even get to start watching?
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 09/25/2002 11:10 AM PST

Bruce, this is more of an Ask Guy Haines series of questions. I hope you don't mind:
Did you know that on the Internet there is a picture of Guy Haines as a baby that shows his face? If you didn't, do you want to know where it is? (You might already know where it is, but I don't want to assume.) In photographs of Guy Haines (on this website and all the CDs that you've produced over the years), his face has always been obscured. Do you know if this has been a deliberate attempt at anonymity, a totally incredible coincidence, or just a big giant running gag?
Posted by George @ 09/25/2002 11:32 AM PST

Maybe I should say claims to be a picture of Guy Haines as a baby, but considering the source, I would believe that it is genuine.
Posted by George @ 09/25/2002 11:35 AM PST

Just caught up with yesterday's column - I love Jimmy Webb's haunting album for The 5th Dimension, "The Magic Garden." And, Jay, may I say that DeLea and Lane, before approaching Tony and Maria, should currently be appearing on B'way as the Dromio twins in BOYS FROM SYRACUSE!
Posted by Bob Gutowski @ 09/25/2002 12:47 PM PST

Playbill.com just announced that Janet Jackson (sic) is writing a new song for the film version of CHICAGO.
Why do I fear that as it took but one film (MOULIN ROUGE) to generate buzz that maybe it was time to start making movie musicals again, it will take but this one to once again drive the studios away from the notion for a long, long time?
Posted by Jay @ 09/25/2002 01:10 PM PST

Hey, man, we need more posts - we need more questions. I need new things to read. I need to know it's Wednesday and not Tuesday. I need some sugar.
Posted by bk @ 09/25/2002 01:38 PM PST

Bruce:
You must have thousands of CDs and hundreds of DVDs in your collection. What method of storing and cataloguing them do you have? My DVDs, because of their shape (albeit a relatively small collection compared to yours), don't fit in my wooden CD "bookcase", which also stores my VHS tapes, so I need to find something else. Right now they're piling up vertically and I don't like keeping them that way. Any recommendations? Also, with all the CDs and DVDs that you are constantly adding to your collection, do you get them free as a perk from being in the business or do you have to pay for them like the rest of us? How do you get your DVDs before their official release dates?
Happy Succoth! We've been eating dinner in our Sukkah this week. Lucky the weather has been cooperating.
SteveG
Posted by steveg @ 09/25/2002 01:39 PM PST

Today is Wednesday.
Well, just came home from my
first day back at school. But,
you know, I really didn't mind
going back this time knowing
that it's my LAST quarter as a
student, soon to be a teacher!
Anyway, a question for BK -
What is your favorite Act I
finale?
Posted by Jed @ 09/25/2002 02:32 PM PST

I bough the DVD of Singing in the Rain, director's cut of Amadeus and the 1st season on the Mary Tyler Moore Show.
I am really surprised to hear Bruce's negative comments about the transfer. I thought it was very good. As for the color it is how I remember three color technicolor once was. as As for the skin tones I found them quite natural not brown at all in my opinion. They have clips, an outtake and the trailer that have not been restored to brillance of the movie so there is something to compare the transfer to.
I'm sorry I just see what's wrong with it. I would give it highmarks.
Bruce:
Perhaps you can go into a little more depth why you didn't like the DVD and all it had to offer.
Perhaps you can clarify what exactly is an IB Technicolor print?
Posted by Michael Shayne @ 09/25/2002 03:29 PM PST

IB Technicolor was/is a dye transfer printing process that yielded stunningly vivid release prints. There has never been anything quite like them, especially as they used to be projected with carbon-arc light. And this new Rain DVD does just not have the luster, the sheen and the vivid colors it should. As I said, the transfer itself is great, rock-solid. But the colors, while there, are just not 'brilliant' - here's what I'll do - when I get home later, I'll find a DVD that replicates the Tech look really well, and you can do a comparison. How's that? I'm not being critical of the package, the extras, or even the transfer - just the way the color looks. If you saw a dye transfer print next to this transfer you would see the difference immediately.
Posted by bk @ 09/25/2002 03:53 PM PST

BK: Do you have a favorite non-fiction author that you enjoy reading? If so, who? And why? (Just realized I was setting you up for a simple yes-no answer, you scallaway you!)
Posted by S. Woody White @ 09/25/2002 04:05 PM PST

I wonder what BK thinks of some of the MGM Technicolor Restorations that were done for laser. (COnsider that a question, please!)
"The Band Wagon" LD, IMO, was incredible! The purple dress Cyd Charisse wears in "The Girl Hunt Ballet" is the most glorious purple I've ever seen!
And here's a question about "Singin' in the Rain" for the true cognoscenti. It has to do with the Rhino CD of the score released several years ago: The booklet discusses how the Freed Unit went over Arthur Freed's catalog and picked the music they'd use not only for songs but underscore. The CD also offers an alternate Main Title that has, at its core, a tune not used anywhere else in the film and is not identified. If you listen to that alternate Main Title -- and are familiar with the score -- you'll know exactly what I'm referring to...and it drives me crazy. I really want to know the name of that tune!
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 09/25/2002 04:18 PM PST

all you movie score fans must check out the site for the upcoming film "Far From Heaven" -- www.farfromheavenmovie.com -- this is Todd Haynes' take on the classic 1950's films of Douglas Sirk starring Julianne Moore and Dennis Quaid and, in his efforts to stay true to the style of Sirk's films, Elmer Bernstein has provided the score and you can hear a small snippet on this temporary website for the film -- it sounds amazing and so much like the film scores of the 1950's -- I am so excited about this film!!!
Posted by Donald @ 09/25/2002 04:47 PM PST

I thikn that Warner has given us a trade-off dvd-wise on SitR: the colors look more like a 20th Century Fox film with Color By DeLuxe than like a Technicolor movie musical from Metro. It's not that the print is bad, the print is superb, BUT the color is sadly -off.
A fine example of the glory of Technicolor on dvd is FOX's restored GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES where even the pastels of the FOX logo jump out of the screen at you.
I realize that the source elements necessary for a full-visual restoration of SitR are lost to fire, but, this is not the way the film looked (colorwise) in theaters, or in other previous video incarnations. I wasn't around for its first theatrical showings, btw, but I managed to see it at several repertory houses over the years, and each of those viewings were far more colorful than the current Warner transfer.
The trade-off, you might ask? (as well you should) This is most highly detailed video transfer of SitR that I have ever seen. Fabrics come to life, each drop of rain in the titular tune has a life of its own, the costumes - and maybe a downside to the digital processing: the makeup. Yes, almost every brush stroke of pancake can be seen on the actors' faces, and the attempts to hide Mr. Kelly's scar are all in vain.
Also, this is the only video transfer of SitR that has BOTH REELS of "The Broadway Ballet" matched: the reel change just before the "pas de deux" was always a lot more saturated than the reel containing said pas de deux. Right now, Warner's entire transfer is closer to that former second half of the ballet, when it should have been closer to the first half.
That said, if this is anyone's first experience with SitR, then it's not that bad; but, if like BK and myself, you've had the exquisite pleasure of seeing a relatively true Technicolor print, then this is somewhat of a disappointment.
I found that the documentaries on the second disc to be quite good - who (other than our own BK) knew that Hegh Hefner was a fan of SitR?
As for A HARD DAY'S NIGHT- hmmm. Hard to call - the cropping is off, way off - -there's barely any head room, and when there is, half of George's gorgeous mop of hair is hung up somewhere under the matte. But, the stunning black and white photography is still great. Now, here's where we have our trouble with AHDN: the new 5.1 Dolby Digital mix is too, too loud as far as the music is concerned, and too, too soft on the dialogue side. Just try any of the musical numbers that feature dialogue with the song, and you'll hear exactly what I mean.
Finally, GREASE. Well, Bob G. and I have been exchanging emails today since I voiced my opinion about the film on Scarlet Street last night. Let me put it this way, the movie would be a helluva lot better if it's length were the three-some minutes it takes for Sandy (Olivia Newton-John) to sing "Hopelessly Devoted to You."
Posted by td @ 09/25/2002 04:48 PM PST

As far as I'm concerned today is Thursday and has been for over 10 hours.
I can't think of a question. I did but Monsters Inc. yesterday. Which leads me to:
What are your three favourite film songs title or otherwise written by Mr Randy Newman?
Another question. What three Oscar losing songs most deserved to win?
Posted by Tom from OZ @ 09/25/2002 05:09 PM PST

BK: As long as we're discussing films made with the early Technicolor process, what is your impression of "The Adventures of Robin Hood," with Errol Flynn and Olivia deHavilland? I love the film myself, but am dismayed when that gorgeous silver-white sheath she wears while hiding on the staircase comes out some shade of green, as I've seen in some prints. (An essay could easily be written on deHavilland's costumes for the film, but we don't have the space here. Sorry.)
Posted by S. Woody White @ 09/25/2002 06:04 PM PST

At last! A review of THE FIRST NUDIE MUSICAL DVD in a major publication: page 44 of the new SHOW MUSIC that just came out (with Jason Alexander on the cover) After first mentioning BK by name it says in parenthesis "yes the record producer". It's quite positive though not an out and out rave. My only complaint is that it gives complete instructions for finding the Easter Eggs and it also mentions that the CD is included but does not say that it is in the first pressing only meaning if someone reads it and gets a later pressing they will be disappointed. Hopefully this will lead to some sales.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 09/25/2002 06:06 PM PST

oh my! where has everyone gone to tonight? Errant posters!
Posted by td @ 09/25/2002 09:33 PM PST

I couldn't think of much to say. Too many errands today, and it was WAY too hot. Frying my brain and body in the traffic is not my idea of a day off.
So, I'll pose a thought as a question:
If you were to have your stable of stars record an album of your songs, who wold you ahve sing what? And could you release it this week?
Posted by Kerry @ 09/25/2002 09:54 PM PST

Haven't seen Show Music yet - am looking forward to it. Now, we are open all night at haineshisway.com - let's have some late-night posts, some middle of the night posts, for those Hainsies/Kimlets who are insomniacs.
Posted by bk @ 09/25/2002 10:25 PM PST

I will have to wait a few weeks for Show Music to reach these shores. I always like to check the "soon to be released" CD section (just in case there is a new BK production - those were the days).
I shall hopefully remember to check the bank balance this week and do something positive about the FNM dvd. I am ashamed.
Someone yesterday referred to the song from The Last Unicorn. (I know I should check back - maybe it was S Woody). It is on Art Garfunkel's "Scissors Cut" album. "Scissors Cut"is also a Jimmy Webb song. Did anyone mention the cute "Christmas Of The Animals"? Webb's own album "Ten Easy Pieces" is worth checking out.
Posted by Tom Guest (from OZ) @ 09/25/2002 11:13 PM PST

Well, it's been Thursday where I am for two hours and fifty-five minutes... No more Wednesday for me this week.
Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 09/25/2002 11:54 PM PST

Oh, and since Phil mentioned that fact that he and I live in the same city, Richmond, VA, I wonder does anyone live in our fair city? Or in one of the other nearby fair cities? -Or, up in the DC area? -which is where I'm actually working right now?
Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 09/26/2002 12:00 AM PST

Why is it that I'm always thinking of questions for Ask BK day, then forget them by the time the day comes around? I really should learn to write things down.
Ah, thought of one. How did you first meet Jason Graae?
Posted by Stephen G @ 09/26/2002 12:38 AM PST

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