Next, I watched THE 3 PENNY OPERA (as it's written on the cover art). I had never seen this film before, and it was something else.
First, the aspect ratio is narrower than the usual old Academy ratio of 1.33:1. Criterion lists it as 1.19:1, almost a square image which was very narrow and certainly cramped some of the compositions.
Like most musicals done then, the actors sang live rather than prerecording their vocals, so the numbers are very static since they don't move around much.
Wow! Lots of music is missing, and the story, especially the ending, is very different. Lucy Brown's stuff is gone with the wind (a Victor Fleming reference). It's funny hearing Lenya sing with a soprano voice. My, she was so young! The actress playing Polly talks more than she sings, but when you hear her brittle voice, it's easy to see why. She's no Jo Sullivan!
The transfer looks very good for a film that's 76 years old. Sound is adequate but naturally lacks any real fidelity.
