[78-L] Cantor/Jolson films in the MGM/FOX - A report

[Michael Biel]

David Lennick wrote:
> I bought Hallelujah I'm A Bum as a single DVD about 5 years ago and as I 
> recall, the print looked fine. So this is hardly its first release. But at the 
> time I was amazed that there wasn't even an insert.
>
> dl
>
>   

I have the MGM LaserDisc of "Hallelujah I'm A Bum" that William A. Brent 
mentions he has, ML 205877 by the way,  and I remember it looking and 
sounding OK.  There is a little bit of liner notes that I can scan for 
you if you are interested.  There's more space for things on a 12-inch 
square package.  By the way, this film is not to be missed.   It is a 
minor masterpiece, quite different from any other Jolson film and from 
most American films  for that matter.  It is almost an operetta.  I 
think it is one of the most overlooked films of the depression era.  I'd 
never had a chance to see it untill I luckily found the LD on closeout.  
It was not available for very long.  It came out in 1997.

Since William has a 16mm print of "Hallelujah I'm A Tramp", I've always 
wondered if there were any differences other than the title card.  The 
discographies say that the British 78, Brunswick 01507, only had the 
title on the label changed and that the record still used the regular 
matrix B-12671-A where Jolson still sang "Bum".  (That must have still 
kept it off of the BBC.  It wouldn't bother the modern BBC -- they show 
naked bums on TV all the time there.  I remember the time when I was 
watching a live performance of Rigoletto from the Royal Opera House on 
the BBC at 7PM on a Saturday evening and there was full frontal (and 
rear) total male and female nudity in the opening party scene.  And you 
should have seen the goings on during the Quartette.)

Mike (yes I was taping the Rigoletto, and yes it is also out on dvd)  
Biel  mbiel at mbiel.com


> Steve Ramm wrote:
>   
>> I just KNOW there will be feedback on this posting (Hey, I've been here awhile).
>>  
>> There was mention a while ago about the first release on DVD of Jolson's Hallelujah I'm a Bum along with Cantor's "Whoopee" and " Kid Millions". It's part of the Fox/MGM 61 DVD (!) set (with 5 films) "Classic Musicals. 
>>  
>> Well I was able to get a set to review and wanted to report in. It's a sad situation.
>>  
>> I was anxious to watch the one Cantor and one Jolson. WOW what a disappointment.
>>  
>> There is NO restoration at all and no bonus items. Not even a liner note! The 61 DVDS in the set are divided into 4 decade packs and these are cardboard sleeve with just the title. I've never seen Hallelujah I'm A Bum before and really liked the story. The print is worn and sound distorted.
>>  
>> Watch Whoopee Last night. All the color is washed out and the big production numbers have distorted sound. Haven't watched Kid Millions yet.
>>  
>> The Other DVDs in the 1930-1949 group are the same discs that have been released before complete with OLD "previews". Yeesh. And the packaging of this set is AWFUL and falls apart.
>>  
>> Of course, I don't know who the set is aimed at with Elvis, Rocky Horror Picture Show, Sound of Music and Hair included. IT's down as low as $329 at Costco but who wants it.
>>  
>> It's such a shame that Fox doesn't let the rights go to Warners to restore or restore and put together a Cantor/Jolson set. (That'll never happen and Turner doesn't own these films either.)The ONLY Jolson film from the 20s-30s I've seen other than "Hallelujah" is the Jazz Singer. I was impressed by his acting in Hallelujah.
>>  
>> Thought I'd share.
>>  
>> Steve