THE ABSENT-MINDED PROFESSOR DVD: Disney dissapoints me again

[Chris K.]

You know, now that Disney has become some money-obsessed company (thank you, Michael Eisner) their upcoming DVD release of THE ABSENT-MINDED PROFESSOR is going to disappoint. Why? From what I hear, their upcomg DVD release of the black-and-white classic film is going to be COLORIZED! Does Eisner think he is Ted Turner or what? This is the sanme bastard who wouldn't lease the original unseen cut of WATCHER IN THE WOODS to Anchor Bay. First the bad remake FLUBBER, and now this.

If so, another classic film is ruined by a no-talent waste of a man who just cant get the fact that "if you release the original with it's original intentions, you'll do alright." Sad really. What do you think? Is it better to change the original format to something "better", or do you think it's just a bastardization?

[Chadzilla]

Doing 'all right' isn't enough!  If the colorized version sells well then they will feel the alteration was a decision well made.  I used to get riled up about it, but with Lucasberg retooling all their old movies, these commodities just seem less and less important.  Just turn the color off on your TV.

What really irritates me is that, now that DVD is the top selling format, pan and scan is making a concerted effort at a comeback.  Grrr.

[Chris K.]

From what I heard Chadzilla, the early 90's release of THE ABSENT-MINDED PROFESSOR that was colorized wasn't well-recieved at all (and not just by the film buff community, but by the regular folk as well). The colorization was "very off" resulting in a dark and murky look.

Yes, "doing all right" isn't enough. But when you try it the first time and it doesn't succeed then DON'T DO IT AGAIN! And I am sorry, but turning the color off my TV isn't going to cut it either. It doesn't mean I am lazy, but it would definately become quite annoying if I would have to keep doing it everytime I watch it. It should be presented in it's original format with no improvements just because some people can't stand a film in black-and-white.

But, I just heard about it and it's not been confirmed. If true, this does prove Disney has lost it. So, I guess I'll stick to my old black-and-white VHS.

But I do agree: Panned-and-Scanned making a comeback! May God save us all!

[Fearless Freep]

but with Lucasberg retooling all their old movies, these commodities just seem less and less important.

Lucas said that "movies are not finished, just abandoned' when talking about being able to go back and re-qork some of the stuff in Star Wars, etc...Newer technology makes it possible for a movie creater to go back and do things the way it was intended to be, not just what had to be settled for.

However, there's a difference between the original filmmaker trying to get close to his original vision, and monkeying around with something you had no part in the creation of, just 'cause you own the rights to it

[J.R.]

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What really p**ses me off is that now they're releasing every movie in both widescreen and fullscreen versions. Both options used to be available on one disc. I think they're just releasing them like that to make more money. And, frankyly, anyone that doesn't appreciate widescreen doesn't deserve to have a home theater.  I picked up Goldmember at a display with both versions and when I got home found I had a fullscreen, after I'd opened it! Aarrrrgg!

[Flangepart]

Fullscreen....Bad! No like fullscreen! Pan and scan confusing...make brain hurt! Like black and white...is story make good movie! What next?...bad man colorise "Young Frankenstein?" Hulk smash!

[Chadzilla]

:-)

[Nemo2342]

Just so long as we can colorize Young Frankenstein as well.

[Chadzilla]

Come on,

Manhattan, Zelig, Broadway Danny Rose, Celebrity, and Stardust Memories would look much better in color!

[Fearless Freep]

So when do they colorize the opening of "The Wizard Of Oz"?

[Neville]

I am afraid to bring more bad news, but according to my History of Cinema teacher, the manipulate-the-colour-trick doesn't make colorised movies look like the B/N originals. Looks like the B/N resulting pallette has nothing to do with the originals. Needless to say, this makes colorised movies even more aberrant.