Re-issue of Solo Films from other DVDs!,
Paul J. Mular | San Carlos, CA USA | 02/28/2005
(2 out of 5 stars)
"NOTHING NEW HERE. Collectors of Laurel & Hardy Films on DVD will already have superior copies of these solo films from other DVD collections as indicated below.
A word about this DVD: UN-RESTORED!
Over all, this DVD is a vast improvement over Alpha/Gotham's volume 2 but not as good as their volume 1 (which isn't saying much). The first three shorts are from video masters but generally look fine, they do have some problems mentioned below. The non-short extras which make up the last three selections look like they are mastered from film.
One other problem: The 'Menu'. It only shows frame grabs from the shorts and you have to guess what the title of the short is.
Here is the title list:
SHORT KILTS (1924) - Stan Laurel & Jimmy Finlayson, mastered from video tape, watchable but superior copies are on the LOST FILMS OF L&H #5 and the KINO 'STAN LAUREL COLLECTION'.
SMITHY (1924) - Stan Laurel & Jimmy Finlayson - A decent video tape transfer. The picture is sharp with good contrast but scan lines are visible. If you have not seen this short you will be pleased. It is an example of what Stan was going to do later with Ollie in "THE FINISHING TOUCH" as he joins a construction crew building a house. While a few gags are repeated in that later L&H short, it would be nice to view them together and see Stan's progression in timing. Also available on the Passport 'LAUREL OR HARDY COLLECTION'.
ALONG CAME AUNTIE (1926) - Oliver Hardy - BEWARE! The picture in this video tape copy is HEAVILY CROPPED and window-boxed! Many title cards are unreadable due to missing words. A far superior copy is on the LOST FILMS OF LAUREL & HARDY #3 & KINO'S 'OLIVER HARDY COLLECTION'.
THE STOLEN JEWELS (1931) - L&H cameo - Nice 16mm film transfer but a superior copy is on the KINO 'FLYING DUECES (RESTORED)' DVD extras as well as several other DVDs.
HOME MOVIES - Stan's Daughter (The same home movies that are on the BRENTWOOD 'LAUREL & HARDY 14 FILMS' DVD).
THE TREE IN A TEST TUBE (1943) - only color footage of L&H - looks like a second generation copy, a superior copy is on the KINO 'FLYING DUECES (RESTORED)' DVD extras as well as several other DVDs."