Elizabeth Taylor fans- GRAB this while you can!
Edward Coogan | 02/28/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I felt very inclined to write a review on this DVD of Liz Taylors three movies that are stuck in public domain hell! It arrived today- and let me tell you- getting my hands on this DVD title was NO easy task! Amazon does not have it- and I got it off of ebay brand new for like $5.00- still sealed. However- some the the sellers that specialize in DVD's on ebay list this DVD as available and then after you pay for it- you get an email telling you it is out of stock. Good luck on your hunt for this release!!
Now about the DVD. I was skeptical about it myself- I rarely buy these public domain titles simply because and to put it bluntly the quality generally sucks. However, I remember years ago getting the Joan Crawford film "Autumn Leaves" on VHS from Goodtimes home video and was shocked to discover the print was fantastic. As a matter of fact when Columbia Tri Star home video renewed the rights and saved Joans film from public domain hell- the print was almost exactly the same. So I knew Goodtimes took pride in what they release.
After reading the above review- my hunt was on for this DVD- as I am an Elizabeth Taylor fan, and having the Liz Taylor signature collection that includes "Father of the Bride"- I had to have the sequel "Fathers Little Dividend"!
Now back to this DVD. The print of "Life with Father" is just so so. Not horrible - not great. I wasnt really looking for thie film anyway- it is a bonus that it is included. The colors in this film are off- it looks like a colorized version. It may be- I havent done my homework so I dont know if it was filmed in color or not - but it is definately a watchable copy.
"Fathers Little Dividend"- can I say how PLEASED I am with this transfer!! Granted it is not a "remastered" WB title- but let me tell you it is the BEST print you will find. SKIP all the other public domain releases- this is the BEST. I was actually overly pleased. The black and white was even, there is specs floating about on the print- but the best way I can describe this print would be - it is like an official WB/MGM title released on VHS - (remember how MGM home video was releasing classics on VHS like crazy - minus the remastering that is so common today)- however sharper and more defined - without the graininess of VHS. It is really a very good print- just dont compare it to the new WB DVD rematered prints of black and white films.
"The Last Time I Saw Paris"....aaaahhhh this is the last time you will need to look for a better print- unless offically released from WB. GREAT COPY! The color is very good- the picture is very sharp- which I was worried about when I saw the opening credits- then when the movie officially starts it is clear- sharp- again- DONT expect WB DVD quality here- but also DONT expect the worse. The sound and picture are great and Elizabeth Taylor is a true knockout in this film- she is gorgeous and this DVD does her justice. The film does have the constant speckles running through it- but easily overlooked.
Even the packaging of this DVD is great. The cover art is well done. THANKS to Goodtimes! This is really a GREAT DVD for $5.00 of three films that are stuck in public domain.
I seriously recommend you fans get this while you can. It is harder and harder to find. You will likely not find it in any store- I know I couldnt. It is worth it. Again, dont expect digitally remastered quality- think again of the quality as an official VHS_ however clearer- and sharped- for DVD. Enjoy!"
Elizabeth Taylor Triple Feature
Gandalf | U.S.A | 10/26/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Just a wonderful carefully done transfer using new double sided technology, which allows all 3 movies to be placed on the disc and still preserving the higher transfer rate which equals better detail. Color is true, original was in great shape, and the Dolby Digital soundtrack is clear. I have seen these movies remastered before, but this Good Times remaster is the best of the lot, done with the care these classics deserve! Since two of these are Oscar winners this makes sense, but many so called studios are out for a quick buck, selling bad looking, bad sounding, cut product. Cudos to Good Times for doing the job right. Even the artwork on the package looks first rate! Five Stars."