Search - The Lost Cartoons, Vol. 2: Famous Studios on DVD

Worth a look

Eugene Schiller | Honolulu, Hi United States | 08/07/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"The claims of "restoration" are of course, wildly exaggerated, yet this collection (from Famous Studios) contains, by far, the best available print of Bill Tytla's "Sudden Fried Chicken" to appear in the public domain. The program also includes better than average transfers of Little Audrey's "The Lost Dream" and "Land of the Lost Jewels" (it's lovely title sequence newly restored), while such entertaining toons as "Mutt in a Rutt" and "The Big Flame-Up" at the very least, qualify as rarities. Only Paramount, in the end, can truly do justice to its vast and varied cartoon legacy, but for now, this inexpensive package from GoodTimes offers pretty good value.
Also worth a look, the Van Beuren (and Iwerks) collection, which features an excellent print of "Parrotville Old Folks" plus, such charming additions to the "Rainbow Parade" as "Three Merry Kittens", "Spinning Mice" and "Picnic Panic" - these last two, an extension of the short-lived series of "Toddle Tales" combining live-action and animation - the live inserts are seriously faded, but the cartoons are the major attraction here, and they retain their vibrant cinecolor hues. This may be their first release on video. Animation buffs should take note.
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You get what you pay for

Larry Latham | Tulsa, OK United States | 05/22/2007

(2 out of 5 stars)

"The only thing breath-taking about this dvd is the ad copy. The "restoration" comes from running the toons through DVNR set on high, which is no real service. Lines disappear, digital artifacts are everywhere. Plus there's a paltry nine cartoons. Goodtimes has always been the cheapest of the cheap producers. Unless there's one cartoon here that you have to have, spend a little more money on some of the Thunderbean releases (Aesop's Fables, Cubby Bear, the Little King, Cultoons, etc.) They are truly restored and rare films."