Re-issue of their solo films from other DVD collections. VHS
Paul J. Mular | San Carlos, CA USA | 03/08/2005
(2 out of 5 stars)
"THERE IS NOTHING NEW HERE!
A word about this DVD: UN-RESTORED
Even worse, it looks like it is mastered from VHS!!!
The first two shorts still look quite good, then it goes down hill. Thundering Fleas is so washed out at times that you have a white screen with a black object running around, and you must guess what is happening.
Another problem: The 'Menu'. It only has frame grabs from the shorts, you have to guess what the titles are.
THE HOBO - Oliver Hardy & Billy West - same good VHS quality video as on the BRENTWOOD DVD. Very watchable! Billy West is a Chaplin impersonator, and you will think you are watching a Chaplin film with Ollie as the heavy.
THE SHOW - Larry Semon & Oliver Hardy - Only VHS quality, watch the KINO 'OLIVER HARDY COLLECTION' 35mm presentation, that version looks great! This has the classic Car v.s. Train chase sequence seen in many compilations! It is a Larry Semon starring comedy, Ollie has little to do except wear heavy make up over his face.
THE SOILERS - Stan Laurel & James Finlayson - Forget this VHS quality dub, watch the much superior KINO 35mm presentation on their STAN LAUREL DVD. This copy has a dark, distorted image. The sides looked streached out and cropped. Next...
WHITE WINGS - Stan Laurel - Also available on Passport's 'LAUREL OR HARDY COLLECTION' but only VHS quality. Worse, the tape was made from a very contrasty 16mm print. This is the only copy out there right now, so we may as well enjoy it and hope a better film print turns up.
SHOULD SAILORS MARRY? = Oliver Hardy & Clyde Cook - VHS quality video, so watch the LOST FILMS OF LAUREL & HARDY volume 4 or KINO's 'OLIVER HARDY COLLECTION' for 35mm quality.
THUNDERING FLEAS - Our Gang & Oliver Hardy - Also available on Passport's 'LAUREL OR HARDY COLLECTION'. This is from a VERY contrasty 16mm print. At times it is hard to tell what is going on."