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I read a few years ago that Robert Harris was working on a full restoration of the roadshow edition of this movie. Has anyone heard any news on this ? Also what happened to Karen Sharpe Kramer's plans to produce a sequel ?
Anyone know ?
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Posted: |
Feb 12, 2009 - 11:42 AM
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By: |
Ray Faiola
(Member)
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This is such a complicated issue. I'm still not sure how much Kramer was involved in the re-cutting for general release, but he definitely realized the picture was too long. The only scene -- and I mean the ONLY scene that really needs to be restored is the scene that sets up the encounter with Buster Keaton. And that's still lost. Everything else that has been restored (mostly from alternate takes) is mere padding. One restored scene is very disturbing - where Winters talks about wanting to help out his landlady. It removes his character from the land of the bizarre and gives him motivation - which puts a whole new outlook on his destructive tendencies.
I think the picture plays much, much, much, much better at 154 minutes, or 162 if you add the overture, entracte and exit music. Yeah, it's great to see Roy Roberts, Cliff Norton, James Flavin and a few others who are in the added footage. But comedy is all about pacing. And I think if a restored print were ever struck and shown to an audience it would outlast them in the auditorium.
As for the radio calls, I actually recreated them from the original script (I do a mean Stacy Harris and Allen Jenkins!) and we've used the recreated tracks at several screenings. The real McCoys played on the west coast a few years ago.
JUST GIVE ME THE COMPLETE SCORE!!!!
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Posted: |
Feb 12, 2009 - 11:58 AM
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By: |
Jon A. Bell
(Member)
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I think the picture plays much, much, much, much better at 154 minutes, or 162 if you add the overture, entracte and exit music. Yeah, it's great to see Roy Roberts, Cliff Norton, James Flavin and a few others who are in the added footage. But comedy is all about pacing. And I think if a restored print were ever struck and shown to an audience it would outlast them in the auditorium.
I absolutely agree. I think the even-longer version is simply TOO long, and the final theatrical cut is better paced.
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I think the picture plays much, much, much, much better at 154 minutes, or 162 if you add the overture, entracte and exit music.
Even though I posted this question, I would have to agree that you are probably right. I own both the general release version on DVD, and Kramer's restored version on a MGM/UA VHS set from the early 90's. The restored Winter's scene regarding 'the electric wheelchair ' is a gem. The only other memorable scene that doesn't drag the extended version out is the
' Mike Mazurski threatening Phil Silvers ' scene. There are 3 or 4 posts on Harris' Home Theatre Forum thread, that pose the question of a restoration. I could not locate any response from Harris which leads me to believe that this may still be a ' live ' project. I know he is working on a restored digital print of ' The Alamo ' that is due out soon. However, I have to admit that that movie, even more than IAMMMMW falls into the category of an overly long running time even in it's current version. But, I'm sure there are many out there (not I) who would clamor at a ' new ' DVD release of ' The Alamo ' ? After all, the whole point is profit. I know Harris has verbally shown interest in cleaning up the print to
' The Big Country '. I'm curious if Peck's estate has any overseer rights to this film since it was produced by his company. The most exciting element of a ' Big Country ' restoration would be the fading color, and the soundtrack. As far as I know, and according to the IMDB, the only existing soundtrack is in mono westrex, so that leaves print quality.
and yes, I have hoped for a complete soundtrack release to IAMMMMW for years.
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He evidently could never get the backing for a full restoration project.
I'd pay [u[twice the cost of a restoration for MGM/UA to burn the negative.
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It's a great looking Blu-ray.
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I'll always wish they at least asked me to contribute to it!
One way you could contribute is this message board. I, for one, would be very interested to read your critique of the notes. You might even be able to reach a wider audience of IAMMMMW fans, than just those who bought the CD, right here. 
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