Kino Lorber Studio Classics

[Mr. Thomsen]

Managed to squeeze a final order in before the sale ended:

[Professor Echo]

Originally Posted by Frightener22

"Coming March 2nd!

Nothing But the Truth (1941)
• Brand New 2K Master
• Audio Commentary by Film Critic and Author Simon Abrams
• Theatrical Trailer
• Dual-Layered BD50 Disc
• Optional English Subtitles
B&W 90 Minutes 1.37:1 Not Rated
Screen great Bob Hope (Road to Morocco) teams up again with his The Cat and the Canary and The Ghost Breakers co-star Paulette Goddard (Modern Times) in the outrageous comedy Nothing But the Truth. Stockbroker Steve Bennett (Hope) is being pressured to lie to his clients, but his better moral judgment just won’t let him. So, when his boss and his partner bet him that no one can go without a falsehood in a 24-hour period, Steve takes on the challenge. He soon finds himself in the company of his boss’s beautiful niece (Goddard) as well as a conniving showgirl and some other interesting guests. There’s no telling what might come to light before the time is up in this hilarious classic starring one of the most beloved entertainers of all time. Co-starring Edward Arnold (Easy Living), Leif Erickson (Arabian Nights), Willie Best (The Ghost Breakers) and directed by Elliott Nugent (My Favorite Brunette)."

If we ever needed more Hope and Truth, it's now.

[AnthonyGG]

The recently announced Bob Hope title NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH is actually one of my favorite non-"Road To" Hope comedies. It's basically the blueprint for Jim Carrey's 1997 hit Liar, Liar. Perhaps it's not necessarily funnier than other Bob Hope films but it moves well and there's more to the plot and story than just one-liners and familiar situations. It's a lot of fun watching Bob try to be honest through a slew of awkward predicaments. Highly recommended and, for me, a definite purchase.

[section31]

Originally Posted by section31

Probably one of the few people on Earth who want to see this on BR but I hope one of the 80's Universal titles is The Allnighter starring Susanna Hoffs.

Great Scott! Haven't been on forums for a little while and saw that the Allnighter was via pre-order. Then I saw it was Kino. Looking forward to this one.

Kino is almost singlehandedly releasing the films from my childhood/teenage summers. SpaceCamp, Gotcha!, No Retreat No Surrender and now the Allnighter.

My 'want list' is shrinking. The top of the list is 'Pump Up the Volume' with Samantha Mathis and Christian Slater.

Thanks again Kino Lorber crew!

[Dailyan]

Coming 2021!
Brand New 4K Restoration by Universal Pictures!

The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923) Starring Lon Chaney, Patsy Ruth Miller, Norman Kerry & Kate Lester – Based on the Novel by Victor Hugo (Les Misérables) – Directed by Wallace Worsley (The Penalty).

[Damonstein]

Curious what source the scan was from.

[drush9999]

Doesn't Hunchback only exist as 16mm prints. Be interesting to see how good this can look, I never got round to getting the Flicker Alley BD either.

[Damonstein]

Also interesting that universal is doing the scan since it seems like they usually kinda ignore their public domain films.

[GeoffOliver]

The Flicker Alley disc looks awful based on screenshots here, but that's more to do with the existing elements than FA themselves. I'm sure it's better than the DVDs, but I was never going to drop $30 on that. If this is any cheaper, I'll get on this edition. Since Universal's handling the restoration, I'm sure it will look nicer at the very least, but I'm not sure what else they can do if no 35mm elements exist (only poor 16mm home movie copies). Kino Insider, do you happen to know what elements were used for this restoration?

Also wondering if Universal will do their own restoration for Phantom of the Opera. I'm happy with Kino's edition, but I will consider double dipping if something nicer comes up.

[Rzzzz]

Originally Posted by GeoffOliver

The Flicker Alley disc looks awful based on screenshots here, but that's more to do with the existing elements than FA themselves. I'm sure it's better than the DVDs, but I was never going to drop $30 on that. If this is any cheaper, I'll get on this edition. Since Universal's handling the restoration, I'm sure it will look nicer at the very least, but I'm not sure what else they can do if no 35mm elements exist (only poor 16mm home movie copies). Kino Insider, do you happen to know what elements were used for this restoration?

Agreed. I really hope some extras will be added. I would love a commentary but will pick it up regardless. Lon Chaney was a genius. Too bad Warner has my most wanted titles, The Unknown with Joan Crawford being #1....

[happydood]

Originally Posted by Damonstein

Also interesting that universal is doing the scan since it seems like they usually kinda ignore their public domain films.

Between this, Man Who Laughs, and the two Brownings Kino just released, I'm curious what else is on the plate. I haven't picked up Drifting yet, but Outside the Law looks outstanding.

[BarnDoor]

Originally Posted by Damonstein

Curious what source the scan was from.

This thread may be of some help.

[ilenewoodsfan99]

Originally Posted by BarnDoor

This thread may be of some help.

Based on what's on that thread, it does seem to be an improvement from the flicker alley version. Enough that I might just blind buy the film when it comes out.

[Ned Brainard]

Nothing But the Truth! The Bob and Paulette trilogy will now be complete in HD! Sweet!

As for The Hunchback of Notre Dame, I will be curious to see how this compares to my Flicker Alley blu-ray. From what I have heard, Universal's restoration is based off of Jon Mirsalis' 16mm print. I sort of wish that Universal would have put its resources to work on some other silent that hasn't had the exposure that Hunchback has had, but if it's a significant upgrade, I'll likely bite.

[Ned Brainard]

Originally Posted by Damonstein

Also interesting that universal is doing the scan since it seems like they usually kinda ignore their public domain films.

Universal has been quite active in doing work on a lot of their public domain silents. The Kino blu-rays of the Reginald Denny films, Hell Bent, Straight Shooting, and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea are the fruits of that labor.

[Professor Echo]

Originally Posted by GeoffOliver

The Flicker Alley disc looks awful based on screenshots here, but that's more to do with the existing elements than FA themselves. I'm sure it's better than the DVDs, but I was never going to drop $30 on that. If this is any cheaper, I'll get on this edition. Since Universal's handling the restoration, I'm sure it will look nicer at the very least, but I'm not sure what else they can do if no 35mm elements exist (only poor 16mm home movie copies). Kino Insider, do you happen to know what elements were used for this restoration?

I for one am very glad that KINO is getting this and NOT Flicker Alley. Sorry, FA, if you're out there listening. I used to be a big supporter and I like a lot of your releases, but I'm not wealthy and to be honest, you may have burned that bridge for me with releasing CHICAGO as a BD-R.

Long live KINO. They may not always get it right either, but you don't have to break the bank to find out.

[gimmeshelter]

AMAZON WOMEN ON THE MOON was definitely funnier than I recalled, although some segments remain painfully unfunny (the one with the comedians at the funeral/roast was a tough slog). Lots of recognizable faces and (if you care) attractive women make it an easy, fun watch; the KL release also knocks it out of the park with some great extras, most from Joe Dante's personal collection (deleted scenes, dailies, outtakes), and a nice commentary track from Mike McPadden and Kat Ellinger (who also were entertaining doing the LET'S KILL UNCLE commentary), plus an enjoyable making-of doc with Dante, John Landis, and others. Really nice release Kino!

[Rayjg]

Originally Posted by AnthonyGG

The recently announced Bob Hope title NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH is actually one of my favorite non-"Road To" Hope comedies. It's basically the blueprint for Jim Carrey's 1997 hit Liar, Liar. Perhaps it's not necessarily funnier than other Bob Hope films but it moves well and there's more to the plot and story than just one-liners and familiar situations. It's a lot of fun watching Bob try to be honest through a slew of awkward predicaments. Highly recommended and, for me, a definite purchase.

You’ve managed to make this the first Bob Hope film I want to see.

[xXx$uicide_Ma$terxXx]

Nice on The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Glad I never bought the Flicker Alley release. Looked terrible. I did recently see a B&W clip of the film in some mini documentary thing. It looked pretty good. Weird that all the HD versions seem to be tinted. Would love to see it in B&W.

[Ned Brainard]

The Flicker Alley blu of The Hunchback of Notre Dame isn't bad at all. One shouldn't necessarily judge on the basis of screenshots alone. The Flicker Alley master is derived from a first generation 16mm element produced in 1926 from the camera negative. I understand that it still looks relatively crummy when compared to other silent restorations derived from camera negative and/or 35mm elements, but that's all that has survived on the film. Given that reality, the Flicker Alley disc is perfectly acceptable.

That said, given the advances in technology and Universal's resources (which likely exceed what FA has), if Dr. Mirsalis' 16mm print is at least comparable in quality to what David Shepard had, then I expect that this new restoration should look better. Don't expect it to approach the quality of something like the 35mm prints of the 1929 reissue version of The Phantom of the Opera, but it should look fairly pleasing. I'm looking forward to seeing what this new restoration will look like.

Dr. Mirsalis mentioned on Nitrateville that he also loaned 16mm Show-at-Home prints of other silents to Universal so I hope to see some interesting titles coming from Universal and Kino in the future.