- Joined
- Feb 8, 1999
- Messages
- 18,570
- Real Name
- Robert Harris
As '50s westerns go, Man Without a Star, from King Vidor, still works nicely. It's not one of the great westerns of the era, but it's a good one, and with a sense of humor.
It's a late 1954 production, released in March of 1955, which makes it questionable Eastman Color. From the appearance of the Universal production, there may have been problems with the original negative, as what I'm seeing looks to be from sep masters.
That can be good or bad.
In this case, it's somewhere in between. Close-ups and medium shots look fine, but go to fine detail, and the image begins to fall apart, with registration issues. One might presume that the elements went to a lab, which recombined without really taking a close look.
But generally, the image is okay.
Track likewise.
MWaS is probably a purchase for Douglas and Vidor completists. Jeanne Crain and Claire Trevor go along for the ride.
For others, it's a safe rental.
Image – 3.25
Audio – 4.5
Pass / Fail – Pass
Upgrade from DVD – Why not?
RAH
It's a late 1954 production, released in March of 1955, which makes it questionable Eastman Color. From the appearance of the Universal production, there may have been problems with the original negative, as what I'm seeing looks to be from sep masters.
That can be good or bad.
In this case, it's somewhere in between. Close-ups and medium shots look fine, but go to fine detail, and the image begins to fall apart, with registration issues. One might presume that the elements went to a lab, which recombined without really taking a close look.
But generally, the image is okay.
Track likewise.
MWaS is probably a purchase for Douglas and Vidor completists. Jeanne Crain and Claire Trevor go along for the ride.
For others, it's a safe rental.
Image – 3.25
Audio – 4.5
Pass / Fail – Pass
Upgrade from DVD – Why not?
RAH
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