- Joined
- Feb 8, 1999
- Messages
- 18,271
- Real Name
- Robert Harris
I'm betting that some readers here may only know Robert Morse as Bertram Cooper of Mad Men.
For those folks, be aware that he's been in the business since the 1950s.
I "discovered" him in late 1961, when I saw the show on Broadway, with he and the legendary Rudy Vallee in the roles they recreated for the film, along with Charles Nelson Reilly. Michele Lee is also on board, recreating her role, after replacing Bonnie Scott on stage.
Still stage (or studio) bound for the big screen, the film is in many ways a filmed of the play, with a wider proscenium, and that's fine.
The play was an award-ladden production, including seven Tony, inclusive of Best Musical.
It also won something called a Pulitzer for drama.
That's a pretty good set up for a film, and the 1967 film, as directed by David Swift, remains a fun, sprightly encounter with the gang at WWW (World Wide Wicket) half a century later.
The Blu-ray from MGM via Twilight Time is a delight. While typical MGM work, it's fine, with color, densities, and grain levels all seemingly in their requisite places.
The only real problems, which will probably go unnoticed by most viewers go back to the telecine, or scans, which vertically crush frames at either cuts or notches. Avoidable, yes, but it would have cost a few dollars extra to get it right.
The original monaural track has been remixed to 5.1,and also sound great.
When the film does head outdoors, it gives us one of its most charming sequences, as Mr. Morse dances his way down a Manhattan sidewalk, with passers-by taking very little notice of his antics.
Interviews with Mr. Morse and Ms Lee round out the extras, beyond the expected TT fare.
One of the most charming musical films of the '60s.
Image - 4
Audio - 4
4k Up-rez - 4
Pass / Fail - Pass
Recommended
RAH
For those folks, be aware that he's been in the business since the 1950s.
I "discovered" him in late 1961, when I saw the show on Broadway, with he and the legendary Rudy Vallee in the roles they recreated for the film, along with Charles Nelson Reilly. Michele Lee is also on board, recreating her role, after replacing Bonnie Scott on stage.
Still stage (or studio) bound for the big screen, the film is in many ways a filmed of the play, with a wider proscenium, and that's fine.
The play was an award-ladden production, including seven Tony, inclusive of Best Musical.
It also won something called a Pulitzer for drama.
That's a pretty good set up for a film, and the 1967 film, as directed by David Swift, remains a fun, sprightly encounter with the gang at WWW (World Wide Wicket) half a century later.
The Blu-ray from MGM via Twilight Time is a delight. While typical MGM work, it's fine, with color, densities, and grain levels all seemingly in their requisite places.
The only real problems, which will probably go unnoticed by most viewers go back to the telecine, or scans, which vertically crush frames at either cuts or notches. Avoidable, yes, but it would have cost a few dollars extra to get it right.
The original monaural track has been remixed to 5.1,and also sound great.
When the film does head outdoors, it gives us one of its most charming sequences, as Mr. Morse dances his way down a Manhattan sidewalk, with passers-by taking very little notice of his antics.
Interviews with Mr. Morse and Ms Lee round out the extras, beyond the expected TT fare.
One of the most charming musical films of the '60s.
Image - 4
Audio - 4
4k Up-rez - 4
Pass / Fail - Pass
Recommended
RAH