VoyForums
[ Show ]
Support VoyForums
[ Shrink ]
VoyForums Announcement: Programming and providing support for this service has been a labor of love since 1997. We are one of the few services online who values our users' privacy, and have never sold your information. We have even fought hard to defend your privacy in legal cases; however, we've done it with almost no financial support -- paying out of pocket to continue providing the service. Due to the issues imposed on us by advertisers, we also stopped hosting most ads on the forums many years ago. We hope you appreciate our efforts.

Show your support by donating any amount. (Note: We are still technically a for-profit company, so your contribution is not tax-deductible.) PayPal Acct: Feedback:

Donate to VoyForums (PayPal):

[ Login ] [ Contact Forum Admin ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, [6], 7 ]

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Date Posted: 22:14:42 10/07/08 Tue
Author: Tim
Subject: Re: Colorizing Universal Horror films
In reply to: Rick 's message, "Colorizing Universal Horror films" on 01:02:28 10/05/08 Sun

I like the black and white cinematography of the Universal horror films, for me it adds much to the atmosphere and visual texture of these vintage pictures. I don't believe colorization would really improve them, but it might increase interest among some younger viewers who have an aversion to black and white. It would certainly be an interesting experiment.

The Universal horror films, like Hitchcock's Psycho, to cite another example, seem perfectly suited to black and white. There are other films like The Wizard of Oz, 2001: A Space Odyssesy and Star Wars, that seem tailor-made for color, and seeing them in black and white would detract from their effectiveness.

I do recall seeing The Wizard of Oz as a kid when we had a black and white television, back when it was broadcast annually. The fanciful story remained intact, but color greatly enhances some films.

Tim

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Replies:

[> Re: Colorizing Universal Horror films -- Officer Torch, 19:26:58 10/08/08 Wed [1]

Some good points there Tim. We used to beat this subject to the ground some years back re vintage Flash Gordon type serials/scifi movies. There were strong, almost debates...with widely differing opinions.

As for the Universal horror movies, I myself prefer B&W... with very positive feelings toward remastering, closed captioning, and some bonus features maybe. The mood is there in B&W..the shadows, the feeling, and I just cannot visualize e.g. Bride of Frankenstein in color. (My opinion.)

For B class sci-fi flicks, I think B&W was ok, and some still had good story content. But, for sci fi spectaculars, like 2001, Star Wars,..color for sure. Others like This Island Earth, War of the Worlds, and others just tend to look better in color. Some oldie sci fi material was colorized..Things to Come with Raymond Massey, and others by (I think) Ray Harryhausen and Legend Pictures. They look reasonably good to me. Wish Harryhausen would work on the Flash Gordon material.

I recall an old Honeymooners episode done in color..it was ok, but didn't really add anything to the show. I've a older tape with Laurel and Hardy in Toyland, that gem of a movie. Dunno, doesn't make it for me in color, though perhaps it would for youngsters. Every so often, colorization subject comes up. Sometimes it triggers lively discussion...but I'm still waitin' for some decent colorized (not tinted) version of vintage Flash Gordon...hmm...for about 5 years! Am doubtful though.

For time being, whatever type of movie or serial, I'd like to see quality/remastered material made available, using the best and most complete prints, whether B&W or color.


[ Edit | View ]


[ Contact Forum Admin ]

Forum timezone: GMT-8
VF Version: 3.00b, ConfDB:
Before posting please read our privacy policy.
VoyForums(tm) is a Free Service from Voyager Info-Systems.
Copyright © 1998-2019 Voyager Info-Systems. All Rights Reserved.