|
Author
|
Topic: BUMBLE BOOGIE - 1948 Disney short (CHC)
|
Jean-Marc Toussaint
Film God
Posts: 2392
From: France
Registered: Oct 2004
|
posted June 12, 2009 02:54 AM
Here's a cute short subject (04:30) with a Fantasia feel, taken from the 1948 feature "Melody Time".
A bumlebee zooms around a musical universe, dodging notes and fighting a dragon made out of piano keys. The action is timed to the sound of a jazzy rendition of Rimski-Korsakov's "Flight of the Bumble Bee" played by Freddy Martin and Jack Finna.
This super 8 version, imported by Classic Home Cinema from Germany, features German titles and voice-over. This isn't really distracting as they only last for 20 seconds or so before the action starts. Providing one can find the proper sound source, re-recording of the music and voice is an option. The original track is rather good. The reel that I own doesn't feature any balance track, though.
The print is on thick acetate and is very crisp, the colours are gorgeous and let you feel like this little reel has been lifted from a Technicolor Nitrate original. How would I know? I have some Disney shorts on Tech/Nitrate at home (well, actually locked in a tin cabinet in storage) and they do feel the same.
The master itself though is something else. As the box clearly states, it is indeed "vintage". This results in a continuous light "rain" of white lines, with the odd lab marks and scratches. The disturbance is really obvious during the dark opening sequence and at the rather abrupt end, since the finale of this number matches a reel change (with visible cue marks). Fortunately, you simply forget about this once the action starts as the camera is constantly moving along with our little insect friend.
But I would certainly recommend this purchase as this is a musical curiosity that few people know about, and a great complement to any program.
Also, being in £30.00 price range, it is a new release that most of us can afford and a good way to show our support to the fine people who keep this hobby alive.
Bumble Boogie: colours / sound (mono) / no balance track / German voice intro and titles / 100ft spool in cardboard box.
--------------------
The Grindcave Cinema Website
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
Printer-friendly view of this topic
