Posts: 5468
From: Nouméa, New Caledonia
Registered: Jun 2003
posted June 27, 2011 05:31 PM
Shame on me that yesterday was my first time to see this feature (on DVD).
I have to admit that owning this film is not regrettable because many scenes are repeatable.
But I knew this title is not officially available in full feature (except Italian pirate) but 2*400 digest.
What I knew there are two versions, i.e Derann and Marketing films.
My questions:
1. Which version is better? 2. Is Derann's version or Marketing's edited in correct order? 3. Are they available on low-fade stock (LPP or AGFA)? 4. Is the scope version released pre-1980 or after 1980s?
Posts: 7016
From: Long Island, NY, USA
Registered: Jun 2003
posted June 28, 2011 09:06 PM
I picked up a 2x400' Mad, Mad, (etc.), World off E-bay a few years ago. I'm not sure who printed it.
The image and sound are fine, it's the editing that's a problem.
Basically they cut out pretty much anything related to story so you wind up with about 40 minutes of car crashes. By comparison it makes the first few minutes of "Saving Private Ryan" seem kinda serene!
Worst of all, they cut out that very last scene where Ethel Merman steps on the Banana Peal and leaves a huge heart-shaped dent in the floor. After I "gained" a Mother-in-Law of my own, seeing that scene always made me smile...for some reason.
-------------------- All I ask is a wide screen and a projector to light her by...
posted June 29, 2011 10:32 AM
Yep! I have the Laserdisc, back when a "restored" or extended cut didn't mean the film was actually fixed in any way, as it is obvious when they cut away from the regular run time to the found footage.
Still, it's great to have it in there.
I'm surprised that they haven't tried to do a complete restoration of that full 3 hour 8 minute version for DVD or BR.
-------------------- "All these moments will be lost in time, just like ... tears, in the rain. "
Posts: 4554
From: New York, NY, USA
Registered: Jun 2003
posted July 23, 2011 11:30 AM
Winbert,
My scope print is LPP. It can be contrasty in a few scenes, but the color is beautiful. The first part starts with Jimmy Durante telling the group about the buried treasure before he kicks the bucket. The rest of the digest deals with the race to find the fortune. Part two overlaps a bit in explaining the events leading up to the discovery of the money. The remainder covers the chase to recapture the stolen suitcase.
I agree with Steve in that it's basically one stunt after another, which becomes tiresome. Then again, there's really no other way to edit this film down to a 2x400'.
Love that score by Ernest Gold!
.
Doug
-------------------- I think there's room for just one more film.....
Posts: 963
From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Registered: Feb 2006
posted July 23, 2011 12:11 PM
Yours looks better than both of mine Doug. I have the letterboxed version and the scope version. It is such a shame so many of the key scenes are missing.
It's almost a 2 reel promo for 1963 Chrysler Corp vehicles!
Posts: 591
From: Neath, South Wales, UK
Registered: Jun 2003
posted July 23, 2011 03:31 PM
I bought the 2 X 400ft scope versions when originally released by Derann. Some re-editing between the two parts was required to make the story flow, as was the case in all the WB/UA 2 X 400s and the (eventually) 4 part Robin Hood.
So how does the single 600ft version compare - was it re-jigged or not?
-------------------- I'm gonna live forever or die trying
Posts: 7016
From: Long Island, NY, USA
Registered: Jun 2003
posted July 23, 2011 03:54 PM
quote:It's almost a 2 reel promo for 1963 Chrysler Corp vehicles!
-Including a lot of voiding of warrantees!
We saw it in the 1970s and somebody commented on the number of cars they wrecked. Somebody else commented that "They're just a bunch of old cars.", forgetting a lot of 'em were brand new at the time!
This is a unique movie: an epic comedy! I heard the original edit was five hours long, and a part of me would love to see it! (just once!)
-------------------- All I ask is a wide screen and a projector to light her by...
Posts: 591
From: Neath, South Wales, UK
Registered: Jun 2003
posted July 25, 2011 09:32 AM
Hi Doug & Winbert, yes, that's the 600ft version I was referring to. I was aware it had the same content as the 2 X 400 but on thinner stock. I just wondered if Derann had bothered to to put the sequences in their correct order because re-editing makes a big difference to the way the story unfolds. I've shown this to various audiences over the years, it always goes down well.
-------------------- I'm gonna live forever or die trying