— Karl
Author Archive
Blue Ray Gentleman Jim
28
Oct
Gentleman Jim (1942) coming from Warner Archive to Blu-ray December 12th!
NEW 2023 1080p HD Master from 4K scan of the original nitrate camera negative.
GENTLEMAN JIM (1942)
Run Time: 104 Minutes
Subtitles: ENGLISH SDH
Audio Specs: DTS HD-MA 2.0
Aspect Ratio 16×9 1.37:1 with Side Mattes
Product color: B&W
Disc Configuration-BD 50
Directed by Raoul Walsh
Cast: Errol Flynn, Alexis Smith, Jack Carson, Alan Hale, Ward Bond
Special Features: Classic Warner Bros. Cartoons: “THE DOVER BOYS AT PIMENTO UNIVERSITY” (HD), “FONEY FABLES” (HD), “HOBBY HORSE-LAFFS” (HD), Audio-only Lady Esther Screen Guild Playhouse (2/14/1944) Radio Broadcast with Errol Flynn and Alexis Smith; Original Theatrical Trailer (HD)
Looking lithe and lean, and more handsome than should be allowed by law, Errol Flynn was never better suited to a role than the legendary boxer James J. “Gentleman Jim“ Corbett. Indeed, this rousing screen biography captures the essence of two colorful personalities – Flynn and Corbett – at the height of their careers. Set primarily against the backdrop of the 1880’s San Francisco, the film follows Corbett’s rise from bank clerk to world champion. With his lightning quick punches and dance-like footwork, the glib, cocky Irishman revolutionized the heretofore illegal prizefighting game, elevating it from the bare knuckle brawling to the sport of skill it is today. An excellent supporting cast of Warner Bros. favorites features the lovely Alexis Smith, the always hearty Alan Hale, and the irresistible bluster of Ward Bond, whose unforgettable portrayal of the great John L Sullivan will touch your heart. For Flynn at his best and an arousing, sometimes wistful look back at professional boxing early days, Gentleman Jim ranks as one of the finest of many biographical classics to come out of the golden age at Warner Bros.
INTERESTING TO NOTE: Gentleman Jim along with the rest of the titles from Vol. 2. WB DVDs from the 2006 to 2008 era are notorious for rotting (visual quality-wise), SO… this is welcome news for fans.
— Karl
Access nearly 15,000 historical newsreels from the Hearst Metrotone News Collection…
27
May
The Packard Humanities Institute
The UCLA Film & Television Archive and The Packard Humanities Institute (PHI) launched a new website (newsreels.net…) giving access to thousands of historical newsreel stories from the Hearst Metrotone News Collection. The website is the first phase of a multi-year project, led by PHI, to make the entire Hearst collection accessible to the public.
— Karl
Remembering Another Coronation… and a Film!
06
May
Not everyone (?) here may be old enough to remember 2 Brits of note: Edward VIII and King George VI, and how a film of Errol Flynn’s, literally, came BETWEEN them… if you don’t remember~ read on courtesy of Wicki:
“The Prince and the Pauper is a 1937 film adaptation of the 1881 novel of the same name by Mark Twain. It starred Errol Flynn, twins Billy and Bobby Mauch in the title roles, and Claude Rains and has been described as “a kids’ fantasy.”[2]
The film was originally intended to coincide with the planned coronation of Edward VIII in 1936. However, its release was delayed until the following year.[3] The film was released on May 8, 1937, four days before the coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth.
According to Warner Bros records, the film earned $1,026,000 domestically and $665,000 foreign making it the studio’s most popular film of the year.[1]
Frank S. Nugent of The New York Times wrote, “Bobby and Billy justify their twinship completely, not merely by investing the Twain legend of mistaken royal identity with a pleasing degree of credibility, but by playing their roles with such straightforwardness and naturalness that the picture becomes one of the most likable entertainments of the year … The novel and the screen have been bridged so gracefully we cannot resist saying the Twain and the movies have met.”[9] Variety published a negative review, reporting: “The fragile plot scarcely holds together a full length screen play”, and suggesting that its running time could have been trimmed at the beginning so Flynn could enter the film earlier.[10] John Mosher of The New Yorker praised the film as “a fine spectacle”.[11] Harrison’s Reports called it “An excellent costume picture” with “outstanding” performances.[12]”
— Karl
A passing worth noting…
27
Mar
Mel Brooks:
“It’s a sad day when Norman Steinberg leaves us. From BLAZING SADDLES to MY FAVORITE YEAR, he was one of the best writers I ever worked with. I’m so glad I rescued him from a dull stable legal career, because he always permeated the writers room with his infectious comic spirit.”
Here’s a little more of the story behind one of of my favorites:
— Karl
And How are YOUR Financials…
10
Mar
I shared this document with our own resident numbers cruncher, Mr. DeWitt- thinking this document has walked these boards before~
Here was his (calculated) response:
“Def not seen this treasure before! How the hell did Errol arrive in Hollywood with do LITTLE in his pockets and have figures like this to read about in just three short years?
Salary and royalties for the month of November 30 come to $500.042.82 in today’s money.
House expenses come to $16,000 plus dollars alone for one month?
Personal expenses $11,000? Not to mention the wife’s ecpenses! Or the boat!
Please post this onto the main blog.”
And, so now, it has been done.
— Karl
Remembering…
16
Jan
the passing- 81 years ago today:
” Carole Lombard’s tragic death means that something of gaiety and beauty have been taken from the world at a time we need it the most.” ~ Errol Flynn
— Karl
