ARBUCKLE RESTORATIONS ON TCM
Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2015 11:51 am
SET YOUR DVR! This Sunday night, October 18th, Turner Classic Movies will be hosting the world television premiere of CineMuseum's new restorations of two Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle features: THE ROUND-UP (1920) and THE LIFE OF THE PARTY (1920)!
If you have seen these films at an archival screening, be prepared for a very different experience. THE ROUND-UP is an excellent western drama with some light touches of comedy. This was Arbuckle's first feature film appearance and it marks his "graduation" from short subject slapstick to broader dramatic roles, and a more sophisticated style of light comedy. The film itself looks amazing, it features the restored tints, and has a cracking new piano score from noted accompanist / composer Donald Sosin.
THE LIFE OF THE PARTY was reconstructed from a nearly complete Czech reissue print, with Czech subtitles, and Paramount's two surviving reels of the American version. This, hands down, was the single most difficult reconstruction CineMuseum has ever attempted. It is being presented here, in nearly complete form, for the first time since its original release in 1920. Rodney Sauer, of MontAlto Orchestra fame, provided the wonderful new piano track with synchronized sound effects.
These HD restorations were struck from 35mm archival materials which were generously provided by the Paramount Pictures Archive, and The Library of Congress Packard Campus for Audio-Visual Conservation. Additional materials used in the reconstruction process were provided courtesy of The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, The Margaret Herrick Library, and Roscoe Arbuckle's personal archive.
Both of these features and other rare materials will be available as part of the Arbuckle Anthology coming soon from CineMuseum, LLC.
If you have seen these films at an archival screening, be prepared for a very different experience. THE ROUND-UP is an excellent western drama with some light touches of comedy. This was Arbuckle's first feature film appearance and it marks his "graduation" from short subject slapstick to broader dramatic roles, and a more sophisticated style of light comedy. The film itself looks amazing, it features the restored tints, and has a cracking new piano score from noted accompanist / composer Donald Sosin.
THE LIFE OF THE PARTY was reconstructed from a nearly complete Czech reissue print, with Czech subtitles, and Paramount's two surviving reels of the American version. This, hands down, was the single most difficult reconstruction CineMuseum has ever attempted. It is being presented here, in nearly complete form, for the first time since its original release in 1920. Rodney Sauer, of MontAlto Orchestra fame, provided the wonderful new piano track with synchronized sound effects.
These HD restorations were struck from 35mm archival materials which were generously provided by the Paramount Pictures Archive, and The Library of Congress Packard Campus for Audio-Visual Conservation. Additional materials used in the reconstruction process were provided courtesy of The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, The Margaret Herrick Library, and Roscoe Arbuckle's personal archive.
Both of these features and other rare materials will be available as part of the Arbuckle Anthology coming soon from CineMuseum, LLC.