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  | Call Me Madam
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Average user rating:  | |
 What has happened to the colour? | |
| After waiting so long for this title to get a DVD or Video release, I was amazed to see that the original 3 strip technicolor has not been re-mastered for the DVD release. There seems to be a lack of yellow and all the cast have pink faces instead of flesh tones. As the film has recently played on cable television here in a near perfect color corrected version, I cannot understand why Fox have not taken more care in their DVD transfer. All the extras including trailers have this sub-standard look. Apart from this point, it is still a great film and a must for devotees of top Hollywood musicals if you haven't seen it. | |
 Donald O'Connor and Ethel Merman...Great Chemistry! | |
| This is the kind of quality film I'd kept hoping to see Donald O'Connor in after his bravura performance in "Singin' In The Rain." In whatever vehicle Donald appeared, whether it was his movies as a child or teenager, or as an adult, he always shone brightly ("A glittering, glowing star in the cinema firmament," to quote Lina Lamont!), even if the material was not top notch -- and unfortunately, much of his material was beneath his great skill. In "Singin' in the Rain" he proved he was worthy of great "A" material -- and he proves it again here. At the risk of gushing too much, a documentary on O'Connor says that his name spelled backwards was Talent! Amen to that. Here, he proves it. One is tempted to irreverantly murmer, "Fred and Ginger WHO?" when he and Vera-Ellen dance together. And O'Connor and Ethel Merman are absolutely wonderful together, too. The duet they perform, "You're Just In Love" is already being worn thin on my DVD from repeated viewing! Ethel Merman is an acquired taste, usually, but in this film she's just plain fun from beginning to end. Funny note: Donald O'Connor had to wear ear plugs during this scene and others with Merman because of her sterophonic lungs! Great movie, well worth the long wait for its release...don't miss it! | |
| Fun movie, shoddy transfer. Very disappointed in Fox! | |
| I love CALL ME MADAM, and I love Ethel Merman's performance in it. The lack of home video availability for this title drove fans nuts for years, and finally Fox has released it on DVD, and the results are...welll..underwhelming. Don't get me wrong. The film holds up very well. It's one of the better Fox musicals, buoyed by terrific performances, a sprightly script, and great Irving Berlin songs. However, the treatment the film has been given for DVD leaves a great deal to be desired. The image is OK, but not great. Compare this to Warner's stellar ANNIE GET YOUR GUN (which was also not available for years) and you'll see the difference. Even worse is the sound. It sounds scratchy, tinny and distorted. Both the supposed "stereo" track and mono track are very poor in quality. These technical aspects really detract from the viewing experience. Last, but not least is the dull and pompous commentary by musical theater "expert" Miles Krueger. It's like listening to a boring college professor, and would be an ideal substitute for Ambien as a sleeping aid. Maybe Fox will decide to revisit this title someday and give it a full-blown restoration. Until then, hard-core fans will have to be content with this sorry excuse for a DVD release. | |
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