Gentleman's Agreement

[Chris R]

A few months ago I purchased the 1947 classic "Gentleman's Agreement" on DVD at full price, somewhere around $25. or so. I wonder into Future Shop/Best Buy today and see it front racked in amongst the new releases with a new cover and all sorts of extra goodies that are not on my release.
Don't know about you, but I'm getting tired of buying a movie and then finding out less than a year later that it's been or being re-released with all sorts of bells and whistles not available on the version that I have. :realmad:

This "Gentleman's Agreement" is in a new 20th Century Fox series called "Studio Classics". My friend in the music/DVD dept. at A+B Sound tells me that 20th Century Fox is correcting some errors and previously poor transfers on some classic movies. He mentioned that "All About Eve" got a fairly decent restoration this time out.

Has anyone seen the new version of GA yet? Any comparisons to the original DVD release? Is it worth buying again? :rolleyes: :laugh:

Thanks.

[Oatsdad]

Has anyone seen the new version of GA yet? Any comparisons to the original DVD release? Is it worth buying again?

Worth buying again? Well, I never liked the movie, but even if I ignore that feeling, I'd say probably not. The new DVD's image seems about the same, and the monaural soundtrack only minimally improves upon that of the original. (The stereo mix STINKS.) Sure, the new one includes some decent extras, but there's nothing incredible there. If you adore the movie, it might be worth it, especially since the new one lists for only $20 US. Otherwise, stick with the old one.

Here's a link to my review of the new one. You can find access to my review of the original embedded within this article:

http://www.dvdmg.com/gentlemansagreementse.shtml

I also have reviews of these other Fox Studio Classics DVDs:

http://www.dvdmg.com/allaboutevese.shtml
http://www.dvdmg.com/howgreenwasmyvalley.shtml
http://www.dvdmg.com/sunrise.shtml

"The Day the Earth Stood Still" should go online soon as well...

[Ken_McAlinden]

Originally posted by Oatsdad

...
The new DVD's image seems about the same, and the monaural soundtrack only minimally improves upon that of the original. (The stereo mix STINKS.) ...
It is fake stereo and you are correct, sir. I'm glad they still give us the original mono.

Improvements in the presentation of the film itself are slight if any. In terms of extras, you get an Audio Commentary by Celeste Holm, June Havoc, and Richard Schickel, an AMC Backstory episode, 2 related Fox Movietone newsreel presentations, and a still gallery. It includes a trailer as well, which I believe is carried over from the prior release.

If you are interested in the extras, it is worth the upgrade. Othewise I would stand pat.

Regards,

[Chris R]

Thanks guys. I think I'll stay put with the original for now.