DVD Talk review of 'Alias Smith and Jones - Season One'

jeffl · 02-24-07, 04:09 AM

I read Paul Mavis's DVD review of Alias Smith and Jones - Season One at http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/read.php?ID=26603 and wonder why reviewers constantly comment on how amazingly good dvd transfers look, considering how ancient the series is. These shows were shot on 35mm film, and the only reasons that they shouldn't look better than anything done today is either because bad masters are supplied, the dvd's are overcompressed to jam too much material on them, or (as is often the case) the person carrying out the transfer cant tell a good picture from a hole in the ground - especially where black levels are concerned.

Burnt Thru · 02-24-07, 06:36 AM

...or the film source has not been properly archived, as is quite common, and has degraded over time.

Paul Mavis · 02-24-07, 07:05 AM

Thanks for writing; I don't know if I "constantly" comment on that aspect, but if I do, it's because it really is amazing how nice these old shows look -- you just don't expect the studios to keep such clean masters of essentially "forgotten" series.

If you're like me, you saw these shows when they were first broadcast, so a factor you didn't mention also plays into my evaluation of how the films look today: transmission. There wasn't nation-wide cable broadcasting back in 1970 -- just a whole bunch of ugly aerials stuck up on people's roofs. And believe it or not, some of us were still so primitive, that we actually still only had black and white TV sets (the earth had only just recently cooled). So many of my memories of these old shows are of grainy, black and white images, with various transmission issues such as snow and interferance (and yes, dinosaurs still roamed the earth!).

So for me at least (and I've had numerous emails from other readers who echo my own viewing experiences), it's miraculous how smooth and clean these DVDs look -- well, at least most of the ones I've seen. I suppose I shouldn't be so "gee whiz" about it after so many years, but I love vintage TV, and I want all my contemporaries who grew up on these great shows to support the genre, and buy these DVDs.

Thanks so much for writing.

Paul

exshellente · 10-13-08, 08:22 AM

Ah, the memories. I recall making a serious effort to watch every episode of A.S. and J. when it was (first) broadcast in the '70s. Like most other 12-year-olds, I especially looked forward to THAT scene where the Kid gets the drop on the local bad guy / landowner / dodgy colonel / corrupt sheriff etc. (kinda like David Carradine's character in 'Kung Fu' - watch out for THAT 'slow-motion' bit). Of course, any gals who recall A.S. and J. liked the Kid because Ben Murphy was 'cute'.
It's only when I watched the (pilot) film and S1 recently that I realised just how good Pete (Hannibal) Duel actually was, as the 'brainy, charasmatic' one.
Further, the great script / plot / acting / theme and music score helps.
Most of the S1 episodes are superb, some are ok and alas, some episodes are just pants (too much girly singing and stuff !).
I agree with the other points made - the conversion to DVD works a treat.
Series 1 is well worth getting - full marks allround. Indeed, who knows - just maybe there'll be a remake ? I vote Alan Rickman as Sheriff Lom Trevers.
Enjoy !

02-24-07, 04:09 AM	#1
jeffl New Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 0	DVD Talk review of 'Alias Smith and Jones - Season One' I read Paul Mavis's DVD review of Alias Smith and Jones - Season One at http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/read.php?ID=26603 and wonder why reviewers constantly comment on how amazingly good dvd transfers look, considering how ancient the series is. These shows were shot on 35mm film, and the only reasons that they shouldn't look better than anything done today is either because bad masters are supplied, the dvd's are overcompressed to jam too much material on them, or (as is often the case) the person carrying out the transfer cant tell a good picture from a hole in the ground - especially where black levels are concerned.

02-24-07, 06:36 AM	#2
Burnt Thru Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: gloucester, uk Posts: 957	...or the film source has not been properly archived, as is quite common, and has degraded over time. __________________ “Life breaks everyone, and afterward many are strong at the broken places.”

10-13-08, 08:22 AM	#4
exshellente New Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 1	Alias Smith and Jones - GREAT movie ! Ah, the memories. I recall making a serious effort to watch every episode of A.S. and J. when it was (first) broadcast in the '70s. Like most other 12-year-olds, I especially looked forward to THAT scene where the Kid gets the drop on the local bad guy / landowner / dodgy colonel / corrupt sheriff etc. (kinda like David Carradine's character in 'Kung Fu' - watch out for THAT 'slow-motion' bit). Of course, any gals who recall A.S. and J. liked the Kid because Ben Murphy was 'cute'. It's only when I watched the (pilot) film and S1 recently that I realised just how good Pete (Hannibal) Duel actually was, as the 'brainy, charasmatic' one. Further, the great script / plot / acting / theme and music score helps. Most of the S1 episodes are superb, some are ok and alas, some episodes are just pants (too much girly singing and stuff !). I agree with the other points made - the conversion to DVD works a treat. Series 1 is well worth getting - full marks allround. Indeed, who knows - just maybe there'll be a remake ? I vote Alan Rickman as Sheriff Lom Trevers. Enjoy !

02-24-07, 07:05 AM	#3
Paul Mavis DVD Talk Reviewer Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 413	Thanks for writing; I don't know if I "constantly" comment on that aspect, but if I do, it's because it really is amazing how nice these old shows look -- you just don't expect the studios to keep such clean masters of essentially "forgotten" series. If you're like me, you saw these shows when they were first broadcast, so a factor you didn't mention also plays into my evaluation of how the films look today: transmission. There wasn't nation-wide cable broadcasting back in 1970 -- just a whole bunch of ugly aerials stuck up on people's roofs. And believe it or not, some of us were still so primitive, that we actually still only had black and white TV sets (the earth had only just recently cooled). So many of my memories of these old shows are of grainy, black and white images, with various transmission issues such as snow and interferance (and yes, dinosaurs still roamed the earth!). So for me at least (and I've had numerous emails from other readers who echo my own viewing experiences), it's miraculous how smooth and clean these DVDs look -- well, at least most of the ones I've seen. I suppose I shouldn't be so "gee whiz" about it after so many years, but I love vintage TV, and I want all my contemporaries who grew up on these great shows to support the genre, and buy these DVDs. Thanks so much for writing. Paul