Sweet Charity 2 Blu-Ray Disc Special Edition - July 23, 2019

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 5/20/19 at 10:15pm

 



 

4K Restorations of both the Roadshow Edition and the ‘Happy Ending’ Version! From Bob Fosse, the legendary director of Cabaret, Lenny, All That Jazz and Star 80. Hollywood royalty Shirley MacLaine (Irma La Douce) gives one of her greatest performances in this spectacular musical based on Neil Simon’s (The Odd Couple) Broadway hit inspired by Federico Fellini’s Nights of Cabiria. Director Fosse broke new cinematic ground with this freewheeling, visually stunning story of a lovelorn New York dance hall hostess, Charity Hope Valentine (MacLaine), who dreams of old-fashioned romance but gives her heart to one undeserving guy after another. MacLaine joins all-star cast members Chita Rivera (Chicago), Sammy Davis Jr. (A Man Called Adam), Ricardo Montalban (Madame X), Ben Vereen (Funny Lady) and Stubby Kaye (Guys and Dolls) in belting out thirteen vibrant Cy Coleman-Dorothy Fields numbers including Big Spender, The Rhythm of Life, There's Gotta Be Something Better Than This and the show-stopping If My Friends Could See Me Now. It’s an unforgettable production of an all-time classic.

Blu-ray Extras Include:

Audio Commentary by Film Historian Kat Ellinger

A Girl Who Wanted to be Loved: A booklet essay by Julie Kirgo

Includes the original Roadshow version and the "Happy Ending" altenate cut |

Edith Head Costume Design – Featurette

From Stage to Screen – Featurette

5.1 Stereo and 2.0 Lossless Audio

Theatrical Trailer

 

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Updated On: 5/20/19 at 10:15 PM

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 8/16/19 at 3:37pm

I've just received and viewed my blu ray copy of "Sweet Charity" which was pushed back from it's original July 23rd release date to August 20th. 

This is a 2 disc edition with the original 1969 Roadshow Edition of the movie on the first disc and the Alternate Ending edition on the second disc. Bonus features are spread throughout both of the discs. There are two audio options: a 5.1 surround mix and a 2.0 mix.

Universal Pictures who own the film and licensed it to Kino Lorber for this blu ray release have done an excellent job archiving all of the original elements used in the making of this film. This 4K restoration is one of the best musical blu rays I have seen. The film looks like it was shot yesterday. The colors pop and the details in set, costume and makeup design are jaw dropping. It was like watching and discovering this film for the very first time.

Any one who is a fan of movie musicals, musical theater, Bob Fosse, Shirley MacLaine, etc, needs to do themselves a favor and purchase this edition. You won't be disappointed. 

[DMsquared2]

Posted: 8/16/19 at 4:57pm

So glad to hear this! Thanks for your review. 

[uncageg]

Posted: 8/18/19 at 10:49pm

Never needed or wanted blu -ay...until now!

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 8/21/19 at 2:56pm

jacobsnchz14 inboxed me and linked a recent review of the blu-ray. In my excitement I completely overlooked the fact that this particular release has omitted the entr'acte music as well as the film's exit music that was part of the film's original 1969 Roadshow presentation. This is unfortunate as those elements still exist and were included on the 2003 DVD release. 

The management of film assets are prone to be mishandled especially if it's being licensed out to another company for release and distribution, in this case Kino Lorber. 

I don't place the fault on them but on Universal Pictures, the film's copyright holders who provided the film's assets to Kino for this blu ray release. 

Although this omission is unfortunate and renders this Roadshow edition incomplete everything else is there and the 4K transfer and sound is gorgeous...Do not pass up on purchasing this title and adding it to your home library.