NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: Undercrank Productions Blu-ray (June 2023): In their Raymond Griffith: The Silk Hat Comedian Blu-ray package, Undercrank Productions have transferred two silent films; Paths to Paradise from 1925 and You'd Be Surprised made in 1926. Opening text screens inform us that "Paths To Paradise (1925) was digitally restored at 2K resolution from a new scan of a 35mm nitrate print in the Paramount Collection at the Library of Congress. Two sections of decomposition were replaced using the Library's 35mm safety duplicate negative. The final reel is not known to survive and was recreated using stills and a cutting continuity script from the Margaret Herrick Library. The original tinting scheme was reinstated as detailed in the original script" and that "You'd Be Surprised (1926) was scanned and digitally restored at 2K resolution from a 35mm nitrate print in the Paramount Collection at the Library of Congress." The image quality of the two films in 1080P is very good. There is minimal damage and the tinting accent Paths to Paradise wonderfully well. The presentation is clean and surprisingly detailed. There are even instances of depth in You'd Be Surprised. I was impressed with the appearance of these, almost century old, on my system.     

NOTE: We have added 53 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Undercrank Productions use lossy Dolby stereo audio transfers for both films - which both feature new theatre organ scores by Ben Model. They support the film's moods very effectively. Ben is also the founder of Undercrank Productions that has been releasing rare / lost silent films since 2013. Paths to Paradise and You'd Be Surprised have original intertitles (English.) Undercrank Productions BD-R (not a pressed disc) Blu-ray is Region FREE - playable worldwide.

The Undercrank Productions Blu-ray includes an informative dozen-minute video essay about Raymond Griffith's life and career as an actor, and later a writer and producer at Twentieth Century Fox. Griffith had lost his voice at an early age, and for the rest of his life spoke in a soft whisper. The most famous film he acted in was Lewis Milestone's All Quiet on the Western Front where he played a French soldier - eventually killed by 'Paul' played by Lew Ayres. The video essay is wonderful with clips from a few Raymond Griffith films including Under New Management (1915) How Stars Are Made (1916) Changing Husbands (1924) The Night Club (1925) Paths to Paradise (1925) You'd Be Surprised (I926) and The Sleeping Porch (1929.) 

Undercrank Productions Raymond Griffith: The Silk Hat Comedian Blu-ray package is a must-own for Silent Era fans. Griffith is remarkable as being almost completely forgotten in today's niche of silent film's history, performers and their work. I enjoyed both films but maybe Paths to Paradise more despite the missing seventh reel. Betty Compson is delightful as a con-woman as a precursor to be a sneaky femme fatale. You'd Be Surprised has more broad comedy and the amusing mystery angle. Undercrank Productions is definitely a “collector’s brand” with most of their digital releases funded by silent era devotees (usually through Kickstarter.) This is a great package of a lesser-seen performer - the HD image looks sweet on Blu-ray and there is a educational video essay. Absolutely recommended!

Gary Tooze