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http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/direct-chair/fuller.htm
USA 1953

 

Iconic American filmmaker Samuel Fuller began his career as a tabloid reporter, and thrillingly drew on those skills and experiences in his extraordinary labour-of-love Park Row. An exhilarating tribute to the ideals of the free press and noble popular journalism, this two-fisted tale of battles on and off the printed page in 1880s New York is a major American rediscovery.

When Phineas Mitchell (Gene Evans), a visionary newspaperman, launches his own title The Globe, his eye-catching headlines and approach quickly catch fire with the New York readership. But less impressed is Charity Hackett (Mary Welch), proprietor of long-established rival The Star, and attempts to undercut The Globe soon escalate into all-out war.

Packing more dynamite into eight reels than most directors unleash over a career, Fuller's self-financed Park Row is a passionate, idiosyncratic work of gritty myth-making.

***

Director Sam Fuller, who once worked in tabloid journalism, breathes real life into this drama about a man trying to start an opposition paper. His old employer tries endless dirty tactics to put him out of business as a circulation war rages.

Posters

Theatrical Release: 12 August 1952 (USA)

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DVD Comparison: 

MGM (MGM Limited Edition Collection) - Region 0 - NTSC vs. Masters of Cinema - Region 1,2,3 - NTSC

Big thanks to Gregory Meshman for the MGM Review!

1) MGM (MGM Limited Edition Collection) - Region 0 - NTSC LEFT
2) Masters of Cinema - Region 1,2,3 - NTSC
RIGHT

 

DVD Box Cover

 

 

Distribution

MGM

Region 0 - NTSC

Masters of Cinema

Region 1, 2, 3 - NTSC

Runtime 1:23:21 1:23:21
Video

1.33:1 Original Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 6.40 mb/s
NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s

1.33:1 Original Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 7.91 mb/s
NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s

NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.

Bitrate MGM

Bitrate MoC

Audio Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono (English) Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono (English)
Subtitles None English, None
Features Release Information:
Studio: MGM

Aspect Ratio:
Fullscreen - 1.33:1

Edition Details:
• Theatrical trailer (2:00)

DVD Release Date: May 2nd, 2011
Keep Case

Chapters 9

Release Information:
Studio: M
asters of Cinema

Aspect Ratio:
Fullscreen - 1.33:1

Edition Details:
• Isolated music and effects track
• Original theatrical trailer
• New and exclusive 22-minute video interview with critic, scholar, and Cahiers du cinéma US editor Bill Krohn, filmed in Los Angeles at the Fullers’ home
• New and exclusive short 3-minute video piece with remarks from Fuller’s wife, Christa Lang Fuller, filmed in Los Angeles at the Fullers’ home
• 56-PAGE BOOKLET with a new and exclusive illustrated essay on the film by critic / scholar / filmmaker Tag Gallagher; the complete chapter about Park Row from Samuel Fuller’s posthumous 2002 autobiography A Third Face: My Tale of Writing, Fighting, and Filmmaking; excerpts from interviews with Fuller speaking about the film; a 1952 letter from Irving Berlin to Samuel Fuller, praising Park Row; facsimile examples of Park Row broadsheets; rare imagery; and still more.

DVD Release Date:
October 22nd, 2012
Transparent Keep Case

Chapters 14

 

Comments

ADDITION - Masters of Cinema (October 2012): The dual-layered MoC transfer exports the contrast without the green hue of the MGM. The bitrate is higher and the visuals are crisper. It also appears to have more information in the frame and offers optional English subtitles. I couldn't say if the audio was also improved but it sounded clean and clear.

The image transfer is a step forward but the extras take an even more definitive leap allowing access to the isolated music and effects track, an original theatrical trailer, a new exclusive 22-minute video interview with critic, scholar, and Cahiers du cinéma US editor Bill Krohn, filmed in Los Angeles at the Fullers’ home and a short 3-minute video piece with remarks from Fuller’s wife, Christa Lang Fuller. Plus there is an excellent 56-page booklet with a new and exclusive illustrated essay on the film by critic / scholar / filmmaker Tag Gallagher; the complete chapter about Park Row from Samuel Fuller’s posthumous 2002 autobiography A Third Face: My Tale of Writing, Fighting, and Filmmaking; excerpts from interviews with Fuller speaking about the film; a 1952 letter from Irving Berlin to Samuel Fuller, praising Park Row; facsimile examples of Park Row broadsheets; rare imagery; and still more.

This disc is transferred in NTSC (NO PAL speedup) and is coded for regions 1, 2 and 3. It's a wonderful package - one we can strongly recommend! 

  -Gary Tooze

***

ON THE MGM: Park Row was the first film Samuel Fuller entirely wrote, directed and produced putting his own money to finish the film (and loosing it all in the process). The low budget feature was released by United Artists, so now it makes its DVD debut on MOD disc from MGM.

The progressive transfer is in its original academy aspect ratio. The great noir cinematography is featured well on this disc, although there is slight green hue that is less noticeable on a CRT. The image is overall very clean, with very little damage, although some scenes are soft.

English mono soundtrack is decent, but per usual standard, there are no subtitles provided. At least, MGM includes a theatrical trailer with this release. Note to future buyers, some people who bought this DVD at Amazon, received Harry in Your Pocket (although labeled 'Park Row' on the disc). Otherwise, this release is recommended to Samuel Fuller fans.

  -Gregory Meshman

 

Masters of Cinema Menus

 

 


Masters of Cinema Subtitle Sample

 

 

Screen Captures

 

1) MGM (MGM Limited Edition Collection) - Region 0 - NTSC TOP
2) Masters of Cinema - Region 1,2,3 - NTSC BOTTOM

 


1) MGM (MGM Limited Edition Collection) - Region 0 - NTSC TOP
2) Masters of Cinema - Region 1,2,3 - NTSC BOTTOM

 


1) MGM (MGM Limited Edition Collection) - Region 0 - NTSC TOP
2) Masters of Cinema - Region 1,2,3 - NTSC BOTTOM

 


1) MGM (MGM Limited Edition Collection) - Region 0 - NTSC TOP
2) Masters of Cinema - Region 1,2,3 - NTSC BOTTOM

 


1) MGM (MGM Limited Edition Collection) - Region 0 - NTSC TOP
2) Masters of Cinema - Region 1,2,3 - NTSC BOTTOM

 


1) MGM (MGM Limited Edition Collection) - Region 0 - NTSC TOP
2) Masters of Cinema - Region 1,2,3 - NTSC BOTTOM

 


 

1) MGM (MGM Limited Edition Collection) - Region 0 - NTSC TOP
2) Masters of Cinema - Region 1,2,3 - NTSC BOTTOM

 


DVD Box Cover

 

 

Distribution

MGM

Region 0 - NTSC

Masters of Cinema

Region 1, 2, 3 - NTSC

 

 




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