tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27501132.post115333947141414267..comments2023-12-31T01:23:39.943-05:00Comments on Mayerson on Animation: Digital DownloadingMark Mayersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00065971589878678848noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27501132.post-1153915713108455672006-07-26T08:08:00.000-04:002006-07-26T08:08:00.000-04:00Mark,When Zeppo left and the Marx Brothers became ...Mark,<BR/><BR/>When Zeppo left and the Marx Brothers became three instead of four (MGM) somebody else had to take over the straight role at the center of Marx Brothers` anarchy which accounts for why people like Allan Price (A NIGHT AT THE OPERA, A DAY AT THE RACES)got into the act. This was the formula their stage work (THE COCOANUTS and ANIMAL CRACKERS) as well as their most financially successful films prior to that were built around.<BR/><BR/>When that formula was dropped in DUCK SOUP (now considered by many to be their best film) the result was box office failure and the loss of their Paramount contract (but that loss can be laid at the feet of their producer Emanuel Cohen who tied up all of Paramount`s top stars--Mae West, Marlene Dietrich, the Marx Brothers and more so that it wound up costing the studio too much to make their films).<BR/><BR/>Enter Irving Thalberg. He analyzed the Marx Brothers`formula, produced A NIGHT AT THE OPERA as a touring stage production, refined the gags before live audiences introduced the romantic sub-plot, got them away from Mr. Cohen and saved the brothers` bacon. This became the formula for all of their post DUCK SOUP films.<BR/><BR/>Unfortunately for us and them Thalberg died young. The Brothers, meanwhile, had made an enemy of Louis B. Mayer (who destroyed more careers than time) who did his best to make sure their films would destroy them.<BR/><BR/>He pretty well succeeded. This idea of putting in a little something for everyone (to broaden the appeal) only winds up in diluting the main course) which kills the reason why we were going in the first place.<BR/><BR/>Years ago when I was runnning THE MARX BROTHERS`films on a regular basis I found that cutting Kenny Baker`s first song in AT THE CIRCUS improved the pace of the picture 100% and made it funnier. I then found that cutting all but the last few bars of the song made the picture work even better (I had my own 16mm print to play with so I used it when I rented the film from MGM. The print I rented was badly beaten up from wear. Mine was mint condition). I found running the picture with Baker`s song killed it dead but cutting the song had audiences coming alive (the venue sat nearly 1,000 people)and they stayed alive right until the picture ended.<BR/><BR/>The best thing to do with the niche mareting boys when it comes to a work of theatre is to leave them at the door.<BR/><BR/>I read your blog on copyright.<BR/><BR/>I discovered that copyright came into existence when publishers went to the crown saying,`We need copyright laws to protect our writers.` <BR/><BR/>That sounded reasonable so copyright lwas were created.<BR/><BR/>Then the writers were told, `If you want us to publish your work you have to sign copyright over to us.`<BR/><BR/>Copyright laws were created to rob creators not protect them. <BR/><BR/>Finally, there is a way out of this mess. More about that later.Reg Hartthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18057603622387137160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27501132.post-1153400422463197852006-07-20T09:00:00.000-04:002006-07-20T09:00:00.000-04:00It is a good idea, except that the corporations wi...It is a good idea, except that the corporations will almost certainly control the download software and possibly the sites as well.<BR/>I've always favored the 'syndication' idea similar to that of comic strips: let it go into cyberspace by paying a professional company to host the films and pay a royalty to the artist. If the film sells, everyone benefits. <BR/>I am not sure how much longer the Internet is going to remain free and clear.Nancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03559138404570089435noreply@blogger.com