Concern over quality of color and film stock - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

esl · 06-05-2007, 09:29 PM

Was recently in Las Vegas on a business trip and caught an episode of The Lucy Show on the retro channel. The episode was from season 2, titled "Lucy and the Safe Cracker". It has been a long long time since I saw any episode of this show.

I am concerned as the colors were horribly off. First of all, every color was garrish. Second, the colors were bleading or fading. Vivian's green dress was grey in spots and as she moved the color would fade from intense lime green to dull green to grey. The lips on the female characters looked as if they could not put on lip stick properly as the red or pink coloring seeped beyond their lips.

Other older shows I watched that night on the same channel did not have that problem. I am concerned that the original film stock is deteriorating badly. If the episode I saw reflects the state of other Lucy Show episodes then get this to DVD as soon as possible before the restoration becomes impossible.

comedyfreak · 06-06-2007, 04:49 AM

I agree!!

storrs19 · 06-06-2007, 07:18 AM

That might be an episode taken from a 16mm syndication print. Those are usually very worn and look terrible. The audio is also usually lousy. I don't think that episode is one of the public domain ones available but I doubt it was from a master print as I have that episode taped from Nick At Nite about 12 years ago and the color looks fine on my tape.

Benno123 · 06-08-2007, 04:35 PM

Columbia House released 5 volumes of The Lucy Show on VHS many moons ago, and the color looks fine on it. I wouldn't worry too much about the quality of the masters, I'm positive that they're fine. I would worry more about when the heck will we see this set on DVD with bonus features and all?!?!?!?

ethelmaepotter · 06-10-2007, 01:37 AM

The Lucy Show was one of the first sitcoms to be filmed in color. The episode you mention was from 1963 and they hadn't even been producing the show in color very long. They were probably still trying to work out all the kinks....

TV_on_the_Porch · 06-10-2007, 03:32 AM

Right ethelmae, plus that episode wouldn't be broadcast in color for at least two years after it was filmed. Painting the colors onto each frame so long after the film was exposed had to be an imprecise process at best.

06-05-2007, 09:29 PM	#1
esl Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Apr 24, 2007 Location: Yokohama, Japan Posts: 50	Concern over quality of color and film stock Was recently in Las Vegas on a business trip and caught an episode of The Lucy Show on the retro channel. The episode was from season 2, titled "Lucy and the Safe Cracker". It has been a long long time since I saw any episode of this show. I am concerned as the colors were horribly off. First of all, every color was garrish. Second, the colors were bleading or fading. Vivian's green dress was grey in spots and as she moved the color would fade from intense lime green to dull green to grey. The lips on the female characters looked as if they could not put on lip stick properly as the red or pink coloring seeped beyond their lips. Other older shows I watched that night on the same channel did not have that problem. I am concerned that the original film stock is deteriorating badly. If the episode I saw reflects the state of other Lucy Show episodes then get this to DVD as soon as possible before the restoration becomes impossible.

06-06-2007, 04:49 AM	#2
comedyfreak Cheers! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 14, 2005 Location: Sunny California Posts: 11,059	I agree!!
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06-06-2007, 07:18 AM	#3
storrs19 B&W TV Lover Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 07, 2003 Location: Louisville, Kentucky Posts: 742	That might be an episode taken from a 16mm syndication print. Those are usually very worn and look terrible. The audio is also usually lousy. I don't think that episode is one of the public domain ones available but I doubt it was from a master print as I have that episode taped from Nick At Nite about 12 years ago and the color looks fine on my tape.
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06-10-2007, 03:32 AM	#6
TV_on_the_Porch anything good on? Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 18, 2005 Posts: 879	Right ethelmae, plus that episode wouldn't be broadcast in color for at least two years after it was filmed. Painting the colors onto each frame so long after the film was exposed had to be an imprecise process at best.
	__________________ Turn up the good times!

06-08-2007, 04:35 PM	#4
Benno123 Jenna Fischer Rocks My World!! Senior Member Join Date: Nov 01, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,036	Columbia House released 5 volumes of The Lucy Show on VHS many moons ago, and the color looks fine on it. I wouldn't worry too much about the quality of the masters, I'm positive that they're fine. I would worry more about when the heck will we see this set on DVD with bonus features and all?!?!?!?

06-10-2007, 01:37 AM	#5
ethelmaepotter Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Nov 03, 2005 Posts: 243	The Lucy Show was one of the first sitcoms to be filmed in color. The episode you mention was from 1963 and they hadn't even been producing the show in color very long. They were probably still trying to work out all the kinks....