Color or Black and White? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

dawsongirl · 10-31-2001, 10:50 PM

Thanks to NCVARick to bringing this up in the pilot thread.

Okay, so I tuned into the Hallmark Channel yesterday to watch the 1st season B&W episodes of I Dream of Jeannie only to find out they'd been colorized. At first I was like, "What the...", but actually, it's pretty cool.

So my question is, if someone decided to colorize all the ILL episodes and air them, would you be totally opposed?

desilu #1 · 11-01-2001, 12:29 AM

Yes,I would be very opposed to colorizing I Love Lucy. I feel changing anything about this show would be very disrespectful and
unatural. I always say,don't try to change anything that ain't broken.

------------------
Amy M. Weaver

Barrett Reynolds · 11-01-2001, 01:20 PM

Black and White all the way!!! The best shows on TV are black and white, and for people to monkey around with is just plain awful. I wouldn't dream of I Love Lucy being in color. The same as I couldn't bare to see Leave it to Beaver in color, or the Patty Duke Show. It's a piece of 50's Americana, not to be trifled with. It may be neat to get to experience some shows in color, but to colorize them without giving their fans a choice in the matter is just atrocious. Sorry if I sound heavy-handed or preachy, but I take my B&W very seriously. LOL. Incidentally, about a month ago, I went to Hollywood Video looking to rent the original "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" for some horror movie fun. They didn't have the original, just that cheesy 80's retread. But they did have a copy for purchase, so I snagged it. But then when I put it on later, I found to my disgust that it was colorized, and not even very well. So I turned the color knob down on my TV, and all was well!

---Barrett Reynolds, "The Teenaged "Beatnik

Slippery Dan · 11-01-2001, 02:10 PM

Have you actually look at the color detail o the colorized I Dream of Jeannie? It looks like it was drawn by a 5 year old. You can tell that it wasn't originally in color. Jeannie's hair kinda looks a shade of strawberry blonde instead of regular blonde. And the walls that are green look too bright. I Love Lucy wouldn't look good colorized.

Sean Snow · 11-01-2001, 08:43 PM

I know this is off topic, but "I Dream of Jeannie" had some very good colorizers! When I first saw it I at first thought Hallmark must have screwed up and gone to the second season!

But, "Gilligan's Island" looks terrible in color, because they didn't colorize it rite.

boechsner · 11-01-2001, 09:02 PM

That's Ted Turner, for you.

tdr · 11-02-2001, 12:08 AM

< I always say,don't try to change anything that ain't broken. >

If Lucy had not *changed* her "mousy brown" hair to the red color which helped create her image and spawned so many jokes on the show, it may not have reached such enduring popularity that this would be debated. I wouldn't say 'Don't change *anything* that ain't broken.'

NCVARick · 11-02-2001, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sean Snow:
I know this is off topic, but "I Dream of Jeannie" had some very good colorizers! When I first saw it I at first thought Hallmark must have screwed up and gone to the second season!

But, "Gilligan's Island" looks terrible in color, because they didn't colorize it rite.

Speaking of Ted Turner, this reminds me of something Jay Leno said back when Turner bought -- what was it, the MGM film library? Anyway, Turner had recently acquired ownership of all these classic movies. This was around the time he was also colorizing lots and lots of old black and white films and TV shows. Leno noted that Ted Turner was now in the process of having the first 20 minutes of "The Wizard of Oz" colorized.

NCVARick · 11-02-2001, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by dawsongirl:
Thanks to NCVARick to bringing this up in the pilot thread.

Okay, so I tuned into the Hallmark Channel yesterday to watch the 1st season B&W episodes of I Dream of Jeannie only to find out they'd been colorized. At first I was like, "What the...", but actually, it's pretty cool.

So my question is, if someone decided to colorize all the ILL episodes and air them, would you be totally opposed?

My feelings are very split on this issue. I do believe that colorizing black and white film undermines the artistic integrity of the film. It's important to realize that not only are the actors and writers artists, but so are the directors. The cinematographers who were responsible for all aspects of the film quality painstakingly worked to get the best image possible for black and white film. The lighting and camera angles were configured expressly for the purpose of creating the best black and white image possible. Different lighting techniques are used for black and white as opposed to color film. In the case of "I Love Lucy," the person responsible for this aspect of production was award-winning cinematographer Karl Freund. By colorizing these shows, they are basically destroying the artistic work of Freund. It's like colorizing an Ansel Adams photograph. Artistically, it makes no sense.

On the other hand, there are one or two generations of young folks who grew up watching color television and movies and quickly dismiss anything that's in black and white. I guess it's kind of the way I feel about silent movies. I have a hard time sitting still to watch them. So it seems a shame that so many people might be turned off by "I Love Lucy" merely because it's in black and white. By colorizing those shows, I think the audience base for the show could be greatly expanded and the life of the show extended well into the next century and beyond. I guess it boils down to what's more important: artistic integrity or widening the audience base.

NCVARick · 11-02-2001, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Slippery Dan:
I Love Lucy wouldn't look good colorized.

Actually, the company that colorized the "L.A. at Last!" episode that I saw did a truly fantastic job. Everybody who saw it was commenting on how authentic looking it was. The only strange thing was the opening and closing. The background behind the satin heart was green (???), and the heart itself looked kind of purple. As Lucy might say, the opening and closing looked like a bad dream one might have after eating too much Chinese food. But the show itself was nearly flawless.

Roz1013 · 11-02-2001, 02:08 PM

Where did you see that "L.A. at Last" in colour at? My first reaction was a very strong NO to colourizing Lucy, however, Rick brought up a good point about kids being strongly opposed to black and white things and perhaps they'd give the show a chance if it had colour. I think maybe for kicks they should colourize a couple of them and maybe do a marathon or something, but I think it would be a farce to permenantly do it and/or always show them in colour.

------------------
"Don't take this personally Ethel, but I'm sick of the sight of your face."

dawsongirl · 11-02-2001, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Roz1013:
I think maybe for kicks they should colourize a couple of them and maybe do a marathon or something, but I think it would be a farce to permenantly do it and/or always show them in colour.

I like that idea. Maybe release a few on DVD so if you wanted to see them, you could buy it but if not, then you could stick with the black and white.

dawsongirl · 11-02-2001, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by NCVARick:
On the other hand, there are one or two generations of young folks who grew up watching color television and movies and quickly dismiss anything that's in black and white. I guess it's kind of the way I feel about silent movies. I have a hard time sitting still to watch them. So it seems a shame that so many people might be turned off by "I Love Lucy" merely because it's in black and white. By colorizing those shows, I think the audience base for the show could be greatly expanded and the life of the show extended well into the next century and beyond. I guess it boils down to what's more important: artistic integrity or widening the audience base.

I used to be that way. Everything made before I was born was boring and hard to sit through. However, it was this show (in all it's black and white glory) that turned me on to the generations of the past, so who knows...

LucyFan · 11-03-2001, 12:26 AM

Here is a suggestion: instead of colorizing "I Love Lucy", they should bring back "The Lucy Show" since it's a LUCY program that is in color. I am sure that will attract some of the younger generation. Anyone like this idea?

TV Guy · 11-03-2001, 01:23 AM

I'm opposed to colorizing movies like "The Maltese Falcon" because the B&W photography was so crucial to the feel of the movie. That said, TV sitcoms are a different breed. It has been stated in several different references that Desi Arnaz originally wanted to film the "Lucy-Desi" hours in color, but the budget wouldn't permit him to. He was a pioneer, and I'm sure he would have filmed the entire series in color had he been able to. In fact, Desilu started filming "The Lucy Show" in color several years before it was actually broadcast in color (unusual for the early 60s), because the producers knew the show would be more valuable in syndication later if it were in color.

So, ultimately, I'm not opposed to the colorization of the show. And you have to admit that colorization techniques have come a long way over the past 10 years.

10-31-2001, 10:50 PM	#1
dawsongirl Member Forum Icon Join Date: Jan 04, 2001 Posts: 53,128	Color or Black and White? Thanks to NCVARick to bringing this up in the pilot thread. Okay, so I tuned into the Hallmark Channel yesterday to watch the 1st season B&W episodes of I Dream of Jeannie only to find out they'd been colorized. At first I was like, "What the...", but actually, it's pretty cool. So my question is, if someone decided to colorize all the ILL episodes and air them, would you be totally opposed?

11-01-2001, 12:29 AM	#2
desilu #1 Lucy/Desi 4-EVER Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 23, 2000 Location: Battle Creek, Michigan USA Posts: 724	Yes,I would be very opposed to colorizing I Love Lucy. I feel changing anything about this show would be very disrespectful and unatural. I always say,don't try to change anything that ain't broken. ------------------ Amy M. Weaver

11-01-2001, 01:20 PM	#3
Barrett Reynolds Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jun 22, 2001 Location: Matthews, NC, USA Posts: 15	Black and White all the way!!! The best shows on TV are black and white, and for people to monkey around with is just plain awful. I wouldn't dream of I Love Lucy being in color. The same as I couldn't bare to see Leave it to Beaver in color, or the Patty Duke Show. It's a piece of 50's Americana, not to be trifled with. It may be neat to get to experience some shows in color, but to colorize them without giving their fans a choice in the matter is just atrocious. Sorry if I sound heavy-handed or preachy, but I take my B&W very seriously. LOL. Incidentally, about a month ago, I went to Hollywood Video looking to rent the original "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" for some horror movie fun. They didn't have the original, just that cheesy 80's retread. But they did have a copy for purchase, so I snagged it. But then when I put it on later, I found to my disgust that it was colorized, and not even very well. So I turned the color knob down on my TV, and all was well! ---Barrett Reynolds, "The Teenaged "Beatnik

11-01-2001, 02:10 PM	#4
Slippery Dan His Majesty Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 12, 2001 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 262	Have you actually look at the color detail o the colorized I Dream of Jeannie? It looks like it was drawn by a 5 year old. You can tell that it wasn't originally in color. Jeannie's hair kinda looks a shade of strawberry blonde instead of regular blonde. And the walls that are green look too bright. I Love Lucy wouldn't look good colorized.

11-01-2001, 08:43 PM	#5
Sean Snow moo Forum Fanatic Join Date: May 06, 2001 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,408	I know this is off topic, but "I Dream of Jeannie" had some very good colorizers! When I first saw it I at first thought Hallmark must have screwed up and gone to the second season! But, "Gilligan's Island" looks terrible in color, because they didn't colorize it rite.

11-01-2001, 09:02 PM	#6
boechsner Member Senior Member Join Date: Oct 18, 2000 Location: Green Bay, WI Posts: 2,212	That's Ted Turner, for you.

11-02-2001, 12:08 AM	#7
tdr Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 23, 2001 Posts: 1,454	< I always say,don't try to change anything that ain't broken. > If Lucy had not changed her "mousy brown" hair to the red color which helped create her image and spawned so many jokes on the show, it may not have reached such enduring popularity that this would be debated. I wouldn't say 'Don't change anything that ain't broken.'

11-02-2001, 02:08 PM	#11
Roz1013 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jun 05, 2001 Location: USA Posts: 261	Where did you see that "L.A. at Last" in colour at? My first reaction was a very strong NO to colourizing Lucy, however, Rick brought up a good point about kids being strongly opposed to black and white things and perhaps they'd give the show a chance if it had colour. I think maybe for kicks they should colourize a couple of them and maybe do a marathon or something, but I think it would be a farce to permenantly do it and/or always show them in colour. ------------------ "Don't take this personally Ethel, but I'm sick of the sight of your face."

11-03-2001, 12:26 AM	#14
LucyFan Still Loving Lucy! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 23, 2001 Location: In the Wonderful World of Lucy! Posts: 8,198	Here is a suggestion: instead of colorizing "I Love Lucy", they should bring back "The Lucy Show" since it's a LUCY program that is in color. I am sure that will attract some of the younger generation. Anyone like this idea?

11-03-2001, 01:23 AM	#15
TV Guy Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 25, 2001 Location: Boston, MA, USA Posts: 3,419	I'm opposed to colorizing movies like "The Maltese Falcon" because the B&W photography was so crucial to the feel of the movie. That said, TV sitcoms are a different breed. It has been stated in several different references that Desi Arnaz originally wanted to film the "Lucy-Desi" hours in color, but the budget wouldn't permit him to. He was a pioneer, and I'm sure he would have filmed the entire series in color had he been able to. In fact, Desilu started filming "The Lucy Show" in color several years before it was actually broadcast in color (unusual for the early 60s), because the producers knew the show would be more valuable in syndication later if it were in color. So, ultimately, I'm not opposed to the colorization of the show. And you have to admit that colorization techniques have come a long way over the past 10 years.