The Princess Bride, 25 years later

[ADeMartino]

And some shows never will make it to DVD. The old WB show NIKKI comes immediately to mind. If you've never seen this show, it was pretty damned funny. But, they often used licensed music and we all know how that goes when it comes to DVD or video releases. And few people remember the show - more's the pity. It was brilliant.

ON the plus side, I'm told UNHAPPILY EVER AFTER has been released. Mr. Floppy always had me in stitches....

[wolfie]

But, they often used licensed music and we all know how that goes when it comes to DVD or video releases.

One can only hope that, with "series on DVD" being far more common than "series on VHS" (due to lower duplication costs), producers of current series, at the time they license the music for use in broadcast, are also licensing it for DVD release - and if the rights holder won't license it, not using the music at all (changing music is easy if it's done before the show is first recorded). After all, that gets rid of one of the hurdles to the extra income that the DVD release would bring in.

[ADeMartino]

My fear is they'll go the 'generic music' route like they did with WKRP IN CINCINNATI and THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES. I own discs from both series, and while most of it is passable, the generic music is a poor substitute when there's a key scene where it hinges on the music playing. In BEVERLY HILLBILLIES, the entire theme song is gone, and replaced with some hideous banjo riff. And the episodes in which Flatt and Scruggs appeared - NOT INCLUDED in the set.

It's even worse with WKRP. While most of it is passable, some scenes are suddenly just off-key with generic music playing. For example, in the episode where the Russian defected, there was a scene with him and Bailey that was originally backdropped by Elton John's 'Tiny Dancer' - and the scene was very well played and quite powerful. The substitute music made it awkward and clumsy.

The scene in the pilot episode, where Johnny Fever is told to change the station's format NOW - it was awesome when the first rock record he played was Ted Nugent's 'Queen of the Forest'. In the DVD release - something substantially less 'appropriate' replaced it.

As much as I hate to admit it, some of those old TV shows had some real 'art' behind them, and part of that art was the music that was chosen for the show. And now along come these big record companies carving it all up. What, the don't have ENOUGH money?! I might see if they were playing the entire song, but when they're only using a small portion of it..... gimme a break.

Okay, I'm gonna stop ranting now and go calm down.

And by the way, fellow babies.......BOOOOOOOGERRRRRRRRR!

[Kristev]

You're right. The older stuff was far more interesting than anything that's on today.

[auntiem]

Other things that astound the younger generation:

- the 'complicated' starting procedure of a car that has neither fuel injection nor automatic choke

Anybody got more? We could probably come up with enough to justify an entire thread.....

By 'complicated' do you mean getting your friends to run along shoving your car down an incline? They show that in Little Miss Sunshine. I've had to do it myself with a few of my POS cars.

-How 'bout push-button cars? I had one (got it for $300) and that thing was a bear to parallel park.

ETA
The WKRP thing bothers me - they gave the rights for the show (and for radio stations at the time) I don't understand why they can't give permission again for the DVDs.

[Severen13]

I know I'm going to be drawn and quartered for this, but will someone explain what the big freakin' deal is about that movie? I just don't get it.

[Ironclad Alibi]

I know I'm going to be drawn and quartered for this, but will someone explain what the big freakin' deal is about that movie? I just don't get it.

Have you seen Princess Bride? If not, I invite you over to my place to see it. I'm across the river from DC.

Princess Bride is fairytale movie, with great acting. As you read this forum, you will see many quotes that come from the movie. And most of us love quotable movies.

[Severen13]

Have you seen Princess Bride?

Yes, I have. And I just don't get why everyone is so ga-ga over it.

[Ironclad Alibi]

Yes, I have. And I just don't get why everyone is so ga-ga over it.

You don't just get it? Inconceivable!

Well, if it doesn't speak to you, it doesn't speak to you. Not everyone likes the same movies, books, flavors of ice cream, etc. There have been many popular things I "didn't get" but I've managed to move on to the things I do like.

I some ways, Princess Bride has become a cult film. Either you like it. or you don't.

[ADeMartino]

By 'complicated' do you mean getting your friends to run along shoving your car down an incline? They show that in Little Miss Sunshine. I've had to do it myself with a few of my POS cars.

-How 'bout push-button cars? I had one (got it for $300) and that thing was a bear to parallel park.

ETA
The WKRP thing bothers me - they gave the rights for the show (and for radio stations at the time) I don't understand why they can't give permission again for the DVDs.

I was actually referring to really old cars that had a manually-operated choke that you had to adjust prior to starting a cold engine. It's easy once you've done it a few times, but to someone who's never had to deal with the eccentricities of carburetors or chokes, the procedure can be a bit... daunting. I promised my niece she could drive my '63 Falcon (which she's always adored) once she'd gotten her driver's license. This was quite a departure for her; she'd never dealt with anything even remotely like this car. Her first attempts to start the car were.... interesting. With a little coaching, though, she managed. I have to say she mastered the 3-speed, column shift manual transmission much faster than I'd have guessed, but she most definitely did NOT like the lack of power assists for the brakes and steering. Her commentary on the car? 'Stone Age.' She had a good time with it, though.

I assume you're referring to the old push-button automatics? I had an old Newport with that setup. I thought it was actually kinda cool. But then, I'm impressed with silly stuff like that.

The issue with 'real' music is licensing. Yes, permissions were given for the TV show back in the '70s, but you have to remember the record companies back then didn't have quite the stranglehold they do now. There was still licensing, but they were much more lenient then. Now, they want big $$$$ to license even the tiniest portion of a song. It's part of the reason radio sucks so much today.

[ADeMartino]

I know I'm going to be drawn and quartered for this, but will someone explain what the big freakin' deal is about that movie? I just don't get it.

Drawn and quartered? No, of course not. That would be just wrong.

A visit to the Pit of Despair might be in order, though......

Some movies just naturally draw a certain crowd. The Rocky Horror Picture Show. The Blues Brothers. The Princess Bride. Weird Science. And some people just have different tastes. I won't say you're wrong because you don't like the movie.

Even though you are.

Kidding, I'm KIDDING.......

[Kristev]

I admit, I don't really find the Princess Bride all that interesting.

[sms001]

@Severen & Kristev: No worries. If one movie appealed to EVERYone, we wouldn't have so many movies.

I think its appeal for me is the message of perseverance, the light-heartedness, the camp, and, of course, the quoteables. Do either of you have a favorite movie that is similar?

[taurinejunkie]

I think this thread needed this image at some point.

[sms001]

Stop saying that!