MovieChat Forums > Seven Days to Noon (1950) Discussion > Next TCM showing 2/6/09; why widescreen?...

Next TCM showing 2/6/09; why widescreen?; why no DVD?

posted 16 years ago by hobnob53
11 replies | jump to latest

Seven Days to Noon will have another showing on TCM Friday, Feb. 6, 2009, at 8:00 PM EST. When it ran on TCM in January I thought it was the film's premiere on TCM, but am not sure.

What I don't understand is where they got a letterboxed version for that showing. This movie was not filmed in any widescreen process (not yet in use in 1950), so clearly this is someone's subsequent reformatting of the film. I'd say the a.r. was 1.78:1, so we're not talking about a major anamorphic look, but it's still very odd, and not the way it was made.

This is yet another superb British film not yet available on DVD in the US. But it appears from the TCM showing that it's owned by Studio Canal, which may indicate that a DVD will one day show up. Excellent thriller, little known today, and deserving of a wider audience. Maybe its upcoming re-broadcast in February will help it gain more recognition.

[–] gnok2002 15 years ago

I was about to pose the same question re it being shown in a wide-screen version approx 16/9 instead of 4/3, however I am watching it in the UK, it was on film4 today 27-Mar-2010, and has previously been on c4 in wide-screen; as you quote EST I assume you refer to the eastern part of the USA, I was also under the impression that TCM in America has a good record of showing films in their correct aspect ratio, curious. There are many films that I have copies of that I hope to upgrade to the correct ratio, but this is the only Academy ratio film that I have incorrectly in wide-screen!
Tim

[–] hobnob53 15 years ago

There have been a handful of instances where, for some reason, a standard-screen (1.37:1, or 4x3) film has been reformatted by whomever owns it as a "widescreen" film. I assume this is done to "enhance" a film and make it seem newer or more modern. All it does is ruin it.

TCM usually does show films in their correct aspect ratio, though there have been occasions when they've run a widescreen film in a pan & scan format, usually the first time they've shown it. I don't know why this is the case, but it is very rare and such films usually show up widescreen on their next broadcast. I assume that this "enhanced" version of Seven Days to Noon is the only one available, or the one in the best condition, but I'd prefer a print in the original a.r. I have an old off-the-air tape of the film in its proper proportions, but I'd like a decent copy.

Yes, "EST" is Eastern Standard Time, the eastern U.S. -- currently on EDT: Eastern Daylight Time!

[–] The_Dying_Flutchman 15 years ago

As usual yer on top of it. I assumed you had seen this before, but was glad yer on here encouraging fair treatment for this most unassuming, but good Brit pic. Heigh ho, says Anthony Raleigh!

Nothing is more beautiful than nothing.

[–] hobnob53 15 years ago

Oy! Put back them knickers!!

[–] a_heathen_conceivably 15 years ago

I'm watching it right now, on Film 4 (UK). As has been said, it has been previously shown on Channel 4, and on Film 4 (owned by Ch4) in reformatted i.e. cropped widescreen. Today it's on in 4:3 and an equally fine quality print. I wasn't expecting this so I'm not recording it. Damn! Oh, well, I expect they'll show it again. But when?

"Oh look - a lovely spider! And it's eating a butterfly!"
'' ,,

[–] hobnob53 14 years ago

Ah, well, watching it in the UK, you're in luck. It's available in Britain on R2 DVD, in its correct aspect ratio. I bought a copy in the UK recently and have watched it there on my wife's R2 DVD player (she's English) and can now also do so on my R0 player here in the States. Excellent movie, and also an interesting look at grim postwar London, 60 years ago.

[–] a_heathen_conceivably 14 years ago

Guess what? I'm happy to report the good news that only last night, still miffed about this, I Googled for up-to-date information but it was easy to find on Amazon's UK site. In February Optimum rereleased the DVD in the correct ratio, and deleted the old 1.66:1 version (which I already have). Needless to say I have ordered the new one (which has the same cover design, so everyone be careful). No point asking Amazon or indeed Optimum for an exchange...

On the subject of Region Coding... I hate it, and completely ignore it. I'm a Criterion fan. I don't have a region-free player, I have computer software.

Update: I forgot my British manners! Thank you so much for letting me know. In fact, you only missed becoming my new best friend by about eight hours!

"Oh look - a lovely spider! And it's eating a butterfly!"
'' ,,

[–] hobnob53 14 years ago

This is what I get for being away from my computer for four days...answering just eight hours too late to pick up a new best friend. Ah, well....

I still love England, R2 DVDs, and my new British bride. In fact, thanks to her, I'm the proud possessor of a slew of Ealing films (released by Optimum) unavailable in the United States, including one of the latest batch released, The Night My Number Came Up, a fine thriller.

And, on the theory I like to keep my machines separate so they don't conspire against me amongst themselves, I prefer my pure DVD players (of whatever region) and don't bother using my computer to run movies. So, I'm stuck in 2005.

But I would love Criterion to release Seven Days to Noon here. Not likely, though. But, for some of us, no longer all that necessary, either.

Good night from me, good morning to you. Hope you enjoy the new disc!

[–] 14 years ago

[deleted]

[–] a_heathen_conceivably 14 years ago

"I still love England"

[–] hobnob53 14 years ago

Sorry! Hey, I'm part Irish, so easy wi' ye sassenach stuff, ol' Gael!

(I first heard that word in Gorgo, of all things.)

Okay, I love the residents and land of the British Isles. Well, except for the bloody [your least favorite nationality here].

Assuming my English wife doesn't kill me for this....