Latest update from Paul Gieruki (thanks very much for the head-ups!)
October 2015:
October 2015:
It has recently come to my attention that some copies of THE FORGOTTEN FILMS OF ROSCOE "FATTY" ARBUCKLE are exhibiting signs of deterioration. This collection was produced in 2004 / 2005 under my direct supervision, and we (LEI) held the distributor to the highest possible standards for that time. It appears, however, that the set was reprinted -- without my knowledge or input -- at some point after LEI severed ties with the distributor. People interested in this collection should seek out vintage copies which have the gold "As seen on Turner Classic Movies" sticker affixed to the outer shrink wrap. Those sets are from the first official printing which was produced and manufactured to our standards and with my full approval. Any copy which does not have that original sticker is not sanctioned, not reliable, and should be scrupulously avoided.
Sincerely,
Paul E. Gierucki
Former President
Laughsmith Entertainment, Inc.
WARNING: DVD DEFECT - August 24th, UPDATE BELOW
'The Forgotten Films Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle' - DVD collection
Producer by Laughsmith Entertainment and Mackinac Media
Special Warning for those who own or thinking of buying the 'The Forgotten Films Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle' DVD collection. If you have this collection, you should check your disc. This morning I found all four of my DVDs in this collection defective.
Only Volumes 1 and 4 were still playing, but Volumes 2 and 3 could not be read by the player. Above looking at the disc, I found all four with the lamination appearing to be dissolving off the disc.
If thinking of ordering, I wouldn't. But if you still want to try, contact the seller and tell them you learned of a serious problem with the disc lamination. Get a guarantee of return if your discs are defective.
View of Disc Two that will not play and cannot be read.
These were released in 2005. It could be a case of poor quality DVD disc that are aging, but would like to know if any other people are having this same issue.
I can say, what I saw in the Volume 1 and 4 were great fun to see, but VERY disappointed the disc quality is so poor. Sorry to say, but if you really want to see it, try finding it through you local library - maybe through interlibrary loan - and save your money.
To all creator/producers of DVD products: I don't know the situation with these, but as a buyer, I would like to see these burned on the best blanks available, not the lowest quality ones to save money. This is a waste for the buyer and seller.
UPDATE: A solution from Bill (who commented here, and Rainer Mann, from my Edna's page).
Here is a video to explain. It may help you if your disc look the same...
Update August 25, 2014 - Just had another fan find their Fatty disc with the same problem! (see picture). On top of that, they learned their 90th Edition Chaplin Mutuals they bought in 2006, has the same issue. Check your collections today! If you have the same problems with any of your disc, post below. Thanks. See video and comments for tips to clean this flaking off.
Update August 25, 2014 - Just checked around and found another one who had the same problem:
To all creator/producers of DVD products: I don't know the situation with these, but as a buyer, I would like to see these burned on the best blanks available, not the lowest quality ones to save money. This is a waste for the buyer and seller.
UPDATE: A solution from Bill (who commented here, and Rainer Mann, from my Edna's page).
Here is a video to explain. It may help you if your disc look the same...
Update August 25, 2014 - Just had another fan find their Fatty disc with the same problem! (see picture). On top of that, they learned their 90th Edition Chaplin Mutuals they bought in 2006, has the same issue. Check your collections today! If you have the same problems with any of your disc, post below. Thanks. See video and comments for tips to clean this flaking off.
Added note: I had another fan write in that their full collection of the Dallas TV series looked just like this. Their disc would not play, so they ended up washing them. So the problem is beyond just silent film collections.
Update August 25, 2014 - Just checked around and found another one who had the same problem:
11 comments:
I just checked my copy. All the disc's were defective! Unplayable
UPDATE on my previous comment- The Forgotten Films Of Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle on Mackinac Media 4 dvd set,Will play fine if you just wash off each disc with soap and water! My disc's looked exactly like yours and wouldn't play in my blu-ray player, But after I tried washing the flakey laminate off they played fin!
Thanks for the comment. Never washed a disc before, but since they won't play anyway, I will give a try.
(Sorry for the delay, but writing Edna's family bio, and that takes up a great idea of my free time.)
Yes, again, just wash them off lightly and dry the disc's with a clean cloth. my disc's continue to play fine after this process.
Enjoy the show!
Thanks, Bill! I decided to try your tip while filming for my Edna's site, and show the process from start to finish, and in the end, it did work. Will be posting on my Edna Purviance .org site to help others.
I tried cleaning them before, but your tip worked best. Thanks a bunch!
Hello Bill, I followed your tip (which a fan name Rainer Mann, also suggested) and I recorded the process here. Thanks again!
That's great ! I wanted to pass the tip along to you and hopefully keep Laughsmith Entertainment/ Mackinac Media's name clean too.
Regards,
Hello again one more time,
I watched your segment on cleaning the DVD disc with the flaking laminate, I'm glad it worked for you but I just want to let you know that when I did it I ran some hot water from the sink directly onto the disc and put a little soap directly on my hand and washed the disc using my thumb and forefinger completely and on both sides, then I rinsed off the disc under the faucet stream until the soap was gone. and I carefully wiped the disc from the inside out in a straight line, not a circular motion, It was a faster technique.
So anyway good luck in the future!
It has recently come to my attention that some copies of THE FORGOTTEN FILMS OF ROSCOE "FATTY" ARBUCKLE are exhibiting signs of deterioration. This collection was produced in 2004 / 2005 under my direct supervision, and we (LEI) held the distributor to the highest possible standards for that time. It appears, however, that the set was reprinted -- without my knowledge or input -- at some point after LEI severed ties with the distributor. People interested in this collection should seek out vintage copies which have the gold "As seen on Turner Classic Movies" sticker affixed to the outer shrink wrap. Those sets are from the first official printing which was produced and manufactured to our standards and with my full approval. Any copy which does not have that original sticker is not sanctioned, not reliable, and should be scrupulously avoided.
Sincerely,
Paul E. Gierucki
Former President
Laughsmith Entertainment, Inc.
It has recently come to my attention that some copies of THE FORGOTTEN FILMS OF ROSCOE "FATTY" ARBUCKLE are exhibiting signs of deterioration. This collection was produced in 2004 / 2005 under my direct supervision, and we (LEI) held the distributor to the highest possible standards for that time. It appears, however, that the set was reprinted -- without my knowledge or input -- at some point after LEI severed ties with the distributor. People interested in this collection should seek out vintage copies which have the gold "As seen on Turner Classic Movies" sticker affixed to the outer shrink wrap. Those sets are from the first official printing which was produced and manufactured to our standards and with my full approval. Any copy which does not have that original sticker is not sanctioned, not reliable, and should be scrupulously avoided.
Sincerely,
Paul E. Gierucki
Former President
Laughsmith Entertainment, Inc.
Thanks very much for your information on this, Paul. I will copy and place in the post.
(Very sorry for the late reply on this. Blogger doesn't let me know when a comment is waiting, and I have been busy with an Event in Nevada for Edna and Charlie, and also, a load of work after getting home. Just getting around to checking somethings. Great to hear from you!)
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