[Coco] [OT] Republishing Magazines

Neil Morrison neilsmorr at hotpop.com
Sat Jan 3 21:20:14 EST 2004


>From a review of Porgy and Bess (1959):

"That said, this is a fine adaptation. The acting is excellent, the
Oscar winning scoring of Andre Previn is magnificent, as is the
choral singing, and the individual vocal achievements are incredible.
....

The Gershwin Estate hates the film and refuses to grant the musical
rights, although the dramatic rights are in the public domain. This
sort of hate feud held up the video release of CAROUSEL for almost
fifteen years (although in that case it was the dramatic rights that
were in litigation) and is currently preventing both PORGY AND BESS
and ANNIE GET YOUR GUN from being released on video.

Of all the stage productions given film versions, it is these latter
two which are the sole holdouts to video. Only a campaign of letters
to the Gershwin Estate in NY might loosen up the reserve."

Another example of problems with copyrights. And yet the recent TV
version was released OK. Why this one? I remember this as a great
production. Perhaps time has lent enchantment - I'd like to see it
and judge for myself.

Neil




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