Victrolacollector wrote:It is a shame the color was not correctly restored. I found the video on you tube and just stream it to my TV for free. I
The restorers insist that this what audiences of 1930 would have seen, but I've wondered about the power-blue that appears in some of the faded videos transferred from VHS, and other sources. I remember reading that the blue was enhanced for the 1933 re-release of the film, but can't find a reference now. I did, however, spot this, from 2004:
"Anderson wanted to mount an elaborate number around "Rhapsody In Blue", which presented an obvoius logistical problem because Technicolor did not photograph blue. To simulate blue he used a background of gray and silver with a touch of green shading. To enhance the red and green that did exist in 2-strip technicolor he used lamps with coloured projection. Anderson and Whiteman decided to pre-record all of the music, which ensured a better balance between the band the singers... I think the version of King Of Jazz we have today has been treated with a blue dye to further enhance the "Rhapsody In Blue" number because to my eyes it does look blue.... A very faded blue, but nevertheless its blue.... I think they probably added blue ink to the print????" FROM: http://stevenlewis.info/crosby/messages/kingofjazz.html
I've seen a few other Technicolor 2-color films, such a Redskin -- (full movie) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxN-IX-9XkE -- in which the sky, water, etc., is teal or light green:
OrthoFan