I much prefer the Collector's Vault. The template is more interesting and the way the characters interact with the opening door at least has an ingenuity to it.
It also just translates well to a menu.
They sorta had an evolution. Volume 1 & 2 were entirely stock art (with conflicting styles. Volume 3 & 4 featured frames from the included shorts.
...I don't know what happened with the complete collection. It's a mix of both, with random character art from modern reboots.
Exactly. As much as I love that artwork, I'd take the new restorations over them, any day.
Plus, the Collector's Vault covers aren't that bad. They certainly have more care than the Collector's Choice cramming TLTS Charlie, LTC Elmer and about two/three different stock art styles on the same cover.
I do wish we could have artwork like this again.
I've said it before and say it again but the covers from the Golden/Platinum Collections are "hang on wall" worthy.
Content-wise, they're outstanding.
V1&4 of the Collector's Choice are some of my favourite line-ups in any release and those Archive restorations are stunning.
In terms of packaging and special features, Golden/Platinum blows them out of the water, but it's an okay trade-off for so many shorts.
Yeah, that one's a shame, especially since it actually could've benefitted from a HD upgrade.
To be honest, the Blu-ray's good for conveniece but lacks the charm of the original packaging. I grabbed it but will be hanging on to my box set for display purposes.
If it's a UK-compatible version you want, the recent Blu-ray is actually region-free. The only downside is that it doesn't come with the booklets.
The Blu-ray isn't much of an upgrade (being an SD show), so if they're cheap enough then these DVDs would be the better way to go.
It's actually impressive just how flawless both Tashlin's and Davis' runs with the character were. Both also have my favourite designs for him, so that's a plus too.
I love how it marks Freleng's immediate improvement.
After a decade of harmless but unremarkable/samey musical cartoons, he returns guns a-blazing with this one and basically remains on top form until the early-mid 60s.
Technically more of a Porky cartoon (but then, so is Feat, so ya got me there). It'd probably be my 2nd favourite but His Bitter Half is just way too funny to pass up.
Chuck Jones - Duck Amuck
Friz Freleng - His Bitter Half
Robert McKimson - Fool Coverage
Bob Clampett - Draftee Daffy
Tex Avery - Daffy Duck in Hollywood
Frank Tashlin - Porky Pig's Feat (technically a Porky) / Plane Daffy
Arthur Davis - What Makes Daffy Duck
Norman McCabe - The Impatient Patient
I wouldn’t be surprised. His Daffys and Porkys are easily his best, so you can tell he was having more fun with the characters.
Norm McCabe did a few Daffys, all of which are pretty good.
I’d just go with ‘The Impatient Patient’ for him, personally.
Yeah, I mostly hear S11 get dunked on as the peak of "Jerkass Homer" (alongside S12) but they're mostly small moments in otherwise harmless episodes.
I don't remember any Jerkass-centric episodes, unlike S10/12.
I was genuinely shocked to find out S11 is considered one of the worst. It's no golden-era but there are some great episodes in here.
It also has one of the best post-classic Treehouse of Horrors. "I Know What You Diddily-Iddily-Did" is one of my all-time favourite segments.
That, sir, is an imittigated farabarication!
I would say, in Jones' stuff, he's no worse than Bugs. Both have the same selfish goal of getting the other killed, it's just that Bugs is more successful.
When he was paired with Speedy (the most "heroic" character), that was when the contrast was made too big and exaggerated the villainy.
The quality is definitely improved, though it's debatable how accurate the colouring/brightness is.
I think it's entirely up to personal preferance. You could always get it but hang onto your DVD for "All That Jazz".
I haven't got it yet (it's on my list). From what I've heard and seen, it's mostly worth it but has some flaws.
The biggest is that "All That Jazz" is actually missing a scene, due to a mastering error, though may have a replacement disc at some point.
(Some DVD comparison shots)
While I still find S9 to have plenty of classics and only a few duds, S10 is the most consistently "fine" season for me.
On a good day, I consider it as the tail end of the golden era but I can only name a few episodes that are outright classics.
Most are enjoyable but nothing special.
Ah, I thought that was Pete Burness. His stuff always has a rubbery bounciness to it.
God, that animation is incredible.
I always liked how Freleng’s earlier Tweetys retained his crueller edge. It wasn’t really until the early-mid 50s where he was mostly softened.
Definitely. There's a real sharpness to it and I think most of that IS down to Stang's slick deliveries.
Top Cat definitely stands as one of my favourite HBs. A great example of how, what the studio lacked in budget, it made up for in its writing and voicework.
I wouldn't even call the animated bad. It's limited but was released during the peak of the studio's style and talent.
Fresh Hare was restored around the time of the Platinum Collection.
If it was any other time, I'd say "no chance in hell" but the Tom and Jerry set apparently opened up a lot of opportunities. With 'Mouse Cleaning' and 'I Taw a Putty Tat' finally allowed, I say strike while the iron is hot.
Update: Completely forgot 'Canary Row' was already released on the Platinum Collection.
So just swap that one out for 'All a Bir-r-r-d'.
Nope. To be fair, it also took until the first Collector's Vault for DAFFY'S first short to be in HD.
And even crazier than that is how it took until 7 volumes of home released for 'A Wild Hare' to finally get ANY release on the first Platinum Collection.
With Volume 3 of the Collector's Vault just announced as greenlit, here's my wishlist.
A combination of obvious inclusions, personal wants and general guesses.
With how little is left from the 40s and 50s (mostly Tweetys), I'm intrigued in how later releases are gonna go.
I stand by the only real way to do a Tom and Jerry film is a ‘Beavis and Butthead Do America’ situation.
Put the oblivious duo in a story they have no place being in and let their usual antics completely derail it and hinder the other characters.
So… the ‘92 and ‘21 movies but self-aware.
To me, the plot definitely sounds in line with the 90s shorts like Bunny Snatchers.
Having it be about "the Tunes" becoming obsessed with soccer and leaving Daffy behind is definitely more of an actual story than a 7 minute stream of slapstick gags.