Something to watch on your vintage set.

[Dave A]

Public Domain is a wonderful thing. Get-a-show-make-a-copy-and-sell-it.

But Eric is right on the production values. As a long-time tv director, it is fascinating to me to watch these old shows to see how the great directors of the day did things. Some of these guys (and Ida Lupino) went to Hollywood.

The classic 1959 Peter Pan, in color, was done with two cameras and mechanical splicing. Same for Ernie Ford's "Mikado". It was a case of so many shows having to be cranked out that budgets determined studio facilities. Only then you would find the creative director that could work under that load and make good tv with no money, too few cameras, and a lot of rehearsals.

The TCM Sinatra series is a good example. First show...two cameras. Later shows get more cameras and more skill using them creatively. Dwight Hemion and Delbert Mann come to mind. A lost art among the few live directors still working that are not addicted to digital editing.

Dave A