Reviews of silent film releases on home video.
Copyright © 1999-2024 by Carl Bennett
and the Silent Era Company.
All Rights Reserved. |
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Juno and the
Paycock
(1929)
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This early sound drama, directed by Alfred Hitchcock, stars Sara Allgood and Edward Chapman, with John Laurie, Kathleen O’Regan, John Longden, Sidney Morgan, Maire O’Neill and Barry Fitzgerald.
Released as the very end of the sound era, this comedy-drama is based on the play by Sean O’Casey.
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 Whirlwind Media
2000 DVD edition
Juno and the Paycock (1929), black & white, 94 minutes, not rated, with Blackmail (1929) [sound version], black & white, 80 minutes, not rated.
Whirlwind Media, WDVD2006, UPC 6-88321-20062-2.
One single-sided, single-layered, Region 0 NTSC DVD disc; 1.33:1 aspect ratio picture in full-frame 4:3 (720 x 480 pixels) interlaced scan image encoded in SDR MPEG-2 format at 4.6 Mbps average video bit rate (capable of progressive scan upscaling to 60 fps); Dolby Digital (AC3) 2.0 mono sound encoded at 192 Kbps audio bit rate; English language intertitles, no subtitles; 12 chapter stops; 8-page insert booklet; standard DVD keepcase; $19.95.
Release date: 4 July 2000.
Country of origin: USA
Ratings (1-10): video: 5 / audio: 5 / additional content: 6 / overall: 5.
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This DVD edition has been mastered from a good 16mm reduction print.
The film is accompanied by its original synchronized soundtrack.
Supplemental material includes a Betty Boop cartoon.
While it is far from a great disc, and one that is long out-of-print, this is our recommended home video edition of the film among a field of dire-looking discs.
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USA: Click the logomark to purchase this Region 0 NTSC DVD edition from Amazon.com. Your purchase supports Silent Era.
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Canada: Click the logomark to purchase this Region 0 NTSC DVD edition from Amazon.ca. Your purchase supports Silent Era.
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This Region 0 NTSC DVD edition has been discontinued
and is . . .
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 WHE International
2006 DVD edition
Juno and the Paycock (1929), black & white, 94 minutes, BBFC Certification PG.
WHE International, WHEI 10115, UPC 5-060079-161151.
One single-sided, single-layered, Region 0 PAL DVD disc; 1.33:1 aspect ratio picture in full-frame 4:3 (720 x 480 pixels) interlaced scan image encoded in SDR MPEG-2 format at 6.0 Mbps average video bit rate (capable of progressive scan upscaling to 60 fps); Dolby Digital (AC3) 2.0 mono sound encoded at 224 Kbps audio bit rate; English language intertitles, no subtitles; 6 chapter stops; standard DVD keepcase; £19.95.
Release date: 2006.
Country of origin: England
Ratings (1-10): video: 4 / audio: 5 / additional content: 0 / overall: 4.
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This DVD edition has been mastered from a good (but far from great) 16mm reduction print.
The film is accompanied by its original synchronized soundtrack.
North American collectors will need a region-free PAL DVD player capable of outputting an NTSC-compatible signal to view this edition.
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United Kingdom: Click the logomark to purchase this Region 0 PAL DVD edition from Amazon.co.uk. Support Silent Era.
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USA: Click the logomark to purchase this Region 0 PAL DVD edition from Amazon.com. Your purchase supports Silent Era.
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Canada: Click the logomark to purchase this Region 0 PAL DVD edition from Amazon.ca. Your purchase supports Silent Era.
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This Region 0 PAL DVD edition has been discontinued
and is . . .
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 Brentwood Home Video
2003 DVD edition
Alfred Hitchcock: The Master of Suspense (1926-1961), black & white, ? minutes total, not rated, including Juno and the Paycock (1929), black & white, 94 minutes, not rated.
Brentwood Home Video, 45011-9, UPC 7-87364-50119-9.
One double-sided, single-layered, Region 0 NTSC DVD disc (five DVDs in the set); 1.33:1 aspect ratio picture in full-frame 4:3 (720 x 480 pixels) interlaced scan image encoded in SDR MPEG-2 format at 5.4 Mbps average video bit rate (capable of progressive scan upscaling to 60 fps); Dolby Digital 48 kHz 8-bit 5.1 and 2.0 mono sound encoded at 192 Kbps audio bit rate; English language intertitles, no subtitles; 6 chapter stops; double-wide five-disc DVD keepcase; $19.98.
Release date: 7 October 2003.
Country of origin: USA
Ratings (1-10): video: 4 / audio: 5 / additional content: 6 / overall: 4.
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This DVD edition has been mastered from a 16mm reduction print that occasionally has blasted-out white highlights. Given that this is the same as with other multidisc budget editions noted here, we assume that many of these discs were mastered from the same subpar video transfer.
The film is presented with its original synchronized soundtrack and is presented in 2.0 and 5.1 mono sound — go figure.
Many of the other films in this collection are presented in transfers that are slightly more contrasty than other available DVD editions.
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USA: Click the logomark to purchase this Region 0 NTSC DVD edition from Amazon.com. Your purchase supports Silent Era.
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Canada: Click the logomark to purchase this Region 0 NTSC DVD edition from Amazon.ca. Your purchase supports Silent Era.
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This Region 0 NTSC DVD edition has been discontinued
and is . . .
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 Mill Creek Entertainment
2011 DVD edition
Alfred Hitchcock: A Legacy of Suspense (1926-1962), black & white, 1737 minutes total, not rated, including Juno and the Paycock (1929), black & white, 94 minutes, not rated.
Mill Creek Entertainment,
no catalog number, UPC 6-83904-52427-0.
One single-sided, dual-layered, Region 0 NTSC DVD disc (four DVDs in the set); 1.33:1 aspect ratio picture in full-frame 4:3 (720 x 480 pixels) interlaced scan image encoded in SDR MPEG-2 format at 2.2 Mbps average video bit rate (capable of progressive scan upscaling to 60 fps); Dolby Digital (AC3) 2.0 mono sound encoded at 192 Kbps audio bit rate;; English language intertitles, no subtitles; chapter stops; four-disc tin keepcase (rereleased in four paper envelopes contained in standard DVD keepcase); unknown suggested list price.
Release date: 1 November 2011.
Country of origin: USA
Ratings (1-10): video: 4 / audio: 4 / additional content: 6 / overall: 4.
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This DVD edition has been mastered from a 16mm reduction print that occasionally has blasted-out white highlights. Given that this is the same as with other multidisc budget editions, we assume that many of these discs were mastered from the same subpar video transfer. This edition offers no improvement over Mill Creek’s 2007 edition noted below, even the disc menus are identical.
The silent era films are presented with music soundtracks that have been compiled from preexisting recordings.
The supplementary material includes a ‘documentary’ The Story of Alfred Hitchock in 16:9 widescreen (22 minutes) and a collection of Hitchcock film trailers (39 minutes).
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USA: Click the logomark to purchase this Region 0 NTSC DVD edition from Amazon.com. Your purchase supports Silent Era.
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Canada: Click the logomark to purchase this Region 0 NTSC DVD edition from Amazon.ca. Your purchase supports Silent Era.
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United Kingdom: Click the logomark to purchase this Region 0 NTSC DVD edition from Amazon.co.uk. Support Silent Era.
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This Region 0 NTSC DVD edition has been discontinued
and is . . .
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 Mill Creek Entertainment
2007 DVD edition
Alfred Hitchcock: The Legend Begins (1926-1962), black & white, 1614 minutes total, not rated, including Juno and the Paycock (1929), black & white, 94 minutes, not rated.
Mill Creek Entertainment,
no catalog number, UPC 6-83904-20031-0.
One dual-sided, dual-layered, Region 0 NTSC DVD disc [four DVDs in the set); 1.33:1 aspect ratio picture in full-frame 4:3 (720 x 480 pixels) interlaced scan image encoded in SDR MPEG-2 format at 2.2 Mbps average video bit rate (capable of progressive scan upscaling to 60 fps); Dolby Digital (AC3) 2.0 mono sound encoded at 192 Kbps audio bit rate;; English language intertitles, no subtitles; 4 chapter stops; four paper envelopes in double-wide DVD keepcase; $14.98.
Release date: 25 September 2007.
Country of origin: USA
Ratings (1-10): video: 4 / audio: 4 / additional content: 6 / overall: 4.
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This DVD edition has been mastered from a 16mm reduction print that occasionally has blasted-out white highlights. Given that this is the same as with other multidisc budget editions, we assume that many of these discs were mastered from the same subpar video transfer.
The film is presented with its original synchronized soundtrack in all its hissing glory.
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USA: Click the logomark to purchase this Region 0 NTSC DVD edition from Amazon.com. Your purchase supports Silent Era.
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Canada: Click the logomark to purchase this Region 0 NTSC DVD edition from Amazon.ca. Your purchase supports Silent Era.
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United Kingdom: Click the logomark to purchase this Region 0 NTSC DVD edition from Amazon.co.uk. Support Silent Era.
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This Region 0 NTSC DVD edition has been discontinued
and is . . .
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 St. Clair Vision
2007 DVD edition
The Ultimate Hitchcock Collection (1926-1962), black & white, 1695 minutes total, not rated, including Juno and the Paycock (1929), black & white, 95 minutes, not rated.
St. Clair Vision, BX86149-6VD, UPC 7-77966-86149-4.
One dual-sided, dual-layered, Region 0 NTSC DVD disc (six DVDs in the set); 1.33:1 aspect ratio picture in full-frame 4:3 (720 x 480 pixels) interlaced scan image encoded in SDR MPEG-2 format at 2.8 Mbps average video bit rate (capable of progressive scan upscaling to 60 fps); Dolby Digital (AC3) 2.0 mono sound encoded at 384 Kbps audio bit rate; English language intertitles, no subtitles; chapter stops; six slimline DVD keepcases in cardboard slipcase; $16.98.
Release date: 19 November 2007.
Country of origin: USA
Ratings (1-10): video: 3 / audio: 4 / additional content: 5 / overall: 4.
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This DVD edition has been mastered from a 16mm reduction print that occasionally has blasted-out white highlights. Given that this is the same as with other multidisc budget editions, we assume that many of these discs were mastered from the same subpar video transfer. Throughout the film analog video mistracking appears at the top of the frame, which lowers the rating of this already poor disc.
The film is presented with its original synchronized soundtrack in all its hissing glory.
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USA: Click the logomark to purchase this Region 0 NTSC DVD edition from Amazon.com. Your purchase supports Silent Era.
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Canada: Click the logomark to purchase this Region 0 NTSC DVD edition from Amazon.ca. Your purchase supports Silent Era.
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United Kingdom: Click the logomark to purchase this Region 0 NTSC DVD edition from Amazon.co.uk. Support Silent Era.
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This Region 0 NTSC DVD edition has been discontinued
and is . . .
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 Brentwood Home Video
200? DVD edition
Alfred Hitchcock: 4 Tales of Suspense (1924), black & white, ? minutes total, not rated, including Juno and the Paycock (1929), black & white, 94 minutes, not rated.
Brentwood Home Video,
unknown catalog number, unknown UPC number.
One single-sided, single-layered, Region 0 NTSC DVD disc (two DVDs in the set); 1.33:1 aspect ratio picture in full-frame 4:3 (720 x 480 pixels) interlaced scan image encoded in SDR MPEG-2 format at ? Mbps average video bit rate (capable of progressive scan upscaling to ? fps); Dolby Digital (AC3) 2.0 mono sound encoded at ? Kbps audio bit rate; English language intertitles, no subtitles; chapter stops; standard two-disc DVD keepcase; unknown suggested retail price.
Release date: 200?
Country of origin: USA
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This DVD-R edition has been mastered from a 16mm reduction print that occasionally has blasted-out white highlights. Given that this is the same as with other multidisc budget editions, we assume that many of these discs were mastered from the same subpar video transfer.
The film is presented with its original synchronized soundtrack in all its hissing glory.
Supplemental material includes yet another presentation of “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” from the Alfred Hitchcock television series.
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USA: Click the logomark to purchase this Region 0 NTSC DVD edition from Amazon.com. Your purchase supports Silent Era.
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Canada: Click the logomark to purchase this Region 0 NTSC DVD edition from Amazon.ca. Your purchase supports Silent Era.
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This Region 0 NTSC DVD edition has been discontinued
and is . . .
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 Film Vault
2015 DVD edition
Juno and the Paycock (1929), black & white, ? minutes, not rated.
Film Vault, no catalog number, unknown UPC number.
One single-sided, single-layered, Region 0 NTSC DVD-R disc; 1.33:1 aspect ratio picture in full-frame 4:3 (720 x 480 pixels) interlaced scan image encoded in SDR MPEG-2 format at ? Mbps average video bit rate (capable of progressive scan upscaling to ? fps); Dolby Digital (AC3) 2.0 mono sound encoded at ? Kbps audio bit rate; English language intertitles, no subtitles; chapter stops; standard DVD keepcase; $9.99.
Release date: 15 July 2015.
Country of origin: USA
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This DVD-R edition has likely been mastered from a 16mm reduction print.
The film is likely presented with its original synchronized soundtrack.
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USA: Click the logomark to purchase this Region 0 NTSC DVD-R edition from Amazon.com. Your purchase supports Silent Era.
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Canada: Click the logomark to purchase this Region 0 NTSC DVD-R edition from Amazon.ca. Your purchase supports Silent Era.
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 Film Rise
2014 DVD edition
Juno and the Paycock (1929), black & white, 85 minutes, not rated.
Film Vault, no catalog number, unknown UPC number.
One single-sided, single-layered, Region 0 NTSC DVD-R disc; 1.33:1 aspect ratio picture in full-frame 4:3 (720 x 480 pixels) interlaced scan image encoded in SDR MPEG-2 format at ? Mbps average video bit rate (capable of progressive scan upscaling to ? fps); Dolby Digital (AC3) 2.0 mono sound encoded at ? Kbps audio bit rate; English language intertitles, no subtitles; chapter stops; standard DVD keepcase; $9.99.
Release date: 6 December 2014.
Country of origin: USA
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This DVD-R edition has likely been mastered from a 16mm reduction print.
The film is likely presented with its original synchronized soundtrack.
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USA: Click the logomark to purchase this Region 0 NTSC DVD-R edition from Amazon.com. Your purchase supports Silent Era.
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Canada: Click the logomark to purchase this Region 0 NTSC DVD-R edition from Amazon.ca. Your purchase supports Silent Era.
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 Cinema Classics
2011 DVD edition
Juno and the Paycock (1929), black & white, 85 minutes, not rated.
Desert Island Films,
unknown catalog number, unknown UPC number.
One single-sided, single-layered, Region 0 NTSC DVD-R disc; 1.33:1 aspect ratio picture in full-frame 4:3 (720 x 480 pixels) interlaced scan image encoded in SDR MPEG-2 format at ? Mbps average video bit rate (capable of progressive scan upscaling to ? fps); Dolby Digital (AC3) 2.0 mono sound encoded at ? Kbps audio bit rate; English language intertitles, no subtitles; chapter stops; standard DVD keepcase; $18.95.
Release date: 8 June 2011.
Country of origin: USA
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This DVD-R edition has likely been mastered from a 16mm reduction print.
The film is likely presented with its original synchronized soundtrack.
Overpriced for its likely low-quality.
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USA: Click the logomark to purchase this Region 0 NTSC DVD-R edition from Amazon.com. Your purchase supports Silent Era.
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Canada: Click the logomark to purchase this Region 0 NTSC DVD-R edition from Amazon.ca. Your purchase supports Silent Era.
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Other silent era ALFRED HITCHCOCK films available on home video.
Other BRITISH FILMS of the silent era available on home video.
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