Upcoming Duck Soup DVD to be edited? - DVDfile.com forum for DVD, Blu-Ray, and HD-DVD

Rittster · 10-29-2004, 11:11 PM

I recently read this on another message board, regarding the "Marx Brothers Silver Screen Collection" to be released November 9:

"How do you all feel about them cutting out racially dated humor, things that could be offensive to today's audiences, from DVD versions of old films? I'm asking because I just found out they are trimming some footage out of the upcoming Marx Brothers DVD of "Duck Soup" because of the potentially offensive material. This information is from entertainment columnist Marilyn Beck in her 10/29/04 column. I got it from the Star Ledger. What will be missing from the film is, to quote the article, "the racially offensive material that has been deplored and debated in the "We're Going to War" production number."

If true, this is totally bogus. I'm going to send an email to Universal and give them a piece of my mind. Here's their contact email, if anyone would like to do likewise:

http://www.universalstudios.com/home...gi?email_id=10

Notoriousaurus · 10-29-2004, 11:15 PM

All of a sudden I wish I did not sell my Image release.

Rittster · 10-29-2004, 11:18 PM

I sold mine also, only a week ago. If the new one is edited, I'll sell it and will look for a (hopefully inexpensive) copy of the old edition on ebay.

lostwire · 10-29-2004, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Notoriousaurus

All of a sudden I wish I did not sell my Image release.

I still have mine, suka!

theta · 10-30-2004, 12:38 AM

I think it's a horrible idea. Leave the classics alone! So it's offensive! That's what the country was LIKE back then!

And more to the point, WHAT RACE HUMOR??? I saw that movie on the big screen, unedited a few years ago, and there was jack in the way of race-related humor. Certainly no n-bombs or Steppin Fetchits. That's really not the Marx Bros' kind of humor anyway.

PALMERLIME · 10-30-2004, 01:08 AM

If this turns out to be true I will be veeeery disappointed, for I sold my Image set as well. Hell, even if I DIDN'T sell the set, this is still bad news.

In between this sentence and the one before it I decided to check out this Star Ledger's website and I can not find any articles writted by a Marilyn Beck nor any about the Marx Bros. Now, that might not really mean anythingif the site is not a filled as the paper is, but just food for thought. Anyone LIVE in Jersey around here?

lostwire · 10-30-2004, 02:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PALMERLIME

If this turns out to be true I will be veeeery disappointed, for I sold my Image set as well.

Hahahahahaaaaaaa! For this I am better than you! I am a king, & with this one ring I shall rule them all!

PALMERLIME · 10-30-2004, 02:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lostintranslationbirdonalostwire

...I am a king...

Here, your Majesty. Let me measure you for your crown...

LeChuck · 10-30-2004, 02:14 AM

If this is true, I will kill them. Simple as that. To cut anything out of a classic such as this is a crime, but to do it for such a politically correct bullshit reason infuriates me to no end.

**aintnosin** · 10-30-2004, 02:19 AM

Right now this is no more than a rumor about a rumor that someone read somewhere on the internet. I wouldn't get my undies in a bunch until I hear from someone who has actually seen the DVD.

I can't recall any humor in "Duck Soup" that would require this kind of editing, anyway.

PALMERLIME · 10-30-2004, 02:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aintnosin

I can't recall any humor in "Duck Soup" that would require this kind of editing, anyway.

EXACTLY. Besides, if they should EVER cut ANYTHING out of the Marx Bros films it would be any of those damned warbley songs between two start crossed lovers who just can't get a break...

larphillips · 10-30-2004, 02:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aintnosin

Right now this is no more than a rumor about a rumor that someone read somewhere on the internet. I wouldn't get my undies in a bunch until I hear from someone who has actually seen the DVD.

Very true, although perhaps those who haven't already sold off their old Image editions might consider holding on a bit longer. It's not as if they command top dollar anymore, so perhaps erring on the side of caution is in order.

Rittster · 10-30-2004, 04:45 AM

The article in the Star Ledger isn't yet available on internet, it's print only. This from the original person who posted on the Abbott and Costello message board. He is a regular contributer, so it's unlikely he's pulling anyone's chain. Still, like others on this thread commented, I would like to have this corroborated. As far as what was edited, the quote is that the "potentially offensive" material is in the "We're going to war" song, and the only aspect of that I can speculate might be the "guilty" culprit, is the part where the Marxes sing a few lyrics parodying the Negro spiritual, "All God's Chillun Got Wings". The Marx's version is "All God's Chillun Got Guns" and lasts for all of ten seconds.

esc · 10-30-2004, 07:58 AM

there is one joke in the film (cant remember exactly where) that is just in really bad taste now where Groucho makes some reference to 'darkies' ... its in one of the scenes with Groucho and Mrs Teasdale (I know, there are alot with Groucho using her as a punching bag for his jokes)

it really caught me off guard because up until that point i was laughing my ass off at just about everything. i was watching it for the first time with some friends and you could feel the happy mood in the room drop instantly to one of raw shock and disgust for this film that we had, a second ago, been loving.

i am incredibely easy going and there are few things that i cannot tolerate, and racism or racist comments is one of them. there is part of me that believes that films should be left as they were, so that we can see that at one time things like that were appropriate. another part wants the film to be cut so we can someday forget that such things were ever thought or said.

Millhouse · 10-30-2004, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by esc

i am incredibely easy going and there are few things that i cannot tolerate, and racism or racist comments is one of them. there is part of me that believes that films should be left as they were, so that we can see that at one time things like that were appropriate. another part wants the film to be cut so we can someday forget that such things were ever thought or said.

'cause removing history is the way to go?

fuckit, if universal are so damn worried, do a little title card at the start commenting on the context or something.

christ, this is just censorship, and for pathetic reasons at that!

history is history. it should be learned from, not glossed over.

Rittster · 10-31-2004, 05:53 PM

Well, I was hoping the rumor about the Duck Soup edit would prove to be unfounded, but here is the link to the article:

http://www.magatopia.com/columns/Bec...rtainment.html

What really scares me is the mentality of the idiot writer, who gives "kudos to Universal" for the "well-made edit".

Maybe they should just cut Chico's character out of the movie
because he is a stereotypical Italian. And cut out Harpo's
character because it may be insensitive to mutes. And of course,
Groucho's character would have to go too, because we shouldn't show
characters smoking. Well, at least we'd still have Zeppo.

Grrrrrr!!!!

Please, let's write to Universal and let them know we'll give them neither our kudos nor our money for making this shameful decision!!!

By the way, what specifically got censored is still not mentioned in the article.

**aintnosin** · 10-31-2004, 07:58 PM

Edit: NEver mind

**aintnosin** · 11-01-2004, 02:42 PM

EDIT: I'm taking back the above post because one of the reviewers at the HTF claims to have seen the new DVD and there is nothing missing.

Millhouse · 11-01-2004, 10:03 PM

sweet!

theta · 11-01-2004, 10:53 PM

Thank God.

LeChuck · 11-02-2004, 01:20 AM

Great news! I am very happy.

larphillips · 11-02-2004, 01:28 AM

So far, it seems to be one single opinion vs another opinion. I wouldn't be thrilled (or pissed) just yet... not until the final word comes in. But that is just the cynic in me.

**aintnosin** · 11-02-2004, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by larphillips

So far, it seems to be one single opinion vs another opinion. I wouldn't be thrilled (or pissed) just yet... not until the final word comes in. But that is just the cynic in me.

Actually it's one rumor vs. one eyewitness. And the eyewitness went as far as to compare running times between the new DVD and the old Image disk and they match up perfectly. Nothing like empirical data.

Nothing to see here, folks. Move along.

10-29-2004, 11:11 PM	#1 (permalink)
Rittster Supporting Actor Join Date: Feb 2004	Upcoming Duck Soup DVD to be edited? I recently read this on another message board, regarding the "Marx Brothers Silver Screen Collection" to be released November 9: "How do you all feel about them cutting out racially dated humor, things that could be offensive to today's audiences, from DVD versions of old films? I'm asking because I just found out they are trimming some footage out of the upcoming Marx Brothers DVD of "Duck Soup" because of the potentially offensive material. This information is from entertainment columnist Marilyn Beck in her 10/29/04 column. I got it from the Star Ledger. What will be missing from the film is, to quote the article, "the racially offensive material that has been deplored and debated in the "We're Going to War" production number." If true, this is totally bogus. I'm going to send an email to Universal and give them a piece of my mind. Here's their contact email, if anyone would like to do likewise: http://www.universalstudios.com/home...gi?email_id=10

10-29-2004, 11:15 PM	#2 (permalink)
Notoriousaurus Rezident Non-Black MetroSexual Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mesa, AZ	All of a sudden I wish I did not sell my Image release. __________________ DVDFile Mascot \| A Metrosexual DVD Collection! \| STAY IN SCHOOL KIDS! "I sure hope she doesn't have a penis because that would just ruin it for me." - Damian

10-30-2004, 12:38 AM	#5 (permalink)
theta Cheap Cerebral Paralysis Join Date: May 2002 Location: In aintnosin's basement	I think it's a horrible idea. Leave the classics alone! So it's offensive! That's what the country was LIKE back then! And more to the point, WHAT RACE HUMOR??? I saw that movie on the big screen, unedited a few years ago, and there was jack in the way of race-related humor. Certainly no n-bombs or Steppin Fetchits. That's really not the Marx Bros' kind of humor anyway. __________________ "I need bling, I tell you, BLING!!!" --Palmerlime Theta's discs, 300 mark crossed, 400 here we come!

10-30-2004, 01:08 AM	#6 (permalink)
PALMERLIME Is never satisfied? Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Home of Justin Guarini, Carson Kressley and Christine Taylor	If this turns out to be true I will be veeeery disappointed, for I sold my Image set as well. Hell, even if I DIDN'T sell the set, this is still bad news. In between this sentence and the one before it I decided to check out this Star Ledger's website and I can not find any articles writted by a Marilyn Beck nor any about the Marx Bros. Now, that might not really mean anythingif the site is not a filled as the paper is, but just food for thought. Anyone LIVE in Jersey around here? __________________ "Why? Because it feels so god@*mn good."

10-30-2004, 02:19 AM	#10 (permalink)
aintnosin Director/Moderator Not a fancy tickler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: People's Republik of Kalifornia	Right now this is no more than a rumor about a rumor that someone read somewhere on the internet. I wouldn't get my undies in a bunch until I hear from someone who has actually seen the DVD. I can't recall any humor in "Duck Soup" that would require this kind of editing, anyway. __________________ "The women of this country learned long ago, those without swords can still die upon them." - Eowyn, The Two Towers DVD Profiler \| DVD Aficianado \| DVD Spot \| Movie Reviews \| Facebook

10-29-2004, 11:18 PM	#3 (permalink)
Rittster Supporting Actor Join Date: Feb 2004	I sold mine also, only a week ago. If the new one is edited, I'll sell it and will look for a (hopefully inexpensive) copy of the old edition on ebay.

10-30-2004, 02:14 AM	#9 (permalink)
LeChuck "Woman Hands" man Join Date: May 2004 Location: Cambridge, MA	If this is true, I will kill them. Simple as that. To cut anything out of a classic such as this is a crime, but to do it for such a politically correct bullshit reason infuriates me to no end.

10-30-2004, 04:45 AM	#13 (permalink)
Rittster Supporting Actor Join Date: Feb 2004	The article in the Star Ledger isn't yet available on internet, it's print only. This from the original person who posted on the Abbott and Costello message board. He is a regular contributer, so it's unlikely he's pulling anyone's chain. Still, like others on this thread commented, I would like to have this corroborated. As far as what was edited, the quote is that the "potentially offensive" material is in the "We're going to war" song, and the only aspect of that I can speculate might be the "guilty" culprit, is the part where the Marxes sing a few lyrics parodying the Negro spiritual, "All God's Chillun Got Wings". The Marx's version is "All God's Chillun Got Guns" and lasts for all of ten seconds.

10-30-2004, 07:58 AM	#14 (permalink)
esc Stay behind my aura! Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: camrose, alberta, canada	Re: Upcoming Duck Soup DVD to be edited? there is one joke in the film (cant remember exactly where) that is just in really bad taste now where Groucho makes some reference to 'darkies' ... its in one of the scenes with Groucho and Mrs Teasdale (I know, there are alot with Groucho using her as a punching bag for his jokes) it really caught me off guard because up until that point i was laughing my ass off at just about everything. i was watching it for the first time with some friends and you could feel the happy mood in the room drop instantly to one of raw shock and disgust for this film that we had, a second ago, been loving. i am incredibely easy going and there are few things that i cannot tolerate, and racism or racist comments is one of them. there is part of me that believes that films should be left as they were, so that we can see that at one time things like that were appropriate. another part wants the film to be cut so we can someday forget that such things were ever thought or said. Last edited by esc : 10-30-2004 at 08:04 AM.

10-31-2004, 05:53 PM	#16 (permalink)
Rittster Supporting Actor Join Date: Feb 2004	Well, I was hoping the rumor about the Duck Soup edit would prove to be unfounded, but here is the link to the article: http://www.magatopia.com/columns/Bec...rtainment.html What really scares me is the mentality of the idiot writer, who gives "kudos to Universal" for the "well-made edit". Maybe they should just cut Chico's character out of the movie because he is a stereotypical Italian. And cut out Harpo's character because it may be insensitive to mutes. And of course, Groucho's character would have to go too, because we shouldn't show characters smoking. Well, at least we'd still have Zeppo. Grrrrrr!!!! Please, let's write to Universal and let them know we'll give them neither our kudos nor our money for making this shameful decision!!! By the way, what specifically got censored is still not mentioned in the article. Last edited by Rittster : 10-31-2004 at 06:41 PM.

10-31-2004, 07:58 PM	#17 (permalink)
aintnosin Director/Moderator Not a fancy tickler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: People's Republik of Kalifornia	Edit: NEver mind __________________ "The women of this country learned long ago, those without swords can still die upon them." - Eowyn, The Two Towers DVD Profiler \| DVD Aficianado \| DVD Spot \| Movie Reviews \| Facebook Last edited by aintnosin : 11-01-2004 at 02:41 PM.

11-01-2004, 02:42 PM	#18 (permalink)
aintnosin Director/Moderator Not a fancy tickler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: People's Republik of Kalifornia	EDIT: I'm taking back the above post because one of the reviewers at the HTF claims to have seen the new DVD and there is nothing missing. __________________ "The women of this country learned long ago, those without swords can still die upon them." - Eowyn, The Two Towers DVD Profiler \| DVD Aficianado \| DVD Spot \| Movie Reviews \| Facebook

11-01-2004, 10:03 PM	#19 (permalink)
Millhouse Actor Join Date: Nov 2002	sweet! __________________ "If you want to f*** with the eagles, you have to learn to fly" - Heathers (1989)

11-01-2004, 10:53 PM	#20 (permalink)
theta Cheap Cerebral Paralysis Join Date: May 2002 Location: In aintnosin's basement	Thank God. __________________ "I need bling, I tell you, BLING!!!" --Palmerlime Theta's discs, 300 mark crossed, 400 here we come!

11-02-2004, 01:20 AM	#21 (permalink)
LeChuck "Woman Hands" man Join Date: May 2004 Location: Cambridge, MA	Great news! I am very happy.

11-02-2004, 01:28 AM	#22 (permalink)
larphillips Actor Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Cleveland, OH	So far, it seems to be one single opinion vs another opinion. I wouldn't be thrilled (or pissed) just yet... not until the final word comes in. But that is just the cynic in me. __________________ I'm going with Jerkstore! Jerkstore is the line! Jerkstore! Yes. - George Costanza "What a lovely day for an exorcism." Demon/Regan - THE EXORCIST

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