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For those who simply can't invest more than 120-minutes, but still want to enjoy MGM's
1974 50th anniversary trip through its history, this is the disc for you!
The correct running of That's
Entertainment is 132-minutes. As was done a bit too often in the early
days of videodisc, the film was sped up via time compression to fit neatly onto a single CLV-disc. For films with 122- or
even 125-minute running times, this produces a noticeable jitter to the image and the pitch of voices and music is disturbed. That's Entertainment is the true prize winner in the contest
to be the worst example of time compression on LD. A full dozen-plus minutes are sped out of the film's running time. For
anyone who has seen this version of the film, the results are disastrous to say the least. Considering the film is made up
of well know clips featuring musical numbers, it is hard to imagine how those responsible for this release felt it was passable.
Classics like Singin' in the Rain and Over the Rainbow become
near-'Chipmunk'-like deliveries that produce more laughs than nostalgia.
To
their credit, MGM/UA Home Video did correct this situation. First with a 2-disc release that not only returns the film to
132-minutes, but even letterboxed certain numbers which was rare for its time of release on video. Later releases included
correct aspect ratio, CAV, and digital sound, really presenting this film more as it should more as it should be viewed.
It has since been issued on DVD.
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