Another beautiful operetta made by the ones and only - Gilbert and Sullivan!!! If you want me to upload another movie, please just simply ask for it in the comments.
The Mikado and Kenny Baker a very good start. The sets were beautiful and audiences I'm sure were sitting in awe at seeing all the colors. What a year 1939 for films. I wonder if there was ever a year that could top it for the films it gave us.
Beautiful! A feast for eyes and ears. I find all the performers uniquely suited to their roles. I've loved this production for most of my life! Thank you for the upload!
Thank you for uploading this great film version in HD, and such a fine print too. It's hard to believe this is 80 years old. The sets and costumes are amazingly sumptuous. The comedy performance of all the principals is excellent. The director has clearly really done his job here. Compare how the dialogue is delivered with that in the "dialogue-included" sound recordings of the 1950s and 60s.There is little exaggerated stagey nonsense. It's all reduced appropriately for cinema, and consequently genuinely funny. And at what a pace it rattles along! The massive re-edit of the material might be disapproved of by purists, but again, it's perfect for the medium. Of course, some of the jewels in the score have had to go. It's great to have a record of Martin Green in his prime. I was suddenly struck by his similarity to John Inman (!) and his voice is reminiscent of Richard Murdoch. Thanks again for this gem.
THE absolute standard for this gorgeous work, Gilbert and Sullivan's exquisite example of musical entertainment at the cultural zenith of the empire. Bravo!
Pretty gorgeous , but I wish they hadn't tried to make it a "movie" rather than just record the perfect lite opera with a marvelous cast in perfect perormance.
I agree, they changed so much it's almost unrecognizable that it's the mikado until you get past the prologue. The best production I've seen is the 1966 one.
@@ElkSkin I could watch Mikados all day. In some it's the staging, some the singing, some the acting, some ,just a character or interpretation. Changes from day to day, but my current favorite is the CBC one from '88. I love them all, seldom bad ever, just different.
It's a fascinating production and definitely 'of its time' It's interesting to think that many of the older chorus members may well have known or worked with people like Durward Lely and Rutland Barrington. Thanks for posting
A most beautiful performance. No exaggerated buffoonery, rater, the humour arises from the 'seriousness' of the performance. Like in other English comedy art such as the Morris.
Yes, agreed, the underplaying is the way to make Gilbert's rather high flown dialogue work, especially on film. The pompous declamatory style seen in the latter days of D'Oyly Carte did the operas no favours.
This is delightful and Martyn Green's dancing in Here's a Pretty State of Things is priceless. However, I am disappointed they cut two of my favorite songs, I've Got a Little List and There is Beauty in the Bellow of the Blast.
Do they have any tenors playing this part that sing even half as prettily/beautifully nowadays ? . . . I have searched youtube for about quite a while now and have yet to find even one . . . oh well . . . one day there will be . . . but I'll have given up my search by then...hahaha😂
Hi@@Myself-anonymously Here are two rather good tenors - not Kenny Baker, but quite good.: ruclips.net/video/T-kV76ixEAc/видео.html ruclips.net/video/2QDtah96Q1I/видео.html Earl ebrown [at] sky44.com
Brilliant & lavish/beutifully filmed and edited extravaganza ! Wonderful Martyn Green plus Kenny Baker - Jack Benny's original village idiot Irish tenor ! Constance Willis sounds fabulous and looks quite dreadful - a good prototype for "Nurse Diesel"
No they didn't, but it was cut from the final print. It is included in an extra on the Criterion edition and an actor playing Adolf Hitler puts in an appearance.
I have this wonderful play along with subtitles, which means that I can keep singing if you wonder who we are we are gentlemen of Japan. That was the Canadian production, but this is visual magic. D'Oyley Carte let the fun begin... Hey, I am just astonished to see that this does not have I have a little list. I am sorry, but I am switching off right now. No fun without that particular wonderful hilarious number! Arigato Gozaimaashu for the upload. Now that I have regained my state of normal Oriental inscrutability I shall enjoy the rest of the movie very much, honourable uploader San.
There is talks they did record one in the theatrical that insulted Adolf Hitler and it was cut in every release. But I believe this is nothing more than an urban legend cause I have yet to see it. But supposedly it exists, maybe some day we will see it.
There is speculation and some evidence that The Mikado is the play that the Zodiac Killer saw just before he went on his killing spree in 1960’s San Francisco.
To uploaded (my phone won't let me spell it with an "r") of G&S operettas: are you familiar with the "Ruddygore" that was broadcast in the late 80's by PBS from broadcast location at Golden West College in Huntington Beach, California in which there was a scene performed on all kinds of different 1800's bicycles? They must have gotten all those pedaling devices from a museum and they were fantastic. Never had I seen such varied contraptions. Ruddygore is my most favorite but I absolute love all of them and have all but only on cassette tape. Can you find this particular one? I think the call letters of this station were KCET, channel 28 on rabbit ear free TV for Orange and Los Angeles Counties.
59:43 - 1:00:05 . . . the broken fan haha . . . he picked up the piece while the camera zoomed in and once it zoomed back out again, the fan piece has already been cleaned off from the floor...where was it put I wonder...
Since Technicolor was first popularized with The Wizard of Oz (1939) I can't understand why this little movie would have been in color in 1939. Plus its whole style is quite modern. Do I not understand the date given for this otherwise enjoyable film? Is it a modern dubbed version using 1939 audio?
No, it's an original version. The Cat and the Fiddle was the first live action film to use three strip technicolour and was released in 1934; the Wizard of Oz popularised its use, but was far from a pioneer in doing so.
@@newmanj8690 I deliberately said "popularized", I know TWOO wasn't the first color movie. But financially it would have been very high-cost to do such a small film for a small audience in a new technique. Quite a surprise, and BTW tear-in-eye enjoyed.
@@pamelawesson2761 it wasn't a particularly small film though, I think Kenny Baker and Joan Colin star as Nanki Poo and Yum Yum respectively. Many of the lead roles were played by veteran G&S performers who were more suited to the stage than the silver screen, and so wouldn't have commanded extortionate salaries anyway.
@@josietyner761 Not colourised. G&S was massively popular right up to the 1980s. Indeed, there is still a hard core fanbase even today. Commercially, this would have been a "banker" in 1939 so the film studio would not have looked on it as financially risky - and therefore would have been willing to use the latest technology in its filming. Full technicolor films were getting pretty common by the late 1930s. It was no longer an experimental process.
Martyn Green is a gem. But i do find the 1990 version Doyle Carte much preferable, with Eric Roberts. The music is crisp, clear and refreshing. Bonaventura Bottone as Nanki is terrific. And the Titipu choir was only one step from g-d.... the above, with nice music indeed, is hampered, just my opinion, by the music dubbing and hollow characterizations of the featured players ----cepting Green.
So sad that they cut out the finale. It is basically a reprise of the finale of the first act, but as it stands -- especially when you're familiar with the opera -- it feels a bit like coitus interruptus.
Excellent. Though I agree w Whazzat: had this only stuck true it'd have been perfection... I believe, at once, that this was such great fun.. Even with Nankipoo singing "The Sun Whose Rays..." so early.. All worked
A little something called "artistic licence" lol But yeah, I agree with you, the artistic vision is more than a little questionable at times. The soldier/samurai uniforms are absurd, ugly, and inaccurate to the point of being what I'd call insulting. Not because caricaturing a culture is bad or because this is racist but because it just shows a lack of interest in the culture. You can't say there were no resources to research Japanese culutre in the West at the time either. Painful.
This is fantastic. Great singing, great songs (of course), and amazing sets. It's a shame they wasted time on that inane prologue that could have been used for See How the Fates Their Gifts Alot, but once they finally get to the story it's fantastic.
While a fantastic display of the greats Martyn Green and Sydney Granville in their prime, this production is atrocious. How can they ommit the Little List song?!
One of the most magical and charming films ever made. A true work of art.
I am a 16 Year old French person and I love Gilbert and Sullivan so much
come to uk to see it.. Am going to see a production in 2 weeks time here in Mitcham
Greater London
Doesn't panto season only start at December?
Brilliant. Utterly Brilliant. The calm before the tragic storm of world war.
This is the recording I grew up with! All the static and scratches bring chills of joy toy heart!
Lovely from beginning to end!
The Mikado and Kenny Baker a very good start. The sets were beautiful and audiences I'm sure were sitting in awe at seeing all the colors. What a year 1939 for films. I wonder if there was ever a year that could top it for the films it gave us.
1989 - Batman, Honey I Shrunk the Kids, Road House, Field of Dreams, When Harry Met Sally and Uncle Buck. I rest my case.
@@GrizzledVet 😊
@@GrizzledVet You are kidding, right?
@@JeVoudraisDire it was a facetious remark.
Beautiful! A feast for eyes and ears. I find all the performers uniquely suited to their roles. I've loved this production for most of my life! Thank you for the upload!
That same year that not only The Wizard of Oz would be released, but also Mickey Mouse would get the eyes we all grew up with.
Thank you for uploading this great film version in HD, and such a fine print too. It's hard to believe this is 80 years old. The sets and costumes are amazingly sumptuous. The comedy performance of all the principals is excellent. The director has clearly really done his job here. Compare how the dialogue is delivered with that in the "dialogue-included" sound recordings of the 1950s and 60s.There is little exaggerated stagey nonsense. It's all reduced appropriately for cinema, and consequently genuinely funny. And at what a pace it rattles along!
The massive re-edit of the material might be disapproved of by purists, but again, it's perfect for the medium. Of course, some of the jewels in the score have had to go.
It's great to have a record of Martin Green in his prime. I was suddenly struck by his similarity to John Inman (!) and his voice is reminiscent of Richard Murdoch.
Thanks again for this gem.
WONDERFUL, SIMPLY WONDERFUL!
Strange adaptation, but worth it all to see the incomparable Martyn Green
THE absolute standard for this gorgeous work, Gilbert and Sullivan's exquisite example of musical entertainment at the cultural zenith of the empire. Bravo!
Pretty gorgeous , but I wish they hadn't tried to make it a "movie" rather than just record the perfect lite opera with a marvelous cast in perfect perormance.
I agree, they changed so much it's almost unrecognizable that it's the mikado until you get past the prologue. The best production I've seen is the 1966 one.
@@ElkSkin I could watch Mikados all day. In some it's the staging, some the singing, some the acting, some ,just a character or interpretation. Changes from day to day, but my current favorite is the CBC one from '88. I love them all, seldom bad ever, just different.
@@whazzat8015 Based
Such great songs, truly memorable. and a superb quality print of this 80 yr. old production. Thank U for this upload, a service to Art.
It's a fascinating production and definitely 'of its time'
It's interesting to think that many of the older chorus members may well have known or worked with people like Durward Lely and Rutland Barrington.
Thanks for posting
Great movie adaptation! 💓💓💓💓💓💖💖💖💖💖🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶
The best version of the Mikado. Kenny Baker was the ultimate Nanki-Poo. Thanks for the excellent upload.
A most beautiful performance. No exaggerated buffoonery, rater, the humour arises from the 'seriousness' of the performance. Like in other English comedy art such as the Morris.
Yes, agreed, the underplaying is the way to make Gilbert's rather high flown dialogue work, especially on film. The pompous declamatory style seen in the latter days of D'Oyly Carte did the operas no favours.
Fine performance of the famous G&S opera! Thanks for posting!
You're welcome
One of the best versions
👏💜
This is delightful and Martyn Green's dancing in Here's a Pretty State of Things is priceless. However, I am disappointed they cut two of my favorite songs, I've Got a Little List and There is Beauty in the Bellow of the Blast.
They're unforgivable omissions!
The Mikado is NOT The Mikado without those songs!!! This burns me up!!!!
I must say, I absolutely agree😂
Gorgeous gem of a production
Is there any more beautiful tenor voice than Kenny Baker - fabulous!
Do they have any tenors playing this part that sing even half as prettily/beautifully nowadays ? . . . I have searched youtube for about quite a while now and have yet to find even one . . . oh well . . . one day there will be . . . but I'll have given up my search by then...hahaha😂
Hi@@Myself-anonymously Here are two rather good tenors - not Kenny Baker, but quite good.: ruclips.net/video/T-kV76ixEAc/видео.html ruclips.net/video/2QDtah96Q1I/видео.html
Earl
ebrown [at] sky44.com
However, it is Martyn Green who is the real star of this version. He is great!
I have been searching and searching for MOVIE MOVIE.
Lovely, utterly enjoyable production!
These actors and performers in this adaptation look like real Japanese people, isn't that unique?
Brilliant & lavish/beutifully filmed and edited extravaganza ! Wonderful Martyn Green plus Kenny Baker - Jack Benny's original village idiot Irish tenor ! Constance Willis sounds fabulous and looks quite dreadful - a good prototype for "Nurse Diesel"
Thank you! What a wonderful copy too!
Did they seriously leave out "I've got a little list"?!
No they didn't, but it was cut from the final print. It is included in an extra on the Criterion edition and an actor playing Adolf Hitler puts in an appearance.
They literally created a car without the wheels...
I have this wonderful play along with subtitles, which means that I can keep singing if you wonder who we are we are gentlemen of Japan. That was the Canadian production, but this is visual magic. D'Oyley Carte let the fun begin...
Hey, I am just astonished to see that this does not have I have a little list. I am sorry, but I am switching off right now. No fun without that particular wonderful hilarious number! Arigato Gozaimaashu for the upload. Now that I have regained my state of normal Oriental inscrutability I shall enjoy the rest of the movie very much, honourable uploader San.
Amazing to see Martyn Green(Ko-Ko) a WW1 vet who took shrapnel in his legs so spryly moving 21 years after.
No "Little list"? Didn't they record one, or did they record the original one, and it got cut later?
There is talks they did record one in the theatrical that insulted Adolf Hitler and it was cut in every release. But I believe this is nothing more than an urban legend cause I have yet to see it. But supposedly it exists, maybe some day we will see it.
As some day it may happen...
I saw this many years ago at the Museum of Modern Art in NY. The color was much better and Little List was most definitely in it.
There is speculation and some evidence that The Mikado is the play that the Zodiac Killer saw just before he went on his killing spree in 1960’s San Francisco.
To uploaded (my phone won't let me spell it with an "r") of G&S operettas: are you familiar with the "Ruddygore" that was broadcast in the late 80's by PBS from broadcast location at Golden West College in Huntington Beach, California in which there was a scene performed on all kinds of different 1800's bicycles? They must have gotten all those pedaling devices from a museum and they were fantastic. Never had I seen such varied contraptions. Ruddygore is my most favorite but I absolute love all of them and have all but only on cassette tape. Can you find this particular one? I think the call letters of this station were KCET, channel 28 on rabbit ear free TV for Orange and Los Angeles Counties.
A lovely example of what film makers could do in 1939, but a boring travesty of Gilbert & Sullivan's Mikado.
And two years later...
Now
59:43 - 1:00:05 . . . the broken fan haha . . . he picked up the piece while the camera zoomed in and once it zoomed back out again, the fan piece has already been cleaned off from the floor...where was it put I wonder...
After watching this version, it is difficult to like any other.
By all means, upload more operettas!!
Give me ideas, and I will try 🤩.
@@WatchOnYT The Merry Widdow? :-)
A curious period piece which might be thought lack luster...but it had it's moments for its time...but certainly it's not a comic operetta...
It's more of a satiric one, I'd say.
Daughter in law elect is so funny.
My favorite song is the Lord High Executioner 19:44
Since Technicolor was first popularized with The Wizard of Oz (1939) I can't understand why this little movie would have been in color in 1939. Plus its whole style is quite modern. Do I not understand the date given for this otherwise enjoyable film? Is it a modern dubbed version using 1939 audio?
No, it's an original version. The Cat and the Fiddle was the first live action film to use three strip technicolour and was released in 1934; the Wizard of Oz popularised its use, but was far from a pioneer in doing so.
@@newmanj8690 I deliberately said "popularized", I know TWOO wasn't the first color movie. But financially it would have been very high-cost to do such a small film for a small audience in a new technique. Quite a surprise, and BTW tear-in-eye enjoyed.
@@pamelawesson2761 it wasn't a particularly small film though, I think Kenny Baker and Joan Colin star as Nanki Poo and Yum Yum respectively. Many of the lead roles were played by veteran G&S performers who were more suited to the stage than the silver screen, and so wouldn't have commanded extortionate salaries anyway.
Pamela Wesson It might have been colorized at a later date. perhaps?
@@josietyner761 Not colourised. G&S was massively popular right up to the 1980s. Indeed, there is still a hard core fanbase even today. Commercially, this would have been a "banker" in 1939 so the film studio would not have looked on it as financially risky - and therefore would have been willing to use the latest technology in its filming. Full technicolor films were getting pretty common by the late 1930s. It was no longer an experimental process.
Thank you so much Make my Covid bearable
Martyn Green is a gem. But i do find the 1990 version Doyle Carte much preferable, with Eric Roberts. The music is crisp, clear and refreshing. Bonaventura Bottone as Nanki is terrific. And the Titipu choir was only one step from g-d.... the above, with nice music indeed, is hampered, just my opinion, by the music dubbing and hollow characterizations of the featured players ----cepting Green.
So sad that they cut out the finale. It is basically a reprise of the finale of the first act, but as it stands -- especially when you're familiar with the opera -- it feels a bit like coitus interruptus.
Excellent. Though I agree w Whazzat: had this only stuck true it'd have been perfection... I believe, at once, that this was such great fun.. Even with Nankipoo singing "The Sun Whose Rays..." so early.. All worked
the zodiacs fav opera
These costumes are such an odd mix of decently accurate, western influenced and completely nonsensical. What was going on there?
A little something called "artistic licence" lol But yeah, I agree with you, the artistic vision is more than a little questionable at times. The soldier/samurai uniforms are absurd, ugly, and inaccurate to the point of being what I'd call insulting. Not because caricaturing a culture is bad or because this is racist but because it just shows a lack of interest in the culture. You can't say there were no resources to research Japanese culutre in the West at the time either. Painful.
can you put opera Australia's pirates of Penzance
I've actually been looking for it for over a year, and I still am. 1994 production, right?
@@WatchOnYT no its the 2006 version
This is haunting because I know the Zodiac Killer watched this exact film, with great appreciation.
Lets see it on free view 81/2
The audio is a little out of synch. I find that giving it a "-0.200 sec" offset does better. Meaning, have it be heard 0.2 sec earlier (hastened).
This is fantastic. Great singing, great songs (of course), and amazing sets. It's a shame they wasted time on that inane prologue that could have been used for See How the Fates Their Gifts Alot, but once they finally get to the story it's fantastic.
how do they do that
every time I watch a old movie when a woman is singing, they sound like a pigeon on the radio
I just wanted to see what Kenny Baker quit the Jack Benny show for.
I would like anything you have of this kind, please.
While a fantastic display of the greats Martyn Green and Sydney Granville in their prime, this production is atrocious. How can they ommit the Little List song?!
a japanese based movie/play with hardly if any japanese actors..
you complain about this and yet look at disney films at the time that took place in different countries and had american or English actors
It is comic opera, for heavens sake! One might well object that in "Iolanthe" the female chorus should be fairies instead of people.
Woke......
Sarcasm doesn't do well on the internet.
This film stinks!!