From: utzoo!utcsrgv!elf
Newsgroups: net.graphics
Title: Colouring B&W films, revisited
Article-I.D.: utcsrgv.1260
Posted: Fri Apr  8 11:22:50 1983
Received: Fri Apr  8 11:47:13 1983

Lance Norskog points out that part of the charm of Laurel and Hardy is the
contrast in their body shapes.  He cleverly used the word "contrast".  I
think it's a moot point whether or not B&W is the ideal medium to emphasise
these distinctions.  Why?  What you lose in going from B&W to colour
may be offset by other advantages of colour.  Who's to say since it hasn't
been tried?  In the long run, I agree that it's aesthetically silly to suggest
that all b&w films be coloured, but some might benefit.  Remember as well that
the process can easily generalise to other more appealing applications like
touching up prints, blending animation with film footage, etc.

The ultimate in poor taste would be to suggest that movies filmed intentionally
in b&w, like Last Picture Show, or Manhattan, be coloured.  Hah!  Wouldn't
that send Woody for a spin!

Eugene Fiume
U of Toronto
utcsrgv!elf