| To date, there are only four ways to check on DVD | | | | "Classic Images" and there are also a number of |
| quality prior to purchase: | | | | reference books on this subject. Unfortunately, their |
| 1. Consult an internet source such as "imdb" or | | | | scope is limited and they tend to cover well-known |
| "inthebalcony.com". | | | | titles on which information is readily available |
| 2. Rely on the testimony of friends and acquaintances. | | | | elsewhere. |
| 3. Ask the dealer. | | | | A formidable niche market flourishes for classic DVDs |
| 4. Use a reference book. | | | | that most reference sources have to date ignored. For |
| Unfortunately, all of these methods have drawbacks. | | | | instance, even keen movie fans would probably agree |
| Internet sites sometimes provide a guide to DVD | | | | that the number of silent movies (or feature films |
| quality, particularly if the release is a major offering | | | | made before 1930) released on DVD would number |
| from a major company. On the other hand, releases | | | | no more than 50. In actual fact, the number of such |
| from specialist firms that cater for the devoted classic | | | | DVDs is around 600! True, there are duplicates, with |
| movie fan are almost always ignored, even when | | | | popular titles such as "The Mark of Zorro" available in |
| these particular DVDs are widely advertised and sold. | | | | three or four different versions. But the number of |
| Friends and acquaintances who share an interest in | | | | individual titles would still rank in the 400-500 mark. |
| classic and vintage Hollywood are usually more helpful, | | | | So far as silent films are concerned, there is obviously |
| but there is obviously a tendency among members of | | | | a need for a reference book that rates and reviews |
| such formal or informal groups to wait until someone | | | | DVD releases of popular movies such as "The Lost |
| else has purchased a particular item. This may take | | | | World" (1925), "Metropolis" (1927), "The Phantom of the |
| some time. In some cases, the desired DVD may even | | | | Opera" (1925), "Safety Last" (1923), "Sunrise" (1927) |
| go out of print! | | | | and "The Thief of Bagdad" (1924) as well as the more |
| Despite the fact that they are selling DVDs day in and | | | | obscure features that are at present available such as |
| day out, dealers have little, if any knowledge of | | | | "The Bat Whispers", "Beggars of Life", "Evangeline", |
| technical quality. Asking a dealer about the technical | | | | "Lady Windermere's Fan", "The Man from Beyond", |
| quality of a particular DVD is generally a waste of | | | | "Notorious Lady", "Sherlock Holmes", "Sparrows", and |
| time. | | | | "Tarzan, the Tiger". |
| There are, however, guides in monthly magazines like | | | | |