The Spectacle Maker

This is one of several shorts from 1934 and produced by MGM that accompany the DVD for "Treasure Island". Turner Entertainment has been packaging their classic Warner Brothers and MGM films this way--making them nice values for the home viewers.

This is a film you watch less for the content and acting than for the amazing advancement it demonstrates--true full-color. Unlike the earlier Two-Color Technicolor and the competing Cinecolor, this early Technicolor film has a fuller spectrum of colors--making it REALISTIC compared to previous color films (which tended to look very green and orange). In fact, this DVD has a Cinecolor short as well--and the difference is staggering. The Technicolor is a bazillion times nicer! As for the story, it's a schmaltzy tale about a spectacle maker who is given assignments to make magical lenses that show only beauty and later one that shows only truth. The acting is at times god-awful and the story comes off almost like a nicely produced high school pageant! the only thing I will add is that the summary on IMDb is not quite correct (the initial person to come to the spectacle maker was NOT the man in black but one dressed in gold). But, considering it's all pretty dull, who really cares?! This film is best seen by cinephiles and serious film historians. Others will no doubt find it all pretty tedious.

This highly expurgated version of the Frank Harris story is offered as an excuse to show early three-strip Technicolor.

Well, it does that much, and with some interesting talent in front of and behind the camera. As for the actual handling of the story, it is told in such a sickeningly disingenuous manner that I had a hard time watching. It's that type of story telling for children that holds that youngsters are morons and if you show them anything nasty, they will adopt it instantly.

Still, the pictures are colorful and pretty.

Keats famously wrote, "Beauty is truth, truth beauty" but that relationship between truth and beauty is not the one explored here.

A maker of eyewear is commissioned to create a lens with magical properties. It is purchased by the Grand Duke for his personal amusement. Later, the craftsman creates another lens which allows one to see a completely different view of the world-a view that is contrary to the first lens'. This is a morality tale that packs few surprises. In fact, it is heavy-handed in making its point, but this is still a gem due to the film's color format and its fresh naivete.

A sequence simulating harpistry serves as a brief distraction, but overall this is an enjoyable watch for children and adults.

The plot of this 21 minute film would make a good episode of "The Twilight Zone".

An MGM COLORTONE MUSICAL Short.

Once upon a time, there was a kindly old man who was THE SPECTACLE MAKER for his village. He is challenged to create a marvelous Glass, through which only Beauty can be seen. Reading the Bible shows him the meaning of true Beauty and, so, he creates the Glass. Instant fame is his, but then he's challenged concerning Truth...

Not much as far as musicals go, and uneven dramatically, but as a morality tale it has charm. The Technicolor is very pleasing to the eye, as well.

Laughable fairy tale about a poor but honest spectacle maker (with a crippled son no less) who makes a magic pair of lenses which allow the viewer to see the true nature of what they're viewing. It all leads to predictable complications and to a happy ending which had me smirking and rolling my eyes.

Stupid story and some truly terrible acting make this a chore to watch. What kept me watching was the beautiful Technicolor cinematography. The sets and costumes are shot in rich bright color and are dazzling to look at. Each shot looks gorgeous. For cinema fans (like me) this is worth seeing. For others it might be tough going.