Silent Era Information*Progressive Silent Film List*Lost Films*People*Theatres
Taylorology*Articles*Home Video*Books*Search
 
Pandora's Box BD
 
Silent Era Home Page  >  Home Video  >  Our Hospitality
 
Silent Era Films on Home Video
Reviews of silent film releases on home video.
Copyright © 1999-2024 by Carl Bennett
and the Silent Era Company.
All Rights Reserved.

Our Hospitality
(1923)

 

Our Hospitality (1923) is a fine southern comedy-drama of a family feud and early locomotive days, and can be considered a companion piece to The General (1926).

coverCohen Film Collection
2023 Blu-ray Disc edition

Three Ages (1923), black & white, 71 minutes, not rated, with Our Hospitality (1923), black & white, 76 minutes, not rated.

Cohen Film Collection, distributed by Kino Lorber,
K26461, UPC 7-38329-26461-1.
One single-sided, dual-layered, Region A Blu-ray Disc; 1.33:1 aspect ratio picture in pillarboxed 16:9 (1920 x 1080 pixels) 24 fps progressive scan image encoded in SDR AVC format at 29.8 Mbps average video bit rate; DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround sound encoded at 2.3 Mbps audio bit rate, and DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 stereo sound encoded at 1.7 Mbps audio bit rate; English language intertitles, no subtitles; 10 chapter stops; standard BD keepcase; $29.95.
Release date: 7 November 2023.
Country of origin: USA

Ratings (1-10): video: 7 / audio: 9 / additional content: 7 / overall: 7.
This Blu-ray edition of Our Hospitality, produced by Cohen Film Collection, has been mastered from a new digital restoration of the film evaluated from 17 different 35mm prints, with a first-generation nitrate positive held at the Library of Congress being the main element used, and two second-generation duplicate negatives in the Cohen Film Collection utilized to replace missing footage. The first dupe negative is identifiable by the beginning nitrate decomposition seen in the picture, which was already in the source nitrate print used to create the duplicate negative many years ago. The material has been stabilized and digitally cleaned to remove nearly all print flaws. Despite the amount of nitrate source material, some shots are significantly blurry. Some shots show a jerkiness that may be from the presence of duplicate frames to emulate on home video the slower frame rate of silent films. The overall results are not bad but we wish they could have been better.

The film is accompanied by a music score composed by Carl Davis and performed by the Thames Silents Orchestra in 5.1 surround and 2.0 stereo sound.

Some collectors may wonder what we’re dissatisfied with when they view this disc but, despite our nitpicking, we still recommend this home video edition of the film.

 
USA: Click the logomark to purchase this Region A Blu-ray Disc edition from Amazon.com. Your purchase supports Silent Era.
 
Canada: Click the logomark to purchase this Region A Blu-ray Disc edition from Amazon.ca. Your purchase supports Silent Era.
 
This Region A Blu-ray Disc edition is also available directly from . . .
coverKino Classics
2019 Blu-ray Disc edition

Our Hospitality (1923), color-tinted black & white, 75 minutes, not rated, with The Iron Mule (1925), black & white, 19 minutes, not rated.

Kino Lorber,
unknown catalog number, UPC 7-38329-24066-0.
One single-sided, dual-layered, Region A Blu-ray Disc, 1.33:1 aspect ratio image in pillarboxed 16:9 (1920 x 1080 pixels) progressive scan AVC (MPEG-4) format, SDR (standard dynamic range), ? Mbps average video bit rate, ? Mbps audio bit rate, DTS-HD Master Audio 48 kHz 5.1 surround sound, LPCM 48 kHz 2.0 stereo sound and Dolby Digital 48 kHz 2.0 stereo sound; English language intertitles, no subtitles; chapter stops; standard BD keepcase; $29.95.
Release date: 15 October 2019.
Country of origin: USA
This Blu-ray edition of Our Hospitality, produced by Lobster Films, Paris, has been transferred from a 35mm print materials.

The film is presented with a music score by Robert Israel.

Supplementary materials include audio commentary by film historians Farran Smith Nehme and Imogen Sara Smith; Un duel à mort [A Duel to the Death] (1947), a short film starring Buster Keaton; The Iron Mule (1925), a short film starring Al St. John; a presentation on Our Hospitality by Serge Bromberg; an insert booklet essay by Jeffrey Vance; and “Scoring for Buster,” a documentary on the recording of Robert Israel’s score.

 
USA: Click the logomark to purchase this Region A Blu-ray Disc edition from Amazon.com. Your purchase supports Silent Era.
 
Canada: Click the logomark to purchase this Region A Blu-ray Disc edition from Amazon.ca. Your purchase supports Silent Era.
 
This Region A Blu-ray Disc edition is also available directly from . . .
coverKino International
2011 Blu-ray Disc edition

Our Hospitality (1923), color-tinted black & white, 75 minutes, not rated, and Hospitality (1923) [alternate version], black & white, 49 minutes, not rated, with The Iron Mule (1925), black & white, 19 minutes, not rated.

Kino Lorber, K715, UPC 7-38329-07152-3.
One single-sided, dual-layered, Region 0 Blu-ray Disc, 1.33:1 aspect ratio image in pillarboxed 16:9 (1920 x 1080 pixels) progressive scan AVC (MPEG-4) format, SDR (standard dynamic range), ? Mbps average video bit rate, ? Mbps audio bit rate, DTS-HD 48 kHz 5.1 surround sound, LPCM 48 kHz 2.0 stereo sound and Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo sound, English language intertitles, no subtitles; 10 chapter stops (main feature), 5 chapter stops (alternate version); standard BD keepcase in cardboard slipcover; $34.95.
Release date: 22 March 2011.
Country of origin: USA

Ratings (1-10): video: 7 / audio: 8 / additional content: 7 / overall: 7.

This Blu-ray Disc edition of Buster Keaton’s Our Hospitality (1923) has been prepared from a new high-definition video transfer of an archival duplicate 35mm print previously held by Douris UK Ltd. The source print is not visually as sharp as is desired, with a lack of image detail that is readily apparent is some shots more than others. There is a slight amount of fine scratches, dust and other flaws in the lightly color-tinted source print.

The film is presented with a 5.1 surround sound music score by Carl Davis, and with a 2.0 stereo music score by Donald Hunsberger.

Supplemental material includes a previously unreleased 49-minute alternate version of the film thought to have been prepared by Keaton to test the noncomedic story elements; a short documentary on the film by Patricia Eliot Tobias with David B. Pearson (26 minutes); an Al St. John comedy short; and two photo galleries.

The alternate version of Our Hospitality, transferred from a 16mm reduction print that was produced from a 35mm positive that was already in active decomposition when duplicated. The print was recovered in 2008 by Paul E. Gierucki. The presentation is introduced by Courtney Patterson from material written by Patricia Eliot Tobias with David B. Pearson. The introduction notes that there is no footage in this alternate print that is not in the longer standard print known to modern audiences, only that the footage was alternately edited. There are fragments of footage that have been lost (presumably to splices) in the standard print that are present in the 16mm print, but not substantially so. The introduction also shows us that the Hospitality reduction print captures the lower right of the original 35mm frame, with the top edge and a substantial portion of the left side of the original image missing. The print is riddled with nitrate decomposition. This alternate version is presented with a music score performed on theatre pipe organ by Lee Erwin.

Only a slight visual improvement over Kino’s other DVD editions, this is the best available home video edition of Our Hospitality but it isn’t the stunning HD quality one might expect from Blu-ray Disc due to the compromised quality of the duplicate source print. This Blu-ray Disc edition is now out-of-print.

 
USA: Click the logomark to purchase this Region 0 Blu-ray Disc edition from Amazon.com. Your purchase supports Silent Era.
 
Canada: Click the logomark to purchase this Region 0 Blu-ray Disc edition from Amazon.ca. Your purchase supports Silent Era.
coverKino Classics
2012 Blu-ray Disc edition

The Ultimate Buster Keaton Collection (1920-1937), black & white, 1600 minutes total, not rated, including Our Hospitality (1923), color-tinted black & white, 75 minutes, not rated, and Hospitality (1923) [alternate version], black & white, 49 minutes, not rated, with The Iron Mule (1925), black & white, 19 minutes, not rated.

Kino Lorber, K1087, UPC 7-38329-10872-4.
Fourteen single-sided, dual-layered, Region 0 Blu-ray Discs, 1.33:1 aspect ratio image in pillarboxed 16:9 (1920 x 1080 pixels) progressive scan AVC (MPEG-4) format, SDR (standard dynamic range), ? Mbps average video bit rate, ? Mbps audio bit rate, Dolby Digital 48 kHz 2.0 stereo sound, English language intertitles, no subtitles; 10 chapter stops (main feature), 5 chapter stops (alternate version); four multidisc BD cases in cardboard slipcase; $299.95.
Release date: 11 December 2012.
Country of origin: USA

This Blu-ray Disc boxset contains the high-definition home video release of Buster Keaton’s Our Hospitality.

Also included in this set is a presentation of the 1923 alternate version of the film intended for export outside the United States.

This boxset edition of Our Hospitality is identical to Kino’s single-disc Blu-ray Disc edition noted above. This Blu-ray Disc boxset edition is now out-of-print.

 
USA: Click the logomark to purchase this Region 0 Blu-ray Disc edition from Amazon.com. Your purchase supports Silent Era.
 
Canada: Click the logomark to purchase this Region 0 Blu-ray Disc edition from Amazon.ca. Your purchase supports Silent Era.
coverMasters of Cinema
2020 Blu-ray Disc edition

Our Hospitality (1923), black & white, 76 minutes, BBFC Certification U, and Hospitality (1923) [alternate version], black & white, 55 minutes, BBFC Certification U, Go West (1925), black & white, 68 minutes, BBFC Certification U, and College (1927), black & white, 66 minutes, BBFC Certification U, with The Railrodder (1965), color, 24 minutes, BBFC Certification U, and Buster Keaton Rides Again (1965), color, 55 minutes, BBFC Certification U.

Eureka Entertainment,
EKA70391 (MoC 224-226), unknown UPC number.
One single-sided, single-layered, Region B Blu-ray Disc (three BDs in the set); 1.33:1 aspect ratio picture in pillarboxed 16:9 (1920 x 1080 pixels) 24 fps progressive scan image encoded in SDR AVC format at ? Mbps average video bit rate; DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 stereo sound encoded at ? Mbps audio bit rate; English language intertitles, no subtitles; chapter stops; 60-page insert booklet; standard three-disc BD keepcase; £20.99.
Release date: 24 August 2020.
Country of origin: England
This Region B Blu-ray Disc edition has been mastered from a 2K restoration from an archival 35mm print.

Supplementary material includes audio commentary for Our Hospitality by historian Rob Farr; audio commentary for Go West by historians Joel Goss and Bruce Lawton; the alternate version Hospitality (1923) with optional commentary by film historian Polly Rose; a video essay by Patricia Eliot Tobias (26 minutes); video essays on Go West and College shooting locations by John Bengtson; a video essay by David Cairns (28 minutes); the short film Go West (1923) (12 minutes); the short film The Railrodder (1965) with optional audio commentary by director Gerald Potterton and cameraman David De Volpi (24 minutes); the documentary Buster Keaton Rides Again (1965); and a 60-page insert booklet with essays on all three films by Imogen Sara Smith, an article by Philip Kemp, an article on Our Hospitality shooting locations by John Bengtson, Gerald Potterton’s original treatment for The Railrodder, and an appreciation of Keaton and The Railrodder by writer and silent cinema aficionado Chris Seguin.

Sight unseen, this is our recommended European home video edition of the film. North American collectors will need a region-free PAL DVD player capable of outputting an NTSC-compatible signal to view this edition.

 
United Kingdom: Click the logomark to purchase this Region B Blu-ray Disc edition from Amazon.co.uk. Support Silent Era.
coverKino Classics
2019 DVD edition

Our Hospitality (1923), color-tinted black & white, 75 minutes, not rated, with The Iron Mule (1925), black & white, 19 minutes, not rated.

Kino Lorber, unknown catalog number, UPC 7-38329-24065-3.
One single-sided, dual-layered, Region 1 NTSC DVD disc, 1.33:1 aspect ratio image in full-frame 4:3 (720 x 480 pixels) interlaced scan MPEG-2 format, SDR (standard dynamic range), ? Mbps average video bit rate, ? Kbps audio bit rate, Dolby Digital 48 kHz 5.1 surround sound and Dolby Digital 48 kHz 2.0 stereo sound, English language intertitles, no subtitles; chapter stops; standard DVD keepcase; $19.95.
Release date: 15 October 2019.
Country of origin: USA
This DVD edition of Our Hospitality, produced by Lobster Films, has been transferred from 35mm print materials.

The film is presented with a music score by Robert Israel.

Supplementary materials include audio commentary by film historians Farran Smith Nehme and Imogen Sara Smith; Un duel à mort [A Duel to the Death] (1947), a short film starring Buster Keaton; The Iron Mule (1925), a short film starring Al St. John; a presentation on Our Hospitality by Serge Bromberg; an insert booklet essay by Jeffrey Vance; and “Scoring for Buster,” a documentary on the recording of Robert Israel’s score.

 
USA: Click the logomark to purchase this Region 1 NTSC DVD edition from Amazon.com. Your purchase supports Silent Era.
 
Canada: Click the logomark to purchase this Region 1 NTSC DVD edition from Amazon.ca. Your purchase supports Silent Era.
 
This Region 1 NTSC DVD edition is also available directly from . . .
coverKino International
2011 DVD edition

Our Hospitality (1923), color-tinted black & white, 75 minutes, not rated, and Hospitality (1923) [alternate version], black & white, 49 minutes, not rated, with The Iron Mule (1925), black & white, 19 minutes, not rated.

Kino Lorber, unknown catalog number, unknown UPC number.
Two single-sided, dual-layered, Region 0 NTSC DVD discs, 1.33:1 aspect ratio image in full-frame 4:3 (720 x 480 pixels) interlaced scan MPEG-2 format, SDR (standard dynamic range), ? Mbps average video bit rate, ? Kbps audio bit rate, Dolby Digital 48 kHz 5.1 surround sound and Dolby Digital 48 kHz 2.0 stereo sound, English language intertitles, no subtitles; chapter stops; standard DVD keepcase in cardboard slipcover; $29.95.
Release date: 22 March 2011.
Country of origin: USA

Ratings (1-10): video: 7 / audio: 8 / additional content: 7 / overall: 7.
This DVD edition of Buster Keaton’s Our Hospitality (1923) has been prepared from a new high-definition video transfer of an archival 35mm print, and features a 5.1 surround sound music score by Carl Davis and a 2.0 stereo music score by Donald Hunsberger.

Among the supplemental material is a previously unreleased 49-minute alternate version of the film thought to have been prepared by Keaton to test the noncomedic story elements, a short documentary on the film by Patricia Eliot Tobias and David B. Pearson (26 minutes), an Al St. John comedy short, and two photo galleries.

This DVD edition is now out-of-print.

 
USA: Click the logomark to purchase this Region 0 NTSC DVD edition from Amazon.com. Your purchase supports Silent Era.
 
Canada: Click the logomark to purchase this Region 0 NTSC DVD edition from Amazon.ca. Your purchase supports Silent Era.
 
This Region 0 NTSC DVD edition has been discontinued
and is . . .
coverKino on Video
1999 DVD edition

Our Hospitality (1923), black & white, 75 minutes, not rated, with Sherlock, Jr. (1924), black & white, 44 minutes, not rated.

Kino International, K123DVD, UPC 7-38329-01232-8.
One single-sided, single-layered, Region 0 NTSC DVD disc, 1.33:1 aspect ratio image in full-frame 4:3 (720 x 480 pixels) interlaced scan MPEG-2 format, SDR (standard dynamic range), ? Mbps average video bit rate, ? Kbps audio bit rate, Dolby Digital 48 kHz 2.0 stereo sound, English language intertitles, no subtitles; 10 chapter stops; snapper DVD case (rereleased in standard DVD keepcase [retail], and slimline DVD keepcase [boxset]); $29.95.
Release date: 23 November 1999.
Country of origin: USA

This early DVD edition has been mastered from the video transfer originally prepared by David Shepard for the VHS and laserdisc editions of this film. The print is of very-good quality.

The film is accompanied by a 2.0 stereo music score compiled by Donald Hunsberger.

This DVD edition is now out-of-print.

 
USA: Click the logomark to purchase this Region 0 NTSC DVD edition from Amazon.com. Your purchase supports Silent Era.
 
Canada: Click the logomark to purchase this Region 0 NTSC DVD edition from Amazon.ca. Your purchase supports Silent Era.
 
This Region 0 NTSC DVD edition has been discontinued
and is . . .
coverAlpha Video
2024 DVD edition

Our Hospitality (1923), black & white, 73 minutes, not rated.

Alpha Home Entertainment, distributed by Oldies.com,
ALP 8637D, UPC 0-89218-86379-9.
One single-sided, single-layered, Region 0 NTSC DVD-R disc; 1.33:1 aspect ratio picture in full-frame 4:3 (720 x 480 pixels) interlaced scan image encoded in SDR MPEG-2 format at ? Mbps average video bit rate (capable of progressive scan upscaling to ? fps); Dolby Digital (AC3) 2.0 mono sound encoded at ? Kbps audio bit rate; English language intertitles, no subtitles; chapter stops; standard DVD keepcase; $8.98.
Release date: 17 September 2024.
Country of origin: USA
This DVD-R edition has likely been mastered from a 16mm or 8mm reduction print.

The film is likely accompanied by a soundtrack compiled from preexisting music recordings.

 
This Region 0 NTSC DVD-R edition is available directly from . . .
Other silent era BUSTER KEATON films available on home video.

Other silent film music scores by CARL DAVIS available on home video.

Other silent film music scores by ROBERT ISRAEL available on home video.
Buster Keaton filmography in The Progressive Silent Film List
 
 
Silent Era Home Page  >  Home Video  >  Our Hospitality
 
Lodger BD
Become a Patron of Silent Era

LINKS IN THIS COLUMN
WILL TAKE YOU TO
EXTERNAL WEBSITES

SUPPORT SILENT ERA
USING THESE LINKS
WHEN SHOPPING AT
AMAZON

AmazonUS
AmazonCA
AmazonUK

Three Ages / Hospitality BD

Our Hospitality (Lobster) BD

Our Hospitality (Lobster) DVD

Our Hospitality BD

Our Hospitality DVD

Ultimate Keaton BD Boxset

Seven Chances/Sherlock Jr BD

General / Steamboat Bill Jr BD

Seven Chances BD

Keaton Short Films BD

Go West BD

Sherlock Jr BD

The General BD

Little Rascals Vol 1 BD

Beloved Rogue BD

Hitchcock: Beginning BD

Cat and the Canary Standard BD

Charley Chase 1927 BD

Capra at Columbia UHD/BD

Seven Chances/Sherlock Jr BD

L&H Year 2 BD

Caligari UHD

Pandora's Box BD

The Bat BD

Billy Bevan BD

Feuillade Box BD

Dragon Painter BD

Pandora's Box BD

L&H Silent Years BD

Annie Laurie BD

Pace That Kills BD

The Craving BD

Carmen BD

Vitagraph BD

The Informer BD

Uncle Tom's Cabin BD

Méliès Fairy Tales BD/DVD

L’Argent BD

Charley Bowers BD

Prince Achmed BD

Mysterious Island DVD

Underground BD

The Circus BD

The Man Who Laughs BD

Der Hund von Baskerville BD

Fragment of an Empire BD

The Last Warning BD

The Eagle BD

Peter Pan BD