Hmm.. I agree. That's what's wrong with the classics: They colorize them!!!!! One good reason they do it is to get people to actually watch the movies!! Seriously, I was watching a Laurel and Hardy movie with my friend's daughters, and they said, " Oh, I don't like black and white movies," and went upstairs. There's a few good things that come out of colorization, except one of the beauties of the old-time classics is the fact that you are left to guess what color outfit some of the people are wearing and such things like that. It was kind of like a game, when I was younger and used to watch black-and white movies.
My sister was like that, wouldn't watch anything in black and white. I suspect it has to do with her being a lot younger than I, so not having known anything but color TV and movies. I don't know if she's still that way, although I know she made an exception for "Young Frankenstein," which she enjoyed.
I saw some photos of "I Love Lucy" which were supposed to be real color photos, not colorized. However, they had those telltale signs of colorization such as how Ethel's eyes, blouse and earrings were all exactly the same color. So I have my doubts. I also saw a picture of the (TV) "The Addams Family" set, in color. The dominant color was orange, with gold and pink coming in close behind. The elephant foot umbrella stand looked corny and fake in color compared to black and white. I think the colors I imagined in b&w movies and TV were probably nothing like what they were considering they had to be in the colors which photographed well instead of colors which looked good.
To your point about getting people to watch things, I saw a cartoon version of Lucille Ball's radio show, "My Favorite Husband." Animators provided the visuals to go along with the existing radio soundtrack. The idea is to attract young folks who would never just sit and listen but who would watch cartoons.
