Several people have asked whether MGM has applied open matte to something that was originally filmed in 4:3 or to something filmed wider that was pan-and-scanned. I've checked my copy of "A Fish Called Wanda," and done a bit of a Web search, and I believe that this one, at least, was filmed in 4:3 and matted properly for the DVD's wide-screen side. (This DVD has both versions on one disc.) Specifically, a Google search turned up several sites that use "A Fish Called Wanda" as an example of the perils of open matting:

http://www.widescreen.org/widescreen_matted.shtml

http://www.rexer.com/cine/oar.htm

Checking my DVD for the scene that's used as an example on these sites, I see that both the "widescreen" and "full-screen" sides show what the Web sites say they should show. In other words, the DVD of "A Fish Called Wanda" does not seem to be matting of a pan-and-scan version. I have no cause for complaint on this one.

Of course, this says nothing about the other titles. "A Fish Called Wanda" happens to be the only one I own from that list.