I have read that the 1949 version is in legal limbo and never on TV, cable, or home video, although those who saw it claim that it may have been the best.
I wonder if Paramount took it out of circulation when they made their big budget 1974 version of it to avoid competition and comparisons and to help the 1974 one get more exposure.
I never got to see it until youtube.
Not sure it can be the best if it doesn’t really reflect the ‘20s! These pix definitely smack ‘40s to me.