'Forthcoming' Lists Discussion and Random Speculation Vol.2

[The Elegant Dandy Fop]

Again, can't say where I got this tidbit of information, but it looks like Criterion will be releasing Ernst Lubitsch's Design for Living and the horror classic, Island of Lost Souls. I haven't seen either one, but they both seem like exciting releases!

[MyNameCriterionForum]

"Island" has been more or less assumed for a while now, has it not?

[Jeff]

looks like Criterion will be releasing Ernst Lubitsch's Design for Living and the horror classic, Island of Lost Souls.

Bless you EDF. You're not only elegant and dandy, but a fount of wonderful news lately. Island of Lost Souls is long-awaited acquisition that many have been pushing for for years. Uni and Criterion's evasiveness on this title certainly pointed in this direction, but it's great to have confirmation. Somewhere out there, HerrSchreck's head just exploded. Hopefully, they've been able to get hold of some decent elements.

More Lubitsch is always wonderful too. Design for Living was the only title I wanted from that ugly Gary Cooper box. I'll gladly pay more than the cost of the box for a single well-appointed edition of the film.

[Cinephrenic]

I think Criterion confirmed Island of Lost Souls on Facebook, but told us not to hold our breath over it - so called problems with the print. Any more classic American films is highly welcome. What I think the collection needs more of.

[HarryLong]

"Island" has been more or less assumed for a while now, has it not?

Somehow I missed that assumption. I think my head's getting ready to explode, too...

[panicprevention]

Island has been years in the making =D> Now if only The Devils would come out of indefinite limbo as well.

[Jean-Luc Garbo]

Island has been years in the making =D> Now if only The Devils would come out of indefinite limbo as well.

I'm excited to see Island as Schreck has mentioned it as a favorite. Considering his praise for City of the Dead, I'd say it's worth a look. More horror in CC is always a good thing. I hope that they can get James Harvey or Scott Eyman for the Lubitsch disc. I keep having the dream that WB finally releases Devils uncut with extras, but tells nobody about it and sticks it on the Archives dump.

[zedz]

So I take it that the Cooper box with Design for Living is out of print? If so, people should try to track it down for the sake of the bizarre masterpiece Peter Ibbetson, which would probably get my vote for strangest Hollywood movie of the 1930s. If that's now up for grabs I'd love Criterion to get their hands on it, what with those Cocteaus slipping out of their fingers.

[triodelover]

So I take it that the Cooper box with Design for Living is out of print? If so, people should try to track it down for the sake of the bizarre masterpiece Peter Ibbetson, which would probably get my vote for strangest Hollywood movie of the 1930s. If that's now up for grabs I'd love Criterion to get their hands on it, what with those Cocteaus slipping out of their fingers.

I would agree that Peter Ibbetson is strange. Despite Buñuel's endorsement, I've never been able to warm to it. Part of that is I think Cooper is miscast. The other part is that I tend to have allergic reactions to heavy servings of the supernatural. 8-[ Design for Living, on the other hand, is fabulous Lubitsch and I would love to see it get the Criterion treatment.

[Svevan]

The box is still in print and available online, for the time being - I have the Marlene Dietrich counterpart, and though it's true that they're fairly ugly sets, the wealth of films for $20 or less is beyond worth it.

[panicprevention]

I keep having the dream that WB finally releases Devils uncut with extras, but tells nobody about it and sticks it on the Archives dump.

Remember when they actually had a release date set, and a DVD cover to tease us with? And then they pulled the rug out from under us #-o

I never thought The African Queen would finally be hitting the market next month, so hey, maybe I should actually have hope for Devils, someday!

[The Elegant Dandy Fop]

Another tidbit of classic Hollywood in the collection. Looks like there may be a possibility of Fritz Lang's "Ministry of Fear". I've wanted to see it for years but always manage to miss the TCM showings. Very excited to see some American Lang in the collection.

[Gregory]

The box is still in print and available online, for the time being - I have the Marlene Dietrich counterpart, and though it's true that they're fairly ugly sets, the wealth of films for $20 or less is beyond worth it.

It's currently part of a Universal sale at DD, for $14 and change. My advice to anyone who doesn't have it yet: jump on it. Easily worth that price for Peter Ibbetson alone.
The film has quite an unusual vibe for '30s Hollywood, and the cinematography is unearthly

Edited to add link

[Feego]

Just here to put in another good word for Peter Ibbetsson. I had never heard of it before buying the set, but it was delightfully strange and rewarding (although I agree about Cooper being miscast).

I'm always glad to see more Lubitsch in the collection, although I have to say Design for Living is probably my least favorite of his work that I've seen. I find it somewhat static, and it lacks the style, verbal wit, and breezy pace of masterpieces like Trouble in Paradise and The Merry Widow (how I wish this film could make it in the collection). Still, any Lubitsch is better than no Lubitsch.

[knives]

The Merry Widow (how I wish this film could make it in the collection). Still, any Lubitsch is better than no Lubitsch.

If they could tie it in with von Stroheim's
version I think I'd explode with joy. Warner's a bunch of wankers though so that will sadly never happen.

[domino harvey]

And hey, Lives of a Bengal Lancer was one of Hitler's favorite films

[Jean-Luc Garbo]

Another tidbit of classic Hollywood in the collection. Looks like there may be a possibility of Fritz Lang's "Ministry of Fear". I've wanted to see it for years but always manage to miss the TCM showings. Very excited to see some American Lang in the collection.

Wow, I hope this comes to fruition. I've been dying to see this one for awhile now as I love Lang's work in the '40s.

[Mikos Stenopolis]

Didn't Fellini's Toby Dammit undergo a restoration in the last 2 years? any chance it'll show up on Criterion either as a specially low priced spine (a la patriotism, night and fog) or a special feature on any sort of possibly upcoming fellini release?

[zedz]

Didn't Fellini's Toby Dammit undergo a restoration in the last 2 years? any chance it'll show up on Criterion either as a specially low priced spine (a la patriotism, night and fog) or a special feature on any sort of possibly upcoming fellini release?

It's one episode of a portmanteau film, so issuing it on its own as a standalone title would be asking for trouble. The other parts of Spirits of the Dead are by Malle (good, and I'm no Malle fan) and Vadim (negligible).

It's seems more likely to me that it would sneak out as an extra, but I don't know if there are any appropriate Fellinis left for this. Reissue (on Blu) of Juliet of the Spirits, anybody?

Personally, I'll hold out for my long-ago suggestion of an Eclipse set of 60s portmanteau films.

[domino harvey]

Personally, I'll hold out for my long-ago suggestion of an Eclipse set of 60s portmanteau films.

Yes please-- the World's Greatest Swindles in my top five most desired titles. Someone's gotta put it out so why not the big boys

[tojoed]

It's [Toby Dammit] one episode of a portmanteau film, so issuing it on its own as a standalone title would be asking for trouble.

Maybe for Criterion, but Arrow Films are issuing it as a stand alone in the UK.

[Mikos Stenopolis]

I'd love to see a reissue of Nights of Cabiria as well

[Murdoch]

I'd love to see a reissue of Nights of Cabiria as well

Probably not happening since they lost the rights.

[peerpee]

I hope Criterion have the gumption to not be influenced by the BAFTA and Cannes Jury Prize awarded to FISH TANK. It's an uninspiring, hollow film that can't hold a candle to the (French) films it aspires to. I really didn't like the film on a number of levels and I hope they pass on it.

[domino harvey]

I've got bad news for you