Criterion and MGM

[Props55]

Yes, the VCI SHOOTING/WHIRLWIND discs looked pretty damn good even blown up to 8x13 feet on "the great wall". Commentary by Hellman and Perkins is informative and fun (though the latter tends to gush a bit excessively at times) but I seem to recall that the menus were a bit clumsy/glitchy. For the price they were a fabulous deal and I'd say they came closest to the technical high water mark of CITY OF THE DEAD among VCI releases. This said, I'd welcome them and COCKFIGHTER with open arms into CC. I'm still in shock over the fantastic treatment they afforded TWO-LANE BLACKTOP!

[kaujot]

People who commentate with Hellman seem to have a propensity to gush, as so did Allison Anders on her track with him for Two-Lane Blacktop. (Though perhaps in her case it was jealousy?)

[Harmonov]

MGM bankruptcy plans approved. Spyglass takes them over.

[mfunk9786]

Has anything changed regarding the now OOP Scanners?

[onedimension]

Has anyone in this thread mentioned 'Some Like It Hot'? It's never had the treatment it deserves..

[Jameson281]

Has anyone in this thread mentioned 'Some Like It Hot'? It's never had the treatment it deserves..

Not going to happen. Too popular a title for MGM to sublicense to an outside company.

[swo17]

I might have thought the same thing of Paths of Glory and Night of the Hunter.

[Jameson281]

I might have thought the same thing of Paths of Glory and Night of the Hunter.

From what I've heard, those two have never been very big sellers. There were people in MGM who loved the movies and wanted to do special edition DVDs, but the feeling was that sales figures didn't justify it. I think that SOME LIKE IT HOT being a comedy, plus the presence of Marilyn, gives it broader appeal.

[dwk]

I can see how Night of the Hunter, as great as it is, would be a low seller, but I'm surprised to hear that about Paths of Glory.

[flyonthewall2983]

It seems to me that on top of that, Some Like It Hot is always near the top of the list of greatest comedies of all time. I don't think those other two films get quite that distinction for their respective genres.

[onedimension]

Don't know the sales numbers, but MGM has put out two tepid editions with poor transfers -

[Jameson281]

Don't know the sales numbers, but MGM has put out two tepid editions with poor transfers -

The original barebones DVD of SLIH was poor, and the first MGM Special Edition (which was still not 16 x 9) was disappointing, but I thought the 2-disc Collector's Edition (which was 16 x 9 and included a lengthy docu) was pretty good.

[onedimension]

Thanks, that one had somehow escaped my notice completely. Sounds pretty good.

[Orlac]

Does anyone think Criterion might or should have a crack at John Huston's MOBY DICK? The MGM disc is a cropped dull transfer, not doing justice at all.

[domino harvey]

I think it's actually open-matte

[Feego]

For anyone hoping for a Criterion edition of Richard Lester's How I Won the War, forget it. It's being released exclusively through MGM's VOD service this month.

[knives]

Time to get the R2 then.

[Arthur House]

For a limited time, How I Won the War Special Edition comes with a Commemorative Photo Album, which features behind the scenes photos from the film. The feature has been remastered for this DVD release with supervision from Richard Lester (Director), and John Victor-Smith (Editor). Now you can bring home John Lennon's only non-Beatles performance in a feature film.

And this is a DVD-R? Madness. ](*,)

[ianungstad]

I sent an email to Mulvaney asking about Sidney Lumet's 12 Angry Men.
Hi Ian,

Thanks for your email!

We do hope to release this film in the future, but don't have an exact date set! So please stay tuned!

Thanks for supporting Criterion!

Best,

JM

[What A Disgrace]

Sounds like something I'd buy for my dad.

[Feego]

What's wrong with the current MGM edition (aside from not being on Blu-ray or having a wacky C)?

[cdnchris]

It'll be worth it just for the Blu-ray edition, which I'm sure isn't a priority on anyone elses schedule.

[ianungstad]

They could add the kinescope of the original television version. They could also film an interview with Lumet like they did for Fugitive Kind. (if he's up for it). There is also a great hour long episode of Charlie Rose with Lumet discussing his career in general that would make a good supplement. The MGM disc is fine but it would be easy to put together a much better release.

[captveg]

As they more than likely got the rights at the same time they got the rights for The Fugitive Kind they probably interviewed him about 12 Angry Men at the same time.

[Jeff]

I'm nobody's dad, but I'm anxious to get it on Blu-ray. I think that the inclusion of the original Studio One teleplay alone would make it worth an upgrade (though I see it is available separately and in a Studio One anthology from E1). It is my understanding that Lumet is not in great health right now, so I hope they've already laid down an interview. If they are able to include the two featurettes from the MGM disc, the Drew Caspar commentary, the Studio One version, a Lumet interview and a good essay, it would be a great set. Hell, they could even throw in the MGM-owned William Friedkin TV remake (Tony Danza enters the collection!).

Criterion released a featureless laserdisc. Here is the liner notes essay written by a twentysomething Peter Becker, I believe before he officially joined the company.