692 It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World

[EddieLarkin]

When was the last time most of you saw the film? If Criterion do bring some sort of super set to the table, multi disc, several versions, unique and interesting supplements etc., isn't anyone here going to be interested? At least in a rental/B&N sale purchase? I'm no fan of the film but I do find the hate just as perplexing as the love over on HTF.

[FrauBlucher]

I could be wrong but I think the "hate" over here for this film stems from the the thinking that CC is wasting time and resourses on this movie when they could be working on so many other titles that the vast majority of the folks here would rather see join the Collection, plus the 100s of upgrades that need to happen.

Ironically, I did see this film within the last year (rented from Netflix), before the clues and rumors. I wanted to see it because a couple friends like it a lot, and it has all the old stars that I remember as a kid. Needless to say, it didn't do anything for me, the same way that watching Abbott and Costello, 1960 TV shows and Godzilla movies no longer do anything for me.

BTW... Can't explain why it is "loved" over there. Maybe it's just that they are over flowing with sentimentality over there.

[Sandman]

My two centimes: If IAMMMMW turns out to be a big money-maker for Criterion and brings label recognition to the masses, then I will be pleased as punch over its release. That said, it's a title I really have little interest in buying (even though I loved it when I was a kid), especially given my rather tight budget.

[zedz]

In all seriousness, I think outside of the merits of the film itself, there are going to be aspects of this release that are interesting to those who follow film restoration and methodology. I'm looking forward to being able to discuss that aspect of it with anyone who's interested.

It wouldn't be the first or last Criterion release where the extras are probably more interesting than the film.

[FrauBlucher]

This morning I had some time so I read through the last 5 pages of the Mad World thread on the HTF. Funny stuff. Even funnier than the film itself. First it was the wild anticipation of yesterday's announcements. Then it was disappointment and annoyance with CC after the announced delay. Then they turned their angst towards this forum and then settled down into reciting lines from their beloved film. I enjoyed the manic ride. I give Moe credit though for being the stern sail that navigates those choppy waters and cold wind.

[gcgiles1dollarbin]

I'm no fan of the film but I do find the hate just as perplexing as the love over on HTF.

[Matt]

You can't deny they've put together a hell of a package of extras for this. And 5 discs at $50 MSRP.

[Yaanu]

You can't deny they've put together a hell of a package of extras for this. And 5 discs at $50 MSRP.

I wonder what the box itself will be like. I'm assuming a digipak, but I wonder how the discs will be arranged.

[gcgiles1dollarbin]

I think I just messed my pants.

[FrauBlucher]

I wish I liked this film because it's a tremendous package. Very nice for those folks.

[FrauBlucher]

I think I just messed my pants.

It's going to get very messy over there. Borderline health hazard site.

[Charles]

I think I just messed my pants.

Hey, I've been saving that line up for weeks!

And who knows, maybe I will indeed make an unpleasant discovery later...

[movielocke]

You can't deny they've put together a hell of a package of extras for this. And 5 discs at $50 MSRP.

I was at the Academy program, the Last 70mm Film Festival, last summer. That extra must be the spectacular 45-60 minute panel hosted by Crystal featuring Jonathan Winters and others. Winters was in particularly fine form that night, and I laughed much harder at the antics of the panel than the antics of the film (it was my second time seeing it, second time seeing it in 70mm, actually, and I was disappointed it was just as mediocre the second time around). The one drawback was one of the members of the panel was the Script Supervisor, and they repeatedly tried to ask the Scripty questions about how you manage a project of this size and the continuity nightmare it must have presented, and the Scripty never once got to answer a question because Winters always jumped in immediately to cut them off or drown them out, it was a bit of a shame and pretty cruel, because it turns out the Scripty was up there the whole time and was the only person who never got to talk, despite being asked direct questions.

[Gregory]

Criterion should have included a documentary feature on the topic of how weird people on the internet get about this film.

[NABOB OF NOWHERE]

I think I just messed my pants.

It's going to get very messy over there. Borderline health hazard site.

The HTF site has just subsided in a sea of jism

[Moe Dickstein]

Thanks Frau, I try to remain even keeled in all winds.

I can now say that of course I've known about what was going on with this title for a few months, and have been lucky enough to be able to visit FotoKem via the graces of Mr. Harris during the work that was going on to reconstruct the original road-show edit of the film.

If anyone is interested in what is going into making this version of the film, I'd be happy to write up something a bit more in depth.

[HerrSchreck]

Good lord, what a package they put together.

Now-- about this film . . . .

Seriously, I have very fond memories of watching this on broadcast TV when a kid so I can't hate on it.

[tojoed]

I wonder what the box itself will be like. I'm assuming a digipak...

The box will be very useful. Of course, you'll have to throw away the Stanley Kramer stuff first.

[domino harvey]

If anyone is interested in what is going into making this version of the film, I'd be happy to write up something a bit more in depth.

Sure, why not? I have no interest in this film but it's clear that Criterion is playing to the HTF fandom with this release just as surely as they appease us with their Kalat coms-- there is an audience for it, it's just not most of us. If this is your kinda thing, the affordable list price and copious extras/attention clearly make it worthwhile. I just pity the poor art school kid who picks this up and forms a prematurely negative view of studio-era Hollywood as a result!

[knives]

Fortunately they have the Sirks in that case.

[movielocke]

I feel like most students would get a more negative impression of Hollywood from Sirk than they would from Kramer. Over-wrought, over-the-top female melodrama vs over-wrought, over-the-top social conscious films? (or in the case of mad world, over-wrought, over-the-top slap-stick comedy).

[Matt]

Over-wrought, over-the-top female melodrama

What Sirk film is that even a description of? Okay, maybe Magnificent Obsession, but besides that?

[knives]

Taza: Son of Cochise

[domino harvey]

Taza: Son of Cochise

LOL (In honor of Moe's big day)

[The Elegant Dandy Fop]

Does anyone in this thread actually talk to art students? They LOVE Sirk! They seem to relate very well to the heightened drama, the intense colors and the intense cinematic quality that modern films can't quite deliver.