Petition: Special DVD of The Night of the Hunter

[Gloria]

Recently, a number of people in the IMDB forum for "the Night of the Hunter" said that would like to see a Special Edition DVD of "The Night of the Hunter". As the saying goes "You can get it if you really want". But I assume that DVD publishers would like to know how many people is interested in it.

There are no less than eight hours of surviving rushes from the film. part of this footage has been presented by UCLA film preservationist in a documentary titled "Charles Laughton directs The Night of the Hunter"... One particularity of these rushes is that Laughton didn't say "cut" but kept the camera rolling for the required number of takes... Thus these rushes are an incredible source material about how the film was done.

I think that this documentary, or indeed material from the rushes, would be one helluva DVD extra... but then there could be more extras than this (I think that "The Night of the Hunter would indeed deserve a premium treatment)

I have set a web-address to collect petitions. See the link here.

I have also started to add posts about items related to the film, as, in this case, a briefing about Preston Neal Jones'" Heaven and Hell to Play With: The Filming of Night of the Hunter", which you can read here:

Cheers,

Gloria

[Macintosh]

The Night of the Hunter is the best American film of the 50's, i would love to see this extra footage.

[Gloria]

Part of these rushes you will be able to see if you're lucky enough to have Robert Gitt's documentary shown on a theatre near you.

For the vast majority of mortals, the best solution would be to have the material or the documentary released in DVD, preferably (for me) in a Special DVD release of the film from the last crisp,clean AFI restored print.

But then there are more possibilities: go to the aforementioned link and you'll find out... and sign up for the petition if it looks interesting enough to you

Re Robert Gitt's documentary, here you have some very interesting links:

Leonard Maltin

The hidden hunter

Two Amazing Nights with The Night of the Hunter

[tryavna]

This is an MGM/UA film, and now that Sony and Fox have struck up some sort of deal between themselves for (re)distributing the MGM/UA stuff, I don't really know who you'd send this petition to. (Not that I'm criticizing the idea of the petition. It's a worthy effort, and I'll be happy to sign.) What and when was the last MGM/UA DVD released anyway?

[Matt]

As the saying goes "You can get it if you really want".

I thought it was "You can't always get what you want." Or "You can make it if you try."

[Dylan]

It's also important to note that the correct aspect ratio is 1.66:1, and the current DVD is cropped to 1.33:1. Among other things, the letterboxing makes a profound difference in the high angle shot where the kids escape Mitchum on the raft. The 1.66:1 print can be seen on Turner Classic Movies from time to time.

And yes, aside from the eight hours of rushes, there is an absolute wealth of materials out there relating to this film. Furthermore, Preston Neal Jones is an overwhelming authority, and would give a killer commentary. I have no idea why MGM is sitting on it (or maybe they aren't?).

[Dylan]

I have no screencaps, but I noticed a big difference in many shots watching it in 1.66:1 on Turner a few years ago.

That, and Preston Neal Jones told me himself that it's 1.66:1.

[HerrSchreck]

Jesus. Thats news. The cinematography is so meticulously perfect in 1-1.37 I can't even imagine it, especially since Laughton et al gouged themselves on silent films-- particularly Griffith-- before watching this, and set out to duplicate the look.

You guys really positive about this?

[Dylan]

As I said, I noticed the difference myself via TCM broadcast, and it was confirmed by Preston.

The film looks great in 1.33:1 (which is how I first saw it), but it is in fact supposed to be 1.66:1.

[Gloria]

Thanks for your input

This is an MGM/UA film, and now that Sony and Fox have struck up some sort of deal between themselves for (re)distributing the MGM/UA stuff, I don't really know who you'd send this petition to. (Not that I'm criticizing the idea of the petition. It's a worthy effort, and I'll be happy to sign.) What and when was the last MGM/UA DVD released anyway?

"Night of the Hunter" was actually released some time ago by MGM/UA DVD, but in a rather routinely way... I certainly think that they could have made a better effort (in whose case I wouldn't be making the petition!).

Re the compatibility or not about the rights for a new, Special Edition: I don't see why it couldn't be done. Take "Spartacus", for instance: there was a standard ("film-only") DVD edition and then Criterion's re-masterized wonderful, extra-filled and commented DVD special edition.

It's also important to note that the correct aspect ratio is 1.66:1, and the current DVD is cropped to 1.33:1. Among other things, the letterboxing makes a profound difference in the high angle shot where the kids escape Mitchum on the raft. The 1.66:1 print can be seen on Turner Classic Movies from time to time.

Now that's a further reason to ask for that DVD! I will add the detail in an update to the petition text, if you allow me.

And yes, aside from the eight hours of rushes, there is an absolute wealth of materials out there relating to this film. Furthermore, Preston Neal Jones is an overwhelming authority, and would give a killer commentary.

My proposition would be not only to have PNJ (Which I think would make an ideal comment, and maybe even better a hand-to-hand comment with Simon Callow), but surviving members of cast and crew could also give alternating comments as in the Criterion edition of "Spartacus"

As the saying goes "You can get it if you really want".

I thought it was "You can't always get what you want." Or "You can make it if you try."

I prefer the way Jimmy Cliff put it

You can get it if you really want
You can get it if you really want
You can get it if you really want
But you must try - try and try - try and try
You'll succeed at last

Persecution you must fear
Win or lose the battle, get your share
You've got your mind set on a dream
You can it though hard it may seem

You can get it if you really want
You can get it if you really want, yeah
You can get it if you really want
But you must try - try and try� - try and try
You'll succeed at last - don't you know it

Rome was not built in a day
Opposition will come your way
But the harder the battle, you see
Is the sweeter the victory

You can get it if you really want
You can get it if you really want
You can get it if you really want
But you must try - try and try - try and try
You'll succeed at last

What leads me to propose a small no-contest: Which makes one degree of separation between Charles Laughton and Reggae?

Gloria

[hearthesilence]

I think I've posted this before, but possibly on the old board, which was lost.

I talked with MGM's archivist, and this movie was restored not too long ago. If you ever get the chance, you should see a screening of it, I did and it's gorgeous. Unfortunately, when MGM put together the DVD, they did not use the restoration work - which may have been available or approaching completion at the time, I forgot which. In other words, even a bare-bones reissue would be great because at least they could make a new transfer from a new print.

[Gloria]

I talked with MGM's archivist, and this movie was restored not too long ago. If you ever get the chance, you should see a screening of it, I did and it's gorgeous.

I think the responsible for the restoration is Robert Gitt (the director of the NOTH documentary done with a selection of rushes). I hope the restored print makes it someday into my far shores.

(...) In other words, even a bare-bones reissue would be great because at least they could make a new transfer from a new print.

But if the film were to be re-issued, why leave it bare-boned? millor servit amb guanició!

I think NOTH lovers would dig a new release with fitting extras. At least so would I

Gloria

[Dylan]

There is no way on Earth that any DVD producer would release a barebones "Night of the Hunter" when there is so much material out there (including eight hours of outtakes, a completed documentary, not to mention the potential commentary by an authoratative scholor). I could be wrong, but more than likely they are working on a release as we speak.

[HerrSchreck]

So my curiosity now is this: does the current disc simply open up the matte to bring it to 1.33/1, or do they crop the edges offa the 1.66 image? In other words, does the current disc have extra image versus the 1.66, or less?

Seeing the full neg on this, i e if the current edition is an open matte, would make the current disc very worth holding onto when the resto eventually, inevitably makes it's way out there.

[Dylan]

It's not open matte, the film is 1.66, and you can really tell especially when watching that high angle shot of the kids on the raft escaping Mitchum. If I can find his e-mail address, I'm going to e-mail Preston Neal Jones and have him come on here and officially confirm this for everybody. Maybe he'll have some updates on the state of the potential future SE as well.

[Dylan]

Alright, I found online a thread where I met him online (I remember e-mailing him a few times afterwards, though I don't actually remember if it was about "Hunter"):

What was the original aspect ratio of "Night of the Hunter?" The version that has been broadcast on TCM is letterboxed at either 1.66 or 1.85...and the home video DVD version is 1.33. Is TCM's print a matted 1.85 version? What makes me a bit more suspicious is that in the beginning of the VHS and DVD it states "This film has been modified from it's original version and has been formatted to fit your TV"...thank you very much. Take care.

[talking about his book on the making of "Hunter"] you'll find the aspect ratio discussed in its pages (by second unit director Terry Sanders). The recent letterboxing on TCM is correct. Now that the film has been restored by UCLA, which also has preserved nine and a half hours of out-takes, I'm lobbying to get a new DVD release for the film...

Just a note: Not that it really matters, but on that thread above my "top ten" comment leaned toward the fact that at the time, "Hunter" made my top ten of "classic American films."

Anyway, aspect ratio case is closed.

[HerrSchreck]

You're missing the question Dylan furchrissakes calm down:

My question is (once again)-- the current disc is in 1.33/1.

So,

To create the current disc, and get the film into 1.33, did they

A) Open up the matte and show us extra information that would be trimmed in 1.66/1, i e show us the full 35mm neg info,

or

B) Take the 1.66/1 image, and chop the sides off of it to create the academy ratio (as they'd often do in the television old days)? This would remove 1) info from the top & bottom (as in usual 1.66), then (unneccessarily) remove extra info from the sides, to bring the 1.66 down to 1.33?

Cappeesh paisan?

[Dylan]

Schreck,

I really don't mean to come across as running rampant or anything, I'm just providing the info. I'm pretty sure it's cropped from 1.66, although I have neither version at my disposal to compare, nor do I have Preston's book.

[Gloria]

[talking about his book on the making of "Hunter"] you'll find the aspect ratio discussed in its pages (by second unit director Terry Sanders). The recent letterboxing on TCM is correct. Now that the film has been restored by UCLA, which also has preserved nine and a half hours of out-takes, I'm lobbying to get a new DVD release for the film...

Well, folks... let's move it then...all we need is lobby

nor do I have Preston's book.

Dylan, If you love the film, Preston's book is an absolute must

You will find some info and links dealing with it here.

[Dylan]

I read "Heaven and Hell" around three years ago, and it's a very interesting, exhaustively researched book. I've always enjoyed "Night of the Hunter," which also holds some sentimental value to me as it was one of the first classic American films I saw. I look forward to the new DVD, whenever that arrives.

[Antoine Doinel]

And we are also revealed that, had not the commercial failure of "The Night of the Hunter" put an end to his career as a director, that he was keen on directing a film adaptation of Thomas Wolfe's novel "You Can't Go Home Again":

Whoa. I can't imagine how incredible that might've been. I wonder who he would've cast as George Webber......

[Gloria]

And we are also revealed that, had not the commercial failure of "The Night of the Hunter" put an end to his career as a director, that he was keen on directing a film adaptation of Thomas Wolfe's novel "You Can't Go Home Again":

Whoa. I can't imagine how incredible that might've been. I wonder who he would've cast as George Webber......

... A tantalising thought indeed. However, we have samples of Laughton tackling Wolfe, as he worked in a couple of Norman Corwin radio programmes about Wolfe.

I have listened to one of them, a selection of texts by Wolfe made by Corwin, read by Laughton accompanied by a Bernard Hermann score...=P~
Corwin, Laughton and Hermann worked in more programmes (including one devoted to Walt Whitman) and it would be interesting to see a re-masterized CD of such wonders being released... I have only been able to listen transfers from old records or magnetic tapes which are not always in top condition (still, they are a treat)

Lodestone has released some re-masterized recordings of classic radio programmes by Corwin and maybe if enough people showed interest they would do the same with the Corwin-Laughton ones.

Gloria
Rooting for Laughton

[Dylan]

have listened to one of them, a selection of texts by Wolfe made by Corwin, read by Laughton accompanied by a Bernard Hermann score

Awesome. I have a few of these on tape somewhere myself, along with another broadcast, a reading of "La Belle Dame Sans Merci" with a gorgeous Herrmann score that just slices into the emotional jugular vein. I'll have to find the tape and let you know which ones feature Laughton.

[Mr Sausage]

have listened to one of them, a selection of texts by Wolfe made by Corwin, read by Laughton accompanied by a Bernard Hermann score

Awesome. I have a few of these on tape somewhere myself, along with another broadcast, a reading of "La Belle Dame Sans Merci" with a gorgeous Herrmann score that just slices into the emotional jugular vein. I'll have to find the tape and let you know which ones feature Laughton.

As in the Keats poem?

[Dylan]

Yes...

I met a lady in the meads,
Full beautiful - a faery's child,
Her hair was long, her foot was light,
And her eyes were wild.

One of my favorite poems, and Herrmann is scoring it in his most tragic, beautiful way.

To rear this back into Laughton, I also have a tape of the radio program "The Moat Farm Murders," also scored by Herrmann.