criterionforum.org

Grainy is right - I made a note of it when I saw a 35mm print at MoMA a few years ago - and I think the color could be right. The print I saw may have looked the same, but who knows, maybe it faded a bit? Regardless, I think this may be a winner.

I've only ever seen the film in 35mm, and I don't recall it looking particularly gaudy.

Altman's archives at the University of Michigan have a lot of materials pertaining to a proposed Short Cuts sequel. Instead of Carver's stories, it would've incorporated works by his widow Tess Gallagher, Barry Hannah, and T.C. Boyle

What could have been...

A few years ago UM acquired all of his awards, along with many other materials. I've been there once for one of their Altman events, and they're pretty courteous with their time/allowing you to view the collection. It's a recommend pilgrimage for any Altman devotee. I miss him dearly.

This may be another Criterion release where I prefer a supplementary documentary over the main feature, specifically Luck, Trust & Ketchup: Robert Altman in Carver Country. It's not as comprehensive as The Making of “Autumn Sonata” (there are major omissions that have been discussed in published print pieces - for example, Altman struggled mightily to figure out how to film the fishing scene, something that only came to him once he got to set) and it's not as well-made either (which is kind of charming - lots of amateurishly handheld home video) but the camaraderie and the closeness Altman has in working with his cast is wonderful to see.

Documentaries from the laserdisc/vhs era have a kind of coziness about them that didn’t entirely translate once DVDs made them almost mandatory for awhile.