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My firm policy with issues like this is not to answer them until I’ve personally inspected the master - and I haven’t done that yet.

That is a beautiful looking set. I just put in my preorder with Indicator directly. I trust them more with their packaging for US shipping than Amazon and Jeff Bezos doesn't need my pounds/dollars.

This looks like a superb set and the artwork is simply gorgeous, the work of Nick Wrigley I presume?

I agree with David, I do hope that Indicator have made efforts to find the missing footage. I suspect that it's the first place that they would have looked, but the BFI National Archive has a 35mm positive that they acquired in 1963 and also a later 16mm source that notes "jump cut reel 5 indicating this is the 1935 re-cut version". Was the footage originally cut for the 1935 reissue? Or was there other footage that was cut between 1932 and 1935?

Other than that, the only thing I would have really loved to have seen included is Maximilian Schell's Marlene as the Park Circus DVD has been OOP for a while now.

Calvin wrote: Sat Jun 08, 2019 4:37 pm ... the work of Nick Wrigley ...

I think so.

David – I've tried emailing you at your bigpond email – no response. Indicator have contacted lots of people on this matter, one of whom contacted you.

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The artwork uses original Paramount art from the 1930s. I threw it together. Glad most people like it!

Thanks! Corrected.

I just wanted to note that although the Criterion does have fewer audiovisual extras, it does have some wonderful essays in the accompanying booklet -- I hope that people don't shortchange those! I'm inclined to purchase this /and/ keep the Criterion set, if my shelf can stand it.

If Indicator can source the missing footage and include it even if it's in a rougher state than the 4k, I'm sure most people wouldn't mind if the release date had to be pushed back a bit.

I agree

Fully agree, and if all else fails I'd suggest that they put out a public appeal like they have for Twist Contest. The chances of anybody having a recording are probably slim (and who knows if it was cut or not), but it did have a handful of TV broadcasts in the 60s, 70s and 90s. Indicator have probably noticed as all it took was a quick google, but HTF user Danny Burk responded last year saying there was a good chance he could track it down if need be.

For those unfamiliar with the issue, the cut can be seen at the 18 second mark here and I believe that these are the missing lines:

LILY to CHANG: He claims he has been retired.
CHANG to LILY: Explain to him if he does not tell the truth, I'll have him shot.
LILY to LENARD in French: He says that if you do not tell him the truth, he will have you shot.
LENARD in French, suddenly looking very sheepish: When I was in the army I committed a minor offence and
was discharged.
LILY to CHANG: He has been discharged for a minor offence

Mondo Digital.

The transfers are identical to the Criterion one (frame by frame they look the same down to the pixel)

Does this mean no reinstated scene on Shanghai Express?

Sadly not. We accessed and checked every element held by the BFI National Archive. We spoke with other archives and archivists, and private collectors. We even examined collections of late filmmakers. But every single reel or master we could lay our hands on had the dialogue removed.

Well thanks for trying anyway!

This arrived this morning. Discs are in digipaks, not Scanavos.

And they’re absolutely gorgeous. I much prefer each film having its own case, rather than two in a case - one inevitably drawing the short straw of being on the back.

The book is a wonder, too - crammed with great artwork and articles (the one on Dietrich’s weight is a jawdropper).

My set arrived this morning (#0016, and now I'm wondering if pH have 15 people of staff I got the first public set )

The box design and art is also stunning. I feel as though I came of a bit harsh on it on announcement, it would still makes no sense as a poster for any one single film of theirs (as I understand most Wrigley designed box-set covers to be key art from one film) but knowing of the creation as a representation of all the films it's absolutely gorgeous.

It would be nice to have pictures of the packaging on here.

I think it's hilarious that we all have phones with cameras yet we're still describing it like a close encounter of the third kind

Packaging

Book spreads

Now you’ve shamed me into it.

This is a lovely set, so glad I pre-ordered it! Hope they do another like it...

Beaver on Blonde Venus.

I can't see any particular problem with this review. :-k