Criterion and MGM

[ianungstad]

No : Hair, Ball of Fire, The Woman in the Window

Don't know if it's worth bothering Criterion about on Facebook but MGM put West Side Story out of print recently. (It had a two disc special edition) Was there anything of note on the Criterion laserdisc that would lead one to think it's a possibility? Seems odd that MGM would retire that title at any rate.

[Highway 61]

Don't count on it. MGM (or whoever takes over MGM) will undoubtedly be putting out a massive West Side Story 40th anniversary DVD & BR in 2011.

[ianungstad]

I didn't seriously think there was a chance. I just found it odd that it went out of print. A new 40th anniversary dvd/upgrade makes sense.

While not his most acclaimed film by ANY means, I wouldn't be surprised if Costa-Gavra's Betrayed might be one of the titles. Have never seen the film but have heard both good and bad things about it. I love all the Costa-Gavras stuff I've seen so far. Any thoughts on this title? Reading about the film's plot, there certainly seems to be some good potential for some interesting supplments. MGM disc is barebones.

[Jameson281]

No : Hair, Ball of Fire, The Woman in the Window.

For a moment I thought you had asked about a horror movie about cats called HAIRBALL OF FIRE.

[domino harvey]

Don't know if it's worth bothering Criterion about on Facebook but MGM put West Side Story out of print recently. (It had a two disc special edition) Was there anything of note on the Criterion laserdisc that would lead one to think it's a possibility? Seems odd that MGM would retire that title at any rate.

That 2XDVD set was ridiculous, heavy as a brick and stuffed with extras. Wonder what they'd even add?

[Jeff]

Criterion already shot down speculation about picking up the MGM Truffauts, but it should be pointed out that MGM appears not to have them anymore either -- at least not all of them. Independent theatrical distributor The Film Desk is touring new prints of Small Change, Mississippi Mermaid, and The Wild Child. Their great new poster for Small Change lists Mk2 as the licensor. I'm assuming the rights to these reverted to the Truffaut estate and his Les Films du Carrosse production company. Mk2 has distributed on behalf of the estate for some time, and the other Criterion Truffauts are licensed from them. The Film Desk only licenses theatrical rights, so it remains to be seen who will pick up the U.S. video rights.

[bradass]

Criterion already shot down speculation about picking up the MGM Truffauts, but it should be pointed out that MGM appears not to have them anymore either -- at least not all of them. Independent theatrical distributor The Film Desk is touring new prints of Small Change, Mississippi Mermaid, and The Wild Child. Their great new poster for Small Change lists Mk2 as the licensor. I'm assuming the rights to these reverted to the Truffaut estate and his Les Films du Carrosse production company. Mk2 has distributed on behalf of the estate for some time, and the other Criterion Truffauts are licensed from them. The Film Desk only licenses theatrical rights, so it remains to be seen who will pick up the U.S. video rights.

I assumed that MGM still held the home video rights. I'm ecstatic to see that not only are they selling the wonderful poster, but that the film will show up in Edmonton. This is one of the stronger MGM Truffauts.

[Jeff]

I assumed that MGM still held the home video rights.

They may very well have them for The Wild Child and Mississippi Mermaid, as those still seem to be available, but the MGM release of Small Change is indeed out of print, and that Mk2 logo on the poster (with no credit to original theatrical distributors New World or United Artists) seems to indicate that their rights may have expired.

[James]

I want to see Mississippi Mermaid and was going to rent it on Netflix (I'm usually hit-or-miss when it comes to my appreciation of François Truffaut, however, I'm a big fan of the two leads in this one), but after looking at the DVDBeaver screenshots, geez! I'll pass. Hopefully someone gets this out on DVD quickly.

[justeleblanc]

I want to see Mississippi Mermaid and was going to rent it on Netflix (I'm usually hit-or-miss when it comes to my appreciation of François Truffaut, however, I'm a big fan of the two leads in this one), but after looking at the DVDBeaver screenshots, geez! I'll pass. Hopefully someone gets this out on DVD quickly.

It's such a shit movie though.
Also, I think The Film Desk distributes their films through Zeitgeist, so a Criterion aint happening.

[James]

I want to see Mississippi Mermaid and was going to rent it on Netflix (I'm usually hit-or-miss when it comes to my appreciation of François Truffaut, however, I'm a big fan of the two leads in this one), but after looking at the DVDBeaver screenshots, geez! I'll pass. Hopefully someone gets this out on DVD quickly.

It's such a shit movie though.

It wouldn't surprise me to be quite honest. The stills on The Film Desk's website look pretty awesome though.

[Matt]

It's such a shit movie though.

Well, for a contrary opinion, I usually dislike Truffaut but I thought this one was rather interesting. I only watched it because it's supposed to be one of Arnaud Desplechin's favorite movies, and I was surprised I didn't hate it. The MGM disc is appalling, though.

[jaredsap]

Also, I think The Film Desk distributes their films through Zeitgeist

It's not that simple. Many of Film Desk's titles are strictly licensed for theatrical distribution.

[HistoryProf]

Has anyone asked about The Manchurian Candidate? The SE of it is now out of print...one I never did get around to picking up...don't know that an upgrade is needed...or like WSS is an anniversary coming?

[ianungstad]

It is in the John Frankenheimer set. MGM over the last two years have started an annoying habit of discontinuing individual discs so that you have to buy their boxsets. They've done this with the Billy Wilder, Woody Allen, Ingmar Bergman titles. They also have started discontinuing the individual Scorsese and Frankenheimer titles. Kind of a lousy practice, IMO.

[Jameson281]

They may very well have them for The Wild Child and Mississippi Mermaid, as those still seem to be available, but the MGM release of Small Change is indeed out of print, and that Mk2 logo on the poster (with no credit to original theatrical distributors New World or United Artists) seems to indicate that their rights may have expired.

Only the theatrical rights have expired; MGM still has television and home video.

[Jeff]

Only the theatrical rights have expired; MGM still has television and home video.

Thanks for the clarification, Jameson.

[Perkins Cobb]

MGM over the last two years have started an annoying habit of discontinuing individual discs so that you have to buy their boxsets. They've done this with the Billy Wilder, Woody Allen, Ingmar Bergman titles. They also have started discontinuing the individual Scorsese and Frankenheimer titles. Kind of a lousy practice, IMO.

What a bunch of shitheads. I wish they'd go bankrupt.

Oh, wait....

[Ted Todorov]

They may very well have them for The Wild Child and Mississippi Mermaid, as those still seem to be available, but the MGM release of Small Change is indeed out of print, and that Mk2 logo on the poster (with no credit to original theatrical distributors New World or United Artists) seems to indicate that their rights may have expired.

Only the theatrical rights have expired; MGM still has television and home video.

Frelling frak. The endless wait for The Green Room continues. Come on Criterion, get that one at the very least.

[Derek Estes]

I asked about Darling, which is technically Studio Canal, though released barebones by MGM. It seems like an obvious Criterion to pair with Billy Liar.

[flyonthewall2983]

Don't count on it. MGM (or whoever takes over MGM) will undoubtedly be putting out a massive West Side Story 50th anniversary DVD & BR in 2011.

Fixed.

[kneelzod]

Criterion just more or less confirmed Something Wild, which is an absolutely fantastic acquisition.

Do you have any further details? This is one of my favorite films and I had never even contemplated a Criterion release. I have the original MGM release from 2001 and it appears to still be available as a double feature with DESPERATELY SEEKING SUSAN. Was watching a free HD broadcast (courtesy of Comcast OnDemand) last night and thought about how much I'd like to hear from Demme, Griffith, Daniels, Liotta, and screenwriter E. Max Frye about their fine work here.

From the set of SOMETHING WILD, courtesy of Life archives

[Jeff]

Criterion just more or less confirmed Something Wild, which is an absolutely fantastic acquisition.

Do you have any further details?

No. We just know that Criterion has acquired a dozen or so MGM titles, and when I asked them about the possibility of Something Wild, they responded, "Have you been talking to Jonathan Demme?" or something to that effect. Seems like a pretty good indicator that Demme is working with them on it. I expect the first few titles from this new batch of MGM acquisitions will be announced within the next couple of months.

[ianungstad]

You could probably take The Misfits off the list. It's pretty clear that they are doing the two Kubricks. Since Criterions response was 50/50, it strongly suggests The Misfits is not coming.

While I strongly believe we will see Taking Off, it is a Universal title and not MGM.

[Bruce]

I asked them about The Charge of The Light Brigade on Facebook and was slightly surprised to get the reply: "Not on our slate, but it seems readily available. Is the existing edition no good?" (surprised inasmuch as I thought they'd have it on their radar)

The existing MGM edition of 'The Charge Of The Light Brigade' is cut - there are four key scenes missing from it, amounting to several minutes. That in itself would be a good reason for Criterion to release the complete version.