Criterion and Paramount

Message

#276 Post by **domino harvey** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 1:16 am

It's a Preminger film, you don't need more justification than that

Cold Bishop · #277 Post by **Cold Bishop** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 1:36 am

Groucho Marx plays a pot-smoking kingpin named "God." Do you need another reason?

keeproductions · #278 Post by **keeproductions** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 1:55 am

domino harvey wrote:It's a Preminger film, you don't need more justification than that

Cold Bishop wrote:Groucho Marx plays a pot-smoking kingpin named "God." Do you need another reason?

Two fine reasons, now that you mention it. Now that you've got me thinking, I'll have to trump it with Gleason's LSD trip and Nilsson's songs (especially the end credits).

Alright Criterion... Let's do this!

jaredsap · #279 Post by **jaredsap** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 1:59 am

People have mentioned this before, but I'd really like to think that THE PARALLAX VIEW remains a viable Criterion release. It's clear from his lively YouTube series that co-screenwriter Lorenzo Semple Jr. could provide a hell of a commentary. And any Gordon Willis contribution would be pure gold (whenever Willis resurfaces for the occasional interview, it's always a compelling read). Has he ever participated in any DVD supplements? (I never dug through the GODFATHER set.)

I also think Paramount's HEAVEN CAN WAIT (1978) is a completely worthy Criterion release and deserves far better than its current bare-bones edition.

justeleblanc · #280 Post by **justeleblanc** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 3:14 am

Criterion will jump the shark if it becomes Paramount "Special Edition" line. A few Paramount films a year is fine, but I would much rather seem them donate their time to films that have not gotten the DVD treatment. Surely it would make more sense to contact Paramount and get them to do SE treatments to their own films. Or is not about the special features?

ianungstad · #281 Post by **ianungstad** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 3:24 am

Jeff wrote:Since we have several new members chiming in, I thought it might be time for an updated look at the Paramount deal.

Definitely Licensed from Paramount

Could you add The Furies to the confirmed list?

#282 Post by **Jeff** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 3:30 am

ianungstad wrote:
Jeff wrote:Since we have several new members chiming in, I thought it might be time for an updated look at the Paramount deal.

Definitely Licensed from Paramount
Could you add The Furies to the confirmed list?

Ah, yes! How could I forget? Done.

My little list wasn't intended to supplant or supplement the main "forthcoming" list. It's just a quick little update on where the Paramount deal stands.

Derek Estes · #283 Post by **Derek Estes** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 4:24 am

On Jan 21, 2008, at 4:14 AM, derek estes wrote:

I was wondering if there might be more John Ford in the future. I would love to see a Criterion release of The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (Paramount). I would also love to see some of Ford's early silent films that have been discovered over the past few decades, such as Straight Shooting and Bucking Broadway. Possibly an Eclipse release?

Hi there,

Thanks for your email! To the best of my knowledge, we have no plans for "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence" nor other Ford films at this time. Title suggestions are always welcome though, so thanks for taking the time to write in!

Sincerely,
Tamara

#284 Post by **Jeff** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 4:32 am

Tamara wrote:To the best of my knowledge, we have no plans for "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence"

Well I guess that answers that. I'm just going to remove the "reasonable possibilities" section altogether, as it's too subjective and there is plenty of random speculation in this thread as it is.

domino harvey wrote:As for Harold & Maude and the Man Who Shot Liberty Valence-- I'd say you're crazy

You were right, Domino. I was indeed crazy.

#285 Post by **domino harvey** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 5:42 am

I think the problem is, we can guess all we want, but when an acquisition-shocker gets announced, it's gonna be a title no one figured was in play.

devlinnn · #286 Post by **devlinnn** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 9:40 am

peerpee wrote:Seconds currently has a *gorgeous* transfer with director commentary.

While I'd rather see Criterion's resources go elsewhere, I've noticed the Paramount DVD of Seconds is now OOP.

ianungstad · #287 Post by **ianungstad** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 10:24 pm

devlinnn wrote:
peerpee wrote:Seconds currently has a *gorgeous* transfer with director commentary.
While I'd rather see Criterion's resources go elsewhere, I've noticed the Paramount DVD of Seconds is now OOP.

Why would Seconds be a bad choice? I have not seen it but it sounds like a fairly interesting cult film.

CSM126 · #288 Post by **CSM126** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 11:11 pm

ianungstad wrote:Why would Seconds be a bad choice? I have not seen it but it sounds like a fairly interesting cult film.

It's a bad choice because it already had a special edition release, so why should Criterion waste time and resources on a Slightly Special-er Edition?

ianungstad · #289 Post by **ianungstad** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 11:42 pm

CSM126 wrote:
ianungstad wrote:Why would Seconds be a bad choice? I have not seen it but it sounds like a fairly interesting cult film.
It's a bad choice because it already had a special edition release, so why should Criterion waste time and resources on a Slightly Special-er Edition?

Normally I would agree but in this case the old disc is OOP.

It doesn't really matter what features (commentary) it had if it's no longer being produced. I think it's more than fair for Criterion to pick up the rights and do their own version. Unavailable is unavailable, even if there was a previously released dvd. Do you consider Criterion picking up Thief of Bagdad a poor decision as well considering the MGM disc was supposedly pretty decent?

CSM126 · #290 Post by **CSM126** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 11:57 pm

At least Thief of Bagdad was a barebones disc previously and will benefit from special features. Seconds already had a director commentary and short of resurrecting Rock Hudson for an interview I don't know what they could add. It even had a good transfer, too.

Person · #291 Post by **Person** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 1:35 am

It's a bit odd that Seconds is OOP. Criterion? That would be great.

fdm · #292 Post by **fdm** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 6:10 am

I dunno, I found Seconds to be rather predictable, not really all that worthy of the acclaim it seems to get.

Person · #293 Post by **Person** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 12:13 am

fdm wrote:I dunno, I found Seconds to be rather predictable, not really all that worthy of the acclaim it seems to get.

[speaks into hidden microphone in jacket collar] "Bring me my crossbow."

HelenLawson · #294 Post by **HelenLawson** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 8:45 pm

I would love it if Face to Face gets released as it's one of the few Bergman films I have yet to see. I've heard that aside from Ullman's performance, the film itself is unremarkable compared to his best work. Wonder what, if any, supplemental material, Criterion could dig up for another stand-alone Bergman release...another Peter Cowie commentary?

tavernier · #295 Post by **tavernier** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 10:42 pm

If they just put the Swedish TV version of FACE TO FACE alongside the theatrical release, that would be enough to be an essential set.

HelenLawson · #296 Post by **HelenLawson** » Sun Feb 24, 2008 7:02 pm

tavernier wrote:If they just put the Swedish TV version of FACE TO FACE alongside the theatrical release, that would be enough to be an essential set.

That's true, I had forgotten that Face to Face was created for TV. Essential, indeed!

Cronenfly · #297 Post by **Cronenfly** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 1:17 am

Funeral in Berlin is OOP...I somehow can't imagine Criterion releasing this, though; I would think that The Ipcress File and The Spy Who Came in From the Cold (the latter the only one even semi-confirmed of the three) would more than do them for '60s spy movies (if they do indeed end up releasing any of these three at all).

ianungstad · #298 Post by **ianungstad** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 2:13 am

Does anyone know how many films are suppose to be included with this Paramount relationship? I've heard a few mentions in this thread of it likely being limited to a dozen but if you add up all the titles in which sources (of varying legitimacy) have indicated that criterion has the rights to...we're already looking at about 14-15 titles. That is if all the rumored titles come to fruitition.

criterion_disc_101 · Thu Mar 06, 2008 9:08 am

a Paramount title Criterion should seriously look to acquire is 1492: Conquest Of Paradise. Only released on VHS and Laserdisc. For reasons unknown this has never seen a Region 1 DVD release by them. Maybe they would license this off to Criterion. I can imagine this would make for a fine looking and sounding Criterion DVD since it's visually stunning and has a great score by Vangelis.

Great film, badly needs a R1 release.

Stefan Andersson · Thu Mar 06, 2008 10:50 am

Isn´t the Cornell Woolrich-based noir STREET OF CHANCE a Paramount movie? Could fit in nicely in an Eclipse noir box.

Internal Resources

External Sites

Specialty Labels

Site Menu

Criterion and Paramount