Criterion and MGM

[Ben Cheshire]

Ball of Fire is a really fun screwball comedy type movie from the 40's that is defiitely worth checking out; in case anyone happening by here doesn't know it. Really enjoyed it.

[Jeff]

Didn't Ball of Fire get one of those Fox Cinema Classics releases? Or am I imagining things?

Nope, it's MGM (via Samuel Goldwyn). The MGM disc (and the earlier Goldwyn/HBO disc) contain decent, serviceable transfers, and absolutely nothing else. I love the film, and I'm sure Criterion would love the opportunity to add Hawks to the collection (not to mention the contributions from Brackett & Wilder, Toland, and Newman).

[Jameson281]

I wonder if Criterion could snag some Tony Richardson from MGM. I've heard that "Tom Jones" is in need of a major restoration, but there's always "The Hotel New Hampshire".

Also THE ENTERTAINER, JOSEPH ANDREWS, CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE, LOOK BACK IN ANGER, MADEMOISELLE, etc. MGM has lots of Richardson.

TOM JONES did get a restoration a couple years back. Unfortunately, Richardson's estate is blocking distribution of the original theatrical cut, and will only allow the shorter "Director's Cut" to be distributed.

The Samuel Goldwyn films (BALL OF FIRE, etc.) might be complicated by a need to get agreements from both MGM and the Goldwyn Trust, the actual owners. Doesn't mean it's impossible, just not as simple as other titles.

[Jeff]

I could definitely see Criterion releasing Richardson's Look Back in Anger alongside Karel Reisz's Saturday Night and Sunday Morning and including their short doc, Mamma Don't Allow, on one of the discs.

[perkizitore]

I could definitely see Criterion releasing Richardson's Look Back in Anger alongside Karel Reisz's Saturday Night and Sunday Morning and including their short doc, Mamma Don't Allow, on one of the discs.

The BFI blu-ray of the latter title is fine for me, thanks.

[Jeff]

The BFI blu-ray of the latter title is fine for me, thanks.

We all know that good releases in other territories in no way preclude Criterion creating their own releases for the U.S. market though. Especially true here, since the BFI Blu is region locked. I actually think that Saturday Night and Sunday Morning is probably one of the more likely titles, including a port of most BFI supplements.

[Perkins Cobb]

The existing R1 disc for Sweet Smell of Success has a gigantic tramline scratch running through about four reels, so while I'm usually meh on Criterion reissuing studio product, I couldn't complain about this one.

[John Hodson]

I wonder if Criterion could snag some Tony Richardson from MGM. I've heard that "Tom Jones" is in need of a major restoration, but there's always "The Hotel New Hampshire".

Also THE ENTERTAINER, JOSEPH ANDREWS, CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE, LOOK BACK IN ANGER, MADEMOISELLE, etc. MGM has lots of Richardson.

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)

[What A Disgrace]

There's a lot of lesser known MGM-owned stuff Criterion might be going for, too. Beach Red, Hallelujah I'm a Bum, and all kinds of Richard Lester (obscure and well known) is MGM property...I can especially see them going for How I Won the War, with next year being Lennon's 70th birthday. Pop *that* on a sticker, and somebody might buy it (though I don't think I need a sticker).

[jaredsap]

There's a lot of lesser known MGM-owned stuff Criterion might be going for, too. Beach Red, Hallelujah I'm a Bum, and all kinds of Richard Lester (obscure and well known) is MGM property...I can especially see them going for How I Won the War, with next year being Lennon's 70th birthday. Pop *that* on a sticker, and somebody might buy it (though I don't think I need a sticker).

They said no this week to MGM's THE KNACK, but they did note that Lester is a favorite of theirs. I'd do anything for a Criterion JUGGERNAUT on Blu. The MGM disc is still in print, but mere DVD can't do that film's density and scope justice.

[MoonlitKnight]

There's a lot of lesser known MGM-owned stuff Criterion might be going for, too. Beach Red, Hallelujah I'm a Bum, and all kinds of Richard Lester (obscure and well known) is MGM property...I can especially see them going for How I Won the War, with next year being Lennon's 70th birthday. Pop *that* on a sticker, and somebody might buy it (though I don't think I need a sticker).

They said no this week to MGM's THE KNACK, but they did note that Lester is a favorite of theirs. I'd do anything for a Criterion JUGGERNAUT on Blu. The MGM disc is still in print, but mere DVD can't do that film's density and scope justice.

I'm all for "How I Won the War" and "The Bed-Sitting Room."

For Richardson, I'd love to see "A Taste of Honey."

Though I don't think they're owned by MGM, Schlesinger's "A Kind of Loving" and Forbes' "Whistle Down the Wind" and "The L-Shaped Room" would be good, too...while we're on 60s British cinema.

[ianungstad]

Does anyone think Criterion would go for Milos Forman's HAIR ? The MGM disc only has the theatrical trailer.

[beamish13]

Has anyone asked about Branagh's "Henry V"? We may never get "Chimes at Midnight", but it's the next best thing.

[brendanjc]

The existing R1 disc for Sweet Smell of Success has a gigantic tramline scratch running through about four reels, so while I'm usually meh on Criterion reissuing studio product, I couldn't complain about this one.

IIRC, the existing edition is also non-anamorphic.

[kaujot]

Speaking of more Shakespeare, Richard Loncraine's Richard III really deserves more than the release it has. McKellen's performance leaves me speechless every time.

[Cold Bishop]

Heaven's Gate?! (I'd ask, but I don't think I could take the rejection)

[perkizitore]

Has anyone asked about Branagh's "Henry V"? We may never get "Chimes at Midnight", but it's the next best thing.

Henry V is the most preposterous piece of filmmaking i've ever seen on this subject...

[Jeff]

Heaven's Gate?! (I'd ask, but I don't think I could take the rejection)

Now THAT is a great idea that I hadn't thought of. I'm not in the "misunderstood masterpiece" camp, but there are some absolutely stunning, remarkable sequences, especially in the first half. No one could argue that, for good or bad, the film isn't incredibly important to cinema history. Include the original 225-minute premiere version, this doc, and lots of contextual supplements, and Criterion could instigate a reevaluation of the film and its place in the cannon. I'm not sure that Cimino would participate though.

[perkizitore]

Blue Velvet and Wild at Heart on blu-ray would be awesome!

[eerik]

I think I'd take anything from David Lynch on Blu-ray. Got to order the Studio Canal Collection's "The Elephant Man"... :-k

[Highway 61]

I'm not sure that Cimino would participate though.

He'd be stupid not to. Criterion's cultural cache is so powerful that even those who mocked the film and Cimino for years would probably pull an about-face and start calling it a misunderstood masterpiece.

Why do you think he wouldn't participate? Has he taken a "I never want to revisit that period of my life again" stance on the film?

[Jeff]

Why do you think he wouldn't participate? Has he taken a "I never want to revisit that period of my life again" stance on the film?

Cimino is known for being somewhat press shy in general, and extremely reluctant to talk about Heaven's Gate at all. He didn't participate in the feature documentary made about the film, and generally declines to be interviewed. I know he did participate in some supplemental material for the DVDs of The Deer Hunter and Year of the Dragon, and George Hickenlooper's book Reel Conversations supposedly includes a fairly candid interview though, so anything's possible..

[Gregory]

I'm not disputing what you're saying at all, Jeff, but there was also a Cimino interview by Nigel Andrews in the book Talking Films that Andrew Britton edited. Cimino discusses Heaven's Gate in it quite a bit and brings it up in response to questions not specifically about that film. This interview even dates from 1983 when it was still his most recent film and the whole affair was still a fresh wound. How he'd feel about being interviewed now, I can't say.
I do think the special edition you described above is one of the most sorely needed of all the hypothetical Criterion releases I recall being discussed on the forum in quite some time.

[stereo]

Final Cut is indeed a very good doc.

[ianungstad]

The Woman in the Window (Fritz Lang) would seem like a good candidate!