Criterion and Paramount

[tarpilot]

Handle with Care/Citizen's Band

This would be an absolute dream come true. Possibly Demme's masterpiece, and certainly the one most in need of a proper release (with a bit more heft than what they scrounged up for Something Wild, hopefully!)

[matrixschmatrix]

Given Criterion's enormous boner over Malle, I'd be surprised if they didn't snap at Pretty Baby

[BillWatkins]

I don't have any evidence to support this, but I have a strong feeling they're going to be releasing Haskin's I WALK ALONE. I suggested it to them about 2 years ago on Facebook when they were still responding and they seemed very appreciative of the suggestion as if they hadn't considered or been aware of it before.

Also, we know Robinson Crusoe on Mars is a staff favorite, so they may be looking into adding another of his films. Judging from other films in the collection they also seem to be big fans of both Kirk Douglas and Burt Lancaster.

Finally, it's not being released by Olive Films with all of the other Noirs they licensed despite being suggested to them repeatedly.

[Jeff]

I'd agree with Ian that anything that isn't a "Centennial Edition" level evergreen catalog title is fair game. That includes just about everything in his list. Paramount doesn't have much interest in their catalog titles beyond the top 30 or so, and seem to be more interested licensing to any and all third parties rather than starting a MOD program.

I do believe that The Virgin Suicides is among the American Zoetrope titles that migrated to Lionsgate. How did Paramount end up with Hard 8?

To Ian's list I'd add The Mattei Affair, Ragtime, Marathon Man, and The Dead Zone.

I suppose I'd stand alone in crying out for a Criterion Blu-ray of Altman's Popeye.

[CSM126]

1492? Someone's gonna have to release that eventually (and you'd think Ridley Scott would be a desired name director).

Getting really obscure, I suggested Gordon Parks' Leadbelly to Criterion a couple years back. They seemed unaware of it (it's never seen home video, so not surprising I guess). A deep cut like that would be nice.

[ianungstad]

CBS bought Rysher Entertainment, who produced Sydney/Hard Eight. The Sony disc has been out of print for a few years. Paramount have licensed the film out for digital streaming in the past but have never bothered to issue a new dvd or blu themselves.

I don't see it happening but Barbarella is a favorite guilty pleasure that I would love to see get a special edition.

[Jeff]

Don't forget that with all of the Lionsgate releases going out of print, the Republic titles are theoretically back in play.

[ianungstad]

I think that Paramount/CBS is similar to MGM/Goldwyn, where it would be more than one licensor involved and would likely entail it's own licensing arrangement. I would love to be wrong but historically the Republic library has been treated as a separate entity. Paramount and CBS don't exactly have a healthy relationship. I think Criterion will easily put together a deal for some Republic titles but I think they'll be unrelated deals.

[knives]

If they get their hands on any of the Republic library and get those rare Fleischer cartoons at least for extras I will be a happy man.

[Jeff]

You may be right, Ian, though Paramount lists them all as part of their library.

[dwk]

Bava's Danger: Diabolik would be great. Paramount's OOP DVD was good, but the lack of Bava in the collection is a shame. (A Criterion release of the MGM owned Planet of the Vampires would be great, but that is a topic for another thread.)

[knives]

I would think that Danger would be a more pressing rescue anyway since it is OOP. Good publicity all the same.

[brendanjc]

Hard Eight would make a lot of sense to me to go along with the other 'early films by now-popular directors' that are rumored to have been licensed to Criterion too (Nolan's Following, Fincher's The Game).

I would hope that Election is unlikely since Paramount already released it on Blu-ray.

[NABOB OF NOWHERE]

I suppose I'd stand alone in crying out for a Criterion Blu-ray of Altman's Popeye.

I'm with you shoulder to shoulder, particularly if they could also do an isolated music track.

[tarpilot]

Where were you guys during the musicals list? Woulda been an orphan on mine were it not for one (?) other kind soul

[CSM126]

If Republic titles were in play I'd be begging for Hal Hartley's Trust. Oh man would that be a great snag.

[tojoed]

I suppose I'd stand alone in crying out for a Criterion Blu-ray of Altman's Popeye.

I'm with you shoulder to shoulder, particularly if they could also do an isolated music track.

I'd like to join your happy band, if I may.

[colinr0380]

Me too, so that's four copies you would sell! Add to the isolated track getting Robin Williams to do a retrospective interview in the Popeye voice and I would be in heaven (though you would need to provide subtitles)!

[ianungstad]

I think it's still in stock on amazon but Paramount discontinued the Election bluray at the start of the year. Election is not currently in print on dvd either. Same applies to Zodiac. If Criterion does pick up Zodiac for distribution, I hope they sell it at a reduced price point. I love the film but I hope it's not a title Criterion asked for. There is no reason to license it other than to keep the title in print. The Paramount release is fantastic. (David Prior makes excellent supplements)

[beamish13]

John Sayles' BABY, IT'S YOU would be a great addition.

[domino harvey]

Not a bad little film, but I doubt Criterion comes knocking, especially since it's a Legend licensee

[Volta]

Me too, so that's four copies you would sell! Add to the isolated track getting Robin Williams to do a retrospective interview in the Popeye voice and I would be in heaven (though you would need to provide subtitles)!

I'm in, too.... but the uncut, 4-hour-long version must be included. I want three discs for this mo-fo!!

[Tom Hagen]

RE: Popeye. Instead of developing supplements, wouldn't it be easier if Criterion just imprinted a whacky C on an eight ball of coke? Perhaps that may provide clearer context than anything else.

[colinr0380]

Aren't they saving that for the release of Peckinpah's Convoy?

[ianungstad]

This was posted over at HTF a few days ago:

Watch for Goodbar from Criterion this coming year. Shout wanted it and Paramount said no and not for music right issues.

There was an older posting from a Shout! rep from last year that did state that they asked Paramount for the title but was told it had already been licensed out to another company. I don't know if the poster is simply referring to that comment and making his own assumption that the company was Criterion or if he has some kind of inside info. I suppose Looking for Mr.Goodbar makes sense. You would think it would have been one of the first titles released by Shout! or Olive but it's still MIA. I can't really think of anyone else this mystery company could be. Legend licensed a bunch of Paramount stuff years ago but I got the impression those titles sold poorly and that we wouldn't see them license any more.