Criterion Newsletter: Clues and More, Volume Four

[JSC]

Don't they also hide a body in a trunk/chest as well? That's what I was thinking of when I said trunk.

Raymond Massey and Peter Lorre bring the body from the car through the window
of the house and into the window seat. (Sigh...this also demonstrates that I know
this movie far too well).

[swo17]

Arsenic and Old Lace. Peter Lorre plays a character named Dr. Hermann Einstein and the main characters hide a body in a trunk.

Although if it's this, where's the pun?

The clue for His Girl Friday didn't use a pun either, but something (a turtle) drawn inside of something else (a rolltop desk).

[domino harvey]

Arsenic and Old Lace is one of those terrible films inexplicably beloved even by those who don't watch older films. Smart business decision to release it (and we knew it was coming), but hard pass

[Ribs]

And the It Happened One Night clue was of a Knight knocking down the walls of Jericho! Guess whoever assigns the screwball Hollywood clue ideas to the artist has a niche.

Anyway, I'm delighted by this, and was just yesterday whilst watching Awful Truth wondering if this would be coming along after Bringing Up Baby relatively soon, but apparently it might come first! This is the movie he is best in.

[Shrew]

Could it be that Bodies, Rest and Motion thing that people were groaning about awhile back? It's the wrong physicist, but according to the poster there is a car in the movie.

Or is Meg Ryan entering the collection with I.Q.?

[jwd5275]

I was way off base... looking Albert Brooks (née Albert Einstein) films

[rbonaime]

I have a theory (that an Arsenic and Old Lace release only reinforces) that Criterion is trying to release as many of the American Film Institute's 100 Funniest American Movies list as they possibly can. That way, these releases aren't as stuffy as I think the company can be perceived as, while also making releases that will likely be big money makers for the company.

At this point they've released or are planning on releasing (if I'm counting Arsenic and Old Lace) 26 of the 100 films on the list.

2. Tootsie
3. Dr. Strangelove Or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb
8. It Happened One Night
9. The Graduate
15. The Philadelphia Story
19. His Girl Friday
25. The Gold Rush
26. Being There
29. This is Spinal Tap
30. Arsenic and Old Lace
33. Modern Times
37. The Great Dictator
38. City Lights
39. Sullivan's Travels
40. It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World
44. My Man Godfrey
45. Harold and Maude
49. To Be or Not To Be
55. The Lady Eve
64. Broadcast News
68. The Awful Truth
79. The Freshman
84. Lost in America
90. Woman of the Year
92. Ball of Fire
97. Bull Durham


They've been releasing films from this consistently for the last two years or so.

[Ribs]

...Criterion is releasing Ball of Fire? Since when?

I think you're looking at it as a cause-and-effect when it's more of a similar thought processes thing going on. The movies are beloved comedies. AFI puts them on a list. Criterion is interested in releasing beloved films. Some of them happen to be on that list. They also release other comedies that aren't on that list.

[KJones77]

Arsenic and Old Lace is one of those terrible films inexplicably beloved even by those who don't watch older films. Smart business decision to release it (and we knew it was coming), but hard pass

Entirely disagree. I love older movies and Arsenic and Old Lace is easily one of my favorites. Hysterical film. One of the few where there's laughs to be had from beginning to end, too.

If this clue is for Arsenic and Old Lace, then it's an easy purchase for me and shoots to the top of my wishlist.

That said, I don't know if it's for Arsenic and Old Lace. I can't really think of anything better, but there has to surely be a better way to hint at that film than a picture of a car with E=MC2 next to it, no?

[rbonaime]

...Criterion is releasing Ball of Fire? Since when?

I think you're looking at it as a cause-and-effect when it's more of a similar thought processes thing going on. The movies are beloved comedies. AFI puts them on a list. Criterion is interested in releasing beloved films. Some of them happen to be on that list. They also release other comedies that aren't on that list.

Whoops, for some reason I was confusing it with The Lady Eve.

[domino harvey]

I should clarify that lots of people who love older movies love it as well, my point was more that it also finds favor with those who don't

[Luke M]

Re: the AFI list

There’s a lot of great movies they could still release I’m just not sure about a Criterion of Mrs. Doubtfire.

[rbonaime]

Re: the AFI list

There’s a lot of great movies they could still release I’m just not sure about a Criterion of Mrs. Doubtfire.

Oh sure, I don't think they're going to release all of them (the Woody Allen films would be difficult for a multitude of reasons), but I wouldn't be surprised if they're using this as somewhat of a master list of some of the films they'd like to release.

[Big Ben]

Re: the AFI list

There’s a lot of great movies they could still release I’m just not sure about a Criterion of Mrs. Doubtfire.

The documentary feature with optional commentary on the pool scene from Fast Times at Ridgemont High is going to kick so much ass.

[therealburnham]

Something that's sticking with me from this clue is the lyric from Bob Dylan's Desolation Row: "Einstein disguised as Robin Hood with his memories in a trunk". Makes me think I'm Not There could be a possibility.

[Zaki]

What indication do we have that Criterion is about to release Ball of Fire? That, of course, would be great.

[whaleallright]

My friend figured this was a clue for I.Q., which features a car mechanic and Albert Einstein. I'm certain this is wrong, but that would be an interesting choice.

[cdnchris]

It's a cute movie but that would be a real out-of-left-field release.

[JabbaTheSlut]

It’s PULP FICTION

[mfunk9786]

It's always abundantly clear when it's time to lock this thread.

EDIT: I stand corrected!

[KJones77]

Not sure if this has been mentioned, but it looks like Janus Films now has Gillian Armstrong's My Brilliant Career. A new DCP of the film debuting at this year's TCM Festival comes courtesy of Janus.

Saw this one mentioned on the blu-ray.com forum as a possible answer to the monthly clue. Makes sense too with this recent announcement of a restoration, plus "my brilliant car-rear" being in line with the typical Criterion clue design.

[johnnysnatchclub7]

Not sure if this has been mentioned, but it looks like Janus Films now has Gillian Armstrong's My Brilliant Career. A new DCP of the film debuting at this year's TCM Festival comes courtesy of Janus.

Saw this one mentioned on the blu-ray.com forum as a possible answer to the monthly clue. Makes sense too with this recent announcement of a restoration, plus "my brilliant car-rear" being in line with the typical Criterion clue design.

That’s it. Case closed. Seems the Newsletter thread was locked prematurely.

[domino harvey]

That would be a hilarious solution, I think they're right

[movielocke]

The Magnificent Ampersands!!!!

[mfunk9786]

The Magnificent Ampersands!!!!

Yup.