Criterion Discussion and Random Speculation Volume 7

[FrauBlucher]

Casablanca is currently on TCM. It has me thinking that next year it turns 80. I do think it has a good chance of Criterion releasing a UHD version. I don't see Warner Media or whatever they are called putting out UHD versions of classic Hollywood. Although The Wizard of Oz has a UHD release. But not much more after that. Plus, Casablanca would be a Criterion laserdisc returning. BTW... What were the supplements on the laserdisc?

[CSM126]

Casablanca is currently on TCM. It has me thinking that next year it turns 80. I do think it has a good chance of Criterion releasing a UHD version. I don't see Warner Media or whatever they are called putting out UHD versions of classic Hollywood. Although The Wizard of Oz has a UHD release. But not much more after that. Plus, Casablanca would be a Criterion laserdisc returning. BTW... What were the supplements on the laserdisc?

Not much

[FrauBlucher]

Commentary by Ronald Haver. Never heard of him.

[domino harvey]

He’s the film historian who rediscovered the missing A Song is Born material. He didn’t live to make it to the DVD era

[FlickeringWindow]

From the chapter listing on the back..

Chapter 23: Synopsis of Everybody Comes to Rick's
Chapter 24: Editing notes from Hal Wallis
Chapter 25: Production Code notes & budgets
Chapter 26: Production & Publicity photos
Chapter 27: Lux Radio Broadcast of Casablanca
Chapter 28: The original theatrical trailer
Chapter 29: Suggested sequel and reader's report
Chapter 30: Casablanca colorized
Chapter 31: Newsreel footage of the city of Casablanca

[The Elegant Dandy Fop]

Commentary by Ronald Haver. Never heard of him.

Ronald Haver is fascinating figure. He recorded the first “audio essay” (first name for a commentary track”) for Criterion’s King Kong. There was an article from over a decade ago about Criterion’s early days explaining that he did the commentary track in exchange for a bunch of weed. He was also a personal assistant to Ernest B. Schoedsack so he has a personal familiarilty to the man. He was also Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s first ever film programmer and one of the founders of the American Cinematheque. Tragically, he and his partner passed away amidst the AIDS crisis.

[DimitriL]

He’s the film historian who rediscovered the missing A Song is Born material. He didn’t live to make it to the DVD era

A moment of appreciation for Ronald Haver, who was one of the most important figures in the early Criterion Collection. He recorded the first credited commentary ever, for King Kong. He did commentaries for some of the biggest and most important titles Criterion ever had; besides Kong and Casablanca, he did Wizard of Oz, Singin’ in the Rain, Here Comes Mr. Jordan, Colonel Blimp & Black Narcissus (essays), and I know I’m forgetting some. And not only that, he actually oversaw the film to video transfers of a lot of the early titles. We lost him much too soon, and it’s a shame his massive contributions have been largely forgotten.

[swo17]

He’s the film historian who rediscovered the missing A Song is Born material. He didn’t live to make it to the DVD era

You mean the 1950s A Star Is Born, no?

[domino harvey]

Yes, sorry

[FrauBlucher]

I just read the Ebert essay from The Great Movies 4 on Cache. Then went searching for the bluray and shockingly seen there isn’t one for the US. Which leads me to think this will eventually get a Criterion. Did I miss something and this has been hinted at?

[yoloswegmaster]

Pages for The Red Shoes 4K UHD, The Learning Tree, and One Night in Miami have been uploaded.

[domino harvey]

What happened to that December release of Klein we were promised

[Ribs]

As disappointing as it is to have the lightest slate of releases in decades (I'm pretty sure?), it's pretty cool to have a month where the only actually new additions to the catalog are from POC filmmakers. It'll be interesting now that we have the year's slate altogether to look at how Criterion has clearly addressed the just criticism with tons of great releases.

[domino harvey]

Is anyone really excited about King’s film though? Criterion obviously gambled and lost on the film getting more significant Oscar traction and it’s already been forgotten

[Ribs]

It’s a great film that was better than every other film nominated in any category, for my money, and was generally applauded. The movie is far more “worthy” of a release for my money then something like The Other Side of the Wind. I don’t think the idea of worth really matters because this was the only way this acclaimed film would ever get a release.

[knives]

I’m with Dom. I can see why they released it, but it’s a pretty mediocre pushover of a film. Exactly the sort of thing CBS would run in the ‘90s.

Learning Tree is great news though. Especially that booklet.

[swo17]

As disappointing as it is to have the lightest slate of releases in decades (I'm pretty sure?), it's pretty cool to have a month where the only actually new additions to the catalog are from POC filmmakers. It'll be interesting now that we have the year's slate altogether to look at how Criterion has clearly addressed the just criticism with tons of great releases.

I hope this translates soon to a lot more Sembene

[tolbs1010]

What happened to that December release of Klein we were promised

Yeah, where is it?! (grumble grumble)

Maybe they are beefing up the release by getting rights to Hideo Nakata's Losey documentary, The Man With Four Names, which it seems no one has seen but features a full lineup of close Losey collaborators. The Studio Canal release has only a couple of film-critic interiews/commentary. Been holding off on buying the SC release in anticipation of a CC release.

[FrauBlucher]

Hopefully, Criterion turns the page on 2021 and makes 2022 the year of the Studio Canal re-releases and along with SC new licenses

[dwk]

I do wonder if they have pushed back some stuff, like a re-issue of Le cercle rouge or Mr. Klein, because they are weighing whether or not to release them on UHD. (Although in the case of Klein, it likely got pushed back after they delayed Uncut Gems so they could release it on UHD.)

Speaking of Uncut Gems, I am still curious about the, correct, decision to do a UHD release. Was it at the Safdies' request? Were the pre-orders for the first three UHDs so strong that they decided it was worth it to delay the title to add that option?

[Maltic]

Re: One Night In Miami

Seems a clever way to get Criterion amazonified while shielding them from a lot of criticism. Who's to complain about increased POC representation?

But I'm being cynical. And I've been buying a lot fewer discs in the last year or so anyway, so don't mind me, Criterion & co.

[domino harvey]

They already released an Amazon title, Cold War

[cdnchris]

They already released an Amazon title, Cold War

Who's to complain about increased Polish representation?

[therewillbeblus]

[Takes deep breath so as not to extrapolate predicted small-sample of evidence that Criterion's UHD/Streaming Service prioritization is diluting the strength of their output]

[cdnchris]

[Takes deep breath so as not to extrapolate predicted small-sample of evidence that Criterion's UHD/Streaming Service prioritization is diluting the strength of their output]

I'm cool with the streaming deals if it means these films are getting home video releases, and Netflix has some solid material, but Amazon had a deal with Lionsgate prior to this, right? I'm guessing Amazon didn't like the deal with them, or they think Criterion's name will throw some prestige on some titles, but are there any titles from Amazon (that haven't been released by Lionsgate already) that really stand-out all that much? Sound of Metal, Time and this one are all fine I guess.