Criterion Discussion and Random Speculation Volume 7

[RSTooley]

Has anyone heard anything about SCARECROW in light of Jerry Schatzberg's Criterion Closet video last year? Last thing I want to do is buy the Warner Archive BD only for Criterion to announce a release sourced from a new remaster shortly after.

I haven't heard anything. I did notice that it played at the Wexner Center for the Arts two days ago, alongside Emperor of the North, and it was not advertised as a new restoration. That doesn't necessarily mean anything, but you'd think you would see news of a restoration prior to a Criterion home video release.

On the other hand, Emperor of the North was advertised as a new restoration.

[The Elegant Dandy Fop]

On the other hand, Emperor of the North was advertised as a new restoration.

A shame that Criterion has little interest in classic Hollywood directors outside of their major, popular works as Disney only licenses to them. Aldrich is a personal favorite and Emperor of the North is great at subverting themes of class conflict and distilling them to a fight between two titans: Ernest Bourgnine and Lee Marvin. A marvelous film where I’m sure the new restoration will remain in a vault.

[Finch]

Criterion did release Flight of the Phoenix so I wouldn't rule out Emperor of the North.

[Walter Kurtz]

Are boutiques replicating the current Yankee system of states leap-frogging each other in the primary calendar schedule to get first in line for attention... in this case... to get the jump on Criterion's 14 - 15 - 16 slot in the calendar? Is this a thing? Or just random noise?

[RSTooley]

Criterion did release Flight of the Phoenix so I wouldn't rule out Emperor of the North.

Considering Guillermo del Toro, Wes Anderson, and Andrew Haigh are the only directors to crack open the Disney vault since 2022, I'm not hopeful.

However, I'd be thrilled with any classic Hollywood films getting a Criterion release.