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Directed by renowned Hollywood humanist Leo McCarey, Ruggles of Red Gap is one of the great comedies about the American ideal. Charles Laughton leads a delightful ensemble cast as Marmaduke Ruggles, an English valet who, while accompanying his employer on a trip to Paris, finds himself gambled away to a new-money American couple. The bewildered butler’s tradition-bound world is upended when the couple bring him back to their frontier outpost in Washington State, but there he eventually discovers a newfound sense of self-determination in a land “dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.” Balancing relaxed physical humor with a heart-swelling affection for everyday people, McCarey fashions a comedy of rare effortlessness and poignancy.
FILM INFO

United States
1935
90 minutes
Black & White
1.35:1
English
Spine #1347

New 4K digital restoration, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack
New interview with critic Farran Smith Nehme
Three radio adaptations
Trailer
English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
PLUS: An essay by critic Mark Harris

I actually rewatched the MoC BD, one of their earliest efforts if I remember correctly, earlier this year. This new BD should be a nice upgrade though!

FWIW the three radio adaptations are carried over from the long-OOP Eureka Blu (though I wish they carried over the copy of Laughton reciting the Gettysburg Address!)

This is one of the best comedies of the 1930s and is more than worth a blind buy. One of the only films that has ever made me feel patriotic.

This is a wonderful movie, truly feel good and funny. I can’t imagine anyone not enjoying it

This is the most exciting Criterion announcement in a long time. I wish there were more extras, but what a terrific W

Love Affair is the only McCarey that I might like just a smidgen better but both films are superb (as is Make Way for Tomorrow in third). I may just hold on to the MoC though: their Wrigley era booklets were among the best and the new CC cover is no match for the original poster artwork.

Without a doubt my favorite movie. What a nice surprise!

I take it that the 1918 & 1923 versions no longer exist.

The Library of Congress co-sponsored an audit of around 11,000 silent-era features from the U.S., and as of 2021 it lists both versions as lost.

therewillbeblus wrote: Fri Nov 13, 2026 4:50 pm This is the most exciting Criterion announcement in a long time. I wish there were more extras, but what a terrific W

You have clearly posted in the wrong thread.

Wondering aloud why this is the 4K restoration that didn't warrant a 4K disc. Just quality of the available materials? Low potential sales?

mfunk9786 wrote: Fri Nov 13, 2026 7:14 pm Wondering aloud why this is the 4K restoration that didn't warrant a 4K disc. Just quality of the available materials? Low potential sales?

Is it ever a rights/contract issue? Like, did Criterion negotiate a deal for the blu ray rights a decade ago, rights were going to revert to Warner if they didn't release it, and they put out the blu instead of negotiating to add in UHD rights?