The Criterion Collection

[lordmorpheus72]

Originally Posted by Page14

You might be in luck if you're a Luis Buñuel fan and you get TCM, as they're featuring 5 of his films tonight. All times are EST.

8:00 PM - BELLE DE JOUR (1967)

10:00 PM - DISCREET CHARM OF THE BOURGEOISIE, THE (1972)

12:00 AM - DIARY OF A CHAMBERMAID (1964)

2:00 AM - VIRIDIANA (1961)

3:45 AM - EXTERMINATING ANGEL, THE (1962)

http://www.tcm.com/schedule/

I saw Belle De Jour for the first time last year, it was one of those I really quite liked, but not sure if it is one I would purchase, I'd like to see it again though, so thanks for posting the info for the TCM showings. And I'm looking forward to seeing the others for the first time as well.

[silverlakephil]

Originally Posted by Page14

> Originally Posted by bwdowiak View Post
> The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie: probably my least favorite Bunuel to
> date. The surrealism in Tristana, Belle de Jour, and That Obscure Object of
> Desire is at the service of the plot. Here, it is scene after scene that don’t really
> add up to create even the illusion of cohesiveness. It is the type of film that will
> probably benefit from multiple viewings, so there’s no chance that I’m willing to
> dismiss it just yet. Some scenes were entertaining; watching Bunuel, for me, is
> a bit like watching Godard – you really don’t know what is going to happen
> next. He kept things interesting in that regard.



You might be in luck if you're a Luis Buñuel fan and you get TCM, as they're featuring 5 of his films tonight. All times are EST.

8:00 PM - BELLE DE JOUR (1967)

10:00 PM - DISCREET CHARM OF THE BOURGEOISIE, THE (1972)

12:00 AM - DIARY OF A CHAMBERMAID (1964)

2:00 AM - VIRIDIANA (1961)

3:45 AM - EXTERMINATING ANGEL, THE (1962)

http://www.tcm.com/schedule/

Thank you. I need to watch more of Bunuel. I did a search and Un Chien Andalou, Tristiana, & Simon of The Desert will be broadcast on March 29th. Anybody a fan of Simon of The Desrt? It doesn't get mentioned much. I love the ending!

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by lordmorpheus72

Those are quite groovy.. nice artwork!!

Thanks

[jmclick]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

haven’t had much time recently to post thoughts on some recent CC titles that I have seen… here goes…

Night and the City: it’s pulpy, it’s “late night” movie-ish… both qualities one would expect from a film-noir. This one, however, also felt cheap and compared to Dassin’s Rififi, this film has the quality of a B-side track. Gene Tierney is wasted in a role that just requires her to be a stereotypical film-noir “dame.” Richard Widmark’s Fabian really needs to be punched in the face,

[Show spoiler]so those of you who have seen it can understand why I enjoyed the end when he gets dumped in the river.

I’ve only seen Widmark a few times. I think I prefer him more as a good guy. N&TC isn’t terrible, but it isn’t as good as Kazan’s Panic in the Streets (another noir in which Widmark stars,) either.

I don't know if it's mentioned anywhere in the Criterion package, but Gene Tierney's role in Night and the City was written into the script at the last moment, at Darryl F. Zanuck's request. (She has no counterpart in the 1992 remake.) Tierney was beginning to show early signs of the mental illness that would completely engulf her in 1955, and Zanuck thought that a small role in a film being made in London might be therapeutic for her ... of course, he also knew that her name on the marquee would provide a certain amount of box office insurance in the American and European film markets.

I didn't like the film at all when I saw it the first time, but my appreciation has grown with each subsequent viewing. I would love to see the original pre-release cut, although I know it probably doesn't exist anymore. I have a large collection of original stills from the film, many of them picturing scenes which did not appear in the final print. From what I can tell, Tierney, Hugh Marlowe and Googie Withers all had larger roles in the shooting script.

[lordmorpheus72]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

Thanks

Much deserved! Those were pretty darn cool.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by pedromvu

I would recommend another go at this one, for me it was one of those that start to grow on me with time, the main thing that make it work for me is that even if the narrative feels too disconnected, the individual scenes are all great, the one that left me feeling like you (at least after only one viewing) was The Phantom of Liberty, would like to hear some thoughts on that one.

I think that it just became a chore to try to follow. I suspect that I will appreciate it more second time around as I'm a big fan of what I've seen so far from Bunuel, with That Obscure Object of Desire being my favorite.

I haven't seen The Phantom of Liberty, but your comparison makes me feel like I won't like it.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by silverlakephil

Thank you. I need to watch more of Bunuel. I did a search and Un Chien Andalou, Tristiana, & Simon of The Desert will be broadcast on March 29th. Anybody a fan of Simon of The Desrt? It doesn't get mentioned much. I love the ending!

it would seem to me that everybody needs to see more Bunuel. The amount of discussion had on his films is disproportionate with his reputation as one of the all-time greats!

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by jmclick

I don't know if it's mentioned anywhere in the Criterion package, but Gene Tierney's role in Night and the City was written into the script at the last moment, at Darryl F. Zanuck's request. (She has no counterpart in the 1992 remake.) Tierney was beginning to show early signs of the mental illness that would completely engulf her in 1955, and Zanuck thought that a small role in a film being made in London might be therapeutic for her ... of course, he also knew that her name on the marquee would provide a certain amount of box office insurance in the American and European film markets.

I didn't like the film at all when I saw it the first time, but my appreciation has grown with each subsequent viewing. I would love to see the original pre-release cut, although I know it probably doesn't exist anymore. I have a large collection of original stills from the film, many of them picturing scenes which did not appear in the final print. From what I can tell, Tierney, Hugh Marlowe and Googie Withers all had larger roles in the shooting script.

good info, JMC! thanks. I didn't know about GT's mental illness. I've been saving the biography that is on the Laura blu-ray until I've seen most of her major roles. I keep thinking about popping it in, but still haven't.

[Polaroid]

Was hoping they'd give us a nice digipak.... I expect a lovely leaflet...

The artwork has grown on me a lot, and I do really love it. Although I came across this artwork which is so different:

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by jmclick

What did you think of Kathleen Byron's performance as Sister Ruth in Black Narcissus? I thought she was absolutely electrifying. And I absolutely love Jack Cardiff's cinematography ... his use of Technicolor in that film was masterful.

Her eyes are terrifying! Every time I watch the film I notice more details, too.

[Show spoiler]The scene with her and Dean is telling. He senses she's out of her mind and rejects her.

[hoytereden]

Originally Posted by jmclick

What did you think of Kathleen Byron's performance as Sister Ruth in Black Narcissus? I thought she was absolutely electrifying. And I absolutely love Jack Cardiff's cinematography ... his use of Technicolor in that film was masterful.

I'd also use the word "terrifying" when

[Show spoiler]the madness bubbles over and she stalks Sister Clodagh.

A truly frightening sequence.

[jmclick]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

good info, JMC! thanks. I didn't know about GT's mental illness. I've been saving the biography that is on the Laura blu-ray until I've seen most of her major roles. I keep thinking about popping it in, but still haven't.

It's a very well-done biographical sketch, featuring a lot of rare candid footage, some of it filmed in color.

I doubt my affection for Miss Tierney has gone unnoticed by many people who read my posts. I've been a fan of hers since I was a child and saw The Ghost and Mrs. Muir on the late, late show; it remains my favorite movie of all time. I corresponded with Miss Tierney for a brief period in the mid-1980's, and found her to be a lovely person. After her death, I met her youngest daughter by Oleg Cassini, Christina, who gave me several of her mother's possessions, including the notebook her mother kept when she first arrived in Hollywood in 1940. Miss Tierney mentions the notebook in her autobiography, Self-Portrait; in it are original, handwritten poems that Miss Tierney composed and dedicated to Howard Hughes and other people she met during her early years in Hollywood. I also have her signed copy of the stage play in which she rose to prominence, James Thurber's The Male Animal. My collection of original photographs of Miss Tierney and her films is fairly extensive; I think I had somewhere between 1,600 and 1,700 at last count.

I would love for Criterion to upgrade Heaven Can Wait and Night and the City to blu-ray. Many of her films are not "Criterion-worthy", but I think I could make solid arguments for the inclusion of John Ford's Tobacco Road, Josef von Sternberg's The Shanghai Gesture, Otto Preminger's Where the Sidewalk Ends, Mitchell Leisen's The Mating Season, and perhaps even Preminger's Advise & Consent, the film which marked Miss Tierney's brief return to the screen in 1962.

[adamhopelies]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

This actually looks a lot better than I expected.

[Josh B]

Originally Posted by kuro_sawa

I'll join in here, this is one of my favourite films. It might not be for everyone, but I rate it higher than the other 3 selected. In fact, a lot higher! Definitely check it out however you can. Not going to say more because I think it's better to go into this one without any notions beforehand

Back to the Solaris remake, I;ve borrowed a DVD from the library was surpsied they had it. I'm going to check it out this week and I'll either come back here with a changed perspective or equipped with a bucket of tomatoes

I streamed it from Amazon and think it's brilliant, but my goodness they really crucified Motes, huh? Other than the theme music ruining some scenes imo, the movie really is enjoyable.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by jmclick

It's a very well-done biographical sketch, featuring a lot of rare candid footage, some of it filmed in color.

I doubt my affection for Miss Tierney has gone unnoticed by many people who read my posts. I've been a fan of hers since I was a child and saw The Ghost and Mrs. Muir on the late, late show; it remains my favorite movie of all time. I corresponded with Miss Tierney for a brief period in the mid-1980's, and found her to be a lovely person. After her death, I met her youngest daughter by Oleg Cassini, Christina, who gave me several of her mother's possessions, including the notebook her mother kept when she first arrived in Hollywood in 1940. Miss Tierney mentions the notebook in her autobiography, Self-Portrait; in it are original, handwritten poems that Miss Tierney composed and dedicated to Howard Hughes and other people she met during her early years in Hollywood. I also have her signed copy of the stage play in which she rose to prominence, James Thurber's The Male Animal. My collection of original photographs of Miss Tierney and her films is fairly extensive; I think I had somewhere between 1,600 and 1,700 at last count.

I would love for Criterion to upgrade Heaven Can Wait and Night and the City to blu-ray. Many of her films are not "Criterion-worthy", but I think I could make solid arguments for the inclusion of John Ford's Tobacco Road, Josef von Sternberg's The Shanghai Gesture, Otto Preminger's Where the Sidewalk Ends, Mitchell Leisen's The Mating Season, and perhaps even Preminger's Advise & Consent, the film which marked Miss Tierney's brief return to the screen in 1962.

that's really cool! I'd really like to see Heaven Can Wait get upgraded this year! I take it then that you already bought The Razor's Edge? glad to see Fox release another older film. I'll hold off until their next 50% off sale and grab it for $8. looking forward to it!

[buffetfroid]

Originally Posted by jmclick

It My collection of original photographs of Miss Tierney and her films is fairly extensive; I think I had somewhere between 1,600 and 1,700 at last count.

Sweet jesus! That's impressive. Do you catalog them? How are they organized?

[SammyJankis]

Watched Gun Crazy earlier. Always delighted when I find a top-tier noir I've yet to see. Wouldn't mind if Criterion continued their noir-kick with this film.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by jmclick

It's a very well-done biographical sketch, featuring a lot of rare candid footage, some of it filmed in color.

I doubt my affection for Miss Tierney has gone unnoticed by many people who read my posts. I've been a fan of hers since I was a child and saw The Ghost and Mrs. Muir on the late, late show; it remains my favorite movie of all time. I corresponded with Miss Tierney for a brief period in the mid-1980's, and found her to be a lovely person. After her death, I met her youngest daughter by Oleg Cassini, Christina, who gave me several of her mother's possessions, including the notebook her mother kept when she first arrived in Hollywood in 1940. Miss Tierney mentions the notebook in her autobiography, Self-Portrait; in it are original, handwritten poems that Miss Tierney composed and dedicated to Howard Hughes and other people she met during her early years in Hollywood. I also have her signed copy of the stage play in which she rose to prominence, James Thurber's The Male Animal. My collection of original photographs of Miss Tierney and her films is fairly extensive; I think I had somewhere between 1,600 and 1,700 at last count.

I would love for Criterion to upgrade Heaven Can Wait and Night and the City to blu-ray. Many of her films are not "Criterion-worthy", but I think I could make solid arguments for the inclusion of John Ford's Tobacco Road, Josef von Sternberg's The Shanghai Gesture, Otto Preminger's Where the Sidewalk Ends, Mitchell Leisen's The Mating Season, and perhaps even Preminger's Advise & Consent, the film which marked Miss Tierney's brief return to the screen in 1962.

Wow, thanks for sharing all of this. I loved the Gene Tierney biography on the Laura Blu-ray. In fact, Laura was my favorite Blu-ray release of 2013 (sorry, Criterion). Leave Her to Heaven is another one of my favs, and it's a great example of a color noir.

I own Where the Sidewalk Ends on DVD, and I'd love for that one to hit Blu-ray. Of course, I've been clamoring for a Criterion upgrade of Night and the City for a while now.

I've got The Ghost and Ms. Muir and The Razor's Edge both in my unwatched Blu-ray stack. Whirlpool is in my unwatched DVD stack. Soon.

[jmclick]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

that's really cool! I'd really like to see Heaven Can Wait get upgraded this year! I take it then that you already bought The Razor's Edge? glad to see Fox release another older film. I'll hold off until their next 50% off sale and grab it for $8. looking forward to it!

Yes, I've already purchased The Razor's Edge, although I haven't watched it yet. It's one of my favorite films.

If you haven't already, you might want to sign up with Fox Connect and get on their email list. During their recent Black Friday sale, I went to their site and picked up almost two dozen classic blu-rays for $4.99 each, including The Black Swan, The Diary of Anne Frank, Fantastic Voyage, How Green Was My Valley, Panic in the Streets, Sunrise, Zorba the Greek, and extra copies of Laura, The Ghost and Mrs. Muir and On the Riviera. I also picked up a couple of recent Fox titles on blu-ray for $3.99.

[jmclick]

Originally Posted by buffetfroid

Sweet jesus! That's impressive. Do you catalog them? How are they organized?

Well, I track which ones I have by the production code and still numbers, recorded on a master list. Laura, for example, was Fox production #644; Leave Her to Heaven was #677; The Ghost and Mrs. Muir was #712, etc.

I store my stills in acid-free sheet protectors. I file scene stills by film title, in order of their sequence in the actual film, and keep a record of who appears in each photograph. For scenes that were cut from the final release, I place them where they would have appeared according to the original script; if I don't have that information, I place those stills at the end of the file.

For general publicity photographs, Miss Tierney was originally designated as Fox Player F535, and I file those stills numerically. Circa 1950, the studio assigned all their contract players with new codes, and Miss Tierney became Fox Player G59. I keep separate files containing candid or personal photographs, and stage and television performances.

I also have large collections on Barbara Stanwyck (over 1,250 stills), Joan Bennett, Nancy Kelly, Tyrone Power, William Holden, and (believe it or not) David Manners. I started collecting stills in the mid-1970s, when I was an adolescent. At that time, home video didn't exist, and I only saw whatever was shown on local TV stations ... cut and with commercials. Stills were a way of remembering what movies I had seen, and of looking forward to the films I hoped to see someday. Today I still appreciate them for their intrinsic beauty and for the memories they evoke of my development as a film fan.