Criterion Press Release: It's A Mad Mad Mad Mad World (Dual Format) (1 Viewer)

[Brian McP]

Sorry to put a 'detour' sign in the middle of this conversation, but I was sitting through the commentary track again yesterday and noted there was no marketing of this movie at the time of its release other than a theatrical program and two music albums, one the soundtrack by Ernest Gold.

Considering the fanbase the movie has these days, could MGM come out with a set of IAMMMMW action figures, or even reproductions of the cars used in the picture?

I know somebody made action figures of the cast of "The Poseidon Adventure" -- I think they may have been one-offs but I'm flabbergasted that 20th Century Fox didn't go with this idea.

Considering the industry MGM has built out of marketing movies like "The Wizard of Oz" and "Gone With The Wind", it would be so easy to do the same with 'Mad World' -- can you imagine the fun some fan could have with a 'Hot Wheels'-type track recreating the area around Santa Rosita State Park? A motorized car track with a layout of what was that 'State Park' and perhaps areas from certain sequences in the movie.

Yes, wishful thinking on a grand scale -- maybe it might be wise to keep watching Carey Loftin and co do the driving and keep out of their way -- but still, I think of that term used in the commentary 'the Brotherhood of Mad' and I think they'd go for something like this in a second!

 

[Doug Bull]

Considering how much stuff actually did meet that fate, it's gallows humor.

Maybe I chose the wrong wording posting it as Robert's 'sense of humour'.
I merely wanted to explain to those members who were genuinely shocked by his answers, that he would never actually do those things.
Looking back it was clearly not meant as a joke, but more as a reality check.

At least he has us discussing film preservation.

Doug.

 

[Robert Harris]

Maybe I chose the wrong wording posting it as Robert's 'sense of humour'.
I merely wanted to explain to those members who were genuinely shocked by his answers, that he would never actually do those things.
Looking back it was clearly not meant as a joke, but more as a reality check.

At least he has us discussing film preservation.

Doug.

No humor (humour) intended.

Virtually every image element used for the extended Criterion Blu-ray is vinegar syndromed industrial waste. A discussion has been held as to whether it has any value or if it should be destroyed.

It is best destroyed, before it either damages other film elements or people's health.

It holds no purpose.

RAH

 

[Michael Rogers]

Understandable.

I have heard of Vinegar syndrome being dangerous, just like decaying nitrate film is terribly flamible.

No humor (humour) intended.

Virtually every image element used for the extended Criterion Blu-ray is vinegar syndromed industrial waste. A discussion has been held as to whether it has any value or if it should be destroyed.

It is best destroyed, before it either damages other film elements or people's health.

It holds no purpose.

RAH

 

[Reed Grele]

Wouldn't it be nice if the remaining elements of IAMMMMW could be preserved as well as the magic that keeps Kim Novak and Joan Rivers from self destructing... On second thought...

 

[Doug Bull]

No humor (humour) intended.

Virtually every image element used for the extended Criterion Blu-ray is vinegar syndromed industrial waste. A discussion has been held as to whether it has any value or if it should be destroyed.

It is best destroyed, before it either damages other film elements or people's health.

It holds no purpose.

RAH

That is indeed sombre news and certainly no joke.
I was unaware of the condition of those film elements.

I know only too well the heartache and problems that Vinegar syndrome can bring.
As a collector I have lost several films in my collection due to the ravages of of this cruel affliction.

If the affected film is still in run-able condition, you have to isolate it far away from the rest of your collection and if you run it, then you need to thoroughly wash or clean everything it touches.
You might be lucky and manage a few screenings, but in the end it deteriorates and rots to a point where it becomes, as Robert said, vinegar syndromed Industrial Waste.

Doug.

 

[Robert Harris]

That is indeed sombre news and certainly no joke.
I was unaware of the condition of those film elements.

I know only too well the heartache and problems that Vinegar syndrome can bring.
As a collector I have lost several films in my collection due to the ravages of of this cruel affliction.

If the affected film is still in run-able condition, you have to isolate it far away from the rest of your collection and if you run it, then you need to wash or clean everything it touches.
In the end it becomes, as Robert said, industrial waste.

Doug.

Doug.

Those who have viewed Mad World will recall that the image runs into perfs at times, and freeze-frames so that audio can continue.

The most affected trims were cut from 70 to 65mm, and attempts were made to run them through 65mm scanners and optical printer mechanisms. They were so far gone that nothing would allow the image to be transferred.

RAH

 

[JWPlatt]

My teen children and an adult child and I are watching the extended edition at about an hour a night. They've watched the Laserdisc many, many times over. They still laugh. The new scenes are fun. Thanks for your work on the new edition.

I am shocked that stock from the Laserdisc edition could not be preserved. There is a Wizard of Oz 75th Anniversary Edition discussion in this same forum. This is a far older film than Mad World and anniversary editions are still going strong. Is there a discussion about why something like Oz can be handled so long, but other films with just as much public interest can't? I suppose it's all chemistry.

I'd also like to see, Mr. Harris, any discussion you've had about the dangers of digital archival and its own rate of "decay" which can far exceed that of analog film. And pointers would be appreciated.

 

[Robert Harris]

My teen children and an adult child and I are watching the extended edition at about an hour a night. They've watched the Laserdisc many, many times over. They still laugh. The new scenes are fun. Thanks for your work on the new edition.I am shocked that stock from the Laserdisc edition could not be preserved. There is a Wizard of Oz 75th Anniversary Edition discussion in this same forum. This is a far older film than Mad World and anniversary editions are still going strong. Is there a discussion about why something like Oz can be handled so long, but other films with just as much public interest can't? I suppose it's all chemistry.I'd also like to see, Mr. Harris, any discussion you've had about the dangers of digital archival and its own rate of "decay" which can far exceed that of analog film. And pointers would be appreciated.

Believe I've noted this before. Digital archives are best considered safe for perpetuity or seven years, whichever is shorter.As far as motion pictures are concerned, if one has a valuable asset, it is best preserved on polyester film.If one doesn't have the budget, LTO or some other bucket will do, and then continue to clone and check.As to Oz, properly processed and preserved nitrate film can outlast acetate. If the acetate has been rejuvenated...RAH

 

[Moe Dickstein]

Plus, don't forget Oz and other films shot in 3 strip technicolor have 3 separate black and white negatives that don't fade the way single strip negative color stocks can. Plus, while negatives may be stable, the materials used for this work were old, perhaps not properly kept for their whole life, trims from prints. Prints were not made to last forever, and depending on the stock are almost sure to fade out to nothing (as you see in the trims that lacked corresponding color to be re-laid on top of them).I'm not an expert on the particular stocks involved, but when you're talking about old faded prints as your best and only source, you get what you get and do what you can with them. It's just lucky that we got what we did because these elements were already quite some time past their useful life in 2013, let alone a few years from now.

 

[Joe Lugoff]

There wasn't much marketing (such as action figures, etc.) of this or many other films back in 1963, except for Disney films. My parents' generation was saner.

 

[mercyflight]

Sorry to put a 'detour' sign in the middle of this conversation, but I was sitting through the commentary track again yesterday and noted there was no marketing of this movie at the time of its release other than a theatrical program and two music albums, one the soundtrack by Ernest Gold.There was a third album that may qualify as well and I should have mentioned - Jonathan Winters Mad mad mad mad World, with a Jack Davis cover! The liner notes promote Jonathan's first movie.BTW - I would like to see "mad World' as a 3D conversion. There are SO many shots begging for it...!Paul

 

[JWPlatt]

3D is a gimic that will die yet another painful death - like colorization. Similar to the Vulcan Pon farr, it seems to be a necessary experiment in futility every ten to twenty years - the latest and greatest version of 3D ever! I say "painful" because the industry is pushing it on us for all they're worth in the hopes that we'll catch this manufactured (in the phony sense of the word) wave in a gigantic fit of wishful thinking, propaganda and spending. All I want is physical media, no retailer exclusives (Star Trek Into Darkness), and no wax museum digital scrubbing on my 2D movies. They don't want to give me that; they're not listening to the customer.

I have two exceptions: Pornography and sports are the killer apps for 3D.

Well, that's my opinion anyway.

 

[Jonathan Perregaux]

Maybe next year we'll get "The Industrial Waste Edition" where, for 3-some hours, we are simply shown footage of rotted-out film cans and balled-up, stinking negative. "Here, at last, is the most complete cut of the film known to dumpsters, trust us."

 

[Robert Harris]

Maybe next year we'll get "The Industrial Waste Edition" where, for 3-some hours, we are simply shown footage of rotted-out film cans and balled-up, stinking negative. "Here, at last, is the most complete cut of the film known to dumpsters, trust us."

Not far from the truth on these element. Point should be made that under M-G-M's care the cut version of the film, and all ancillary elements are well protected.

RAH

 

[Brian McP]

I agree with you Paul -- a 3D IMAX conversion certainly would not look out of place with this movie and would certainly make more money than any sequel or worse, a remake, ever would -- plus its G rated so all demographics are covered.

 

[Moe Dickstein]

The main problem if you wanted to do 3D in IMAX is the aspect ratio... Better off "only" cropping to 2.4 and doing traditional theaters And to those who say 3D is a gimmick - it can be. Color was a gimmick for 20 years before artistic people really began using it to tell stories. We're just at the beginning of people really using 3D for it's potential as a storytelling tool. HugoGravityThe Cave of Forgotten DreamsPinaThese films are not gimmicks and demand to be seen in their intended 3D format to truly be appreciated.

 

[JWPlatt]

If those films, along with Avatar, are not forgotten by history, 3D will remain an asterisk.

3D has been "just beginning" since, as the Wiki points out, "in some form since 1915, but had been largely relegated to a niche." It was prominent in the 50s, resurfaced again in the 80s (Jaws 3D in 1983, sarcastic w00t! Resurfaced - get it?) and 90s, and once again the cycle began anew right on schedule in 2009/2010. Ad nauseum. 3D is like inflation where the magnitude increases but the relative value compared with everything else doesn't change. It will become, once again, Emperor's Clothes. Although my killer apps exceptions still apply, and there will be other exceptional examples, perhaps including medical and educational, 3D is still, and will remain, a niche. The only solution is for the technology to have no compromising trade-offs and to not require headgear such as glasses or retinal projectors. It needs to work independently of light conditions, angle of view, and distance, much as LCD screens have improved a great deal since their beginning. This might be wireless, active imaging contact lenses (NOT passive filters), or a holodeck. It needs to feel comfortable, NATURAL as your own unaided eyesight (like 2D) and real. Until then, deal's off.

 

[ahollis]

If those films, along with Avatar, are not forgotten by history, 3D will remain an asterisk.3D has been "just beginning" since, as the Wiki points out, "in some form since 1915, but had been largely relegated to a niche." It was prominent in the 50s, resurfaced again in the 80s (Jaws 3D in 1983, sarcastic w00t! Resurfaced - get it?) and 90s, and once again the cycle began anew right on schedule in 2009/2010. Ad nauseum. 3D is like inflation where the magnitude increases but the relative value compared with everything else doesn't change. It will become, once again, Emperor's Clothes. Although my killer apps exceptions still apply, and there will be other exceptional examples, perhaps including medical and educational, 3D is still, and will remain, a niche. The only solution is for the technology to have no compromising trade-offs and to not require headgear such as glasses or retinal projectors. It needs to work independently of light conditions, angle of view, and distance, much as LCD screens have improved a great deal since their beginning. This might be wireless, active imaging contact lenses (NOT passive filters), or a holodeck. It needs to feel comfortable, NATURAL as your own unaided eyesight (like 2D) and real. Until then, deal's off.

The film and theatre companies don't seem to hear you. Already this "era" of 3D, starting with CHICKEN LITTLE, has lasted longer and produced more titles than any of the other "eras" and does not seem to be letting up. Home 3D is a niche audience and more than likely stay that way. But 3D Blu-ray will continue to be released.

 

[JWPlatt]

To clarify for Moe Dickstein, the colorization I referred to was of the Ted Turner fake variety - not the actual advancement of color film.ahollis, the film and theater companies hear people like me, but it's like Microsoft and Windows 8. We'll probably never know whether they are in denial or are simply arrogant in their push to market and feel their ideas are superior to ours. I understand they have to at least try to convince us it's the greatest thing ever. It would be foolish of a company to telegraph failure before the introduction of a new product. Knowing that, I just see it as hype and a cycle of history.