Any guesses regarding the latest (May, 2011) Criterion newsletter "clue"?

ISLAND OF LOST SOULS

Anybody have a link to the newsletter?

Crawdaddy

The clue is:

It's called 'wacky panther' BTW...

This feels like Cat People to me.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cat_People_(1942_film)

Most of those Criterion clues leave me flummoxed, but this one immediately screamed out "Cat People" to me as well. If that's the case, you'd think it would be the 1942 Val Lewton original (see Kris' link). But that was released by Warner a few years back as part of their excellent Lewton box, and I thought Warner never licensed films to Criterion. So could it be the 1982 Paul Schrader remake? It does have kind of a camp/cult classic status, and the cat in the drawing is clearly a black panther like those in the film, and the "dress" looks similar to the nightgown that Nastassia Kinski "lost" on her famous midnight prowl...

It's 100%  Island of Lost Souls

- Rumored for Criterion for a couple years now

- Has a Panther Woman advertised on the original posters

- Picture file is called "wackypanther"

I'm going with Paul Schrader's CAT PEOPLE; It fits the criteria of what Criterion releases.  It is quirky and has cult following, they have a good working relationship with Schrader and they release quite a few Universal titles.  Kinski turns into a panther and wears a slip that is like the one in the drawing.  The original CAT PEOPLE is Warner and the don't seem to license out titles.

My bet is WHAT'S NEW, PUSSYCAT? 

Not sure about 1982 Cat People--It had already been released by Universal on DVD, and I'm don't know about Criterion going out of its way for Cat People on Blu-ray
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brandon Conway 

It's 100%  Island of Lost Souls

 

- Rumored for Criterion for a couple years now

- Has a Panther Woman advertised on the original posters

- Picture file is called "wackypanther"

 

I hope, I hope, I hope, I hope, I hope!

Either Cat People or Island of Lost Souls, they'd both fit an October release schedule.

Despite my first post, I suspect Martin & Brandon are right, for the sole reason that Island of Lost Souls has been previously rumored for Criterion and Cat People has not. You gotta admit, however, that the clue works equally well for both films.

Nope.  The white nightgown pushes it over into Cat People territory.  I'd much rather have Island of Lost Souls, but I don't see it happening.

It's Island - trust me on this. Brandon is 100% correct on the 100% part.

OTOH, Cat people is 100% at Warners. Scratch this one.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReggieW 

OTOH, Cat people is 100% at Warners. Scratch this one.

On the other hand, Shrader's '82 remake - which many think that this clue refers to - is at Universal. For now...

IMO, I think the hint is about the Cat People the 82 film.

It's ISLAND OF LOST SOULS, thankfully. So there is no more need for guessing. Over at the Classic Horror Film Board, a trusted member who is sort of on the "inside" regarding these things pretty much said as much weeks ago - though he did not come right out and say it, because it's a touchy issue, and these companies don't want anyone to spill their beans before they can. 

island of lost souls, from criterion, and universal finaly going deep in the catalog with the anouncement of Shrinking Man, this is turning out to be a good year!

Well I guess they finally found a good print of Island of Lost Souls then. That was holding up release all those years ago IIRC.

Chatter elsewhere says '...a lot of restoration and careful preparation was done for this film'. Sounds like a lip-smacking prospect.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dana martin 

...universal finaly going deep in the catalog with the anouncement of Shrinking Man, this is turning out to be a good year!...

Announcement? AFAIK Universal has made no announcement?

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Hodson 

Quote:

 

Announcement? AFAIK Universal has made no announcement?

Universal has only announced Shrinking Man as a standard DVD release for August 30, 2011.  So far no Blu-ray has been announced.

I do hope that the Criterion hint is ISLAND OF LOST SOULS and hope also that perhaps THE UNINVITED will not be far behind. 
 

Do all Criterion releases these days offer a Blu-ray version or are they still releasing  titles on DVD only?

there are still DVD only releases coming from criterion

it some times has to do with licence agreements and a higher price to be paid for BD releases

Last August was the last time Criterion released a mainline title on DVD only.  Three releases to be exact: Louie Bluie, L'enfance nue, and the 3 Silent Classics by Josef Von Sternberg box set (since Criterion has been upgrading their Paramount titles to Blu-ray I fully expect them to upgrade this set.)  Unless the elements are too bad, I'd bet Island of Lost Souls will get a Blu-ray release.

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Hodson 

Chatter elsewhere says '...a lot of restoration and careful preparation was done for this film'. Sounds like a lip-smacking prospect.

 Where was this?  One wouldn't think that a lot of restoration would have to be done for the 1982 Cat People. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Karlosi 

It's ISLAND OF LOST SOULS, thankfully. So there is no more need for guessing. Over at the Classic Horror Film Board, a trusted member who is sort of on the "inside" regarding these things pretty much said as much weeks ago - though he did not come right out and say it, because it's a touchy issue, and these companies don't want anyone to spill their beans before they can. 

As you know, the trusted member indicated only that it would be released, not from what company, and Universal has it deal with TCM and its own Backlot Series.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeDoakes 

 Where was this?  One wouldn't think that a lot of restoration would have to be done for the 1982 Cat People. 

In reference to Island of Lost Souls. The comment was made at the Criterion forum.