Advice on Criterion DVDs (1 Viewer)

[Raj_Thiara]

I'm a big Hitchcock fan but have been very curious about the work of Preston Sturges. I'm contemplating a blind buy of one of the following pieces of work and am interested in any insight those of you who own the disks might lend me.

39 Steps
The Lady Vanishes
Sullivan's Travels
The Lady Eve

I have not been able to find any of these movies on DVD here in Edmonton. I know that I can buy the two Hitchcock films for approximately $11.00 Cdn each. I've read the transfers of these films, while not up to their Criterion counterparts standards, are decent.

I've not seen any Sturges films, although I've heard good things.

In terms of Hitchcock, I loved Rear Window, Strangers on a Train and Notorious. I really liked Vertigo, Rebecca and Psycho. I only liked The Birds and Rope.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Jeff Ulmer]

I reviewed the Sturges films for dOc (link below), and thought both were great.

I'd take Lady Vanishes over 39 Steps, but haven't seen either in a while.

 

[Cary T]

Mark me down as another who'd take The Lady Vanishes over The 39 Steps. But for $11 each why not buy both, it's a great value. I think you'd place The Lady Vanishes in your really like section, as the same for me.

 

[Raj_Thiara]

Just for clarification, the $11.00 Cdn Hitchcock DVDs are from another company (?Laserlight), not Criterion. These would thus represent great values.

Now, I really loved Notorious. Even though there were non-Criterion editions available, I bought the Criterion for the A/V quality and the great extras.

Thus, I'm asking whether the Hitchcock fans amongst you who have seen the DVDs believe they represent great value in this situation given my tastes in Hitchcock films.

Thanks

 

[Scott Merryfield]

The Criterion transfers of The 39 Steps and The Lady Vanishes are much, much better than the Laserlight transfers (I upgraded from the latter). The Laserlight transfers are nowhere near as good as the Anchor Bay transfers of some of Hitchcock's other films that Criterion has also released -- Notorious, Spellbound and Rebecca.

The Laserlight transfers are inexpensive for a reason. They are not very good.

 

[Matt Whitham]

I would agree with Scott, I have the Laserlight version of 39 Steps and The man who knew too much. I really enjoyed the films but the transfers were horrible.

If you like the films then don't get the laserlight ones, you will only be disappointed.

 

[Lew Crippen]

Many Laserlight releases have been suspected of being ‘pirate’ copies. You may want to consider this in your purchase decisions.

All four of the Criterion release you mention have very fine transfers, and all four have very good commentaries, though they are a bit academic. I really liked them, but ymmv.

As for the films, since you are already a big Hitchcock fan, you probably already know that he did not have as big budgets in the UK as he did in the States. I like both and think that they are both worth having. Since you have not familiar with Sturges, you might consider this priority sequence:

1.The Lady Eve, not quite so dark nor so serious as ‘Sullivan’. Henry Fonda as a young, clueless, hopelessly in love heir in a non-typical comedic role, complete with pratfalls. Extremely funny. And with a young Barbara Stanwyck, who in one long scene, seductive scene gets his juices running.
2.The Lady Vanishes, a Hitch classic, the premise is not new, but his take has been used by filmmakers over and over. Plus the beginning 20 minutes is as funny as any comedy.
3.Sullivan’s Travels, if you liked the first Sturges. Many critics think that this is Sturges’ masterpiece. While I disagree, it is a very fine film indeed. If you decide that you are a fan of Sturges, then you will love this. Give is a miss otherwise.
4.The 39 Steps, which requires that you suspend your disbelief to a large degree, but has rich rewards for those who can.

 

[ChuckDeLa]

I believe Robert Harris also commented that those Laserlight discs are unauthorized bootlegs, or something to that effect.

EDIT: Lew beat me to it

 

[Lew Crippen]

by one minute!

 

[Jeff Adkins]

I believe Robert Harris also commented that those Laserlight discs are unauthorized bootlegs, or something to that effect.

I wouldn't go so far as to call them bootlegs. I have spoken with Laserlight in regards to this and their position (and that of their legal counsel) is that these are public domain. I'm not going to get into the legalities of the whole thing, as I don't know copyright law well enough. I've heard both sides of the argument and still am unsure as to where it stands legally. Robert Harris is convinced that these are no longer PD and he may very well be right. But I wouldn't put these into the same category as the copies of Die Another Day being sold on the streets of NYC until it's sorted out in the courts.

Having said that, there's no reason to buy these as the Criterion versions are vastly superior of 39 Steps and Lady Vanishes. As for the other Hitchcock titles released by Laserlight, there are UK versions of at least some of those which are also superior to the Laserlight versions.

Jeff

 

[Lew Crippen]

Hey Jeff, thanks for getting an alternate view. I always think it valuable to hear from another side (and I recognize that you are not necessarily representing Laserlight’s view, but only relating what they have said).

Even so, what else would we expect their counsel to say? That they were violating copyright?

I’m sure that they have a foundation to believe that they are in the clear.

But in regards to matters of movie restoration (if not the law), I find Mr. Harris to always have a sound position.

 

[Raj_Thiara]

I've decided not to pursue the Laserlight versions of the Hitchcock films. After reading some of your suggestions I've decided to give Sturges a spin while I try harder to hunt down the Hitchcock films for rental before I commit the chunk of change for two of his good but not great films (by public opinion, anyway) - some place in this city has got to have them.

The verdict: Lady Eve Criterion Collection

Will most likely also try to get Sullivan's Travels later if I like Lady Eve.

Thanks for all your help.

 

[Jeff Adkins]

Even so, what else would we expect their counsel to say? That they were violating copyright?

No, my understanding is that the films fell into public domain but as a result of a recent treaty (GATT maybe?) that foreign works could again get copyright protection. I'm not sure what the necessary steps are but I believe this is how Lang's Metropolis and Chaplin's 1925 version of The Gold Rush both came back under copyright. 4 years ago, The Gold Rush was being sold by a number small labels on VHS and I think at least 1 or two different DVD companies. None of those are being made anymore. This is also the reason we'll never see Moroder's version of Metropolis, as it was public domain when he released it in the early 80's with a new soundtrack.

Jeff

 

[Lars Vermundsberget]

I've got all those four Criterions in my small collection and I'd recommend them all.

 

[Rob Tomlin]

Bottom line: Criterion Collection kicks ass!

Re: Sturges- I agree with Lew. Give The Lady Eve a try first, then Sullivan's Travels if you like The Lady Eve. Looks like you have already decided to do this, and I think it's a good call.

I have yet to go wrong with Criterion Collection DVD's.

 

[Lew Crippen]

Ta muchly, Jeff. As usual with copyright, I'm never sure of the true position--the more so when international issues are involved.