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http://www.hometheaterforum.com/topic/324685-rumor-criterion-ready-to-release-its-a-mad-mad-mad-mad-world/

If it's true, I really hope it has everything from the LaserDisc version (if not more). I like that version so much better than the general release cut.

Not sure why Criterion is duplicating the effort from 2012 done through MGM/Fox Video with their Blu-Ray release--which when introduced was $9.98 at Wal-Mart! THAT release is a gorgeous Blu-Ray HD transfer of the original release version.

(The original MGM standard DVD transfer was fair-to-poor compared to above Blu-Ray)

This seems to be a common practice nowadays for redundant releases of classic films on Blu-Ray.

Now when a better transfer, more supplementary materials, etc. are included, it can be a selling point.

Well, let's just pause for a moment and realize that this rumor is based on a drawing of four globes that may or may not be "mad."

If Criterion is planning to release a reconstruction/restoration of the original roadshow cut of the movie, then their version would be a definite upgrade on the already very nice MGM blu-ray of the standard cut. I hope that it's not simply going to be an HD upgrade of the "laserdisc" version. While that cut does reinstate some (but not all) of the scenes cut from the original version, a lot of the extra material was never intended to be in the film at all. In my opinion, much of that material is extraneous and ruins the pacing of the film (that scene of Pike talking about what he would do with the money is an example of a scene that sticks out like a sore thumb). If Criterion wants to release a longer version of the film, I'm hoping that they will only restore the footage excised from the roadshow version. Of course, all of this is assuming that we're correctly interpreting the clue.

It would be cool for it to have all three versions-- general release, roadshow, and LD-- and, using seamless branching, let you choose which version you want to watch. I fully understand that that's a huge amount of work, but it sure would be awesome! Actually, I'd like a fourth version too: one with everything (so, roadshow + LD). And now that I think of it, the general release version isn't necessary, because the MGM disc is easy to get, looks great, and is cheap.

fwtep wrote:It would be cool for it to have all three versions-- general release, roadshow, and LD-- and, using seamless branching, let you choose which version you want to watch. I fully understand that that's a huge amount of work, but it sure would be awesome! Actually, I'd like a fourth version too: one with everything (so, roadshow + LD). And now that I think of it, the general release version isn't necessary, because the MGM disc is easy to get, looks great, and is cheap.

But the roadshow version does not exist anymore, or if it does, some evil collector is sitting on it. The laserdisc version was an attempt to put back as much footage as possible, though some of it may be alternate takes.

Mike S.

precode wrote:

fwtep wrote:It would be cool for it to have all three versions-- general release, roadshow, and LD-- and, using seamless branching, let you choose which version you want to watch. I fully understand that that's a huge amount of work, but it sure would be awesome! Actually, I'd like a fourth version too: one with everything (so, roadshow + LD). And now that I think of it, the general release version isn't necessary, because the MGM disc is easy to get, looks great, and is cheap.

But the roadshow version does not exist anymore, or if it does, some evil collector is sitting on it. The laserdisc version was an attempt to put back as much footage as possible, though some of it may be alternate takes.

Mike S.

I guess my point is that I want to have at least the LaserDisc version. If more exists, I'd like that too. The sole reason I still have my LaserDisc player is to some day make a DVD of Mad World. If Criterion saves me the effort and improves on it, I'll love them forever. The footage added to the LaserDisc could, these days, easily be made to match the rest of the film, because it was mostly a color correction issue. Well, it wouldn't be difficult in SD at least-- I don't how it would look in HD because I don't know what format those scenes exist on. I don't remember them looking grainer or lower res, but of course those issues would be somewhat masked by being in SD.

fwtep wrote:I guess my point is that I want to have at least the LaserDisc version. If more exists, I'd like that too. The sole reason I still have my LaserDisc player is to some day make a DVD of Mad World.

Talk of mad world, there are still some films that can only be seen on laserdisc. Or only the LD has any extras or 5.1 sound.

fwtep wrote:

precode wrote:

fwtep wrote:It would be cool for it to have all three versions-- general release, roadshow, and LD-- and, using seamless branching, let you choose which version you want to watch. I fully understand that that's a huge amount of work, but it sure would be awesome! Actually, I'd like a fourth version too: one with everything (so, roadshow + LD). And now that I think of it, the general release version isn't necessary, because the MGM disc is easy to get, looks great, and is cheap.

But the roadshow version does not exist anymore, or if it does, some evil collector is sitting on it. The laserdisc version was an attempt to put back as much footage as possible, though some of it may be alternate takes.

Mike S.

I guess my point is that I want to have at least the LaserDisc version. If more exists, I'd like that too. The sole reason I still have my LaserDisc player is to some day make a DVD of Mad World. If Criterion saves me the effort and improves on it, I'll love them forever. The footage added to the LaserDisc could, these days, easily be made to match the rest of the film, because it was mostly a color correction issue. Well, it wouldn't be difficult in SD at least-- I don't how it would look in HD because I don't know what format those scenes exist on. I don't remember them looking grainer or lower res, but of course those issues would be somewhat masked by being in SD.

I believe the laserdisc version will be included.

Mike S.

precode wrote:I believe the laserdisc version will be included.

Mike S.

Instant purchase!

I'm seeing MMMMW tonight at a movie theatre in Toronto. The run time is listed as 193 minutes. Isn't that the lenght of the original roadshow version? Has everything been found and restored?

I've tried googling around for current status on the film but just end up getting confused.

Robert Moulton wrote:I'm seeing MMMMW tonight at a movie theatre in Toronto. The run time is listed as 193 minutes. Isn't that the lenght of the original roadshow version? Has everything been found and restored?

I've tried googling around for current status on the film but just end up getting confused.

This Toronto website (with a great photo of a Toronto crowd lining up for the original release back in the '60s) suggests it'll be the currently available 35mm cut, which I think is around 154 minutes, while another site has the unlikely running time of 127 minutes, which can't possibly be correct. I see it's playing at several cinemas around town, so it's likely from a digital source, I wonder who's behind the screening?

Maybe whoever did up the online listing just Googled "It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World" and "running time" and got 193 minutes, as I just did, and just went with that?

The DNR used on MGM/Fox Video annoyed me to no end. Many won't be bothered by that, great for them, but as a result I gave up 10 minutes in and shut it off then hoped for a future release that was better. Well you really can't ask for better than Criterion - Excellent news.

Yes, it was the 156 minute version. Maybe about 30 people attending. Whether or not it was film or digital, I do not know. Image was pristine so I'm guessing that that means digital?

It was only $6!

It was part of this series:
http://www.cineplex.com/Events/ClassicF ... /Home.aspx" target="_blank

Update - the link above says films are digital. I never suspected digital once during the screening.

Robert Moulton wrote:It was part of this series:
http://www.cineplex.com/Events/ClassicF ... /Home.aspx" target="_blank" target="_blank

It'd be nice to see White Christmas on a big screen. There was a screening of it here in Halifax at the 1940s-era Oxford Theatre a few years ago, right before they switched from 35mm to digital projection. The print was in fairly decent shape, and looked great. The same theatre is now doing a monthly classic movie matinee, the next one is Rear Window. Not sure if they show it from a blu-ray or a hard drive or what.

But I've never seen IAMMMMW on a big screen before, that would be a real treat.

s.w.a.c. wrote:

Robert Moulton wrote:It was part of this series:
http://www.cineplex.com/Events/ClassicF ... /Home.aspx" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

It'd be nice to see White Christmas on a big screen. There was a screening of it here in Halifax at the 1940s-era Oxford Theatre a few years ago, right before they switched from 35mm to digital projection. The print was in fairly decent shape, and looked great. The same theatre is now doing a monthly classic movie matinee, the next one is Rear Window. Not sure if they show it from a blu-ray or a hard drive or what.

The last time The Oxford ran White Christmas ( December 2012) was from DCP, not film. Is that what you are referring to ? It was a complete sell-out and had to be run again the following weekend demand for tickets was so high.

All of the current & upcoming classic film series titles are DCP as well.

Robert W wrote:

s.w.a.c. wrote:

Robert Moulton wrote:It was part of this series:
http://www.cineplex.com/Events/ClassicF ... /Home.aspx" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

It'd be nice to see White Christmas on a big screen. There was a screening of it here in Halifax at the 1940s-era Oxford Theatre a few years ago, right before they switched from 35mm to digital projection. The print was in fairly decent shape, and looked great. The same theatre is now doing a monthly classic movie matinee, the next one is Rear Window. Not sure if they show it from a blu-ray or a hard drive or what.

The last time The Oxford ran White Christmas ( December 2012) was from DCP, not film. Is that what you are referring to ? It was a complete sell-out and had to be run again the following weekend demand for tickets was so high.

All of the current & upcoming classic film series titles are DCP as well.

Shown properly from a good scan, a DCP can look outstanding, and there's a good chance it uses the same transfer used to master any Blu-ray editions (which may or may not approach the look of a DCP). If you've got a Blu-ray player and full 1080p projector, the Blu-ray of WHITE CHRISTMAS ranks among the top transfers out there (along with THE TEN COMMANDMENTS 1956 version, TO CATCH A THIEF, and a number of others). The new Blu-ray of REAR WINDOW also looks extremely good, but not having been shot on a large-format negative could never look quite as sharp as those three VistaVision titles. (THE TROUBLE WITH HARRY, however, was and does!)

Getting back on topic, the current Blu-ray of MAD MAD WORLD looks extremely good, but if Criterion can do a new scan from 65mm negative as well as put back all the existing scenes and intermission audio they can find, and add more bonus features, then fans will probably want to get it. Can't beat the $10 Walmart bargain version on Blu-ray in the meantime, however!

Robert W wrote:

s.w.a.c. wrote:

Robert Moulton wrote:It was part of this series:
http://www.cineplex.com/Events/ClassicF ... /Home.aspx" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

It'd be nice to see White Christmas on a big screen. There was a screening of it here in Halifax at the 1940s-era Oxford Theatre a few years ago, right before they switched from 35mm to digital projection. The print was in fairly decent shape, and looked great. The same theatre is now doing a monthly classic movie matinee, the next one is Rear Window. Not sure if they show it from a blu-ray or a hard drive or what.

The last time The Oxford ran White Christmas ( December 2012) was from DCP, not film. Is that what you are referring to ? It was a complete sell-out and had to be run again the following weekend demand for tickets was so high.

All of the current & upcoming classic film series titles are DCP as well.

Nope, this wasn't last year's screening, this was a few years back, before they switched from film to digital. It was definitely a print, but one that was in fairly decent condition. The only digital screening of a classic title I've seen at the Oxford so far was Whatever Happened to Baby Jane, and it looked terrific. Rear Window is coming up next month, but I've seen it fairly recently, so I'm not sure I'll go, but part of me feels like I should go just to support the series.

It's official!

I have high hopes for its expert audio commentary.

I'm still unsure if this will replace my laserdisc. Besides the general release version, which I'm not really interested in (though I know some people are), it says this:
-----
New high-definition digital transfer of a 197-minute extended version of the film, reconstructed and restored by Robert A. Harris using visual and audio material from the longer original road-show version—including some scenes that have been returned to the film here for the first time—with 5.1 surround Master Audio soundtrack on the Blu-ray
------

But what I'm still not sure of is how that relates to the 182 minute laserdisc version. As in, are there things in the laserdisc version that are not in the 197 minute version? If so, how much?

It's a must-have for me either way, but I'm really hoping it has everything from the laser.

Here's an interesting HTF post detailing what to expect from this reconstruction:
http://www.hometheaterforum.com/topic/3 ... try4011185
So, out of curiosity, does anyone know if this reconstruction includes any additional Buster Keaton scenes?

Thanks for the link! As for Keaton, do you mean in addition to any that might have been in the Laserdisc version, or compared to the general release version? I *think*, but am definitely not sure, that the Laserdisc (and therefore this one) does have very slightly more.

fwtep wrote:Thanks for the link! As for Keaton, do you mean in addition to any that might have been in the Laserdisc version, or compared to the general release version? I *think*, but am definitely not sure, that the Laserdisc (and therefore this one) does have very slightly more.

I have the "laserdisc" cut on VHS and the standard version on both DVD and bluray, and I don't remember any additional Keaton material in the "laserdisc" version, but it has been a long time since I have seen that other version. I think I remember reading that the roadshow cut had a scene showing a telephone conversation between Spencer Tracy and Buster Keaton, and I'm wondering if such a scene has been restored. I just read a later post in that HTF thread that the only material still fully missing (no audio or visual) from the roadshow print is an extended scene after Spencer Tracy has revealed his police identity at the "Big W" (I hope that's not a spoiler!).

I was able to find that source of information concerning that additional Keaton scene:
http://web.archive.org/web/200403020032 ... d/mad.html
The article is about ten years ago and is somewhat outdated given the details of the reconstruction. The information concerning the Keaton scene (only surviving in audio ten years ago) is on the second page.
On another note, the method used to restore the color on the faded footage is very similar to the process used to restore the two-color Technicolor sequence in the fairly recent blu-ray edition of Keaton's "Seven Chances."

I have the laser disc version but it's a no brainer ordering this up. Scenes not even on the laser disc will be included.

Little Caesar wrote:On another note, the method used to restore the color on the faded footage is very similar to the process used to restore the two-color Technicolor sequence in the fairly recent blu-ray edition of Keaton's "Seven Chances."

Locking Eric Grayson away somewhere, chained to a computer workstation?

From the Criterion press release:

• New audio commentary featuring It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World aficionados Mark Evanier, Michael Schlesinger, and Paul Scrabo

I wonder what Michael had to say?

Daniel Eagan wrote:From the Criterion press release:

• New audio commentary featuring It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World aficionados Mark Evanier, Michael Schlesinger, and Paul Scrabo

I wonder what Michael had to say?

"Sadly, the Biffle & Shuster scenes have yet to turn up in any form."

Daniel Eagan wrote:From the Criterion press release:

• New audio commentary featuring It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World aficionados Mark Evanier, Michael Schlesinger, and Paul Scrabo

I wonder what Michael had to say?

"It's good, but it can't compare to a certain octopus."