Waiting forever for "History is Made At Night"

[Phillyrich]

Why is "History Is Made At Night" still not on an American dvd issue? It was once promised by Criterion but that didn't pan out. Ownership issues? A fine film from 1937. It deserves a well remastered dvd edition.

[bobfells]

My guess is that Criterion was unable to locate really fine looking print materials. TCM showed this film a year or so ago but it was a lousy looking print. For a while there was a DVD available with Portuguese subtitles (that could be turned off). I was fortunate to purchase one (for $8) before it went OOP. It was the best looking edition I have seen but even then it left something to be desired.

[Phillyrich]

Thanks, Bob. Sad to think there may not be a good print of this film anywhere.

[Ray Faiola]

It's one of the Walter Wanger pictures that have bounced from owner to owner over the past half-century (MPTV, JED, Alan Enterprises, Castle Rock, etc etc). I have a print struck in the 50's by Motion Pictures For Television. Looks a heck of a lot better than the awful things shown on television in recent years. I think FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT is the most fortunate of this group as far as surviving materials. VOGUES OF 1938? There's a color video master but I don't know what the source is other than that it is definitely from 35mm.

[Phillyrich]

Ray, do collectors like yourself ever get contacted by companies like Criterion (or the studios) looking for good prints?

How does that process work?

[Roseha]

I saw the film at the Walter Reade Theater at the Film Society of Lincoln Center when I was working there and thought it was wonderful. I don't remember any problems with the print, but I don't remember at all where we would have gotten it from.

[Marr&Colton]

I was lucky enough to record VOGUES OF 1938 off TCM a few years ago---average-to-good quality for such an obscure title.

[Ray Faiola]

Ray, do collectors like yourself ever get contacted by companies like Criterion (or the studios) looking for good prints?

How does that process work?

Occasionally. Especially the collectors who live out on the west coast. I'm in NY so, unless I'm aware of a project and reach out to the studio, I don't get contacted. I've supplied plenty of materials - mostly trailers, and I supplied the missing reel that was cut for the reissue of SHE.

For full features, most studios and producers won't bother with 16mm for myriad reasons. But, in rare instances, it might be the best way to go. I'm not so sure in the case of HISTORY IS MADE AT NIGHT.

[Rick Lanham]

Here's a copy recently posted: