39 Step Programme
I have contributed an essay to the Criterion Collection’s new Blu-ray of THE 39 STEPS. Which is exciting.
And there’s more — for the Blu-ray of Masters of Cinema’s THE LOST WEEKEND, another essay. Double the excitement.
Although, I must say, the work carries a greater sense of responsibility than, say, blogging about THE MAN WITHOUT A BODY. If either company would like to release some really stupid, shoddy movies for a change, I’m definitely up for essay duty.
If you pre-order the films from Amazon via these link, I get a little percentage, so that’d be nice.
The Lost Weekend [Masters of Cinema] (Blu-ray) [1945]
The Lost Weekend [Masters of Cinema] (Ltd Edition Blu-ray Steelbook) [1945]
March 30, 2012 at 9:40 am
Serious excitement! I have pre-ordered The 39 Steps Blu-ray and I don’t even have a Blu-ray player. THAT’S how excited I am.
March 30, 2012 at 1:18 pm
Well, I guess I’ll have to order it, and not only for the essay: due to parenting compromises, I had to choose between big-screen viewings of The 39 Steps and The Lady Vanishes last week, and of course (now) chose the latter. Still, it was fun to see the film in an absolutely sparkling print, and with an appreciative audience.
March 30, 2012 at 2:30 pm
Is there any truth to the notorious handcuffing-a-guy-to-the-camera-after-giving-him-laxatives story Hitch liked to tell?
March 30, 2012 at 3:17 pm
Charles Bennett (co-author of 39s) and Ronald Neame, I think, told the same story, so it’s probably true. But the version I’ve heard is –
The guy was a crewmember and a target for various Hitch pranks. Hitch bet him he wouldn’t go home in handcuffs, and the guy foolishly accepted, also accepting a bar of chocolate Hitch had laced with laxative. He wasn’t chained to the camera, but he was on public transport which may make it worse…
March 31, 2012 at 5:07 am
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