Where is The Man With The Golden Arm (1955)? (1 Viewer)

[darkrock17]

I've known about this film for awhile, but hadn't really seen it until this past June when TCM was doing a spotlight on jazz music in films.

They posted the opening credits to their social media's and I knew I had to see this film, unfortunately I missed it and missed it again last Thursday when they were doing an Otto Preminger day as well.

After I read up on this film I was actually surprised that it has not been given a blu-ray release yet. Several Preminger's films have already gotten releases, but not this one, why is that?

This film has a great cast with a surprising score from legendary film composer Elmer Bernstein and fantastic yet simple poster and credits designed by the great Saul Bass.

Looking into the films "controversial" history I discovered that it started the demise of the Hayes Production Code.

Because it wasn't given their seal of approval is that how this film has fallen into public domain? The only official release it's had so far was from WB back in 2008 and nothing since.

Anatomy Of A Murder was released by Criterion back in 2012, so why did they not follow up with this classic?

Is this movie cursed or something that no studios or companies wants to touch it for some reason(s) or another?

 

[StarDestroyer52]

It has a region free UK release from Network which is very affordable.

 

[Thomas T]

The U.S. rights to The Man With The Golden Arm are with Warners who released the film on DVD (along with Advise And Consent and The Cardinal). I stand to be corrected but I believe Warners licensed them from the Otto Preminger estate. I don't know if that license is still in effect or have expired. I've seen many copies that were public domain so I don't know what's going on there. Hopefully, if Warners still has the rights, it will show up in their WA blu ray releases someday soon.

 

[darkrock17]

The U.S. rights to The Man With The Golden Arm are with Warners who released the film on DVD (along with Advise And Consent and The Cardinal). I stand to be corrected but I believe Warners licensed them from the Otto Preminger estate. I don't know if that license is still in effect or have expired. I've seen many copies that were public domain so I don't know what's going on there. Hopefully, if Warners still has the rights, it will show up in their WA blu ray releases someday soon.

I'd rather see Criterion release it instead since they already did Anatomy Of A Murder and gave that a nice treatment. WA won't included any new features were as with Criterion they would give it a good edition.

 

[RICK BOND]

It has a region free UK release from Network which is very affordable.

It's in Widescreen 1:66.1 Looks Great & Region Free. I have had it since 2015 !

 

[darkrock17]

It's in Widescreen 1:66.1 Looks Great & Region Free. I have had it since 2015 !

Was this filmed in widescreen, as I've only seen full screen clips, including the opening credits, was this made in both formats?

 

[Thomas T]

Was this filmed in widescreen, as I've only seen full screen clips, including the opening credits, was this made in both formats?

An American film from 1955? Of course, it was intended for wide screen exhibition.

 

[Mark B]

Internet Archive streams the widescreen version.

 

[TravisR]

I'd rather see Criterion release it instead since they already did Anatomy Of A Murder and gave that a nice treatment. WA won't included any new features were as with Criterion they would give it a good edition.

If there Isn't an old talk show or documentary with Otto Preminger or Frank Sinatra talking about the movie, the most Criterion would do today is include an interview with a film critic or two.

 

[darkrock17]

An American film from 1955? Of course, it was intended for wide screen exhibition.

The 50th Anniversary edition from Hart Sharp Video was in full screen is why I asked.

 

[darkrock17]

If there Isn't an old talk show or documentary with Otto Preminger or Frank Sinatra talking about the movie, the most Criterion would do today is include an interview with a film critic or two.

Kim Novak is still alive, she could be interviewed.

 

[TravisR]

Kim Novak is still alive, she could be interviewed.

Yes they could but based on the special features that Criterion has been producing for years now, I feel very safe in saying that they won't.

EDIT: Just to be clear, I'm not knocking Criterion because the market is not what is was 10 or 15 years ago so they can't turn a profit if they produce a bunch of special features. At this point, I know they aren't doing documentaries or commentaries any more so I'm perfectly happy when they release a movie that I like and I just hope that they critic or historian interviews are interesting.

 

[Ethan Riley]

Maybe he was shot by the Man With the Golden Gun.

 

[darkrock17]

Yes they could but based on the special features that Criterion has been producing for years now, I feel very safe in saying that they won't.

Features depend on what is available or is leased out. That 50th Anniversary edition has some good features on it.

 

[TravisR]

Features depend on what is available or is leased out. That 50th Anniversary edition has some good features on it.

Yeah, they could port the existing special features over but they still won't create much new content.

 

[haineshisway]

What am I not comprehending here? There is a region-free Blu-ray that is of terrific quality. If someone is interested in the film, as darkrock seems to be, seems like the answer is to make a purchase immediately, as did many of us when it came out. So, what's the prob here? To wait for Criterion to do something they'll probably never do?

 

[RICK BOND]

Here is mine.

 

[darkrock17]

Yeah, they could port the existing special features over but they still won't create much new content.

There's a lot of stuff that could be created from discussing Elmer Bernstein's score to how this film changed Hollywood and the Production Code.

What am I not comprehending here? There is a region-free Blu-ray that is of terrific quality. If someone is interested in the film, as darkrock seems to be, seems like the answer is to make a purchase immediately, as did many of us when it came out. So, what's the prob here? To wait for Criterion to do something they'll probably never do?

Not all of us have the luxury of being able to buy from other countries. Why do say Criterion wouldn't release this film some day, it easily fits into their collection. Why do you always have be negative about things, you were practically unbearable to deal with when many of us were awaiting It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World back in 2013 and 2014.

 

[StarDestroyer52]

Not all of us have the luxury of being able to buy from other countries. Why do say Criterion wouldn't release this film some day, it easily fits into their collection. Why do you always have be negative about things, you were practically unbearable when many of us were waiting for It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World back in 2013 and 2014.

You can get most region free titles on eBay via rarewaves store. For example, I see The Man With The Golden Arm for $13.56+Tax and free shipping. And when the Criterion comes out you can still get that release. Also, Criterion is known to sit on titles they have for a long time if they even have this certain title.

 

[Mark-P]

You don’t have to buy it from other countries. You can buy it on Amazon right now for less than 15 bucks shipped. Importing is easier than ever now as US sellers do the importing for you.