A suggestion for Criterion

[Tony]

There have been many convincing arguments for the belief that what Bea did to Othello was create a new version; and seeing as she probably needs some new cash, as her Othello came out in 1993, I have a suggestion inspired by the recent Criterion box set of Arkadin:


"THE COMPLETE OTHELLO" (Box set)

Disc 1: Orson Welles 1952 Cannes Film Festival version.
Disc 2: Orson Welles 1955 British version.
Disc 3: Beatrice Welles 1993 version with redone sound effects and rerecorded stereo music track.


Extras:

Commentary by Jonathan Rosenbaum, James Naremore and Joseph McBride

Special appearance by Peter Bogdanovich

Documentaries:
Disc 1: Filming Othello
Disc 2: A History of the Play
Disc 3: Restoring Othello




Who doesn't think this would sell more units than Arkadin? And it would be a way to:

a. Get the Orson Welles versions on DVD
b. Get Filming Othello on DVD
c. Make Bea happy by making her version an official part of the canon, while putting money in her bank account.


What do you think? ???

[RayKelly]

I think it is a great idea.
How about adding Hilton Edward's Return to Glennascaul?

[Tony]

Absolutely: I just forgot about it.
:;):

[Cole]

Nice idea, but it ain't gonna happen. Not anymore than the following 3-disc set:

1. Magnificent Ambersons (RKO version)

2. Magnificent Ambersons (Roger Ryan version)

3. Magnificent Ambersons (Orson Welles version).

[Tony]

Why not? Criterion already released the 1955 version on laserdisc in the 90s. It seems to me you'd just need Bea on board.
:;):

[Cole]

Yea, well, I'm pretty sure I found the case in California where Beatrice sued the Criterion group for releasing that laser disc. I don't think they had permission from her lordship before they put that into production. But if she could get a small chunk of change, you'd think she might be agreeable to the second release of Othello. A little "double dipping" on her part.

[Tony]

Someone mentioned on the board the other day that Bea had okay'd a new book on Welles, and of course there seems to be a veritable flood of late; I'm sure Bea, as guard of the image, has had to okay most of this material, which means one thing to me: it's cash-cow time, so it's a good time to get your Welles stuff out. I've heard of a professor in California at the U of Cal who's had a manuscript and a publishing deal ready to go for about 5 years for a book of Welles's writings. He's got all the requisite permissions from the original sources, but Bea wants about 95% of any profits, so the guy has simply not published.

Maybe this would be a good time for him and Criterion to phone the mighty Bea. :;):

[jaime marzol]

for me, the most prolific speaker on welles' othello, has been myron meisel.

[Tony]

Jaime: I don't know Myron Meisel: Can you direct me too his material on Othello?

[colwood]

I believe the Meisel reference is to his joint commentary (w/ Bogdanovich) on the Othello LD.

[jaime marzol]

yes, that is where his commentary is, the ld othello, a marvelous package. and meisel is fabulous.