Discovering Orson Welles author Jonathan Rosenbaum posted on Facebook last night that he recently recorded an audio commentary for the Criterion Collection’s upcoming release of The Magnificent Ambersons.
He said he was joined by fellow film scholar James Naremore (The Magic World of Orson Welles) on the commentary track.
Rosenbaum also revealed the release is being helmed by noted Criterion producer Issa Clubb (Chimes at Midnight, Othello). He said he believed The Magnificent Ambersons will be released in November.
Criterion is famously tight-lipped about its releases, but Rosenbaum’s post is making the rounds on socials media. A screen capture of his revelations were tweeted by film critic Peter Labuza and posted by others to Reddit.
Wellesnet has confirmed Criterion acquired the home video rights to the 1942 film from Warner Bros. in early 2016 and has since been working on a home video release.
The Magnficent Ambersons was released as a short-lived, bare bones DVD by Warner Home Video in 2011. It has not been released on Blu-ray in North America.
A laser disc loaded with extras was released by the Criterion Collection in 1989. It included production stills, an informative commentary track by scholar Robert Carringer, and footage from Pampered Youth, the 1925 silent film based on The Magnificent Ambersons.
The Criterion Collection is home to many fine Welles restorations including Chimes at Midnight, Othello with Filming Othello, Mr. Arkakin, F For Fake with One Man Band and The Immortal Story.
!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/QNZYEZX0dq
— Peter Labuza (@labuzamovies) June 6, 2018
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