Michael --
Your list allows me to address an historical nitpick that has nagged me for
years. All of the titles on your latest want list (vs. those you've posted in
the past) -- are considered country of origin "U.S.A." productions -- EXCEPT --
"The Third Man."
While "The Third Man" has American actors Joseph Cotten and Orson Welles -- it
is considered, even by historians -- to be a BRITISH film. The U.K. is the
country of "first issue" and U.K. posters in all formats -- even international
posters distributed by Lion International U.K. in 1949-1950 -- are considered
more scarce than their USA counterparts. Some argue the art on the British
posters is also superior and moodier, dominated by an abstract silhouette of
Orson Welles' character.
Selznick got co-production credit with Alexander Korda for "The Third Man" and
had USA distribution rights for its USA release. But it world premiered at
Cannes and in the U.K. in September 1949 -- and was released in six other
countries BEFORE it was finally released in the USA -- five months later, in
February 1950. Selznick then changed the film's title to "The 3rd Man" (who
knows why) -- and horribly altered the tone of the original beginning of Carol
Reed's film. The Criterion Collection offers a side-by-side comparison of the
two versions and restores the film as originally released, the result being a
magnificent opening featuring a colorful voice over by Reed -- that Selznick
slashed. In my view, the U.K. version of this film is hands down better than
the USA version.
In sum, "The Third Man" is a London Film Productions / British Lion Film
Corporation effort first -- and a Selznick USA film a distant second. This is
likely the main reason "The Third Man" shows up #1 on the British Film
Institute's list of the 100 greatest films ever made. Interestingly, "The
Third Man" fared no better than #57 in the corresponding list issued by the AFI
in 1998 -- and dropped OFF ENTIRELY in 2007. "The Third Man" is unlike other
films by British directors, e.g., Hitchcock and David Lean -- whose "country of
first issue" films (and their posters), post-1939 and 1955, were in the U.S.A.,
e.g., "Rebecca," "Bridge on the River Kwai," etc.
-david in san diego.
=====
Date: Sun, 18 Nov 2007 17:06:51 -0500From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]: my WANT LISTTo:
[email protected]
my Want List just shrunk by one: just received MR. SKEFFINGTON insert !!!!!
great piece for bette collectors, although just a duo tone with a great imagine
of bette not from the film. seems to be a great rarer size and title.seeking
the following
AMERICAN ORIGINALS ONLY:
(posters only--no cards!!!)
RANDOM HARVESTSPIRAL STAIRCASETHE MORTAL STORM - 1940 (any size)
TOMORROW IS FOREVER (mint one sheet, half sheet)
BACK STREET (1932 only or early R)
THE HEIRESS (half only)
PORTRAIT OF JENNIE (half or insert)A WOMAN’S FACE
GENTLEMAN’S AGREEMENT
SUSPICION (insert/half only)
PRIVATE LIVES OF ELIZABETH & ESSEX (insert/half)
IMITATION OF LIFE – 1934 (insert, os)
bette davis inserts or half sheet: old maid, now voyager
THE THIRD MANA PLACE IN THE SUN (half style A)
i love HITCHCOCK, but i have most of the titles i want
thanksmichael
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