Dr. David, I cannot agree more. One of the best films ever. This is the reason I love films. Masterpiece !!!! There is also a museum in Vienna dedicated to this film only!!!!!!! Philipp
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T -----Original Message----- From: David Kusumoto <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Sun, 18 Nov 2007 19:23:43 To:[email protected] Subject: Re: [MOPO] my WANT LIST - The Third Man 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 -0500 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: my WANT LIST To: [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 HARVEST SPIRAL STAIRCASE THE 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 MAN A PLACE IN THE SUN (half style A) i love HITCHCOCK, but i have most of the titles i want thanks michael Visit the MoPo Mailing List Web Site at www.filmfan.com ___________________________________________________________________ How to UNSUBSCRIBE from the MoPo Mailing List Send a message addressed to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] In the BODY of your message type: SIGNOFF MOPO-L The author of this message is solely responsible for its content.
