Its an interesting mix of films that shows the diversity of the label.
When warned by neighbors of the assassins, he waves the warning off.
Why would a man be so complicit in his own demise?
Thats what insurance investigator Jim Reardon (Edmond OBrien) wants to know.
As is often the case in noir, its his love that leads to his undoing.
The 1964 version changes up the plot a little.
Image via Criterion
Robert Siodmakdirected the 1946 version, and on a technical level, its the better film.
The black and white photography is amazing, and its a stylish and deeply satisfying piece.
The 1964 version comes fromDon Siegeland was initially meant to be a TV movie.
Image via Criterion
Its not distracting, but its also not as perfectly preserved as some of the collections previous releases.
Both films are presented in their correct aspect ratios (1.33:1) and in DTS-HD 1.0 monaural sound.
Complementing the 1946 version is an interview withStuart Kaminsky(18 min.
Its followed by a section called Source and Adaptations.
It offers a Stacy Keach reading of the short story (18 min.
), the 1948 Screen Directors Playhouse radio adaptation (30 min.)
Image via Criterion
The 1964 section of extras is a little lighter.
It kicks with an interview withClu Gulager(19 min.
Theres an excerpt on the film from Don Siegels autobiography as read by screenwriterHampton Fancher(20 min.
), which notes that Siegel almost directed the original (as does Kaminsky).
Rounding out the supplements is a trailer for the film.
The ship goes down, and as the boat sinks Alec gets tied up to the horse.
Image via Criterion
Its an immaculately shot film, and the Blu-ray highlights that.
The supplements are pretty great.
Five short films by Ballard are included, all coming with introductions from the director.
The first is Pigs (11 min.)
and as Ballard says in the intro (1 min.)
he did it for the money.
The Perils of Priscilla (17 min.)
was made for the Humane Society - as Ballard notes (2 min.)
and follows a cat that unintentionally runs away from its home.
Rodeo (20 min.)
surveys the life of the men who work at rodeos, and the Ballard intro (4 min.)
notes that theres some cheating in the shots simply because of the danger involved in being around the bulls.
As introd by Ballard (2 min.)
Seems Like Only Yesterday (47 min.)
was born of a conversation with his grandfather about Los Angeles.
Here he collects twelve people aged over a hundred to talk about whats changed in LA.
Crystalization (11 min.)
also came about because Ballard was broke, as he says in the intro (1 min.
), but its absolute gorgeous look at crystallization.
For more film-specific supplements theres an interview with Ballard conducted byScott Foundas(47 min.
Theres also an interview with Caleb Deschanel (21 min.)
for them in what is now a very valuable supplement.
The extras are rounded out by the films theatrical trailer.
Limelight is the film that is oft considered Charlie Chaplins last great film.
Which the film underlines and puts in bold by having Chaplin play a faded star of vaudeville named Calvero.
Thereza wants to die, but Calvero rescues her and nurses her back to health.
Thereza is a dancer, but shes given up on it due to psychosomatic illnesses that paralyze her.
The two live together, and they fall in a form of love.
If I were to use one word to describeLimelight, it would be maudlin.
The Criterion edition presents the film in its original aspect ratio (1.33:1) and in monaural sound.
This is followed by recent interviews with stars Claire Bloom (16 min.)
andNorman Lloyd(15 min.).
Also included are two of Chaplins short films,A Night in the Snow(25 min.
Rounding out the set are two trailers for the film.
