Screenhead

Some Screenhead readers may recall an article I posted a few months ago in which I listed ten great films that were either not on Region 1 DVD, or not available in any format. The well-respected Criterion Collection DVD label has announced that they will be releasing Billy Wilder’s film, Ace in the Hole this July. This is big news as the film has not been available in any format, and appeared to be permanently buried in the vault of Paramount Pictures.

Wilder’s 1951 film has been considered ahead of its time. Kirk Douglas plays a reporter who participates in changing a local tragedy into a media event. After the success of Sunset Boulevard, Wilder follow-up was considered a box office flop in spite of good reviews. Even retitling the movie to The Big Carnival didn’t help.

Ace in the Hole will come in a two-DVD set. Among the many extras are a 1980 documentary on Wilder, excerpts from an audio interview with co-screenwriter Walter Newman, and a booklet with essays by film critic Molly Haskell and Canadian indie filmmaker Guy Maddin. In related news, a classic film that Billy Wilder co-wrote, Ball of Fire, will be newly available on DVD in May. For those who haven’t seen it, the Howard Hawks directed comedy stars Barbara Stanwyck as a gangster’s girlfriend, hiding out with a bunch of fuddy-duddy professors.

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