The Criterion Collection just released Howard Hawks’ 1938 screwball classic Bringing Up Baby, in a new 4k restoration. The special features are EXTENSIVE, including a video-essay on Cary Grant by Scott Eyman (author of the new biography of Grant), as well as multiple interviews about various aspects of the film (special effects, cinematography, costume design – and more.
I was honored to be asked to write the booklet essay included with the release. This is my fifth booklet essay for them, after Gilda, Something Wild, The Great Escape, and Dance, Girl, Dance. My relationship with Criterion started when they asked me to write and narrate a video-essay to be included in their release of John Cassavetes’ Love Streams. I’m very pleased with this archive, and think it’s great how diverse these movies are!
Each assignment was fun in its own way. I loved doing Something Wilde since it was basically a forgotten film finally finding its way into the light. Same with Dance, Girl, Dance. The Great Escape was fun – and I felt a HUGE responsibility since that film is so revered in such a unique way. And everybody loves Bringing Up Baby. If you don’t, you’re a lost cause. Sorry. So this one was really fun.
The essay (with its very amusing title, if I do say so myself) is included in the DVD/Blu packet, but it’s also online. So if you want to check it out, here it is.
There is something so very Right about you being the one to write this essay — love this, so much, and can’t wait to see what’s next for you!
It was such a fun assignment – thank you so much, Rae! You’ve been around these here parts almost since the beginning!
When you find a balm for the soul, you stick with it! Your writing (across so many subjects) is one of those for me.
So nice of you to say – thanks Rae!