As a die-hard movie enthusiast with decades of film-watching under my belt, I find myself increasingly alarmed by the transient nature of today’s cinematic landscape. Just like Janet Wasko pointed out, it seems that movies are now perceived as commodities with an expiration date, a far cry from the timeless classics of yesteryears.
To put it simply, it’s no exaggeration to acknowledge our frequent discomfort with subpar remakes, as filmmakers persistently revisit the past in search of profit. However, the money-making aspect isn’t the most unsettling part. This practice often results in classic movies fading into obscurity or being erased from memory. This is seldom due to malice, but rather cold-blooded business tactics, as these timeless films are allowed to disappear to make way for more modern, marketable versions. In essence, this strategy boosts sales while simultaneously erasing older films from collective memory. Awards ceremonies may remind us that movies are an art form, but in reality, it’s the resilience of great films, not their studios, that ensures they stand the test of time.
Pop quiz, movie lovers. Who was the star of the 1931 film The Maltese Falcon? If you said Humphrey Bogart, you’re wrong. He didn’t get his chance until ’41, which goes to show how integral remakes are. Let us make it clear that remakes are not inherently worse or unnecessary. The surreal horror film Possession is scheduled to release starring Robert Pattinson, and we have high hopes. You might not have heard of the 1981 movie it’s revisiting, despite the fact it was shot in English, and boasted two relatively big stars. Luckily, you can (as of writing) catch up on the original starring Isabelle Adjani and Sam Neill if you know where to look. That’s hardly the norm though, sadly.
It seems we’re experiencing what some call the ‘streaming golden era’, yet the scarcity of certain movies on streaming platforms might lead one to question this. Many in the entertainment industry seem content with this state of affairs. At times, older movies can be quite cringe-worthy. On other occasions, they are so exceptional that they outshine the latest, polished offerings being marketed. Contrary to popular belief, these aren’t ‘lost films’ in the conventional sense; instead, they could be considered as forbidden or outdated media. These are films that movie studios want you to overlook completely.
The Missing Movie Pattern Explained
Many movie concepts today can be seen as reprises; for example, “Meet the Parents” (2000), “Rebecca” (2020), “Straw Dogs” (2011), “The Heartbreak Kid” (2007), “Heat” (1995), “Fatal Attraction” (1987), and “Sling Blade” (1996) are just a few examples. Unfortunately, if you’re eager to discover their initial drafts, your chances are slim. These early versions are hard to find as they are not available for streaming; instead, they remain in limbo, accessible only through VHS or DVD copies, and as of now, those opportunities are scarce.
The film “Meet the Parents,” produced in 1992, is not technically considered lost. However, Greg Glienna, its original creator, tried to distribute it but Universal Pictures (the company that owns the rights) prevented him from doing so for a contemporary release due to copyright issues. They even made him remove a free version from YouTube, even though Universal had no plans to monetize it themselves. He shared this in an interview with Little White Lies.
“For some reason, they won’t let me display it. If only I had a competent lawyer during that time to clarify things for me. Unfortunately, my previous lawyer didn’t distinguish between the movie and the script in the contract, so the language used means that when they bought the script, they effectively bought the movie as well.
The Entertainment Industry Is Built on Planned Obsolescence
There’s a solid reason behind it. The earlier movies, by muddying the online search results and being less appealing to modern audiences, can potentially lead people astray. For instance, when Netflix released their updated Hitchcock adaptation of “Rebecca” in 2020, confusion or distraction caused by the well-loved 1940 drama could result in ticket buyers accidentally discovering a different (and undeniably superior) version instead.
According to author Janet Wasko in her book “How Hollywood Works,” movies typically follow a financially predictable pattern: a large initial spike followed by a long period of little or no earnings. To be precise, around 65-70% of all films make the majority of their box office revenue during the first week of release. This means that movie theaters aim to show the film on as many screens as possible during its opening weekend. Essentially, this implies that an average movie earns approximately 95% of its total earnings within the first year, then gradually decreases to almost nothing. In contrast, streaming platforms provide minimal revenue and are considered a poor source of income compared to traditional box office sales.
Even though movies like “The Dark Knight” and the original “Batman” (1989) may not be produced anymore, the characters Batman and related names still hold significance. Therefore, Warner Brothers might find it unnecessary to continue marketing these films or keep them for screenings if they’ve surpassed their relevance. Given the approaching day when these works enter public domain, this change could happen sooner than one might expect.
Show business is and always will be a business first and foremost, which we’ll detail below. Sure, you can find some of these online by exploring illicit, transitory YouTube uploads or fly-by-night sites with Cyrillic letters (don’t do that unless you’re also dying to explore malware as well). The result is the same: an inferior version, all because the company that owns them perceives them as a burden, not a legacy to uphold.
Remakes Are the Future; Resistance is Futile
In today’s world, movies are viewed as temporary products by those in charge, and it seems that little has changed since the 1930s – we just refer to it as “content” nowadays. This issue is magnified with streaming platforms removing content from their services. Films, documentaries, TV shows, and miniseries can disappear without a trace, becoming too costly for licensing negotiations with companies like Apple or Amazon Prime. So, where can one find these lost treasures?
As a fan, I’ve come across an intriguing find: Karl Childers’ debut in Thorton’s work, titled “Karl Childers,” is up on Amazon for $34. Unfortunately, if you’re looking to catch Dearden or Glienna’s films, it might be challenging due to their scarcity, which is unfortunate given their high esteem. On a different note, during an interview on the British talk show “After Dark,” Dearden confessed that his original work, “Diversion,” was more intricate and morally layered compared to its remake, “Fatal Attraction.” He expressed reservations about certain changes, lamenting that he had no control over the adaptation of his own story.
Keep in mind, most movies throughout time have had practically zero shelf life, taking up warehouse space as the nitrocellulose film rotted in a tin can or spontaneously blew up a city block. For roughly 20 years, literally nobody saw The Manchurian Candidate. The Passion of Joan of Arc, now deemed one of the best films ever made, was lost for half a century. Who’s to say we won’t repeat history, some kid in 2074 unearthing a rare VHS of a masterpiece Pauly Shore film, unscreened for decades?
Modern conveniences like physical media storage and streaming services have become commonplace, yet we risk sliding back into an era where financially struggling films languished in warehouses. Such a state was never meant to be permanent. Fortunately, the public domain will always exist as a refuge. Keep in mind that a film from the past, forgotten by time, could one day become your cherished favorite. Rest assured, there’ll be countless alternatives (or more than enough) suggested for you on your Netflix recommended list. You can count on it.
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2024-10-05 20:01