Criterion Beauty & The Beast: When?
 

Earlier this year we kept hearing about the improved Beauty & The Beast coming out in October. Well, here we are in October and I don't see an approximate date in sight for the revised release. Does anybody have the inside dope?

...a much more pressing question is: will it carry the same spine number as the original release?...

(signed) Passing Cynic

. . .

Yeah, when? I saw it recently at the Music Box Theatre in Chicago, and it was quite good. I'd definitely buy the DVD whenever they get around to re-releasing it.

And I thought they said the spine number would remain the same.

You can find some - possible - relevant information here.....

"Criterion has ceased manufacturing our original edition of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (spine #6) to make room for a new edition, scheduled for release later this year. The new BEAUTY AND THE BEAST will feature a new transfer, a new spine number, and additional new supplemental features . It will be preceded by a theatrical release of newly restored prints in the spring. It's not technically going out of print, but the original edition will be replaced." - Jon Mulvaney / Criterion Co.

"A release date hasn't been determined. Look for it in early 2003."

Best,
JM

Contradicts this: http://www.dvdtalk.com/forum/showthr...hreadid=231753

Hmmm. It seems that the "same spine number" quote is newer than the "new spine number" quote, and so should be considered the current answer.

The longer quote above is taken from an Amazon.com review of the original Criterion disc dated June 7. I did not directly receive this quote from Mr. Mulvaney, and cannot vouch for its accuracy, although I find it hard to imagine anyone having a vested interest in impersonating him on this matter. :)

The second quote I received directly from JM.