Letters. We get letters. And we’d like to answer them here, each time we update this column. So email us here at movieirv@www.moviesunlimited.com and we’ll print the letters in this column. Here are a couple of our recent queries:
Question: Is there any reason why the superb Robert Mitchum film from 1975, Farewell My Lovely, is not available? I think it is one of his best screen roles, and Sylvia Miles grabbed an Oscar nomination for her work.
Also, Diary Of A Mad Housewife is another 1970s character study nowhere to be found? Any thoughts on when or will we ever see this on DVD?
And finally, I’m still waiting for the DVD release of Looking For Mr. Goodbar. Any news?
— (via email)
Answer: Farewell My Lovely, a terrific reworking of Raymond Chandler’s Murder, My Sweet with “Mitch” as detective Phillip Marlowe, was briefly on DVD but hasn’t been available in some years. From what we can tell, its rights remain at Lionsgate, and there are no current plans to issue it on DVD or Blu-ray. FYI, Sylvester Stallone has a pre-Rocky turn as “Jonnie” and Mitchum donned a pin-striped suit that was worn by Victor Mature in the 1940s.
As for Diary Of A Mad Housewife, Universal has not said a word about Frank Perry’s acclaimed 1970 darkly satiric tale in which Oscar-nominated Carrie Snodgress attempts to get a reprieve from nasty hubby Richard Benjamin by having an affair with writer Frank Langella. Why Paramount has been reluctant to put out Goodbar, Richard Brooks’ 1977 treatment of Judith Rossner’s best-seller, is beyond us. Diane Keaton turned in one of her most complex performances as the teacher embroiled in all manner of after-hours sexual adventures. A special edition should be in the works—but we can’t solidly report that there actually is one!
Question: I wonder if any of these movies will be out on DVD?
Battle Hell–Richard Todd
Savage Drums–Sabu
China Sky–Randolph Scott
China–Alan Ladd
Eagle Squadron–Robert Stack
Retreat Hell–Richard Carlson
The Mortal Storm–James Stewart
Hitler’s Madman–John Carradine
Northern Pursuit–Errol Flynn
Edge Of Darkness-Errol Flynn
North Star AKA: Armored Attack–Dana Andrews
Sabre Jet-Robert Stack
The Malta Story–Alec Guinness, Jack Hawkins
Glory At Sea–Trevor Howard
First Yank Into Tokyo–Tom Neal
Sabotage Agent AKA: The Adventures Of Tartu–Robert Donat
Fighter Squadron-Robert Stack
Confessions Of A Nazi Spy–Edward G. Robinson
Destroyer-Edward G. Robinson, Glenn Ford
Jump Into Hell–Jacques Sernas
China Gate–Gene Barry, Angie Dickinson
Betrayal From The East–Lee Tracy
The Beginning Or The End–Brian Donlevy
The Story Of Dr. Wassell–Gary Cooper
Task Force-Gary Cooper
Destination Gobi–Richard Widmark
Manila Calling–Lloyd Nolan
Pride Of The Marines–John Garfield
Salute To The Marines–Wallace Beery
This Man’s Navy-Wallace Beery
God Is My Co-Pilot–Dennis Morgan
Bombardier–Pat O’Brien
— (via email)
Answer: That’s quite a list you got there. We can tell you that before this summer’s out, The Pride Of The Marines, the compelling true story of WWII hero Al Schmitt (played by John Garfield) will make it onto DVD, as will the Gary Cooper WWII drama Task Force. The other titles’ DVD arrival dates would be mere speculation on our parts, but we sure think the Warner-owned titles on your list (Confessions Of A Nazi Spy, Edge Of Darkness) have a good shot of being issued by way of the Warner Archives.
Question: Thank you for your great column. Is there any word on a new Betty Grable collection from Fox? What about the following films:
Margie (1946); Centennial Summer (1946); Tobacco Road; A Bell For Adano; The Iron Curtain; The Mating Season; The Secret Of Convict Lake; The Egyptian.
What are the chances that Fox will follow Warner and do an Archive Collection?
— (via email)
Answer: Fox was said to be looking into more Grable releases a while back, but we haven’t gotten anything that pins her gams in cement. We understand The Egyptian is in need of restoration. It seems like the studios are taking a wait and see attitude towards Warner’s Archive experiment, but we doubt any particular studio is actually planning anything on the order of Warner’s effort now—or, at least, not yet.
Question: In the mid-1950s. Twentieth Century Fox produced some first rate CinemaScope shorts to support their (then-new) CinemaScope features. Among these were Vesuvius Express, Tournament Of Roses and the brilliant Tuna Clipper Ship. I wrote to Fox to suggest that they add these to some of their new DVD releases as extras instead of so many trailers, etc., but I never received a reply. Can you try to persuade them? I’m sure they must be gathering dust in a vault somewhere. Other companies have added old shorts to their films – (Warner, etc.) It would give people who weren’t around in the ‘50s (unlike me !) a chance to see these first class shorts. Best wishes from England.
— (via email)
Answer: We will send the request for the powers-that-be and hope for a response. The CinemaScope Shorts series you refer to was a dandy way to entertain and inform the public, and promote the new CinemaScope technique at the same time. We think it would be great for Fox to add them to releases, especially those shot in “’scope.”
Question: I just love all the musicals that Gordon MacRae, Gene Nelson, Jane Powell, June Haver, Doris Day and, of course, others, have been in since 1940s to the 1960s. The best times for musicals. How about The Desert Song, with Gordon MacRae; or Sweet Rosie O’Grady with Betty Grable and The Daughter Of Rosie O’Grady with June Haver. I really appreciate your letting me know about the OLD Great Musical movies….
— (via email)
Answer: We wouldn’t be surprised to see The Desert Song issued by Warner at some point, probably though their Archives. The O’Grady films are owned by Fox, and no word on them. As far as upcoming musicals, take a gander at these on the way:
Thousands Cheer (1943) with Gene Kelly and Kathryn Grayson; The Bamboo Blonde (1946) showcasingFrances Langford and Russell Wade; Painting The Clouds With Sunshine (1951) featuring Lucille Norman, Virginia Mayo, and Virginia Gibson; Interrupted Melody (1955) with Glenn Ford; and Two Sailors And A Girl (1953) with Gordon MacRae and Jane Powell.
Question: I read that Sony / Columbia will be releasing a Rita Hayworth Collection on November 3, 2009. The titles included are Tonight And Every Night, Miss Sadie Thompson, Salome, Cover Girl and Gilda. Is there any chance for these titles being released separately, as I already own Cover Girl and Gilda and I am only really interested in Miss Sadie Thompson?
— (via email)
Answer: Sorry, but Sony is only putting these Rita Hayworth titles out as part of a set. Down the road, they may change their minds.
Question: I was wondering if their were any plans of which you know to release in DVD format Edge Of Darkness, a World War II movie dealing with the resistance movement in Norway, directed by Lewis Milestone and which starred Errol Flynn, possibly as part of one of these multiple movie signature type collections. I have seen 2 released so far dealing with Flynn movies.
— (via email)
Answer: The Errol Flynn sets were quite popular, and Warner still has titles like Edge Of Darkness, Desperate Journey, Northern Pursuit, and Escape Me Never in their library that certainly could be a part of a third boxed set. So we say, “En garde!,” and hope for number three in the future.
Question: Many greetings from Germany. I’m a frequent reader of your column and basically I’ve got two questions. The first is a general one: What has happened to Fox? From one day to another, they stopped releasing catalog stuff, and their output in ‘09 is next to nothing. I love their Fox Film Noir series and would like to add some more new titles to this line. And talking about film noir leads to my second question. What’s the status of Warner’s fifth Film Noir set? Do you have any information about some titles that will be included or when it’s coming out? Unfortunately, Warner has slowed down their classic retail releases as well – their Archive Series doesn’t count.
— (via email)
Answer: Greetings from Philadelphia. We just got off the horn from the good folks at Fox, and they tell us not to expect any catalog releases for the rest of the year! That’s bad news for collectors and noir fans around the world. As far as Warner is concerned, we don’t have a clue on their next noir set. We can tell you that their recent Warner Archive titles have pretty much steered clear of noir—a good sign for all concerned.
For noir fans, Sony is now the company to watch for, as The Film Noir Collection, Vol. 1 and The Film Noir Collection, Vol. 2 are on their way this fall. Selections from the first one include The Sniper, 5 Against The House, The Lineup, Murder By Contract and The Big Heat. The second set showcases Pushover, Nightfall, The Brothers Rico, City Of Fear and In A Lonely Place. Now, if only Universal would get their act together…
Question: I’ve been trying to get any kind of info regarding a really old but great movie based upon a book by Edna Ferber. The title is So Big, and I believe it starred Jane Wyman, but can’t be sure since it has been a good 45-50 years since I last saw it. Some Disney titles I’m looking for include The Black Arrow, Horse Sense and its sequel, Jumping Ship, the complete Zorro television series, So Dear To My Heart, and Rob Roy, The Highlander. I’m also still wishing for more Susan Hayward, Richard Egan, Yul Brynner, Sandra Dee and Maureen O’ Hara (especially her Lady Godiva Of Coventry) to be released.
— (via email)
Answer: The sprawling 1953 adaptation of Ferber’s So Big stars Ms. Wyman as a schoolteacher who works hard, marries farmer Sterling Hayden, and stays true to her morals. Meanwhile, as their son (Steve Forrest) grows older, he decides raw ambition and greed are more important. It’s a Warner title with no set DVD arrival date. The story was actually filmed twice before, in 1924 with Colleen Moore, and in 1932 with Barbara Stanwyck.
We do have good news regarding Zorro, as Disney is putting both seasons of the Guy Williams TV show on DVD as Walt Disney Treasures: Zorro: The Complete First Season and Walt Disney Treasures: Zorro: The Complete Second Season. We, too, would like to see the Disney titles you referenced on DVD as well. We’re all in favor of offering more movies with Hayward and the other fine performers you mentioned. We do have Brynner’s hard-to-find western Catlow on the way.
Question: I love your column. I have a few inquiries about DVD availability:
1. Slapstick (Of Another Kind) – a 1982 adaptation of a Kurt Vonnegut novel starring Jerry Lewis
2. The Kid From Brooklyn – 1946 Danny Kaye comedy
3. Lost Horizon – 1973 Peter Finch musical!!!
4. Last Exit To Brooklyn – 1989 Jennifer Jason Leigh drama
5. Kent State – 1981 TV movie
Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!
— (via email)
Answer: Unfortunately, we have no solid news on any DVD release for these titles. Slapstick was an independent production—not even sure who now holds the rights other than producer Steven Paul. The much-requested The Kid From Brooklyn with Mr. Kaye and Virginia Mayo was a Sam Goldwyn production now controlled by MGM and Fox, and they have no immediate plans for its DVD release. Sony owns the notorious musical remake of Lost Horizon, and we don’t believe it’s on its way anytime soon—at least not this year.
The rights situation for Uli Edel’s cinematic treatment of Hubert Selby Jr.’s Last Exit To Brooklyn is curious; it’s never been on DVD, and it seems like it doesn’t have a current American rights holder. It was made with German money, although shot stateside. Kent State, a powerful TV movie, has its rights entangled with its producers. As far as we can tell, NBC aired the film, but their parent company, Universal, doesn’t own it.
Question: Irv –- Thanks for your continuing efforts to have classic movies and TV shows released on DVD. Just wondering if you have any more news on Thriller (1960-62), the great suspense/horror TV show that starred Boris Karloff. Some of these episodes were released in VHS format several years ago, and there was some talk of a complete reissue on DVD, but it has yet to appear.
I also wondered about Visit To A Small Planet (1960), starring Jerry Lewis. I see lots of Jerry Lewis reissues, but they don’t include this neat Oscar-nominated comedy. Is there any hope for it?
— (via email)
Answer: Thriller is controlled by Universal and despite repeated efforts to alert them of its popularity, the company has yet to react to the demand for this fine series. As for Small Planet, based on a play by Gore Vidal, it is owned by the estate of producer Hal Wallis, which explains why Fox had the movie on VHS way back, and Paramount had distributed it in theaters way, way back.
Originally, it played like a satire on stage, but most of its key points were removed in favor of slapstick farce for film. On Broadway, the alien was played by Cyril Ritchard, the actor who won a Tony as Captain Hook in 1954’s staging of Peter Pan.
Question: When will the Alan Ladd movies The Blue Dahlia and The Glass Key be available on DVD?
— (via email)
Answer: That’s a dandy question. Both classic thrillers are from the actor’s reign at Paramount and their rights, from what we known, are controlled by Universal. We wonder, however, is their absence has anything to do with the estate of writer Dashiell Hammett. We know a licensing deal is what has affected Alan Ladd’s The Great Gatsby, another Paramount theatrical release, for years.