Legend Films

[Ashirg]

This is a bunch of upcoming releases from Paramount according to Movies Unlimited. Not sure if they are coming directly from them or they licensed it to another studio, but here's what I found so far. No classics in this bunch!

June 3
Houdini (1953)
The Skull (1965)
Villa Rides (1968)
Those Daring Young Men In Their Jaunty Jalopies aka Monte Carlo or Bust (1969)
The Possession of Joel Delaney (1972)
Z.P.G. (1972)
Hitler: The Last Ten Days (1973)
The Optimists (1973)
Mandingo (1975)
King of the Gypsies (1978)
The One and Only (1978)
Student Bodies (1981)
Jekyll and Hyde... Together Again (1982)
Some Kind of Hero (1982)
Blue City (1986)
The Whoopee Boys (1986)
Almost an Angel (1990)

July 1
Rhubarb (1951)
Papa's Delicate Condition (1963)
The Busy Body (1967)
Desperate Characters (1971)
Serial (1980)
Partners (1982)
Baby It's You (1983)
Girl on the Bridge (1999)

[What A Disgrace]

Baby Its You is the most interesting title in the bunch; as John Sayles' second film as director, and one of only two which is not represented on DVD at all (the other being City of Hope).

[justeleblanc]

I also recommend THE ONE AND ONLY with Henry Winkler as a professional wrestler.

[Dr Amicus]

The Skull is my recommendation. I've only seen a bootleg vhs (a PAL copy from an NTSC original - not a pretty sight) but from what I've seen this is one of Amicus's finest non-Anthologies, and one of Freddie Francis's most interesting films. I can't wait to see a scope print of this to see if my initial enthusiasm is justified - certainly from what I've read this is gorgeous in scope.

[Dylan]

God, I saw Student Bodies when I was in elementary school. I don't remember very much. I just looked it up and the writer/director, Mickey Rose, co-wrote with Woody Allen from the early television days until Bananas. Subsequently, Mickey was the name of Woody's character in Hannah and Her Sisters, and of course, there's Danny Rose.

Girl on the Bridge is a wonderful film, so that's great news. Baby It's You sounds like a very interesting John Sayles, and I wonder if they settled the music rights or if they ended up replacing much of the music?

[ltfontaine]

The real prize among these titles is, for me, Richard Fleischer's incendiary Mandingo. This DVD release opens the door to an overdue reappraisal.

[pro-bassoonist]

It is somewhat ironic that they are finally going to release Girl On The Bridge. After all these years I am positive those in the US who wanted it more than likely already own it, with a region-free player. It is good news nevertheless, but so, so dated.

Pro-B

[Cronenfly]

Looking for Mr. Goodbar, Looking for Mr. Goodbar...where the hell is Para's release of that? It would fit right in with these, even if it is perhaps a notch higher-profile.

[Luke M]

And still no African Queen.

[Jeff]

And still no African Queen.

African Queen is going to be a massive, expensive restoration project for Paramount. When they're ready to release it, they won't be licensing it to any third parties.

[Wittsdream]

The real prize among these titles is, for me, Richard Fleischer's incendiary Mandingo. This DVD release opens the door to an overdue reappraisal.

Ding, ding, ding!! Absolutely concur with this opinion. I have been waiting for this film to be released for two decades. The only other contender in the group would have been Desperate Characters, a somewhat overlooked 1971 film that had a bit of a following in its day (film critic Stanley Kaufmann voted it one of the 10 Best English-language films of the decade).

It's a bit dated now, but definitely worth a look as it is very difficult to find (it was released for a brief time on laserdisc in the mid-1990's).

[Gregory]

Mandingo was the one that made my week. I'd begun to think there was something blocking its release. Unfortunately it will probably be totally bare-bones. I don't think every DVD should be loaded with extras, but Mandingo would really benefit from some kind of context to help understand and reassess what Fleischer was trying to do.

I will also be keen to see Villa Rides and Baby It's You.

[Cold Bishop]

Mandingo was the one that made my week. I'd begun to think there was something blocking its release. Unfortunately it will probably be totally bare-bones. I don't think every DVD should be loaded with extras, but Mandingo would really benefit from some kind of context to help understand and reassess what Fleischer was trying to do.

Especially since the majority of people still misunderstand the film and think its exploitative trash.

[King Prendergast]

See here for an astute reading of Mandingo.

[Ashirg]

They added another title for 7/1 -

Daniel (1983)

[filmyfan]

The Optimists (1973) is an interesting one-a rather sweet and melancholy film staring Peter Sellers-one of his best performances I would say.

This is not available in the UK and have been wondering when it would be released as I saw it recently at the BFI in a very good print and introduced by the Director Anthony Simmons who then did a Q & A afterwards and before I could ask when it was likely to be released on DVD they pulled the plug !

If anyone has any other details of the release it would be great as I have searched on the web today with not much luck !

[luridedith]

I can't wait for Mandingo.

[What A Disgrace]

Daniel? Awesome.

More Sidney Lumet is always a good thing.

[Person]

They added another title for 7/1 -

Daniel (1983)

YES! More Lumet. This is one of Sidney's favourite films, btw. A commentary would be great.

[LightBulbFilm]

MANDINGO!

But where is Coonskin?

[King Prendergast]

MANDINGO!

But where is Coonskin?

Yes!! I've been pushing for a greater acknowledgment of the brilliance of both of these films for years. Coonskin is particular is one of the most transgressive American films ever commercially released. A true masterpiece of 70s cinema. The two greatest films ever made about race in America. The sophistication of the critique in these films makes the work of Spike Lee look utterly sophomoric in contrast.

[domino harvey]

Supposedly the mystery studio has been revealed to be Legend, if that means anything to anyone

[Ashirg]

They do colorization of a lot of public domain movies and restore them in B&W as well. At least most of these movies are in color. At least somebody is doing something with Paramount library and I hope at least they are in proper aspect ration from good prints.

[pianocrash]

The Whoopee Boys! I predict it'll be just as embarrassing as it was when I was a wee one, when dad rented it from a supermarket for $1 and tried to laugh in lieu of his inevitable buyer's remorse.

[Buttery Jeb]

DVDDrive-In.com mentions a few extra titles, including "The Man Who Could Cheat Death," "Phase IV" (HUZZAH!), "The Deadly Bees" and "The Sender." No word on when they're expected, although they're mentioned for June and July as well.

I forget, is Legend still being distributed by Genius? I haven't paid that much attention to them as a company (although I appreciated that they included the original B&W versions with the films they colorized).

Slightly disappointed that "Phase IV" won't be a Criterion title (had hoped it being Saul Bass' lone feature directorial effort would be enough for it to make the cut). Still gonna get it though.

-BJ