With all of the recent Blu-ray output from companies like Olive Films and Kino, it seems like a great deal of forgotten and out-of-print titles are finally getting their due. But there are so many more little films still left that I feel compelled to throw some names out in the hopes that someone out there investigates their availability.
Obviously, there are many reasons why a movie disappears; often it’s simply due to rights issues. All the same, I felt it was time to list a bunch I’m anxious to see make their Blu-ray debuts. A few of these have already been released on DVD, but they’re long out of circulation and/or suffer from questionable picture quality. One or two discs are even going for as much as a hundred dollars or more on Amazon. Others are guilty pleasures, but if I have to embarrass myself to get them out there I’m more than happy to do so.
To be fair, some of these may already be in the process of being announced. I can only hope that a few more Blu-rays can be checked off of the list over the next year.
Ironically, one of the titles that inspired this article, the “Director’s Cut” of Wim Wender’s Until the End of the World (1991) has been picked up by Criterion for high definition release in the near future, so things are already off to a good start.
Let’s get to it!
The Pinchcliffe Grand Prix (1975) – When I was a little kid in 1981, my local movie theater played an English-language dub of this entertaining Norwegian stop-motion animated film. The plot involves an inventor who enters a grand prix with the help of his two best friends (who happen to be a hedgehog and a magpie). As a child, the elaborate visuals left an impression and not only on me… it currently is listed as one of the highest grossing and most-seen films in Norway. There has been a DVD release in Europe, but never in North America. It would be great to finally see this kiddie classic on Blu-ray in both its original Norwegian and English dubbed versions.
Bugsy Malone (1976) – This period British gangster flick from Alan Parker (Midnight Express, Mississippi Burning, The Commitments) boasts an all-kid cast (including Scott Baio and Jodie Foster) who use cream-pie firing Tommy Guns to enforce mob law. It’s also a musical with tunes from Paul Williams. This effort was quickly forgotten in North America but maintains a cult following. An extras-filled Blu-ray was actually pressed in the UK in 2008, but due to region differences none of its special features are playable. How about giving this title a shot in North America with an official, domestic release? And speaking of Alan Parker, the DVD for his amusing and star-studded feature The Road to Wellville (1994) is long out-of-print – let’s try to get that one on Blu too.
Skip Tracer (1977) – I’ve never been able to find it, but I’ve always been on the lookout for this Canadian feature. It’s a gritty little independent crime flick about a nasty debt collector chasing down and threatening persons behind on payments. Pressured by management to reclaim his position as the company’s highest grossing collector, he partners with a greedy young up-and-comer. As the film progresses, their work turns more dangerous and less rewarding. It’s a well-regarded effort and the lack of major stars apparently adds to the tension. The movie has disappeared, last released on VHS in the early 80s. Thankfully, it has developed something of a small fanbase in the UK (where it has aired on TV once or twice over the past decade). I’ve read that a new film print has appeared at film festivals in B.C.. Given the raves it’s receiving as being ahead of its time, it would be great to see someone pick up the rights and put it out on Blu-ray or DVD.
The Grey Fox (1982) – Richard Farnsworth stars in this period drama playing an aged stagecoach robber who is released after decades in prison. He attempts to fit in with modern society (in this case, being the first decade of the 20th century), but finds it difficult to adjust and sets his sights on pulling a heist on one of those newfangled trains. It’s a bittersweet, low-key effort with a great performance from its lead actor that resulted in a Golden Globe nomination. However, the movie has also never been released on DVD or Blu-ray. I know the film elements have been restored… I saw a gorgeous new print of it some 8 years ago at a cinema near Toronto. So once again, what’s the hold up?
The Keep (1983) – Don’t get me wrong… this movie is pretty terrible. But it’s a fascinating kind of failure, with stellar production design and incredible visuals. This is a WWII, Romanian-set story about a supernatural force killing off anyone who enters an ancient fortress – in this case, his targets are a group of looting Nazis. It’s an early film from Michael Mann (before he made The Last of the Mohicans, Heat and Collateral) that ran into production trouble. His 3 and 1/2 hour rough cut was shortened to 2 hours before the studio re-cut their own version that ran an incomprehensible 96 minutes. The film has never been made available on DVD or Blu-ray and can only be obtained on VHS. The studio cut actually ran on Netflix for a brief time, but has vanished once again. It would be fantastic to see the film (along with the lost bits) in high definition.
Comfort and Joy (1984) – Scottish director Bill Forsythe had a couple of indie hits with Gregory’s Girl and Local Hero. His follow up effort earned a limited release in North America and played on pay-TV throughout my childhood, but hasn’t appeared since. Tonally similar to his other works, it’s a sweet and quirky tale of a depressed radio DJ who gets himself in the middle of an ice-cream truck territory war between two families. The movie has received a proper DVD release in Great Britain, but on this side of the pond a crummy old VHS tape is the only option. I need a Blu-ray! And while it earned nothing but horrible reviews from critics abroad, I wouldn’t mind being given the chance to see the Forsythe sequel Gregory’s Two Girls (1999) either – that title was never released in any form at all in this part of the world.
Pirates (1986) – Another movie that you can easily pick up on Blu-ray in Europe, but which never even got released on DVD in North America. Roman Polanski’s expensive adventure epic wasn’t well received during its original run and flopped at the box office, but actually holds up quite well due to its dark sense of humor. Walter Matthau is great as a gruff, mangy captain out to literally steal a Spanish throne. There are some great gags involving the actor – he spends the first ten minutes hilariously chasing his first mate around a rickety raft in an attempt to eat him. The tone was probably far too dark for a mid-80s flick, but regardless it remains a whole lot of fun for those who can get on its wavelength. I’ve always had to settle for a crummy VHS tape of the film and desperately want to see it get the widescreen treatment.
Rad (1986) – I’ll be honest… I’ve never seen this teen, BMX-themed effort. However, it is one of the most hard to get and sought after flicks of its era for my age group. The story follows a kid who wants to become a pro BMX-er. Against the wishes of his family, he sets out to win the big race at a course known as the “Helltrack.” Apparently, the biking stunts are exceptional. On the not-so-great side, the movie was critically reviled for its cheesy plot and script. However, that almost seems like another plus in its favor to audiences who appreciate a bit of campiness. Despite the fact that just about every other BMX flick of the 80s has hit DVD, the fact that this effort is only available on VHS seems completely bizarre.
Sky Bandits (1986) aka Gunbus – Just like The Pinchcliffe Grand Prix, I saw this movie at a theater near my childhood home… and then it literally disappeared off the face of the Earth. It was a lavish (costing nearly $20 million) action/comedy about two old west outlaws who find themselves transplanted to the front lines of WWI and help the Royal Air Force fight the Germans. Honestly, I recall it being pretty bad (even as a kid) and if it weren’t for the memorable poster, I probably would have thought that I imagined the entire experience. And before you ask, nothing in the films looks as good as that image to the left. You can now pick it up on DVD in Germany, but the movie hasn’t come out anywhere else since its theatrical run. Not on DVD and not even on VHS! Morbid curiosity has me wanting to revisit it. Interestingly, there was also a low-budget Australian comedy called Sky Pirates (1986) that also has yet to see the light of day.
Dudes (1987) – A group of punks decide to drive out and visit the old west. When they encounter some nasty good ‘ol boys, they’re attacked and one of the group is killed. Soon after, the survivors suit up for cowboy-style revenge. Despite the somewhat dark subject matter, this is actually a goofy comedy from director Penelope Spheeris (The Boys Next Door, Wayne’s World) starring Jon Cryer, Daniel Roebuck, Flea and Catherine Mary Stewart. Its soundtrack includes a ton of memorable tunes from bands like Jane’s Addiction and Megadeath. In fact, one assumes that the music rights may be the problem this flick hasn’t seen the light of day on DVD or Blu-ray. Amazingly, the last time it was made available was for a laserdisc release. The movie has a big cult following and it seems odd for it not to be easily available.
Really Weird Tales (1987) and The Last Polka (1984) – While technically TV-movies, I’d love to see this pair released as a double feature on DVD or Blu-ray. The first is an amusing parody of The Twilight Zone featuring three not-so-eerie sci-fi tales. Particularly funny is “I’ll Die Loving”, starring Catherine O’Hara as a lonely woman who possesses a paranormal power that can destroy anyone she falls for – “Little Problem Cauliflower” dolls also play a part in the story. Joe Flaherty, Martin Short and John Candy appear in other segments. The second TV-movie is a mock-documentary (loosely patterned after The Last Waltz) that charts the rise, fall and final concert of popular Leutonian Polka band The Shmenge Brothers (played by Candy and Eugene Levy). Viewers get to see Yosh and Stan as they recount their successes and failures, as well as play their biggest hit, including “Cabbage Rolls and Coffee”. Believe me, there are plenty of laughs to be had. O’Hara also appears, along with Rick Moranis. NOTE: Just a few days ago, Kino announced that they will be be issuing Really Weird Tales later in the year. No word yet on The Last Polka.
The Night Before (1988) – Between Night of the Comet and Without a Clue, director Thom Eberhardt made a teen comedy about a prom date gone wrong. It features Keanu Reeves as a good-natured but less-than-popular high school student who wakes up in an alley. He attempts to put the pieces together of what happened to him during his date the night before and figure out why a local pimp suddenly wants him dead (sort of sounds like The Hangover, frankly). Despite the summary, this is reported to be a sweet little comedy that has developed a small following over the years. While it was released by Lionsgate on DVD about seven years ago, many complain that the disc is a badly transferred pan-and-scan edition that looks no better than a VHS copy. I’m quite curious and it seems that this one might be worthy of a high definition upgrade.
Speed Zone (1989) aka Cannonball Fever aka Cannonball Run 3 – Believe it or not, after Cannonball Run II (1984), there was another illegal cross-country car race movie. I can’t be sure, but it seems as if the franchise rights were sold and the production company teamed with a different studio to make it. Only Jamie Farr (as The Sheik) returns from the first two films, introducing a new group of drivers who get themselves into high speed hi-jinx. The cast includes John Candy, Donna Dixon, Matt Frewer, Joe Flaherty, Tim Matheson, Melody Anderson, Shari Belafonte, Dick and Tom Smothers, Jon Schneider, Lee Van Cleef, Eugene Levy, Brooke Shields, Alyssa Milano and Olympian Carl Lewis. I’m pretty sure this isn’t quality cinema, but with so many stars and a impressive stunt or two (one involving a Lamborghini skipping over a pond at high speed), it’d be a fun “bad movie night” flick to catch up with.
Kafka (1991) – It’s absolutely incredible that Steven Soderbergh’s take on the work of Franz Kafka isn’t available domestically in hi-def. Set in Prague, this tale is an amalgamation of several of the writer’s stories and follows a lowly insurance company employee (played by Jeremy Irons) who becomes the center of an investigation after his co-worker is murdered. The movie utilizes striking black and white (as well as color) photography to depict an eerie and threatening environment. Despite being a box office flop, it’s become something of a cult film. However, unless you want to import a sketchy-looking DVD from South Korea, you currently can’t see this impressive thriller. The last time it was released domestically, it was on laserdisc. I’ve since read that rights have reverted back to Soderbergh and he has been plotting to release both the original film and a new cut, but this was years ago and we’ve yet to hear anything more about it.
Christopher Columbus – The Discovery (1992) – Here’s a title that Warner Archive could do something about. This mega-budgeted failure tells the “true story” of Christopher Columbia and his discovery of America. However, if memory serves, it was completely preposterous and only provided entertainment with its camp value. The random and inappropriate casting included the likes of George Corraface, Marlon Brando, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Benicio Del Toro and Tom Selleck (who plays King Ferdinand, because… well, why not?). I can’t be the only one who wants to check it out again and see if it’s as absurd as I remember. It is available on Blu-ray but only in Germany, so there has never been a release on DVD or Blu over here – the closest thing in these parts was a laserdisc.
On the Air (1992) – Way back in the day, director David Lynch (Eraserhead, Blue Velvet) was enjoying popularity with the fantastic (albeit short-lived) series, Twin Peaks. So ABC gave the okay for the filmmaker to create a wacky situation comedy. Yes, once upon a time there was David Lynch sit-com. Set in the 50s, it was about a live variety show plagued with on air disasters. For some, the program was completely perplexing. For others (like me), it was surreal, utterly bizarre and at times flat out hilarious. Unfortunately, the network and audiences had no idea what to make of it and pulled the show after three airings. I managed to pick up a VHS release that contained all 7 episodes produced before it vanished for good. For me, that old tape is practically a prized possession and goes for about $70 from Amazon. Why not put them on DVD and let all of the director’s fans finally own this oddly entertaining farce?
Destiny Turns on the Radio (1995) – After the success of Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction, there was an overload of hip, Tarantino-esque films hitting the marketplace. This one fell through the cracks and I’ve always been curious to see it. As with the others mentioned in this article, it has never even been released on DVD. It’s a heist comedy about an ex-con in Las Vegas. He meets an otherworldly drifter with supernatural powers who brings him good luck. The mysterious individual is played by Quentin Tarantino himself, and the cast includes Dylan McDermott, Nancy Travis, James Le Gros, Jim Belushi, David Cross and Bobcat Goldthwait. It was critically panned at its time of release, but I’d still appreciate the opportunity to revisit and decide for myself.
The Young Poisoner’s Handbook (1995) – This one’s always been a little difficult to come by. It’s an incredibly effective black comedy that retells the story of real-life killer Graham Young, a young chemistry enthusiast who lacks the capacity for empathy; in the name of science and research, he can’t stop himself from slowly poisoning acquaintances and family members. As disturbing as it is grimly funny and satirical, this British film has always had a difficult time getting release due to its edgy subject matter. Discount distributor Echo Bridge put a disc out in the US in 2005, but the quality isn’t strong and the image is presented in full frame instead of widescreen. Still, it goes for large sums of money on websites. The movie is incredible (if not for everyone) and is worthy of a proper release.
Crying Freeman (1996) – Boy, with comic book adaptations currently being all the rage, you’d think that someone in North America would have picked up this long lost title for DVD or Blu-ray release. I saw it play at the Toronto International Film Festival back in the day and was quite surprised to learn that no one picked up the distribution rights in North America. Based on the Japanese manga comic, the plot revolves around a rogue assassin with watery eyes who gets in the middle of a clan war. It’s no classic, but I recall it being a stylish and generally effective flick with some good action sequences. At least French director Christophe Gans went on to an interesting career with films like Brotherhood of the Wolf (2001) and Beauty and the Beast (2014) on his resume.
SubUrbia (1996) – Here’s another shocker… while director Richard Linklater has had numerous praise heaped on him over the years for a wide variety of titles like Dazed and Confused, Before Sunrise, School of Rock, Bernie and Boyhood. Somehow, this title from the filmmaker still hasn’t arrived on either DVD or Blu-ray! It tells the tale of a group of young kids who meet at their local 7-11 to catch up with an old friend who has become a world famous rock star. Reunited, the group discuss their many aspirations and frustrations in life. Giovanni Ribisi, Steve Zahn, Nicky Katt and Parker Posey star, with music from an impressive list of artists that include Beck, Sonic Youth and The Flaming Lips.
Drive (1997) – An experimental military super soldier gets loose, teams with a wisecracking musician and fights for his freedom in this low-budget buddy flick. It was an absolute blast when the director screened the film at a festival I attended long ago. The movie possessed stunning widescreen martial arts sequences and plenty of amusing banter between stars Mark Decascos (who also starred in Crying Freeman), Kadeem Hardison and Brittney Murphy. Unfortunately, it couldn’t find a North American distributor. 20 minutes were unceremoniously cut and it was released straight-to-DVD one year later in a nearly unwatchable pan-and-scan version. In the years since, I’ve always hoped that someone would put out the 2:35:1 Director’s Cut in this part of the world, but it still hasn’t happened. At least the complete version has come out in the UK, giving hope that this version will someday be released on this side of the pond.
Sunshine on Leith (2013) Sadly, distribution woes are still happening today. Here’s a UK produced jukebox-musical that received strong reviews and was a box-office success both in Britain and in Europe; however, it still couldn’t find anyone willing to release it on these shores. Using the music from the first two albums of the popular Scottish band The Proclaimers, it weaves a musical tale about a pair of young soldiers falling in love and readjusting to life after war in Edinburgh. While they are far more recognizable in their homeland, it’s difficult to believe that no one in North America isn’t familiar with “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” and wouldn’t be willing to take a chance on a film based around their music. At least director Dexter Fletcher’s latest, Eddie the Eagle, is coming out here (and getting a lot of good press too).
And there are still more. Here are a few other titles (among the very many) that also need some attention.
Star Wars Holiday Special (1978) – C’mon Luscasfilm. We all know it’s terrible, so why not just make it available so we can all laugh at it together. And fans will definitely want to pick it up knowing that it features the very first appearance of fan favorite Boba-Fett.
Phobia (1980) – This was John Huston’s last film, one about a psychiatrist whose patients begin dying from their greatest fears. I can barely remember it (and what I do recall was pretty terrible) but it’s still strange that a title from such a renowned filmmaker isn’t available.
Highpoint (1982) – Richard Harris, Christopher Plumber and Beverly D’Angelo star in this admittedly weak spy-comedy flick. However, it features an incredible climax with a jaw-dropping Dar Robinson stunt in which a character falls off of the top of the CN Tower (which at the time was the tallest freestanding structure in the world). It was distributed in the US by now defunct New World Pictures, so who knows who owns it now?
Next of Kin (1982) – This is an incredibly creepy slow-burner of a horror flick made in Australia and set in an old retirement home. If memory serves it’s an excellent thriller with some great visuals and a couple of very effective chills. This is one that deserves a lot more attention than it initially received upon its original release. C’mon, a nice new DVD or Blu-ray isn’t too much to ask for, is it?
Siedem życzeń aka Seven Wishes (1984) – This one’s for a lady I know who wants a Region 1 release of this beloved Polish kid’s miniseries (with English subtitles, please). It’s about a child who rescues a stray cat and discovers that the animal is a cursed Egyptian prince. The boy is allowed seven wishes for having saved the feline and misadventures follow. The show amusingly deals with the consequences of power and the importance of selflessness.
Compromising Positions (1985) – This 80s comedy/mystery about the murder of a philandering small town dentist has also never debuted on DVD or Blu-ray. I haven’t even seen it, but with a cast that includes Susan Sarandon, Raul Julia, Edward Herrmann, Joe Mantegna and Joan Allen, who wouldn’t want to give it a try?
Going Bananas (1987) – Made when Cannon Films was beginning to experience financial woes, this kid’s film has a notorious reputation as not only being terrible, but featuring an extraordinarily bad chimpanzee suit. It has only come out on VHS.
Short Time (1990) – This one is available on DVD in the UK, but not in these parts. A cop who thinks he has a terminal illness tries to get himself killed in the line of duty to earn his family money from his insurance policy. I recall that it’s not a spectacular comedy, but does feature some exceptional stunt work.
Frozen Assets (1992) – Shelley Long stars in this alleged “comedy” about a sperm donor clinic. When so many critics have called it one of the worst movies ever, you just have to be curious as to just how bad it really is. Unfortunately, there’s currently no way of knowing – it was only released on VHS.
The Fantastic Four (1993) – Like the Star Wars release, this is one of the most bootlegged films out there. There’s clearly an audience for this ridiculous, no-budget Roger Corman take on the comic book heroes, so why not just release it officially?
Il Mostro aka The Monster (1994) – This guilty pleasure is only available on VHS in North America. Roberto Begnini stars as an eccentric who is mistaken for a serial killer – it features some hilarious physical comedy that definitely made an impression on me.
Finally, other flicks that have been on DVD but are out-of-print (or hard to come by) and could use the Blu-ray treatment are listed below.
All of Me (1985) – This Steven Martin/Lily Tomlin modern classic is only available in pan & scan with a cruddy transfer on DVD.
The New Kids (1985) – The DVD of this ridiculously goofy teen exploitation flick (featuring James Spader, Lori Loughlin and Eric Stoltz) is out-of-print and goes for about $65 online.
Runaway Train (1985) – The DVD is out of print and while it came out on Blu-ray in the UK (via Arrow) it has yet receive the high definition treatment in North America.
True Stories (1985) – David Byrne’s quirky effort needs to be released on Blu-ray so I can throw out that old pan & scan DVD and really take in Ed Lachman’s colorful cinematography. Warner Archives, where is it?
The Hitcher (1986) – Not the remake, but the ultra-creepy original really needs a good Blu-ray promotion.
Trick or Treat (1986) – There’s a bargain pan & scan DVD, but nothing else available – I’ve heard that expensive music clearances have been the main issue that has stopped this from getting the high-def treatment.
The Hidden (1987) – A great little sci-fi flick with Kyle MacLachlan that hasn’t been reissued in 12 years. Would love to see it upgraded to Blu-ray.
Three O’Clock High (1987) – This fun, high-energy teenage take on High Noon has a lot of nifty camera tricks that would looks great in hi-def. There’s a DVD, but it’s quite old and its online value is starting to rise.
Blind Fury (1990) – Rutger Hauer’s blind samurai swordsman adventure is a hoot, but was released on DVD way in 2004 and the only Blu-ray is an Australian import.
Hider in the House (1991) – Gary Busey goes full-on crazy in this completely ridiculous B-movie as a deranged man living within the walls of a family’s residence (home to characters played by Mimi Rogers and Michael McKeon). It’s great for a laugh, but right now you have to pay over $100 to get the DVD.
Shakes the Clown (1991) – Bobcat Goldthwait’s bizarre directorial debut came out on DVD in 2000 and hasn’t been made available on disc since.
Blame It on the Bellboy (1992) – Another one of my very guilty pleasures. This farce features Dudley Moore, is out-of-print on DVD and still makes me laugh to this day every time it comes on TV (though I’m a little embarrassed to admit it). I’d love to see it finally hit Blu-ray.
Innocent Blood (1992) – An exceptionally underrated vampire/mobster horror-comedy. Unfortunately, if you want to see it widescreen, the only way to do so is to buy a laserdisc player. Unacceptable, I say.
No Escape (1994) – Not the recent Owen Wilson flick, this action picture stars Ray Liotta as a man forced to survive on a prison island populated with some nasty characters. It’s hasn’t been re-released on DVD domestically in decades.
The Ref (1994) – It was released on DVD way back in 2003 in non-anamorphic widescreen. You can stream it online, but this fantastic dark comedy deserves a proper high-definition release.
Anyway, I could go on and on with many more, but that seems like enough for now. Anything out there lost to time (or VHS) that you’ve been looking for? Let us know!