Just what we all need — some good news. Olive Films are doing us 50s Westerns fans a real favor these days, and I may need to have my salary direct-deposited into their account.
In recent weeks, they’ve come through with so many cool things: Run For Cover (1954), Denver And Rio Grande (1952), Pony Express (1953), The Hangman (1959), The Jayhawkers (1958), High Noon (1952) and more.
And now they’ve announced two more essential pictures — John Ford’s Rio Grande (1950) and Nicholas Ray’s Johnny Guitar (1954) — with a release date of August 7. Both will be available in standard DVD and Blu-Ray. No info on bonus features as of yet.
Both are Republic pictures. Rio Grande received a nice DVD release several years ago. Laserdisc is the only round silver thing Johnny Guitar has been on in the States.
Thanks to all of you who brought this to my attention.
I’m happy to see some of these Republic titles coming to BLU-RAY. Ones that weren’t listed among the titles purchased by Olive Films are RIDE THE MAN DOWN, DAKOTA INCIDENT, ROAD TO DENVER, SANTA FE PASSAGE, A MAN ALONE, and THE MAVERICK QUEEN. All these titles were available on VHS in the early days of that format, and I would certainly like to see them come to DVD or BLU-RAY in acceptable condition.
The RIO GRANDE DVD I bought a few years ago is so nice it’s hard to imagine needing to get it again unless there are a wealth of new extras, and to date I don’t believe Olive has included extras on their releases. (Just got NO MAN OF HER OWN and SOMETHING TO LIVE FOR, and previously bought THE ATOMIC CITY and CRACK IN THE WORLD.) The previous RIO GRANDE DVD release included a Maureen O’Hara commentary on selected scenes plus nice featurettes. It’s great to see this film — one of my top favorite Westerns — continue to reach a wide audience, but I sure agree with Mike that I’d like to see some other titles come out…you know how I feel about A MAN ALONE.
Nothing would make me happier than to have it come out on DVD. Unless maybe SADDLE TRAMP came out on DVD, LOL.
I’ve never seen JOHNNY GUITAR! One more movie to add to my list to catch up with –
Best wishes,
Laura
I’m glad to hear what Laura says about the RIO GRANDE DVD because I bought this on Rocket Video’s “going out of business sale” (sad if you live in my neck of the woods) just last year but haven’t watched it yet–am thinking of it for this year’s birthday movie and take time to watch the pleasing sounding extras.
This brings up a point though, since a lot of the titles here are Republic and Olive at least is taking some initiative with their library..
I know it’s not a Western, but given its director’s stature in the genre I feel OK to ask this here–does anyone know about a 60 year anniversary Blu-Ray and otherwise upgraded THE QUIET MAN?
I went to Amazon one night not so long ago feeling remiss I do’t have this movie and all set to buy it but the vociferous complaints about the quality of what is out there now proved so daunting I didn’t do it, and I was thinking, surely someone will give this immensely popular movie, with its justly celebrated Technicolor cinematography, the transfer it deserves for its 60th.
The UCLA restoration would be the obvious place to go for it–I’ve seen it and it’s beautiful and lovingly done.
Now back to Westerns. And of course, JOHNNY GUITAR is way overdue. Laura, I hope you will consider this for your ten unseen classics next year. It’s an amazing movie, not quite like any other.
Boy, where do I begin on this one?
First, the Rio Grande DVD is really nice with a whole slew of extras. The Blu-Ray’s gonna have its work cut out for it.
The Quiet Man is easily the worst-looking non-bootleg DVD I own. The laserdisc is better, but still a bit soft. Growing up, I had the privilege of seeing this picture in 35mm dozens of times, and there’s no excuse for it being stunning.
Blake, you’re right about Johnny Guitar. There’s nothing like it. And since it tends to bring out strong opinions in people, I’m eager to hear what you think, Laura — even if you hate it.
It’s been fun to find out what people want to see Olive get to first. John Knight and I want the Regalscope pictures. Laura wants A Man Alone I (which I was stupid to overlook). And Blake wants The Quiet Man to get his due.
Then there’s the color Roy Rogers pictures and A Stranger At My Door and…
Maybe we should send this thread to Olive.
Well, I vote for both STRANGER AT MY DOOR and A MAN ALONE. Really, I think Republic was underrated almost to the point of ridicule for many years and that has started to radically change. A lot of good work there, and anyone who thinks they weren’t serious about it haven’t really been looking.
I’d pay Criterion prices if they elected to do something about THE QUIET MAN. And for that matter Ford’s other Republic THE SUN SHINES BRIGHT (1953).
As you may have guessed, Toby, one reason I encourage Laura about a movie like JOHNNY GUITAR (and have done it with some others) is just that, like you, I’m really interested in what her take on it would be.
No secret I find JOHNNY GUITAR haunting. But I admit you won’t find many moderate opinions from me about Nicholas Ray movies.
I vote with Blake for The Quiet Man — which is the featured film at this year’s John Wayne Birthday Celebration in Winterset, Iowa, May 25-26. http://www.johnwaynebirthplace.org/birthday/ Looks like it’s going to be quite the bash and boy, I wish I were going. (I went last year and loved it.) There has been discussion about The Quiet Man on Home Theater Forum over the years, and apparently Paramount (which has the original elements) has never let Artisan (the licensee at the time) touch them, which explains the horrible transfer on the various DVDs. The speculation was that Paramount was planning its own release featuring a restored version of the film, but that never happened, did it. ;( Does Olive Films now have the license for The Quiet Man? If so, they shouldn’t bother releasing it without it being done right.
I have never seen STRANGER AT MY DOOR but I would sure like to.
I would also like to see the two John Payne Republic Westerns make it
to DVD SANTA FE PASSAGE and ROAD TO DENVER.The latter was
arguably Paynes best Western and the former part of a cycle of Westerns
(FORT YUMA and APACHE RIFLES) that has a racist falling for a
Native American woman.Olive Films do not seem to like John Payne;
I would have thought the many films he made for Pine-Thomas/Paramount
would be considered for their release schedule.Cannot believe that they
have not considered HELLS ISLAND;one heck of a lot of folk are after
this one.There are lots of Allan Dwan Republic films on the missing
list;I would love to see WOMAN THEY ALMOST LYNCHED.
Also other Dwan Republic titles like FLIGHT NURSE and WILD BLUE
YONDER.There are a whole host of Republic titles mostly directed by
Joe Kane like JUBILEE TRAIL and THE VANISHING AMERICAN and
THE MAVERICK QUEEN.
As someone so aptly commented on the Home Theatre Forum;if
Olive release these more obscure titles then people MUST buy them
otherwise its game over!
Yes Toby,you are right, you should send this thread to olive Films!
Wow, John, You dug deep and found a slew of stuff I’d forgotten.
The Paynes and Dwans would be great. Very underrated pictures.
And Naturama stuff like The Maverick Queen would be great to see the way they were meant to be seen.
What a difference a week makes!
Since my last post I have managed to track down both WOMAN THEY
ALMOST LYNCHED and THE VANISHING AMERICAN.
The former is from TCM France; a nice sharp copy but sadly with
burned-in French subtitles.Still beggars cannot be choosers!
Film is much lighter in tone than the rather grim title suggests.
Its what folks these days call Feminist Westerns;I call em Gals with Guns
flicks.Film is fast moving and crammed with action and is certainly part
genre parody.Third and forth billed Audrey Dalton and Joan Leslie
take centre stage in this one; the males are very much in the background.
After Joan Leslie gets the better of Dalton in both a catfight and a gunfight;
the pair engage in a bit a female bonding;the film becomes a female
buddy movie.Tremendous fun one of Allan Dwans very best IMHO.
THE VANISHING AMERICAN would quailfy as an anti-racist Western
much darker in tone than the average Republic fare.Not a great Western
but worth a look;like all Republic films it has a knockout supporting cast.
Also received MAN OR GUN a later Republic title sadly pan & scan
not widescreen Naturama.Macdonald Carey is a gunslinger who goes
to extreme lengths to avoid conflict;despite the fact nobody can outdraw
him.Could this be down to the mythical; one of a kind gun that he totes.
Film plays more like an extended episode of The Twilight Zone………..
excellent!
If only the Warner Archive had the rights to the Republic catalog;
Olive Films can only do so much;Paramount are totally the wrong
outfit to hold the rights to these great films!
I love The Woman They Almost Lynched. Wouldn’t it make a great double bill with Johnny Guitar?
For Olive to get around to films like that would be a dream come true.
Silly,silly me;I got my Audreys mixed up in my previous post;I
should have said Audrey Totter starred in WOMAN THEY ALMOST
LYNCHED.
What are the odds on getting a Joan Leslie interview for your book,Toby.
From her glory days at Warners ; working with Hawks and Walsh;to
her later work with Dwan and DeToth.This actress has some serious credits.
Other great actresses to interview would have to include Audrey Totter,
Coleen Gray,Mona Freeman and Mara Corday.
She’s on my Want List.