It’s been mentioned on this blog a number of times that Olive Films have removed some key Republic titles from their list of future releases — The Last Command (1955, note the retitled card above) being one of them. Among the reasons for ditching these titles is that the Trucolor materials can be difficult, and costly, to prepare for release.
However, when Trucolor Republics like Hellfire (1949), The Outcast (1954) or A Man Alone (1955) show up on TV, they look fine. Not spiffy enough for Blu-ray, for sure, but good enough for a DVD release I’d be happy to have in my collection.
Richard W. commented the other day that we should reach out to a Mr. Lime on the Home Theater Forum about these titles, pointing out that we’d be standing at the ready, cash in hand, for these films.
At a time when so many of us are writing to our politicians about healthcare, national parks and pay for the military, why not squeeze in a quick note to the HTF about Hellfire?
This is a tough one (even apart from the unappealing prospect of a trip to the HTF!). Part of me wants to encourage Olive for its commitment to Blu-ray for catalog titles. And another part of me doesn’t want Blu-ray readiness to be the threshold for a home video release.
Keep in mind, though, that Warner Archive recently brokered a relationship with Paramount to reissue its OOP titles as burn-on-demand discs. Maybe that’s the best place for titles like THE LAST COMMAND, as opposed to a slot on Olive’s slate that might go to a Blu-ray instead.
The MOD thing would suit me fine for these types of titles. They just need to be available somehow — and keep the costs down.
To add insult to injury apart from the Republic titles there is all that
Allied Artists stuff that was also sold to Republic. Warner Archive showed
great interest in putting out the Allied Artists titles that they own but
there is a stack of goodies that they don’t. I totally agree that most of
the Republic titles are ideal for MOD.
Some of the Allied Artists stuff we will not see are the following:
JACK SLADE,AT GUNPOINT,DRAGOON WELLS MASSACRE,LAST OF
THE BADMEN to name a few.
Olive Films just don’t get Westerns,there’s all those Paramount unreleased
titles like RED MOUNTAIN and THUNDER IN THE SUN.as well as WARPATH
and THE SAVAGE which were also rejected by Olive. Its not as if any of
those films lack star power.
I cannot vouch for the USA but over the pond I know so many Western fans
who are happy with their vast collections of off-air stuff and just will not
spend the money for an upgrade.Its not as if those guys are strapped for
cash either.
I intend at some point to list the titles that Warner Archive DO intend to
release from info I have gleaned from their Facebook page.
The Archive guys are passionate about what they do and are going
gangbusters with their BOWERY BOYS sets. The Monogram B series
Western sets have proved a huge hit too.
It does worry me more than a little when Toby mentioned a while back down
the trail that VCI’s wonderful DARN GOOD WESTERNS sets failed to sell.
Perhaps B Series fans are more inclined to spend their money than
A Western or B+ Western fans;just look at the way the Sony MOD series
are churning out the Buck Jones titles.
Of course it would be more than wonderful if somehow Warner Archive
were able to cut a deal with Paramount and release the Republic and
Allied Artists titles that we all crave.I do not think my bank manager would
be too happy though!
As mentioned in previous post I thought it would be fun to list films
that have more or less been confirmed by Warners on their Facebook
page as awaiting release.
Of course some of these films may not appear for a very long time
but at least they are works in progress.
Naturally this list is far from complete but at least its a rough guide
to goodies that we can look forward to in the future.
Some films like GREAT DAY IN THE MORNING need restoration work
so that film could be a long time coming.
The two titles that I mentioned as possible 3D releases are also in
the balance;if they are 3D releases they will be pressed DVDs through
Warner Home Video…if flat then they will be Archive releases.
Also the three Alan Ladd Jaguar Westerns are still unconfirmed but as
these films have been shown on TCM,at least there is a ray of hope.
The three Ladds are DRUM BEAT,THE BIG LAND and GUNS OF THE
TIMBERLAND.
Warners do not hold the rights to all Warner films;their gangster saga
PORTRAIT OF A MOBSTER is saddled with “rights” issues.
Furthermore the Randolph Scott film SUGARFOOT is caught up in this
crossfire of who owns what.
Furthermore Warners are going to continue with their Monogram
series but they are not included in my list.
ALLIED ARTISTS:
COW COUNTRY
SON OF BELLE STARR
ARROW IN THE DUST
THE TALL STRANGER
THE YOUNG GUNS (1956)
OREGON PASSAGE
GUNSMOKE IN TUSCON
MGM:
THE MARAUDERS
THE HIRED GUN
RKO:
DEVIL’S CANYON
TENSION AT TABLE ROCK
GREAT DAY IN THE MORNING
RUN OF THE ARROW
TREASURE OF PANCHO VILLA
WARNER BROTHERS:
THE DICK FORAN WESTERN COLLECTION
THE OKLAHOMA KID
WILD BILL HICKOK RIDES
BAD MEN OF MISSOURI
THE YOUNGER BROTHERS
RATON PASS
LION AND THE HORSE
THE BOUNTY HUNTER (possible 3D)
CHARGE AT FEATHER RIVER (possible 3D)
So much good stuff there. I’m really wanting to see The Hired Gun (1957) in a nice widescreen transfer. Love the black and white ‘Scope.
John:
IMO the very best westerns which WB has not yet released are “Blood On the Moon” ( a great Robert Miitchum western based on a Luke Short novel); “The Lusty Men” ( another great Mitchum film directed by Nicholas Ray and arguably the best rodeo themed movie of all time); Howard Hawks’ “The Big Sky” with Kirk Douglas; and “Station West” (another gem penned by Luke Short starring Dick Powell). I noticed that none of them were on your list (they are all RKO westerns). I had hoped that some or all of them would be coming out soon.
Jim B.
A great list of RKO Westerns. Another excellent RKO Western I’d love to see come out from the Warner Archive is ROUGHSHOD, with Robert Sterling, Claude Jarman Jr. and Gloria Grahame. I thought it was a little gem and wished Sterling had done more Westerns when I saw it.
Thanks for the above Warner Archive list, John K. My husband made an inquiry for me about more Tim Holt Westerns on the Warner Archive Facebook page and was told they needed work but more should be out “sooner rather than later.” I’m assuming that the three sets that were released may have skipped over titles which weren’t in as good a shape as they others as the chronological omissions were quite random.
Best wishes,
Laura
Yes, there are more Tim Holt westerns that have not yet been released by Warner’s MOD project. Probably one more volume would finish it out though. I can’t wait to see it happen. One of my favorite parts of the Tim Holt series so far has been those with Phyllis Coates, good lookin’ girl plus tough when she needs to be. Another part of the Monogram Western series from Warners MOD I’d like to see a lot more of are the Whip Wilson westerns. I watched all they have released so far, which isn’t really all that many, and I’ve really enjoyed them all. Whip Wilson was a discovery for me with these Monogram releases and a pleasant one, even Phyllis Coates showed up in one of the Whip westerns. I hope Warners will get to more Whip weal (joke, get it Whip weal?) soon.
Tonight I watched “Homesteaders” st. Bill Elliott from the Warner MOD release, what a beautiful clear picture. Haven’t seen Bill Elliott look so good and true (other than in photographs) in a long time. Guess I must be too used to the unofficial releases of Bill’s films, these Warner films are of beautiful quality. Who needs Blu ray? I sure don’t. While I have “Heckfire” I’d love to buy a Warner official release of this. As I said, even if I have a copy recorded from TV or from a fellow collector, the official releases will still have a customer in me.
I actually made a list recently of the Tim Holt RKO titles not yet out from the Archive, and there are 18 still to go. Three of those — THUNDER MOUNTAIN, UNDER THE TONTO RIM, and WILD HORSE MESA — came out on DVD from from Lions Gate so I’m not sure what the rights situation is and if they are available for another release via the Archive. In any event, looks like we’ll need the Archive to release two more volumes in order to get them all, which is good news for us if they actually do come out!
I also wonder if James Warren’s RKO Westerns, which were also released on DVD by Lions Gate, might ever also turn up from the Archive. Richard Martin plays Chito Rafferty in one of them (WANDERER OF THE WASTELAND), and another actor plays Chito in the other two titles. My dad just lent me his Warren DVDs, and I’m looking forward to checking them out.
Best wishes,
Laura
An important Tim Holt postscript I forgot to mention above — one of his RKO Westerns which is *not* yet out on DVD will air on TCM in just a few days, on October 24th. It’s DYNAMITE PASS (1950). Regis Toomey, Lynne Roberts, Cleo Moore, and John Dehner costar with Holt and Richard Martin, filmed by Nicholas Musuraca. Should be great, so set those DVRs!!
Best wishes,
Laura
Jim B,
The titles that you mention have all had European releases which is
why,I guess not too many people have asked about them on the
Warner Archive Facebook page. THE LUSTY MEN is out of print I
believe,and I recall someone did ask about it recently….sorry I forgot.
Still; ALL these films should be released in The States.
Laura,
ROUGHSHOD is excellent and again had had a European release.
I totally agree Robert Sterling should have made more Westerns.
Lovely review of FORT DEFIANCE on your blog Laura, a Western that
I have great admiration for.
Glad to know you’re also a fan of ROUGHSHOD, John K! Thanks for the feedback on FORT DEFIANCE, I thought it was a special movie and especially enjoyed sharing my thoughts on that one. I hope others will check it out.
Best wishes,
Laura
John K, I don’t do facebook — can’t keep up with it all — but do I understand correctly that Warner Archives has confirmed these titles for release in the MOD program:
ALLIED ARTISTS:
COW COUNTRY
SON OF BELLE STARR
ARROW IN THE DUST
THE TALL STRANGER
THE YOUNG GUNS (1956)
OREGON PASSAGE
GUNSMOKE IN TUSCON
MGM:
THE MARAUDERS
THE HIRED GUN
RKO:
DEVIL’S CANYON
TENSION AT TABLE ROCK
GREAT DAY IN THE MORNING
RUN OF THE ARROW
TREASURE OF PANCHO VILLA
WARNER BROTHERS:
THE DICK FORAN WESTERN COLLECTION
THE OKLAHOMA KID
WILD BILL HICKOK RIDES
BAD MEN OF MISSOURI
THE YOUNGER BROTHERS
RATON PASS
LION AND THE HORSE
THE BOUNTY HUNTER (possible 3D)
CHARGE AT FEATHER RIVER (possible 3D)
If so, I’d better start catching up because I can see where all my money will be going. If THE BOUNTY HUNTER and THE CHARGE AT FEATHER RIVER are to be 3-D they will have to be blu-rays.
Please everybody, don’t forget to prod Olive Films about getting Republic’s Trucolor titles out. I maintain that RIDE THE MAN DOWN (1952) is one of the best westerns of the decade, and that’s saying a lot. One can’t go wrong with a Luke Short story.
Earlier this week I Tweeted the Olive Films account with my request for Ray Milland’s A MAN ALONE, which as Toby will attest (grin), I’ve been championing for years now. It’s been shown in an extremely nice print on Encore Westerns, and I wish there were a way for Olive to release it as a commercial DVD.
Best wishes,
Laura
Richard W,
These titles have all been confirmed to be released at some point by
Warner Archive on their Facebook page. Because of the extensive
range Warner Archive covers some of these films may not make an
appearance for a few years;but at least they are in the pipeline.
They have also confirmed films that are “borderline” interest to Fifties
Westerns fans. For instance there is STRIKE IT RICH as far as I understand
a oil prospector drama but the fact that it stars Rod Cameron and is
directed by Lesley Selander;that make it a must have for me. Film also
stars the very interesting Don Castle who apart from Westerns made some
great minor Noirs like the sensational THE GUILTY which was discussed
on an earlier thread. Castles screen persona was ideal for Noir and IMHO
he smokes the likes of Tom Neal.
There is also BORN RECKLESS a weird hybrid of modern day rodeo
Western loaded with country swing music and stars the one,the only
Mamie Van Doren which alone gives it cult potential. THE LUSTY MEN
it a’int! Its just great to see people requesting these minor films on the
Archive Facebook page. Another film that a lot of folks want to see is
VIOLENT ROAD which Laura did a great piece on recently.
The only reason I joined Facebook was to comment on The Archive page I
do not use it for anything else; in fact the whole thing is totally alien to a
Luddite like myself.
Back to Olive Films I just have a feeling that their non Duke Westerns are
just not selling;why else should they pull titles like THE SAVAGE and
WARPATH both excellent films BTW.
RAMROD did pretty good I understand but that film has gained a
considerable “cult” reputation over the years.
I am fortunate that I have been able to obtain decent “off air” copies
of most of the Republic Westerns that I crave,which is not to say that I
would not pay for an upgrade;but I am not gonna hold my breath!
Richard,have you seen JACK SLADE which I think Paramount/Republic
own. I have been championing this great Western for ages now and its
the one film more than any other I would love Olive to release.
John, I was unfamiliar with Don Castle until I saw him in the noir HIGH TIDE at the UCLA Festival of Restoration earlier this year. Very enjoyable film. Was interested to learn a little more about him from you.
STRIKE IT RICH sounds like my kind of movie, with the Cameron and Selander names along with Castle.
I’ve held off buying a DVD for years of one of my favorite Wayne films, ANGEL AND THE BADMAN, as there were some iffy prints out there. I hope to get the Olive version soon.
I need to watch all of JACK SLADE at some point, I have an Encore Westerns recording. I saw a bit of it once and was amazed by the…feral?…performances of Mark Stevens and Dorothy Malone.
A movie I’d love to get my hands on is Budd Boetticher’s Universal film BRONCO BUSTER with John Lund, Scott Brady, and Joyce Holden. One IMDb reviewer terms it “an authentic rodeo movie.” I wonder if it will ever turn up… Lund did some nice work in ’50s Westerns such as THE BATTLE AT APACHE PASS which I really enjoyed, even though it seemed his storyline was a bit truncated.
Thank you once more for your kind mention! VIOLENT ROAD was quite a different movie; except for the Lone Pine shooting (which ties it in to Westerns!) it was quite reminiscent of the British trucking noirs I’ve seen this year, HELL DRIVERS and THE LONG HAUL. Those UK movies make the British trucking business look almost terrifying! LOL.
Best wishes,
Laura
Hi Laura,
I would love to see HIGH TIDE and some of the other Noirs Don Castle made.
JACK SLADE is not an easy watch the emotional violence in that film
is overwhelming. Dorothy Malone is the gal who rejects boring Paul Langton
for the more dangerous Jack Slade (Mark Stevens) This is a decision that
she later regrets. Steven’s character becomes sweatier and more grimy
as the film progresses. I must say that I have never seen a Western like
it.
I would love to see BRONCO BUSTER,the only Boetticher Western that
I have never seen.
For a more authentic insight into the British trucking business please refer
to Ewan MacColl’s wonderful ballad “Champion At Keeping ’em Rolling.”
This one puts you in the cabin of a truck on the English highways sometime
in the Fifties. I loved the version by American folksinger Eric Andersen.
My second favourite song of all time is Willin’ by Lowell George which
gives us the American version of the trucking business..
Which begs the question what is my number 1 song of all time……..?
THESE DAYS by Jackson Browne a wonderful song that takes most of us
to a place where we have all been at some point in our lives.
Someone asked about VIOLENT ROAD on the Archive Facebook page
only the other day and it would seem that a DVD should not be too long
in appearing.Laura,as always I enjoyed your fine reviews on HELL DRIVERS
and THE LONG HAUL two films that I really admire. In many ways
HELL DRIVERS is very much like a British Western.
More Don Castle,….
There is quiet an interesting link between Don Castle,actress Bonita
Granville and her oil tycoon husband Jack Wrather.
Mr Wrather among many other business interests,produced quiet a
few films featuring Don Castle and/or Bonita Granville including HIGH TIDE,
STRIKE IT RICH.PERILOUS WATERS and THE GUILTY.
Granville is very good in THE GUILTY in a dual role. I really want to see
the other films mentioned. Later in the Fifties Jack Wrather and Bonita
Granville went into TV production getting involved with shows like THE
LONE RANGER and LASSIE. Don Castle also became involved in their
production company. According to imdb he died at a young age of an
overdose. I find him a most interesting actor and would like to see more
of his work. He is excellent in the Lesley Selander Western STAMPEDE.
Sadly THE GUILTY is one of the Monogram titles that Warner Archive
do not own.As a poverty row Noir its as good as it gets.
Its very confusing knowing what part of the Monogram/Allied Artists stuff
Warners own. I presume the titles they don’t own are controlled by
Paramount/Republic. Even more reason to get on Olive Films case.
Laura, I know from previous posts that you really like Frank Lovejoy.
One of his very best is FINGER MAN an excellent Noir with a trucking
subtext.For me Forrest Tucker steals the film as the bad guy. Film
also stars Timothy Carey and Peggie Castle. Again sadly this film is not
owned by Warner Archive. Carey’s presence in one of his best early roles
give the film “cult” potential.
A way around all this would be for Olive Films to have an MOD imprint
which would see some of these great minor films getting a DVD release.
Films like JACK SLADE,DRAGOON WELLS MASSACRE,PORT OF HELL.
FINGER MAN.LAS VEGAS SHAKEDOWN and THE BIG TIP-OFF really
need to be out there!
John, my copy of STAMPEDE just arrived from the Columbus Day Warner Archive sale so I’ll be seeing more Don Castle soon. (Also got SHORT GRASS and GUN GLORY — the latter isn’t that well known but is a Western I love — and CANYON RIVER which I had just recently rented and want to own.) When I saw HIGH TIDE I learned that Castle was reunited with his costar from that film, Julie Bishop, in a supporting role in an Alan Ladd Western, THE BIG LAND — I think Wrather must have been involved in some fashion, as Jack Wrather Jr. is cast as one of the children in the movie, along with a Ladd child.
The Wrathers were interesting as they also had a Disney connection — one of their many business ventures was the Disneyland Hotel. In the “olden” days the hotel had Granville’s Steakhouse and one of the towers was called the Bonita Tower!
Thanks so much for the recommendation of FINGER MAN — Frank Lovejoy and Peggie Castle sounds like my kind of movie for sure!!
You know, I really like that idea of Olive doing an MOD program for lesser-known titles, alongside their regular retail releases. I wonder if it could work for them from a business standpoint? I would certainly support it. 🙂
Best wishes,
Laura
Hi,again Laura,
You certainly have some great viewing lined up!
I do hope that you get to review SHORT GRASS and/or STAMPEDE.
Incredibly brutal fight between Rod Cameron and Jeff York in SHORT GRASS.
Both these guys were very tall and York an ex boxer to boot!
Jeff York later worked quiet a bit for Disney.
Interesting connection about The Wrathers and THE BIG LAND,never
noticed that before. I do hope that the Ladd/Jaguar thing gets resolved
so THE BIG LAND and others can get a DVD release.
As I have mentioned before I have been able to get very good “off air”
copies of most of the Republic Westerns that I am after;but these minor
Allied Artists titles are very hard to get hold of especially in decent
quality.
I feel that MOD is the way to go with some of the lesser known Noirs
as there always seems to be a market for those films. Good to know
someone admires Peggie Castle as much as I do.
Speaking of Rod Cameron someone sent me a de-subtitled copy of the
recent French Sidonis release of FRONTIER GAL….what a stunning
transfer;as good as any Blu-Ray!
This film is a total must for Yvonne De Carlo fans. Film is an odd but
endearing mixture of Western,soap opera and romantic comedy;the
scenery is jaw-dropping!
There are some screengrabs up on the French Western fansite for
anyone interested. http://www.westernmovies.fr
We REALLY need this sort of film from Universal Vault!
Kind regards,
John
Hi John! Busy week so I’m catching up on some comments and emails this weekend. 🙂 I was interested in your mention of Jeff York. I don’t know much about him but he’s in Disney’s WESTWARD HO THE WAGONS! which I’ve been wanting to see. Amazon has it available for streaming for $2.99 so I may rent it some weekend!
I think Peggie Castle is just terrific. I’m a big fan of LAWMAN with its compact stories and trio of leads — she and John Russell communicate a nicely adult relationship for its time, putting over things that aren’t necessarily on paper. She was great in COW COUNTRY which Toby has just reviewed and I also loved her in I, THE JURY which I just saw at the World 3-D Festival last month.
I’ve got a copy of FRONTIER GAL recorded from Encore Westerns I need to catch up with. I remember seeing it as a kid and that it was colorful but nothing more about it. That print you have sounds wonderful! I’ve become a huge DeCarlo fan. Totally agree, I’d love to have FRONTIER GAL from the Universal Vault, or THE GAL WHO TOOK THE WEST (costarring John Russell), but I wonder if they’re a little too obscure for the Vault to release? I recently bought an inexpensive 10-film set of Universal Westerns which look really nice, maybe Universal could throw a couple of DeCarlo’s Westerns into a future set. We can only hope…
Best wishes,
Laura
How do you gey de-subtitled movies of the French Sedonis movies? I have a copy of The Fiend Who Walked The West and the subtitle cannot be removed.
Ron,
The “forced” subtitles on Sidonis discs cannot be removed by your
DVD remote control. They can be removed by various computer
programs but this means burning another disc. Sadly I do not have the
technical know how to do this;but I know someone who does!
Thanks John,
Any chance of me getting in touch with that person?