A Million Feet Of Film: The Making Of One-Eyed Jacks is the story of Marlon Brando’s One-Eyed Jacks, his first, and only, time as director and a picture that may be better known for its troubled production than its merits as a film.
More than three years from contracts to premiere. Six months of shooting. Almost 200 miles of negative exposed. A revolving door of personnel, including Rod Serling, Sam Peckinpah and Stanley Kubrick — all gone before the first frame was shot. A budget that ballooned from $1.8 million to $6 million. And the eventual takeover of the film by Paramount. Click the cover to order.
50 Westerns From The 50s. 
Hello, Toby! I just received and read your new book, and this fan of ONE EYED JACKS thanks you for this informative, extremely entertaining book . The wait is over! Hope this will snag some new fans for Marlon Brando’s Masterpiece! Wishing you all the best!
Steven, glad you enjoyed it! Thanks so much. While it may not bring the movie any new fans, I’m hoping it will at least give its many existing ones a better idea of what Brando intended and what happened to it along the way.
Blu Ray Release of The Year……So far!
Arrow have announced a 2 disc Blu Ray release of the Mann/Stewart
Classic THE FAR COUNTRY.
From a 4K restoration and unbelievably not one but TWO versions
in 1.85 and 2.0. plus as always with Arrow a raft of extras.
THE FAR COUNTRY has been on hold from Germany’s Explosive Media
for about 2 years citing delays with the new 4K master….well now it’s here
folks. It’s also suggested that Sidonis,France have their version in the works.
One things for sure this release is going to totally smoke the DVD version.
I’ve no doubt Kino Lorber will be prepping their own version (with a Toby
commentary???) but whatever version you go for it’s wonderful to finally
have this classic in high def.
Now if only someone (Warner Archive/Criterion) would give the same
treatment to THE NAKED SPUR.
Hi John, great news. I was hoping for a Mann-Stewart boxset but that is yet to come. Hopefully the 4K treatment should make us forget the imperfect Bend of the river image. Arrow will also handle the US distribution of the Blu-ray. (Like you I thought having read somewhere that Kino Lorber had the rights).
My contact from Sidonis says that UTAH BLAINE should be released in September .As for COUNT THREE AND PRAY,they are still waiting for Sony to supply them a master.
Hi gcwe1, the review of Utah Blaine will be up next week on Western Movies. This is a great copy with removable subtitles.
Thanks for the news! Does anybody know of a good source for these in the US? I really want this one.
It seems an unlikely candidate for Twilight Time. Perhaps Mill creek or Kit Parker films could include it in a western boxset like the recent brilliant Noir Archives volumes ?
Hi Graham,
Sony USA have COUNT THREE AND PRAY slotted for Sept 24
and according to Blr Ray.com it’s in it’s original 2.55 ratio….should look great,
this means a decent master exists and I see no reason Sidonis when they
release their version it will be from the same master elements.
Hi Cole,
BEND OF THE RIVER did have it’s imperfections but it will not
get any better due to the shape of master elements,at any rate the
Blu Ray is a huge improvement over the DVD.
I’m really looking forward to the German release of WARLOCK from the
new 4K master,nice price too!
Koch in November are releasing HOUR OF THE GUN and THE GLORY
GUYS on Blu Ray both already out on Twilight Time.
I do have the Australian version of HOUR OF THE GUN and its a very
nice transfer.
I thought that the Twilight Time version of THE GLORY GUYS was one of the
best transfers of a widescreen Western that I’ve ever seen.
The impressive extras on the TT release I understand are also appearing
on the Koch version.
THE GLORY GUYS is very underrated,however just think how wonderful
it would have been with James Garner and James Coburn in the leads.
Just to ramble way off course here,I notice when Arrow release
THE FAR COUNTRY they also have their Blu Ray of PICKUP ALLEY
(Interpol) This is a very brave move as PICKUP ALLEY also appears on
one of those Kit Parker Noir sets.
PICKUP ALLEY is one of those very entertaining Warwick Films most
of which are not even available on DVD let alone Blu Ray.
The Arrow version has some interesting extras which might appeal to
fans of this movie and indeed Warwick Films.
Hopefully other Warwick Films will appear in high def especially the
so far.unreleased A PRIZE OF GOLD,HIGH FLIGHT,NO TIME TO DIE,
(Tank Force) THE BANDIT OF ZHOBE and KILLERS OF KILIMANJARO.
I would also like to see Warwick’s sole entry into Sct Fi released THE
GAMMA PEOPLE.
THE GAMMA PEOPLE had all sorts of people attached to it at some
point including Brian Donlevy,Virginia Grey (with Robert Aldrich directing!!)
and then over at Warwick; Dick Powell,Trevor Howard and Patrica Medina.
Of several unmade Warwick projects was TRAIL OF THE BADMAN starring
Don Burnett,I guess this would have been made in Spain,possibly making
it the first Euro Western.
TRAIL OF THE BADMAN sounds like an ideal “Rick Dalton” project
for anyone who has seen ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD.
ClassicFlix is putting out a DVD collection of the PRC Michael Shayne movies starring Hugh Beaumont.
Cole’s review of UTAH BLAINE is up on the French Western Fansite:
http://www.westernmovies.fr
The screengrabs look very impressive and as Cole has already stated
the French subs are removable.
A minor gripe, but it would have been wonderful to have had this film
as a Blu Ray release.
Cole or Graham,
It might be useful with your contacts at Sidonis,to see if they can
licence any of the Republic Restorations in the library of Park Circus.
As far as Westerns go these films include THE PLUNDERERS (1948)
HELLFIRE and THE OUTCAST.
Powerhouse Films in the UK have a “grab ’em quick” sale which
started today at noon (UK time) and ends midnight (UK time) Monday
August 26th.
The fabulous Scott/Boetticher box set is available for a mere £28.00
as are all the Hammer,Harryhausen and William Castle box sets.
I’m really amazed that the Hammer sets (limited editions of 3000) are
not sold out already.
At any rate this is a great deal for American fans with the very weak £
at an all time low.
http://www.powerhousefilms.co.uk
John k,just ordered the Randolph Scott set.I wasn’t going to when it first came out ,but at this price they sold me.
Graham, if there were 3,000 Western Fans on the planet with
your style of dedication there would be an avalanche of vintage
Western releases.
Alive films in Germany have the complete BONANZA series on DVD.I have seen the size of the box in my local Import movies shop and it is big and expensive .Prices vary on Ebay and Amazon. It comes in a box with 4 big cases inside .The reviews I’ve read have been good regarding picture and sound quality.Audio is in English and German with removable German subs.It is licensed.Unfortunately the episode listing is printed in German,but that’s to be expected being aimed at a German market .There is a few fan made ones on the market,but this is not one of them.Who knows when they will release the remaining episodes in the US.
It’s strange how things happen.I was watching a movie called EYE OF THE EAGLE 2 .While watching it I was thinking about buying the Eureka release BLU RAY HIGH NOON but decided against it because I already have the Olive release BLU RAY.Suddenly I saw this soldier and what did he have printed on his helmet but HIGH NOON .I now have the limited edition of MY DARLING CLEMENTINE on order from Arrow Academy.After ordering it I read some reviews from the seller’s customers and most said the company (a book store) was a scam.I did receive an email from them telling me it was on it’s way .Fingers crossed.The BONANZA series from Alive are from master tapes supplied by Paramount.
ESC Editions have announced a release date for UNION PACIFIC and THE RIDE TO HANGMAN’S TREE on BLU RAY and DVD on 5th November 2019 .Both of these films are on their website.
Amazon France have UTAH BLAINE up for pre order .Robert Taylor night tonight – THE HANGMAN. RETURN OF THE GUNFIGHTER the previous night.
Super review from Glenn at Cinesavant of Toby’s book.
I love the way Glenn describes Toby’s commentaries on various Blu Rays
as “deceptively casual-highly authoritative” deceptively casual…that’s our
boy!!
Glenn sums up Toby’s book by saying it’s “The Real Deal”
If you scroll down Glenn’s site you will also find a great piece on all
the “missing” AIP classics still tied up with “rights” issues with the Arkoff/
Nicholson estates….hard to believe none of these cult classics have yet
made it to Blu Ray.
John, you can imagine how stoked I was by Glenn’s review. I love his writing. It’s always been a big influence on my stuff — a really good balance between scholarly stuff and out-and-out fanboy.
The situation with those AIP pictures is disheartening. Another thing I’ll tackle when the lottery comes in! (Guess actually buying a ticket would be a good place to start.)
Regarding the AIP films,I’m glad that the Beach Party films made it to DVD.Some of the others owned or made by other companies ,namely BEACH BALL,THE GIRLS ON THE BEACH ,A SWINGIN’ SUMMER etc are tied up by legal rights.The main attraction for me are the songs.A lot of critics say they were rubbish,but they miss the point ,they were mean’t to be fun.
Warner Archive has a DVD of RED SUN up for pre-order.
The screen grabs for UTAH BLAINE are up on the French site
DVD Classik…..31 of ’em and very nice they look too.
Very happy with those cats at Kino Lorber,finally, CATTLE ANNIE
AND LITTLE BRITCHES makes it’s way to Blu Ray.
A huge flop in it’s day and held back from release for several years,
as Mr Maltin says the film was literally “thrown away” by Universal.
Great that Kino have finally sorted out the “rights” issues and the Blu Ray
will be presented from a brand new 2K scan.
A super Western swan song for Burt Lancaster and a non hammy Steiger
as well.
“Cattle Annie” is NOT a comedy Western and I loathe the term “revisionist”
Western,the film is a gritty traditional Western and has a killer soundtrack
as well.
Always wonderful when one of your “most wanted” films appears on Blu Ray.
Glenn over at Cinesavant has just reviewed Warner Archive’s Blu Ray
of WAGON MASTER.
I may have got the wrong end of the stick here but Glenn cites some
pretty depressing news that Fox (Disney) seem to have lost interest in
their catalogue titles and have already stopped European imprints from
releasing vintage titles.
It would seem “streaming” is the way to go,which I might add has zero
interest to me.
With the zillions Disney are raking in,one would have thought they would
treat the Fox library with the love and care it deserves.
The unacceptable face of Capitalism and all that….
As it happens I’ve just ordered the new 4K restoration of WARLOCK
(German version) which certainly,more or less completes my wants list
of 50’s Fox CinemaScope Westerns in high def.
As far as the essential stuff goes I think I’m pretty much covered but would
have loved to have seen THE CANADIANS and THE FIERCEST HEART
debut on Blu Ray. As others genres go I would love to have THE STREET
WITH NO NAME remastered and restored on Blu Ray but now that
seems unlikely.
Even less likely is whatever RegalScope titles Fox still hold.
This is terrible news, but I have heard the same from one french editor. And in the UK, Eureka stated that they had to release the Samuel Fuller boxset (5 films without the previously intended China Gate) even faster since the Fox licences are now running a shorter time.
Glenn is also questioning the fate of MGM owned films.
It is so fortunate that in the last decade, we had a lot of Fox films released.
I wish they had of released that Samuel Fuller boxset earlier because not so long ago I bought the Samuel Fuller DVD boxset from ESC Editions .I would be tempted if CHINA GATE was included but I have the Olive release .
I asked Criterion if they were releasing NAKED SPUR but they said they liked to keep their future releases secret which is understandable.
The Naked spur is reportedly in bad shape and it would take a lot of money to restore it to its prime glory.
As long as I can remember, from 16mm prints to cable and DVD, The Naked Spur has looked soft.
Twilight Time are releasing THE TALL MEN on BLU RAY September 4th 2019 .One of the great 50s westerns (in my opinion anyway).
I do agree with you. The CinemaScope image is breathtaking both in the snow and the sun. What a great journey in the west.
The Twilight Time version should be far superior to the average german disc.
It’s been said (on this blog I think) that Clark Gable was great in westerns .I couldn’t agree more and like Robert Taylor ,I wish he hade made more.I remember a couple of years ago switching on the TV and the last few minutes of ACROSS THE WIDE MISSOURI was on .I had never seen it before and although it was on DVD it was hard to find .
Hi Cole,
Firstly thanks for your fine review of FIRE DOWN BELOW,knowing
my fetish for Warwick Films I was delighted to discover that the film
was released on Blu Ray recently by Rimini,France in a lovely 2.55
ratio version. The film is excellent and one I’ve never seen before.
Regarding the withdrawal of Fox titles,I understand Glenn is referring
to the MGM titles as the MGM/UA library which covers mostly United
Artists films. Of course if the MGM/UA library is also involved this may mean
a whole heap of UA product might disappear as well.
I think I have the key UA Westerns in high def,but there are many obscure
Noir titles that could be lost in the mix.
One such film is THE LONG WAIT a key,and unreleased Noir with
Anthony Quinn,I myself have had a very “long wait” for this one to show
up on disc. THE LONG WAIT is the sort of obscure title Kino Lorber
love to unearth.
Kino have other MGM/UA titles in the pipeline including Siegel’s
THE GUN RUNNERS which I would love to see in high-def and 1.85.
The film is not prime Siegel but it’s still good.
Only upside:if Glenn’s information is correct,as he so rightly states,
previously released Fox titles will eventually become collector’s
items,and will soar in value.
The actual vintage/classic MGM library is now owned by Warner Bros,
so hopefully much wanted MGM Westerns will eventually debut on Blu Ray….
(TRIBUTE TO A BAD MAN,FASTEST GUN ALIVE,SADDLE THE WIND,
GUN GLORY,A THUNDER OF DRUMS)
Warners have been rather quiet with their Westerns lately but have
re-introduced their “3D Specials” DIAL M FOR MURDER and KISS ME KATE.
Hopefully the much rumoured/anticipated CHARGE AT FEATHER RIVER
might surface,not to mention THE BOUNTY HUNTER in 3D.
From a personal point of view I would be more than happy to have the
Scott title restored and remastered in widescreen.
This Fox news is indeed a king-size drag, but not all that surprising given all the missteps their classic/vault program has seen along the way. They were clearly never dedicated to it in the way WB is with their Archive program — and all that was before the Disney merger.
Speaking of Warner Archive, I would be so stoked to find out The Bounty Hunter was on its way, 3D or not.
Perhaps but at least Fox had the decency to license titles in Europe & USA (Kino, …) while Warner only did it a handful of times. if you compare the output of Blu-rays of Fox films to the Warner ones in the last 10 years, Fox is way ahead.
THE GUN RUNNERS is now set for release Nov.12
Hey,Toby,
I hope Hurricane Dorian is keeping it’s distance from where you live,
it’s making the news big time over the pond.
So very true,what you say,Warner Archive still the original and best!
I guess with the Fox MGM/UA titles we must be grateful for the titles already
issued,but it’s sad they are barring other companies from releasing titles
they have no intention of releasing themselves.
Lots of interest in “Cattle Annie” on Kino’s Facebook page,really “stoked”
about this release. Speaking of 70’s movies and Rupert Hitzig,hopefully
Kino will release ELECTRA GLIDE IN BLUE on Blu Ray one of my all
time favourite 70’s movies. I have the Aussie Blu Ray from several years
back and it’s fine, so a decent high def master exists,’though the film
could get caught up in the MGM/UA crossfire.
ELECTRA GLIDE IN BLUE has the all time best Royal Dano performance.
I think we both share a deep love for a lot of 70’s movies,so many
wonderful films released in that decade,many so unjustly overlooked,
like “Cattle Annie” and “Electra” in particular. “Annie” was filmed in ’79 but
released in ’81 so I guess it qualifies as the last great Western of the 70’s.
I also note Kino are prepping THE OSCAR,by all accounts a so bad it’s
good movie…certainly a once in a lifetime cast.
THE OSCAR was originally a Paramount picture so could this mean that
the Kino/Paramount deal is on again….let’s hope so,with a few beloved
Republic titles in the mix.
The hurricane won’t impact us, if it does, until Thursday or Friday. However, one of my best, oldest, dearest friends — the guy who designed the cover of my book, Tomas Gardner, lives on the east coast of Florida and is probably going through quite a time as I type this. Keep him in your prayers, folks.
Electra Glide In Blue is terrific, one of the most overlooked films ever, as I see it. Great performances throughout. He may be a bit of a freak, but Robert Blake is a great actor.
I was looking through some DVDs and Blu-Rays the other night and I noticed how many terrific movies Warner Archive has brought us. They are a HUGE resource for any classic movie fan.
Toby,I believe that Roger McGuinn ,former lead singer of the Byrds lives in Florida ,so I hope he’s ok.
Is it just me ,or does anybody else find those GIFs (videos) annoying?
Add me to the Robert Blake fan club,although his private life is a bit
of a train wreck,one hell of an actor.
Re,The Byrds why was their version of “Don’t Make Waves” not included
on the soundtrack of ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD, Sharon
Tate connection and all.
Mr Tarantino and I have differing musical tastes,no Byrds,no Youngbloods,
no Quicksilver….however he did redeem himself somewhat by including
Buffy Sainte Marie’s lovely folk rock version of Joni’s “The Circle Game”
Saw The Byrds at London’s Middle Earth in ’68 with Gram Parsons and
Doug Dillard in the band.
I can always count on you John to bring up the Byrds or Gram.
Jerry, you might like this story. When Presley was at the Galax Fiddlers Convention last month to do her song, I ran to the car to get something. I was walking through the area where people set up tents and campers and stuff — then get together and play bluegrass all night. As Jerry knows, it’s wonderful. Anyway, I was in a hurry to get what we needed and get back to my family. BUT as I walked by a particular tent, a young man was playing and singing “Hickory Wind,” written by Gram for The Byrds’ Sweetheart Of The Rodeo LP. I had to stop and listen. It was so good — I walked away with tears in my eyes.
Toby – Love the Byrds with or without the great Gram Parsons – I can recall being at a NYC Club The Bottom Line in about 1988 or so and hearing the great Richard Thompson – accompanied by Clive Gregson & Christine Collister do a stupendous cover of Hickory Wind – might have been the best version I ever heard!
Hooray! Another Richard Thompson fan. Saw him a number of times in the 90s, but he never did Hickory Wind. I’m sure it was terrific.
RT is still going strong – I saw him play only a few months ago and he was as per usual fantastic.
Back to the Disney thing,if as Glenn states, they are barring theatres
showing vintage Fox product and stopping Euro imprints releasing Fox
titles (and possibly domestic imprints) where does that leave us for the
future. I guess,and I’m only guessing, this would include the MGM/UA
titles as well.
Picture this….next year is the 60th anniversary of THE MAGNIFICENT
SEVEN. Say,Kino for example, wanted to release a 4K remastered edition
with a raft of extras including a commentary from Toby Roan would
Disney prevent this….if so it amounts to nothing more than a criminal act!
Whether it was me or someone else doing the commentary, that would indeed be a pitiful shame. But the bigger concern is, if there’s no place for these things to be shown, would they stop restoring them altogether? Will EVERY movie suffer the fate of Wayne’s The Alamo?
Back to Disney……….
If, as Glenn states, Disney are barring theatres from showing vintage
Fox titles and no longer allowing Euro imprints to release vintage Fox
product (and I presume domestic imprints as well) I’m guessing,and it
is only a guess this would apply to MGM/UA titles as well.
Picture this…..next year is the 60th anniversary of THE MAGNIFICENT
SEVEN,and let’s suppose Kino wanted to release an anniversary edition,
4K remastered with a raft of extras including a Toby commentary…does
this mean Disney would not allow this.
Toby,lovely Hickory Wind story….wonderful song.
Sorry about the dupe comment Toby, my first attempt vanished for a while,
It’s rather odd that Disney live action features are also unavailable on
Blu Ray I am thinking about titles like THE GREAT LOCOMOTIVE CHASE,
(a natural I would have thought) JOHNNY TREMAINE and LIGHT IN THE
FOREST to name just a few.
Wish I could have been at Galax this year and seen (and met) Presley and yourself, Toby!
We are in Old Portsmouth tonight to see Joe Mullins & his Radio Ramblers from Ohio ‘live’. Just 2 UK tour dates – now sold out but we managed to get tickets.
Should be a blast!
I’m more ‘traditional’ Bluegrass than The Byrds tastewise but I remember getting the “I Am A Pilgrim” single from their “Sweethearts Of The Rodeo” LP back in the day.
It would’ve been great to have you there, Jerry. Just last night, we were talking about how great it’d be to maybe retire to Galax someday.
My introduction to bluegrass came from Bonnie & Clyde, The Beverly Hillbillies and The Andy Griffith Show — Flatt & Scruggs and The Dillards! My love of the country/folk/bluegrass/rock merger from Dylan, The Byrds, etc. came not long after.
That Joe Mullins show should be terrific. They’re coming to Lorraine’s in February 2020.
Toby, you need to book your tickets for Lorraine’s in February. The show exceeded already-high expectations. The Radio Ramblers are a top-class act and the show was a massive success. The audience didn’t want to let ’em go but they have to be at London Heathrow Airport by 10.00 tomorrow morning, to fly home – ouch!
UTAH BLAINE and a few more westerns are now on Sidonis Calysta’s site .
I just received FIVE TALL TALES from Powerhouse Films .I thought it would have been bigger then it looks.I never have liked single cases in boxsets because they take up too much space,however the idea of putting 2 discs in 2 cases was a good idea .Whenever I buy a boxset or DVD with a slip case,I like to leave the plastic on .I have a small blade which I very carefully open it.In this case however,the plastic had to come off because of the cardboard on the bottom of the case.You probably think I am being very fussy,and yes I guess I am ,but I love my collections.
Kino has announced a blu ray of THE GREY FOX.
Hi Toby,
As you well know I often check in at Jeff Well’s Hollywood-Elsewhere,
love him or loathe him you can never accuse Jeff’s site of being boring!
Anyway,I’m glad I checked in today,because if you scroll down there’s some
really cool pics of Brando and Jacques Tati on the ONE EYED JACKS
set,they seem to be enjoying each others company…just thought I’d
mention it as I don’t know if you have seen these before.