Classic Movie Fans: Olive Films Releases Long-Lost DeMille Silent, Gems of 1950's Sci-Fi
Olive Films Releases Once-Lost DeMille Silent and Sci-Fi
B-Movie Classics
Chicago,
IL – Olive Films, a boutique theatrical and home entertainment
distribution label dedicated to bringing independent, foreign, and classic
films to DVD and Blu-ray, is excited to announce that September 13th will
be the release date of seven new titles, including Cecil B. DeMille's once-lost
silent The Captive
(1915), monster movie gem The
Monster of Piedras Blancas (1958), and beloved (but controversial
among purists) Republic serial Commando
Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe (1955).
Thought to be lost for many years, this
early Cecil B. DeMille feature was thankfully discovered in Paramount’s
vault in 1970. Olive Films’ DVD and Blu-ray release on September 13th
will mark the film’s first availability on home media. In addition to
being from one of the all-time great American directors, the film was
also produced by Jesse L. Lasky, who would form the prolific Famous
Players-Lasky Corporation responsible for 731 features and 363 shorts
from 1916 to 1919.
The film also boasts a somewhat storied production history. According to
rumor, DeMille and his co-writer Jeannie MacPherson engaged in an affair
during writing and shooting. If one believes this story, indications of
their relationship can be found in the subtexts of the film itself. On a
darker turn, an extra was unfortunately killed during filming. According
to star Blanche Sweet, this was a result of real, loaded guns being used
as props. More tragedy followed shortly after filming ended, as Page
Peters, who was just rising to fame as an actor, drowned in 1916.
For the DVD and Blu-ray release of The
Captive, Olive Films has commissioned a brand-new score by
composer Lucy Duke. "The opportunity to create an original
score to a DeMille silent film is a singular opportunity-- a musician's
dream come true!" said composer Lucy Duke. "I hope that the
music is true to the era while remaining valid in a contemporary context,
shining a new light on this film."
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THE MONSTER OF PIEDRAS BLANCAS (1958)
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DVD and Blu-ray debut of The Monster of Piedras
Blancas (1958), directed by Irvin Berwick, shot by Philip
Lathrop, starring Jeanne Carmen, Les Trmayne, John Harmon, Don Sullivan,
and Forrest Lewis.
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The Monster of Piedras Blancas, previously
unavailable on DVD or Blu-ray, has become a sort of Holy Grail of monster
b-movies. The
Monster of Piedras Blancas, previously unavailable on DVD or
Blu-ray, has become a sort of Holy Grail of monster b-movies. Shot over
the course of two weeks, the film was produced with a final budget of
$29,000. This micro-budget necessitated a resourceful craftsmanship from
the filmmakers that resulted in the endearingly campy monster flick that
fans know and love. For example, the monster’s costume supposedly
recycled the hands from The
Mole People (1956) and the feet from This Island Earth (1955).
Many people note its similarities to the Creature from the Black Lagoon
(1954) creature, and indeed producer Jack Kevan had a hand in the costume
and makeup of both films. Science Fiction fans will also recognize
prolific actor Les Tremayne (The
War of the Worlds, Forbidden
Planet) and pin-up queen Jeanne Carmen (The Devil’s Hand).
At the time of its original release, its shocking gore earned it a place
in the hearts of many young horror fans. This b-movie monster gem arrives
on DVD and Blu-ray for the first time ever on September 13th.
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COMMANDO CODY: SKY MARSHAL OF THE UNIVERSE (1955)
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Blu-ray debut of Commando Cody: Sky Marshal
of the Universe (1955), directed by Fred C. Brannon, Harry
Keller, and Franklin Adreon, starring Judd Holdren, Aline Towne, William
Schallert, Gregory Gaye, Ricahrd Crane, and Lyle Talbot.
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Another title coming to DVD and Blu-ray
from Olive Films on September 13th is the Republic Serial Commando Cody: Sky Marshal
of the Universe. A debate exists among serial purists as to
whether or not it can truly be counted as part of the serial canon.
Originally, its 12 episodes were intended for a weekly television series.
Its premiere, however, was as a weekly theatrical serial in 1953, with it
finally airing on television in 1955. Episodes do not end with the
traditional cliffhanger, but they do share many other themes and even
characters in common with the canonical serials. In fact, Commando Cody: Sky Marshal
of the Universe can be considered a prequel to Radar Men from the Moon,
in which the titular character first appeared. According to rumor, the
character always wore a mask because producers wanted the actor playing
him to be more dispensable.
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Other Olive Films August Title ART + FACTS (link)
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Blu-ray debut of Yours, Mine and Ours
(1968), directed by Melville Shavelson, starring Lucille Ball, Henry
Fonda, Van Johnson, Tim Matheson, and Tom Bosley.
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Blu-ray debut of The Horrible Dr. Hichcock (1964),
directed by Robert Hampton (aka Riccardo Freda), starring Barbara Steele,
Robert Flemyng, Montgomery Glenn (aka Silvano Tranquili), and Teresa
Fitzgerald (aka Maria Teresa Vianello).
Note: Olive Films will be presenting the 77-minute US cut, as it is
currently the only version available for licensing. Contrary to popular
opinion, the US cut is not censored to be less explicit-- the cut affects
mostly the pacing.
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Jekyll and Hyde... Together Again (1982),
directed by Jerry Belson, starring Mark Blankfield, Bess Armstrong, Tim
Thomerson, Krista Errickson.
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DVD and Blu-ray debut of Mankillers (1987),
directed by David A. Prior, starring Edd Byrnes, Gail Fisher, Edy
Williams, Lynda Aldon, William Zipp, Suzanne Tegmann, and Christine
Lunde.
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Olive Films is a Chicago-based boutique
theatrical and home entertainment distribution label dedicated to
bringing independent, foreign, documentary, and classic films to life.
Its catalog boasts over 500 titles ranging from Hollywood classics to
contemporary titles. More information about Olive Films may be found at olivefilms.com.
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