Trailer Not on the DVD: Saturday Night Fever (1977, John Badham)

Paramount has been pretty bad about putting original theatrical trailers on their DVD and Blu-ray releases.  I've heard that music in trailers also needs to be cleared for home video and this may be why so many vintage Paramount trailers remain absent from DVD.  Still, I find it doubtful that all the other studios are clearing music rights for the original trailers on their disc.  An interesting example of this sort of thing is the Last American Virgin DVD, which is missing Human League's "Love Action" (replaced by another go round of "Whip It") because the band refused to re-license it for the film.  However, the DVD also contains the original theatrical trailer, which includes a portion of "Love Action."  I'm guessing no one was paying too much attention to the content of the trailer.

This trailer, which probably came from an old VHS, runs fairly long and has a promo for the soundtrack album at the tail end. 

Not So Obscure Trailer, but Still MIA on DVD: The Wild Life (1984, Art Linson) OR..."It's casual."

Most likely a victim of short-sighted music licensing agreements, The Wild Life remains m.i.a. on DVD shelves nearly 15 years into the format's lifespan.  "Even faster" than Fast Times at Ridgemont High, The Wild Life was written by Fast Times scribe Cameron Crowe and directed by Art Linson, who produced the earlier film.  Something of a quasi-sequel to Fast Times, its primary protagonist is Bill Conrad (Fast Times alumnus Eric Stoltz), a recent Los Angeles-area high school grad whose main goal within the film's timeline is moving into and maintaining an apartment in a singles complex (managed, incidentally, by the late, great Robert Ridgely).  Problems arise when Bill can't make rent on his own and must enlist a roommate (a wild Christopher Penn) to share the burden.

The film famously--or, in the minds of most critics in 1984, infamously--co-stars Christopher Penn as wrestling star, party animal, and all around goofball Tom Drake.  At the time, most observers couldn't get past the fact that Penn's role was a rather transparent attempt to create another Jeff Spicoli, the character made legendary by older brother Sean in Fast Times.  No, Drake is no Spicoli or Blutarsky, and his "It's casual" catchphrase did not enter the lexicon as "Hey bud, let's party" did, but Chris Penn brings a great energy to the part and gets laughs from me whenever I revisit the film.

With this film, veteran producer Linson makes one of only two trips behind the camera (earlier helming Where the Buffalo Roam) and I can't help but think that he came into to replace another director...Crowe, perhaps?  Since the film is rarely mentioned by Crowe or any of the principals, which also include Lea Thompson, Ilan Mitchell-Smith, and Jenny Wright, production back-stories are scant.  By no means a classic, The Wild Life, like its predecessor, does boast a fine acting ensemble (more great work from Fast Times casting director Don Phillips) with Hart Bochner, Rick Moranis, Randy Quaid, the aforementioned Ridgely, Sherilyn Fenn, Michael Bowen, Ben Stein, Jack Kehoe, Fear frontman and '80s stalwart Lee Ving, Predator Kevin Peter Hall, and Tony Montana "yes man" Angel Salazar ("Tony, open the door!!!") filling out the cast.  They're thrust into many stock situations, culminating with the type of house party blowout that featured in so many teen comedies of the time.  Much of what seemed very fresh just two years earlier with Fast Times, is decidedly less revelatory here, with an air of been there done that.

That's not to say there aren't some very original creations in Crowe's script with Mitchell-Smith's Vietnam-obsessed teen taking top prize in this category.  In a plot development that would probably have current studio execs nervous, Mitchell-Smith and his sidekick (Brin Berliner) visit the decrepit pad of a Vietnam vet (Randy Quaid) more than likely suffering from PTSD.  In what may be the film's most affecting and effective moment, Quaid tells the kid in no uncertain terms that he's lucky to have missed Vietnam and to appreciate the preservation of his average suburban existence.  I have to believe that Mitchell-Smith's Jim Conrad is inspired by the late Chris Penn's own teenage years, a time in which he soaked up any and all Vietnam minutia he could while making a Vietnam-set Super 8 film (said film featured boyhood pals Charlie Sheen and Emilio Estevez in its cast).  Sadly, the world lost the youngest Penn way too soon...based on the bulk of his performances and his youthful forays into filmmaking, it's clear he had a lot more to offer, more than he was usually given credit for anyway.

The soundtrack that is most likely keeping The Wild Life from DVD and Blu-ray includes an entirely original instrumental score by Eddie Van Halen (with music that foreshadows some future tunes such as "Right Now") and pop songs by Madonna, Buffalo Springfield, Billy Idol, Human League, Bananarama, Steppenwolf, Huey Lewis and the News, Peter Case, The Three O'Clock, Little Richard, and others.  Earlier home video versions omitted some of these songs, as many MCA / Universal releases of the era were wont to do, and had a "Home Video Version" tag printed on the back cover.  The original theatrical version has aired on Encore in recent years, however.

 Chris Penn with then girlfriend Sherilyn Fenn in May '84.

It's no Fast Times and, in fact, it ain't faster, clocking in a full six minutes longer, but for those '80s nostalgists, like me, who prefer to see the decade through a non-Hughes prism, The Wild Life remains essential viewing...if you can get a hold of it.

"Watch the landlord get his."

I may be the only person who thought of this:

When I saw this:

"The Rock and Roller Disco Movie of the Year!"

Those scouring the rep calendars around the country may have noticed that a rather obscure title has been trending lately.  Skatetown U.S.A. has, or has had, play dates at the Cinefamily in Los Angeles, Music Box in Chicago, and BAMCinematek in Brooklyn.  A programmer friend tells me that the repertory department at Sony has been pushing the charms of Skatetown and the studio has gone so far as to create these as giveaways!  It's apparently the real deal. 

I'm told, however, that the Sony has not struck new prints. Featuring the film debut of Patrick Swayze, as well as noted thespian Scott Baio, and a wall-to-wall disco soundtrack, the film has never appeared on commercial home video, most likely due to music rights issues. Perhaps these theatrical play dates will lead down the road to some form of home video release...it's difficult to say, though, as repertory and home video are completely different departments and have inherently different obligations and obstacles to deal with.

"No reason. I just like doing things like that."

I regularly pass this wall on my to the Fairway in Red Hook and figured I better capture it with my new iPhone before the whole thing gets a fresh coat of black paint.  Good to know that long after the Rockstar Games "Warriors" ads have come down, Luther and the Wonder Wheel live on, along with Bruce Lee.

Japanese Herald Gallery: White Line Fever

The back cover photo depicts Martin "Sensei Kreese" Kove and a pal beating up Jan-Michael Vincent. Incidentally, Kove is probably the only actor who could challenge James Caan for the title of Baddest Hollywood Jewish Cowboy. Well, except, of course, for Maxwell Henry Aronson aka "Broncho Billy".

Probably coincidental, but this image from the Speed one-sheet
is eerily reminiscent of Jan-Michael's Blue Mule.

Japanese Herald Gallery: Reckless

Soundtrack Jukebox Vol. 2

Once again inspired by my good friend Rupert Pupkin, here are some more tunes sourced from soundtrack LPs and / or used prominently in a particular film, this time mostly from the '80s. There are a few hits here, but most, again, fall under the "cult" label.

In no particular order (shuffling is encouraged):
1. "Same Old Scene" - Roxy Music, Times Square
2. "Prisoner" - Barbra Streisand, The Eyes of Laura Mars
3. "We Got the Beat" - The Go-Go's, Fast Times at Ridgemont High
4. "The Dream (Hold On To Your Dream)" - Irene Cara, D.C. Cab (Giorgio Moroder)
5. "Lorelei" - Nina Hagen, The Year of the Jellyfish
6. "This is Not America" - David Bowie, The Falcon and the Snowman (Pat Matheny / Lyle Mays)
7. "Superstar" - T-Connection, Bad Boys (1983)
8. "The Edge of Forever" - The Dream Academy, Ferris Bueller's Day Off
9. "Tenderness" - General Public, Weird Science
10. "Eyes of a Stranger" - Payola$, Valley Girl
11. "Angel's Song" - Deborah Harry, Rock & Rule
12. "Running Scared" - Fee Waybill, Running Scared (1986)
13. "The Last Unicorn" - America, The Last Unicorn (Jimmy Webb)
14. "Change" - John Waite, Vision Quest
15. "Street Life" - The Crusaders with Randy Crawford, Sharky's Machine
16. "Rosalinda's Eyes" - Billy Joel, Personal Best
17. "How Do I Let You Know" - Phoebe Cates, Private School
18. "The Wild Life" - Bananarama, The Wild Life
19. "Turn to the Sky" - The March Violets, Some Kind of Wonderful
20. "Revenge of the Nerds" - The Rubinoos, Revenge of the Nerds
21. "Holiday Road" - Lindsay Buckingham, Vacation
22. "Veteran of the Psychic Wars" - Blue Oyster Cult, Heavy Metal
23. "Theme from the Heartbreak Kid" - Bill Dean, The Heartbreak Kid
24. "Lady, Lady, Lady" - Joe "Bean" Esposito, Flashdance (Giorgio Moroder)
25. "It's a Long Road" - Dan Hill, First Blood (Jerry Goldsmith)
26. "All Time High" - Rita Coolidge, Octopussy (John Barry)
27. "Together in Electric Dreams" - Philip Oakey, Electric Dreams (Giorgio Moroder)
28. "Better Luck Next Time" - Oingo Boingo, The Last American Virgin
29. "Hang Up the Phone" - Annie Golden, Sixteen Candles
30. "Where Do I Go From Here" - Paul Williams, Thunderbolt & Lightfoot
31. "Looker" - Sue Saad, Looker (Barry DeVorzon)
32. "Your Love" - Lime, Summer Lovers
33. "The Ride" - Matches, The Karate Kid (1984)
34. "This Side of Forever" - Roberta Flack, Sudden Impact
35. "Brand New Day" - Danny Hutton, American Flyers
36. "All the Right Moves" - Jennifer Warnes & Chris Thompson, All the Right Moves
37. "Lover" - Roxy Music, Miami Vice II

Merv Bloch's Trailer Show

NY-area cinephiles will want to make sure they're around for next weekend's opening of the Film Society of Lincoln Center's new Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center. FSLC is hosting a weekend full of free screenings and talks to usher in this new, very welcome era; tickets can be reserved online. One of the events, of particular interest to readers of this blog, is "Merv Bloch's Trailer Show." Bloch has long been a force in the marketing and advertising of films and the screening will feature a reel of his many legendary trailers, an example of which follows...

Not So Obscure Trailer AND Coming Soon to DVD: Dark of the Sun (1968, Jack Cardiff)

There's no cover image up yet, but Jack Cardiff's surprisingly violent and intense 1968 action opus, aka The Mercenaries, starring Rod Taylor, Jim Brown, and Yvette Mimieux is coming to DVD via the Warner Archive! Just as it has two titles, the film has two distinct and quite gorgeous poster designs...I wonder which Warner will utilize for the MOD disc.

EDIT: Disc artwork added...