Olive Films releases Robert Altman's feature directorial debut, The Delinquents (1957)

Olive Films releases Robert Altman's feature directorial debut, The Delinquents (1957) Olive Films, a boutique theatrical and home entertainment distribution label dedicated to bringing independent, foreign, and classic films to DVD and Blu-ray, has announced that March 21st will be the Blu-ray debut of five new titles, including Robert Altman’s feature directorial debut, The Delinquents (1957). “We’re honored to bring this important piece of independent film history to DVD and Blu-ray,” said Alex Kopecky of Olive Films. “Fans can finally appreciate this early effort from the great Robert Altman.”

Making his directorial start in his hometown of Kansas City helming industrial and educational films for the Calvin Company, Hollywood maverick Robert Altman would later find major breakout success with films like MASH (1970) and McCabe & Mrs. Miller (1971). As pivotal as those films were, Altman’s feature directorial debut, The Delinquents (1957), should not be forgotten. In addition to introducing the world to Altman’s creative talents, The Delinquents is also notable for bringing two fledgling stars to audiences’ attentions. Richard Bakalyan, appearing in his first role, would later find success in numerous other troubled teen roles and eventually earned acclaim as a character actor in films such asChinatown (1972) and Von Ryan’s Express (1965). The film also marked the first starring turn for Tom Laughlin (then billed as Tommy Laughlin), who of course went on to portray the iconic Billy Jack in theBilly Jack series. The Delinquents was truly a low-budget, independent project. Elmer Rhoden Jr., Kansas City theater owner and president of the Commonwealth Theaters chain, noticed the success of the newly emerging teensploitation delinquent genre. Raising a budget of $63,000 with the help of local businesspeople, Rhoden set out to make The Delinquents with Robert Altman. Altman found himself in charge of a huge amount of the creative and producing effort, handling writing, casting, location scouting, and even transporting the equipment. As he had previously primarily made industrial and educational films for the Calvin Company, he enlisted the crew, including cinematographer Charles Paddock, from his work in that sector. This resourcefulness also emerged when they used nonprofessional locals as actors and friends’ houses and local businesses as filming locations. A lot of this necessary resourcefulness translated into a final film that foreshadowed what Altman would accomplish with his career decades later.  The realism created by the crew accustomed to working on industrial documentary projects translates in some areas as similar to the improvisational feeling his later films were known for. In fact, for a party scene in The Delinquents, he instructed the extras to simply have a real party, pretending that the film crew wasn’t there. As his crew moved through the house, many of the moments of the party captured in the film are genuine and unscripted, a precursor to his later films’ improvisations. The on-location shooting and nonprofessional actors also lent The Delinquents a sense of realism, arguably similar to the realism seen in his later films with his signature overlapping dialogue. In many ways, it could be considered the missing link in his career between industrial documentaries and his narrative works in the coming decades. Olive Films is proud to present The Delinquents on DVD and Blu-ray available March 21st.

Other Olive Films March Titles

Blu-ray debut of Blast-Off aka Those Fantastic Flying Fools (1967); directed by Don Sharp; starring Burl Ives, Terry-Thomas, Troy Donahue, Gert Frobe, Hermione Gingold, Lionel Jeffries, and Dennis Price. LANGUAGE: ENGLISH (with optional English subtitles) TOTAL RUNNING TIME: 95 mins VIDEO:  2.35:1 Aspect Ratio; COLOR AUDIO: MONO

Blu-ray debut of Phaedra (1962); directed by Jules Dassin; starring Melina Mercouri, Anthony Perkins, Raf Vallone, and Elisabeth Ercy. LANGUAGE: ENGLISH (with optional English subtitles) TOTAL RUNNING TIME:  116 mins VIDEO:  1.66:1 Aspect Ratio; B&W AUDIO: MONO

Blu-ray debut of The Cardinal (1936); directed by Sinclair Hill; starring Eric Portman, June Duprez, Robert Atkins, O.B. Clarence, Douglas Jefferies, Wilfred Fletcher, Matheson Lang, and F.B.J. Sharp. LANGUAGE: ENGLISH (with optional English subtitles) TOTAL RUNNING TIME: 74 mins VIDEO: 1.37:1 Aspect Ratio; B&W AUDIO: MONO

Blu-ray debut of Won Ton Ton, The Dog Who Saved Hollywood (1976); directed by Michael Winner; starring Madeline Kahn, Bruce Dern, Art Carney, Phil Silvers, Teri Garr, and Ron Leibman. LANGUAGE: ENGLISH (with optional English subtitles) TOTAL RUNNING TIME:  92 mins VIDEO:  1.78:1 Aspect Ratio; COLOR AUDIO: MONO

About Olive Films

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.

Olive Films Releases Panther Girl of the Kongo (1954)

Olive Films highlights another under-appreciated serial with release of Panther Girl of the Kongo (1954) Olive Films, a boutique theatrical and home entertainment distribution label dedicated to bringing independent, foreign, and classic films to DVD and Blu-ray, has announced that February 21stwill be the release date of six new titles, including Republic’s under-appreciated penultimate serial,Panther Girl of the Kongo (1954). “Panther Girl of the Kongo might not be as well remembered as other serials,” said Alex Kopecky ofOlive Films, “but we feel it’s deserving of a place alongside our favorites, because it epitomizes a lot of the elements that we love about classic serials.”

Olive Films will release Panther Girl of the Kongo to DVD and Blu-ray on February 21st.  The second-to-last serial made by Republic Pictures, it came during the dusk of the film-going habits of the 1940s and early 1950s. Still, serial fans will recognize many of their favorite classic tropes: a fiendish land grab plot, exotic jungle locations (by way of the Republic backlot), a near-comical mad scientist character, resourceful repurposing of old footage, and a no-nonsense absence of any dialogue not explicitly driving the plot forward. In addition to that, it echoes popular mutant monster elements of 1950s films by focusing on a giant “claw monster” created by a mad scientist. Even audiences unfamiliar with serials can find plenty to enjoy in Panther Girl of the Kongo, namely the strong performance from Phyllis Coates, best known for her portrayal of Lois Lane several years earlier. In 1951, she played opposite George Reeves in his first Superman performance in the film Superman and the Mole-Men. She then reprised her role for the first season of the television series, Adventures of Superman. Today, she is the last surviving cast member of the iconic series. It is also possible that audiences may recognize Panther Girl of the Kongo from its 1966 television run, in which twenty-six Republic serials aired as television movies.

Other Olive Films February Titles

Blu-ray debut of King Solomon's Mines (1985); directed by J. Lee Thompson; starring Richard Chamberlain, Sharon Stone, Herbert Lom, and John Rhys-Davies.

Blu-ray debut of Evelyn (2002); directed by Bruce Beresford; starring Pierce Brosnan, Julianna Margulies, Alan Bates, Stephen Rea, Aidan Quinn, and Sophie Vavasseur.

Blu-ray debut of The Klansman (1974); directed by Terence Young; starring Lee Marvin, Richard Burton, Cameron Mitchell, Lola Falana, Luciana Paluzzi, David Huddleston, Linda Evans, and O.J. Simpson.

DVD debut of The Last Best Year (1990); directed by John Erman; starring Mary Tyler Moore, Bernadette Peters, Brian Bedford, and Kate Reid. Blu-ray debut of Police (1985); directed by Maurice Pialat; starring Gerard Depardieu, Sophie Marceau, and Sandrine Bonnaire.

About Olive Films

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.

Gift Guide Help from Olive Films

Gift Guide Help from Olive Films Streaming platforms may dominate the conversation for most of the year, but is it too impersonal to give a streaming service subscription as a gift? This holiday season, physical media reigns -- DVDs and Blu-rays of old and new favorite films make the perfect gifts.  Some of this year's most thoughtful presents are special DVDs and Blu-rays, and Olive Films has put together this ultimate gift guide to help your readers.

FOR THE CINEPHILE...

OLIVE SIGNATURE: JOHNNY GUITAR Widely panned at its 1954 release, this bizarre Nicholas Ray-directed Western starring Joan Crawford, Mercedes McCambridge, and Sterling Hayden has been gaining popularity recently, soon to cement its status as a cinephile cult favorite. In September, Johnny Guitar came to Olive Signature on DVD and Blu-ray, mastered from a new 4K restoration and featuring loads of entertaining and informative bonus materials.  The Olive Signature edition of Johnny Guitar is sure to thrill (and likely impress) any cinephile.  Introduction by Martin Scorsese Audio commentary with historian and critic Geoff Andrew "Tell Us She Was One of You: The Hollywood Blacklist and Johnny Guitar” - with historian Larry Ceplair and blacklisted screenwriter Walter Bernstein “Johnny Guitar: A Feminist Western?” - with critics Miriam Bale, Kent Jones, Joe McElhaney and B. Ruby Rich “Free Republic: The Story of Herbert J. Yates and Republic Pictures” - with archivist Marc Wanamaker “Johnny Guitar: A Western Like No Other” - with critics Miriam Bale, Kent Jones, Joe McElhaney and B. Ruby Rich “My Friend, the American Friend” - Nicholas Ray biographical piece with Tom Farrell and Chris Sievernich "Johnny Guitar: The First Existential Western" - an original essay by critic Jonathan Rosenbaum Theatrical trailer

J'ACCUSE (1938) Perhaps best known for his silent works, Abel Gance is remembered as one of the major figures of early cinema.  Haunted by the suffering he witnessed during World War I, he created the silent J’accuse (1919) to serve as the ultimate indictment of war. He eventually remade J’accuse in 1938, utilizing the newly available technology of sound.  If his original film is a lamentation of World War I, his remake is a plea for peace under the looming threat of World War II. For the film’s final act, Gance, always a technological innovator, used special effects that were ahead of their time to create a climax that walks the line between surrealism and horror. Despite the film's great importance, the DVD and Blu-ray of J'accuse  (1938) have only just debuted on November 15th, so this will give the cinephile on any gift list the opportunity to catch up with a long-neglected piece of film history.

OLIVE SIGNATURE: MACBETH With Macbeth, the prolific Orson Welles would use a potent mix of highly stylized visuals and theatrical performances to create an altogether unique vision for his interpretation of the Shakespeare tragedy. This special Olive Signature edition includes both the original 1948 107-minute cut, replete with affected highland accents, and the 1950 pared-down 85-minute re-release that removed most of the accented dialogue, making it one of the year's ultimate gifts for cinephiles. New High-Definition digital restoration Includes 1948 and 1950 versions Audio Commentary with Welles biographer Joseph McBride "Welles and Shakespeare" - an interview with Welles expert, Professor Michael Anderegg "Adapting Shakespeare on Film" - a conversation with directors Carlo Carlei (Romeo & Juliet) and Billy Morrissette (Scotland, PA) Excerpt from We Work Again, a 1937 WPA documentary containing scenes from Welles' Federal Theatre Project production of Macbeth "That Was Orson Welles" - an interview with Welles' close friend and co-author, Peter Bogdanovich "Restoring Macbeth" - an interview with former UCLA Film & Television Archive Preservation Officer Bob Gitt "Free Republic: The Story of Herbert J. Yates and Republic Pictures" “The Two Macbeths” - an essay by critic Jonathan Rosenbaum

FOR THE IN-LAWS...

OLIVE SIGNATURE: HIGH NOON Many people find parents-in-law to be the most difficult family members to shop for. They want to impress with a sleek and elegant gift, but they also want something that strikes an emotional chord.  High Noon is considered one of the greatest Westerns of all time, and with a new 4K restoration used for this DVD and Blu-ray, people can give their in-laws the priceless gift of reliving a classic in the best presentation since its theatrical run. “A Ticking Clock” - Academy Award nominee Mark Goldblatt on the editing of High Noon "A Stanley Kramer Production" - Michael Schlesinger on the eminent producer of High Noon “Imitation of Life: The Hollywood Blacklist and High Noon” - with historian Larry Ceplair and blacklisted screenwriter Walter Bernstein “Oscars and Ulcers: The Production History of High Noon” - a visual essay with rarely seen archival elements, narrated by Anton Yelchin “Uncitizened Kane" - an original essay by Sight & Sound editor Nick James Theatrical trailer

STRATEGIC AIR COMMAND Directed by the great Anthony Mann and starring James Stewart, June Allyson, and Frank Lovejoy, Strategic Air Command is one of the absolute classics of aviation film. Its greatest claim to fame is its stunning aerial photography, which was filmed in breathtaking Vistavision. Also having the distinction of being the only movie to ever highlight the B-36 Peacemaker, this newly debuted DVD and Blu-ray will thrill any fans of Jimmy Stewart, classic film, or aviation.

FOR THE 80's KIDS...

AMERICAN NINJA 1-4 Remember this gem from the days of the video store? 80's kids surely will.  Full of cheesy moments and goofs that endeared them to kids everywhere, Cannon Films’ American Ninja series packed enough ninja action to launch a wave of martial arts obsession amongst young people across the US. American Ninja, American Ninja 2: The Confrontation, American Ninja 3: Blood Hunt, and American Ninja 4: The Annihilation are each on DVD and Blu-ray from Olive Films with bonus features that appeal to the 80's kid in all of us. All four films together would make an awesome and thoughtful gift.

ZAPPED! Here's another offering from Olive Films sure to conjure up some nostalgia. When a lab accident leaves a high school student with telekinetic powers, it’s a comic free-for-all in this raunchy comedy starring Scott Baio, Willie Aames, Heather Thomas, and Felice Schachter.  Encouraged by his hormonally minded friend to put his powers to good use, he exacts revenge on school bullies, cheats a little at sports and improves his luck with the girls, culminating in a prom scene reminiscent of Carrie … with laughs.

FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY TO SHARE

OLIVE SIGNATURE: THE QUIET MAN Countless people across the country grew up watching The Quiet Man with their parents or their grandparents. Now, they can revisit this classic with their own children. The Quiet Man is now available from the newly launched Olive Signature on DVD and Blu-ray. With pristine video quality, bonus features that will enchant the whole family, and sleek packaging, anyone can be proud to give this Olive Signature DVD or Blu-ray to a loved one. Mastered from 4K scan of original camera negative Audio commentary with John Ford biographer Joseph McBride “A Tribute to Maureen O'Hara: with Hayley Mills, Juliet Mills, and Ally Sheedy” “Don’t You Remember It, Seánín?: John Ford’s The Quiet Man” - a visual essay by historian and John Ford expert Tag Gallagher "Free Republic: The Story of Herbert J. Yates and Republic Pictures" "The Old Man: Peter Bogdanovich Remembers John Ford” “The Making of The Quiet Man” – written and hosted by Leonard Maltin

OLIVE SIGNATURE: THE NIGHT OF THE GRIZZLY A film can turn any night into a wonderful shared experience between generations, and The Night of the Grizzly exemplifies this. It's a simple but exciting Western about a family, a town, and a killer bear. This is the type of film that simply doesn't get made anymore.   New High-Definition digital restoration Audio Commentary by film historian Toby Roan “Blood on the Claw: How Cheyenne Bodie Became a Movie Star” - an essay by C. Courtney Joyner “The Legend of Big Jim Cole” –  interview with Clint Walker The Night of the Grizzly World Premiere archival footage “At Home with Clint Walker and His Home Gymnasium” – archival interview

FOR THE SCI-FI LOVERS

THE MONSTER OF PIEDRAS BLANCAS The Monster of Piedras Blancas, only having recently debuted on DVD and Blu-ray, had 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. Its shocking (for the time, at least) gore also earned it a place in the hearts of many young horror fans.

COMMANDO CODY: SKY MARSHAL OF THE UNIVERSE One of the reasons we at Olive Films love classic Sci-Fi so much is because of its zany, innocent fun. If that's what someone is looking for in a gift to a Sci-Fi fan, they should look no further than the complete serial Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe. This set contains all twelve pulse-pounding episodes of the beloved tv series-turned-theatrical serial.