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Top 10 Favourite 70s films that haven't been released in Blu-ray (1 Viewer)

Kyrsten Brad

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Well folks, taking a cue from our friend here, Konstantinos Zacharopoulos, I decided to start this thread of my favourite (note Proper Queen's English spelling there) 1970s era films that have yet to see a Blu-ray release. Some have seen VHS, LaserDisc and DVD releases in the past, some just a VHS and even one on my list has never seen a home media release. Which is probably par for the course for the more obscure 1970s titles as anywhere from 15-20 years had passed from their theatrical release to the Dawn of the DVD era in the late 1990s.

OK here's my list as I see it (OK more than 10). I'm including titles that have not yet had a Region A (U.S.) release, though some might have seen non-USA releases. If you see one here, don't hesitate to point it out to me. I'll be updating this posting as I get more information come in.

And now without further adieu....

==============================
Aloha Bobby & Rose (1975): From Wikipedia: " In 1970s Hollywood, small-time auto mechanic Bobby (Paul Le Mat) and fast food waitress Rose (Diane Hull) meet, and fall in love. They dream of a life in Hawaii, and talk of living there in the near future. One night, Bobby’s prank of the “fake” robbery of a convenience store with a shotgun backfires: a young shopkeeper is killed in an accidental homicide. Following the accident, Bobby and Rose become fugitives, and Rose becomes worried about the future of her five-year-old son. They decide to go on the run in Bobby’s 1968 Chevrolet Camaro.


Arnold (1974): From IMDB, "Upon his death, Arnold marries his lover, Karen, in spite of his widow, and leaves deathtraps accompanied by audiotapes and his preserved and articulate corpse for those who cared only for his money."
From Brad, This is a rather obscure 1974 dark comedy with a tinge of real horror which I saw at age 14. Overshadowed big time in that time frame by that other horror classic, The Exorcist. But as a teenager, you got major cool points for going to see it.
In short the main character, Arnold, a wealthy aristocrat has passed on and has left tape-recorded messages to all his greedy-as-all-dickens relatives (and all are pompous jerks). Each greedy relative meets his/her demise in some devious "booby-trap" apparently all built by Arnold before he died. But there had to be a supernatural element as how would he know when to trigger each trap.
Of course each relative dies after he or she proudly announces (to thin air apparently) their true opinion of Arnold. Which made me think, man just keep your big mouth shut and maybe you'll get out alive.
One thing that my then 14 year old brain couldn't miss, a major requirement for most of the female cast, big breasts with dizzying cleavage.

Ben (1972): The sequel to the horror picture Willard. Saw this one at age 12.

Bermuda Triangle (1978): From IMDB; "The passengers and crew of a boat on a summer cruise in the Caribbean stray near the famed Bermuda Triangle, and mysterious things start happening."

Big Bad Mama (1974): From IMDB; "After the death of her lover, Wilma takes over his bootlegging business, but without much success. She soon meets up with bank robber Fred, who convinces her and her daughters to join him for his next big heist. In the meantime, Wilma also kidnaps the daughter of a millionaire in the hopes of getting rich off the ransom. Will Wilma and Fred be able to retire with their ill-gotten gains, or will the law eventually catch up with them?"
From Brad: One of my sentimental favorites as this Roger Corman film was a late night staple on cable in the 80s. Most striking feature, Angie Dickinson at age 40 doing her first nude scenes...and she put most Playboy centerfolds to shame.


Black Hole, The (1979): Disney's big 1979 sci-fi effort trying to cash in on the sci-fi craze spearheaded by Star Wars. Definitely Disney's "darkest" film to that date and has carved out a niche among sci-fi film fans all of whom would love a Blu. A HD version is available on Amazon Instant Video, I'll have to check it out.
Link to my HTF Write-Up on The Black Hole.


Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (1979): Of course the movie that spawned a two-season TV series and a sentimental favorite among many sci-fi fans. A DVD set of the entire series, including the theatrical cut of the movie is out but as of yet no blu. Hopefully though maybe we'll eventually get a non-US blu release (complete with cleanup from the original masters) similar to what was done with the original Battlestar Galactica (from the same series creator by the way, Glen Larson). Personally I'd like to see a complete remaster like was done with Star Trek TOS but make sure that the original versions come with a remaster.

California Dreaming (1977): From Wiki; "A young man named T.T. moves from Chicago to California for the summer. He quickly becomes adapted to the new pace of life, learning several lessons along the way."
From Brad: Saw this movie at the 29 Palms USMC theater in 1979. We sure did get a good look at the gorgeous Glynnis O'Connor (Ode to Billie Joe) but the real "depth" to the film came near the end when Seymour Cassel's character passed on during a beach volleyball game.

Chiorboys, The (1977)

Escape from Alcatraz (1979): Clint Eastwood in a new role for him. You could say that 1979 was Clint's year for trying new roles (i.e. Every Which Way But Loose). UPDATE, Blu is available on Amazon though rather expensive ($28) and I won't vouch for the transfer.

Eyes of Laura Mars (1977): From IMDB; "Suddenly Laura Mars can see through the eyes of a serial killer as he commits his crimes. She contacts the police and with the aid of a police detective, tries to stop the killer. But first, they have to figure out who it is.
Frrom Brad: One of my 70s mystery favorites. Star Trek fans among us might (barely) recognize actor Rene Auberjonois (Odo from Deep Space Nine)

Golden Girl (1979)

Goodbye Girl (1978): From IMDB; " After being dumped by her live-in boyfriend, an unemployed dancer and her 10-year-old daughter are reluctantly forced to live with a struggling off-Broadway actor."
From Brad: Surprising that this one has never seen a Blu release as it was very well known back in late 1977/ early 1978 and won a Oscar for Best Actor (Richard Dreyfuss). Definitely needs a Blu.

I Wanna Hold Your Hand (1978): A early effort here from Back To The Future film geinuses Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale. This film actually garnered a few positive reviews but was a flop at the box office. Back in early 1978 on a Sunday afternoon I took my then girlfriend Patti to see this movie. The catch though, I also had to take her younger sister Penny and her friend Denise as well. Well at least all three girls were cute as buttons.
From Wikipedia: " Four girls from Maplewood, New Jersey set off to New York City to see the Beatles' guest appearance on the Ed Sullivan television show. Rosie Petrofsky (Sperber) is in love with Paul, and wants to meet him; Grace Corrigan (Theresa Saldana), is certain that exclusive photos of The Beatles could secure her future as a photographer; Pam Mitchell (Allen), is about to get married and wants to have one last night of fun before her wedding, and Janis Goldman (Susan Kendall Newman) believes that the Beatles "undermine artistic integrity," so tags along to protest their music."

Invasion of the Bee Girls (1973): This R-rated B movie (no pun intended) was written by future Star Trek movie director Nicholas Meyer. Basically your male fantasy sexual/sci-fi movie from the early 1970s era and a late night drive in staple. But a fun movie nontheless.

Lady In Red (1979): A early post-Nancy Drew effort here (created by Roger Corman) from the lovely, and still lovely to this day Pamela Sue Martin. Pretty much a roaring 20s era gangster movie featuring Robert Conrad as John Dillinger. As with a lot of Roger Corman's work, plenty of female eye-candy (and not so female eye-candy as well in the prison inspection scene which might take the casual viewer by surprise) along with plenty of guns & action.

Malibu Beach (1979): A sentimental favorite of mine here despite it having basically no plot, no depth of character and basically no real redeeming social value, save for maybe muscle-head Dugan (Steve Oliver) finding love at the very end. Just lots of California teenagers having summer fun, need I say more. I'll say this though, Kim Lankford was really quite good in this movie considering the script they gave her. Oh and NEVER call Dugan a turd.
NOTE: a few scenes from this movie were actually lifted straight up and shown in the intro credits to the 1982 teen-party flick The Beach Girls, notably the bikini-stealing dog scenes.


Ode to Billie Joe (1976): This was a tear jerker for high school girls back in 1976. Going with my girlfriend to see it that summer, she made sure to cover my eyes when there might be some female nudity (I don't believe there was but it was close).

One & Only (1977): Taking a brief break from his greaser tough-guy roles (Happy Days, Lords of Flatbush), Henry Winkler plays a aspiring actor fresh out of college looking for his big break thru 1950s era studio wrestling.
From IMDB: :1951: Andy Schmidt is in his last year of college. Taking life easy and always a saucy joke on his lips, he manages to win fellow student Mary's heart, although she's already otherwise engaged. But getting a job after college turns out much harder than he expected. Most directors take offense at his free interpretation of his roles. Desperate, he tries in wrestling. To avoid getting beaten up he stages the fights - and incidentally invents show-wrestling."

Pretty Baby (1978) (Thanks Walter Kittel): Brooke Shields rookie role and quite a controversial one due mostly to (non-sexual) nudity on her part. That and the portrayal of her character's virginity being auctioned off. But this film was a very deep look into the New Orleans brothel scene in the early 20th century. Available on DVD but a well-produced Blu would do this film justice. Note that Brooke Shields next two movies (Wanda Nevada and The Blue Lagoon) are out on Blu, though in limited availability. Wanda Nevada is available from Germany and The Blue Lagoon is currently a Twilight Time release for as long as the supply holds up (I have all three movies, one DVD and two Blus).

Skatetown USA (1979) : Oh yes, here is my big favorite for a Blu-ray release, though none seems to be coming as of yet. Nor was there ever any home media release ever (no VHS, LD or DVD). I did bring this one up to Nick Redman over at Twilight Time since Sony currently holds the rights. However Sony can't seem to do anything with it due to music rights issues, very BIG music rights issues as this movie really had lots of late 1970s hit songs in it. It would be worth the effort though just to see Patrick Swayze in his first major feature role (and in the skating competition, he destroys all comers doing his own skating).

Here's a link to my Skatetown USA Write-Up here on HTF

Star Wars (Original Theatrical Cut, 1977): There seems to be a lot of demand in the classic film fandom for the original Star Wars. I'm rather partial to the updated versions myself but would love to have the original on blu as well for comparison purposes. That and a well-transferred blu might show how some of those 70s era special effects were done. Could be a possibility in the not too distant future when Disney releases the next Star Wars movie.


Thank God Its Friday (1978): OK so Saturday Night Fever was the defining disco-themed film from the late 1970s era but in my opinion Thank God Its Friday gave us a better picture of the fun side of disco. Not nearly as emotionally deep as Saturday Night Fever but you left feeling like you had more fun. Plenty of disco hits, hilarious hi-jinks and sub-plots and a big "everybody in the world must be going to this" disco dance contest. Also some early appearances by Jeff Goldblum, Debra Winger and singer Terri Nunn (Berlin).

Write up on Thank God Its Friday on HTF
 

Konstantinos

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Good idea! :)70s is my least favourite decade in film, and i recently discovered it during the last years.
I don't think I have seen more than 150 films from this decade, and most of my favourites have already been released in Bluray.

Some that I could think of (found more eventually - although i thought I wouldn't - but had to restrict to 10):

Death in Venice (1971)
The Homecoming: A Christmas Story (1971) - the TV pilot of the Waltons
Cinderella Liberty (1973)
Images (1973)
The Island at the top of the World (1974)
The Sugarland Express (1974)
Star Wars (original theatrical) (1977)
Escape to Witch Mountain (1975)/Return from Witch Mountain (1978)
The Black Hole (1979)
 

battlebeast

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THE TURNING POINT ; this one was barely even on DVD! for the week Anchor Bay had it available. I wonder what Fox gas against it? Why wouldn't they release it? Were they too embarrassed that it failed to even win ONE Oscar?

They won't even release it as part of their MOD service...
 

Konstantinos

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battlebeast said:
THE TURNING POINT ; this one was barely even on DVD! for the week Anchor Bay had it available. I wonder what Fox gas against it? Why wouldn't they release it? Were they too embarrassed that it failed to even win ONE Oscar?

They won't even release it as part of their MOD service...
By the way, this film is available on Blu-ray in scandinavian countries:

http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/The-Turning-Point-Blu-ray/62372/
 

Hasslein

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Heroes(1977) with "Carry on Wayward Son" restored
Scavenger Hunt
The Lords Of Flatbush
Pufnstuf
Bobbie Jo & the Outlaw
The Frisco Kid
Star Wars
Breaking Away
 

MCCLOUD

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Here are the 1970's Films I Want The Most On Blu-Ray

MCQ 1974
The Train Robbers 1973
The Seven Ups 1973
Chisum 1970
The Parallax View 1974
The Stone Killer 1973
Play Misty For Me 1971

These 7 are all the ones I can think of at this time!

GOD BLESS!

Robert
 

atfree

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OK, I'll play:Sky Riders (1976)McQ (1974)The Train Robbers (1973)The Shootist (1976)Farewell, My Lovely (1975)The Big Sleep (1978)Fear is the Key (1972)When Eight Bells Toll (1971)The Ballad of Cable Hogue (1970)Foul Play (1978)
 

Walter Kittel

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The '70s is easily my favorite decade for film, so I am not going to even attempt to list just 10 films:

1970
Colossus: The Forbin Project
Little Fauss and Big Halsy

1971
The Andromeda Strain
Carnal Knowledge
Klute

1972
The Candidate
The Mechanic
Silent Running
Slaughterhouse-Five

1973
Bang the Drum Slowly
Charley Varrick
Cinderella Liberty
Emperor of the North Pole
The Friends of Eddie Coyle
The Last Detail
The Seven-Ups

1974
The Longest Yard
Mr. Majestyk
The Parallax View
Phase IV
Zardoz

1975
Dersu Uzala
The Drowning Pool
Night Moves
Shampoo
Smile

1976
Bound for Glory
The Missouri Breaks

1977
Black Sunday
Demon Seed
Looking for Mr. Goodbar

1978
Coming Home
Heaven Can Wait
Pretty Baby
The Silent Partner
Straight Time

1979
All That Jazz
Breaking Away
The Onion Field

I really don't keep up with catalog titles in other regions, so I would not be surprised if some of these available. Just some of the titles that I really have enjoyed that (I believe) are not available. I may have missed a release here or there as I don't keep up with catalog releases as much these days.

- Walter.
 

davidHartzog

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The Long GoodbyeNight MovesFarewell, My LovelyCalifornia SplitThe Nickel RideShampooThe ConformistThe Silent PartnerSharkey's MachinePrime CutHickey and BoggsThe Last Run
 

Kyrsten Brad

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atfree said:
OK, I'll play:

Sky Riders (1976)
McQ (1974)
The Train Robbers (1973)
The Shootist (1976)
Farewell, My Lovely (1975)
The Big Sleep (1978)
Fear is the Key (1972)
When Eight Bells Toll (1971)
The Ballad of Cable Hogue (1970)
Foul Play (1978)
How could I have forgotten Foul Play. Chevy Chase and Goldie Hawn in a classic.
 

Mark Cappelletty

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There's a good R-0 version of PRIME CUT available from Amazon.de. I just got mine and it's awesome.
davidHartzog said:
The Long GoodbyeNight MovesFarewell, My LovelyCalifornia SplitThe Nickel RideShampooThe ConformistThe Silent PartnerSharkey's MachinePrime CutHickey and BoggsThe Last Run
 

Walter Kittel

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Criterion just announced this one today for, I believe, August.
Thanks for that information. Just went to Criterion's site and saw their latest announcements. August 26th, 2014 for All That Jazz. Awesome.

- Walter.
 

lukejosephchung

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Kino-Lorber Video has announced that they're releasing "Coming Home"(1978)with Jane Fonda, Jon Voigt and Bruce Dern on BD as part of their newly-announced licensing agreement with MGM/UA. Should be here in a few months...
 

Konstantinos

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lukejosephchung said:
Kino-Lorber Video has announced that they're releasing "Coming Home"(1978)with Jane Fonda, Jon Voigt and Bruce Dern on BD as part of their newly-announced licensing agreement with MGM/UA. Should be here in a few months...
Oh, it almost made it to my 10 favourite list.
Great news! Thanks!
 

Robert Crawford

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I posted this in the other Top Ten thread just started.
Okay, I'm going to step in here because I don't want this area of the forum to be overcome with "Top Ten" threads. Can we let some of the other "Top Ten" threads die down before starting a new one? Thanks.
 

Vic Pardo

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I just checked Amazon to see if SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO (the 1977 movie compiled from the TV series) was on Blu-ray. It's not.
Neither is the first GALAXY EXPRESS 999 movie (1979). What I'd really love to see is Osamu Tezuka's PHOENIX 2772 (1980), but I've never known a subtitled version to be released in the U.S. and the English-dubbed version is only on VHS, a copy of which is in my collection. (I do have the Japanese version, minus subs., on R2 DVD.)

Others I'd be interested in:

Wang Yu's THE CHINESE BOXER (1970)
Sam Peckinpah's PAT GARRETT AND BILLY THE KID (1973)
Sidney Pollack's THE YAKUZA (1974)
Kinji Fukasaku's MESSAGE FROM SPACE (1978)
 

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