Sheena, Queen of the Jungle 1956 Irish McCalla news (1 Viewer)

[Comic2read]

I'll let Peter know about that offer.

Peter what doesn't want to be too specific on his go fund me page because he doesn't want people to raise prices on Sheena reels.

So word of mouth is like this for people who want to donate to preserve Sheena.

Peter has one Sheena episode now on HD and he sent me a link but I can't see it because computer won't download it properly.

 

[DeWilson]

It would appear the gentleman running this campaign is trying to raise over $100,000 to build his own transfer studio. If expectations were dialed back a bit and just the cost of restoring Sheena was a factor, there might be more backers.

As I’ve mentioned, if 35mm elements are gone, we can do a 4K scan from 16mm for $270 per episode. Factor in image stabilization and digital image clean up for another $200 and each show can get restored and preserved for less than $500.

Wow, those are really reasonable rates, Bob! Nice to know there are folks out there that can do quality work without it costing an arm and a leg.

You know, I've never seen a 4K scan from a 16mm print - are results really nice?

 

[Neil Brock]

Worldvision syndicated the show. I find it hard to believe they wouldn't have 35mm elements in the CBS vaults.

 

[Comic2read]

Worldvision syndicated the show. I find it hard to believe they wouldn't have 35mm elements in the CBS vaults.

Peter knows people there and checked. Unfortunately nothing.

 

[Bob Furmanek]

There were probably three sets of 35mm prints struck for the original syndication; New York, LA and Chicago. All other markets would’ve run 16mm. It’s very unlikely any of those 35mm prints survive.

I did a lot of work and research at Consolidated Film Industries (CFI) in Hollywood in the 1980s and seem to recall seeing elements on the show in the vaults at that time. CFI is long gone and I don’t know what happened to those elements. Hopefully, they were returned to the rights holder.

 

[Neil Brock]

I'm happy to see any old show get released but I can't see this having much of a profitability potential. This would have to be a labor of love and not something done looking to make money.

 

[Comic2read]

A lot of its potential profitability will depend on how many are aware of Irish McCalla's star power.

She could become more popular than Betty Page. I've seen the episodes a few times and know what to expect but then Irish appears and it's like sunlight. Dave Stevens said her pictures are breathtaking.

Paul Wickham summed it up well:
http://terrororstralis.com/sheena/irish/final-years/FY-page5.htm

 

[Comic2read]

Peter has made great strides in his Sheena restoration project.

Big news is Moviecraft posted on YouTube a new never before seen lost Sheena episode. Very sharp resolution.

I had seen it privately years ago so this is a pleasant surprise. Enjoy.

 

[Comic2read]

It is sad and shocking news that Peter J. Greenwood who was working on restoring the Sheena TV show had died suddenly January 7th.

Peter was making great strides finding the lost episodes from a friend in a foreign country. Now that is gone. He had one episode that was digitally restored and cleaned up and was trying to raise money to have it transferred to DVD. Without Peter I don't think we'll ever see the Sheena complete series ever released on DVD.

Peter was a good friend and I'll miss him very much. May he rest in peace.

 

[Jack P]

Mr. Greenwood I know sometimes aroused some controversy at this place, but he did a fine job on the "My Favorite Martian" DVD releases, and also at least got us one set of episodes of "My Living Doll" to DVD as well. I was sorry he wasn't able to go further with the Sheena project (though I felt his expectations were much too high) because it's very unfortunate we can't see the best quality versions of those episodes which while formulaic and cheaply produced still gave us the iconic performance and presence of Irish McCalla.

Somewhat ironic he passed away at the same time as Tanya Roberts, the movie Sheena. Condolences to his family.

 

[DeWilson]

I just heard of Peter J. Greenwood's passing from writer Andy Mangels on one of the Filmation Fan groups on Facebook - seems Peter was a victim of Covid!

A Sad loss, as there was not a more determined person in the video word when it came to the projects he was working on - he was very passionate to the point of obsession (well, at least it appeared that way.) especially with "My Living Doll". But his completest attitude gave some excellent work on the most "My Favorite Martian" releases there could ever be, and of course the one volume of "My Living Doll".

I knew about the "Sheena" project, but Mangels mentioned that Greenwood was working to license the animated Filmation 1970's series, "My Favorite Martians" and mentioned the issues Peter had been facing dealing with the current right holders and other parties involved.

Hopefully someone will step in and take over the "Sheena" project, and perhaps some of the others Greenwood was working on - his work in progress should not be lost - his time and effort should not be lost to the world.

 

[Comic2read]

There is a colorized Sheena episode on YouTube. The costume colors did not have white streaks. The costume was golden brown but the reflective material made it look white at certain angles under studio lights.

 

[DeWilson]

So anyone ever find out what happened to the elements of SHENA that Peter did located before his untimely death?

 

[Comic2read]

So anyone ever find out what ,happened to the elements of SHENA that Peter did located before his untimely death?

As far as I know Peter did not find any new lost episodes. He had a really good lead that a foreign country TV station might have all Sheena episodes but since he passed, I wrote to his friend who was going to look there but nothing seems to have progressed.

Peter said any lost Sheena episodes are probably in collectors basements and will only show up after they pass away.

Here is a good lead and if anyone finds them please share them with me. When I helped moviecraft find 12 Sheena episodes from a dealer named Al Kempert, Al said he bought them from a collector's widow but she had given two Sheena reels to a collector friend named Phil Karpino or Carpino in New Jersey who was a photographer. The 2 lost Sheena episodes she gave her late husband's friend was "Cry wolf" and "Trade of a killer."

 

[Gerani53]

Very sad about Peter. As efforts to dig up remaining prints (and 35mm masters) continue, even on a somewhat diminished level, I'd like to recommend a 4K UHD release of SHEENA '84, with all the trimmings. A special edition boasting rare behind-the-scenes images, the ultimate photo gallery, maybe 'home movie' footage contributed by Donovan Scott, possibly comments by producer Ben-Ami... I'd like to do a video review of his book, along with a commentary on the film. A new featurette on the history of Sheena would be right up your alley, and you're the man to write and produce it, my friend. The SHEENA movie, with its lush location photography, wold look wonderful in 4K. The Blu-ray edition that came out from Mill Creek was criticized for its so-so quality, and the "VHS Retro" gimmick of the packaging obviously didn't satisfy fans who would have preferred a far more respectful treatment, with extensive special features. So while the hunt for the original Irish series continues, and producers scramble to make a new SHEENA film, presenting the jungle queen's most lavish adventure in a state-of-the-art video format seems like a worthy goal.

 

[Comic2read]

Very sad about Peter. As efforts to dig up remaining prints (and 35mm masters) continue, even on a somewhat diminished level, I'd like to recommend a 4K UHD release of SHEENA '84, with all the trimmings. A special edition boasting rare behind-the-scenes images, the ultimate photo gallery, maybe 'home movie' footage contributed by Donovan Scott, possibly comments by producer Ben-Ami... I'd like to do a video review of his book, along with a commentary on the film. A new featurette on the history of Sheena would be right up your alley, and you're the man to write and produce it, my friend. The SHEENA movie, with its lush location photography, wold look wonderful in 4K. The Blu-ray edition that came out from Mill Creek was criticized for its so-so quality, and the "VHS Retro" gimmick of the packaging obviously didn't satisfy fans who would have preferred a far more respectful treatment, with extensive special features. So while the hunt for the original Irish series continues, and producers scramble to make a new SHEENA film, presenting the jungle queen's most lavish adventure in a state-of-the-art video format seems like a worthy goal.

For a special Blu-ray they should add the audition scenes of Christie Brinkley and Sharon Stone in costume when they swing from a vine. Producer Paul Aratow told me Christie Brinkley was his top choice for Sheena. Christie would have been a more wholesome Sheena. In a Comics Journal interview Paul implied Tanya only got the part because she was the girlfriend of a studio VP. Lure of the Tropix author Bill Feret who worked on the film also said the Sheena casting story in more sordid detail. But the 1984 Sheena movie was more hobbled by the wrong costume and bad script.

A pity Paul did not get the 1975 Sheena movie made with Raquel Welch. Jerry Iger's attorney told me he read the script and in the conclusion Raquel Sheena is captured by a net and fights the villain in a tower. Raquel was to be blonde in the comic book leopard print costume. Irish McCalla thought Raquel Welch would have been a great Sheena but that Tanya Roberts was too frail.

 

[Gerani53]

As mentioned before, Paul Aratow told me he wanted a mainstream-accepted actress as Sheena, which is why all the sexy ladies who did Corman-type movies (Sybil Danning, etc.) were never in the running. Brinkley certainly qualified, and Sharon Stone would have been interesting -- she did wind up in those awful Richard Chamberlain Allan Quatermain films about a year later. Still, Paul seemed obsessed with CHARLIE'S ANGELS, the most high-profile showcase for pretty ladies that were wholesome-enough for mainstream America. He mentioned Cheryl Ladd a number of times, someone I thought was a little too wholesome and clean-cut ("we can rough her up a bit," I remember him telling me). The fact that he eventually wound up with a CHARLIE'S ANGELS actress, the sexiest one of all, seemed to be completely in keeping with his game plan... no matter who Tanya might have gone to bed with. The point is, she fit the parameters of what these guys required, and desired. Years later, Paul's views on this may have changed, but that was what he told me in the early '80s.

By the way, I see no reason to pit Irish's take on the character against Tanya's, any more than I'd say Lynda Carter made a more impressive Wonder Woman than Gal Gadot. These films/TV shows were produced in completely different ways, in different times, and for different tastes. Irish and Lynda were more traditional, so hardcore fans obviously prefer that approach. But the modernistic Tanya Roberts Sheena has its own following, which keeps growing internationally, pleasing fans who have little interest in comic books or retro, pulpy '40s flavoring. This invites another comparison, TV's version of THE INCREDIBLE HULK. Is Lou Ferrigno's non-comic book Hulk better than what Marvel is providing on the big screen these days? Some say yes, some say no, while others appreciate both for what they are, effectively conceived variations on a theme.

As for adhering to the original costume, Wolverine, Captain America and Lord knows how many other Marvel characters wear re-imagined costumes on screen, and the movie-going world loves them. So I think the old stigma about "you better not change the costume!" isn't what it used to be. In my opinion, Roberts delivered a heartfelt, impressively athletic performance in a decidedly realistic take on the material, leaving all the pulpy pleasures for INDIANA JONES AND THE TEMPLE OF DOOM. Interestingly, many feel straightforward SHEENA holds up better than campy JONES for that very reason.

In any event, I'd love to see the old TV episodes fully restored, AND I'd also like a 4K UHD SHEENA '84 with a ton of extras. More power to both ideas!

 

[Jack P]

To me, it was a tragedy that Raquel Welch never got to play the role. That was a part she would have been dead solid perfect for, and it would have been a natural extension of what she brought to "One Million Years B.C." only this time in 1976 she would have been able I think to tap in to what had made Lynda Carter's Wonder Woman and Joanna Cameron's Isis successful on TV. It was the right role at the right time and sadly it turned into a missed opportunity.

Raquel did an interview with the NY Daily News in July 1976 and said she was looking forward to doing the part. She said (with a grin), "We are in an age of Ellen Burstyns and Glenda Jacksons. Nobody's strutting their stuff really good on the screen lately. So I'm going to make Sheena, Queen of the Jungle. Since I've got some stuff to strut, I just figure what could be better than a girl in a loincloth riding tigers and swinging from vines?........I love the prospect of doing Sheena."

The fact that this was at a time when she'd been trying to run from her OMYBC past with her awards for "Three Musketeers" and her musical specials shows that Raquel didn't think of Sheena as just another OMYBC type part but something where she could have shown some more of the independence that she unfortunately wasn't allowed to show in "Fathom." If she'd been able to play Sheena with the "Kansas City Bomber" type attitude and not let herself be the damsel in distress who gets saved by the male lead (which is what drags "Fathom" down) she would have made it a hit (and more importantly, while the script hasn't surfaced for the project she was attached to, I hope it didn't make the mistake the Roberts film did with its mushy relationship with the leading man. Sheena, as personified by Irish McCalla had an untouchable quality that Raquel would have nailed perfectly IMO).

As for what we eventually got, the problems indeed started with the script, and for that it gets back to a simple fact that Lorenzo Semple was not a particularly good writer of female characters. He was the one who made Raquel's character in "Fathom" passive instead of more independent, and his "Batman" scripts were aimed at writing male villains and female henchmolls rather than a strong female character. He's also taken his share of hits for how he wrote Jessica Lange's character in the 76 "King Kong" though ironically I "get" what he was doing there (giving us a Marilyn Monroe type character), but that wasn't good training for how Sheena should have been written.

Tanya Roberts IMO was simply not right for the part. She just didn't exude the larger than life primal force of nature quality that Irish McCalla had, and which Raquel would have exuded like she did in OMYBC. The one name from the early 80s who I think would have been right for the part at that point in time would have been Sandahl Bergman, coming off "Conan" and what she brought there.

There is BTW, an interesting book on the production of the 84 film by Yoram Ben-Ami the executive producer. He came to it late in the going so it has nothing about the script and casting development but he reveals how the film was a no-lose situation for Columbia even if flopped because this was after Coca-Cola had bought the studio and filming in Kenya allowed Coke to get access to money inside Kenya that had been frozen by the government and couldn't be taken out, so in effect "Sheena" was being produced with what amounted to house money for the studio.

It's unfortunate the rest of the missing Irish McCalla episodes haven't surfaced and that we did not get to see the kind of restoration project for "Sheena" that John Ellis was able to do with "Steve Canyon." We may just have to content ourselves with seeing the missing film reels turn up someday and being put on YT by whoever owns them and gets them transferred. Despite the cheapness of the production values, they succeed thanks to what Irish brought to the role which paved the way for the later success of the 70s with Lynda Carter's Wonder Woman and Joanna Cameron's Isis.

 

[usrunnr]

I had forgotten about this series that I so loved when I was a child. Just discovered this thread today. Thank you to everyone who is bringing it to the fore again in the hope of finding elements and releasing on disc. One can hope!!!!

 

[Gerani53]

Raquel had all the requirements of a "classic" SHEENA, a pumped-up goddess like Ursula Andress' SHE, but the movie would have been a deliberate camp comedy, and was listed as such in the trades. George Pal's DOC SAVAGE meets the original CASINO ROYALE. That was the early '70s tone, and, in the '80s, producer Paul Aratow told me he was so glad they never went that route for the reasons I just mentioned. Before STAR WARS and SUPERMAN, comic book films and TV shows were all treated as self-parodies. An overstuffed, slightly too old, but still-gorgeous Raquel Welch would have added to the campy tone.

The point is, the producers of the 1984 movie actually had respect for the reality of the SHEENA premise, and jettisoned anything that suggested old school '40s pulp imagery (INDIANA JONES stuff) in favor of how such a scenario would play out realistically in today's world. Replacing the Maria Montez imperious leader schtick, and the dated "Me Tarzan, you Jane" approach, Aratow, a professor of comparative literature, based the new Sheena more on Rima from GREEN MANSIONS. In keeping with this more sophisticated approach, screenwriter David Newman was fascinated by the "sprite" idea of an innocent female force of nature in a primal world that resembles paradise, somehow having to deal with the mechanized modern world that threatens it... a real David and Goliath struggle, later re-visited in films like FERNGULLY and AVATAR. So the idea was to create more of a real story, shot on location, with anything but retro-pulp flavoring. It was very much like what what Ken Johnson did with the INCREDIBLE HULK TV series, replacing fanciful comic book styling with direct realism in order to attract an audience beyond the comics crowd.

Tanya Roberts delivered a unique performance that was easy to laugh at initially, but has now been embraced the world over as genuine, heartfelt, physically commendable (barefoot most of the time, actually swinging on vines) and down to earth... a modern Sheena, just as imperious, but vulnerable in a little girl way that made logical sense, given her origin and lack of romantic experience. It's the classic virgin and the unicorn story re-set in modern Africa. With athletic prowess, incredible beauty, and a childlike sensibility mixed with valiant resolve, Roberts embodied what the producers were going for, and provided a Sheena little girls could relate to, and little boys could fantasize over... and ultimately respect.

By the way, the Ben-Ami book is really worth reading. I wrote a review of it, and then heard from his family, who very generously complimented my insights. Don't expect much in the way of photo coverage; it's the text that matters.

I find value in all SHEENA adaptations, which exist for different reasons, and appeal to somewhat different audiences. But I can't help admiring the 1984 movie version for its sincerity and respect for what the character COULD be in a more realistic context. Add the invaluable Africa location, actual flesh-and-blood animals doing their thing rather than CGI, and Tanya Roberts showering under a waterfall, and we have something that is truly one-of-a-kind. The fact that it got made at all on this mega-scale is something of a miracle... thank goodness for Columbia's convenient "house money"!