Forgotten films see the light

One studio's trash appears to be another's treasure, based on a slew of new DVDs from Legend Films -- by way of Paramount Studios' vaults.

Much of Legend's well-known DVD output has involved its work with other studios to colorize and restore vintage black-and-white films by the likes of Ray Harryhausen and Shirley Temple. But now the independent company is releasing DVDs of films that Paramount didn't feel were worthy of the major studio's time or resources.

"The studios have these very deep, vast libraries, and they just can't get to them all," said Maria Mason, Legend's vice president of marketing. "You can only put so many films out on DVD if you're focusing on the latest blockbuster."

Seventeen titles have just come out, with 15 more coming July 1. The subject matter couldn't be more varied. If the films have anything in common, it's that most are under-the-radar catalog titles with cult followings. An online search invariably uncovers websites with fans asking, "When is this film coming out on DVD?"

"Hitler: The Last Ten Days" is one noteworthy title in the initial batch, even if critic Roger Ebert dismissed the 1973 film for being too historically accurate in his original review. Alec Guinness proves to be an uncanny stand-in for the Nazi dictator during his inevitable downfall.

Another biopic, George Pal's colorful 1953 production of "Houdini," is equally compelling, with Tony Curtis as the legendary magician and escape artist and Janet Leigh as his love interest.

The horror genre gets a nod with the somewhat schlocky cranial chiller "The Skull," a 1965 movie starring Peter Cushing, and the intentionally schlocky spoof "Student Bodies," a 1981 precursor to "Scream" that has a dedicated following.

Also worth noting are the 1968 adventure "Villa Rides" -- with a cast that includes Yul Brynner, Robert Mitchum and Charles Bronson -- and the controversial 1975 exploitation film "Mandingo," in which interracial sex heats up a Southern plantation in the 1840s.

Another key title is the madcap race of "Those Daring Young Men in Their Jaunty Jalopies." Ken Annakin's 1969 follow-up to his 1965 adventure "Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines" arrives on DVD more than four years after its predecessor.

The other initial titles are the 1990 Paul Hogan comedy "Almost an Angel," the 1986 crime drama "Blue City," the 1982 farce "Jekyll and Hyde ... Together Again," the 1978 drama "King of the Gypsies," the 1972 thriller "The Possession of Joel Delaney," the 1982 Richard Pryor film "Some Kind of Hero," the 1978 Henry Winkler romantic comedy "The One and Only," the 1973 Peter Sellers drama "The Optimists," the 1986 comedy "The Whoopee Boys" and the 1972 sci-fi thriller "ZPG."

DVDs coming July 1 from Legend include the 1953 Dean Martin-Jerry Lewis comedy "Money From Home," the 1999 French film "The Girl on the Bridge," the 1976 comedy "Won Ton Ton, the Dog Who Saved Hollywood," the 1983 John Sayles film "Baby, It's You" (minus some of the original music) and the 1963 Jackie Gleason gem "Papa's Delicate Condition." (See more at www.legendfilms.net.)

With such an eclectic mix, one of those titles should surely prompt the reaction, "I was wondering if that was ever going to come out on DVD."

The discs are no-frills affairs, with a trailer as the sole extra. And the films are presented as is, with no restorations -- especially obvious in "The Skull," for example. But they all come in their original aspect ratios, with enhanced-widescreen presentations when necessary. Best of all, they retail for only $15, which means they should be about $10 at discount.

Legend has not announced the release of any similar DVDs beyond July 1, but Mason noted that every studio has such films just sitting in its vaults.

"We're hoping that this is just the beginning," she said.

Randy A. Salas • 612-673-4542