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2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

Back in the early 1990s, I was on a line at an IMAX theater in San Antonio, Texas, for a one-night-only screening of “2001: A Space Odyssey” in its original 70mm format. A local couple was standing behind me and asked if I was familiar with the film. I said that I had already seen it and asked if they were also familiar with the production. They said they never saw it, but I noticed there was a strange apprehensive expression on their faces, as if they were having second thoughts about seeing the film.

“Here’s my advice,” I said to them. “Don’t expect ‘Star Wars’ – and the film’s ending makes no sense.”

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Every Bugs Bunny Ever: Bugs Bunny Superstar (1975)

In December 1975, the feature-length documentary “Bugs Bunny Superstar” had its theatrical premiere. The film was conceived as a behind-the-scenes look at the rise of the Warner Bros. animation unit that was informally known as Termite Terrace. But “Bugs Bunny Superstar” was not a Warner Bros. production. Instead, it was independently produced by first-time filmmaker Larry Jackson through his Hare-Raising Films company and released by United Artists.
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The Bootleg Files: That’s Life

BOOTLEG FILES 944: “That’s Life” (1968-69 television series starring Robert Morse and E.J. Peaker).

LAST SEEN: Bits and pieces are scattered on YouTube.

AMERICAN HOME VIDEO:
None.

REASON FOR BOOTLEG STATUS:
It is complicated

CHANCES OF SEEING A COMMERCIAL DVD RELEASE:
None.

Earlier this week, I was very sad to learn about the passing of actress E.J. Peaker. She was a vivacious blonde who came to prominence in the late 1960s by playing the perky dress shop salesgirl Minnie Fay in the film version of “Hello, Dolly!” and as the female lead in a strange television sitcom called “That’s Life.”
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Every Bugs Bunny Ever: A Political Cartoon

Bugs Bunny’s first theatrical film since “False Hare” in 1964 was “A Political Cartoon,” an independently produced short released in 1974. Filmmakers James K. Morrow and Joe Adamson licensed Bugs Bunny from Warner Bros., while Mark Kausler animated the character to resemble his mid-1940s appearances and Mel Blanc provided his inimitable voice.
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The Bootleg Files: Hot Dog

BOOTLEG FILES 943: “Hot Dog” (1970-71 children’s series starring Woody Allen, Jonathan Winters, and Jo Anne Worley).

LAST SEEN: Bits and pieces are scattered on YouTube.

AMERICAN HOME VIDEO: None.

REASON FOR BOOTLEG STATUS: It is complicated

CHANCES OF SEEING A COMMERCIAL DVD RELEASE: None.

The other day, I was scrolling around social media and spotted a post that mentioned how Woody Allen starred in a kiddie television series in the early 1970s. And my reaction to that post was: Huh?
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