The Bootleg Files: Oceans of Love

Posted on September 29, 2023 by Phil Hall

BOOTLEG FILES 843: “Oceans of Love” (1956 animated short from the Terrytoons studio).

LAST SEEN: On YouTube.

AMERICAN HOME VIDEO: None.

REASON FOR BOOTLEG STATUS: The rights holder will not make it available.

CHANCES OF SEEING A COMMERCIAL DVD RELEASE: Not likely.

Cartoon lovers of a certain age will recall the glory days of Terrytoons, an animation studio founded by Paul Terry that specialized in cartoon shorts that were usually lacking in artistic genius but more than compensated with good silly fun. Terry himself acknowledged his studio’s shortcomings regarding its low-budget animation, once describing Walt Disney’s operation as the “Tiffany’s in this business” while his was “the Woolworth’s.”
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The Bootleg Files: John Denver and the Ladies

Posted on September 15, 2023 by Phil Hall

BOOTLEG FILES 842: “John Denver and the Ladies” (1979 television special featuring Tina Turner, Valerie Harper, Cheryl Ladd, Erma Bombeck and Cheryl Tiegs).

LAST SEEN: On YouTube.

AMERICAN HOME VIDEO: None.

REASON FOR BOOTLEG STATUS: No perceived reissue value.

CHANCES OF SEEING A COMMERCIAL DVD RELEASE: Not likely.

During the 1970s, John Denver was a ubiquitous presence on television, both as a guest on variety programs, awards productions and talk shows, and as the star of an occasional TV special. By the end of the decade, Denver tried to push himself away from his folk-country-pop persona into different areas. He scored a box office hit in his first movie, working with George Burns in the 1977 “Oh, God!”, but he opted not to vigorously pursue acting and would not appear in another film for nine years. He became an increasingly vocal activist focused on conservation and humanitarian issues. And while he didn’t lose his core audience, his new music in the late 1970s (which was more complex and mature than his earlier sing-along hits) did not generate the sales as his output from the earlier part of his decade.
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The Bootleg Files: The Laverne & Shirley Reunion

Posted on September 1, 2023 by Phil Hall

BOOTLEG FILES 841: “The Laverne & Shirley Reunion” (1995 television special celebrating the popular sitcom).

LAST SEEN: On YouTube.

AMERICAN HOME VIDEO: None.

REASON FOR BOOTLEG STATUS: No perceived reissue value.

CHANCES OF SEEING A COMMERCIAL DVD RELEASE: It should have been included in DVD releases of the series.

In 1995, ABC decided to offer a 20th anniversary tribute to “Laverne & Shirley,” one of the network’s most popular programs in the late 1970s. While audiences enjoyed the show (at least for its first four seasons before the ratings crashed), there were reports during its production about the two stars, Penny Marshall and Cindy Williams, not having the most harmonious working relationship. This partnership ended badly with Williams leaving the show at the start of the eighth season amid litigation – the actress was pregnant, but the network insisted she continue performing her character’s knockabout comedy despite her condition.
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The Bootleg Files: Turn-On

Posted on August 25, 2023 by Phil Hall

BOOTLEG FILES 840: “Turn-On” (1969 television series that was cancelled after one episode).

LAST SEEN: On YouTube.

AMERICAN HOME VIDEO: None.

REASON FOR BOOTLEG STATUS: No perceived reissue value.

CHANCES OF SEEING A COMMERCIAL DVD RELEASE: It would be a great subject for a straight-to-DVD documentary, but a standalone release is unlikely.

Referring to any creative output as “the worst” is the ultimate exercise in futility. For starters, it is impossible for anyone to declare a single endeavor as “the worst” unless you have experienced every work within that school of creativity. Seriously, how can anyone say “Plan 9 from Outer Space” is the worst film of all time – have you seen every film and concluded that the Ed Wood anti-classic is truly to bottom of the barrel?
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The Bootleg Files: Hamlet

Posted on August 11, 2023 by Phil Hall

BOOTLEG FILES 839: “Hamlet” (1970 made-for-television film starring Richard Chamberlain).

LAST SEEN: On YouTube.

AMERICAN HOME VIDEO: None.

REASON FOR BOOTLEG STATUS: There might be a rights issue delaying its release.

CHANCES OF SEEING A COMMERCIAL DVD RELEASE: Nope.

In March 1969, Richard Chamberlain traveled to England to play the leading role in a stage production of William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.” His appearance was heralded as the first time that an American played the role in England since John Barrymore in 1925.
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The Bootleg Files: Bailey’s Comets

Posted on July 28, 2023 by Phil Hall

BOOTLEG FILES 838: “Bailey’s Comets” (1973-74 animated television series).

LAST SEEN: On YouTube.

AMERICAN HOME VIDEO: None.

REASON FOR BOOTLEG STATUS: No perceived reissue value.

CHANCES OF SEEING A COMMERCIAL DVD RELEASE: Nope.

The other week, I saw a posting in a Facebook group devoted to old-time television about a Saturday morning cartoon series called “Bailey’s Comets.” I knew that I watched that program when it was first aired in the 1973-74 season, and while I sort of recalled part of the show’s bouncy theme song I could not remember anything remarkable about the series itself.
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The Bootleg Files: Courtin’ an’ a Snortin’

Posted on July 21, 2023 by Phil Hall

BOOTLEG FILES 837: “Courtin’ an’ a Snortin’” (1960 animated short starring The Three Dogeteers).

LAST SEEN: On YouTube.

AMERICAN HOME VIDEO: None.

REASON FOR BOOTLEG STATUS: Long forgotten short film that fell through the proverbial cracks.

CHANCES OF SEEING A COMMERCIAL DVD RELEASE: Yes, it is coming out on DVD, incredibly.

Researching obscure films can be a challenge, but there is always the reward that comes when hitherto unknown facts are unearthed about a cinematic curiosity. This week, however, we have a film that could qualify as being among the most mysterious productions of all time, as there is nothing that is easily accessible to determine its origins.
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The Bootleg Files: Here is Germany

Posted on July 14, 2023 by Phil Hall

BOOTLEG FILES 836: “Here is Germany” (1945 propaganda film directed by Frank Capra).

LAST SEEN: On YouTube and other online sites.

AMERICAN HOME VIDEO: On public domain labels.

REASON FOR BOOTLEG STATUS: No copyright was ever filed on the film.

CHANCES OF SEEING A COMMERCIAL DVD RELEASE: Nope, it is doomed to public domain hell.

During World War II, the U.S. government churned out scores of nonfiction films aimed at both the enlisted military personnel and civilian audiences. Many highly regarded Hollywood filmmakers received commissions from the military and worked to create productions that would artistically drive the message about why the nation was at war and what it hoped to achieve.
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