The Bootleg Files: Boogie-Woogie Dream

Posted on April 15, 2022 by Phil Hall

BOOTLEG FILES 798: “Boogie-Woogie Dream” (1944 musical short starring Lena Horne).

LAST SEEN: On YouTube.

AMERICAN HOME VIDEO: On public domain labels.

REASON FOR BOOTLEG STATUS: A lapsed copyright.

CHANCES OF SEEING A COMMERCIAL DVD RELEASE: There are no plans for a restored version.

In September 1941, an unlikely group of creative artists converged in a New York City movie studio to shoot an independently financed musical short film. The finished production sat on a shelf for three years before it was seen, making very little impression in its day. But today, this film is considered an invaluable asset for capturing an iconic performer at the cusp of her rise to prominence while providing the only filmed record of two of the greatest jazz performers of all time.
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The Bootleg Files: Have Badge Will Chase

Posted on April 1, 2022 by Phil Hall

BOOTLEG FILES 797: “Have Badge Will Chase” (1959 8mm one-reel excerpt from “Abbott and Costello Meet the Keystone Kops”).

LAST SEEN: On YouTube.

AMERICAN HOME VIDEO: None.

REASON FOR BOOTLEG STATUS: It fell through the cracks.

CHANCES OF SEEING A COMMERCIAL DVD RELEASE: Nope.

Long before video cassette recorders invaded living rooms in the 1970s, movie lovers who wanted to replay their favorite films at home would purchase projectors and screens and create their own private cinematic viewing experience.
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Meat Friend (2022) [Women in Horror Month 2022]

Posted on March 25, 2022 by Emilie Black

A young girl wants a snack and decides to microwave ground meat. To her surprise, the meat comes to life as Meat Friend and becomes her best friend, her advisor, and a bit of an odd character to say the least.

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The Bootleg Files: The Three Stooges in Stupor Heroes

Posted on March 11, 2022 by Phil Hall

BOOTLEG FILES 796: “The Three Stooges in Stupor Heroes” (2012 fan film).

LAST SEEN: On YouTube.

AMERICAN HOME VIDEO: None.

REASON FOR BOOTLEG STATUS: Unauthorized production that borrows copyright protected material from the Three Stooges and DC Comics.

CHANCES OF SEEING A COMMERCIAL DVD RELEASE: Nope.

There seems to be a surplus number of fan films based on “Star Wars,” superhero flicks, James Bond adventures and popular horror franchises. But how come there is a deficit of Three Stooges-inspired fan films?
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The Short Films of Timothy Troy

Posted on March 9, 2022 by Emilie Black

Having previously reviewed his short film Abi and having been send Venus, I figured it was past due for a watch of every short film I could get my eyes on from Timothy Troy. So, without further ado, here are a handful of them and a link where to find them below.

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Relationship Killers (2022)

Posted on March 8, 2022 by Emilie Black

A couple goes to therapy as they have come to the point where they want to kill each other. Once there, they talk and come to a solution that keeps them both happy.

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The Bootleg Files – The Batman: Deadly Madness

Posted on March 4, 2022 by Phil Hall

BOOTLEG FILES 796: “The Batman: Deadly Madness” (2022 Russian film).

LAST SEEN: On YouTube.

AMERICAN HOME VIDEO: None (hey, it just came out).

REASON FOR BOOTLEG STATUS: Unauthorized production that borrows copyright protected material.

CHANCES OF SEEING A COMMERCIAL DVD RELEASE: Nyet.

This week marks the debut of two new films inspired by Bob Kane’s Gotham City-based superhero. There is the big Hollywood film that everyone is waiting for – do I really have to identify it? – and there is the tiny Russian film that no one is waiting for but everyone should see, if only to learn an invaluable lesson on how not to make a fan film.
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