http://newyorker.com/talk/content/?041025ta_talk_paumgarten


Never thought I'd learn about something like this from the New Yorker.

This is fun news, but I wish
A) that inroads were being taken to get nicer presentations of far more interesting and important Wood films,
B ) Rudolph Grey would write another book. It seemed a decade ago like he would be a valuable thinker in reassessing genre films widely mocked and ridiculed... but hasn't subsequently expanded his interest beyond Edward Wood! It wouldn't even be unwelcome if Grey were to use his accumulated knowledge of Wood to write a biography more coherent and scholarly than NIGHTMARE OF ECSTACY, or a more definitive critical look at the films.

I don't think there are too many relevant Ed Wood films which are still unavailable. Wade Williams has put out most of the good ones (GLEN OR GLENDA?, JAIL BAIT, BRIDE OF THE MONSTER, PLAN 9, NIGHT OF THE GHOULS), Something Weird put out a nice version of THE VIOLENT YEARS, Rhino released ORGY OF THE DEAD earlier this year. What other Wood epics would you like to see released?! :)

The only one missing is THE SINISTER URGE, which I thought Rhino owned. And Fleshpot is releasing NECROMANIA (I got my screener today, look for a DVD Drive-In review soon!), THE ONLY HOUSE IN TOWN, and SHOTGUN WEDDING.

I still adore "Nightmare of Ecstasy", and read it often. I do wonder where the Ric Lutze interview came from; did Grey actually find him?!

THE SINISTER URGE has been released on VHS by Admit One and Sinister Cinema. While Sinister's version is the better looking transfer, the Admit One version has a brief topless scene that doesn't appear in Sinister's print.

Besides SINISTER URGE, and TAKE IT OUT IN TRADE, I just meant I'm wishing for more handsome editions of everyone's favorites, especially GLEN OR GLENDA? and JAIL BAIT, even if a lot of the appeal is endearing grubbiness. Wood's films have unusual durability and widespread appeal for exploitation pictures, and their constant reissue on home video might mean more fussed-over editions aren't ridiculous to ask for.

Yes, we really need a DVD of TAKE IT OUT IN TRADE. That hasn't surfaced anywhere, other than SWV's silent outtakes.

Isn't the Wade Williams' Glen or Glenda? edited? IMDb lists numerous, very specific cuts compared to an Australian VHS/DVD, and the WW DVD definitely has an awkward "freeze-frame" title card/credits sequence which seems very modern (although my first experience with the film was with this DVD so I can't really say).

As crazy as it sounds, I'd like to see a Criterion Glen or Glenda? one day, including an "uncut" version of the film, additional footage ordered for later re-releases, and alternate credit sequences for the different titles. It's definitely a bench-mark, not just in Wood's career, but in film representations of transsexuals...can't see why they wouldn't; must be a rights issue :rolleyes:

Regarding Necromania, I'm interested but I'll wait for some reviews. A local video store actually has the old Something Weird VHS of the soft version, so if presentation isn't that great on the new disc I might just rent that, even if it's incomplete, to get a taste of the film.

My understanding is that the new NECROMANIA disc has been sourced from a different print, so it might be much better than the old SWV VHS. Then again, maybe not. I'll be happy to post my reaction when the disc arrives next week.

My DVD Drive-In review of NECROMANIA is coming soon, but I can say one thing: Ed Wood fans can rest assured these films are in good hands with Fleshbot. Both the soft and hard versions look stunning, with really sharp color detail. Considering these transfers are from film prints and not negatives makes the good-looking visual quality that much more surprising! Also, both versions (soft and hard) are complete, unlike SWV's VHS which is missing the beginning of the film.

Now bring on THE ONLY HOUSE IN TOWN!

The DVD quality of NECROMANIA is much superior to the old SWV VHS, and the print runs about ten minutes more than the tape. Fleshbot, according to the acccompanying booklet, will also be releasing SHOTGUN WEDDING and THE ONLY HOUSE IN TOWN. I just wish that they could put their hands on TAKE IT OUT IN TRADE.

Has TAKE IT OUT IN TRADE been officially found? I thought that the outtakes were all that remained of the film and it was still missing. Mike Weldon said in his Video Guide that the feature film was upcoming, but that was back in 1994, 10 years ago. Surely it would have come out by now!

John's right, the NECROMANIA disc is a revelation! I kept the NECROMANIA tape as a curiosity, as the flick was incomplete. I'll still keep it for the Rudolph Grey interview, but the hardcore version (even though the sex is far from erotic, with Maria Arnold's pimply ass and Rene Bond's grotesque pubic hair) is a hoot and a half. It's also one of my favorite Rene Bond performances; even with a goofy script, Bond was one of few of her contemporaries who could actually A-C-T. Check out FRANKIE AND JOHNNIE...WERE LOVERS, my all-time favorite of her films, plus you get to see her sing two songs, live on-stage!

This is a very vague recollection, but I recall Mike Vraney telling me that there is an individual (or company?) who has a print of TAKE IT OUT IN TRADE. When Mike acquired those silent outtakes, he said that the person who owns the actual film asked him to not release the outtakes until he could cut a deal for the film itself. Mike obviously paid him no mind. I recollect that Mike said that the guy wanted way too much money for TRADE. Our conversation probably dates back about ten years, now.

Things happen sometimes, I should add. Films Around the World had been sitting on SHOTGUN WEDDING for nearly ten years before striking a deal with Fleshbot Films.