Will "Lost Horizon" & "At Long Last Love" ever come out on dvd?

[nealb1]

Posted: 12/13/07 at 3:16pm

Both of these musicals from the 70's have never been commerically released on video. What are the chances that they will come out on dvd? Yes, they are considered the worst of the worst and were huge bombs. But, look at all the trash that comes out on dvd so quickly these days.

I've got them on video from various cable airings....HBO, I think. And, they aren't as bad as everyone says they are. "Lost Horizon" is very 70's - macrame, caftans, etc... "At Long Last Love" is visually stunning........costumes, art direction, cinematography, etc....

Another musical Turkey of the 70's came out on dvd this year..."Mame." And, it was a chart topper.



Updated On: 12/13/07 at 03:16 PM

[best12bars]

Posted: 12/13/07 at 6:30pm

Oh, nealb1... from your mouth to God's ears!

I'm a HUGE "Lost Horizon" fan. I saw it twice in the movie theatre, when I was just nine years old. It's still a favorite of mine, for all that is good AND bad about it.

As far as it never being commercially released, it actually was out on a "special extended edition," letterboxed laser disc release from Pioneer.

They added back in several cut songs and scenes (some even from work prints). I would love it if Sony (who owns the rights) would release it on DVD with extras... like a commentary track from Michael York!

It's at the very top of my "Bad Movies We Love" list.

As far as "At Long Last Love," I saw that one as a kid in the theatres too... and don't remember much about it, except that it was "slightly enjoyable."

Now that I'm older, I realize that if I thought it was "slightly enjoyable" in my youth, I will think it's a big pile of doo-doo as an adult.

So I haven't checked it out since! But hey! A great cast mangling Cole Porter? Release it, please!

[nmartin]

Posted: 12/13/07 at 6:31pm

You just took me way back in time. I swear there are two versions of At Long Last Love. If anyone remembers, please post. I can still see the scene with "Most Gentlemen Don't Like Love".
I also well remember Lost Horizon. Bobby Van: "Question Me an Answer".
I'm with you. Get these on DVD!
Updated On: 12/13/07 at 06:31 PM

[nealb1]

Posted: 12/13/07 at 6:40pm

best12, you're right...I forgot about the laser disc of LH. I have it on dvd, transferred from the laser. It's too bad that the laser disc isn't the complete roadshow version. Maybe......fingers crossed.........when and if it comes out on dvd, the entire original version will be restored. There was the fertility dance, 2 reprises of "Living Together, Growing Together" and a few other musical interludes that are still missing.

"Lost Horizon" screened a few years back here in Los Angeles. And, it was a remastered/restored print. But, it was the edited version...not the partial restored laser disc version. Michael York was there for a Q&A after the movie. The rep from Columbia/Sony who provided the film, said that they have no intention to release it on video or dvd. So, who knows?

Nmartin....it's been so long since I've watched AT LONG LAST LOVE. Which character sings "Most Gentlemen Don't Like Love?"

Updated On: 12/13/07 at 06:40 PM

[nmartin]

Posted: 12/13/07 at 6:42pm

"Most Gentlemen..." Cybill Shepard, Eileen Breenan, and Madeline Kahn. As a young homosexual, I used to play the soundtrack and dance and sing along. Oh, the humanity!

[nealb1]

Posted: 12/13/07 at 6:43pm

Is that the scene where they are in the ladies room of the department store?

[nmartin]

Posted: 12/13/07 at 6:48pm

I'm 99% sure this is correct. I can still see them kicking on "they just like to kick it around". When it first came out, I think I was about 13 or 14 and I just loved it. I haven't seen it since and would love to.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 12/13/07 at 6:53pm

Let's get Bryan on the case.

[nmartin]

Posted: 12/13/07 at 7:02pm

I also remember John Hillerman and Eileen Brennan doing "But in the Morning, No". Anybody remember this line from Brennan to Hillerman: "I love your pj's."?

[roquat]

Posted: 12/13/07 at 8:05pm

I certainly hope these come out--can you imagine the commentary tracks?

Maybe someone would be able to explain a lyric that has confounded me since I first heard it--
"The world is a circle without a beginning and nobody knows where it really ends."

What the hell does that mean?

I also remember Pauline Kael's "Lost Horizon" savaging--"The pauses for the pedagogic songs are so awkward one feels that the director's wheelchair needs oiling."

[nmartin]

Posted: 12/13/07 at 8:09pm

If I am not mistaken, both of these movies were included in a book called The Golden Turkey Awards. I wish I still had my copy. God only knows what happened to it.

Posted: 12/13/07 at 10:00pm

you *know* Sally Kellerman would love to do commentary!

[bschneid76]

Posted: 12/13/07 at 11:46pm

I loved both of these films. I really didn't think At Long Last Love was too painful to sit through, I found it rather enjoyable. But Lost Horizon, that does require some patience haha. But it goes next to the other films in the So Bad their Good categories. Another film I would love to have on DVD would be Vincente Minnelli's final film A Matter of Time with Liza and Ingrid Bergman. Not a great film, but nostalgic :)

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 12/14/07 at 10:55am

I don't know if this is true for AT LONG LAST LOVE, but LOST HORIZON was never even released on VHS home video!

After the world premiere of AT LONG LAST LOVE, guest Ethel Merman was heard to remark "Thank God, Cole isn't alive to see this."


I'm sure she said it in her most discreet sotto voce.

Updated On: 12/14/07 at 10:55 AM

[Glebb]

Posted: 12/14/07 at 11:01am

Don't think I could sit through all of 'Lost Horizons' but I could watch the Olivia/Sally duet every morning for breakfast.

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 12/14/07 at 11:03am

Oh, I always love it when Missy Gielgud plays "exotic".

Updated On: 12/14/07 at 11:03 AM

[Glebb]

Posted: 12/14/07 at 11:05am

When we were filming 'The Company' I spent many long days with Malcolm McDowell. I loved his stories about Gielgud having the time of his life on the set of "Caligula".

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 12/14/07 at 11:09am

You got to meet Malcolm McDowell??? Oh how I envy you!!

I saw a wonderful documentary about him on the O LUCKY MAN! DVD. He looks like he is one hell of a storyteller and a great guy. And sexier than ever!

[Glebb]

Posted: 12/14/07 at 11:12am

True, true, true. Total crush material.

[tazber]

Posted: 12/14/07 at 11:15am

They release "The Apple" on dvd and not these. Go figure.

And where is the dvd of the musical version of "Goodbye Mr. Chips"? I'm dying to see that.

[best12bars]

Posted: 12/14/07 at 1:59pm

"I could watch the Olivia/Sally duet every morning for breakfast."


Glebby---Did you ever hear the cover of that song ("The Things I Will Not Miss") by Diana Ross & Marvin Gaye?

It's on their Diana & Marvin album, and it's wonderful!

[MrMidwest]

Posted: 12/14/07 at 2:05pm

A few clips from At Long Last Love can be found on youtube.

[best12bars]

Posted: 12/14/07 at 2:09pm

I found this too from "Lost Horizon."

I LOVE THIS MOVIE!!!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=JlE0Lb46rVE

[best12bars]

Posted: 12/14/07 at 2:14pm

I was reminded by watching this that they actually CRASHED a plane into the snowy mountains when they made this movie. Not a model or a special effect... but a real airplane! With a multi-camera setup to capture it on film.

You KNOW that wasn't cheap. It was in all the papers at the time, as a publicity stunt. "Sparing no expense!"

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 12/14/07 at 2:49pm

Cra-zee! Y'know Larry Kramer wrote the screenplay, right?