An Old Box of Films, Part 2

Written by Dan

So, here's what we've learned so far:

• THE DREAMER is none other than Dreamer, a Rocky-style bowling movie, as Jeff pointed out on the first post. Strangely enough, DREAMER was never released theatrically... it went straight to video. So then why do we have a pristine 35mm print of the film? And more importantly, would a bowling movie from 1979 play well at The Moxie?
• The STAR WARS trailer is actually a promo for the April 10, 1981 re-release (just before THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK was released). I was hoping it was an original from 76 or 77, but still... a 25 year old STAR WARS preview is pretty cool.
• I'm still waiting to hear back from 20th Century Fox on DAMNATION ALLEY (regarding whether it's the last remaining print, etc.).
• Springfield 33, our local ABC affiliate, will be running a story about the films tomorrow during the 5:00 news, and possibly again during the 10:00.

Very exciting stuff! As usual, I'll keep updating as I learn more.

Matthew Martin aka Master RJ says:

Leonard Maltin on Dreamer (1979) from Leonard Maltin's 2007 Movie Guide:

Bowling, a sport only slightly more cinematic than isometric exercises, gets the Rocky treatment in this bland rags-to-riches story. Having Tim Matheson's bowling ball made by Flubber might have helped pick up the pace.

In short, Maltin gave it two stars. Fox might be wondering on the print of the film (I read it was a Fox release and the film is only available on VHS). Also, a bowling film will do well, remember The Big Lebowski?

¤ Posted on August 10, 2006 @ 7:14 pm

J.D. says:

It's great that you got these movies, but I was wondering if there was anything that would prevent you from showing them.
Ya know except for them not doing good, like do you need to get the studio's permission or anything or can you just show them?

¤ Posted on August 10, 2006 @ 10:00 pm

Caleb says:

The Big Lebowski was anything but a bowling movie. The best summarization would include flying nude female painters and White Russians. But NOT bowling.

¤ Posted on August 10, 2006 @ 11:39 pm

brian of moore says:

caleb is correct.. rj is not... but you guys knew that

i was born in 79 and im pretty sure i would play well at the moxie

¤ Posted on August 11, 2006 @ 12:25 am

--Jeff says:

Agreed: The Big Lebowski is NOT a bowling movie.

Kingpin: Best bowling movie ever.

¤ Posted on August 11, 2006 @ 7:57 am

Nate says:

Don't play it on a Saturday. I don't roll on Saturday.

¤ Posted on August 11, 2006 @ 9:19 am

Matthew Martin aka Master RJ says:

The Big Lebowski IS a bowling movie. That's like saying Vision Quest isn't a wrestling movie.

¤ Posted on August 11, 2006 @ 3:50 pm

Nate says:

I think what Caleb means is that The Big Lebowski has bowling in it, but that is not why it did well.

¤ Posted on August 11, 2006 @ 3:55 pm

Matthew Martin aka Master RJ says:

I was just trying to spread good cheer, tootles.

¤ Posted on August 11, 2006 @ 7:47 pm

tim says:

Odd, i don't read this site for a couple days and my co-worker tells me about this little theater from my home town he saw on CBS nightly news and how they received a gift of a bunch of old film prints. Imagine if the Moxie was that theater, crazy.

¤ Posted on August 17, 2006 @ 10:05 am

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