Looking for Mr. Goodbar

[popoboy]

Excellent film that, to my knowledge, has never even been released on dvd...I remember a VHS copy from years ago. Would love to see this film finally released and given credit due! Diane Keaton was amazing in this film and it's a great slice of 70's disco, creepy nightlife, atmosphere! I've always wondered if this wasn't released on dvd because of music rights issues, as there are a lot of great disco tunes used on the soundtrack. Also a great chance to see a very young Richard Gere and Tom Berenger!!! C'mon Paramount...release this one already!

[moonstruck]

Couldn't agree more. I've only ever seen it edited. Even then, it was compelling. I am sure it has to do with the music rights. Wonder if there is a way to light a fire under Paramount.

[Batmon77]

I would like to see this in BD as well. Its hard to find and not on Netflix.
Im tempted to acquire a VHS version online.

[uther]

And Keaton went topless.

[erlinmeyer]

One of the Laserdiscs that is still waiting for the BD to replace it...down to a couple of hundred with no BD counterpart.

[WaverBoy]

There's a very nice DVD-quality anamorphic widescreen version of this floating around on the web; I've searched in vain for a legit source it might have been ripped from. It must have been put up uncut for streaming somewhere, or had an obscure foreign DVD release, as it's definitely professionally mastered.

[Shane Rollins]

Originally Posted by moonstruck

Couldn't agree more. I've only ever seen it edited. Even then, it was compelling. I am sure it has to do with the music rights. Wonder if there is a way to light a fire under Paramount.

I never knew there was an edited version of this movie. All the tapes and discs have the same soundtrack, I don’t think it even got remixed to stereo or surround. The only edit I could think of is changing the Paramount logos, but I don’t know if that happened here. Where did you see this edited version? You sure you’re not confusing it with Little Darlings, another film with notorious music issues, which did have two alternate versions?

[Batmon77]

Ive acquired the VHS and a clean bootleg DVD.

Great look into the NYC singles bar scenes of the era.

But at times its no better than a TV movie.

[Starman22]

This is my first time to see this movie 2 month ago and I'm still surprise never release DVD yet and so I like it and want Blu-ray... hope neither Paramount or Criterion should get it.

[AnamorphicWidescreen]

Too bad LFMG still isn't hasn't made it's way to Region 1 DVD/Blu-ray. It's a classic, iconic film that really deserves to be seen by a wider audience.

I suspect a lot of film fans haven't seen this due to it's unavailability on home video.

[AnamorphicWidescreen]

Originally Posted by deepseababy

1+ for Looking for Mr. Goodbar. Just read the book and was mesmerised by the story. I have never seen the film and have little to no chance to see it now given the copyright issues, other than in some low-res Youtube upload that has been dubbed over. I'm incredibly eager, but not keen enough to see it in some shitty version with compromised sound/picture. I'll wait - but the question is how long? I'm amazed this film, which is not even obscure (look at the cast), could be embroiled in copyright issues for so long. Perhaps not "embroiled", but noticeably absent from DVD/Blu-ray. I mean DVD has existed for years.

Originally Posted by Jaymole

Looking for Mr Goodbar has been one of my most wanted films for ages on DVD or Blu-ray. I did finally break down and get it on a decent looking DVD 2 years ago as i don't think they will ever resolve the music rights.

I'm pulling this quote from a recent post made in the Criterion Collection dedicated forum, since it's just as appropriate in this thread.

I also read the LFMG book years ago, and also felt the story was compelling & disturbing. I have seen the LFMG film years ago, but the print was awful - which really marred my enjoyment of the film. It's too bad that the film has never been widely available on home video since the VHS days.

To me, the book & film is really about the sexual revolution of the 1960's/1970's. The main character (Diane Keaton) didn't want to fall into the "traditional" role of getting married, settling down, and being a housewife - probably because that's what her parents wanted her to do. Her behavior was an act of rebellion to a large extent.

That all being said, it's obvious that LFMG is a cautionary tale of sorts

[Show spoiler]about being careful whom you bring home...however, plenty of women (and men, obviously) from the '70's - today are sexually active in non-monogamous relationships, and don't end up killed by their random hook-ups; I don't think the film is trying to insult the intelligence of the viewer by making them think that this is really a serious threat. I actually believe that if you're living this lifestyle you're more at risk of getting a potentially deadly (or at least incurable) STD than you are of getting killed by your partner - if you're not careful, that is.

[Dragun]

The Laemmle Noho 7 theater in North Hollywood is showing Looking for Mr. Goodbar on Thursday May 2nd at 7:30.

Link to buy tickets

On the FB invite the format is listed as "Blu-Ray." Does this mean a Blu-Ray release is imminent?

[slimdude]

Oh shucks! I thought this was FINALLY coming out on DVD. I guess I'll have to hold on to my VHS.

[eiga_bot]

Originally Posted by AnamorphicWidescreen

To me, the book & film is really about the sexual revolution of the 1960's/1970's. The main character (Diane Keaton) didn't want to fall into the "traditional" role of getting married, settling down, and being a housewife - probably because that's what her parents wanted her to do. Her behavior was an act of rebellion to a large extent

I saw LFMG in the theater in Dec. 1977, and your analysis is spot on. The key moment is when Keaton's character says, in response to her mom's concern that her single life is making her lonely: "I'm not lonely, I'm alone!"

Anyway, a great movie and count me among those who would love to see it released on blu-ray.

[cupboy]

Looks like Vudu is in the process of listing this. I can find it but not view it. HDX is listed and standard def. The trailer is there.

[dkelly26666]

Originally Posted by cupboy

Looks like Vudu is in the process of listing this. I can find it but not view it. HDX is listed and standard def. The trailer is there.

Maybe Criterion or someone will finally get this out someday.

There was a 25 year hold up on Nicolas Roeg's "Bad Timing" ever seeing a home video release of any kind. Finally, Criterion released it in 2005. On that disc, Nicolas Roeg confirms that it was simply a music track used in one sequence, combined with his own stubborn refusal to alter the soundtrack, combined with the film's lack of commercial popularity, that kept it off the market. No label saw the film as being worth trying to sort that music dispute out. Finally, somehow, with the passing of time, Criterion was finally able to get everyone on the same page, and they finally released the film to DVD.

[danny24]

Originally Posted by dkelly26666

Maybe Criterion or someone will finally get this out someday.

There was a 25 year hold up on Nicolas Roeg's "Bad Timing" ever seeing a home video release of any kind. Finally, Criterion released it in 2005. On that disc, Nicolas Roeg confirms that it was simply a music track used in one sequence, combined with his own stubborn refusal to alter the soundtrack, combined with the film's lack of commercial popularity, that kept it off the market. No label saw the film as being worth trying to sort that music dispute out. Finally, somehow, with the passing of time, Criterion was finally able to get everyone on the same page, and they finally released the film to DVD.

This film would be perfect for Criterion.

[cupboy1]

Anyone seen that scumbag on that auction site who has sold Over 1400 of DVD-R of this title? Comments mention it was made from VHS tape. Universal should chase him down.

[Aunt Peg]

Originally Posted by cupboy1

Anyone seen that scumbag on that auction site who has sold Over 1400 of DVD-R of this title? Comments mention it was made from VHS tape. Universal should chase him down.

You mean Paramount should chase him down.

[AnamorphicWidescreen]

Originally Posted by cupboy1

Anyone seen that scumbag on that auction site who has sold Over 1400 of DVD-R of this title? Comments mention it was made from VHS tape. Universal should chase him down.

Yes, scammers that do things like this make me sick. Everyone out there should be aware that LFMG has NEVER been made available on Region 1 DVD/Blu, either as a DVD-R or a regular DVD/Blu release. Anyone trying to sell this to you is ripping you off.

I'm a big fan of the film, and did stream this (widescreen) years ago - but, the print wasn't that great.

Unfortunately, we're still waiting for a decent DVD/Blu Region 1 release of this movie. The film featured quite a bit of rock/pop music from the era, so it seems obvious that's holding up this release.