Buster and Billie (1974) - July 1st, 2021

[HorrorBlu]

Pre-Order: https://www.busterandbillie.com





In 1974 Columbia Pictures released Buster And Billie to theaters across the country. The film starred a young actor in the leading role, Jan-Michael Vincent. The movie also featured Joan Goodfellow, Pamela Sue Martin, and Robert Englund in his very first motion picture. Although at the time critics were quick to point out its violence and subject matter, Buster And Billie went on to become a cult classic film.

After a brief appearance in the VHS home video market, Buster And Billie disappeared from history. Often the subject of "whatever happened to..." discussions among movie fans, the disappearance of the film became a pop culture mystery. Bootleg versions of the film, low quality digital transfers from VHS, were available online but no one was able to answer the question...what happened to Buster And Billie?

In 2019, some answers emerged. After the theatrical release in 1974, the original master negatives of the film were thought to have been lost or destroyed. For 45 years it was assumed that, other than old rental VHS tapes, Buster And Billie was lost to history. This information triggered a treasure hunt of sorts, to locate the original film masters. In late 2019 Sony Pictures confirmed that they indeed had the original Buster And Billie elements, newly discovered, in their underground vaults.

Early 2020 saw the original film elements undergo compete restoration and digital scanning. The results were stunning! The remastered version of this film classic is now available on Blu-Ray.

[DukeTogo84]

Who is releasing this? The rights holders?

[josephga]

I knew Dell C. Payne that played warren he unfortunately passed away from liver cancer over 10 years ago

[iamnoone]

I had to check my calendar to make sure it wasn't April Fools yet.

I always thought this was lost to the ages, as I had also heard the negative was lost, and there were no usable film elements.

Great news!!!

[movielib]

What a surprise out of nowhere.

I saw this film in the theater way back then. I have never forgotten it but I doubted I would ever see it again.

Great news!

[Nailwraps]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

Who is releasing this? The rights holders?

Yep, Sony.

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by Nailwraps

Yep, Sony.

It almost feels like it's not them that is releasing it as they have an entire page dedicated to the film's release and it seems like you can only get it through this particular page? (At least for now) Seems a bit odd.

[iamnoone]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

It almost feels like it's not them that is releasing it as they have an entire page dedicated to the film's release and it seems like you can only get it through this particular page? (At least for now) Seems a bit odd.

Ya, I don't know, but it looks like it could have reverted to the producers now, but Sony still had the elements. In any case, I bought one and it was only $22.95 shipped and no tax. Considering how rare the film is since that old VHS release, that's a good deal. It may even end up being a BD-R, but considering it was unlikely any release would happen ever, I'll live if it's a BD-R.

[filmczy]

One of the first mainstream American films to feature full-frontal male nudity, the scenes of a naked Jan-Michael Vincent caused considerable discussion when this movie was first released.

And Sony says the negative has been "lost" all this time...

[Aunt Peg]

Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Professor Echo]

Just a friendly word of warning to anyone considering a blind buy. This is one of the most depressing movies I have ever seen. I don't expect nor desire every movie to be a feel good one, but this film really turned me off with some of the creative decisions that were made. I would say if you're at all suffering from bouts of significant despondency, this might not be the best choice for an evening's entertainment.

[Slob]

Originally Posted by Professor Echo

Just a friendly word of warning to anyone considering a blind buy. This is one of the most depressing movies I have ever seen. I don't expect nor desire every movie to be a feel good one, but this film really turned me off with some of the creative decisions that were made. I would say if you're at all suffering from bouts of significant despondency, this might not be the best choice for an evening's entertainment.

Yeah, but girls love it for the sweet love story. The bottle opener really gets them going, and the ending. This movie would show up every year at the drive-in during the 70s. Took four different girls to see it. Worked every time.

[rip63]

I was ready to give up on this ever seeing the light of day, so this is most wonderful news. Saw it at the drive-in an aeon ago and have never forgotten it.

[Starman22]

I never heard of it. So look like I'll check it out this one.

[KMR]

I always think of the 1970s as the decade of tearjerker cinema. And Buster and Billie is one of the prime examples. Haven't seen it since its initial release. Definitely worth a revisit.

[KMR]

OMG, that was Robert Englund that played Whitey?!?

[Slob]

Got me wondering about Ode to Billie Joe. Never got a DVD. Did show up on VHS. Maybe music rights issue with title song?

[donidarko]

Originally Posted by Slob

Got me wondering about Ode to Billie Joe. Never got a DVD. Did show up on VHS. Maybe music rights issue with title song?

Ode to Billy Joe is available on DVD via Warner Achive.

[BillWatkins]

I'm hoping for the same outcome for When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder? (1979), which is another Columbia film that has suffered the same fate as Buster and Billie.

[Laserguy]

Originally Posted by Slob

Got me wondering about Ode to Billie Joe. Never got a DVD. Did show up on VHS. Maybe music rights issue with title song?

Warners released a no-frills pressed DVD about ten years ago with music intact. The title is still available from Warner Archive, although it's possible that the pressed disc may have been supplanted by a DVD-R.