Russ Meyer's 'Fanny Hill' (1964) - December 2013 from Vinegar Syndrome

[redrunner97]

FANNY HILL



3 Disc / BD + DVD COMBO PACK
Russ Meyer's FANNY HILL w/ Special Limited Edition Bonus Film THE PHANTOM GUNSLINGER.

Fanny Hill:
Young, pretty and innocent Fanny Hill has lost her parents and must find her way in life amidst the perils of turbulent 18th century London. She is fortunate enough to find rapidly a place as chambermaid of the effusive Mrs. Brown. Mrs. Brown lives in a large house teeming with female "relatives" in négligée and with very relaxed manners. She also insists that Fanny meets alone various gentlemen who show an ardent interest in Fanny.

The Phantom Gunslinger:
The Phantom Gunslinger is set in the town of "Tucca Flats." The peaceful life of the town is disrupted by the arrival of a gang of bandits, including Algernon, Big Sam, Cookie, and some others. The sheriff leaves town, but not before naming Bill as his successor. Bill, unfortunately, doesn't carry or even know how to use a gun, and the outlaws take over Tucca Flats. But with the help of some Indians, a suit of armor, and springs on his shoes, Bill manages to run the gang out of town. But that's only the begining.

Special Features:
• 3 Disc Combo (1 Blu-ray (BD-50) & 2 DVDs) | Region Free | 1.85:1 AR | DTS-HD Master Audio
• Restored in 2K from 35mm original camera negative
• "The Zugsmith Connection" featurette with Fanny Hill star Ulli Lomell
Interview with film historian Eric Schaefer + Reversible cover art for The Phantom Gunslinger

- Vinegar Syndrome

http://www.google.com/url?q=http://m...jm0ftqRuVfcIXw

[bigshot]

Are these in B&W? I prefer RM's B&W films.

[redrunner97]

Special Features:
3 Disc Combo (1 Blu-ray (BD-50) & 2 DVDs) | Region Free | 1.85:1 AR | DTS-HD Master Audio
Restored in 2K from 35mm original camera negative
"The Zugsmith Connection" featurette with Fanny Hill star Ulli Lomell
Interview with film historian Eric Schaefer + Reversible cover art for The Phantom Gunslinger

[HyperRealist]

I thought there was some BS with Russ Meyer's estate that they would never make it to Blu-ray? Does this mean we might get Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!

[Jimmy S]

The rights of Fanny Hill were never owned by Russ Meyer, he was only the director of this film.

Originally Posted by HyperRealist

Does this mean we might get Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!

Who would be interested by a blu-ray released by the scumbags at RM Films when they can't even release a good looking DVD

[Sloopydrew]

If I visit the Fanny Hill forum, will I get to discuss Criterion's Fanny & Alexander?

[zbinks]

Originally Posted by Sloopydrew

If I visit the Fanny Hill forum, will I get to discuss Criterion's Fanny & Alexander?

This thread is unrelated to Criterion's Fanny & Alexander.

[Sloopydrew]

Originally Posted by zbinks

This thread is unrelated to Criterion's Fanny & Alexander.

Odd then, that I got here by clicking "forum" on the Fanny & Alexander page.

[Ator the Invincible]

Originally Posted by Sloopydrew

Odd then, that I got here by clicking "forum" on the Fanny & Alexander page.

Not really. When you click the forum button, it gives you a list of threads from the forum that contains key words from the title you're looking at. (In this case, it was "Fanny.") You then pick the appropriate thread from the list. The forum button is essentially a search engine.

In the case of Fanny & Alexander, it most likely doesn't have its own thread in the forum. It was probably discussed in the Criterion thread. Check there.

[chip75]

Originally Posted by Jimmy S

Who would be interested by a blu-ray released by the scumbags at RM Films when they can't even release a good looking DVD

I think all the money goes into the charity and not the preservation of Russ's movies. It's a bit short-sighted as some investment into the movies especially Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! would reap more rewards. I'm sure other companies would part-fund a series of HD transfers if they loosened their strangle-hold on them. It will eventually be too late or too cost prohibitive to create quality masters if the original elements deteriorate too much.

[thebarnman]

Are both movies directed by Russ Meyer and both on the Blu-ray?

[Rzzzz]

Originally Posted by chip75

It will eventually be too late or too cost prohibitive to create quality masters if the original elements deteriorate too much.

Mr. Meyer had the best of intentions but what a disaster. His preferred charity isn't getting any funds from his films and his films are fading into obscurity. I can only hope that the films are being properly maintained in storage so they can be discovered by future generations....

[chip75]

Originally Posted by thebarnman

Are both movies directed by Russ Meyer and both on the Blu-ray?

Just Fanny Hill, but both are on the Blu-ray disc, the third movie, the short is on DVD.

[thebarnman]

Originally Posted by Rzzzz

Mr. Meyer had the best of intentions but what a disaster. His preferred charity isn't getting any funds from his films and his films are fading into obscurity. I can only hope that the films are being properly maintained in storage so they can be discovered by future generations....

What was Mr Meyer's preferred charity?

Maybe VS should hold on to and store all of Meyer's movies!

[Rzzzz]

Originally Posted by thebarnman

What was Mr Meyer's preferred charity?

Maybe VS should hold on to and store all of Meyer's movies!

I believe this post offers some insight into the situation...

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.p...&postcount=259

"Meyer's movies still languish in standard-definition from 1980s-era masters. Why? The answer remains somewhat of a frustrating mystery. My research and contact with the Russ Meyer Charitable Trust over the years has led me to believe that they are unwilling and/or incapable of upgrading his films to high-definition standards and are generally disinterested in pursuing solutions which could bring his catalogue to 21st century standards. The Trust argues that upgrades are too cost-prohibitive yet they refuse assistance from other companies like Arrow Films who are willing to perform them. They also argue that they are beholden to Russ Meyer's wishes that all of the Trust's proceeds go to cancer research. Even if this somehow handcuffs their ability to use capital for upgrades, it's obvious they're aren't honoring Meyer's legacy in any way and Russ Meyer himself would be very displeased with the current state of his films."

It really is a sad situation. I hope something changes soon. My Arrow Dvd set is one of my most cherished in my whole collection...

[whiteberry]

The sole trustee, Janice Cowart, isn't interested in doing anything with his movies unless it's something that strokes her ego like the executive producer credit she's getting on the Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! TV series:

As his transitions from TWD next year to a spinoff starring him and Melissa McBride in 2023, Reedus will serve as executive producer on the Faster Pussycat series. He will be joined in that capacity by bigbaldhead’s JoAnne Colonna and Amanda Verdon. Janice Cowart, sole trustee of the Russ Meyer Charitable Trust, will be an EP on the series.

The Trust has operated RM Films International since Meyer’s death in 2004 at age 82.

“I hit it off with bigbaldhead right away,” Cowart says of the collaboration. “I am convinced this team is special and can be entrusted to honor Russ Meyer’s iconic film. I am more than excited to collaborate with them alongside AMC.”

Or, as Varla declares in Faster Pussycat Kill! Kill! the movie: The point is of no return, and you’ve reached it!

Reedus is represented by Brillstein Entertainment Partners, CAA and law firm Jackoway Austen. Cowart and The Russ Meyer Trust were represented in the deal by attorney Philip Daniels.

https://deadline.com/2021/05/norman-...ad-1234763026/

Not only is she not interested in licensing the movies for blu-ray, she is blocking them from being shown in theaters. Here's a Facebook post from Erica Gavin describing how Cowart blocked a proposed "Erica Gavin Night of Films" at a theater:

Who has seen #Vixen anywhere? And I mean anywhere? I had been asked to do a series of personal appearances for midnight screenings, triple bill screening of Vixen, Caged Heat and 3 Stories. An “Erica Gavin Night of Films.” Once I had accepted the offer the theatre management went about their business of booking and securing the rentals. Upon contacting RM Films to rent Vixen they were told by Ms. Janice Cowart that she “was not interested in promoting Vixen in any way, at all” therefore her answer was “NO” in regards to the theatre's request to rent Vixen. Of course the request for my appearances was withdrawn. No movie ... No appearance... and so it goes.

https://www.facebook.com/EricaGavin/...9876689046031/

There's an in-depth interview with Gavin on her website (originally published by the defunct AV Maniacs website) where she goes into detail about Cowart's behavior before his death:
https://ericagavin.com/jane_intv.html

[Rzzzz]

Originally Posted by whiteberry

The sole trustee, Janice Cowart, isn't interested in doing anything with his movies unless it's something that strokes her ego like the executive producer credit she's getting on the Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! TV series:



https://deadline.com/2021/05/norman-...ad-1234763026/

Not only is she not interested in licensing the movies for blu-ray, she is blocking them from being shown in theaters. Here's a Facebook post from Erica Gavin describing how Cowart blocked a proposed "Erica Gavin Night of Films" at a theater:

https://www.facebook.com/EricaGavin/...9876689046031/

There's an in-depth interview with Gavin on her website (originally published by the defunct AV Maniacs website) where she goes into detail about Cowart's behavior before his death:
https://ericagavin.com/jane_intv.html

I figured there had to be a villain in this story, someone who was responsible for suppressing these films. If you really want to "free" a film, there is always a way. Now we know it comes down to one person's greed and ego. Thank you for the clarification and information...

[chip75]

Originally Posted by Rzzzz

I figured there had to be a villain in this story, someone who was responsible for suppressing these films. If you really want to "free" a film, there is always a way. Now we know it comes down to one person's greed and ego. Thank you for the clarification and information...

Tragically once folks with such empires become older and need care, people will take advantage of them and gatekeep those that have their best interests at heart away.

Unfortunately in this case it's now the film's that will suffer as they can often be neglected and improperly stored.

[thebarnman]

Recently being in touch with VS, I suggested they do a release and/or restoration of "The Red Balloon" (1956.) They liked the idea but it's only on a long list of possibilities...doesn't mean anything at this point. Criterion has one but it's only available on DVD.

Maybe it could be suggested they contact RM Films to see if they could work with them somehow?

Funny, I just happen to be wearing my Faster Pussycat Kill! Kill! T-shirt. Had it for years.

[JasonMichael]

VS has tried to deal with RM Films. No dice.