Monday, February 12, 2018

MVD Entertainment Group Restores Director Pierre De Moro’s Savannah Smiles For Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack Release On Apr. 24


DVD & Blu-ray Release Report, Ralph Tribbey
During the Christmas theatrical season of 1982 — when the big, prestigious films are launched by the Hollywood Studios — an independent film stole the hearts of America.   The film was director Pierre De Moro’s Savannah Smiles, which had actually had a small regional theatrical release in Utah during April of 1982 where it proved to be a monster among small town audiences.   

The small town release pattern that began in April continued into the fall when a national theatrical distribution deal was finally secured.   A lawsuit followed in the wake of the December launch over some distribution misgivings, but that’s a story for another time.

MVD Entertainment Group has selected Apr. 24 for the release of a new 2K restoration (from the Library of Congress 35mm print) of Savannah Smiles.   Both DVD and Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack editions will be available under MVD’s “Rewind Collection” promotional banner.

DVD & Blu-ray Release Report, Ralph TribbeyThe film itself, written by and starring Mark Miller, was originally planned as a film vehicle for his daughter, but by the time financing was arranged she had outgrown the part.   Thus Bridgette Andersen was cast as the Savannah, the six-year old who feels ignored by her politician father and decides to run away from home!

As this family-themed story goes, she falls into the hands of a pair of escaped convicts, Alvie (Mark Miller — Dixie Dynamite, Ginger in the Morning, etc.) and Boots (Donovan Scott — Popeye, Police Academy, Psycho III), but manages to work her magic on them and they soon find themselves on the path to reform and salvation.

Bonus features include a newly-prepared documentary titled The Making of Savannah Smiles, featuring both Mark Miller and Donovan Scott, plus actress Teresa Anderson and composer Ken Sutherland and two featurettes — “Memories of Bridgette Andersen” and “The Songs and Music of Savannah Smiles.” 

DVD & Blu-ray Release Report, Ralph Tribbey



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