Arrow Video's 4K Ultra HD Debut Of Writer/Director Alfred Sole's Alice, Sweet Alice Will Take Place On Feb. 11

Arrow Video, with domestic sales and distribution support provided by MVD Entertainment Group, has a new 4K film restoration (from the original camera negative) of writer, director and producer Alfred Sole’s 1977 horror (an American production with distinct giallo overtones) entry, Alice, Sweet Alice.

The newly minted 4K Ultra HD release will be available on Feb. 11. 

As with so many independent film productions during the 1950s, 60s and 70s, where theatrical and television broadcast (think: MOW) were the only options, c had only a limited number of 35mm prints struck (something like 75 to 100 prints initially).   

These were then “bicycled” around the country from market to market, which meant staggered openings.   For example, the film opened in Nov. of 1977, but didn’t reach the Los Angeles area (and the view of the Hollywood trade press) until May of 1978. 

In fact, it may not even have found play dates in the Los Angeles market except for the fact that something had changed to give it more commercial appeal!   

When the film began production in the summer of 1975, a nine-year-old cast member by the name of Brooke Shields (who plays Karen Spages and is murdered early in the proceedings) made her film debut.

In April of 1978, she was suddenly the topic of discussion, both in the trade press and in the media in general, for her starring role (opposite Keith Carradine and Susan Saradon) in director Louis Malle’s Pretty Baby.

And, as with many indie films looking for a home, Alice, Sweet Alice was released initially (film festivals and overseas) as Communion, and then remarketed in 1981 with Brooke Shields in a starring role (oh, please) as Holy Terror.

Arrow Video has all three viewing options available with this 4K Ultra HD release (sweet)!

 The focus of the film is not on Brooke Shields, she’s the victim of a grisly murder. Rather her sister, Alice (played by Paula Sheppard — Liquid Sky), is the chief suspect in her sister Karen’s apparent “ritual” murder … and there is good reason to believe Alice might indeed be the deranged killer.   

Sorry, no spoilers here … we will just say that little Karen is just the first in a series of killings (and there is nifty twist at the film’s conclusion).

As to bonus features, there are two commentary options.   The first is an archival commentary teaming filmmaker Alfred Sole with editor M. Edward Salier (Silent Scream), while the second is newly created and features TCM programmer Richard Harland Smith. 

Additional bonus goodies include deleted scenes, a split-screen version comparison and five featurettes — “First Communion,” “Alice on My Mind,” “In the Name of the Father,” “Sweet Memories” and “Lost Childhood: The Locations of Alice, Sweet Alice.”