MovieChat Forums > Baby Face Nelson (1957) Discussion > Why are so many of Mr. Rooney's films fr...

Why are so many of Mr. Rooney's films from the 1950's unavailable?

posted 19 years ago by danielj_old999
12 replies | jump to latest

Seems to be a crime that so many of Mickey's dramatic roles may never be seen by the public again...I'd like to see this movie, and also Quicksand, Drive A Crooked Road, The Last Mile, The Strip....Several actors are in this sad situation, some of them passed away: I can think of Ida Lupino and Robert Preston, for two....anyway, if the world was fair, there would be a great retrospective of Mr. Rooney's forgotten work in nice theatres in NY LA and SF.
Would be a great nod to him at the age of 85...

[–] xerses13 19 years ago

Many films are tied up by families who do not wish them in general release. Or the original creators have the rights to them and will hold on to them to the death like John Agar did with HANDS OF DEATH. Or the estate like George Orwells in 1984. Both that film and Baby Face Nelson as far as we know have not been seen since the early 1960's. That is the last time that my brother and I remember seeing it. 1984 with Edmond O'Brien is now available so maybe Baby Face Nelson will be to.

[–] koskiewicz 17 years ago

...and how about the Arthur Penn film "Mickey One" with Warren Beatty??? These films need to be seen by new generations...

[–] danielj_old999 17 years ago

that is a truly odd movie for the mainstream; I would need to see it multiple times

[–] sarge-19 17 years ago

Maybe there are print quality issues involved. They might be working on restoring these films.

[–] mackjay2 15 years ago

Quicksand is on Alpha DVD

Drive A Crooked Road --shown on Mystery Channel in great print

The Last Mile-- bootlegs available

The Strip--TCM shows it in a good print

The Big Operator (a real sleeper, by the way!)-- bootlegs availble

BABY FACE NELSON-- a good print does exist:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDt0JpZ-qc0&feature=email

[–] jobla 15 years ago

Aside from BABY FACE NELSON, I'd like to see Mickey's great Roller Derby film THE FIREBALL (1950) on DVD. The latter co-stars Marily Monroe in an early role.

[–] 15 years ago

[deleted]

[–] xerses13 15 years ago

surfing dude13; Maybe they were disappointed on how it turned out. Since Mr. Rooney is still alive you would have to ask him. For several decades 1984 (1956) was not available for viewing because the Orwell estate disliked the film. The same with PORGY AND BESS (1959) with the Gershwin estate. John Wayne kept several films buried for decades just for his own and families viewing.

A friend of mine has recently given me a DVD copy of BABY FACED NELSON (1957). Do not know where he got it, but there is nothing for Mr. Rooney to be embarrassed with. OK crime drama for its time but no great shakes and have rated it IMDB******Six (6).

[–] ragreen259 14 years ago

Well... I don't know, but that final death scene is pretty over acted... all the same though, it's a good flick, and it certainly isn't Mickey's first "over acting" experience. On the other hand, he may have some issues with the historical accuracy of the story.

[–] xerses13 14 years ago

ragreen259; Like I said, not bad but no classic and the Six (6) Star, IMDB rating we gave it is fair. One day this will all come out in the wash.

[–] Deluge69-663-991830 14 years ago

They should release a special DVD Box Set of both Mickey Rooney's and Don Siegel's 50's noir films. Have great commentaries.

BABY FACE NELSON needs to be fully restored. It's a rare 50's gem, like CRIME WAVE, which is available.

[–] wtl471629 10 years ago

I wish more of them were available. The Big Operator and Platinum High School were also good ones.