Release Date


Was there a release in 1959 in US as IMDB reports? I thought it came out in '62?

Jerry

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IMDB only lists the date when this pilot episode first ran on TV--April 20, 1959. It was originally a two-part episode of "The Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse." It was later compiled into a feature-length movie, under the title, "The Scarface Mob" (not the original title) and released theatrically. IMDB does not provide the theatrical release date. The AFI Catalog lists 1962, but I only have the index and not the main volume, so I can't locate the exact date. A Google search only turns up sites that reproduce what IMDB listed. "The Scarface Mob" is not listed in The New York Times Index of movie reviews, which means the Times never reviewed it, which might indicate that it was never released theatrically in New York. (Or might not--the Times didn't review everything.)

Also, it's obvious that the movie has footage that wasn't in the TV broadcast, including a striptease scene where Barbara Nichols bares her breasts (with the nipples covered) at the climax of her act. I'm curious to know what else was added to the movie. The Untouchables box set I have only has the theatrical version of the pilot and not the original TV broadcast.

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From what I recall, I believe that Desilu released it themselves. They were planning to release theatrical features. This film ran in Phoenix AZ in July 1962. Desi Arnaz said it was doing "very well," at a August 1962 stockholders meeting which I attended.
This film looked terrific on the big screen, being shot in 35mm like all the network shows.

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