MovieChat Forums > The Unholy Rollers (1972) Discussion > Where's the DVD?

Where's the DVD?

posted 18 years ago by Woodyanders
11 replies | jump to latest

Man, it's so depressing that there isn't a DVD for this choice cheesy chunk of primo breezy'n'sleazy 70's grindhouse trash starring lovely and charismatic drive-in movie goddess Claudia Jennings in one of her best-ever starring roles. It's loads of funky fun, with snappy direction, plenty of down'n'dirty roller derby action, sharp editing by none other than Martin Scorcese (!), ample amounts of sex, nudity, violence, and raunchy humor, a truly wild ending and a stand-out cast which includes Roberta Collins, Candice Roman, Alan Vint and Victor Argo. This pic really needs to get the DVD treatment already; it would make a perfect doublebill with the equally excellent and exciting Claudia Jennings classic "Truck Stop Women."

"We're all part Shatner/And part James Dean/Part Vic Morrow/And Steve McQueen"

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] jobla 17 years ago

It was released on VHS by HBO Video back in the 1980s, so perhaps Warner owns it? MGM might own it, since it was an AIP release theatrically.

By the way, the IMDB is somewhat incorrect about the music. The original theatrical version had a rock 'n' roll soundtrack performed by the bar band Louis and the Rockets. Lots of covers of fifties songs, such as Chuck Berry tunes. Kendall Schmidt didn't score the original film at all, and only re-scored the film when it was released on home video.

When the film is shown today in film festivals, you can still hear the original songs if you're lucky enough to see it in 35mm. In the last three years, both Los Angeles and Seattle have shown 35mm prints.

[–] jobla 16 years ago

Now that Ellen Page is slated to star in the Roller Derby film WHIP IT (to be directed by Drew Barrymore) for Warner Brothers, perhaps they will consider releasing UNHOLY ROLLERS onto DVD as a promotional tie-in?

[–] alanbobet 15 years ago

Possible Warner Archives might release this film on limited edition DVD like they did with other lesser known films in the Warner library.

[–] dxgmde 14 years ago

i don't think so. WB archive releases only the MGM movies owned by Turner, that means all MGM titles till early 80's. AIP titles are not included, MGM bought Orion later (buying metromedia, that controlled Orion in 1997) and it got the AIP titles as well (Orion has previously got AIP).
Unfortunately they stopped to release aip titles as they were doing in the MGM Midnight classic series a while ago.

[–] BrightsLights 13 years ago

With Shout Factory releasing all of the Roger Corman Library titles so far, and because Marty Scorsese edited this one, I won't be surprised if it comes along the way soon!

Fingers Crossed.

[–] jobla 11 years ago

Shout did attempt to license UNHOLY ROLLERS from MGM, but MGM reportedly said no. The film was released by AIP, not New World. MGM probably owns it now.

[–] AESP_pres 11 years ago

It is now a reality as we have learned yesterday in an interview with Cliff MacMillan, Shout! Factory will release it in 2013.

It was about time...

[–] jobla 11 years ago

Yes, it is time for this Claudia Jennings classic to show up on DVD and maybe even Blu-ray? Hopefully their transfer will be letterboxed and contain all of the nudity and music.

[–] Hey_Sweden 11 years ago

Excellent news.

What do you think this is, a signature? It's a way of life!

[–] jobla 11 years ago

Shout Factory is predicting a December, 2013 release of UNHOLY ROLLERS. Reportedly, it will be on DVD only. It may be released as part of a double-feature or even a four pack. I'll update when I hear anymore detail in the future.