MovieChat Forums > The California Kid (1974) Discussion > If you want to get hold of this film...

If you want to get hold of this film...

posted 19 years ago by ProfessorPeach
9 replies | jump to latest

...it's gonna be difficult. The film HAS been officially released on VHS over the years but has been deleted for a good few years. To my knowledge, there has never been an official DVD release to date but you never know, studios are raiding their back catalogues constantly to find new stuff to put out so it's probably only a matter of time.

I have seen copies of the official VHS for sale in the past but, since I have the movie taped from TV I never bothered to get it. If I had known what I know now... If I come across any more sources (they do turn up occasionally) I will post them here.

Your best bet is to try one of the "video locating" or "video search" services that many online retailers provide. They could turn it up.

Incidentally, I've been lucky enough to see the '34 in the flesh (metal?) and meet and talk to Pete Chapouris, who built it, along with his business partner Jim Jacobs. I got to sit in the car and have my pic taken with it and them. I've still got a (bit blurry) photo of me as a youngster sitting on the running board of "The Kid" which is a bit of a treasure. The car was as stunning in real life as it is in the film. I've also seen the original '32 Coupe, white T-Bird and black '55 Chevy from American Graffiti, the ZZ Top Eliminator '33 Coupe, Jamie Musselman's AMBR winner '33 Roadster (met Boyd Coddington, too, and sat in the car for photos) and a few other famous Rods'n'Customs so I guess I've been very, very fortunate. Especially when you consider I've never even left the UK... Ah, precious memories!

[–] ProfessorPeach 18 years ago

Just found a supplier for it on DVD. Not sure whether it's official or not, but this outfit looks pretty professional to me. Here's the address:

http://www.motorsportsvideo.com/

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] ProfessorPeach 18 years ago

Heh, I'll have to get back to you on this one. I'll sort out the pics for the Graffiti cars ASAP and give you a link; they're still on my digital cam at the moment. As for The Kid, I only have an old polaroid type pic of me on the running board and it's a bit blurred but I'll have to get that scanned anyhow and my scanner don't work. I'll see what I can do.

As for the Boyd/Musselman roadster, I don't think I have any pics of that, but I'll have to check.

I'll try, honest!

[–] frazer666 18 years ago

sounds like someone went to the 'americar' show in 2004 then?

[–] ProfessorPeach 18 years ago

Yup, I knew someone out there would spot that!

I was going to buy a model of Milner's '32 and then get Paul LeMat to sign it with a marker pen which I thought would be pretty cool, but to be honest everyone else seemed to have the same idea. That doesn't matter so much since I wanted it as my own keepsake but the queues for the autographs were miles long all day and we just didn't have the time to wait, which was a pity.

Was that really 2004? Seems more recent than that in my head, but you're probably right...

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] tdf5g 18 years ago

Hey that's great that you got to see the car in the UK. I just saw it again this morning at Pete and Jake's.

I've not found any sources either for an official release (see my post here, subject: DVD).

I have never purchased one of the pirate copies either because they cost too much and I too have taped it from TV.

If they ever release it officially then I'll spend the $$$. I would be first in line.

[–] jmd5605 18 years ago

http://search.ebay.com/the-california-kid-dvd_W0QQfnuZ1QQfsooZ2QQfsopZ3QQsbrsrtZd

[–] Woodyanders 16 years ago

An official DVD for this film was released in 2007 by Timeless Media Group; I just purchased a copy for a mere six dollars at a local grocery store in New Jersey.

"We're all part Shatner/And part James Dean/Part Warren Oates/And Steven McQueen"