Flicker Alley has been doing some amazing releases. Some hard to find classic foreign films, silent films, short films, ect. The latest release from Flicker Alley is a film that has a very checkered and controversial past. That film is entitled Spring Night, Summer Night.
The film follows life in the small rural town of Canaan Ohio. Jesse is the eldest daughter of a coal miner turned farmer father. The family life is turned upside down when Jessica finds out she is pregnant. Her father goes on the hunt to find that man that did this to his daughter. Never thinking that the culprit could be in his own little family.
J. L. Anderson co-wrote a very simplistic screenplay with a taboo subject matter. It was masterfully directed and was a real snapshot of a another era of life. This films takes you into the poor coal mining community.
But as I said earlier this was a controversial film. Not because of anything really horrible, but because of what happened with the film. After J.L. Anderson took his film to the festival circuit it was purchased and changed into something that he did not intend.
On this Blu-ray / DVD release the film has been transferred and looks and sounds stunning. There is no real sign of damage to the film print at all! But what is really awesome about this release is the fact that they explore the history of the film and how a distribution company destroyed this film and perverted it making it something else. This release is a history lesson.
Now as I said the film has been restored and restored to it's original vision from the master 35mm camera negative. The films also has English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing. But as with all Flicker Alley releases they are not happy with just a beautifully restored film, oh no! They pack their releases with bonus features. Let's take a look at what is included.
• 'Spring Night Summer Night': 50 Years Later (2020): retrospective documentary by Glenn Litton featuring interviews with writer-director Joseph L Anderson, writer-producer Franklin Miller, actors John Crawford, Ted Heimerdinger and Larue Hall, and sound editor Tom Peterson (24:23)
• I'm Goin' to Straitsville (2020): documentary revisiting the Columbus, Ohio locations with Franklin and Judy Miller, and archivist and restoration supervisor Peter Conheim (14:07)
• Cleveland Cinematheque Q&A (2016): cast and crew panel discussion (47:14)
• 16mm On-set Footage (1967, silent or with commentary): rare and previously unseen material from the film's production (1:02:54)
• In the Middle of the Nights (2020): video essay by restoration supervisor Ross Lipman comparing Spring Night Summer Night to its 'sexploitation' recut, Miss Jessica Is Pregnant (13:18)
• Three short films by Anderson, comprising the 'Bluegrass Trilogy': Football as It Is Played Today (1961 - 5:40), How Swived (1962 - 5:26), and Cheers (1963 - 5:06)
• Stills Gallery
• Limited edition exclusive booklet with a new essay by Ian Mantgani, Glenn Litton's memories of director Joseph L Anderson, Peter Conheim on the film's restoration, a look at the career of distributor Joseph L Brenner, an overview of critical responses, and film credits.
So as you can see this release is a jammed packed one. There is enough bonus features to entertain the viewer for a good amount of time. Also for this release there is reversible artwork. Very cool.
Spring Night, Summer Night is a very important piece of cinema and deserves the release it got. For film historians, independent film fans or just film fans in whole Spring Night, Summer Night is defiantly one for the collection.
It is good to note that while there is no really objectionable content in the film itself. The bonus features do have some very adult content in it so viewer discretion is advised.
If you would like to get a copy of this amazing release head over to FlickerAlley.com or Amazon.com and get a copy today.
Objectionable Content: some adult situations.
Audience: teens and adults
Genre: drama
Length: 1 hour 22 minutes
Blu-ray/DVD Rating: A
It is good to note that while there is no really objectionable content in the film itself. The bonus features do have some very adult content in it so viewer discretion is advised.
If you would like to get a copy of this amazing release head over to FlickerAlley.com or Amazon.com and get a copy today.
Objectionable Content: some adult situations.
Audience: teens and adults
Genre: drama
Length: 1 hour 22 minutes
Blu-ray/DVD Rating: A
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