The VHS Archives: Silvio Amadio's ALPHA CITY (1970)

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ALPHA CITY

Silvio Amadio's Disperatamente l'estate scorsa (1970)

The VHS Archives Factsheet
Label: Mogul Communications, Inc.
Catalog: MOG1040
Box Type: Clamshell
Year of Release: 1987
Runtime: 83:33
Print: 1.33:1 / English / No subs
Extras: None

About the Film
Director: Silvio Amadio

Year of Release: 1970

Country of Origin: Italy
Stars: Paola Pitagora, Nino Segurini, Umberto Raho, Loris Bazzochi, Mirella Pamphili
AKAs: Desperately Last Summer

Verbatim Box Synopsis

As an ex-member of the security service he knows too much.

For a time they leave him alone in peace, but now they are after him again... He knows things he should not know.

Lisa, his girlfriend manages to warn him of the immediate danger and helps him escape. 

They find his car in a ravine.

To all concerned, he is dead.  In reality, he is safe, but...

U.S. Mogul Communications sleeve, which advertises a totally different film!

As you can see by the above trailer, Mogul actually stole its campaign from Eckhart Schmidt's Alpha City (1985)! Being a huge fan of the director's Trance (aka Der Fan), I was pretty bummed to see the company had pulled another bait & switch.

Investigate more titles with Project: MOGUL!

For a look at other labels, check out The VHS Archives!

© 2011 -- Bruce Holecheck. All Rights Reserved.

It's Name that Movie Monday! Challenge #2.

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Welcome back to Name that Movie Monday! 

Here's installment Numero Two-o of our ongoing series.  The rules are simple:  try and identify this week's still.  If you think you know the film it's advertising, leave a comment below.  As the week progresses, if no one guesses correctly I'll begin adding hints.  Simple enough, right?  

Here ya' go -- good luck! 

UPDATE:

Congrats to Jonny Redman for correctly identifying this challenge's still as being from Silvio Amadio's Amuck! (1972), a sleazy, underrated giallo starring a Eurotrash beauty killer combo of Barbara Bouchet and Rosalba Neri.  Farley Granger's also in it, if that sort of thing matters to you.  It sat unreleased in the US until 1978, when Group 1 decided to give it a shot paired with Dr. Tarr's Torture Dungeon (their retitling of Juan Lopez Moctezuma's Mansion of Madness (1973)), later reissuing it under its less recognized moniker, Maniac Mansion (double-billed with Living Nightmare, their retitling of Mario Caiano's Nazi Love Camp #27 (1977)).  Keeping all that straight?  Its eventual VHS, like most Group 1 offerings, was issued through Catalina Home Video in an uncut but brutally cropped transfer.  However, in the '90s Something Weird Video released a true oddity:  they found and transferred a theatrical print under the previously unknown alternate title Leather and Whips.  The good news is that it retained the full 'scope 2.35:1 aspect ratio, the bad news is that it's been shorn of almost 20 minutes!  Of course it's way out-of-print now, so good luck finding a copy!

While no properly licensed DVD exists, bootleg outfit Eurovista did put one out sourced from the old Catalina release, and it's unfortunately the best game in town.  Supplements include brief interviews with Barbara and Rosalba and a stills collection.  (I don't think I've ever seen a trailer pop up on any compilations, but I know one exists -- I was outbid on eBay years back!)  Amuck! is screaming for a legit DVD; it'd be the perfect title for a company like Severin to tackle and do up right.  The rights are available, and the two lead actresses are obviously willing to discuss their involvement... so how 'bout it?

For a detailed comparison of the cut and uncut prints, click here.  (Careful: Spoilers Galore!)

The Maniac Mansion ad was stolen from Fred Adelman; be sure and visit his essential Critical Condition website.

For a look at last week's entry, click here.  More goodies coming soon!

© 2010 -- Bruce Holecheck. All Rights Reserved.