The VHS Archives: Lu Po Tu's BIG BOSS II (1978)

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BIG BOSS II

Lu Po Tu's Jie quan da dong kau (1978)

The VHS Archives Factsheet
Label: All American Video
Catalog: AAV105
Box Type: Clamshell
Year of Release: 1985
Runtime: 91:43
Print: 1.33:1 / English / No subs
Extras: None

About the Film
Director: Lu Po Tu
Year of Release: 1978
Country of Origin: Hong Kong
Stars: Dragon Lee, Lik Cheung, Bolo Yeung
AKAs: Dragon Lee Fights Again, Bruce Lee Fights Again, Big Boss 2, Chinese Goliath, Muscle of the Dragon

Verbatim Box Synopsis

In the dark ages of the Chinese Republic, Warlords in the north hired fierce and brutal Japanese as assassins in their fight against revolutionaries and insurgents, led by the honourable and brave, Fok. When Fok saves the life of Lee Hansang, the two join forces to fight the notorious Warlords and their despised Japanese mercenaries. Hiding out in rice fields and learning all aspects of Kung Fu, they are continually hounded by the evil Tailong and his warriors. Having tortured and then murdered a young girl, Tailong now knows the hideout of the young revolutionaries, and sets out on his mission of destruction. Only the wisdom and skills of Kung Fu can save Lee and Fok, and together they plan a final ambush for their hated enemy.

U.S. All American Video sleeve!

Looking for Big Boss II on VHS? It's not readily available, but it is presented in VHS quality as part of VideoAsia's Dragon 4-Pack.

Investigate more titles with Project: MOGUL!

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

© 2012 -- Bruce Holecheck. All Rights Reserved.

Grab Bag Again! Mystery Photos #36-40!

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Welcome back to the ol' Arcana for another round of Grab Bag Goodies!

As outlined in previous installments, I purchased a few hundred promotional stills that have had their title captions trimmed off. Some I recognize, most I don't. It's up to my faithful readership to help me decipher what they're promoting. Hell, solve enough of 'em and maybe I'll send you some of the duplicates I received!

For those not familiar with promo stills, they occasionally carry a helpful hint or two. Some are branded with a cataloging code of letters and numbers which usually signify an abbreviation of the title (sometimes a retitling) and, if you're especially lucky, maybe the year of release (not to be confused with year of production). And that's pretty much all we have to go on...

The eighth batch is below; let's see what you've got!

#36: wuf-2 

#37: M7-1608-51 

#38: MGM-59-24 

#39: FL-3 

#40: WBF-26

Thanks to comic artist Neil Vokes (one of the co-creators of the awesome Hammer-inspired graphic novel, 'Flesh and Blood') for identifying John Gilling's Where the Bullets Fly (1966), the middle entry in a trio of Bondsploitation outings starring Brit actor Tom Adams.  No DVD that I can find, but there was an old Magnetic VHS release for those with deep pockets.  Be sure to check out Neil's blog, That's All, Vokes!

Like what you see? Be sure and check out our previous Grab Bag Photos, some of which are still unidentified. Speaking of which, Name that Movie Monday Challenge #24 is still open; I've since added a few worthless hints for frustration's sake. (Challenges #27 & #28 have been solved, but real life keeps interfering with real blog updates!  Damn the Man!)

And don't forget, our Upcoming Releases List (the best on the 'net) is constantly updated, so stop by and pre-order some cool stuff!

© 2012 -- Bruce Holecheck. All Rights Reserved.

Grab Bag Rises Again! Mystery Photos #31-35!

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Welcome back to the ol' Arcana for another round of Grab Bag Goodies!

As outlined in previous installments, I purchased a few hundred promotional stills that have had their title captions trimmed off. Some I recognize, most I don't. It's up to my faithful readership to help me decipher what they're promoting. Hell, solve enough of 'em and maybe I'll send you some of the duplicates I received!

For those not familiar with promo stills, they occasionally carry a helpful hint or two. Some are branded with a cataloging code of letters and numbers which usually signify an abbreviation of the title (sometimes a retitling) and, if you're especially lucky, maybe the year of release (not to be confused with year of production). And that's pretty much all we have to go on...

The seventh batch is below; let's see what you've got!

 #31: 868-75

 #32: 7004-2

Turns out this shot is from Michael Armstrong's Horror House (1969), a Brit slasher precursor with a group of swingin' mods getting sliced up at an abandoned manor. Surprisingly violent for its day, with a cast including Jill Haworth and Frankie Avalon(!), it's somehow remained obscure on this side of the pond over the years.  Thankfully, there's a UK import DVD available for those able to play it, and I'd wager it's a probable future release for MGM's (aptly named, in this case) MOD program given its recent remastered cable airings.  Either way, it's certainly worth tracking down.    

 #33: RO-F-32 © 1972 United Artists Corporation

The Movie Geek speaks!  Thanks to Marc Edward Heuck for identifying Fellini's Roma (1972), the director's typically crazed, fluid, borderline-plotless look at his memories and fantasies surrounding Italy's capital city.  It's currently available on DVD from MGM, so give it a shot if you're feeling adventurous. And be sure to check out Marc's blog, The Projector Has Been Drinking.

 #34: SCI-19

Thanks to repeat offender Todd Bridges for pegging Barry Mahon's Sex Club International (1967), a completely ludicrous Bond-inspired sexploitation romp following the adventures of secret agent Lucky Bang Bang as he battles the mob.  No, really.  Starring Lucky Cargo and Darlene Bennett, it's available on DVD from Something Weird Video paired with Mahon's Run Swinger Run.  If that double-bill doesn't melt your mind, what will?

#35: LS-28

Like what you see? Be sure and check out our previous Grab Bag Photos, some of which are still unidentified. Speaking of which, Name that Movie Monday Challenge #24 is still open; I've since added a few worthless hints for frustration's sake.  (Challenges #27 & #28 have been solved, I've just been way behind on blog updates!)

And don't forget, our Upcoming Releases List (the best on the 'net) is constantly updated so stop by and pre-order some cool stuff!

© 2012 -- Bruce Holecheck. All Rights Reserved.

Merry Xmas from Cinema Arcana!

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Apologies for the lack of fresh content lately--I have a half-dozen articles sitting around in various states of completion, not to mention updates on my VHS Archives and Name that Movie Monday series--but the day-job has been kickin' my butt lately, and I've been finding it hard to muster up the energy by the time I make it home. Still, I appreciate everyone stopping by; I've at least been managing regular updates to the Upcoming Releases List! I hope you and yours all have an excellent holiday season. Fingers crossed for a saner 2012!

© 2011 -- Bruce Holecheck. All Rights Reserved.

It's Name that Movie Monday! Challenge #28!

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Welcome back to Name that Movie Monday!

It's time for Challenge #28 here at the ol' Arcana! Can you identify this week's mystery photo, scanned direct from The Holecheck Archives? If you think you recognize it, post a comment below. As the week goes on, if no one guesses correctly I'll begin adding some pretty useless hints. Easy, right?

Here ya' go -- good luck!

Solved! Update coming soon!

For a look at the still unsolved Challenge #27, click here.  Ditto for Challenge #24!  We also have quite a few unidentified Grab Bag photos, if you really want to show your stuff. And don't forget, our Upcoming Releases List (the best on the 'net) is updated, um... not as often as it should be the last few weeks, but stop by and preorder some cool stuff anyway!

© 2011 -- Bruce Holecheck. All Rights Reserved.