Another new year, new resolutions, a fresh new start, new ventures; and, just as significant, a new hope that certain movies may finally come to DVD or Blu-ray.

It may not seem important to you, but for the sake of optimism, each year that goes by signifies another year, month or day closer to when some of my favorite movies might make it to DVD (or even better Blu-ray). I’ve made progress searching year after year trying to find some titles that I consider cherished media masterpieces for one reason or another. Sometimes I relent to purchasing a VHS copy (when the film I want is only available in that format) or burning a copy from one of my old video tapes.  I’d rather have a less than perfect copy to hold me over than no copy at all (VHS tapes will start to disintegrate after 10-25 years and many of mine are pushing 30+); but, I still plan to be patient and I know, my day will come.

Before I delve into the titles that I haven’t been able to find, let me start off on a positive note with ones that I have found…if I just waited long enough.

First, there was SCAVENGER HUNT (1979) which is finally available on both Blu-ray & DVD (Yippee and Yahoo)! This particular film has always been a challenge to find.  It was first issued on video cassette (both Beta and VHS formats) in 1983 by CBS/FOX Home Video; but, was deleted in the mid-1990s. It took 27 years for it to finally be released on DVD and Blu-ray in 2017.  Back in 1989, a group of my Universal tour guide buddies and I wanted to give it a watch (I’m sure I led that charge). Not only was this when Blockbuster was sweeping in to take over the home video rental industry with locations popping up on every corner; but, I had recently worked at a 20/20 Video location; and, lived in Los Angeles, the movie capital of the US.  You think I’d have no problem finding a copy. Our long search lead us to Odyssey Video which was the video store of last resort (they had a lot of obscure films). They had one VHS copy at their Santa Monica location (the one farthest away from us at the time); but, of course, being so unyielding once I have an idea in my mind, we made the drive to rent it. For those of you that never heard of this film, you probably are too young to even know most of the famous cast; but, let’s give it a shot: Richard Benjamin, James Coco, Scatman Crothers, Ruth Gordon, Cloris Leachman, Cleavon Little, Roddy McDowall, Richard Mulligan, Tony Randall, Avery Schreiber, Dirk Benedict, Willie Aames, Stephen Furst; and, if none of those names ring a bell (sad, sad thing), it also has Arnold Schwarzenegger (actually before his debut as “Conan”). The movie starts with game-maker Milton Parker (a combo of Milton Bradley and Parker Bros.) leaving a will that stipulates that the winner of a scavenger hunt he created will determine who inherits the wealth of his estate. There aren’t enough of these mindless, ensemble cast movies made anymore.  It had as much chance of winning an Oscar as “The Cannonball Run,” but was completely worth a little bit of silly fun.  And, it stars Dirk Benedict, so that is enough to make it work viewing!

Another long pursuit was for the film UP THE CREEK (1984). This film I loved because I adored the lead character, Bob McGraw, played by Tim Matheson (I think you are probably seeing a pattern here). This is another, coincidently, ensemble race movie featuring Stephen Furst, but this time it’s a raft race instead of a scavenger hunt.  It’s the underdogs against the preppies, against the military team, against the sorority girls’ team. Yes, you know exactly what you are going to get just by the synopsis – and, you don’t need to expect more. But, the adorable way Tim Matheson recites his lines like he is reading from a cheesy romantic novel was enough for me…oh, and the amazing dog, who kind of steals the show.  I’m sure they thought they could make some money on this one by combining part of the cast of “Animal House” cast with part of the “Porky’s” cast. Like I said, you know exactly what to expect from this one.

Alas, for every success, there are those I still pine for.  Patience, my friends, patience.

SUNBURN (1979) – status: Own a past video store rental copy for now (thanks to an old boyfriend that was an excellent gift giver) with only a Japanese subtitled DVD import currently available (if you want to spend the money on eBay).  I actually don’t remember the film all that much and the VHS tape I have is pretty full of static.  But basically, Charles Grodin and Farrah Fawcett investigate a suspicious car accident in Mexico, after the victim’s widow is trying to get a five million dollar insurance policy paid out.  What stuck with me is the theme song, “With a Little Luck” by Wings.  There are certain movie soundtrack songs that actually change my mood because I can remember how the film’s emotional reaction aligned with the music played when I watched the movie for the first time.  This is one of those.  Plus, Charles Grodin was in “Heaven Can Wait” and Farrah Fawcett was in “Charlie’s Angels” so I was already going to love this one, even if they just stood there and talked to each other about the weather.

HOW TO BE VERY VERY POPULAR (1955) – status: Own a copied VHS that someone sold online. This Betty Grable film (her final one) is about two showgirls who witness a murder and end up hiding at a local college (dressed as boys, ala “Some Like it Hot”).  One of the girls accidentally gets hypnotized and starts dancing anytime she hears the word “Salome” which makes it quite difficult to stay incognito.  Don’t think, just go with it.  I saw this film one day when I was about 7 or 8.  I was legitimately home sick from school.  It took years until I found it playing on television again (to which I think I tried to stay home sick, this time unlegitly).  And, until I was in my 30s, I wasn’t even able to find it on VHS.  It still isn’t available on DVD or Blu-ray.

FANTASIES (1982) – status: Recorded it on Betamax at one point, but probably taped over it later, because I’ve never been able to find it again on television or in any format.  This film was actually a made for TV movie (weren’t those just the best) about a crazed killer that stalks the cast of a soap-opera.  Suzanne Pleshette is the lead, but it also featured real soap-opera actors. And, since I was still religiously watching “General Hospital” at the time (thank you Rick Springfield & John Stamos), I couldn’t wait to tune in to watch two of my GH friends, Robin Mattson & Stuart Damon.  I will keep searching, though, as you can imagine, most of my Google searches for this title bring up stuff I don’t necessarily want to click.

Speaking of titles you don’t necessary want to search for on the internet…

JOY OF SEX (1984) – status: Transferred from my VHS copy, thankfully because it’s still not available on DVD or Blu-ray and was removed from streaming (though it was available at one time). The title sounds very dirty but it actually ends up being a very watered down version of a typical 80s sex comedy.  It doesn’t really feature anything very raunchy (“Fast Times at Ridgemont High” was way worse).  It was directed by Martha Coolidge who directed both “Valley Girl” and “Real Genius;” and, that’s very apparent when you notice that cast is filled with b-cast members from both of those films.  There was no way I would even try to escape that endorsement (side note: Martha Coolidge also directed 5 episodes of CSI and the TV movie “Trenchcoat in Paradise” with Dirk Benedict).  Plus, the cast also included: Colleen Camp, Ernie Hudson and Christopher Lloyd – so, it couldn’t be that bad.  Like “Sunburn,” this film also ended with a song that continues to remind me of the happy dreamlike feeling of naiveté – which I actually have on my iPod but only because I recorded it to a cassette tape from the TV, then used a program to format it into an mp3.  Terrible quality but magnificent memories.

WHERE THE BOYS ARE ’84 (1984) – status: Transferred from my VHS copy; recently uncovered a limited number of copies now available on Blu-ray.  This wasn’t really a re-make of the 1960s Connie Francis, Yvette Mimieux and Paula Prentiss movie, but a reimagining of it.  It’s a 1980s college spring break film, set in Fort Lauderdale.  Cue 1980s actresses Lisa Hartman (“Tabitha,” “Knots Landing”), Lorna Luft (“Grease 2”), Wendy Schall (“It’s A Living,” “Fantasy Island”) and everyone’s favorite 80s ice skater, Lynn-Holly Johnson (“Ice Castles,” “For Your Eyes Only”).  I happen to really like the cast so this one was kind of fun for me, despite its lack of substance; and why I will never stop searching for good.

CHAMPIONS A LOVE STORY (1979) – status: Own a copied VHS that someone sold online but found it is now available on DVD.  It’s a made for TV ice skating movie, which I think we’ve already established gives enough of a hook to reel me in every time.  I believe this was a pre-cursor to “The Cutting Edge” with the hockey player turned figure pairs partner, but with a very different, and kind of harsh, ending.  Either film will make a hopeless romantic cry.  Okay, okay, you are never going to watch this anyway…Jimmy McNichol dies in a plane crash and the girl skating partner must go on alone.  Usually I don’t like endings like this.  I cried a lot.  I guess the ice skating made up for it because I’m still tracking it down almost 40 years later.

LISTEN TO ME (1989) – status:  Own a VHS copy and it is available streaming, but not on DVD or Blu-ray.  This one had a lot of positives.  One, it was an 80s teen drama (mostly you got comedies).  Two, it had inspired casting with Kirk Cameron (“Growing Pains,” “Like Father Like Son”), Jami Gertz (“Square Pegs,” Facts of Life,” “Less Than Zero”), Amanda Peterson (“Can’t Buy Me Love,” “Explorers”), Tim Quill (“Hiding Out,” “Staying Together”), Christopher Atkins (“The Pirate Movie,” “Blue Lagoon,” “A Night in Heaven”) and, as their debate coach, Roy Scheider (“Jaws”).  There was an actor for all 80s lovers.  Three, the scenery was gorgeous.  It was filmed at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California.  And, finally, it actually had a unique narrative, focusing on a college debate team as they struggled through college, love and life.  Nothing amazing, but worth a watch…with an end credit song written by David Foster which any soundtrack aficionado will tell you is a good thing; and, sung by Celine Dion (before she was just Celine).

So there you have it.  How long until these cinematic treasures are filed away in my alphabetical wall of DVDs & Blu-rays?  Only time will tell.  I will keep up the search and who knows; maybe 2018 will be the year I will be able to put this list to rest for good.  Fingers crossed.  #50WeeksTo50