Psychobabble: A Freaky Forum for Groovy Ghouls and Retro Rock.
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Unreleased Pretty Things Doc to Screen in L.A.!
A few years ago, Reelin' in the Years Productions announced it was developing a documentary about the groundbreaking R&B/psychedelic/rock opera-ing monsters The Pretty Things as part of its excellent "British Invasion" DVD series. Well, as we yanks know, The Pretty Things never quite invaded the U.S., and the folks at Reelin' in the Years may have decided there wasn't enough market for this disc.(see update below) While I continue trying to convince them there is a market for it at my East Coast apartment, you West Coasters can just go see it this Friday at the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood. This is part of a Rock & Roll movie series the Egyptian is holding in conjunction with the American Cinematheque in Santa Monica. The same night The Pretty Things: Midnight to Six 1965-1970 is showing, the Egyptian will also be screening The Small Faces: All or Nothing 1965-1968, which Psychobabble glowingly reviewed back in 2010. This amazing double-feature also includes a panel discussion between films with producers David Peck, Tom Gulotta, Phil Galloway and Rob Bowman and music historian Bart Mendoza.
Other great films in the series include Gimme Shelter, Don't Look Back, Stop Making Sense, and Monterey Pop. Read all about it at and buy advanced tickets at the official American Cinematheque site here. And if any of you Californians plan on going, I'd love a report on that Pretty Things doc! Assuming you're not too busy getting hassled by cops and turning over cars on the Sunset Strip.
Update!
Turns out marketability is not the reason Reelin' in the Years put the brakes on the Pretty Things: Midnight to Six 1965-1970 DVD. I just found this interview with David Peck of Reelin' in the years in which he explains how he "got screwed over by the distributor... and thus I didn't have the necessary funds to pay for the clearances to release the film." Hopefully this will get sorted out sometime soon.
Man, what a bummer that this DVD ha not been released. Reelin' in the Years' Small Faces and Hollies discs were simply superb. The Pretty Things trailer is awesome, and if the producers knew just how many Ugly Things readers and Psychobabblers were chomping at the bit for this release, they might just rethink...
Yes, I'm a Pretty Things fan for nearly 50 years now and this DVD contains footage that is of a superb quality. The market may not be massive, but what about the cultural heritage of this document? What can we do? Raise some funds? I know a lot of rich guys who want to pay a lot.
If you're curious about contributing to the disc's funding, you might want to contact David Peck of Reelin' in the Years Productions. You can find his contact info here: http://www.reelinintheyears.com/contactus.php
Man, what a bummer that this DVD ha not been released. Reelin' in the Years' Small Faces and Hollies discs were simply superb. The Pretty Things trailer is awesome, and if the producers knew just how many Ugly Things readers and Psychobabblers were chomping at the bit for this release, they might just rethink...
ReplyDeleteI agree, Paul. The market may not be massive, but there's definitely a market for this disc. I'm dying to see it.
DeleteYes, I'm a Pretty Things fan for nearly 50 years now and this DVD contains footage that is of a superb quality. The market may not be massive, but what about the cultural heritage of this document?
ReplyDeleteWhat can we do? Raise some funds? I know a lot of rich guys who want to pay a lot.
Cor Vandenhurk from the Netherlands
If you're curious about contributing to the disc's funding, you might want to contact David Peck of Reelin' in the Years Productions. You can find his contact info here: http://www.reelinintheyears.com/contactus.php
DeleteGood luck!