Where is Paint your Wagon on Blu-ray Disc?

Before I wrap up and summarise this year’s activities on the Archive, I feel compelled to write a little piece on Paint Your Wagon (1969). Where Eagles Dare is not the only Eastwood epic to celebrate its 50^th Anniversary next year, but I can’t help thinking that Paramount’s legendary musical will unfortunately slip under the radar and probably pass unnoticed.  

I was contacted by a long-time friend of mine last night with a simple but entirely justified question - Why has there been no Blu-ray release of Paint Your Wagon? It’s a very good question actually and one that continues to bother me. It seems to be a film that in general, a lot of people are quick to dismiss. However, beneath the hard exteriors, they all appear to have a deep affection for it. For some, it just doesn’t seem to be fashionable or ‘cool’ to admit they like it – something I never really did understand. Yes, history informs us that in financial or box office terms the musical could be considered as a failure. Yes, the success of musicals in 1969 was on the downward slide, cinema was on the cusp of a major change. Yet, it didn’t necessarily mean that Paint Your Wagon was not an entertaining experience, and the movie continues to gather a cult status and a huge following.

Looking at its cast alone simply defies any form of logic as to why it should be ignored? Lee Marvin, a tough as nails, charismatic actor who was fresh from the success of films such as  Cat Ballou (1965), Ship of Fools (1965),  The Professionals (1966), The Dirty Dozen (1967), Point Blank (1967) and Hell in the Pacific (1968) – all of which, are today arguably defined as classic pieces of cinema. Eastwood of course was fresh from the success of the Dollar trilogy, followed by a smartly made revisionist western Hang 'Em High (1968) which in turn was followed by the superb fish-out-of-water cop thriller Coogan’s Bluff 1968) and the aforementioned World War II epic, Where Eagles Dare (1968). Then there was Jean Seberg, a beautiful exponent of French New Wave Cinema. Her credits had included appearances in Jean-Luc Godard's Breathless (1960) before moving on to more mainstream films such as A Fine Madness (1966) alongside Sean Connery and Pendulum (1969) opposite George Peppard. So Paint Your Wagon certainly holds and demands cultural recognition in terms of timeline and star quality.

Paint Your Wagon was undoubtedly a costly project, some $20 million back in 1969 was hardly a shoestring budget. However, it does look impressive and the good old fashioned production design values still look fabulous – even by today’s standards. The construction of No Name City was actually built – as a fully operational town. So there is a degree of justifiability, a legitimacy that is there for all to see. I’ve spoken to crew which actually worked on location during Paint Your Wagon, and it was described to me as a feat of ‘ingenuity’, and an achievement of traditional skills and labour. So there is no doubt about it, the film looks incredible on the eye. 

I am also sure that there is a perfectly good master out there. I’ve read several reports that it is occasionally screened in 1080p by several platforms such as Amazon. Contained in its 2.35:1 aspect ratio, along with it’s beautiful Technicolor pallet, it is a film that would lend itself perfectly to the Blu-ray format. There is also plenty of room to explore the various audio options that were afforded to Paint Your Wagon, with mixes in 4-Track Stereo (35 mm prints) and 6-Track (70 mm prints) – ideal for the benefits of home cinema and today’s technology.

Paint Your Wagon is a title for which I equally Anticipate and Fear. Anticipate – because it is simply so long overdue – it’s an obvious gap in the collection. Fear – because if it ever should arrive, would it be given the treatment it deserves? I have an overriding vision that Paramount will one day simply realise it is a title missing from their catalogue and in a hurried, no thought manner, simply slap a label on it and release it in a bare bones edition.

Over the decades (and dating back to the old VHS and Laserdisc formats), I believe I’m correct in stating that each (and every) release has yet to include so much as a trailer. In fact, the only trailer I ever owned was a scope coming attraction on the Super 8mm film format.  Running at just over a minute, thankfully it is preserved, and can be viewed on the dedicated Paint Your Wagon page here. The source looks as if it was contained on another Paramount video release – but I’m sure it has never been included as a bonus feature on a Paint Your Wagon release. The fact remains, nothing has - even Paramount’s DVD contains zero in terms of bonus material.

So what could (and should) be included? Firstly, I don’t think it is beyond the realms of possibility to create an all new feature length documentary on the history of the production. There is an enormity about Paint Your Wagon, a wealth of stories (both good and bad) that should be told and documented – before time erases all sources. There is certainly a wealth of photos available to supplement such a documentary.

There is the original No Name City featurette, an essential nine and a half minutes that captures rare footage of rehearsals, behind the scenes footage and is narrated by the cast. Luckily I still have this on the Super 8mm format which I doubled up with a Josey Wales featurette onto a 400ft reel and customised a box (left). I’m sure this must still survive in Paramount’s archives. A 16mm print of the featurette was also issued – it needs finding and probably newly colour graded and included. 

The full range of trailers and TV spots also need to be located – remembering that Paint Your Wagon also had several re-releases into the 1970s. Radio spots also exist, I have at least 3 archived in 60, 30 and 10 second versions, but I’m convinced that more exist.

Commentaries – I’m sure that at least one could be produced to accompany the film, there are enough film historians out there, as well as authorities on Marvin, Eastwood and Seberg to produce an interesting education relevant to its production history.

On the subject of its audio history, how about the Radio Special LP (right) which was produced for promotional purposes? It’s a fascinating hour or so containing open ended interviews with Marvin, Eastwood, Seberg, Lerner and Lowe… something that is practically priceless in terms of inclusion.  

How about a featurette on the Pete Max designed posters and his involvement with the project?

Paint Your Wagon Premiere October 15th 1969, there are many photos available which could make a comprehensive gallery…

Talking of Galleries, how about costume test shots highlighting the work of costume supervisor Bill Jobe and costume illustrator Haleen K. Holt – a great many illustrations exist as do photos – I have at least 13 colour transparencies of Clint in costume shots – surely if Paramount did a little digging and devoted a degree of time they could turn up little gems such as these? Surely they have a team to manage their archives?

The music is a whole other area which could be explored; this was a big musical with a history – how about a gallery of the many different soundtrack releases? Worldwide it amounts to a great and varied set of designs. Add to that, the lobby cards, poster designs, press stills and other general memorabilia – the possibilities and options would be quite staggering and would amount to a highly impressive vault of material.

Film programmes, brochures, vintage advertising and sheet music would also be welcome additions - all of this material exists!

Given the fact that Paint Your Wagon doesn’t celebrate its 50^th Anniversary until next year, there is still time to do it right. I can’t think of a better opportunity or chance to celebrate its Blu-ray debut.

I doubt very much that this unfortunate (but entirely relevant) tale of woe will ever reach the suits that possess the actual power to turn a negative travesty into a joyous positive – but we can only hope. Nevertheless, it’s out there now – and there are always people willing to help, should they find the courage to simply ask. 2019 will be interesting to say the least – watch this space.