The Missing Movies

A partial listing of what audiences didn’t see in 1985.

Film Title

“Where Are the Children?” Suspense thriller

Cast and Director

Jill Clayburgh, Frederic Forrest; directed by Bruce Malmuth.

Studio/Distributor

Columbia

Original Release Date

Spring, 1985

New Release Date

A four-week San Diego release begins Friday.

Reason for Delay

Controversial subject matter--involving child abuse--resulted in “creative differences.”

Film Title

“Legend” Epic fantasy

Cast and Director

Tom Cruise, Mia Sara, Tim Curry; directed by Ridley Scott.

Studio/Distributor

Universal

Original Release Date

Spring, 1985

New Release Date

Spring, 1986

Reason for Delay

Lengthy reediting to make film more accessible to teen-agers, including trimming by nearly an hour and changing music.

Film Title

“Clan of the Cave Bear” Prehistoric fantasy

Cast and Director

Daryl Hannah; directed by Michael Chapman; scripted by John Sayles.

Studio/Distributor

Warner Bros.

Original Release Date

Fall, 1985

New Release Date

Friday

Reason for Delay

Lengthy editing to try different ways for the Neanderthals to communicate.

Film Title

“The Money Pit” Romantic comedy

Cast and Director

Tom Hanks, Shelley Long, Maureen Stapleton, Alexander Godunov; directed by Richard Benjamin; exec produced by Steven Spielberg.

Studio/Distributor

Universal

Original Release Date

Christmas, 1985

New Release Date

Spring, 1986

Reason for Delay

New beginning and ending were shot; lengthy post-production for special effects.

Film Title

“Big Trouble” Comedy

Cast and Director

Peter Falk, Alan Arkin, Beverly D’Angelo; directed by John Cassavetes.

Studio/Distributor

Columbia

Original Release Date

Spring, 1985

New Release Date

Regional release in March.

Reason for Delay

Film gathered dust after unsuccessful test screenings.

Film Title

“Violets Are Blue” Romantic drama

Cast and Director

Sissy Spacek, Kevin Kline, Bonnie Bedelia; directed by Jack Fisk.

Studio/Distributor

Columbia

Original Release Date

Fall, 1985

New Release Date

Spring, 1986

Reason for Delay

Marketing decision based on release of another Spacek film in fall, 1985.

Film Title

“Touch and Go” Comedy

Cast and Director

Michael Keaton, Maria Conchita Alonso; directed by Robert Mandel.

Studio/Distributor

Tri-Star

Original Release Date

Fall, 1985

New Release Date

Fall, 1986

Reason for Delay

Change of studios (it started at Universal), musical score and ad campaign.

Film Title

“The Boy in Blue” Drama based on real-life story

Cast and Director

Nicolas Cage, Christopher Plummer; directed by Charles Jarrott.

Studio/Distributor

20th Century Fox

Original Release Date

Fall, 1985

New Release Date

Test screenings to determine date.

Reason for Delay

Marketing uncertainties.

Film Title

“Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling”

Tragi-comic fantasy

Cast and Director

Richard Pryor; directed by Pryor.

Studio/Distributor

Columbia

Original Release Date

Christmas, 1985

New Release Date

Spring, 1986

Reason for Delay

Editing, music and special effects extended post-production.

Film Title

“A Fine Mess”

Comedy

Cast and Director

Ted Danson, Howie Mandel; directed by Blake Edwards.

Studio/Distributor

Columbia

Original Release Date

Christmas, 1985

New Release Date

Spring, 1986

Reason for Delay

Since stars are TV names, studio thinks spring is the release time.

Film Title

“9 1/2 Weeks” Erotic romance

Cast and Director

Kim Basinger, Mickey Rourke; directed by Adrian Lyne.

Studio/Distributor

MGM/UA

Original Release Date

Summer, 1985

New Release Date

Feb. 21

Reason for Delay

Extensive re-editing to make controversial subject matter less controversial. Film Title

“Youngblood”

Youth hockey drama

Cast and Director

Rob Lowe, Patrick Swayze; directed by Peter Markle.

Studio/Distributor

MGM/UA

Original Release Date

Fall, 1985

New Release Date

Jan. 31

Reason for Delay

Lengthy post-production (to allow for a rock-oriented score); marketing decisions (hockey film would be better inspring).

Film Title

“Lady Jane”

Historical romance

Cast and Director Helena Bonham-Carter, Cary Elwes; directed by Trevor Nunn.

Studio/Distributor

Paramount

Original Release Date

Fall, 1985

New Release Date

February, 1986

Reason for Delay

Studio felt that film wouldn’t perform well in fall-Christmas.

Film Title

“Saving Grace”

Contemporary fable

Cast and Director

Tom Conti; directed by Robert M. Young.

Original Release Date

Columbia

Original Release Date

Fall, 1985

New Release Date

No plans for release.

Reason for Delay

Film jumped studios (it started at Embassy); seems to have gotten lost in the shuffle.

Film Title

“Blue City” Mystery

Cast and Director

Judd Nelson, Ally Sheedy, Paul Winfield; directed by Michelle Manning.

Studio/Distributor

Paramount

Original Release Date

Fall, 1985

New Release Date

Late spring, 1986

Reason for Delay

New ending was shot so hero would be more heroic, the result of test screenings.

Film Title

“Miracles” Romantic adventure

Cast and Director

Teri Garr, Tom Conti, Paul Rodriguez, Christopher Lloyd; directed by Jim Kouf.

Studio/Distributor

Orion

Original Release Date

Summer, 1985

Reason for Delay

To be announced.

Reason for Delay

Post-production stalled anticipated release; marketing decision (lack of star names a liability at Christmas).

Film Title

“A Breed Apart” Romantic Drama

Cast and Director

Kathleen Turner, Powers Boothe, Rutger Hauer; directed by Philippe Mora.

Studio/Distributor

Hemdale Film Corp.

Original Release Date

Release date never confirmed.

New Release Date

Late January or February, 1986.

Reason for Delay

Film jumped studios. Extensive re-editing following 1984 Cannes Festival screening.

Film Title

“Death of An Angel” Drama

Cast and Director

Bonnie Bedelia, Nick Mancuso; directed by Petru Popescu.

Studio/Distributor

20th Century Fox

Original Release Date

Spring, 1985

New Release Date

Not on 1986 schedule.

Reason for Delay

Fox Classics folded, leaving specialty film to be handled by Fox; may be tested in 1986.

Film Title

“Back to School” Comedy

Cast and Director

Rodney Dangerfield, Sally Kellerman, Burt Young, Ned Beatty, M. Emmett Walsh; directed by Alan Metter.

Studio/Distributor

Orion

Original Release Date

Late Summer, 1985

New Release Date

Summer, 1986

Reason for Delay

Pre-production longer than expected. Numerous script revisions.

Film Title

“Desert Bloom” Coming of age drama

Cast and Director

Jon Voight, JoBeth Williams, Ellen Barkin; directed by Eugene Corr.

Studio/Distributor

Columbia

Original Release Date

Fall, 1985 (Tentative)

New Release Date

To be announced.

Reason for Delay

Shot new scene for more emotional climax. Added voice-over narration.

Film Title

“The Goodbye People” Human comedy

Cast and Director

Judd Hirsch, Martin Balsam, Pamela Reed; written-directed by Herb Gardner.

Studio/Distributor

Castle Hill Prods. Inc.

Original Release Date

Spring, 1985

New Release Date

February, 1986

Reason for Delay

Ownership travails. Film finally returned to its original producers.