As with most of the Olive Films John Wayne releases, the titles are in the public domain, which leads to a concern over their release of McLintock. As many us remember, this film lapsed into the public domain several years ago, and as a result Goodtimes video quickly jumped on the opportunity to release a substandard version of the film. They unfortunately tried to make their release look as if it were a letterbox version - which it was not, and the result was a loss of picture that made the film all but unwatchable.
Fortunately, Michael Wayne completed restoration of McLintock! and released an authorized version that was far superior. I am sure you can see where I am going with this. Will the Olive Films release be a blu-ray version of the Goodtimes video or the Batjac video?
The second concern I have is the Olive Films release of A Man Betrayed. The film was re-released by Republic as Wheel of Fortune, and the only video releases I have ever been able to find are the re-released Wheel of Fortune, not the original A Man Betrayed. So again, the question comes up, will the Olive Films releases be the original, the re-released version, or a re-released version with a new title card bearing the original title?
As there is no information on the Olive Films website as yet concerning these blu-ray releases, I cannot answer these questions. I have a request for more information in to Olive as we speak, and will update as soon as possible.
- - UPDATE - -
I received an email from Andrew Sobol of Olive Films, and in answer to the two concerns I mentioned above regarding A Man Betrayed and McLintock!, Andrew writes:
A Man Betrayed is the re-release with the original title. Wheel of Fortune was the third release of the film and the title used for the VHS release and when it played on TV in the 80s.
McLintock! Is a new HD restoration done in Germany. This is an Olive and Ignite Films release – Original 2.35:1 aspect ratio.
So it looks as if A Man Betrayed will be a welcome addition, although nothing special, but the Olive Films release of McLintock! will definitely be something worth adding to any John Wayne video collection!