Can we talk about the joy of discovering The Ramones? Back in the ’70s, the Ramones were still an unknown force for people outside of major cities. You weren’t going to hear them on a rock radio station that thought the Molly Hatchet was new wave. MTV hadn’t happened yet. There was a massive shortage of cool in high schools. Eventually you’d see something in an edgy music magazine at the mall newsstand. Who were these four guys in bowlish haircuts, leather jackets and ragged jeans? What did they sound like? All those questions were answered when Rock ‘N’ Roll High School popped up on cable. For quite a few kids, this was the day punk rock truly arrived in their towns. The film was kinda goofy with its tale of their number one fan getting them to come to her school. But it delivered on the music especially the theme song. Now the movie is getting a serious upgrade thanks to the Rock ‘N’ Roll High School: 40th Anniversary Edition Steelbook. You won’t care about history as you get caught up in the Ramones-mania. Here’s the press release from Shout! Factory with all the bonus features:
ROCK ‘N’ ROLL HIGH SCHOOL
(40TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION STEELBOOK)
AVAILABLE FROM SHOUT! FACTORY
NOVEMBER 19, 2019
Los Angeles, CA – Gabba hey! It’s been 40 years since we first saw Riff Randall and the Ramones take the halls of Rock ’N’ Roll High School. To celebrate this punk rock anniversary Shout! Factory is releasing Rock ‘N’ Roll High School (40th Anniversary Edition Steelbook) on November 19, available for preorder now from amazon and shoutfactory.com. Special features include a new 4K scan from the original camera negative, and a new feature-length documentary titled “Class Of ’79: 40 Years Of Rock ‘N’ Roll High School” – featuring Interviews with director/story writer Allan Arkush, co-director/story writer Joe Dante, actress P.J. Soles, screenwriter Richard Whitley, screenwriter Russ Dvonch, cinematographer Dean Cundey, editor Larry Bock, and more.
With explosive musical performances from the Ramones, the outrageous candor of teenage angst and nostalgic reverie of a counterculture rock movement, Rock ’N’ Roll High School has captured the hearts of many generations.
Executive produced by Roger Corman and directed by Allan Arkush (Heroes), Rock ’N’ Roll High School boasts performances by the Ramones and stars P.J. Soles (Halloween) in the lead role of Riff Randell, Vince Van Patten (Hell Night), Clint Howard (Grand Theft Auto), Dey Young (Spaceballs), Mary Woronov (Death Race 2000), Dick Miller (Piranha) and Paul Bartel (Hollywood Boulevard).
Based on Arkush’s own high school fantasy, the 1979 cult film takes place at Vince Lombardi High School — the wildest, most rockin’ high school around! That is, until a thug of a principal, Miss Togar, comes along and tries to make the school a totalitarian state. With the help of the Ramones, the students of Vince Lombardi battle Miss Togar’s iron-fisted rule and take their battle to a truly rockin’ conclusion!
Rock ’N’ Roll High School quickly developed a devoted following after its release in 1979 and became a mainstay of the midnight movie cult circuit. As with films like The Rocky Horror Picture Show, audience members began to dress up like the cast and the Ramones for screenings.
Arkush, a self-described “unabashed rock ’n’ roll fanatic,” chose the Ramones to star as the film’s musical heroes, as he felt they epitomized pure rock ’n’ roll. As Arkush remembers, “We staged a live, marathon show at the Roxy Theatre that consisted of 22 hours of nonstop Ramones,” and the tireless quartet also wrote two songs for the film: “I Want You Around” and “Rock ’N’ Roll School.” The Ramones were fans of Corman as well. Johnny Ramone said in an interview at the time, “When we found out Roger Corman was behind the picture, we said, sure, we’ll do it because we knew he had a reputation and we knew he made good movies.”
Rock ‘N’ Roll High School (40th Anniversary Edition Steelbook) Bonus Features
NEW 4K Scan From The Original Camera Negative
NEW “Class Of ’79: 40 Years Of Rock ‘N’ Roll High School” – Featuring Interviews With Director/Story Writer Allan Arkush, Co-Director/Story Writer Joe Dante, Actress P.J. Soles, Screenwriter Richard Whitley, Screenwriter Russ Dvonch, Cinematographer Dean Cundey, Editor Larry Bock, And More!
Audio Commentary With Allan Arkush, Mike Finnell And Richard Whitley
Audio Commentary With Allan Arkush And Actors P.J. Soles And Clint Howard
Audio Commentary With Richard Whitley And Russ Dvonch
Audio Commentary With Executive Producer Roger Corman And Actress Dey Young
“Back To School: A Retrospective” With Interviews From Allan Arkush, Executive Producer Roger Corman And More
“Staying After Class”: An Interview With Actors P.J. Soles, Vincent Van Patten And Dey Young
Interview With Roger Corman Conducted By Leonard Maltin
Interview With Allan Arkush Including A Look At Rare, Behind-The-Scenes Stills
Audio Outtakes From The Roxy
Original Radio Ads And TV Spot
Theatrical Trailer
