Roy Rogers’ first and last movies arriving on Blu-ray in Nov.

Disc Announcements, News

Roy Rogers was the King of the Cowboys having appeared in over 100 westerns. He even had his own chain of fast food chicken restaurants. He ruled the range with his songs. Now his first and last movies are getting upgraded to Blu-ray. Under Western Stars and Mackintosh and T.J. are coming out as part of a boxset from Verdugo Entertainment. You’ll see what Roy Rogers became a legend and how he rode off into the sunset. Here’s the press release from Verdugo Entertainment:

Verdugo Entertainment Celebrates Roy Rogers’ Career With Release of 4K Restoration and Remastered Collector’s Blu-Ray Box Set 
Showcasing “The King of Cowboys” first and last starring roles, the Holiday 2021 Box Set includes the fully remastered 1938 classic 
Under Western Stars
and 4K Restoration of the
1975 western Mackintosh and T.J.
Available on November 23rd
Burbank, CA, September 28, 2021 – Just in time for the 2021 holiday season, Verdugo Entertainment launches a collectors Blu-ray Box Set featuring “King of the Cowboys” Roy Rogers’ first and final starring role films. The box set, which bookends Rogers’ career, includes the newly remastered 1938 film Under Western Stars, and the newly restored 4K version of the 1975 modern western classic Mackintosh and T.J.   The perfect gift for classic collectors and western movie fans, the Blu-ray box set, which includes special bonus features for each title, will be available through Amazon.com (North America) and Walmart.com on Tuesday, November 23, 2021. (suggested retail price: $40.00/distributed by Verdugo Entertainment). 

Under Western Stars | 4K Remaster Official trailer:  https://vimeo.com/592498127/f8a6e14c85
Originally intended for Gene Autry, Under Western Stars was the first starring role for Roy Rogers (previously Leonard Slye) at Republic Pictures and launched his legendary career. When severe drought and the greedy exploits of a local water company threaten the prosperity of ranchers in the Dust Bowl, Roy Rogers comes to the rescue. Selected for the National Film Registry in 2019, Under Western Stars, which also stars Smiley Burnett, Carol Hughes and Maple City Four, is presented newly remastered from a print that was made for the film’s director Joe Kane and thought to be the only complete, uncut 16mm print still in existence.  

Bonus Features:
Exploring the Alabama Hills, Lone Pine, CA (Lone Pine Location Documentary)
New Trailer for Under Western Stars
Mackintosh and T.J. original 1976 Theatrical Trailer 
The film’s song “Dust,” written by Johnny Marvin, was nominated for an Academy Award in 1938 and was performed by Rogers at the live ceremony. In 2009, Under Western Stars was selected for the National Film Registry Award by the Library of Congress for being “culturally, historically or aesthetically” significant. “Under Western Stars isn’t just a classic western, it is the film that launched one of the most famous names, and voices, in western film history,” said Steve Latshaw, Post Producer, Verdugo Entertainment. “Doing this film justice meant creating a newly remastered version in today’s formats while staying as close to the original studio’s in-house style as possible both from a visual and audio perspective. We believe we have achieved that.”  The newly remastered Under Western Stars will premiere at the Lone Pine Film Festival on Saturday, October 9, 2021, at 2:30 pm PST. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion moderated by Verdugo Post Producer, Steve Latshaw, and will feature Roger’s daughter Cheryl Rogers-Barnett along with film notable restoration and preservation experts. The panel will provide a real behind the curtain view of preserving Under Western Stars, other films like it and the growing challenges faced as films age and formats evolve.  

 Mackintosh and T.J. | 4K Restoration 
Official trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvrJwwNdkZo 
In his triumphant final film role, Rogers stars as Mackintosh, a migrant cowboy traveling across West Texas plains in his run-down pickup truck. While looking for work breaking horses, Mackintosh befriends T.J. (future Pro Rodeo Hall of Famer Clay O’Brien), a runaway teen. The two form an unlikely bond and find jobs together at a cattle ranch where Mackintosh impresses the owner with his bronco-taming skills. Trouble, however, is on the horizon, but Mackintosh proves himself as a man who is not afraid to take a stand. 
Bonus Features: 
Lone Pine Cast Reunion with Clay O’Brien, Andrew Robinson and Larry Mahan
Interview with Billy Green Bush
Audio Commentary with Clay O’Brien, Andrew Robinson, and moderator C. Courtney Joyner
Original On-set Footage 
Screenwriter Paul Savage, most known for his TV work in Wagon Train, Big Valley, and Gunsmoke, penned the film specifically with Rogers in mind and is one of the few films in which the actor did not play himself. The film is essentially a moving photo album of ranch life in Texas in the mid-1970s,” said Sean Lawrence, Restoration Colorist. “Our approach was to try and be as true to the original intention and not impose modern aesthetics. So, we restored to 4K from the original 35MM camera negative and went through a color correction process to match the original film.” Mackintosh and TJ’s original score is by Waylon Jennings and the soundtrack features songs by Jennings and country music icon Willie Nelson. Verdugo Entertainment launched the single 4k restoration of the title on Blue-ray, DVD and streaming platforms Amazon Prime, Vudu, You Tube and Google Play in May 2021.   

About Verdugo Entertainment

Verdugo Entertainment is a leading independent entertainment distribution company dedicated to rediscovering, restoring and distributing cult classic and retro films. Located in Burbank, California, the company provides complete film-distribution services and the highest level of technical quality in restoration so that each film is presented in its intended brilliance – bringing today’s fans closer than ever to the original experience.  Verdugo films are made widely available through streaming services, VOD, OTT, Broadcast, on VHS collectors sets, on DVD and Blu-ray, and can be seen at outdoor screenings, cinemas and festivals across the U.S. and Canada.   

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Joe Corey is the writer and director of "Danger! Health Films" currently streaming on Night Flight and Amazon Prime. He's the author of "The Seven Secrets of Great Walmart People Greeters." This is the last how to get a job book you'll ever need. He was Associate Producer of the documentary "Moving Midway." He's worked as local crew on several reality shows including Candid Camera, American's Most Wanted, Extreme Makeover Home Edition and ESPN's Gaters. He's been featured on The Today Show and CBS's 48 Hours. Dom DeLuise once said, "Joe, you look like an axe murderer." He was in charge of research and programming at the Moving Image Archive.