Vinegar Syndrome February 2019

 Check out what our good friends over at Vinegar Sydrome have been cooking up. These sick new titles will be coming to blu-ray in the month of February.

WackoWacko

First up is Greydon Clark's much discussed but hard to see SCARY MOVIE precursor, WACKO, makes its worldwide Blu-ray debut, lovingly restored from its long lost camera negative. It's got Joe Don Baker, George Kennedy, Stella Stevens, Charles Napier, and Andrew Dice Clay in his big screen debut, doing his best Travolta impression.

Synopsis:

Thirteen years ago, at the Halloween Pumpkin Prom, the infamous Lawnmower Killer went on a brutal rampage, murdering several high school students, including Mary Graves’ older sister, traumatizing her for life. Now, after the unexpected escape of a prisoner from the state mental hospital, who may or may not be the killer, it’s up to hard-nosed gumshoe Dick Harbinger to solve the case before the Lawnmower Killer seeks out a new slew of victims at the upcoming Pumpkin Prom, that is if anyone is able to survive the hilarious horror hijinks leading up to it!

Features:

  • Region A Blu-ray/DVD combo
  • Newly scanned & restored in 4k from its 35mm original camera negative
  • Brand new commentary track with director Greydon Clark
  • “Die Laughing” – an interview with cinematographer Nicholas von Sternberg
  • Never before seen outtakes
  • Trailer
  • Reversible cover artwork


Party LineParty Line

Then, William Webb's offbeat mix of early 'erotic thriller' and late slasher, PARTY LINE comes to Blu for the first time, featuring a brand new 4k restoration, giving you the perfect opportunity to appreciate its neon color scheme and lo-fi throat slashings better than ever!

Synopsis:

Brother and sister Seth and Angelina live a secluded life in their family’s beautiful Beverly Hills mansion. But these upper class siblings share a dark and violent hobby of using sexually driven ‘party lines’ to meet and lure lustful strangers into a deadly ménage à trois, the climax of which is a razor slash to the throat! With the victim count steadily rising, Detective Dan is under the gun to crack the case, but when his girlfriend falls prey to the maniacal duo, Dan goes rogue, taking his own violent measures to dispense justice.

Features:

  • Region A Blu-ray/DVD combo
  • Newly scanned & restored in 4k from its 35mm original camera negative
  • “Party Line Fever” – interview with screenwriter Richard Brandes
  • Original theatrical trailer
  • Reversible cover artwork
  • English SDH subtitles


Battle for the Lost PlanetBattle for the Lost Planet / Mutant War

Practical effects wizard and Ray Harryhausen devotee, Brett Piper's two first features, BATTLE FOR THE LOST PLANET and its sequel, MUTANT WAR (co-starring Cameron Mitchell!) make their Blu-ray debuts. These two no budget sci-fi passion projects rank among the most ambitions of the era (considering their budgets) and are bursting with action.

Synopsis:

In BATTLE FOR THE LOST PLANET rogue master thief Harry Trent (Matt Mitler) who, in an attempt to steal military secrets, found himself stranded alone in space for years, finally returns to earth only to discover that the planet has been taken over by vicious gangs of alien mutants. Finding himself forced into a fight for his life, Harry is soon discovered and taken in by a beautiful warrior (Denise Coward) and her resistance group who hope to outwit the extra terrestrial invaders and reclaim the planet.

MUTANT WAR continues the story, finding Harry still at odds with conquering aliens, but this time having to contend with an even deadlier enemy: another human. After meeting a young girl who begs him to help save her family, Harry learns of power hungry deviate Reinhart Rex, a futuristic white slaver that kidnaps young women for breeding purposes. Can Harry outwit Reinhart while still escaping the clutches of flesh eating mutants?

Features:

  • Region Free Blu-ray/DVD combo
  • Newly scanned & restored in 2k from 16mm and 35mm camera negatives
  • “Battle for the Lost Film” – an interview with writer/director Brett Piper
  • Director’s introduction for both films
  • Original trailer for Mutant War
  • Reversible cover artwork
  • English SDH subtitles


TinseltownTinseltown

Finally, Carter Steven's hardcore classic (and only Los Angeles shot film) TINSELTOWN comes to Blu, restored from its negative and featuring an all new commentary with Carter, moderated by one of our top artists, Earl Kessler!

Synopsis:

Mary Jo Harmon is a small town country girl who dreams of moving to Hollywood to pursue her ambition of becoming a famous movie star. But no sooner than arriving, her fantasies of glitz and glamour begin to get chipped away, as she learns that all of the things she’s heard about LA’s sleazy casting couches, lecherous producers, and perverted parties are…absolutely true! Will Mary Jo ever be able to fulfill her dream, as the world around her turns into an ever greater orgy of disappointment?

Features:

  • Region Free Blu-ray/DVD combo
  • Newly scanned & restored in 2k from its 35mm original negative
  • Brand new commentary track with director Carter Stevens
  • Original theatrical trailerReversible cover artwork
  • English SDH subtitles

So there you have it. These guys don't mess around when it comes to putting out the best in cult, horror, genre and exploitation titles. Stay tuned as we review some of these releases throughout the month of February.

Vinegar Syndrome is a film restoration and distribution company with a catalogue of hundreds of feature films, produced primarily between the 1960s and 1980s.