It's a trend, no doubt about it. More and more movies are going straight to video after little or no theatrical distribution. And that trend is starting to affect Utah filmmaking in a big way.
In fact, the 1990s may become known as the Video Years.There was a time, of course, when movies were made strictly for the big screen. In the '30s, '40s and '50s, when the Western reigned as box-office king - during the John Ford Years ("Stagecoach," "The Searchers," etc.) - Utah was a frequently used location for movies. But because the state was primarily perceived as the sagebrush saga state, there was a relative dry spell when "oaters" fell out of favor.
Until the mid-'70s, that is. Then, the Charles Sellier Years began ("In Search of Noah's Ark," "Hangar 18," etc.), a period that overlapped with the Horror Years ("Silent Night, Deadly Night," two "Halloween" sequels, etc.).
Despite its prolific moviemaking activity, Utah gained the less-than-flattering reputation of providing annual fodder for critics' worst-of-the-year lists.
But it was also during this period that serious moviemaking in Utah picked up again, with producers coming to realize our fair state had areas that could pass for urban as well as rural settings - all within a quick 90-minute flight from Los Angeles.
A good number of big-budget studio pictures (as well as made-for-TV movies) came along, bringing Utah back to the forefront of modern moviemaking - from Robert Redford's "The Electric Horseman" to "The Executioner's Song" to "Footloose," to "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade," and many others.
If 1991 is any indication, however, this decade may find Utah primarily providing locations for small screen films.
Some movies, filmed with theatrical distribution in mind, for some reason never find their way into American theaters. Instead they go, more or less, straight to video.
"China O'Brien," "Wait Until Spring, Bandini" and "The Dream Machine" for example. Though made several years apart - "China" in 1988, "Bandini" in 1989 and "Dream" in 1990 - all have received video release in 1991.
Still others, such as "Desperate Hours," get a big national push from a major studio, but flop at the box office, finding their only wide acceptance on video.
The latest trend, however, would seem to be films made specifically for video release.
Such is the case with "In Your Wildest Dreams" and "The Butter Cream Gang," released by the telemarketing firm Feature Films for Families, and "Little Heroes," written and directed by Craig Clyde. And, in a more obvious form, specialty videos like "Earth Aid," a series of environmental self-help tapes.
This, in addition to the many Utah-made TV movies, commercials and series (such as "The Boys of Twilight," a mid-season replacement starring Wilford Brimley and Richard Farnsworth, being filmed in the Park City area), demonstrates that the trend seems to lean toward smaller is better.
Scaling down for viewing on television screens would seem to be the wave of the future - like it or not.
Not that big theatrical films aren't coming into the state as well - certainly this past summer's "Thelma & Louise" brought us a lot of attention.
But no matter how big the movie, it will always eventually shrink to tape.
And it's hard to believe filmmakers can make their films without having that in mind.
- THESE RECENTLY RELEASED videos were made in Utah as feature films within the past few years; all are currently available in rental stores:
The Dream Machine - Lyman Dayton ("Baker's Hawk," "Solo," "The Red Fury," "On Our Own"), whose films have traditionally been more family oriented, directed this dark teen comedy about a college kid (Corey Haim) who is given a Porsche, unaware there's a body in the trunk. A couple of surprisingly vulgar and violent moments in an otherwise routine chase film aimed at adolescents. PG (violence, profanity, vulgarity).
Little Heroes - Craig Clyde wrote, directed and co-stars in this girl-and-her-dog story set in an uptight rural community. The girl, whose poor farm family is ostracized by a wealthy, influential woman in town, has a hard time fitting in with her peers and leans on her loyal pooch for support. Mix of comedy and sentiment; young teen girls will identify with the central character. G.
Wait Until Spring, Bandini - Gentle family drama about a poor Italian immigrant (Joe Mantegna) in a Colorado mining town, circa 1928, who is seduced by a rich widow (Faye Dunaway) until his young son shows him the error of his ways. Mantegna delivers, as usual, an excellent performance in this overlooked film. PG (violence, profanity).
China O'Brien - Karate queen Cynthia Rothrock stars as the title character in this violent kick-'em-up as a big-city cop who moonlights as a martial arts instructor. She should take acting lessons instead. The plot has her father (played by local sportscaster Dave Blackwell), the local sheriff, being bullied by bad guys. Rothrock eventually cleans up the town. R (violence, profanity).
Desperate Hours - Sleazy remake of the Humphrey Bogart classic has some wildly ridiculous moments, despite an A-cast - Mickey Rourke as the abusive hood on the lamb, Kelly Lynch as his attorney moll and Anthony Hopkins and Mimi Rogers as the couple they hold hostage. Ugh. R (violence, sex, nudity, profanity).
- THE FOLLOWING films may be ordered through Feature Films for Families; write P.O. Box 572410, Murray, UT 84157, or phone 263-8555 for further information on those films.
In Your Wildest Dreams - Modest light comedy of a teenage computer wizard who inadvertently makes a killing in the stock market during what he thinks is a classroom assignment. Implausible, but harmless family fare. G.
The Butter Cream Gang - Second production from Feature Films for Families shows much improvement over the first, with story of the title kids forming a good-deed gang in their rural community. Conflict arises when one of the boys moves to Chicago and joins a criminal gang, then returns home a rough-edged troublemaker. Not as syrupy as you might think, with strong positive message for young viewers. G.
- THESE VIDEOS are available through STS Productions; 8 E. Broadway, Suite 609, Salt Lake City, UT 84111, 596-1050.
Earth Aid, VOLS. 1 AND 2 - These 15-minute self-help videos are narrated by Ed Begley Jr., co-star with Roseanne Barr and Meryl Streep of "She-Devil," as well as TV's "St. Elsewhere" and numerous TV movies (including last week's "The Story Lady"). Begley is also an active environmentalist and he offers simple but specific tips on water conservation in Vol. 1, while Vol. 2 focuses on recycling. Educational and easy. Filmed in Park City.
- COMING SOON to video - maybe:
DMZ, a military drama starring Paul Sorvino; Porter Rockwell, a historical drama featuring Jazz basketball star Karl Malone in a supporting role; Rubin and Ed, the offbeat odd-couple comedy with Crispin Glover and Howard Hesseman; and Midnight Clear, a wartime drama with a young cast that includes Arye Gross ("For the Boys") and Frank Whaley ("The Doors").
And summer's popular Thelma & Louise will hit video Jan. 8.