After the montage, there was a half-hour autograph session, but I had to leave to return to work, as my lunch hour was rapidly approaching 2 hours!!
Thanks John for your presence there.
And to finish off this John Wayne-themed column, a formal press release from Paramount and Batjac...
Hollywood, September 8, 2004
Paramount Home Entertainment and Paramount's television distribution entities have entered into an agreement with Batjac Productions, the production company founded by John Wayne, for worldwide DVD and television distribution. The agreement was announced today by Thomas Lesinski, President, Paramound Pictures, Worldwide Home Entertainment, Joel Berman, President, Paramount Worldwide Television Distribution and Gretchen Wayne, president of Batjac and wife of the late actor's son, Michael, who owned the company for over 30 years.
Beginning in Spring 2005, Paramount will distribute a number of beloved, but rarely seen John Wayne vehicles from the 1950s and 1960s, including a newly restored The High and Mighty (1954), and Island In the Sky (1953), neither of which has previously been released on VHS or DVD. The restoration of The High and Mighty, by Gretchen Wayne, will see the film returned to its glorious original 35mm film and presented in Stereo 5.1. Other Wayne classics making their DVD debut under the distribution pact include Hondo (1953) and McLintock (1962), neither of which has been releases on DVD domestically or home video internationally by Batjac. These classic films will include bonus features from Batjac's extensive library of never-before-seen film memorabilia once they debut on DVD, including commentaries with the filmmakers and cast and featurettes on the making of the films, their subjects and their eras, incorporating new interviews and archival materials.
The press release goes on to state that five non-John Wayne Batjac produced films will also be released to DVD. The new additions to the Wayne library will bolster to 63 the number of films under Paramount's banner.
Look out folks, Duke fans are in for a great ride!!!
Thanks to John Cassidy for the photos of the event as well!
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