Kim Richards and Ike Eisenmann as two paranormally-gifted orphans who make an ESCAPE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN.
spot (targeted for urban audiences and emphasizing the presence of Isaac Hayes as the Duke). But it’s the long-lost opening “bank heist” footage (talked over in a teasing glimpse on the laserdisc and New Line VHS release) that the film’s fans have been waiting for most eagerly, and now they get it—not only in its uninterrupted entirety (the 10m 53s “missing reel” also includes the original, shorter ver- sion of the opening title sequence, which was deemed to require fur- ther explanation of the premise), but freshly scored by Carpenter in the spirit of his original collabo- ration with Alan Howarth—and with optional commentary pro- vided by Carpenter and Russell. The footage, in which Snake and his ill-fated partner (Joe Unger) think they’ve successfully “lammed it” on the subway after commit- ting the heist, only to find out otherwise, is as exciting and well- staged as one might expect. How- ever, Carpenter was correct in determining that the scene (filmed in a not-yet-opened subway sta- tion in Atlanta, GA) displayed the
“human” side of Snake Plissken much too early. The scene be- longs exactly where MGM places it—outside of the film proper— but it’s great to finally have that long-standing itch scratched, and this supplement will un- doubtedly be the selling point for many a patron... as if there wasn’t already more than enough here to bait the hook.
ESCAPE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN
1975, Buena Vista Home Entertainment, DD-5.1/MA/ 16:9/LB/ST/CC/+, $24.99, 97m 13s, DVD-1
RETURN FROM WITCH MOUNTAIN
1978, Buena Vista Home Entertainment, DD-5.1/MA/ 16:9/LB/ST/CC/+, $24.99, 98m 45s, DVD-1 By Shane M. Dallmann
One of Disney’s most success- ful live-action releases of the 1970s, and the mandatory sequel which followed, are now available
in definitive DVD editions. ESCAPE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN and RE- TURN TO WITCH MOUNTAIN still have plenty of charm to offer younger viewers, while adults may be drawn to these releases by mati- nee memories and compelling casting choices.
Inspired by a novel by Alex- ander Key, but re-imagined by screenwriter Robert Malcolm Young to feature younger protago- nists, ESCAPE TO WITCH MOUN- TAIN tells the story of Tony and Tia Malone (Ike Eisenmann and Kim Richards, the ice cream girl from ASSAULT ON PRECINCT 13), two orphaned schoolchildren who discover themselves gifted with such paranormal powers as telepathy and telekinesis. Unable to keep their talents secret, Tony and Tia attract the attention (and save the life) of a Mr. Veranian (Donald Pleasence) who, in turn, alerts his wealthy em- ployer Aristotle Bolt (Ray Milland) to his discovery. The siblings are just what Bolt needs to further his nefarious ends—and falsified proof of kinship puts them right in his
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