This month we are excited to present two films—R.G. Springsteen's HELLFIRE (1949) and Edward Ludwig's WAKE OF THE RED WITCH (1948)—from "Martin Scorsese Presents Republic Rediscovered: New Restorations from Paramount Pictures," which screened at The Museum of Modern Art in February and August of 2018. Organized by MoMA in association with The Film Foundation and Paramount Pictures, the films in the series provide a window into Scorsese's love for the famous B-movie studio and the ingenuity that he found in many of their pictures. Restored by Paramount, these overlooked and previously unavailable gems can finally be experienced in the best possible quality.
Republic Rediscovered Trailer
Andrea Kalas Interview
HELLFIRE was shot by Republic Pictures staff cinematographer Jack A. Marta in the studio's special two-color Trucolor process. The result is a dynamic orange and blue landscape, with the vibrant colors accentuating the violent but heartfelt story of a gunfighter (Republic regular Bill Elliott) who promises a dying preacher that he'll build a church. His quest to fulfill his promise leads to the infamous outlaw Doll Brown, played by "Queen of the B's" Marie Windsor, a role that she would later call her favorite of all time. Deftly directed by R.G. Springsteen, the film ebbs and flows between campy melodrama and earnest tear-jerking tragedy, resulting in one of the most unique Westerns of all time.
HELLFIRE (1949)
HELLFIRE (1949)
VIDEO EXTRAS
Charlie Elliott talks about his father, Wild Bill Elliott via YouTube.
William Winckler talks about his father Robert Winckler, who starred in many Republic Westerns and worked with Wild Bill Elliott via YouTube.
Video Interview with Marie Windsor via YouTube.
HELLFIRE (1949)
READING LIST (BOOKS)
Cowboys, Creatures, and Classics: The Story of Republic Pictures, Chris Enss & Howard Kazanjian, Lyons Press, 2018
Republic Confidential, Vol. 1 & Vol. 2: The Players, Jack Mathis, Jack Mathis Advertising, 1992
A Sheep in Wolf's Clothing: The Life of Marie Windsor, Denise Noe, BearManor Media, 2022
Wild Bill Elliott, Gene Blottner, McFarland & Company, 2011
THE HEROINE OR THE HORSE: Leading Ladies in Republic's Films, Thomas Burnett Swann, A. S. Barnes & Co, 1977
The Republic Chapterplays: A Complete Filmography of the Serials Released by Republic Pictures Corporation, 1934-1955, R.M. Hayes, McFarland Publishing, 1992
REPUBLIC STUDIOS: Between Poverty Row and the Majors, Richard Maurice Hurst, Scarecrow Press, 1979
HELLFIRE (1949)
READING LIST (ONLINE)
"Color Watch: Hellfire (1949)" for The Columbus Moving Picture Show
"WESTERNS IN THE CAMPER: MARIE WINDSOR IN HELLFIRE!" for Mentor's Camper
Archive of Republic Pictures Opening Logos for the Audiovisual Identity Database
"A Guide to Martin Scorsese Presents: Republic Rediscovered" for MUBI Notebook
"Interview: Gina Telaroli on Republic Rediscovered" for ScreenSlate
HELLFIRE (1949)
WAKE OF THE RED WITCH was one of "poverty row" studio Republic Pictures’ most expensive productions and also one of its most successful. The film stars John Wayne as the captain of a cargo ship in the South Pacific in 1860 who is seeking both revenge and the heart of Gail Russell's Angelique. A dreamlike movie that creatively makes use of flashbacks, director Edward Ludwig doesn't hold anything back as his characters navigate the search for sunken treasure and a giant octopus, among other adventurous things. The moody atmosphere builds to a terrifying crescendo and the film ends with an image of John Wayne that is impossible to forget.
WAKE OF THE RED WITCH (1948)
WAKE OF THE RED WITCH (1948)
VIDEO EXTRAS
John Wayne Makes a Surprise Walk-On Appearance | Carson Tonight Show via YouTube
John Wayne Interview | Cinema Showcase (1976) via YouTube
WAKE OF THE RED WITCH (1948)
READING LIST (BOOKS)
Cowboys, Creatures, and Classics: The Story of Republic Pictures, Chris Enss & Howard Kazanjian, Lyons Press, 2018
Republic Confidential, Vol. 1 & Vol. 2: The Players, Jack Mathis, Jack Mathis Advertising, 1992
Wake of the Red Witch, Garland Roark, Brown and Company, 1946
Duke in His Own Words: John Wayne's Life in Letters, Handwritten Notes and Never-Before-Seen Photos Curated from His Private Archive, Media Lab Books, 2015
Fallen Star: A biography of Gail Russell, Steven Glenn Ochoa, 2016
John Wayne: The Official Cocktail Book, Andre Darlington, Insight Editions, 2022
THE HEROINE OR THE HORSE: Leading Ladies in Republic's Films, Thomas Burnett Swann, A. S. Barnes & Co, 1977
The Republic Chapterplays: A Complete Filmography of the Serials Released by Republic Pictures Corporation, 1934-1955, R.M. Hayes, McFarland Publishing, 1992
REPUBLIC STUDIOS: Between Poverty Row and the Majors, Richard Maurice Hurst, Scarecrow Press, 1979
WAKE OF THE RED WITCH (1948)
READING LIST (ONLINE)
"'Wake of the Red Witch,' With John Wayne, at the Mayfair" Original Review for the NY Times
"Martin Scorsese Presents: Republic Rediscovered, Part 2 – Golden Dreams at the Rainbow's Beginning" for MUBI Notebook
"WRECKED: WAKE OF THE RED WITCH (1948)" for (and by) R. Emmet Sweeney
Archive of Republic Pictures Opening Logos for the Audiovisual Identity Database
"Interview: Gina Telaroli on Republic Rediscovered" for ScreenSlate
WAKE OF THE RED WITCH (1948)
THE FILM FOUNDATION ON LETTERBOXD
Martin Scorsese Presents: Republic Rediscovered
HELLFIRE and WAKE OF THE RED WITCH were presented in The Film Foundation Restoration Screening Room in June 2023 in partnership with Paramount Pictures.
