MovieChat Forums > Smokey and the Bandit Part 3 (1983) Discussion > Any chance Universal would release Smoke...

Any chance Universal would release Smokey IS the Bandit?

posted 20 years ago by TopBoost
12 replies | jump to latest

Maybe they'd take notice if we made enough noise. I mean, it's just more money for them if they release it on DVD.

[–] mchannell 20 years ago

Only if people actually buy it. If no-one does they, believe it or not, lose money. Think about it, would anyone except you and maybe me buy it? Nope!

[–] drunk_bastard_jb 20 years ago

When The Smokey and the Bandit Trilogy is released on the next format it could be a bonus feature.

[–] udonome86 20 years ago

I'd buy it!

[–] noelartm 20 years ago

I'd buy it, too. I've been waiting a long time for it to come out. Part 3 was a hack job the way the reshot it. They claimed audiences were confused by Gleason playing two roles, as if Jerry Reed replacing Burt Reynolds wasn't confusing. Also, I remeber seeing some of the outtakes with Jackie and Burt. They are hilarious.

[–] he-man-1 20 years ago

I have been trying to get some kind of contact information for Jerry Reed and the Director (Dick Lowry) to see if they have a copy somewhere but I have been unsuccessful.

[–] he-man-1 19 years ago

He did that miniseries "Attila" for the USA network a few years ago. Have you tried to contact him through their parent company?

[–] powbiffbang 19 years ago

I'd buy it. I know several people who'd buy it as they, too, hold Smokey and the Bandit as a guilty pleasure.

[–] tylong1 20 years ago

I still think this would be a cool bonus feature to release in some way or another. I grew up hearing about this "phantom" S&B and I'd love to see it.

[–] 20 years ago

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[–] rumisobek 19 years ago

It's the original version of SMOKEY & THE BANDIT PART 3, without Jerry Reed, in which Jackie Gleason plays both Smokey AND the Bandit. When test audiences were confused by this, the film was recut and reshot with Jerry Reed taking over as the Bandit ,because Burt Reynolds wasn't available (although he did make a cameo).Anyway, the last minute decision to reshoot and reedit explains why part 3 was so strange and disjointed in places. I know a lot of people would rather make up their own minds as to wheteher the original version is confusing or not. I know I would. Besides, it would be a nice tribute to Jackie Gleason for the original cut to be restored. Ironic how there are both lost Honeymooners/Jackie Gleasson Show episodes AND this lost Smokey and the Bandit film. To the distributers who hide this stuff, I say, "do you want to go to the moon?!"

[–] 19 years ago

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[–] rrhwly 19 years ago

I would pay good money to have a copy of Smokey IS The Bandit in my little paws, even if someone could find a boot of it and put it on Ebay, there would be lots of bids and buys.