Well it might as well could be the “Hoppity” version cause the Film Forum website states that it’s that version.

lucky dogs

Hey Jerry,

Since this film has been released under different titles, are there separate copyright holders, and if so who would own the rights to Mr. Bug and any DVD news in the future?

“Lions Gate has the right to restore it and put it on DVD. But that won’t happen - they are idiots”.

I was afraid of that; I have seen Lions Gates shoddy treatment with the Laurel and Hardy/Roach films.

Thanks for the info.

I’ve posted a little analysis on the oft-quoted line that Mr. Bug’s lack of success was due to Pearl Harbor over at my blog – http//outoftheinkwell.blogspot.com

Why on earth is Lionsgate holding the rights to old movies at all? That hardly seems in line with its business model ….

I dunno why Lionsgate has the right to put these old movies out, if that would happen, it would be just another poor quality release.

It’s surprising that the studio wouldn’t even bother with them cause often they basically make bad live-action or animated movie after bad live-action or animated movie to make a quick buck.

Maybe it’s best for Paramount obtain the rights again OR maybe a collaboration with Lionsgate and Warner Bros (who have put out the Popeye sets and later the “”Super” Fleischer” shorts) would put the film out in a special double feature with “Gulliver”.

I saw the film at a MOMA screening (thanks again) and the colors were beautiful…particularly the opening sequence.

That’s a surprisingly good movie.

I bought a DVD from “Legend Films” of it on Amazon a few months ago, but the case was titled “Bugville” and the opening credits were covered over by a modern graphic. I wondered about the legality of that.

Bill Andres says: “I was afraid of that; I have seen Lions Gates shoddy treatment with the Laurel and Hardy/Roach films.”

Actually, that was Hallmark’s fault, who held the rights at the time. They used television versions (which included commercial cutways!)

There is a very heated discussion thread at the Animation Show Forum over this quasi-legal release, as Legend released a few “cult” Paramount titles on DVD earlier this year, one of which was the “quote - restored - unquote” ‘Bugville’.

http://www.animationshow.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=3790

Some dared to take the bait, but the majority were not impressed…

For the doubters here is the Lions Gate web sight

http://lionsgate.com/?section=film

Their big Christmas release this year is ‘The Spirit’: plainly a film of some cost. However, much of their other product appears to me of a budget nature: inexpensive properties such as ‘My Bloody Valentine, exploitation and action quickies such as the ‘Saw’ Franchise, ‘Transporter’ etc. Perhaps something akin to a modern day Roger Corman studio. Classics they ain’t … however, they probably like money. In that instance, in a fantasy universe, perhaps it would be possible that they would sell the rights?

I’m seeing this afternoon, and I’ve never seen it before because it was only released on old fashioned laser disc ONCE and never on vhs or dvd. As far as I can tell, “Mr. Bugs” has been deliberately hidden away forever.