Press Release | June 18, 2021
On Any Sunday to return to theaters with enhanced 50th anniversary release in October 2021.
This is a press release from Pipeline Digital Media…
Fullerton, CA (June 14, 2021) – The acclaimed 1971 Oscar nominated documentary motorcycle film On Any Sunday (OAS) will return to theaters nationwide this fall with an enhanced picture and audio release from Bruce Brown Films to kick-off and to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the iconic motion picture.
Pipeline Digital Media, LLC (PDM), the creators of The Motocross Files TV series and producers of “Penton: The John Penton Story,” has secured an exclusive licensing agreement with Bruce Brown Films, LLC and Bayview Entertainment for all public and theatrical screenings of the new release from June 1st through December 31st, 2021. Gathr Films will distribute.
“I was inspired as a 9-year-old kid to ride motorcycles, bmx bikes, and just about anything else that had wheels when On Any Sunday first came out in 1971. Here we are now, 50 years later and we’re releasing the film again to be enjoyed by new generations on the big screen for the first time,” said Todd Huffman, Pipeline Digital Media (PDM) Producer/Director.
The process to repair, to re-color, and to remix the groundbreaking documentary by director Bruce Brown, maker of The Endless Summer (1964) began in early 2020. The re-mastered and enhanced film was originally only going to have a streaming and dvd/blu-ray release this year, but Bruce Brown Films felt a theatrical release is what the film’s director Bruce Brown (who passed away in 2017) would have wanted.
“When Todd brought us this opportunity, we asked ourselves what Bruce would have wanted. And that was for as many fans as possible around the globe to enjoy this fully re-engineered classic on the big screen again together,” said Alex Mecl, President and CEO of Bruce Brown Films, LLC. “The work that has been done to remaster the film is truly stunning. It’s exciting and beautiful all over again.”
Gathr Films is the distributor for the film nationwide with OAS being instrumental to their re-opening strategy of returning to theatres as the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions come back to normal. They will use their Theatrical On Demand system to have motorcycle dealers, clubs, and fans of the movie place screenings all over the country utilizing crowdsourcing and social media to rally older and younger enthusiasts (under 50?) to see OAS on the big screen for the first time.
“To come out of the dark of the pandemic with a film in our theatres as revered as On Any Sunday is truly special,” said Scott Glosserman, Gathr Films’ President and CEO. “It’s the perfect, timeless, feel-good movie whether you’re a motorcycle fan or not. We cannot wait!”
Part of the program for local screenings nationwide will be the availability of actual stars from OAS and other racing legends attending screenings for autographs, Q&A sessions, and more. Legendary riders, Mert Lawwill, Dave Aldana, Keith Mashburn, Jeff Ward, Ricky Johnson, Brad Lackey, David Bailey and many others have committed to being part of this unique program. Bruce Brown’s son and filmmaker, Dana Brown (Dust To Glory, Step into Liquid, On Any Sunday-The Next Chapter), will also be available for Q&A sessions.
Aside from the film’s screenings an extensive merchandising program has been developed around the 50th Anniversary with several licensees already releasing limited edition products, like journalist and filmmaker Brett Smith’s We Went Fast company. T-Shirts, hats, posters and other merchandise are also being developed and marketed.
“When I saw the 50th Anniversary for On Any Sunday approaching I knew we could develop some great licensed products that complement our brand well. This theatre screening program will only help sales,” said Brett Smith, We Went Fast President.
Gathr Films will start offering screenings to local “On Any Sunday Movie Captains” beginning July 1st with first screenings starting toward the end of September into early October, 2021. A Hollywood “re-premiere” is in the works as well. Home DVD/Blu-ray and streaming from Bayview Entertainment will begin the end of November 2021 prior to Black Friday for the holidays. People can follow the project’s progress at soon-to-be-fully-developed OnAnySunday50th.com as well as other social media channels.