In search of the Iron Mistress

not2sharp

not2sharp

Platinum Member
Joined
Jun 29, 1999
Messages
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I am trying to find a copy of the 1952 film starring Alan Ladd. No other film get more press on this forum, and in knife related books and magazines. Yet, I have never seen this film, nor do I suspect have many of our members, since this film has virtually disappeared in recent years.

As far as I can tell the movie has never been released on video/DVD.

Does anyone have a lead on this film?

 
not2sharp, I looked the movie up on ( www.moviesunlimited.com ) which has by far the best selection of films on tape and DVD that I have EVER seen and they don't have it. This leads me to believe that it has never been released in other than film form. That's too bad as I suspect that there would be a real market for it, certainly larger than most of the other Alan Ladd movies, excluding such as "Shane". I know that there would be a big market for it here!

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Walk in the Light,
Hugh Fuller
 
Yeah, sign me up for a copy if you ever find one!

If not ... oh well, maybe they can do a re-make. Now who to cast as Bowie ....?
 
I would be more interested in which knifemakers bowie would play the part of Iron Mistress.
 
Hey, I need a copy also, I never saw the movie but I want to very badly.
Mike, as far as who played the roll of the Iron Mistress, I believe it was John Nelson Cooper who made the knives for the movie.

According to Blade magazine, "Ironically, the knife for which Cooper was most famous, The Iron Mistress, was a reproduction and not an original Cooper design. Nonetheless, the Cooper Iron Mistress is the most sought after by Cooper knife collectors. All the knives from the movie The Iron Mistrss are prop pieces in the collection of John Musso."
 
Hi Phil, How is Brooklyn doing? I grew up in Park Slope.

Back on subject:

I was thinking of contacting Warner Brothers to see if I could find out the status of this film. Its become so rare that perhaps the film may have been damaged beyond repair.

Anyway, I wanted to see if any of you were interested in getting a copy before i try to pitch it to the marketing guys at Warner.
 
So let me know if you would be willing to take a copy for about $20.

Note: unfortunately, this is only a marketing exercise. We don't even know if this movie still exist at this time. But, if you help me I am willing to try to find out.
 
I called Eddie Brant's Saturday Matinee (818) 506-4242 in North Hollywood, CA. They have things NO ONE ELSE HAS. They have direct connections into studios and movie industry collections. They get things that have never been put into general circulation. This includes episodes of old TV shows.

They said that they are no longer renting out their private collection copy of The Iron Mistress, because an official release version is coming out next week. I'm not sure if the timing is exact on the release, but they said to call back. Maybe you could call and ask which company is distributing the new release. It may end up available in your area. Eddie Brant also does a mail order business, so you could probably rent or buy through them.

If you're ever in the San Fernando Valley you ought to take a look at this place.
smile.gif

 
PhiL, I remember that Cooper made the knife which was used (or used as the model for the knife in the movie)... I would be interested in which maker would be chosen to make the knife in the movie if there was a remake.

mike
 
I think I have an old publicity photo of Cooper and Ladd standing next to each other examining the Iron Mistress in one of my old knife books.

mike
 
Not 2, I live in Park Slope now, you know how Brooklyn is, you can take the boy out of Brooklyn but you can't take Brooklyn out of the boy. Dude, count me in for a copy for $20.

Mike45, sorry I missed your point. Wow, all the great makers would be killing themselves trying to get that job. I guess I still picture the Randall Smithsonian Bowie as the knife, but I'd love to see what someone like Charles Weiss would come up with.

My understanding is that aside from the knife, it wasn't all that great a movie, I can't think of anyone that would put up the money to remake it today.
 
Well, I emailed Blockbuster about the flick, and heres their reply:

Dear Mr. Michael:

We apologize that we cannot be of more help to you, but we currently
have no information regarding when the movie "The Iron Mistress" will
become available for sale online through Blockbuster.com. However, we
appreciate the suggestion and will research the possibilities of
providing it in the future.

 
I've seen the movie several times. Typical 60's Hollywood puffery,but I liked it. Alan Ladd was a tough guy in it but not nearly as tough as Jim Bowie really was.

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The thorn stands to defend the Rose, yet it is peaceful and does not seek conflict
 
Wow, that was fast. I though I was going to have a hellava time haggaling with the marketing types. I'll race you guys to the video store.
 
Well I thought I had a picture in my Cooper Book but it is not there. Cooper knives are pictured with Buddy Hackett, Brian Keith, Clint Walker, Sammy Davis Junior and a few others. The Book pictures the Iron Mistress and states "This is the knife commonly thought to have been made for the Alan Ladd movie The Iron Mistress. We Know that this is not true but it does look like a movie star" Quote From The Book (John Nelson Cooper Cooper Knives by William A Martin and Paul Charles Basch)
Ken
 
Can anyone please post a picture of the knife as seen in the movie "The Iron Mistress"?

Please!
 
I can't find the picture of Ladd with the Iron Mistress. I found several pictures of the knife but unfortunately my computer equipment (and skills) are very limited and I have no way to post it.

sorry PhiL
frown.gif
 
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