TheArchive: Reviewing the Rare, Retro, and Restored

Cindy Williams, best known for her role as Shirley Feeney on the iconic television series "Laverne & Shirley," passed away on January 25th, 2023, at the age of 75. TheArchive sends our thoughts and condolences out to Williams' family, friends, and fans during this difficult time. She will be deeply missed. Born in Van Nuys, California in 1947, Williams began her acting career in the late 1960s and rose to fame in the 1970s as one of the stars of "Laverne & Shirley," which ran for eight seasons and was one of the most popular sitcoms of its time. In the show, Williams played Shirley, the sweet and good-natured best friend of Laverne DeFazio, played by Penny Marshall. In addition to her role on "Laverne & Shirley," Williams also appeared in numerous other television shows and films, including "American Graffiti," "Happy Days," and "Love American Style." She was a beloved figure in the entertainment industry, kno...

On International Holocaust Remembrance Day TheArchive honors the millions who perished and the millions whose eternal light continues to shine as a beacon of hope. The Holocaust stands as a stark reminder of the dangers of hatred, intolerance, and antisemitism, and it serves as a call to action for all people of conscience to work towards a more just and peaceful world. Our extensive library of Holocaust films, many Oscar winning or nominated, spotlights the importance of remembering the past, and of the need to be vigilant against all forms of hate and discrimination. We must remember the past in order to shape a better future for all people.    Oscar winning documentary,  The Long Way Home , echoes those ideals as it depicts the plight of Jewish refugees after World War II that contributed to the creation of the State of Israel.  The film examines the horrific conditions for Jewish refugees even in post-war Europe, as antisemitism was still prevalen...

TheArchive wishes some of our favorites a big happy birthday today, January 20th! Musician Paul Stanley turns 70 and we have a couple flicks to make you "shout it out loud."   Turn It Up! A Celebration of the Electric Guitar  features interviews and performances by B.B. King, Slash, Les Paul, Robby Krieger, birthday boy Paul Stanley, Nancy Wilson, and many more. Hosted by Kevin Bacon. In 1999, Kiss participated in one of the earliest concerts to be streamed on the Internet. Unfortunately, as Kiss was about to perform, the servers crashed and over a billion people missed out! So if you missed it, we got it right here ! Also celebrating today is Lorenzo Lamas. Check him out in these two: In  American Beach House , six lucky strangers receive an all-expense paid trip to an amazing beach house. But once they arrive, the winners soon discover they must share it with each other. Hilarity ensues in this Mischa Barton and Lorenzo Lamas two-hander.  In  Bounty Trac...

This post was originally published on (1/16/22) and updated on (1/15/23) . This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy; now is the time to rise from the dark...now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God's children. It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment. - Martin Luther King, Jr.  Aside from inspiring the world to take action through his own work and words, Martin Luther King Jr. also often quoted other iconoclasts to punctuate his messages. One such quote from Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables was especially prophetic and came during King’s 1968 appearance on the Mike Douglas Show. "Where there is darkness, crimes will be committed. The guilty one is not merely he who commits a crime but he who causes the darkness.”  King went on to explain that sometimes those who commit acts of atrocity are mere byproducts of a darkness ...

As Mario Van Peebles celebrates his 66th birthday this weekend,  TheArchive  is spotlighting his significant impact on the entertainment industry. His work as a writer, director, actor, and producer has helped bring a diverse range of stories and perspectives with a brand of powerful storytelling that has resonated with audiences and critics alike. Born on January 15, 1957, in Mexico City, Mexico, Van Peebles is the son of filmmaker Melvin Van Peebles, who is considered to be a pioneer of the independent film movement. From a young age, Mario was exposed to the world of filmmaking, which would ultimately shape his career. Van Peebles began his career as a child actor, with notable roles in films such as "Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song," which his father wrote, directed and starred in. This film was a critical and commercial success, and is considered a landmark in the blaxploitation genre. The film is an early example of the "Blaxploitation" movie genre. Mari...

Happy New Year from  TheArchive . Just when we thought it was safe to start a new year, we've been hit from every side of the dramatic prism that is 2023. First we had the truly shocking collapse of Damar Hamlin on the football field.  Then we had the collapse of government with Congress' gridlock in setting a Speaker of the House.  And if that wasn't enough, there's Idaho. It's a new year and despite it all...time for renewal! Since there is so much occupying our anxious attention we thought we would invite you to take a moment of pause, relaxation, and mindless restoration.  And we definitely know a thing or two about restoration. Over the last year and more we have been restoring content in our library to 4K grandeur. So take a break, throw on that new 4K flat screen you got over the holidays, and check out some of our beautifully restored movies and series. In Mutant , two brothers go on vacation in a small southern town, and discover that most of its reside...

Today TheArchive  and the world mourns the loss of a legend - we celebrate and commemorate a man whose foot and heart had power to boot. Pelé is widely regarded as one of the greatest soccer ( Portuguese: futebol ) players of all time. He was born Edson Arantes do Nascimento on October 23, 1940 in Três Corações, Brazil. As a young boy, Pelé was passionate about soccer and began playing at a young age. He quickly rose through the ranks, joining the Santos Football Club at just 15 years old. It was there that he first gained international fame, leading Santos to victory in the Brazilian Championship and the Copa Libertadores. Pelé's talent on the field was undeniable, and by 1958, he helped lead Brazil to victory in the World Cup, scoring a memorable goal in the final match against Sweden. Pelé's success on the international stage only continued to grow in the following years. He helped lead Brazil to victory in the 1962 and 1970 World Cups, scoring a total of 12 goals in World C...