Magnolia Acquires Worldwide Rights to ‘The Wrecking Crew’

The company is eyeing a Spring 2015 release in the U.S.

'The Wrecking Crew' Acquired by Magnolia

The Wagner/Cuban Company’s Magnolia Pictures has picked up worldwide distribution rights to musical documentary “The Wrecking Crew,”  the company announced Tuesday.

Directed by Denny Tedesco, the documentary follows a group of studio musicians known as “the Wrecking Crew.” Based in Los Angeles in the 1960s, they played on an extraordinary number of hit records — some of the biggest and most beloved songs of the 20th century.

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For years, the Wrecking Crew were the de-facto backing band on hit records by the Beach Boys, Elvis, Frank Sinatra, Nancy Sinatra, Sonny and Cher, the Righteous Brothers and The Monkees, to name a few. They were Phil Spector’s Wall of Sound. In addition to Tommy Tedesco, drummer Hal Blaine, bassist Carol Kaye and saxophonist Plas Johnson reminisce about their experiences in the film, alongside testimonials from Brian Wilson, Cher, Nancy Sinatra, Dick Clark, Glen Campbell and many others.

“The Wrecking Crew” premiered at SXSW in 2008 but had trouble clearing rights to all the music used in the film.

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“Music lovers will be astonished at the breadth of influence the Wrecking Crew wielded over rock and pop music from the 60s,” said Magnolia President Eamonn Bowles in a statement. “Their story is key to understanding how some of the most important music of that time was created, and Denny Tedesco has made a fascinating and highly entertaining film that will be stuck in your head for a very long time.”

All international rights for the film are available. Magnolia’s Head of International Sales Christina Rogers will be representing the film for Magnolia Pictures at AFM this week.

Magnolia is eyeing a first quarter 2015 domestic release for the documentary.

The deal was negotiated by Magnolia SVP of acquisitions Dori Begley with Josh Braun of Submarine for the filmmakers.

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