Category Archives: DVDs
From The Warner Archive: Two Featuring Red Skelton
The Warner Archive recently released two of the last films Red Skelton did with MGM: Half a Hero and The Great Diamond Robbery. Most of Skelton’s work I’ve seen was the Technicolor films he did with Esther Williams, so it was sort of strange to see him in black and white. Despite the lack of his trademark red hair, Skelton’s persona shines in these two films and fans will no doubt rejoice that they are no available for home viewing.
From The Warner Archive: Three by Blake Edwards
Later this year writer/director and comedic impresario Blake Edwards would have celebrated his 90th birthday. In celebration of this occasion, the Warner Archive has released three of his later comic gems: 1981’s S.O.B., 1982’s Victor Victoria and 1989’s Skin Deep. While these are all just re-releases and not remasters, the picture quality is wonderful on all three. There’s also great special features and subtitles – something lacking on many of the Warner Archive’s releases.
From The Warner Archive: Westward The Women, 1951 (dir. William A. Wellman)
Now available from the Warner Archive, William A. Wellman’s western drama Westward The Women is not only an impressive feat in cinematic storytelling, but also features one of the best ensembles of women in the classical Hollywood era. I’m really quite surprised this film isn’t more highly regarded than it is. It definitely packs the kind of shocking punch you come to expect from a Bill Wellman picture. In fact, it almost feels like some of his pre-code films and contains some elements that I found rather shocking in a film from 1951.
New From WarnerBlu: “A Streetcar Named Desire” 60th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray Book
Warner Bros. has this fancy new Blu-ray book release to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Elia Kazan’s masterpiece A Streetcar Named Desire. This new Blu-ray edition hits shelves this coming Tuesday, April 10th. They call it a Blu-ray book because the packaging is essentially also a book. This means instead of a booklet or something that comes inside the case, the case itself is the book. It’s kind of an interesting concept.
Essentially, the special features on this new Blu-ray release are the same that are found on the 2006 DVD release:
- Commentary on the feature film by Karl Malden, film historian Rudy Behlmer and Jeff Young
- Elia Kazan movie trailer gallery
- Movie and audio outtakes
- Marlon Brando screen test
- Elia Kazan: A Director’s Journey documentary
- Five other documentaries: A Streetcar on Broadway, A Streetcar in Hollywood, Desire and Censorship, North and the South and An Actor Named Brando
I own that DVD release, yet somehow never watched the special features. Now I have, though! The 75 minute long Kazan documentary is from 1995 and features narration by Eli Wallach and some really great interviews with Kazan himself. It’s a great look at Kazan’s filmography, with insights from the director on the process of making each film. While I didn’t enjoy it quite as much as Scorsese’s A Letter To Elia, I definitely recommend it to fans of Kazan’s work.
The picture quality of the Blu-ray, however, makes this purchase worth it for collectors and those who enjoy owning their favorite films in the newest formats. The black and white cinematography is so crisp and the contrasts are utterly perfect. Even on my shitty little television that movie looked incredible.
Before you run out and pre-oder this set, let’s take a minute and remain in awe and wonder of Stanley and Stella in the scene deemed too hot by censors in 1951:
And Brando hissing at Vivien Leigh. This is the stuff that dreams are made of.
Disclaimer: This review is based on a review disc given to me by Warner Bros., though the opinions are all my own.
From The Warner Archive: Fred Astaire vs. Gene Kelly
I’ve always been partial to Gene Kelly, myself. The Warner Archive asks you to choose between the two icons of dance on film with two new releases from the collection: Fred Astaire in the 1943 wartime dark comedy The Sky’s The Limit and Gene Kelly in the 1947 post-war musical comedy Living In A Big Way. Both films are little seen and essential for fans of the dancers, though I will admit as these reviews go on, my preference for Kelly will start to show.
From The Warner Archive: Two Films Featuring Jim Brown
The Warner Archive recently released two great 1970s flicks featuring the legendary Jim Brown: …tick…tick…tick…, 1970 (dir. Ralph Nelson) and The Slams, 1973 (dir. Jonathan Kaplan). While both films feature Jim Brown in strong leading roles, they are quite the opposite of each other. In one he plays a newly elected sheriff of a southern town, in the other a criminal who’s just been sent to prison and decides to break out. The films both have different tones as well. One is a rather subdued look at race relations in post-Civils Rights Movement America and the other is a straight up jive-ass blaxploitation film. But they are both a barrel of fun.
Casablanca 70th Anniversary Edition
A few weeks ago I did an interview with Stephen Bogart as he was promoting the new Warner Bros. Smithsonian Theater in D.C. The theater’s first showing was a gorgeously restored digital print of Casablanca, which celebrates its 70th Anniversary this year. Last night Fathom Events did a one-night only screening of the classic film in theaters across the nation. I am in North Carolina right now on business (related to this site actually; more info on that coming soon!), so I was able to see the film with my friend Kate. I saw it in theaters once before when I was in college, but it is a film that just gets better and better with each additional viewing.
Next Tuesday Warner Bros. is releasing the swankiest Blu-ray edition ever as part of the film’s 70th anniversary. Not only does it feature a brand-new restored digital transfer, but the set comes with so many fantastic special features and goodies. I have definitely pre-ordered this baby and you should, too!
From The Warner Archive: Rhapsody In Blue, 1945 (dir. Irving Rapper)
Although fictionalized (including adding two romances), Irving Rapper’s sweeping biopic of George Gershwin – whose contribution to the Great American Songbook is perhaps rivaled only by Irving Berlin and Cole Porter – is highly entertaining and this newly remastered edition, available at the Warner Archive, is a must for classic film and music lovers alike.
From The Warner Archive: You Can’t Get Away with Murder, 1939 (dir. Lewis Seiler)
Available for the first time on DVD from the Warner Archive, this crime film from Lewis Seiler features post-Duke Mantee, but pre-mega star Humphrey Bogart in one of his most dastardly villainous roles.
From The Warner Archive: Thirteen Women, 1932 (dir. George Archainbaud)
Coming from The Warner Archive on Tuesday is George Archainbaud’s deliciously pre-Code thriller Thirteen Women, adapted from the novel by Tiffany Thayer. This film is also notorious because it features the first and only film appearance of Peg Entwistle, whose body was found at the Hollywood sign, having committed suicide a few weeks before the film’s release.
the diary of a film history fanatic 