Blog Archives
From The Warner Archive: Two Italian Sword-And-Sandal Epics
The Warner Archive has just released both Damon and Pythias and Hercules, Samson and Ulysses in newly remastered DVD form. Both films are prime examples of the Italian Sword-and-Sandal genre that was prominent in that country’s film industry in the late-1950s, early-1960s (just before the Spaghetti Western took over). Basically, take all of your favorite characters from ancient Biblical and Greek/Roman times, put them in a blender together and what you get is these ridiculous(ly great) films that do not care if these people could ever really have shared the same space. That is not the point. Just go with it and you will enjoy it, I swear.
From The Warner Archive: Two Never Before On DVD Featuring Gene Kelly
The Warner Archive recently released six Gene Kelly films that had never before been on DVD. I was lucky enough to review two of them: Black Hand and The Devil Makes Three, both of which have been newly remastered.
From The Warner Archive: Crime Does Not Pay – The Complete Shorts Collection (1935-1947)
Prior to the Warner Archive’s releases of this collection earlier this month, I had actually never heard of these MGM-produced shorts. I have now watched all fifty of the Crime Does Not Pay shorts, and I must say I kind of really loved them. You could argue that something like these shorts is what led to the original crime procedurals like Dragnet, but also, since they are told mostly from the point of view of the criminals, something like Law and Order: Criminal Intent. If you love those shows, you will love these shorts.
From The Warner Archive: The Journey, 1959 (dir. Anatole Litvak)
Fans of The King and I, rejoice! The Warner Archive has released Anatole Litvak’s drama The Journey, which reunites co-stars Yul Brynner and Deborah Kerr. This film also served as the big screen debut of Jason Robards – and what a debut it was!
From The Warner Archive: The Awakening, 1980 (dir. Mike Newell)
Die hard Charleton Heston fans will rejoice at the release of the cult classic mummy flick The Awakening, now available through the Warner Archive.
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.
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.
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