Actors & Directors
- Farley Granger
- Joseph Walsh
- Zizi Jeanmaire
- Danny Kaye
- Charles Vidor
- Norman Z. McLeod
- Philip Tonge
List Price: $79.98
Price: $319.92
Review Danny Kaye Collection (6pc) / Hbo Home Video:
Release date: 1996-10-15
List Price: $99.98
Price: $79.19
Review The Honeymooners Classic 39 Collection / Fox Home Entertainment:Get the bag. As The Honeymooners continues to get bumped from late-night TV schedules across the nation-by laughably unfunny shows such as Friends and Murphy Brown no less-legions of Honeymoonies will need to get their fix in other ways. This set-the Honeymoonie's Holy Grail-contains all 39 episodes from the legendary 1955-1956 season. There's no commentary from some "expert" who compares Ralph to gods from Greek mythology or memories from some assistant producer-it's just the meat, and that's enough to make any fan salivate. This was the only season that The Honeymooners had a life of its own apart from the Jackie Gleason Show, and as much as we tried to welcome the "Lost Episodes" into our family, they very rarely matched the high quality of the classic 39. Rather than sequence them in order, the producers have decided to group them by eight different themes including Ralph's jealous nature, his life at the Gotham Bus Company, his friendship with Norton, domestic troubles, and financial woes. Sometimes this approach is a bit forced, but it does illustrate why The Honeymooners is the ultimate situation comedy: You can show them out of order. No matter what happens to the Bensonhurst foursome, Ralph will still work for the bus company, Norton in the sewer. They'll be struggling to get by, passing the time bowling, shooting pool, arguing with the wives, and dreaming of a better day. And it's in the mundanity of everyday life that The Honeymooners finds boundless humor. [+]Even when the events were anything but mundane-bank robbers, counterfeiters, TV commercials, game shows, golf dates with The Boss-the real story and the best jokes were about the reality of their lives and the realization that, because of marriage and friendship, they didn't really have it so bad after all. The chemistry between Jackie Gleason and Art Carney still amazes after all these years. Audrey Meadows's Alice is the perfect foil for Ralph, stern but sympathetic. And Joyce Randolph's Trixie? Well, let's just call her "earnest. " Still, for all of Norton's frenetic energy and Alice's wisdom, the show belongs to Ralph Kramden. Somehow, Gleason took a chauvinistic, paranoid, insensitive, scheming, bitter, loudmouth, underachieving bus driver and made him a hero to millions. -Marc Greilsamer.
Release date: 1998-09-08
List Price: $59.98
Price: $89.65
Review The Hitchcock Collection (Rebecca, The Paradine Case, Spellbound, Notorious) / Starz / Anchor Bay:
Actors & Directors
- Lola Albright
- Phil Karlson
- Joan Blackman
- Charles Bronson
- Gig Young
- Gene Nelson
- George Sidney (II)
- Elvis Presley
List Price: $134.98
Price: $129.90
Review Elvis Presley Collector Set 1 (9pc) / MGM (Video & DVD):
Actors & Directors
- Noël Burch
- Mary Pickford
- Douglas Fairbanks
Price: $49.95
Review Silent Revolution - What Do Those Old Films Mean? Collection / Facets:
Actors & Directors
- Delmer Daves
- Howard Hawks
- Lauren Bacall
- Tom D'Andrea
- Agnes Moorehead
- Humphrey Bogart
- Bruce Bennett
- John Huston
List Price: $79.98
Price: $31.30
Review Bogart & Bacall Collection (The Big Sleep / Dark Passage / Key Largo / To Have and Have Not / Bacall on Bogart) / Warner Home Video:
Release date: 1999-08-03
Run time: 999 min.
Creator: Alfred Hitchcock
List Price: $179.98
Price: $54.98
Review Alfred Hitchcock Collection (14pc) / Universal Studios:
Actors & Directors
- Jerry Scheff
- Arthur H. Nadel
- Charlie Hodge
- Norman Taurog
- James Burton (II)
- Glen D. Hardin
- Denis Sanders
- Elvis Presley
List Price: $134.98
Price: $179.95
Review Elvis Presley Collector Set 2 (9pc) / MGM (Video & DVD):
Actors & Directors
- Erik Rhodes
- Mark Sandrich
- Thornton Freeland
- Fred Astaire
- Edward Everett Horton
- Alice Brady
- Ginger Rogers
List Price: $69.98
Price: $55.25
Review Astaire & Rogers Collection Volume 1 (Flying Down to Rio, The Gay Divorcee, Roberta, Top Hat, Follow the Fleet) / Warner Home Video:Fans of classic movie musicals will be in heaven with two five-video sets of the films of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, the quintessential dancing duo. Fred and Ginger weren't always stars-the former Broadway hoofer and studio chorus girl were cast as the second-tier "comic" couple in three of their early films (Flying Down to Rio, Roberta, Follow the Fleet), and the pace drags whenever they're not on the screen. The high points of the first set are The Gay Divorcee, which proved that the pair could carry a film, and Top Hat, generally considered their definitive movie. All the films mix light romantic comedy (usually centered around mistaken identities and ending, inevitably, in blissful wedding promises) with elegant dinner wear and surreal sets intended to transport '30s audiences away from the Depression to such locales as Rio, Paris, and Venice. But of course the real reason to watch these films is the sensational dancing set to great songs by the likes of Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, and Jerome Kern, numbers that are not merely entertaining but also innovative for their time in that they reveal character and advance the plot. The quintessential romantic duet "Night and Day," the grand ensemble number "The Continental," the definitive tuxedo setting "Top Hat, White Tie, and Tails," the famously feathery "Cheek to Cheek," and the epic show-within-a-show "Let's Face the Music and Dance" are some of the best musical moments ever set to celluloid. -David Horiuchi This five-tape set includes Flying Down to Rio, The Gay Divorcee, Roberta, Top Hat, and Follow the Fleet.
Actors & Directors
- Chrissie White
- David Gill
- Kenneth Branagh
- Michael Winterbottom
- Kevin Brownlow
- Jean-Louis Trintignant
- Freddie Young
- Jean Dréville
Run time: 360 min.
List Price: $69.95
Price: $92.99
Review Cinema Europe - The Other Hollywood / Cinema Guild:British film historians Kevin Brownlow and David Gill have earned their spot in cinema heaven by painstakingly preserving the history of silent cinema in a series of expansive documentaries, most notably the 13-episode 1980 epic Hollywood: A Celebration of American Silent Film. Their partnership came to a close almost two decades later with the long-awaited companion piece Cinema Europe: The Other Hollywood, a six-hour survey of Europe's silent era. Episodes focus on the distinct development of specific countries-Sweden, Germany, France, and Britain-framed by a general introduction and conclusion. Brownlow and Gill were frustrated by a limited canvas-they had originally planned another 13-hour epic-and they only briefly touch on the rich work in Russia, Italy, and the Scandinavian countries. But the production brims with a wealth of rare films clips and interviews, and the thoughtful narration (by Kenneth Branagh) puts them in a rich historical and cultural context. Most importantly, it captures a vital period when films readily crossed borders and distinct national cinema styles flourished. It was a cinematic garden in full bloom and it cross-pollinated through ambitious and inspired filmmakers around the world. When the lure of Hollywood and the rise of fascism pulled much the talent from Europe and the coming of sound created new language barriers, the garden went into a frosty winter. David Gill died shortly after the production was completed. -Sean Axmaker.
Actors & Directors
- Golden Age of Silent Films
Run time: 600 min.
Price: $39.99
Review Golden Age of Silent Films 2 (7pc) (Silent) / Edi Video:
Release date: 2000-09-05
List Price: $89.98
Price: $109.98
Review Great Musicals - Musical Americana 6-Pack: Meet Me In St. Louis, The Music Man, On the Town, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Show Boat, Yankee Doodle Dandy / Warner Home Video:
Actors & Directors
- David Gill
- Rex Ingram (II)
- Kevin Brownlow
- Jesse Lasky Jr.
- James Mason
- Jean G. Valentino
- Harvey Parry
List Price: $69.98
Price: $550.00
Review Hollywood: A Celebration of the American Silent Film, Complete Set 1-13 / HBO Video:The award-winning team of David Gill and Kenneth Brownlow present a definitive and unparalleled look at the history of silent film in America: "Hollywood," narrated by James Mason. This 13-part series celebrates the birth of an industry, the town and people who made it all happen. People who, in a few short years, produced an enourmous range of spectacular, inventive and exciting films. From the arrival of the filmmaking pioneers early at the dawn of a new century, through the outbreak of the first World War; from the rise of romance, to the demise of the Old West; from when comedy was king, until the advent of sound. These are the stars, the scandals, the directors, producers, cameramen, stuntmen and, of course, the films themselves that created the legend we know as "Hollywood. ".
Actors & Directors
- John Kerr (II)
- Juanita Hall
- Rossano Brazzi
- Joshua Logan
- Ray Walston
- Mitzi Gaynor
- Walter Lang
- Robert Wise
List Price: $49.98
Price: $45.00
Review The Rodgers & Hammerstein Collection (South Pacific, The Sound Of Music, The King And I, State Fair, Carousel, & Oklahoma!) / 20th Century Fox:This lavish set contains film versions of the five major works by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, who helped define the American musical landscape and rewrite the direction of musical theater. After enjoying extremely successful careers working with others, Rodgers and Hammerstein first teamed up in 1943 for the prairie tale Oklahoma!, with songs including "Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'" and "People Will Say We're in Love. " The subsequent 1955 film starred Gordon MacRae and Shirley Jones, who teamed up again for 1956's Carousel. While that film's dark nature made it less popular than its predecessor, the score ("If I Loved You," "You'll Never Walk Alone") was Rodgers's favorite. The King and I (also 1956) featured stage star Yul Brynner as the King of Siam and Deborah Kerr as schoolteacher Anna Leonowens, who must learn Asian customs even as she tries to instill some of her Western ones. The somewhat bloated version of South Pacific (1958) follows two couples during World War II and features standards such as "Some Enchanted Evening" and "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair" from stars Mitzi Gaynor and Rossano Brazzi. The last film, The Sound of Music (1965), proved to be the most popular, with Julie Andrews winning the hearts of seven children and their father with her blissful songs. And if the perhaps saccharine music and plot may test the patience of some, there's no doubt that songs such as "My Favorite Things" and "Climb Ev'ry Mountain" have charmed audiences around the world for decades. Accompanying the Big 5 in this set is the relatively minor State Fair from 1945 (though it does have "It Might as Well Be Spring" and "It's a Grand Night for Singing"). Some may prefer other entries in the R&H canon such as Flower Drum Song or the television production Cinderella, but State Fair was included because it was one of the five films (not including Sound of Music) released in 1999 in sumptuous remasterings that allow their scores and locales to truly shine. [+]The remasterings ensure good sound and picture quality throughout this historic collection. -David Horiuchi.
Release date: 2002-05-14
List Price: $26.98
Price: $22.44
Review Marilyn Monroe - The Diamond Collection II (Don't Bother to Knock / Let's Make Love / Monkey Business / Niagara / River of No Return) / 20th Century Fox:Some essential examples of the Marilyn Monroe mystique make up this second collection of titles from MM's years at Twentieth Century Fox. After sparkling in small roles, she burst upon the public consciousness in 1952, thanks to five films and a certain nude calendar. Two of the 1952 pictures, showing very different sides of the new actress, are included here. One is Monkey Business, Howard Hawks's raucous comedy about a youth serum, in which top-lined stars Cary Grant and Ginger Rogers regress to a state of adolescent abandon, with Monroe doing spot-on supporting duty. Don't Bother to Knock gives Marilyn her first lead role, in a tense little film noir; she's a babysitter with an unstable streak, a fine performance hinting at depths rarely touched in her career. In Niagara, Monroe is a full-fledged sex goddess, a scheming wife tormenting husband Joseph Cotten in their cabin by the falls. This Technicolor slice of pseudo-Hitchcock is a fun location picture with a genuinely exciting climax. Otto Preminger's River of No Return has Marilyn livened up by the presence of costar Robert Mitchum, in a strong outdoorsy Western that catches the two stars in appealing form. By the time of 1960's Let's Make Love, MM looks tired. This backstage musical is more interesting as a time capsule than as a romance, although one number shines: "My Heart Belongs to Daddy. [+]" Less urgent for Monroe fans than the first Diamond Collection, this set is still a good one for the die-hards. -Robert Horton Contains: *Don't Bother to Knock *Let's Make it Legal *Monkey Business *Niagra *River of No Return.
Release date: 2001-03-06
Creator: Alfred Hitchcock
Price: $39.98
Review Essential Hitchcock (Rear Window, The Birds, Psycho) / Universal Studios:
| Models & Brands:
Danny Kaye Collection (6pc), The Honeymooners Classic 39 Collection, The Hitchcock Collection (Rebecca, The Paradine Case, Spellbound, Notorious), Elvis Presley Collector Set 1 (9pc), Silent Revolution - What Do Those Old Films Mean? Collection, Bogart & Bacall Collection (The Big Sleep / Dark Passage / Key Largo / To Have and Have Not / Bacall on Bogart), Alfred Hitchcock Collection (14pc), Elvis Presley Collector Set 2 (9pc), Astaire & Rogers Collection Volume 1 (Flying Down to Rio, The Gay Divorcee, Roberta, Top Hat, Follow the Fleet), Cinema Europe - The Other Hollywood, Golden Age of Silent Films 2 (7pc) (Silent), Great Musicals - Musical Americana 6-Pack: Meet Me In St. Louis, The Music Man, On the Town, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Show Boat, Yankee Doodle Dandy, Hollywood: A Celebration of the American Silent Film, Complete Set 1-13, The Rodgers & Hammerstein Collection (South Pacific, The Sound Of Music, The King And I, State Fair, Carousel, & Oklahoma!), Marilyn Monroe - The Diamond Collection II (Don't Bother to Knock / Let's Make Love / Monkey Business / Niagara / River of No Return), Essential Hitchcock (Rear Window, The Birds, Psycho)Top headlines: Baby theft suspect charged with homicide: An autopsy on a woman's body found in an apartment linked to a mystery newborn baby found that the woman was partially eviscerated and her uterus was cut open, authorities said Saturday. ›20:36 Harrington worked hard for this moment: After losing with grace for so long, Paddy Harrington has more than earned his place in British Open lore, Golfweek says. ›22:40 Some Dems fret over Afghanistan commitment: The focus of the presidential debate shifted to Afghanistan this week as both Barack Obama and John McCain called for more troops to be dispatched there. Are Democratic leaders convinced that they have popular support for a long nation-building commitment in Afghanistan? ›11:58 19 Jul, Sat Diet like a star: Want to look like an A-lister this summer? Weve got the dish on smart ways celebs eat, drink and stay svelte (plus a few scary slimmers to steer clear of!). ›16:02 Do your neighbors have criminal records?: I have no reason to feel unsafe in my neighborhood, but I appear to be surrounded by dozens of people convicted of everything from theft and sex crimes to public drunkenness and speeding. ›18:55 18 Jul, Fri Nazi reference rocks WTO talks: Brazil's foreign minister touched off a storm Saturday when he said rich countries' deception in trade talks reminded him of tactics used by Nazi propaganda chief Joseph Goebbels. ›04:04 Cosmic Log: Tomorrow's Dark Knights: Science editor Alan Boyle's Weblog: As the Batman saga continues, some of the Dark Knight's once-outlandish technologies are looking more and more realistic. ›22:00 16 Jul, Wed Seven superpowers destined for the masses: In The Dark Knight, Batman tries to best the Joker with old-fashioned brawn and brain: The Dark Knight is superhero without any superpowers per se. Here are some real life ways mortals can achieve Batman's physical and intellectual prowess. ›21:07 15 Jul, Tue Body Odd: Black and white twins?: Same parents, but one baby is black and the other white. What gives? ›22:02 17 Jul, Thu America's economic ills spread to Europe: It took a few months. But the economic woes touched off by soaring oil prices and the subprime mortgage crisis in the United States are finally engulfing Europe. ›18:12 18 Jul, Fri Obama's trip: sign of new era in diplomacy?: The Democratic presidential hopeful's trip to the Middle East and Europe marks the Democrat's first high-profile step onto the international stage and is planned to put him into settings often occupied by presidents. ›15:56 18 Jul, Fri Gore pushes clean energy at Netroots: Last year it was about the candidates. This year, at the Netroots Nation conference of left-leaning bloggers and political organizers, it's the climate. ›03:00 Watch the Danica Patrick-Milka Duno spat: ›22:22 The healthiest time to toss it: The ritual of deep cleaning doesn't just clear the cobwebs from your ceilings (and your head) it's essential for great health, too. Knowing when to pitch everything from medication to your smoke alarm helps you stay safer and heal faster. ›15:56 Wall Street to get new bank, housing news: Wall Street surged higher last week, but that's cold comfort to people whose stock portfolios are still down more than 10 percent this year. ›16:49 Felons use gun ruling to challenge bans: Twice convicted of felonies, James Francis Barton Jr. faces charges of violating a federal law barring felons from owning guns. But he's fighting back using last month's Supreme Court ruling on guns. ›05:30 Wal-Mart shows off fashion lessons learned: Wal-Mart presented a colorful, casual line of youthful looks for kids and teens at a fashion show that previewed the mass-market chain's new low-cost offerings for back to school. ›18:10 Deep Background: McCain's gift gap: At political gift stores across America, Barack Obama schlock is outselling John McCain schlock at least five to one, according to interviews NBC News conducted with gift-shop retailers and t-shirt manufacturers. ›18:30 18 Jul, Fri Python wrestled out of washer: A Maine woman got the shock of her life when she reached in to grab the clothes out of her washing machine. ›22:06 17 Jul, Thu L.A. is home to new rush of oil drilling: With oil prices so high, all over Los Angeles people are digging, or restarting, wells. Beverly Hills is one of the city's most fertile fields, producing nearly a million barrels a year. ›19:53 18 Jul, Fri Katrina doctor recounts storm: Katrina struck Monday morning, Aug. 29. Power failed, levees broke and 80 percent of New Orleans was flooded. Four days of misery, leading to 34 patient deaths, began at Memorial Medical Center. ›16:41 McCain adviser Gramm leaves campaign: Phil Gramm, a top adviser to presidential candidate John McCain, said Friday he is resigning from the role as campaign co-chair after his comments that the U.S. had become a "nation of whiners." ›01:43 19 Jul, Sat Citigroup posts $2.5 billion loss: Citigroup has become the latest big bank to assuage Wall Streets worries about the financial sector, posting a $2.5 billion second-quarter loss that was smaller than the market expected. ›16:07 18 Jul, Fri Who's gaining from a weak dollar?: The domestic tourism market is positioning itself as a bargain destination for overseas travelers, and their eagerness to spend has created bright spots in pockets of the country. ›18:14 18 Jul, Fri |
