 | It may only be the middle of November, but movie buffs can start their holiday celebrations early, as the Warner Archive Collection opens up the studio vault for another line-up of highly-requested offerings making their long-awaited DVD debut. Representing a multitude of genres, and drawn from over seven decades worth of entertainment, this month's releases represent a cinematic bonanza for film fans of all ages. |  |
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| | EDWARD G. ROBINSON This month the collection salutes one of the true legends so closely associated with the Warner Bros. name, Edward G. Robinson. His portrayal of a ruthless gangster by the name of Rico (better known as LITTLE CAESAR) made him an 'overnight' star at the age of 37 after years of prior work on both stage and screen. The film ushered in the "Warner gangster" cycle of films and forever defined his screen persona. Typecasting in future 'tough guy' parts frustrated Robinson who fought hard for roles that would exhibit his versatility. Such qualities are on full display in the six Robinson films making their DVD debut this month. TWO SECONDS, a unique 1932 drama directed by Mervyn LeRoy, casts Robinson as a condemned killer whose life flashes before him as he's being put to death. TIGER SHARK, a melodrama directed by Howard Hawks, stars Robinson as a colorful character whose beloved wife falls for another man. Surprising plot twists are the highlight of THE MAN WITH TWO FACES, a 1934 mystery/drama which gave Robinson a splendid showcase to display his acting bravura. When MGM readied their 1937 production of THE LAST GANGSTER, they realized no one else could do the role justice the way Robinson could, so Warner Bros. lent his services to MGM with splendid box-office results. MANPOWER, one of Robinson's last films under his Warner contract, was filmed in 1941 with George Raft and Robinson fighting for the affection of man-trap Marlene Dietrich. OUR VINES HAVE TENDER GRAPES is a warm and moving family-themed melodrama about immigrant farmers in the mid-west. Robinson shines as a devoted patriarch, with Margaret O'Brien cast as his young daughter. Buoyed by a marvelously crafted screenplay by Dalton Trumbo, OUR VINES was a tremendous showcase for the kind of roles against type that Robinson loved to play. BIG BAND, JAZZ & SWING Ever since the Warner Archive Collection began releasing DVD collections built around classic theatrical short subjects, there has been a high demand for a collection of musical shorts. We are proud to announce a new 6 disc set of these little gems entitled WARNER BROS. BIG BAND, JAZZ & SWING. Over 60 short subjects spanning the period of 1930-1945 have been brought together to highlight the huge amount of timeless entertainment preserved on celluloid through the fine efforts of talented short subject filmmakers at both the home studio and the famous Vitaphone studio in Brooklyn, N.Y. Among the famed musical talents contributing to this outstanding set are ARTIE SHAW, CAB CALLOWAY, THE BOSWELL SISTERS, KATE SMITH, JIMMY DORSEY, THE NICHOLAS BROTHERS, ETHEL WATERS, LOUIS PRIMA, STAN KENTON, DESI ARNAZ, RED NICHOLS, and SAMMY DAVIS JR., CLIFF EDWARDS, EDDIE DUCHIN, and BETTY HUTTON, just to name a few. TV MOVIES Films made specifically for television have always been hard to find on home video. This month, we add several of the most highly sought after. Two TV movies star Andy Griffith (WINTER KILL and DEADLY GAME). David Janssen heads an all-star cast in the disaster-in-the-sky classic MAYDAY AT 40,000 FEET. Michael Parks stars in THEN CAME BRONSON, the popular telefilm that served as the pilot for the 1969-70 NBC series which became a cult favorite among motorcycle enthusiasts. Two biographical telefilms earned their Emmy awards for their leading ladies: BABE, the 1975 biography of golf legend Babe Didrickson Zaharias stars Susan Clark, and THE BETTY FORD STORY, a 1987 production stars Gena Rowlands as the courageous and highly-admired former first lady who changed the face of battling substance addiction. Just in time for Xmas, the collection brings YOGI'S FIRST CHRISTMAS to DVD, starring everyone's favorite animated bear, along with Hanna-Barbera characters including Huckleberry Hound, Snagglepuss, Augie Doggie and more. Filled with songs and snappy humor, this 1980 feature-length production is surely going to be a must-have under the trees of die-hard fans of the Jellystone Park legend. The wonderful television specials which featured the animated puppetry of Arthur Rankin and Jules Bass became an essential part of every Christmas. One of the rarest of these is THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF SANTA CLAUS, based on the book written by Wizard of Oz creator L. Frank Baum. Now, the Warner Archive Collection heralds the return of this long-unavailable holiday charmer, by presenting it on DVD along with another Rankin-Bass holiday favorite... NESTOR: THE LONG EARED CHRISTMAS DONKEY (sung and narrated by Roger Miller). Rankin and Bass also lent their fine talents to traditionally animated works, and one of the most sought after of these is their 1986 feature THE FLIGHT OF DRAGONS, based on the famous book by Peter Dickinson. Produced with a stylistic design reminiscent of anime, FLIGHT quickly became a cult favorite among audiences all over the world. The DVD premiere of FLIGHT OF DRAGONS will surely be welcome news to its ever-loyal legion of fans. MGM MUSICALS MGM's stable of movie musical legends take the spotlight as the archive brings 8 of the fabled studio's song-and-dance classics to DVD. The fun begins with Red Skelton providing the laughs while Eleanor Powell taps up a storm in Vincente Minnelli's I DOOD IT (1943). A 17 year-old soprano by the name of Jane Powell makes her MGM debut as the star of 1946's lush Technicolor extravaganza, HOLIDAY IN MEXICO. Jane co-stars with crooner Vic Damone (making his film debut) in 1951's RICH, YOUNG AND PRETTY Later, she wins the heart of big-city playboy Farley Granger in 1953's SMALL TOWN GIRL. First filmed by Metro in 1936 as a Janet Gaynor/Robert Taylor comedy, this melody-laden remake is highlighted by the unlimited imagination of Busby Berkeley, who conceived the film's musical numbers, most notably Bobby Van's famous 'hop' routine (to the tune of Take Me to Broadway) and Ann Miller's tap spectacular, I've Gotta Hear That Beat. The sleek and elegant dance team of Marge and Gower Champion star in 1952's EVERYTHING I HAVE IS YOURS, and also top the marquee along with Debbie Reynolds and Bob Fosse with a fine score by Burton Lane and Ira Gershwin in Stanley Donen's Broadway-themed frolic, GIVE A GIRL A BREAK. Debbie reunited with her SINGIN' IN THE RAIN pal Donald O'Connor for 1953's charming I LOVE MELVIN. The magnificent tenor vocalizing of the legendary Mario Lanza is the irresistible lure of 1952's BECAUSE YOU'RE MINE. TARZAN Edgar Rice Burroughs' legendary 'lord of the apes' returns to the WAC line-up with the release of six more action-packed TARZAN adventures finally available on DVD. These titles star the ruggedly handsome GORDON SCOTT. Scott's Tarzan tenure saw significant changes to the long-running film series, and how the character was presented. TARZAN'S HIDDEN JUNGLE has all the typical trappings of a modestly-budgeted B&W RKO release. Series producer Sol Lesser aimed higher as he severed ties with the decaying RKO and introduced color, widescreen & location photography with TARZAN AND THE LOST SAFARI in 1957, followed by TARZAN' S FIGHT FOR LIFE the following year. These films presented a more modern approach to the TARZAN character, and further cemented Scott's popularity in the role. 1958's TARZAN AND THE TRAPPERS was a more traditional approach to the ape-man's exploits, having initially been crafted as a multi-part pilot for an unproduced Tarzan television series. Gordon Scott's last two films in the series are considered among the best: TARZAN'S GREATEST ADVENTURE (1959) and TARZAN THE MAGNIFICENT (1960). With new producers at the helm, these two films benefit from tightly-paced direction, well-crafted screenplays, and fine supporting casts (look for a very young Sean Connery in "Greatest Adventure") Most impressive was Gordon Scott, who was determined to help elevate the quality of the series, and the continued popularity of his 6 Tarzan films is a testament to his commitment to the role. With most of these films out of view for countless years, their DVD release through the archive will be welcome news to loyal Tarzan fans of all ages. STAR TURNS Star turns from screen legends have also been in high demand, and this month more consumer wishes have been granted as Olivia deHavilland and Ian Hunter lead a stellar cast in witty British-themed farce CALL IT A DAY. Warner Bros. fireworks of a different order are on full display in OUT OF THE FOG, a taut crime-themed melodrama starring John Garfield and Ida Lupino. Also on tap this month is an action filled CinemaScope Western favorite from MGM, the 1957 release GUN GLORY, with Stewart Granger and Rhonda Fleming leading an outstanding cast. Jeff Bridges stars as a young widower trying to cope with the prospect of new love in Alan Pakula's charming SEE YOU IN THE MORNING, co-starring Farrah Fawcett and Alice Krige. The lighter side of love is on display with ample comedy and romance as Buddy Ebsen vies with Keir Dullea for the affections of Lois Nettleton in 1963's MAIL ORDER BRIDE. Ryan O'Neal stars in a ribald look at the New York fashion industry circa 1980 in Andrew Bergman's cheeky SO FINE, while James Caan is on the run with Sally Kellerman and boisterous Peter Boyle in Howard Zieff's 1973 cult fave caper comedy SLITHER. Chevy Chase co-stars with Carrie Fisher in the zany 1980 laugh-fest UNDER THE RAINBOW, a fictional farce set during the filming of THE WIZARD OF OZ, with an unforgettable performance from Billy Barty as a lascivious German spy Munchkin. Fans of the late Gilda Radner can rejoice that her one-woman Broadway show is finally available on DVD. The multi-talented comedienne brought her amazing talents to the stage of New York's Winter Garden Theater for a limited engagement during the summer of 1979, which quickly became the hottest ticket in town. Fortunately, the proceedings were filmed by the masterful Mike Nichols, who turned it into a hit 1980 movie called GILDA LIVE. All of Gilda's colorful characters are in tow, including Roseanne Rosannadanna, Emily Litella, and little Judy Arlene Miller. The film reminds us why Radner was instantly recognized as one of the great comedic talents of her time. That wraps up the Archive activities for November... And be sure to keep your eyes out for our December announcements... we've got some big surprises in store for you! | | |
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