"Actor: Catherine Lacey"

• Whisky Galore - Digitally Remastered (80 Years of Ealing) | Blu Ray | (08/08/2011) from £10.99   |  Saving you £9.00 (81.89%)   |  RRP £19.99

  Whisky Galore! ranks among the most popular and best-loved of Ealing Studio's comedies included on the British Film Institute's list of the 100 Best British films of the 20th Century . When a ship carrying 50 000 cases of whisky runs aground the inhabitants of a Scottish island cannot resist the temptation to replenish their depleted supplies. Only an English Home Guard captain brilliantly played by Basil Greenwood stands in their way. The first film from Ealing stalwart Alexander Mackendrick who went on to direct The Ladykillers and The Man In The White Suit Whisky Galore! is an 100% proof comedy classic now digitally restored and remastered to its former glory.

• Whisky Galore - Digitally Remastered (80 Years of Ealing) | DVD | (08/08/2011) from £10.35   |  Saving you £5.64 (54.49%)   |  RRP £15.99

  Whisky Galore! ranks among the most popular and best-loved of Ealing Studio’s comedies, included on the British Film Institute’s list of the 100 Best British films of the 20th Century. When a ship carrying 50,000 cases of whisky runs aground, the inhabitants of a Scottish island cannot resist the temptation to replenish their depleted supplies. Only an English Home Guard captain, brilliantly played by Basil Greenwood, stands in their way. The first film from Ealing stalwart Alexander Mackendrick, who went on to direct The Ladykillers and The Man In The White Suit, Whisky Galore! is a 100% proof comedy classic, now digitally restored and remastered to its former glory.

• The Private Life Of Sherlock Holmes | DVD | (07/06/2004) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £12.99

  When a beautiful woman claims that her dear husband has disappeared the investigation takes Sherlock Holmes (Robert Stephens) and Dr. Watson (Colin Blakely) to Scotland where - to their surprise - they uncover a plot involving clandestine society Her Majesty's Secret Service... and the Loch Ness Monster! But before he can deduce matters to the elementary Holmes makes an error that may jeopardize the national safety of Britain... and ruin his reputation!

• The Servant | DVD | (08/04/2013) from £8.96   |  Saving you £9.03 (100.78%)   |  RRP £17.99

  Adapted from Robin Maugham's short story, 1963 drama The Servant marked the first of three collaborations between director Joseph Losey and celebrated playwright Harold Pinter. Experienced manservant Barrett (Dirk Bogarde) starts working for foppish aristocrat Tony (James Fox) in his smart new townhouse. Much to the annoyance of Tony's girlfriend (Wendy Craig), Barrett slowly initiates himself into the house and begins to manipulate his master. Nominated for five BAFTA's and winning three, including best actor for Dirk Bogarde, The Servant is notable for its ambitious technique and its willingness to engage with what were, at the time, issues never before seen in British cinema. Special Features: James Fox Interviewed by Richard Ayoade Interview with Wendy Craig Interview with Sarah Miles Audio Interview with Douglas Slocombe (Director of Photography) Harold Pinter Tempo Interview Joseph Losey Talks About The Servant Stills Gallery Trailer

• The Sorcerers | Blu Ray | (03/11/2014) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £21.99

  The Sorcerers, the second film directed by the lost "wunderkind" of British cinema Michael Reeves, may not have the scope and visceral impact of his masterpiece, Witchfinder General (1968), but there's enough fierce originality here to show what a tragic loss it was when he died from a drugs overdose aged only 24. The film also shows the effective use he made of minimal resources, working here on a derisory budget of less than £50,000--of which £11,000 went to the film's sole "named" star, Boris Karloff. Karloff plays an elderly scientist living with his devoted wife in shabby poverty in London, dreaming of the brilliant breakthrough in hypnotic technique that will restore him to fame and fortune. Seeking a guinea-pig, he hits on Mike, a disaffected young man-about-town (Ian Ogilvy, who starred in all three of Reeves' films). But the technique has an unlooked-for side effect--not only can he and his wife make Mike do their bidding, they can vicariously experience everything that he feels. At which point, it turns out that the wife has urges and desires that her husband never suspected. Karloff, then almost at the end of his long career, brings a melancholy dignity to his role; but the revelation is the veteran actress Catherine Lacey as the seemingly sweet old lady, turning terrifyingly avid and venomous as she realises her power. The portrayal of Swinging London, with its mini-skirted dollybirds thronging nightclubs where the strongest stimulant seems to be Coke rather than coke, has an almost touching innocence, but Reeves invests it with a dream-like quality, extending it into scenes of violent death in labyrinthine dark alleys. By this stage, some ten years after it started, the British horror cycle was winding down in lazy self-parody. Reeves had the exceptional talent and vision to revive it, had he only lived. On the DVD: The Sorcerers DVD has original trailers for both this film and Witchfinder General (both woefully clumsy); filmographies for Reeves, Karloff and Ogilvy; an "image gallery" (a grab-bag of posters, stills and lobby cards); detailed written production notes by horror-movie expert Kim Newman; and an excellent 25-minute documentary on Reeves, "Blood Beast", dating from 1999. The transfer is letterboxed full-width, with acceptable sound. --Philip Kemp

• The Sorcerers | DVD | (03/11/2014) from £16.84   |  Saving you £-0.59 (N/A%)   |  RRP £14.99

  The Sorcerers, the second film directed by the lost "wunderkind" of British cinema Michael Reeves, may not have the scope and visceral impact of his masterpiece, Witchfinder General (1968), but there's enough fierce originality here to show what a tragic loss it was when he died from a drugs overdose aged only 24. The film also shows the effective use he made of minimal resources, working here on a derisory budget of less than £50,000--of which £11,000 went to the film's sole "named" star, Boris Karloff. Karloff plays an elderly scientist living with his devoted wife in shabby poverty in London, dreaming of the brilliant breakthrough in hypnotic technique that will restore him to fame and fortune. Seeking a guinea-pig, he hits on Mike, a disaffected young man-about-town (Ian Ogilvy, who starred in all three of Reeves' films). But the technique has an unlooked-for side effect--not only can he and his wife make Mike do their bidding, they can vicariously experience everything that he feels. At which point, it turns out that the wife has urges and desires that her husband never suspected. Karloff, then almost at the end of his long career, brings a melancholy dignity to his role; but the revelation is the veteran actress Catherine Lacey as the seemingly sweet old lady, turning terrifyingly avid and venomous as she realises her power. The portrayal of Swinging London, with its mini-skirted dollybirds thronging nightclubs where the strongest stimulant seems to be Coke rather than coke, has an almost touching innocence, but Reeves invests it with a dream-like quality, extending it into scenes of violent death in labyrinthine dark alleys. By this stage, some ten years after it started, the British horror cycle was winding down in lazy self-parody. Reeves had the exceptional talent and vision to revive it, had he only lived. On the DVD: The Sorcerers DVD has original trailers for both this film and Witchfinder General (both woefully clumsy); filmographies for Reeves, Karloff and Ogilvy; an "image gallery" (a grab-bag of posters, stills and lobby cards); detailed written production notes by horror-movie expert Kim Newman; and an excellent 25-minute documentary on Reeves, "Blood Beast", dating from 1999. The transfer is letterboxed full-width, with acceptable sound. --Philip Kemp

• The Films of Michael Reeves (Collector's Limited Edition) | Blu Ray | (25/04/2022) from £21.45   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

  The early death of director Michael Reeves at just 25 robbed the UK of a potential major move making talent. This ultimate Blu-Ray collection includes both of his iconic works (Witchfinder General and The Sorcerers), along with the first-ever Blu-Ray release of 'The Castle of the Living Dead', where he was part of the scriptwriting team, networking and learning on-set skills. Completing this stunning collection is the brand new feature-length documentary 'The Young General', featuring Ian Ogilvy.First-Ever UK Blu-Ray release of 'Castle of the Living Dead'

• The Servant | DVD | (25/02/2002) from £12.00   |  Saving you £1.99 (16.58%)   |  RRP £13.99

  For anyone interested in voyeurism, role playing, class envy and sexual humiliation, The Servant is an essential buy. Directed by Joseph Losey, scripted by Harold Pinter, it probes away remorselessly at areas other British film-makers would not go near. Dirk Bogarde, the golden boy of 50s British cinema, is transformed into a scheming, unctuous butler, Barrett. Hired by dapper young toff Tony (James Fox), he proceeds gradually to take over his master's life. In one scene, he seduces Tony's fiancée (Wendy Craig). Tony is soon slavering over the voluptuous but vaguely sinister Vera (Sarah Miles), whom he has been told is his butler's sister (in fact, she's Barrett's mistress). Gradually, the lines between master and servant are blurred. Tony becomes beholden to his butler's every whim.Nobody does queasy quite as well as Losey. The American-born director relishes the chance to disrupt the smooth workings of what seems a typical upper-class household. Compared to the bland comedies made at Pinewood in the late 50s, The Servant couldn't help but seem groundbreaking. Thanks to his performance, Bogarde, who'd starred in so many of those comedies, was at last taken seriously as more than a matinee idol. The critics adored the film, which was first released at around the time of the Profumo crisis. "Even if I make 10 better pictures in my lifetime", Losey observed, "I don't suppose one could expect to have such unanimous appreciation and approval again". --Geoffrey Macnab

• The Servant | DVD | (07/01/2008) from £22.93   |  Saving you £-6.94 (N/A%)   |  RRP £15.99

  In this landmark drama of class struggle and moral decay a pampered playboy (James Fox) acquires an elegant townhouse complete with a dedicated man servant (Dirk Bogarde). But when the young man's fiance (Wendy Craig) becomes suspicious of the servant's intentions he and his 'sister' (Sarah Miles) thrust the household into a sinister game where seduction is corruption and power becomes the most shocking desire of all. 'The Servant' marked the first of three brilliant film collaborations between director Joseph Losey and playwright Harold Pinter and was nominated for 8 British Academy Awards including Best Actor Best Actress Best Film Best Cinematography and Best Screenplay.

• The Mummy's Shroud | DVD | (27/10/2003) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £12.99

  In 1920 an archaeological expedition discovers the tomb of an ancient Egyptian child prince. Returning home with their discovery the expedition members soon find themselves being killed off by a mummy which can be revived by reading the words off the prince's burial shroud...

• The Servant | Blu Ray | (08/04/2013) from £25.63   |  Saving you £-0.64 (N/A%)   |  RRP £24.99

  Adapted from Robin Maugham's short story, 1963 drama The Servant marked the first of three collaborations between director Joseph Losey and celebrated playwright Harold Pinter. Experienced manservant Barrett (Dirk Bogarde) starts working for foppish aristocrat Tony (James Fox) in his smart new townhouse. Much to the annoyance of Tony's girlfriend (Wendy Craig), Barrett slowly initiates himself into the house and begins to manipulate his master. Nominated for five BAFTA's and winning three, ...

• The Sorcerers | DVD | (06/12/2004) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £2.99

  The Sorcerers, the second film directed by the lost "wunderkind" of British cinema Michael Reeves, may not have the scope and visceral impact of his masterpiece, Witchfinder General (1968), but there's enough fierce originality here to show what a tragic loss it was when he died from a drugs overdose aged only 24. The film also shows the effective use he made of minimal resources, working here on a derisory budget of less than £50,000--of which £11,000 went to the film's sole "named" star, Boris Karloff. Karloff plays an elderly scientist living with his devoted wife in shabby poverty in London, dreaming of the brilliant breakthrough in hypnotic technique that will restore him to fame and fortune. Seeking a guinea-pig, he hits on Mike, a disaffected young man-about-town (Ian Ogilvy, who starred in all three of Reeves' films). But the technique has an unlooked-for side effect--not only can he and his wife make Mike do their bidding, they can vicariously experience everything that he feels. At which point, it turns out that the wife has urges and desires that her husband never suspected. Karloff, then almost at the end of his long career, brings a melancholy dignity to his role; but the revelation is the veteran actress Catherine Lacey as the seemingly sweet old lady, turning terrifyingly avid and venomous as she realises her power. The portrayal of Swinging London, with its mini-skirted dollybirds thronging nightclubs where the strongest stimulant seems to be Coke rather than coke, has an almost touching innocence, but Reeves invests it with a dream-like quality, extending it into scenes of violent death in labyrinthine dark alleys. By this stage, some ten years after it started, the British horror cycle was winding down in lazy self-parody. Reeves had the exceptional talent and vision to revive it, had he only lived. On the DVD: The Sorcerers DVD has original trailers for both this film and Witchfinder General (both woefully clumsy); filmographies for Reeves, Karloff and Ogilvy; an "image gallery" (a grab-bag of posters, stills and lobby cards); detailed written production notes by horror-movie expert Kim Newman; and an excellent 25-minute documentary on Reeves, "Blood Beast", dating from 1999. The transfer is letterboxed full-width, with acceptable sound. --Philip Kemp

• The Sorcerers | DVD | (01/09/2003) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £5.99

  The Sorcerers, the second film directed by the lost "wunderkind" of British cinema Michael Reeves, may not have the scope and visceral impact of his masterpiece, Witchfinder General (1968), but there's enough fierce originality here to show what a tragic loss it was when he died from a drugs overdose aged only 24. The film also shows the effective use he made of minimal resources, working here on a derisory budget of less than £50,000--of which £11,000 went to the film's sole "named" star, Boris Karloff. Karloff plays an elderly scientist living with his devoted wife in shabby poverty in London, dreaming of the brilliant breakthrough in hypnotic technique that will restore him to fame and fortune. Seeking a guinea-pig, he hits on Mike, a disaffected young man-about-town (Ian Ogilvy, who starred in all three of Reeves' films). But the technique has an unlooked-for side effect--not only can he and his wife make Mike do their bidding, they can vicariously experience everything that he feels. At which point, it turns out that the wife has urges and desires that her husband never suspected. Karloff, then almost at the end of his long career, brings a melancholy dignity to his role; but the revelation is the veteran actress Catherine Lacey as the seemingly sweet old lady, turning terrifyingly avid and venomous as she realises her power. The portrayal of Swinging London, with its mini-skirted dollybirds thronging nightclubs where the strongest stimulant seems to be Coke rather than coke, has an almost touching innocence, but Reeves invests it with a dream-like quality, extending it into scenes of violent death in labyrinthine dark alleys. By this stage, some ten years after it started, the British horror cycle was winding down in lazy self-parody. Reeves had the exceptional talent and vision to revive it, had he only lived. On the DVD: The Sorcerers DVD has original trailers for both this film and Witchfinder General (both woefully clumsy); filmographies for Reeves, Karloff and Ogilvy; an "image gallery" (a grab-bag of posters, stills and lobby cards); detailed written production notes by horror-movie expert Kim Newman; and an excellent 25-minute documentary on Reeves, "Blood Beast", dating from 1999. The transfer is letterboxed full-width, with acceptable sound. --Philip Kemp

• Whisky Galore | DVD | (10/10/2005) from £19.21   |  Saving you £3.77 (23.24%)   |  RRP £19.99

  A Highland fling on a tight little island! The Scottish islanders of Todday bypass war time rationing and delight in smuggling cases of their favourite tipple from a wrecked ship... Basil Radford stars as the teetotal English official who is totally unable to comprehend the significance of whisky to the islanders. Marvellously detailed and well played it firmly established the richest Ealing vein with the common theme of a small group triumphing over a more powerful opponent.