JEROME KERN and OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN II's immortal musical adaptation of EDNA FERBER's sprawling novel receives its most faithful and enduring cinematic adaptation under the elegant direction of JAMES WHALE (Bride of Frankenstein). A rich portrait of changing American entertainment traditions and race relations, Show Boat spans four decades and three generations as it follows the fortunes of the stage-struck Magnolia (The Awful Truth's IRENE DUNNE), an aspiring actor whose journey takes her from her family's humble floating playhouse in the 1880s South to the height of fame in the 1930s North. The cast of show-business legends includes HELEN MORGAN (Applause), HATTIE McDANIEL (Gone with the Wind), CHARLES WINNINGER (Beyond Tomorrow), and the great PAUL ROBESON (The Emperor Jones), whose iconic, soul-shaking rendition of Ol' Man River is one of the crowning glories of the American stage and screen. Special Features: New, restored 4K digital transfer, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack Audio commentary from 1989 featuring American musical historian Miles Kreuger New interview with James Whale biographer James Curtis Recognizing Race in Show Boat, a new interview program featuring professor and author Shana L. Redmond Paul Robeson: Tribute to an Artist (1979), an Academy Awardwinning short documentary by Saul J. Turell, newly restored Two performances from the sound prologue of the 1929 film version of Show Boat, plus twenty minutes of silent excerpts from the film, with audio commentary by Kreuger Two radio adaptations of Show Boat, featuring stage and screen cast members Allan Jones, Helen Morgan, and Charles Winninger; actor Orson Welles; and novelist Edna Ferber PLUS: An essay by critic Gary Giddins
This trio of classic 1930s horror filmsMurders in the Rue Morgue, The Black Cat, and The Ravenis also distinguished by a trio of factors regarding their production. Most notably, each film is based on a work by master of the macabre Edgar Allan Poe. Part of the legendary wave of horror films made by Universal Pictures in the 30s, all three feature dynamic performances from Dracula's Bela Lugosi, with two of them also enlivened by the appearance of Frankenstein's Boris Karloff. And finally, all three benefit from being rare examples of Pre-Code studio horror, their sometimes startling depictions of sadism and shock a result of being crafted during that brief period in Hollywood before the enforcement of the Motion Picture Production Code's rigid guidelines for moral content. Director Robert Florey, who gave the Marx Brothers their cinema start with The Cocoanuts in 1929, worked with Metropolis cinematographer Karl Freund to give a German Expressionism look to Murders in the Rue Morgue (1932), with Lugosi as a mad scientist running a twisted carnival sideshow in 19th-century Paris, and murdering women to find a mate for his talking ape main attraction. Lugosi and Karloff teamed forces for the first time in The Black Cat, a nightmarish psychodrama that became Universal's biggest hit of 1934, with Detour director Edgar G. Ulmer bringing a feverish flair to the tale of a satanic, necrophiliac architect (Karloff) locked in battle with an old friend (Lugosi) in search of his family. Prolific B-movie director Lew Landers made 1935's The Raven so grotesque that all American horror films were banned in the U.K. for two years in its wake. Specifically referencing Poe within its story, Lugosi is a plastic surgeon obsessed with the writer, who tortures fleeing murderer Karloff through monstrous medical means. Significant and still unsettling early works of American studio horror filmmaking, these three Pre-Code chillers demonstrate the enduring power of Poe's work, and the equally continuous appeal of classic Universal horror's two most iconic stars. Special Features: High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentations for all three films, with The Raven presented from a 2K scan of the original film elements Uncompressed LPCM monaural audio tracks Optional English SDH subtitles Murders in the Rue Morgue Audio commentary by Gregory William Mank The Black Cat Audio commentary by Gregory William Mank The Black Cat Audio commentary by Amy Simmons The Raven Audio commentary by Gary D. Rhodes The Raven Audio commentary by Samm Deighan Cats In Horror a video essay by writer and film historian Lee Gambin American Gothic a video essay by critic Kat Ellinger The Black Cat episode of radio series Mystery In The Air, starring Peter Lorre The Tell-Tale Heart episode of radio series Inner Sanctum Mysteries, starring Boris Karloff Bela Lugosi reads The Tell-Tale Heart Vintage footage New Interview With Critic And Author Kim Newman PLUS: A 48-PAGE collector's booklet featuring new writing by film critic and writer Jon Towlson; a new essay by film critic and writer Alexandra Heller-Nicholas; and rare archival imagery and ephemera
This box set contains the following films: The Last Holiday (Dir: Henry Cass) (1950): Alec Guinness plays a salesman of agricultural machinery who finds out that he hasn't long to live. He decides to enjoy his last months to the fullest. Kind Hearts And Coronets (Dir: Robert Hamer) (1949): Dennis Price plays Louis D'Ascoyne the would-be Duke of Chalfont whose mother was spurned by her noble family for marrying an Italian singer for love. Louis resolves to avenge his mother by murdering the relatives ahead of him in line for the dukedom all of whom are played by Alec Guinness! The Man In The White Suite (Dir: Alexander Mackendrick) (1951): Sidney Stratton (Alec Guinness) invents a new strong fibre which repels dirt and never wears out! He uses this material to make a brilliant white suit and attempts to sell his product to the textile industry. However all is not as it seems when those in the industry realise that Stratton's new fibre could mean the end of their livelihood - the race is on to catch Stratton! Captain's Paradise (Dir: Anthony Kimmins) (1953): Henry St. James is the Captain of an international ferry. He enjoys his life at Sea especially as he has a loving English wife waiting for him in Gibraltar and another in Tangiers! A perfect life - so long as neither woman decide to travel with him! Barnacle Bill (1957) A British Naval Captain who is plagued by incurable seasickness retires from service and buys a decrepit amusement pier in a small coastal town. After discovering the local commissioners seek to condemn and seize his pier Captain Ambrose must do all in his power to save his pier.
Legendary producer Pandro S. Berman acquired this sell out Broadway success and turned it into a hit motion picture starring Fred Astaire and not one but two of the greatest stage and screen dancers Irene Dunne and Ginger Rogers. The magic of 1920''s Paris is the backdrop as the City of Lights illuminates this film and also brings us the first great rendition of Smoke Get''s In Your Eyes. A template for future great Hollywood musicals. This is the third screen pairing of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.
A great British crime comedy always worth another watch, Two Way Stretch is the one about the cosily imprisoned crooks who hatch a scheme to pull off a heist with a perfect alibi by breaking out of their nick, doing the job and then breaking back into the jug again to serve out their sentences. Peter Sellers, usually an eccentric support in these things, takes a rare lead as cocky mastermind Dodger Lane, confident enough to share the screen with performers who would be doing serious time if scene-stealing were an actual offence. The chief delight of the film, obvious inspiration for Blakey from On the Buses, is Lionel Jeffries' bristling, infuriated, hilariously humiliated warder Sidney Crout, forever fuming as Dodger gets away with some new scheme. Also in on the scam: Wilfrid Hyde White as a bogus clergyman of extreme unctuousness, David Lodge as the dim-witted muscle bloke, and Bernard Cribbins in the nice young man part. The wayward plot finds room for cameos from such national institutions as Beryl Reid, Irene Handl and Liz Fraser. Director Robert Day, probably best known for the Hammer version of She, is nobody's idea of an auteur, but he puts this pacey little gem together perfectly. The British cinema has been turning out an unheralded series of wonderful caper comedies for decades, from The Lavender Hill Mob through A Fish Called Wanda to The Parole Officer; this effort--along with the follow-up The Wrong Arm of the Law--ranks among the best. On the DVD: Two Way Stretch comes to disc in a nice print. The film is also available as part of the four-disc Peter Sellers Collection.--Kim Newman
A skilled craftsman makes a violin for his unborn child. When tragedy strikes and his wife and child are killed he decides to finish the violin. The story follows the instrument as it travels across the centuries and changes hands many times.
The ancient world's most spectacular epic unfolds in this star studded special-effects filled adventure of breathtaking beauty and power in this adaptation of Homer's Odyssey....
Two different worlds. One true love. An epic adventure story of courage and friendship set against the magical backdrop of the New World. The arrival in New England of a mysterious shipload of English settlers led by Captain John Smith (Mel Gibson) alarms the local Indian tribe. For Pocahontas (Irene Bedard) the Indian Chief's beautiful daughter Smith's arrival marks the beginning of an emotional journey which changes both their lives forever...
In School for Scoundrels wimpy Ian Carmichael wants to impress girls and get one over on all-round show-off and cad Terry Thomas (playing gloriously to type). Discovering Alastair Simms' unorthodox school Carmichael happily enrols and learns the quaint tricks of the day for securing the admiration of a fair lady. Ultimately as a star pupil he teaches the Master a thing or two about true love when everything turns out just fine in the end. Appealing to all male sensibilities is the idea of a magical set of simple rules for winning someone's affections. Set in the tweed-rich environment of an English boarding school makes this an even quainter notion. To watch this classic comedy is to cock one's snoot at womanisers everywhere while unavoidably making a mental list of anything that might actually work! The three central performances are brilliantly realised, particularly the role reversal between Carmichael and Thomas. Try playing a tennis match after a viewing without calling "hard cheese". -Paul Tonks
Following the runaway success of Love Affair, Irene Dunne (The Awful Truth) and Charles Boyer (A Woman's Vengeance) were reunited for When Tomorrow Comes, a heartbreaking romantic melodrama. Despite differences of class and politics, concert pianist Philip (Boyer) falls in love with waitress Helen (Dunne), and they embark on a torrid romance. However, Helen soon finds that Philip is hiding something from her... Directed by John M Stahl (Leave Her to Heaven) and based on a story by James M Cain (The Postman Always Rings Twice), When Tomorrow Comes was later remade by Douglas Sirk as Interlude, and stands as a classic of the so-called Women's Picture' genre. INDICATOR LIMITED EDITION BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES 2K restorationOriginal mono audioAudio commentary with academic and curator Eloise Ross (2024)Geoff Andrew on When Tomorrow Comes' (2024): the writer and critic assesses the film and places it within the career of director John M StahlThe Mark of Cain (2024): video essay comparing When Tomorrow Comes to Douglas Sirk's 1957 adaptation of the same James M Cain short storyImage gallery: promotional and publicity materialNew and improved English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearingLimited edition exclusive booklet with a new essay by Pamela Hutchinson, an archival interview with John M Stahl, a look at author James M Cain's reaction to the film, archival pieces in which actors Irene Dunne and Charles Boyer each profile their co-star, an overview of contemporary critical responses, and film creditsUK premiere on Blu-rayLimited edition of 3,000 copies for the UK All extras subject to change
One of Thames TV's most successful sitcoms about the ups and downs of mixed flat-sharing. Three's A Crowd: Chrissy and Jo throw a farewell party for their flatmate who's getting engaged and moving out. Next morining they find Robin asleep in their bath. They're looking for a new flatmate and Robin is looking for somewhere to live so the girls ask Robin to stay. All they have to do then is to talk the Ropers into agreeing to the new arrangement... And Mother Makes Four: Chrissy's mother is about to pay a visit. She doesn't know Robin is living in the flat so he's told to make himself scarce. Then Chrissy's mother decides to stay the night... Some Enchanted Evening: Jo's new boyfriend is coming to the flat for a meal. Robin is persuaded to cook it. Then he and Chrissy have to spend the evening playing monopoly with the Ropers. They learn that Chrissy's boyfriend is Jewish - and Robin has cooked roast pork for their meal! And Then There Were Two: Chrissy is very nervous when Jo goes away for the weekend and leaves her alone in the flat with Robin. Robin brings another woman back only for Chrissy to sabotage his plans for a night of passion. It's Only Money: The rent is due and the money put aside to pay it has disappeared from the flat. Robin Chrissy and Jo have to find a way of getting some more money quickly... Match Of The Day: Robin has been picked to play in a college football match. A few days before the game he goes down with a bad cold. Chrissy and Jo rally round in an attempt to help him to recover in time to play. No CHildren No Dogs: Robin accidentally acquires a puppy. The lease on the flat says 'no pets' so Roper mustn't find out...
Peter Sellers stars as gang-leader Pearly Gates who has a double life as Monsieur Jules the manager of a fashion house. The criminal world of London is being reduced to chaos by an Australian 'IPO mob' who acting on information provided by Gates' girlfriend Valerie (Nanette Newman) impersonate police officers and take the spoils of the true criminals after the crime has been safely committed. The crimes are relatively victimless involving jewellery thefts from the rich or robbe
ANDREA is an intelligent handsome young man who seems to have everything necessary to succeed. But disorientated by the world's infinite possibilities he finds himself in an existential crisis and decides to undertake the novitiate a period of spiritual training leading to priesthood. He enters a Venetian monastic order but instead of the anticipated silence prayer and introspection he is instead confronted by suspicion surveillance and distrust as the fellow brethren seem almost eager to find in him a flaw that will disqualify him from ordination. Mystery and uncertainty shroud the path to enlightenment in Saverio Costanzo's compelling beautifully photographed and critically acclaimed drama.
Mediterraneo, the 1991 comedy by Gabriele Salvatores, was knocked for not being deep enough but it is what it is; and it is actually an easygoing, sunny movie about eight Italian soldiers who manage to strand themselves on a tiny Greek island paradise during World War II. The sort of mutts who would shoot a donkey for not knowing the proper password, these clumsy warriors become a comic variation on the Lotus Eaters of myth, their fighting spirit evaporated in the midst of so much beauty and sexual availability among the local women. There are also sundry opportunities for the men to find another purpose for their lives (one particularly artistic fellow works on the restoration of a church, for example). Amid the sometimes coarse jokes and gratuitous nudity, there are subtle themes about the contrast between what men are truly like in their natural state versus what they are like as killers. (The Thin Red Line this isn't but Salvatores does, in his own way, touch on some of the same themes.) Watch this one on a cold winter's day and vicariously enjoy the tans as well as the antiwar sentiment. --Tom Keogh
Soon after qualifying as doctors from St. Swithins young Burke and Hare set up in practice and get involved in a number of amorous exploits...
Jane Austen's tale of two devoted sisters with totally differing attitudes to life and love. Filmed on location in the stately homes of picturesque Dorset and Somerset.
The Italian Job 50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition This is the Self-Preservation Society!' Celebrate 50 years of iconic cult classic The Italian Job with the 50th Anniversary Limited Edition box set. Presented in a deluxe black and gold rigid gift box, this product includes: The Italian Job on both DVD and Blu-ray Exclusive landscape collector's booklet with a new bespoke 50th Anniversary text written by Matthew Field, the leading authority on The Italian Job, and behind-the-scenes photos Individually-numbered collector's certificate Complete script Customisable replica 1960s driving licence 50th Anniversary A3 poster 6 artcards with vintage and international film poster art The quintessential British caper film of the 1960s, The Italian Job is a flashy, fast romp that chases a team of career criminals throughout one of the biggest international gold heists in history. Michael Caine is Charlie Croker, a stylish robber and skirt-chaser just out of British prison.
The Rebel is a 1961 comedy film starring Tony Hancock (Hancock's Half Hour). Hancock plays a downtrodden London office clerk who gives up his job to pursue his dream of being an artist. With an enthusiasm far exceeding any artistic talent, he sets to work on his masterpiece Aphrodite at the Waterhole, moving to Paris where he expects his genius will be appreciated. While his ideas and persona gain acceptance among the art set, legitimate critics scoff at his work. He manages, however to achieve success when the work of his former roommate, a genuinely talented painter, becomes confused with his own.
The Double Life Of Veronique one of the most acclaimed films by the masterful Polish auteur Krzysztof Kieslowski (director of Dekalog and the Three Colours Trilogy) is a beautifully lyrical and enigmatic tale of duality and yearning. Co-written by Kieslowski's regular collaborator Krzysztof Piesiewicz and shot by Dekalog and Blue cinematographer Slawomir Idziak the film also features a haunting and unforgettable musical score by the incomparable Zbigniew Preisner. Two young women lead totally separate lives in France and in Poland one called Veronique and one called Weronika. They have no blood relation and they and their families have never met but they are physically identical to one another and strangely aware of each other's presence. Despite their different backgrounds the two share the same likes and foibles and above all both of them have a magnificent sublime voice and an extraordinary musical talent. Unfortunately each girl suffers from the same barely detectable cardiac malformation. They also share the same wisdom inspiring one to unconsciously avoid making the same mistakes in life as the other... There are wonderful performances by the whole cast but Ir''ne Jacob is utterly captivating in the twin roles of Veronique and Weronika her luminous performance both magical and unsettling.
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