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Clark Gable

Gone with the Wind (Two-Disc Special Edition)

Average customer rating:

Gone With the Wind
Four-Disc Collector's Edition Gives New Luster to Selznick's masterpiece...
THE GREATEST MOVIE OF ALL TIME!!!
The best movie of all times
Gone with the Wind DVD must have set

Gone with the Wind (Two-Disc Special Edition)
Starring: Everett Brown , Fred Crane , Clark Gable , Howard C. Hickman , and Leslie Howard
Director: Cukor, George , and Fleming, Victor
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Casablanca
My Fair Lady
The Wizard of Oz (Two-Disc Special Edition)
The Sound of Music (Two-Disc 40th Anniversary Special Edition)
Ben-Hur (Four-Disc Collector's Edition)

ASIN: B000BYA4LA
Release Date: 2006-01-31

Amazon.com essential video

David O. Selznick wanted <I>Gone with the Wind</I> to be somehow more than a movie, a film that would broaden the very idea of what a film could be and do and look like. In many respects he got what he worked so hard to achieve in this 1939 epic (and all-time box-office champ in terms of tickets sold), and in some respects he fell far short of the goal. While the first half of this Civil War drama is taut and suspenseful and nostalgic, the second is ramshackle and arbitrary. But there's no question that the film is an enormous achievement in terms of its every resource--art direction, color, sound, cinematography--being pushed to new limits for the greater glory of telling an American story as fully as possible. Vivien Leigh is still magnificently narcissistic, Olivia de Havilland angelic and lovely, Leslie Howard reckless and aristocratic. As for Clark Gable: we're talking one of the most vital, masculine performances ever committed to film. <I>--Tom Keogh</I>

Customer Reviews:

Gone With the Wind.......2007-06-20

One of the world's most cherished and enduring pictures, "Wind" was birthed in the mind of novelist Margaret Mitchell and incubated by the brilliant, obsessive David O. Selznick, who spared no expense in bringing this powerful, affecting story to the big screen. The ultra-lavish production features ornate costumes and art design, jaw-dropping set pieces and historical sequences (especially the burning of Atlanta, for which a Hollywood set was torched), all wrapped around the story of a resourceful, if not likable, heroine. Leigh plays the self-absorbed Scarlett to perfection, while Gable's Rhett is devilishly suave and fiercely masculine. Grand studio filmmaking at its aristocratic best, Selznick's brainchild nabbed an armload of Oscars, including Best Picture.

Four-Disc Collector's Edition Gives New Luster to Selznick's masterpiece..........2007-06-08

Just as Margaret Mitchell's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel was one of the most readable works ever written, so is David O. Selznick's production one of the most watchable films of all time. Something is happening every moment--and all of the characters relate to each other in fascinating ways only apparent after repeated viewings. It's the kind of movie that transports you to a time and place that may not have existed except in the mind of its Southern author--and yet, whatever historical inaccuracies are presented here--it's a remarkable achievement and has rightly become a part of American folklore and culture.

No other film has so many memorable "quotes" from a large cast of characters--and at the centerpiece is Vivien Leigh's striking performance as the willful Southern belle. Others around her are equally impressive, down to the smallest character roles--everyone has their moment of glory with the only weakness being the casting of Leslie Howard as Ashley Wilkes. Otherwise, the casting is perfect--Clark Gable, Olivia de Havilland, Thomas Mitchell, Barbara O'Neil, Evelyn Keyes, Harry Davenport, Jane Darwell, Victor Jory, Ann Rutherford, Rand Brooks, Ona Munson--and the wonderful Hattie McDaniel giving the most genuine display of emotion in the whole film with her "staircase scene" with Melanie when she tells Scarlett's friend what Rhett has said and done after Bonnie's death.

All of the sets, costumes, art direction and photography are of the highest order. William Cameron Menzie's production design is superb (he storyboarded the whole concept of what the scenes should look like with beautiful watercolor paintings). The one film above all others that shows what Hollywood's expertise could do with a gigantic novel when transferring it to the screen.

Much of the dialog is witty and pointed with some of the best lines delivered in mocking style by Clark Gable. An abundant amount of humor and sharp observations about human nature are present in the script. No wonder it's still the most beloved American movie of all time--not just here in the U.S. but elsewhere in the international market. It was an instant classic and still remains one, richly deserving all eight of the Oscars it won, as well as the Irving G. Thalberg Award for David O. Selznick.

Selznick would have been proud of what the Ultra-Resolution process has been able to achieve in the new 4-Disc version. Image clarity has never been as fully realized before and makes the viewing an even richer movie-going experience for today's viewers. Highly recommended.

"The Making of a Legend" is included, one of the best documentaries ever filmed about a feature film that was an instant classic with critics and public, and the "Melanie Remembers" feature gives Olivia de Havilland the chance to recall why making the film remains one of her favorite memories.

THE GREATEST MOVIE OF ALL TIME!!!.......2007-06-03

This is the Greatest Movie of all time because all aspects of the movie were carefully and painstakingly crafted with such precision and agility. The story is a classic and the cinematography is superb. The lighting is dream-like and the delivery of acting compliments the era that was showcased. There will never be a production such as this. Clark Gable is at his prime as the dashing Leading Man. Vivian Leigh steals all scenes and it is no wonder that she won the Academy Award for this picture. George Reeves plays one of the twins in the very early part of the movie. He is Super! This movie was well- directed and produced. It has endured the test of time. Frankly, my Dear ...You will give a Damn about this Classic. Pick it up today!

Noel Serrano

The best movie of all times.......2007-05-17

This 4 DVD set is a must to own for those who like this probably the best movie ever made.

Gone with the Wind DVD must have set.......2007-05-14

I never get tired of this movie. And the four disc set is really nice. I consider it a must for my DVD collection.

Gone with the Wind (Four-Disc Collector's Edition)

Average customer rating:

Gone With the Wind
Four-Disc Collector's Edition Gives New Luster to Selznick's masterpiece...
THE GREATEST MOVIE OF ALL TIME!!!
The best movie of all times
Gone with the Wind DVD must have set

Gone with the Wind (Four-Disc Collector's Edition)
Starring: Clark Gable , Vivien Leigh , Leslie Howard , Olivia de Havilland , and Thomas Mitchell
Director: Victor Fleming , George Cukor , and Sam Wood
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Similar Items:

Casablanca
My Fair Lady
The Wizard of Oz (Two-Disc Special Edition)
The Sound of Music (Two-Disc 40th Anniversary Special Edition)
Ben-Hur (Four-Disc Collector's Edition)

ASIN: B0002V7TZ6
Release Date: 2004-11-09

Amazon.com essential video

Description

DVD Features: Disc 1 & 2 (The Film)
* Commentary by film historian Rudy Behlmer
* 5.1 Dolby Digital Soundtrack
* Original Mono Soundtrack

DVD Features: Disc 3
* The Making of a Legend: Gone With The Wind the acclaimed 1989 documentary made by Selznick's sons and narrated by Christopher Plummer (125 Minutes, Never-before-available on DVD)
* Restoring a Legend- An in-depth look at the restoration and Ultra-Resolution process utilized by Warner Bros. For this new DVD presentation
* Footage from 1939 Atlanta and 1961 Civil War Centennial Atlanta premieres
* The Old South - Fred Zinnerman directed this historical 1940 theatrical short, which was shown by MGM in theatres prior to the release of Gone With The Wind

DVD Features: Disc 4
* Melanie Remembers: Olivia de Havilland Recalls Gone With The Wind - All new documentary produced especially for this new DVD set, features Ms. de Havilland's personal recollections of the film
* Clark Gable: A King Remembered - A Portrait of the legendary actor's long and distinguished career as M-G-M's most famous leading man
* Vivien Leigh: Scarlett and Beyond hosted by Jessica Lange, this is an insightful look at Leigh's short and troubled life
* Mini documentaries covering lives and careers of the most prominent cast members

Customer Reviews:

Gone With the Wind.......2007-06-20

Four-Disc Collector's Edition Gives New Luster to Selznick's masterpiece..........2007-06-08

THE GREATEST MOVIE OF ALL TIME!!!.......2007-06-03

The best movie of all times.......2007-05-17

This 4 DVD set is a must to own for those who like this probably the best movie ever made.

Gone with the Wind DVD must have set.......2007-05-14

I never get tired of this movie. And the four disc set is really nice. I consider it a must for my DVD collection.

Average customer rating:

Superb Film
Clark Gable's 12 O'Clock High
Long Lost Classic WW2 Movie..!!
Not Really a War Movie
Please offer Command Decision in DVD.

Command Decision
Starring: Clark Gable , Walter Pidgeon , Van Johnson , Brian Donlevy , and Charles Bickford
Director: Sam Wood
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo
Air Force
Purple Heart
Twelve O'Clock High (Special Edition)
Hell and High Water

ASIN: B000NTPG5W
Release Date: 2007-06-05

Description

World War II drama that shows the battles - on and off the field - that a general must fight in order to win the war. General Casey of the US Forces in England must fight congressional representatives and his own chain of command to be allowed to complete an important mission. He must get his men's planes out, during a small window of fair weather, in order to prevent the Germans from making more military jet planes. Although the general knows the success of his plan could decide whether the Germans get the upper hand in the war, it could also mean suicide for his men. Adapted from the William Wister Haines stage hit.

Customer Reviews:

Superb Film.......2007-06-03

One of the best war films ever made. Brilliant performances by a host of top stars. Based upon a hit play, this is a fascinating movie that proves once again that great stories of men in war can be told without all the blood and gore so beloved by today's film makers.

Clark Gable's 12 O'Clock High.......2007-03-05

This is a really great film of the air war of World War II. Clark Gable is the commander who knows that to win the war, men will die. Someone has to give the orders. This film also shows how politics influences the course of war. This movie has a really stellar cast that included Walter Pidgeon, Van Johnson and Brian Donleavy. Many others too numerous to name are in this film also. Good action, taut drama and great cast deliver excellent entertainment

Long Lost Classic WW2 Movie..!!.......2007-03-03

This movie stars Clark Gable and Walter Pidgeon as Air Force generals forced to send up bombers during daylight to bomb Germany. As casualties mount their tactics are questioned by Congress and the top brass in Washington. All through it all you realize the stress of combat is not only born by those flying the missions but the officers who send them. One of the best WW2 Air Force movies. Both Gable and Pidgeon give outstanding performances and convey what it really means to be a combat commander. Excellent..!!!

Not Really a War Movie.......2006-05-28

In a larger sense "Command Decision" is not really a war movie but a film about the responsibility of command and leadership. It is one of the few films that effectively explores these topics; and belongs right up there with the original "Flight of the Phoenix" and "The Red Tent". Not having the visual power of those two films (the limited combat/action scenes are almost entirely stock footage), it must focus more narrowly on the human complications arising from the responsibility of command. The contradiction being that while a leader must cease to be human, no one who can do this is fit to be a leader.

Adapted from a stage play, "Command Decision" suffers from a fair amount of "long-windedness". Fortunately the most long-winded character (Major General Kane-played by Walter Pigeon), is well written and has many substantial things to convey. Much like his character in "Forbidden Planet", Pigeon is tasked with inserting historical and philosophical details into the story, and his commanding screen presence makes him ideal for this purpose.

Brigadier General K.C. Dennis (Clark Gable) has the most screen time and most challenging role, as his character is the guy stuck between a rock and a hard place. He is accountable for making the hard decisions that send his men off to die, but has a fragile authority dependent on how much independence his superiors are allowing him at a particular point in time. Gable does fine in this part, probably his best totally "serious" performance. Although the film takes pains to use the German high command to illustrate examples of bad leadership, it is easy to infer that the same mindset applies to the Allies. With many military leaders distorting events to cover their own ass and willing to sacrifice men for their own career advancement and personal ideology.

The premise of the film is the Air Corps discovery that the Germans have developed the first jet combat plane. Based on the real life Messerschmitt Me-262 (shown as a model in the film and in some archival footage), it is called the "Lantze-Wolf" here and considered so effective as a fighter aircraft that full production would allow the Luftwaffe to regain air supremacy over Europe.

The planes are being assembled in three cities deep in Germany. The only hope to delay their full production is "Operation Stitch" (named for its goal of gaining a stitch in time), a plan to attack these sites through dangerous daylight bombing raids. Dangerous because they will be heavily defended and because the bombers will have to go the final hundred miles without fighter escort-since the America fighters do not have the range to reach and return from the target. This type of daylight bombing was called precision bombing because the bomb-site was more effective with better visibility and a lower altitude. The alternative was safer but less accurate saturation bombing at night (insert Dresden here).

General Dennis must decide whether to start the operation, and then when the bombers take substantial punishment he must decide whether to continue in the expectation of additional high losses.

The film takes certain historical liberties as only after a postwar evaluation of the actual ME-262 did anyone really understand its strategic potential (in the hands of well trained pilots) as a fighter aircraft. Until the end Hitler insisted that it be utilized almost exclusively as a bomber. Although able to carry out this alternative role, its bomb load capacity was too little for any significant impact. That the ME-262 is more a footnote to the war than a major element was due more to Hitler's decision than to any allied efforts to limit its production.

Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child.

Please offer Command Decision in DVD........2006-04-12

"Command Decision" is that rare WWII era studio offering that attempts to penetrate the fog of patriotism and expose the myth of the good war. While no one will deny the Nazi menace in Europe had to be destroyed to prevent a return of the dark ages, the day to day routine of the U.S. 8th Air Force's program of daylight bombing was as ruthless and cold blooded as any campaign fought then or now. "Maximum effort" and missed targets are not too subtle reminders that precision bombing was one of the great fictions of WWII. When an American commander, stoically played by Army Air Force veteran Clark Gable, attempts to destroy a German jet fighter program with a series of very dangerous bombing raids, the politics of winning the war take center stage. Based on the play by William Wister Haines, "Command Decision" comes as close as the times would allow to telling the behind the scenes story of America's air war over Europe. Directed by Sam Wood, MGM spared no expense in producing this 1948 classic with an all star cast and some of the best in-flight footage of B-17s this side of William Wyler's famous documentary, "The Memphis Belle." For those who flew the missions as well as those who love this film, please can we have "Command Decision" back and in DVD?

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It Happened One Night
Classic Capra - with Clark Gable in a down-to-earth role
The Orignial Runaway Bride
great
It Happened One Night.

It Happened One Night
Starring: Clark Gable , Claudette Colbert , Walter Connolly , Roscoe Karns , and Jameson Thomas
Director: Frank Capra
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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The Philadelphia Story
The Best Years of Our Lives
His Girl Friday [Region 99]
Bringing Up Baby (Two-Disc Special Edition)
You Can't Take It With You (1938) (Sub) [Region 99]

ASIN: B000022TSL
Release Date: 1999-12-28

Amazon.com essential video

Director Frank Capra (<I>Mr. Smith Goes to Washington</I>) took home every Oscar in the book (well, okay, all the major ones) for this seminal 1934 comedy starring Clark Gable as a hard-bitten reporter who stays close to a runaway heiress (Claudette Colbert) rather than lose a good story. Funny and sexy, the film is full of memorable scenes often referred to in other films, such as the "walls of Jericho" (a mere bedcover hung on a line down the middle of a room so opposite-sex roommates can get undressed), and Colbert's famous flash of thigh to stop a speeding car in its tracks. Capra's brisk, urbane brand of wit was a perfect complement to his populist faith in the common man (in this case, Gable's character), and that inspired combination makes this film both a spirited entertainment and an uplifting experience. <I>--Tom Keogh</I>

Customer Reviews:

It Happened One Night.......2007-06-20

Frank Capra's sublime romantic comedy swept the 1934 Oscars, and it's still easy to understand why. Few seventy year old movies hold up like this one. Colbert makes a charming, deft comedienne (check out that hitch-hiking scene!), and Gable was never more appealing, winning his only Oscar for this role. The scene where Peter takes off his shirt and exposes his bare chest was a first, and reportedly, sounded a death knell for the undershirt industry. Hail to the walls of Jericho!

Classic Capra - with Clark Gable in a down-to-earth role.......2007-06-08

This is another great Frank Capra film about a well-to-do socialite heiress deciding to elope almost just to spite her parents. Gable's character is the newspaper reporter sent to track her down and get the scoop on the whole mess. While you can predict what happens, it's still enjoyable for the dialog and the acting/directing. If you're not a Capra fan, it's doubtful that this film will change that. However, if you are - you should definitely check this one out. We saw it originally as a Netflix rental, but my wife liked it enough it became a birthday present for her.

The Orignial Runaway Bride .......2007-06-01

This Frank Capra classic is all about the chemistry between Colbert and Gable--wow does it work! The uptown girl runaway bride (how current!) and the downtown and down on his luck reporter go from the fox and hound to...well the foxy and the hound.

The banter and the moments, from the hitchhiking lesson Colbert gives Gable to the flimsy wall of Jericho Gable gives Colbert are gems.

The film has one of the best wedding-scene endings in movie history (the others being "The Graduate" "Four Weddings and a Funeral" and "The Philadelphia Story"), complete with what has to be one of the oldest helicopters ever put on film.

Pardon me while I get my tin trumpet, folks...

great.......2007-05-28

was shipped right away I didn't have to wait at all it was here within 3 days

It Happened One Night........2007-03-27

This screwball comedy keeps you laughing through the entire film. An oldie but a goodie. It truly highlights the talent of Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert.

Myrna Loy and William Powell Collection (Manhattan Melodrama / Evelyn Prentice / Double Wedding / I Love You Again / Love Crazy)

Average customer rating:

Two Good Films - Three Forgettable
All but one of the Powell/Loy films are now on DVD

Myrna Loy and William Powell Collection (Manhattan Melodrama / Evelyn Prentice / Double Wedding / I Love You Again / Love Crazy)
Starring: Myrna Loy , William Powell , Jack Carson , and Clark Gable
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Film Noir Classic Collection, Vol. 4 (Act of Violence / Mystery Street / Crime Wave / Decoy / Illegal / The Big Steal / They Live By Night / Side Street / Where Danger Lives / Tension)
Charlie Chan Collection, Vol. 3 (Behind That Curtain / Charlie Chan's Secret / Charlie Chan at Monte Carlo / Charlie Chan on Broadway / The Black Camel)
Esther Williams Collection (Bathing Beauty / Easy to Wed / On an Island with You / Neptune's Daughter / Dangerous When Wet)
Classic Musicals from the Dream Factory, Vol. 2 (The Pirate / Words and Music / That's Dancing / The Belle of New York & Royal Wedding / That Midnight Kiss & The Toast of New Orleans)
The Woman in the Window (MGM Film Noir)

ASIN: B000Q7ZLUG
Release Date: 2007-08-07

Customer Reviews:

Two Good Films - Three Forgettable.......2007-06-17

Powell and Loy are at their best in the last two films, which makes them great fun. I personally prefer I Love You Again to Love Crazy, which is slightly skewered and in some ways unpleasant - Powell's characterization of a cad being a bit too good. I Love You Again finds Powell genuinely loveable, and works better. The moment when he suggests he and his wife, Loy, recreate their honeymoon night, but do everything 'backwards' is as priceless as is Loy's cooling rebutal to his attempt at jumping the gun on the bedroom. Too, Gail Patrick and Jack Carson are more effective in their set-up roles. The best scene: a Lincoln-like Powell, pretending insanity to prevent a divorce proceeding, sets top hats sailing on a swimming pool, "Be free!"
The other three films are hopelessly forgettable.
If I Love You Again and Love Crazy were paired I would rate them at least a 4, possibly a 4 and half. But the rating plummets when they're connected to the others.
When will we be able to see some Powell movies without Loy? Life With Father demands release restored to its glorious colors, not to mention Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid. A set of the best of Powell's Warner Brotthers films?

All but one of the Powell/Loy films are now on DVD.......2007-05-09

This collection contains five titles currently not on DVD that were made starring the famous duo during the same time frame as their "Thin Man" series. With the exception of 1947's "The Senator was Indiscreet", this puts all of the Loy/Powell films on DVD. The extras described below are from a press release from Warner Home Video. The biggest let-down about this set is the lack of commentary for any of the films, but Warner probably figures with the amount of documentary material they put in the Thin Man Boxed Set, they would just be going over old territory. The films, in chronological order, are as follows:

Manhattan Melodrama (1934)
This is more of a movie with Powell and Loy than one about them as a couple. The focus is more on Clark Gable and William Powell, who play two orphans who grow up together but wind up on opposite sides of the law. Myrna Loy plays the woman that both characters love. Gable plays the gangster in this film, Powell the guy who goes up the political ladder. The melodramatic part is that as D.A. Powell's character wins a conviction against Gable's character, and as a result he is sentenced to death. Later, as governor, Powell must decide whether or not to commute his childhood friend's sentence. Powell is very good here at playing a more serious role.
Special Features:
· Comedy short "Goofy Movies #2"
· Classic cartoon "The Old Pioneer"
· Theatrical trailer
· Subtitles: English & French (feature film only)

Evelyn Prentice (1934)
This one seems to miss a step as far as plot holes go, but it is still above average. Powell plays a defense attorney who is also part detective, and whose heavy-duty work habits cause him to neglect his wife, played by Loy in the title role. As a result of this neglect, Loy commits an indiscretion with a playboy and ultimately figures into her husband's next big murder case.
Special Features:
· Comedy short "Goofy Movies #3"
· Classic cartoon "Discontented Canary"
· Theatrical trailer
· Subtitles: English & French (feature film only)

Double Wedding (1937)
This is a different kind of film for Powell and Loy. Loy plays high-powered businesswoman Margit Agnew who is unhappy to learn that her little sister is planning to marry vagabond Charlie Lodge (William Powell) who, since he lives in a trailer, is hardly in a position to support her. Margit tries to intervene, and in the end winds up with Lodge herself. The plot is thin, but the comedy is very good. This film was shot partly before and after the death of Jean Harlow, who was Powell's lover and Loy's good friend. Filming was suspended for awhile due to the tragedy.
Special Features:
· Musical short "Dancing on the Ceiling"
· Classic cartoon "The Hound and the Rabbit"
· Theatrical trailer
· Subtitles: English & French (feature film only)

I Love You Again (1940)
My favorite non-Thin Man Loy and Powell movie and showcases everything that is great about the chemistry the two had on screen. Powell plays stuffy and rich Larry Wilson, who, after a blow to the head, realizes he is actually confidence man George Carey. Wilson is just some alternate identity he assumed after he first got amnesia nine years before. Realizing he has a sweet deal in his wealthy second identity, Carey decides to clean out Wilson's finances and leave town. However, when Carey meets Wilson's estranged wife, played by Loy, he falls for her and decides to hang around long enough to win her back.
Special Features:
· Crime Doesn't Pay Series short "Jackpot"
· Classic cartoon "Tom Turkey and His Harmonica Humdingers"
· Theatrical trailer
· Subtitles: English & French (feature film only)

Love Crazy (1941)
Another excellent entry in the Loy and Powell series of movies. After four years of marriage, Stephen Ireland (William Powell) runs into an old girlfriend that lives nearby. The two end up just talking, but a series of comic misadventures cause Stephen's wife, Susan (Myrna Loy), to believe Stephen is cheating on her and she decides to divorce Stephen. Desperate to keep Susan, Stephen decides to pretend he is not in his right mind to draw things out. He does such a good job that everyone believes him - except his wife. There is some great physical comedy here by Powell.
Special Features:
· Classic cartoon "The Alley Cat"
· Audio-only bonus: Screen Directors Guild Playhouse Radio Broadcast
· Theatrical trailer
· Subtitles: English & French (feature film only)

Essential Classics - Romances (Gone with the Wind / Casablanca / Doctor Zhivago)

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Essential Classics

Essential Classics - Romances (Gone with the Wind / Casablanca / Doctor Zhivago)
Starring: Clark Gable , Vivien Leigh , Leslie Howard , Olivia de Havilland , and Thomas Mitchell
Director: Victor Fleming , George Cukor , and Sam Wood
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Similar Items:

Essential Classics - Dramas (The Maltese Falcon / Citizen Kane / Ben-Hur)
Essential Classics - Musicals (My Fair Lady / Singin' in the Rain / Gigi)
Essential Classics - American Musicals (The Music Man / Meet Me in St. Louis / Seven Brides for Seven Brothers)
Essential Classics - Family Films (The Wizard of Oz / The Goonies / Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory)
American Movie Musicals Collection: West Side Story/Fiddler on the Roof/Guys and Dolls

ASIN: B000MV9O54
Release Date: 2007-04-24

Amazon.com

This four-disc set, part of Warner's Essential Classics series, collects three truly classic films--<I>Gone with the Wind</I>, <I>Casablanca</I>, and <I>Doctor Zhivago</I>--in one inexpensive package. The drawback is you don't get the bonus second discs of the movies--or, in the case of the deluxe version of <I>Gone with the Wind</I>, the third and fourth discs (the movie of <I>Zhivago</I> is still on a two-sided "flipper" disc)--so if you're a documentary junky or if you simply have to see the <I>Casablanca</I> TV show, you'll want to stick with the individual releases. But this set does include the commentary tracks and any other material that was on the movie discs of those sets, and best of all, they have the great remastered pictures of the previous releases. So if you just want the movies looking better than ever with some bonus features thrown in for good measure, the price per movie makes this set an attractive bargain. <I>--David Horiuchi</I>

Description

Discs 1 & 2: GONE WITH THE WIND Disc 3: CASABLANCA Disc 4: DOCTOR ZHIVAGO

Customer Reviews:

Essential Classics.......2007-03-10

These are three of my favorite movies with some of the best performances I have seen.

Clark Gable was great in "Gone with the Wind", but Vivien Leigh was magnificent and made me a lifelong fan with this movie.

Humphrey Bogart and the beautiful Ingrid Bergman, who could ask for more? In "Casablanca" you also get a great script and "As Time Goes By."

"Doctor Zhivago" gave me my first look into the Russia of the early 20th century. It is also a passionate love story.

The Premiere Frank Capra Collection (Mr. Smith Goes to Washington / It Happened One Night / You Can't Take It with You / Mr. Deeds Goes to Town / American Madness / Frank Capra's American Dream) [Region 99]

Average customer rating:

All I can say is "WOW!
Outstanding value DVD set
Capra is quietly cool.
Great films, great quality
Historic Films

The Premiere Frank Capra Collection (Mr. Smith Goes to Washington / It Happened One Night / You Can't Take It with You / Mr. Deeds Goes to Town / American Madness / Frank Capra's American Dream) [Region 99]
Starring: Jean Arthur , James Stewart , Claude Rains , Edward Arnold , and Guy Kibbee
Director: Frank Capra
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000ION7A8
Release Date: 2006-12-05

Amazon.com

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<b>Mr. Smith Goes to Washington</b> Political heavyweights decide that Jefferson Smith (James Stewart), an obscure scoutmaster in a small town, would be the perfect dupe to fill a vacant U.S. Senate chair. Surely this naive bumpkin can be easily controlled by the senior senator (Claude Rains) from his state, a respectable and corrupted career politician. Director Frank Capra fills the movie with Smith's wide-eyed wonder at the glories of Washington, all of which ring false for his cynical secretary (Jean Arthur), who doesn't believe for a minute this rube could be for real. But he is. Capra was repeating the formula of a previous film, Mr. Deeds Goes to Town, but this one is even sharper; Stewart and Arthur are brilliant, and the former cowboy star Harry Carey lends a warm presence to the role of the vice president. Bright, funny, and beautifully paced, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington is Capra's ode to the power of innocence--an idea so potent that present-day audiences may find themselves wishing for a new Mr. Smith in Congress. The 1939 Congress was none too thrilled about the film's depiction of their august body, denouncing it as a caricature; but even today, Capra's jibes about vested interests and political machines look as accurate as ever. --Robert Horton

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<b>It Happened One Night</b> Director Frank Capra (Mr. Smith Goes to Washington) took home every Oscar in the book (well, okay, all the major ones) for this seminal 1934 comedy starring Clark Gable as a hard-bitten reporter who stays close to a runaway heiress (Claudette Colbert) rather than lose a good story. Funny and sexy, the film is full of memorable scenes often referred to in other films, such as the "walls of Jericho" (a mere bedcover hung on a line down the middle of a room so opposite-sex roommates can get undressed), and Colbert's famous flash of thigh to stop a speeding car in its tracks. Capra's brisk, urbane brand of wit was a perfect complement to his populist faith in the common man (in this case, Gable's character), and that inspired combination makes this film both a spirited entertainment and an uplifting experience. --Tom Keogh

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<B>You Can't Take It With You </B>
Frank Capra's 1938 populist spin on the George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart play about a family of happy eccentrics is a great deal of fun, though it significantly rewrites the original work and doesn't represent Capra (Mr. Deeds Goes to Town, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington) at his best. Jean Arthur plays a member of the blissful Vanderhof household who falls in love with a rich man's son (James Stewart) and brings him into her nutty home. Lionel Barrymore, who played such a bad guy eight years later in Capra's It's a Wonderful Life, is the wonderful Grandpa Vanderhof, who addresses God during the dinner prayer as "sir" and speaks plainly and beautifully of why it's good to be alive. Capra took this opportunity to rail against big business and champion the common man, but the overall tone of the film--typical for the director's comedies--is buoyant and snappy. --Tom Keogh

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<B> Mr. Deeds Goes to Town</B>
Mr. Deeds Goes to Town is Frank Capra's classic screwball comedy about a village innocent who inherits $20 million, only to discover it's more trouble than it's worth. The screwball in question is Longfellow Deeds (Gary Cooper), a small-town greeting-card poet and tuba player transplanted to the big city to administer his newly inherited wealth, where fast-pattering, wised-up cynics, sneering society denizens, and corrupt lawyers lord it over the ingenuous and straightforward. Deeds's idiosyncrasies are amply magnified in the tabloids by journalist "Babe" Bennett (Jean Arthur), dating Deeds as a cover, only to discover she's the sap when she falls irresistibly for him. But the damage has been done, when Babe's column is used by a pack of corrupt lawyers, Cedar, Cedar, Cedar & Budington, to prove Deeds mentally unfit. The miracle of this unforgettable comedy is how it embraces dark material, calling into question some common assumptions about capitalism while maintaining an approachable atmosphere of light comedy, and deceptively so. You'll be so pixilated by its charm, you won't rest until you've doodled your way to a rhyme for "Budington." --Jim Gay

<strong><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" color="cc6600"> More Stills from The Premiere Frank Capra Collection (click for larger image) </font></strong> <table border="0" cellpadding="4" width="100%" cellspacing="4">

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Product Description

Designated the "Number One Director in Hollywood" by Time Magazine in 1938 and voted by Entertainment Weekly (April 19th issue, 1996) as one of the greatest directors of all time, Capra has received numerous industry awards and accolades over the course of his successful career including three Best Director Oscars®. </p>

The Premiere Frank Capra Collection is a 6-disc collectible box set featuring five of Frank Capra's best films. The digitally re-mastered set includes Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, You Can't Take it With You, Mr. Deeds Goes to Town, It Happened One Night and American Madness. The DVD box set includes a bonus disc packed with all-new interviews, archival footage, plus Frank Capra's American Dream documentary hosted by Ron Howard and produced by Capra's eldest son, Frank Capra, Jr. (An Eye for an Eye, Marooned). This Premiere Collection also features commentaries for each film, along with a 96- page collectible Movie Scrapbook.</p>

Customer Reviews:

All I can say is "WOW!.......2007-06-01

It was a happy day for me when I learned that this collection was being isssued and when it arrived from Amazon my first act was to cancel all my appointments, take the phone off the hook and settle down with a bowl and popcorn and discover just what made Frank Capra one of the leading directors of his day and indeed for all time. I was not disappointed. Along with favorites like "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" and "You Can't Take it with You" were "It Happened One Night" (which I had not seen in years and did not recall how good it was) and "Mr. Deeds Goes to Town." Also included in this set is a fabulous collection of films documenting just how Frank Capra was able to produce his fabulous collection of films. It is rare that great classics of American cinema get the attention and treatment that they deserve, but this is one of those rare instances of the material being treated in the appropriate manner.

It really would be silly for me to try to capture the magic and craftsmanship that went into making these fabulous films. Capra had a particular talent for being to tap into the fundamental aspects of what it meant to be an American in the 1930s and 1940s and this talent is on full display in this collection. They contain some marvelous performances, particularly by Jimmy Stewart, Clark Gable, Gary Cooper, Claudette Caulbert and in particular Jean Arthur. While Capra's autobiography does contain it share of myths, the chapters that detail the efforts it took to get these performances down on film is probably worth consulting for the insights it provides.

If I were to fault it for one or two things it would be the omission of two classics in the Capra canon. These are "Meet John Doe" which really is crying out for a restoration and a proper release on DVD and "It's a Wonderful Life." These movies are probably excellent examples of Capra's creativity, but as this fine collection proves, they are by no means the only ones.

I hope that other directors are in line for similar treatments in the future. However it is doubtful if future efforts will surpass this one for its overall excellence.

Outstanding value DVD set.......2007-05-30

This DVD collection is obviously going to be popular with sure fire entertainments such as "You Can't take it with You" and "Mr Smith goes to Washington" but the package goes much further by providing lengthy interviews with Capra's son about each of the films, a detailed documentary about Capra himself, expert commentaries with each film and a detailed booklet. This is outstanding value.

All of the films are excellent and Amazon themselves provide worthwhile summaries. Here are a few observations:

- "Mr Deeds goes to Town" is my least favourite and probably most guilty of what is called "Capra corn". Gary Cooper was often a mannered actor and for me he overdoes his "Aw shucks" country bumpkin. Jean Arthur compensates enormously, making believable that this worldly "babe" could fall for Mr Deeds. She helps Cooper enormously to pull off his performance.
- "American Madness", made in 1932 before Capra really hit the bigtime, benefits from a shorter running time with a fast pace created by the editing. At the height of the Depression, a story about a run on a bank was timely and the note of optimism sounded by the resolution was refreshing. Walter Huston is outstanding as the head of the bank and the serene Kay Johnson, a poised and beautiful presence in any film, plays his wife. The film has one great set and Capra moves his camera around it, including some powerful overhead shots. His crowd scenes are outstanding as always.
- Jean Arthur was a wonderful actress and if her parts in each film are quite similar, it doesn't matter. With her husky inimitable voice and warm smile, she is memorable.
- Clark Gable is very funny in "It happened One Night", a very underrated comedian.
- "Mr Smith goes to Washington" has similarities to "Mr Deeds" but is superior in every way. The documentaries tell that in fact, it was originally conceived as a sequel. James Stewart is much more convincing than Gary Cooper and the yarn has far more tension then the earlier film. It is much less dated. The film was very popular on its release except in Washington where the depiction of political corruption was considered "un-American".

All of the prints are good, although "It happened One Night" suffers from grainy scenes. The films benefit from Capra's attention to detail, particularly the character actors which populated his films. The documentaries tell us that actors lived to appear in a Capra film because they knew that even the smallest part would be treated with loving attention. The most amusing story about this is the casting of Harry Cary in "Mr Smith" as the Speaker in the Senate. On paper, the part was minor but there are numerous telling close ups as he reflects the audience reaction to what is happening. It is a very important role.

The documentary about Capra himself tells of his beginnings as an Italian immigrant. Undoubtedly, his own rise from humble beginnings influenced his view of America as the land of opportunity and his depiction of the power of the people. He lived the "American Dream". Even if you are uncomfortable with the idealism expounded in most of the films (Capra corn), each film tells a good story and provides great entertainment.

Capra is quietly cool........2007-04-06

Mr. Capra is an excellent, pro-American director. He believes in the USA.....his movies prove it. In today's world it is nice to watch movies that have strong Christian, moral pro-USA values. I have liked every Capra movie I have ever seen. He was cutting edge as a movie director.

Great films, great quality.......2007-02-03

I bought the Premiere Frank Capra Collection for my brother's birthday. He's a big Capra fan, but he was concerned that the film quality would not be good, given the low price. He was quite pleased to discover the quality was excellent.

Historic Films.......2007-01-19

Great review of film history in this amazing collection of Capra films. Surprisingly, many have a message that remains relevant to today's problems.

Average customer rating:

One of the Top Sub Films of All Time
Taut and suspense filled.
This is the cut off point for the old style sub movies.
A realistic portrait of battle on submarine
Wise stresses the human emotion of two screen icons...

Run Silent, Run Deep
Starring: Clark Gable , Burt Lancaster , Jack Warden , Brad Dexter , and Don Rickles
Director: Robert Wise
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

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Drama | Military & War | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( R ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

The Enemy Below
Destination Tokyo
Crash Dive
Twelve O'Clock High (Special Edition)
Sink the Bismarck!

ASIN: 0792841670
Release Date: 1999-05-18

Amazon.com

A movie's lasting value can often be measured by its influence in the years and decades following its original release, and on that basis <I>Run Silent, Run Deep</I> is certainly a classic of sorts. It remains one of the seminal World War II submarine pictures, and its intelligent script and tautly executed action are clearly echoed in such later submarine dramas as <I>Das Boot</I> and especially <I>Crimson Tide</I>, which borrows liberally from this 1958 film.

In one of his best and final roles (he appeared in only four films after this), Clark Gable plays a submarine captain without a command, having been saddled with a desk job after his previous ship was destroyed due to his overzealous pursuit of the enemy in dangerous Japanese waters. He finally gets another boat--this time with a vigilant first officer (Burt Lancaster), who stands poised to assume command if Gable puts his crew in unnecessary danger. The tension and mutual respect between these two principled men is superbly written and directed (Robert Wise was just two years away from his triumph with <I>West Side Story</I>), and the crucial inclusion of a strong supporting cast (including Jack Warden and Don Rickles) enhances the movie's compelling authenticity. Based on a novel by former submarine commander Edward L. Beach, <I>Run Silent, Run Deep</I> is rousing entertainment with the added benefit of paying honorable tribute to the men who navigated through the most frightening and claustrophobic channels of the Pacific theater. <I>--Jeff Shannon</I>

Description

"Rich" Richardson (Clark Gable) is a hard-driving, dedicated submarine officer with a single-mindedpurposeto seek out and smash the Japanese destroyer he believes sank his former ship. Given a new command, Richardson drills his men to the point of mutiny as he relentlessly trains them for the battle ahead. At last, word comes of the destroyer's position, and, disobeying orders, Richardson finally confronts his foe, unaware that an even greater enemy lurks nearby...one who's been targeting him for a watery grave. Co-starring Burt Lancaster as Gable's executive officer, this gripping WWII adventure-thriller set a new standard for submarine pictures. "Severely, nail-bitingly tense" (The New York Times), Run Silent, Run Deep is the most exciting film about the "silent service" ever made.

Customer Reviews:

One of the Top Sub Films of All Time.......2007-06-01

That guy with the mustache (from Crimson Tide), Cary Grant, puts in a great performance heading for the Bungo Straights with a new tactic to take revenge on the Japanese who sank his first submarine, with great supporting cast. One of the top five submarine film, a must for all fans.

Taut and suspense filled........2007-05-29

Very good movie. Tense suspense filled adventure with a very convincing performance by the cast. Technically very realistic too.

This is the cut off point for the old style sub movies. .......2007-04-06

There are several really good submarine movies about World War II after this. Das Boot comes to mind as one of the best. But they are made in a different era with slicker production or in color. This one is only 13 years out from the war. It stars "the king" Clark Gable, also incidentially, a vet, & a young, rugged Burt Lancaster. There are also interesting character actors like Don Rickles & Jack Warden. In this one Gable is Capt. Richardson, an old sea-dog, desk bound after his ship was sunk. Lancaster is the up & comer Lt. Bledsoe, looking for his first command. Capt. Richardson literally steals the USS Nerko from Bledsoe & asks for him as his XO. The tension is evident & the crew is restive as Bledsoe was very chummy with them. They expected Bledsoe to be the new skipper. Gable drives the crew hard in training & he passes up easy targets. Eventually the method to his madness becomes clear to Bledsoe & the crew. Respect for the old man grows as he's incapacitated & Lt. Bledsoe must take command. They accomplish their mission ...but. One of the great, classic sub movies.

A realistic portrait of battle on submarine.......2007-02-04

Clark Gable and Burt Lancaster give an impeccable performance of different leadership styles on the submarine. One was able and experienced with the dangerous waters of Bungo Straits, the other well-loved by the crew. Clark Gable had a hidden agenda and vendetta. The film was excellent in portraying his skills in pushing the submarine through drill after drill.

To be able to dive fast in just more than 30 seconds, make bow shoots and detect the decoy of the Japanese fleet; All these make the film both suspensful and thought provoking. To run silent, run deep and pull off an ingenious strategy is a master stroke. For intelligent war play and two actors' great performances, this is a wonderful movie.

Wise stresses the human emotion of two screen icons..........2007-01-13

After his submarine is sunk by a Japanese Akikase destroyer in the Bongo Straits off the coast of Japan in a 1942 encounter, Commander 'Rich' Richardson (Clark Gable) is put behind a desk for a while at Pearl Harbor...

During a year, the vessel that destroyed his battleship, sinks three other American subs that dare to enter Area Seven home of the Bungo Straits... Richardson is seen, reliving his Bungo failure, with one target in mind: Hunting down and destroying the Imperial Japanese Navy's Submarine...

His chance comes when the captain of another sub, the U.S.S. Nerka, reaches retirement... Richardson eventually convinces the Navy top brass for another chance and is given command...

The crew he inherits is antagonistic, as is his new executive officer, Lt. Jim Bledsoe (Burt Lancaster), who had hoped for the command himself...

Richardson cannot forget the Akikase and his nightmares about it... Determined to sink it, he puts his ship and crew through many difficult training maneuvers anticipating the inevitable encounter...

When he learns of the destroyer's whereabouts, he deliberately announces that the Nerka is going into the Bongo Straits in direct defiance of orders to knock out the Japanese ship...

The pairing of Gable and Lancaster as incompatible but mutually respectful naval officers is at the head of Robert Wise's motion picture... Later, of course, the destroyer against sub action reappears, but the most interesting sequences are when Wise stresses the human emotion of two screen icons, one on the ascent, and the other near the end of his career...

'Run Silent Run Deep' has little resemblance to the book written by Capt. Edward R. Beach, who served on the personal staff of General Omar Bradley during Bradley's tenure as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and as naval aide to President Dwight D. Eisenhower... The motion picture isn't particularly a great underwater action film, but with Lancaster and Gable in top form-- and ably supported by Jack Warden, Don Rickles, Brad Dexter and Lancaster's frequent sidekick Nick Cravat--it remains an interesting study of submariners and their dedication to duty under fire in World War II... The hate-your-enemy attitude remains undiluted however...

Average customer rating:

Superb!
You mean Andy Griffith wasn't Opey's first dad?!
Sweet, Sappy, Feel Good Movie
Minnelli's Surprising Mix of Melodrama and Domestic Comedy With an Impressive Turn by Ron Howard
Lazily entertaining

The Courtship of Eddie's Father
Starring: Glenn Ford , Shirley Jones , Stella Stevens , Dina Merrill , and Roberta Sherwood
Director: Vincente Minnelli
Manufacturer: Turner Home Ent
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

Drama | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

Comedy | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

A Hole in the Head
Pocketful of Miracles
Move Over Darling
Do Not Disturb
With Six You Get Eggroll

ASIN: B00008MTY8
Release Date: 2004-06-01

Amazon.com

Decades may pass, but <I>The Courtship of Eddie's Father</I> never loses any of its abundant charm. Long before he became an Oscar®-winning director, 8-year-old "Ronny" Howard (then appearing on TV's <I>The Andy Griffith Show</I>) costarred with Glenn Ford in this heartwarming family classic, later adapted into a TV series (1969-72) starring Bill Bixby and Brandon Cruz. While the later show adopted a hip, late-'60s sensibility, this 1963 production is more straight-laced and, for its time, remarkably frank--and disarmingly funny--about the many questions that precocious son Eddie (Howard) has for his widower father (Ford) as they recover from the death of wife and mother. A perfect director for this delicate material (wonderfully adapted from Mark Toby's novel), Vincente Minnelli hits all the right notes of sadness, hope, and parental concern; Ford's unspoken love for a helpful neighbor (Shirley Jones) may be a foregone conclusion, but romantic subplots (and Eddie's diligent matchmaking) add plenty of domestic drama. Sweet but never saccharine, this timeless <I>Courtship</I> is guaranteed to make you smile. <I>--Jeff Shannon</I>

Description

The film that started the classic TV series. Although he's only seven, Eddie's got it all figured out. He wants his father, a widower, to get remarried - to the girl next door. Unfortunately, she's not one of the women that his dad's been dating. Sweet family comedy.

Customer Reviews:

Superb!.......2007-03-16

Vincente Minnelli directed, so visually it's incredible, did any other director pay such attention to set decor, lighting, and making his stars look beautiful? (The chief benefactors here are Dina Merrill, Shirley Jones, and Stella Stevens, all beautifully turned-out and photographed to their loveliest.)
Glenn Ford and Ron(nie) Howard both were deserving of Oscar nominations, i think it may be Ford's most versatile performance ever, and the very young Howard had remarkable range and his performance, i believe, stands the test of time and remains one of the best acting jobs by a child ever recorded on film.
The commentary by Jones, Merrill, and Stevens is very revealing and interesting-Jones (who admits to having wanted to play the Stella Stevens role) notes that Minnelli wasn't so much a director of actors as a director of visual splendor, and while she states she had wished for more direction from Minnelli, she does so without insulting his memory or legacy. Dina Merrill comes across as the liveliest commentator here, with the happiest memories of the film. Stevens'comments compliment the other 2 actresses' very nicely.
In my opinion, Glenn Ford walks away with the movie, and this very under-appreciated actor seems in many ways to have been the George Clooney of his day, in terms of oozing charisma complimented by a no-nonsense, no-frills approach to acting. Yet, in this film, Ford shows he had plenty of technique, mastering difficult crying scenes one minute, heated anger with the Jones character another, and learning to parent his motherless son with increasing sensitivity as the film progresses. Intricate, touching, funny, sad, life-affirming story of a suddenly-single father learning to raise a young son on his own, when it likely was the last thing he ever expected to be doing. This theme would be revisited decades later by Dustin Hoffman in 'Kramer vs. Kramer' but Ford did it first here, and beautifully.
He truly was leading man material.
And once again, there's the lush visual artistry of Vincente Minnelli to enjoy- (Dina Merrill offers a fun comment about an Italian restaurant scene, saying, 'Has anyone ever seen such a beautiful looking Italian restaurant in real life? Eat at Minnelli's!") as she clearly enjoys watching the film again while fondly remembering Ford, Minnelli and how impressed everyone was with the young Ron Howard. Really a nice movie.

You mean Andy Griffith wasn't Opey's first dad?!.......2007-01-10

Glen Ford and Ron Howard together as father and son. Great movie

Sweet, Sappy, Feel Good Movie.......2006-11-13

I'm a sucker for cute kids. I've loved Opie forever! In this movie he's at his cutest! It's nothing like the TV version was. This is Shirley Jones first non-singing movie and she's great with Glenn Ford. It's a great movie to watch with your kids. Eddie isn't like some of the snotty kids you see in movies today. He isn't overly sweet or sensitive. He's just lost his mother and trying to come to grips with both that and the fact he doesn't like not having a woman in the house. He's not afraid to talk to his dad about it, either. His directions on how to tell a "good" woman from a "bad" one kill me every time I watch it. I'm tired of the smart-aleck, know-it-alls you get in today's cinema. Sometimes I just would like to see a kid be a kid. And this movie grants my wish BIGTIME!!

Minnelli's Surprising Mix of Melodrama and Domestic Comedy With an Impressive Turn by Ron Howard.......2006-10-24

I used to love the early 1970's TV series which took its premise from this 1963 movie, so it was with some trepidation that I finally saw the original film directed by Vincente Minnelli. For such a family-oriented vehicle, his sometimes excessive filmmaking style shows up in subtle ways throughout the picture, and that's what primarily makes it interesting viewing now. The film starts out as an amusing domestic comedy, periodically hints toward deeper issues of grief and single parenthood, and then dives headlong into melodrama in the last half-hour. The result is pure Minnelli.

The other memorable aspect is eight-year old Ron Howard, sixth-billed and then known as Ronny, who delivers the central performance of Eddie without resorting to precociousness. More than his adult co-stars, he brings all the elements of the film together on an emotional level that resonates. Written by Tom Gay, the plot focuses on Eddie's attempts to reinvigorate the love life of his recently widowed father Tom. The likely candidate appears to be the pretty, recently divorced nurse next door, Elizabeth, but Tom and she start off on the wrong foot despite the fact that Eddie adores her. Efforts get refocused on Dolly, a vacuous, curvaceous girl they meet at the arcade, but Tom redirects her to womanizing disc jockey Norman. Tom then meets socialite Rita, whose glaring lack of a maternal instinct alienates Eddie to the point of running away.

All ends inevitably but not before some startling scenes like Eddie traumatized by the sight of his dead fish and Tom careening recklessly in his car to find Eddie (it looks like a similarly hair-raising scene on an Italian hillside road in Minnelli's "Two Weeks in Another Town"). In fact, the climactic argument between Tom and Elizabeth is surprisingly vitriolic for a family picture. Not the most charismatic of actors, Glenn Ford is solid as Tom, while a non-singing Shirley Jones plays Elizabeth with dexterity. The other performances are a bit more on the pat side - Stella Stevens lovably dim as Dolly, Jerry Van Dyke his recognizably unctuous self as Norman and Dina Merrill all slithery glamour as Rita. There are no extras with the 2004 DVD.

Lazily entertaining.......2006-08-27

With so many movies and television shows being blood-splattered and cluttered with fantasy gore, it's nice to relax and watch a movie that doesn't make you cringe at either mayhem or profanity.
Usual, predictable plot for this type offering. Introduction to principals, conflict and resolution of same. You want rocket science, this is not your fare.
Nice, easy, comfortable movie an entire family can enjoy.