Dorothy McGuire

Swiss Family Robinson (Vault Disney Collection)

Average customer rating:

Knew I could find
Swiss Family Robinson (DVD)
One Of Our Family's Favorite Classic Stories
Talk about a CLASSIC!!!
Excellent Family Movie

Swiss Family Robinson (Vault Disney Collection)
Starring: John Mills , Dorothy McGuire , James MacArthur , Janet Munro , and Sessue Hayakawa
Director: Ken Annakin , and Jack Hannah
Manufacturer: Walt Disney Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

Sea Adventure | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

Adventure | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

Family Films | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

All Disney Titles | Disney Home Entertainment | Stores | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( S ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Treasure Island
20,000 Leagues Under The Sea (Special Edition)
Pollyanna (Vault Disney Collection)
The Parent Trap (1961) and The Parent Trap II (1986): 2-Movie Collection (2-Disc Set)
In Search of the Castaways

ASIN: B00005RRG7
Release Date: 2002-05-07

Amazon.com

The Disney touch is all over this grand, colorful version of the Johann Wyss adventure of a European family set off for the new world of New Guinea. The film opens on a ship jostled and torn by a raging storm while a family struggles to make it through alive. Tossed into a reef near a deserted tropical island, father John Mills takes charge and the family soon turns their island prison into a veritable paradise. Their multilevel tree house, built in record time, is complete with running water and a working pipe organ scavenged from the ship, while their grand yard is abloom in English roses. As a tale of hardship and pioneer pluck, the tale is pure fantasy, but as entertainment it's energetic and appealing. The island is impossibly populated by ostriches, zebras, lions, and elephants, a private zoo that delights the youngest boy and offers plenty of comic relief. The two older brothers discover even wilder life when they rescue the prisoner of oriental pirates (led by hard-bitten Sessue Hayakawa). There's little real danger anywhere in the film--even the climactic battle with the pirates is a cartoonish affair, with coconut bombs and nonlethal booby traps, until the final desperate, deadly moments. Hardly a faithful adaptation of the novel, but a lush, beautifully photographed film and an entertaining adventure safe for all ages. Dorothy McGuire costars as the proper, worry-prone mother. (Ages 5 and older) --Sean Axmaker

Description

One of Disney's biggest and most fondly remembered hits, the spectacular screen version of the literary classic SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON is full of breathtaking South Seas scenery, hundreds of exotic animals, and treacherous pirates. This heroic tale chronicles the courageous exploits of the Robinson family after they are shipwrecked on a deserted island. Using teamwork and ingenuity, they skillfully overcome the obstacles of nature and transform their new home into a "civilized" community. But the ultimate challenge lies ahead when a band of cutthroat pirates threaten to destroy the Robinson's Makeshift paradise. Capture the thrills, romance, and fun of this unforgettable Disney film!

Customer Reviews:

Knew I could find.......2007-06-04

My son loved the movie Swiss Family Robinson when he was little. I have looked for it previously in stores but could not find. I knew we could find it on Amazon. I have told my grandchildren about the movie and the adventures the family has on an island. I got this movie for my son for Father's day so he can share it with his children. The movie is funny, adventurous, and shows so much ingenuity when the family needs shelter. It is a good family movie all will enjoy.

Swiss Family Robinson (DVD).......2007-06-01

This is a great movie. I bought the DVD To ensure my Grandchildern had a chance to see this Movie.

One Of Our Family's Favorite Classic Stories.......2007-05-11

This DVD contains Disney's adaptation of the original book, Der Schweizerische Robinson, written by author Johann David Wyss, in 1812. It is one of the finer works of Disney, in my opinion. The story of this family's struggles and determination, difficulties and joys is good watching (and good reading) for every member of the family. One of the most delightful aspects of this work is the emphasis placed upon good character, family values, and self-reliance. I recommend this movie to everyone...

Talk about a CLASSIC!!!.......2007-05-10

You can't go wrong here! My siblings and I LOVED this movie as kids. I bought it for my son and daughter when they were younger and again, they LOVED it and watched it (and quoted it) repeatedly. I am now buying it for my young (7ish) nephews to enjoy. Probably my favorite no-cartoon Disney flick of all time!

Excellent Family Movie.......2007-04-03

This is an excellent movie. I am so glad I purchased it for my son. I got it for his birthday 7 and at first he didnt really have an interest in watching it, but he was home from school sick one day and we watched it and I couldnt tear him away. He loved it! Its adventure, imagination, and fun all rolled into one.

Average customer rating:

Yummy High Cholesterol '50's Fun!
A Summer Place-DVD
Summer, Sex and Suds
A SUMMER PLACE
A Summer Place

A Summer Place
Starring: Richard Egan , Dorothy McGuire , Sandra Dee , Arthur Kennedy , and Troy Donahue
Director: Delmer Daves
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Classics | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Comedy | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( S ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Move Over Darling
Do Not Disturb
Where the Boys Are
The Heiress (Universal Cinema Classics)
The Complete Gidget Collection (Gidget / Gidget Goes Hawaiian / Gidget Goes to Rome) [Region 99]

ASIN: B000JU8HBA
Release Date: 2007-02-06

Amazon.com

Think A Summer Place, and you'll probably be humming Max Steiner's wonderfully romantic instrumental theme song, a hand-holding hit in 1959. The movie itself is similarly irresistible, a colorful soap opera about the passions of a pair of dewy-eyed teens and their straying parents. At an island resort in Maine, Sandra Dee and Troy Donahue (the reigning teen idols of the day) fall hard for each other. What they don't know is that her father (Richard Egan) and his mother (Dorothy McGuire), lovers 20 years earlier, have rekindled their affair. Both, inconveniently, have spouses, which is what makes this a soap opera. Lovers of camp will find much to savor in the incredible '50s attitudes, and in the innocence of supervirgin Dee ("Johnny, have you been bad with girls?"). Yet the sincerity of writer-director Delmer Daves, cowriter of An Affair to Remember, comes shining through the corn; and the grown-up affair anticipates The Bridges of Madison County by 30 years. --Robert Horton

Description

Illicit romance take center stage when a wealthy family set off for a summer seaside vacation.

Customer Reviews:

Yummy High Cholesterol '50's Fun!.......2007-06-13

As a social barometer of the times it may be reading a bit too much into "A Summer Place" to proclaim it as an early ripple in the social tempests still to come in the 1960's. Still those of us alive at that time know that in 1959 it WAS controversial to sympathetically portray adultery and teen sexuality as depicted in "A Summer Place". I remember my high school years (early '70's) and how girls who "got into trouble" would simply disappear and you'd never know what became of them until a classmate told you years later of their waywardness (this was still a VERY rare occurrence here in "flyover country" even then; how things have changed). And of course while adultery and divorce were likewise not quite so prevalent "back in the day," they certainly happened but not without considerable burden of stigma for the convention-defying lovers who tossed everything over for their passion.

So yeah, I do think the sociology of "A Summer Place" is significant but that's really the least reason to see it. Mostly it's just maximum guilty-pleasure FUN and a HUGE blast of '50's nostalgia and "attitude" that still has great charm and luster for receptive movie fans.

Rule number 1 is that you must have full tolerance for what we could now call cheesy acting and intensely overripe melodrama. AND ALSO you must be prepared for the intense full-frontal gumball-vivid Technicolor cinematography of the time. Too many viewers can't see beyond the stylistic conventions of the time a movie was made to appreciate the human story being told; what a pity! Think of everyone you know who just won't watch a movie because it's in black & white, or because it's obviously an old, overcooked Hollywood potboiler. You know what? Many of those are GREAT works of art however (like most art) they require that you make the effort to meet them halfway. Think of them not only as theatrical productions but also as time capsules of the era they were created--because that's exactly what they are. And how fortunate we are now to have such easy access on DVD for our enjoyment now!

But enough of the film theory stuff. "A Summer Place" appeals on many levels; the gorgeous cinematography, the convention-challenging story & script, the VERY effective and well-remembered orchestral score, and let's not overlook the cast. Sandra Dee & Troy Donahue do indeed project a kind of youthful innocence that truly is a thing of the past now, but was common in their time. Dorothy McGuire & Richard Egan give it their all as the reunited Pine Island lovers who cannot resign themselves to half-lives of marital indifference or cruelty. And how about those jilted spouses? You gotta love Constance Ford as the scheming, triple-bitter wife interested only in keeping her husband & daughter under her thumb. Look-the DVD transfer shows how she has make-up "frown lines" painted at the corners of her mouth just in case we don't get the point that she's a sullen, PO'd bitter woman. A Snidely Whiplash mustache wouldn't have been gender-appropriate, would it?!? Arthur Kennedy also gives a GREAT performance as Dorothy's bibulous husband who despite his degraded state still musters considerable self-awareness & ultimately inspires our sympathy.

I described "A Summer Place" earlier as a guilty pleasure, but now I want to back off a little bit in closing. This is not really drama that will shake you fiercely like, say "21 Grams" or "Dead Man Walking," however I confess I AM touched by the underlying sincerity of "A Summer Place" and its intent to provoke--gently--some questioning of the Eisenhower era values that seemed set in stone and indeed WERE a cage of oppression for many. Perhaps your appreciation of "A Summer Place" will be proportional to your level of receptivity to such a re-evaluation. All I know for sure is that you enjoy it half as much as I do, you will like it a very great deal indeed!

A Summer Place-DVD.......2007-05-12

I saw this movie about 20years ago and loved it, but I fell in love with the Theme song and have loved it till this very day. The quality of this movie was fabulous as was the service, no hassles at all, its a pleasure to have my very own copy of this movie. Thanks Amazon.

Summer, Sex and Suds.......2007-05-08

Nowadays novelist Sloan Wilson's a nearly-forgotten footnote to 50's pop culture, but he produced two big bestsellers that were made into iconic films of their time, THE MAN IN THE GREY FLANNEL SUIT and A SUMMER PLACE. Neither picture's a masterpiece, but both are of interest, with SUMMER PLACE having the edge for entertainment value; its tale of angst and lust, senior and junior division, still provides plenty of sizzle. Thanks to the production code, Hollywood danced around sex for years. When films began to address the subject, in pictures like PEYTON PLACE and A SUMMER PLACE, the tone was often breathless hysteria -- there's something of a disconnect when actors coiffed and dressed in high 50's fashion are tossing around Victorian language like "house of ill repute" and "harlot". That said, these movies provide fascinating glimpses of public morality. In today's climate, Paris Hilton's X-rated antics provoke less commotion than Wilson's relatively straightforward adultery and teenage canoodling do here. Attractive performances from Egan and McGuire, nice work from Constance Ford as the embittered, puritanical mother (Angela Lansbury must have been washing her hair that week), and career-defining turns from Troy Donahue and Sandra Dee. As I've said before on this site, Dee's always better than you remember her being. She looks fine here, always maintaining her dignity in a thoughtful performance of material that could easily have turned ludicrous. Throw in a memorable Max Steiner score, a good Warner's DVD transfer, and you've got a great Saturday night movie.

A SUMMER PLACE.......2007-05-06

SUPERB OLD CLASSIC.RATHER DATED IN ITS APPROACH TO EXTRAMARITAL SEX, DIVORCE AND MORALS BUT STILL GREAT NOSTALGIA.

A Summer Place.......2007-04-10

DVD arrived quickly and it great shape will make a lovely addition to my keepsake collection.

Average customer rating:

Sunny Summer Magic
Summer Magic
Summer Magic
Definitely Worth Watching!
Summer Magic

Summer Magic
Starring: Hayley Mills , Burl Ives , Dorothy McGuire , Deborah Walley , and Eddie Hodges
Director: James Neilson
Manufacturer: Walt Disney Home Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

Drama | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

Comedy | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

All Disney Titles | Disney Home Entertainment | Stores | DVD | Video

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

( S ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

The Moon-Spinners
In Search of the Castaways
That Darn Cat!
Pollyanna (Vault Disney Collection)
The Parent Trap (1961) and The Parent Trap II (1986): 2-Movie Collection (2-Disc Set)

ASIN: B00005JMVV
Release Date: 2005-05-03

Amazon.com

This classic 1963 Disney film features child icon Hayley Mills as Nancy Carey, a teenage girl whose family moves from Boston to the New England countryside as a result of their father's untimely passing. Nancy writes to the kindly Mr. Poppem (Burl Ives) and single-handedly convinces him to rent the family a charming, if run-down, house for a mere $60 a year. Ever the optimist, Nancy brims with excitement at the family's new life, but this "perfect world" has its problems--notably an absentee landlord who knows nothing about the Carey family's rental agreement. Through hard work and Mr. Poppem's continuing generosity, the Careys fix up the house and find life in the rural Maine town quite satisfactory. Things become tense when their cousin Julia arrives for an extended visit, but eventually Nancy and Julia grow from one another's experiences and become good friends. You'll never guess what happens when the absent landlord returns unannounced during the family's Halloween housewarming party!

One section that may sit poorly with modern audiences features Nancy and Julia discussing how to emphasize one's femininity at the expense of hiding the real you--an indication of how much American thinking has changed in a relatively short period of time. Nevertheless, this is a charming tale featuring toe-tapping ragtime music, wonderful songs by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman including "Summer Magic" and "The Ugly Bug Ball," and the incomparable talents of Mills and Ives. Take a trip down memory lane and don't forget the kids. (Ages 7 and older) --Tami Horiuchi

Description

Hayley Mills brings a joyful enthusiasm to this nostalgic, musical, and bighearted adventure in small-town living, now on Disney DVD. When a close-knit Boston family loses their fortune, they find a wealth of family secrets, young love, and charming summer nights in Beulah, Maine. A good-natured postmaster, pretentious cousin Julia, and the mysterious absentee landlord, Mr. Hamilton, populate their new life in a charming old yellow house. Featuring an all-star supporting cast, including Burl Ives, Dorothy McGuire, and Deborah Walley, this classic and wondrous tale will delight the entire family and belongs in every Disney collection.

Customer Reviews:

Sunny Summer Magic.......2007-06-02

Years ago the Disney Channel ran something of a nostalgia double bill and ran Vincente Minnelli's MGM classic MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS along with the Disney studio's own SUMMER MAGIC. From a thematic perspective, it was inspired programming--both films were warmhearted,unabashedly sentimental family pictures set in the early days of the last century. In terms of quality, however, there was no real comparison. MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS is a true American classic. SUMMER MAGIC, while it has a certain charm, achieved nothing remotely like that status. As non-animated Disney fare goes, it's pretty good, but running it alongside the Judy Garland classic couldn't help but point up its weaknesses--and even the movie's biggest fans would have to admit there are some.

But before I get into any of that, I have to say that I was one of the movie's biggest fans myself when I was 11 years old. Like so many other kids my age, I had a mad crush on Hayley Mills. And after seeing this movie, I developed an even madder one on flame-tressed Deborah Walley (who played spirited Hayley's snooty cousin Julia in this one). I don't think I noticed at the time, that neither one of them could sing all that well--but they did handle their musical numbers with a certain charm. And nobody was expecting young actresses of the early 60s to exhibit Garland-sized voices, nor did the rag-timey score for the film demand anything like it. It was enough that SUMMER MAGIC offered two such fetching young actresses. Unfortunately for me, while Hayley stayed in the Disney ranks for a few more years after this, Deborah "graduated" to more Beach Blanket Bingo type roles--and well, I wasn't allowed to go to those.

And by the time I was in my rebellious high school years, both Disney styled quaintness and Beach Blanket blankness were already passe. I wouldn't have owned up to liking any of it. Grace and Janis replaced Hayley and Deborah in my heart's hierarchy.

But do you ever forget your first love(s)? Watching SUMMER MAGIC now is perhaps something of a guilty pleasure, but I can see why an 11 year old of the era would have fallen for it--and for its young stars--hook,line and sinker. And of course, the rest of the cast were either old pros like Burl Ives, Dorothy McGuire and Una Merkel or appealing young swains and adorable kids. Just what you would expect from a Disney flick of the period. You've even got Jerry Mathers real-life younger brother playing Hayley's movie kid brother (in the classic endearingly bratty mold--Kevin Corcoran and Jerry himself were aleady a little too old for the part).

And as a hint of wierdness, you get Michael J. Pollard in the role of the New England country boy who heads off to the big city only to return to his bucolic roots shortly thereafter. Even quirkier is this character's tomboyish (and somewhat spacey) younger sister played by a young actress named Wendy Turner who is given a lesson in "Femininity" by city gals Debbie and Hayley. (And no, it's not very politically correct by today's standards, but fairly reflective of its era--which is to say the storyline's early 20th century era, and well, maybe too, the era the film was made in as well: feminist consciousness on a broad scale was a few years away yet).

So about those comparisons to MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS: well, if the Disney Channel itself had not run the two films as a de facto double bill all those years ago, I don't think it would ever have occurred to me to compare the two. We all know that Disney family fare was lower budget and significanly less polished a product than anything MGM put out in the decades before. SUMMER MAGIC's status as a true musical is questionable in any event. There are several musical numbers, of course, but they're on the slight side. And they're just too sporadic for there to be much in the way of musical momentum. It's hard to pinpoint the difference, really, but it would seem that there are musicals and there are films--particularly Disney films--with a few musical numbers.

But give the filmmakers credit. There's no doubt that this is escapist fare, but unlike, say, MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS, it actually does touch on some of life's harsher realities. In SUMMER MAGIC, the Carey family is in reduced circumstances because they have lost their father. Cousin Julia was completely orphaned, and although she had been taken in by a wealthy family that too proved to be a precarious situation and--although she is too proud and blind to admit it--she is in pretty dire straits when her relatives take her in. The worst traumas Judy's St. Louis family had to deal with was Tootie's scary Halloween and the upsetting prospect of their very much alive and well (if curmudgeonly) father's moving the family to New York City to accept a BETTER PAYING and more prestigious job.

No denying that the movie is fluff, but good fluff acknowledges--overtly or covertly--the realities it seeks to escape from. In fact, the lovingly bickering older couple played by Ives and Merkel have a running debate about seeing clouds or seeing silver lining. Merkel is even allowed to state a pretty good (and pretty funny) case for preferring your clouds to be clouds. I won't say this was deep stuff, even for my 11 year old brain, but the good cheer and optimism that dominates the movie does come at a price. The main characters' sunny optimism seems at times to be as much a matter of will power as of their fundamental natures.

Summer Magic.......2007-05-17

I loved Summer Magic! It is the typical Disney movie that I grew up with back in the 50's and I wouldn't be afraid for my grandchildren to sit with me while watching it. Dorothy Maguire, Haley Mills and Burl Ives are wonderful in this family picture. Anyone wanting to watch a movie that is lighthearted and fun, this I recommend and have your grandchildren with you....they'll enjoy seeing how things were in the "olden days".

Summer Magic.......2007-05-15

Charming, delightful and warm entertainment for the entire family. during the era movies were created using positive life's messages; this wonderful film provides true entertainment for children and a lovely stroll down nostalgic lanes for adults.

Definitely Worth Watching!.......2007-03-10

After the death of their father Hayley Mills and her two younger brothers and mother are left without much money and froced to move out of their Boston townhouse. They go to live in an old house in Maine and have to get used to country life, as well as their snooty cousin who comes to stay with them. A really good Disney movie, with a few good songs, like Ugly Bug Ball, and Femeninity.

Summer Magic.......2007-01-18

Loved this when I was a kid and it's still a great movie!

Average customer rating:

Excellent Movie
Another gem inside the artistic trajectory of William Wyler
Wonderful Movie!
Great movie
Friendly Persuasion DVD review

Friendly Persuasion
Starring: Gary Cooper , Dorothy McGuire , Anthony Perkins , Richard Eyer , and Robert Middleton
Director: William Wyler
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Classics | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Religion | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Drama | Military & War | Genres | DVD | Video

Civil War | Military & War | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $9.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( F ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Shenandoah
Spencer's Mountain
The Big Country
Sergeant York (Two-Disc Special Edition)
Unconquered (Universal Cinema Classics)

ASIN: B00004XMV9
Release Date: 2000-12-05

Description

For two years the Civil War has been elsewhere. Now Confederate forces are nearby, looting and burning. It is time to fight back, Jess Birdwell's neighbors insist. Yet Birdwell, a Quaker, knows there must be a better way to settle things. Year: 1956 Director: William Wyler Starring: Gary Cooper, Dorothy McGuire

Customer Reviews:

Excellent Movie.......2007-05-12

This is one of my favorite and I have watched it many times.

Another gem inside the artistic trajectory of William Wyler .......2007-04-12

A Quaker family beset in southern Indiana for the awful reality of a Civil War that was superbly translated to screen by an accurate direction and a fine cast.

You should notice this film won the Cannes Festival as Best film in1957 which additionally must mean something.

Wonderful Movie!.......2007-03-25

One of the best movies ever made! Great story wonderful acting, if you haven't seen it you really should! Loved it the first time and everytime I watch it!

Great movie.......2007-03-10

I have loved this movie since I was a kid, I couldn't believe my eyes when I found it for sale at Amazon.com. This movie is an excellent portrayl of the pursuit of peace and friendship in the face of all conflict. There is also enough comedy to keep the movie hopping, and you laughing. Another worthwhile purchase to be added to any collection.

Friendly Persuasion DVD review.......2007-02-20

This is a good movie and was purchased due to the need to view the carriage in the race since my husband is renovating the actual carriage.

Old Yeller 2-Movie Collection (Old Yeller/Savage Sam)

Average customer rating:

Old Yeller 2
Old Yeller/Savage Sam
Old Yeller Double- header
Great movies.Old yeller/Savage Sam.
Old Yeller 5th generation

Old Yeller 2-Movie Collection (Old Yeller/Savage Sam)
Starring: Dorothy McGuire , Fess Parker , Jeff York , Chuck Connors , and Beverly Washburn
Director: Robert Stevenson , and Norman Tokar
Manufacturer: Walt Disney Home Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

Drama | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

All Disney Titles | Disney Home Entertainment | Stores | DVD | Video

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

( O ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Where the Red Fern Grows
The Yearling
Where the Red Fern Grows
Swiss Family Robinson (Vault Disney Collection)
Toby Tyler

ASIN: B000AJJNIG
Release Date: 2005-11-15

Description

OLD YELLER: Walt Disney's first and quintessential film about a boy's love for his dog is now an American original as much as it is a Disney classic. No film better portrays the powerful emotions of hope, courage, and friendship. When his younger brother adopts a frisky lop-eared stray, 15-year-old Travis (Tommy Kirk), acting "man-of-the-house," tries to shoo him away. But Old Yeller soon proves he is anything but "yellow" when he protects the family farm and saves Travis' life. From its charming simplicity to its gripping conclusion, the drama, humor and heart of OLD YELLER belong in everyone's collection. SAVAGE SAM: Now discover what happens next in SAVAGE SAM, the sequel to Walt Disney's classic adventure OLD YELLER, where adopting a new pup sets the stage for more thrills in the untamed West. With his two young masters Travis and Arliss Coates (Tommy Kirk, Kevin Corcoran), gentle and true-blue Sam faces even greater dangers than Yeller. From the ferocious attacks of wolves and wildcats to tracking renegade wrongdoers, our four-legged hero proves his pedigree. SAVAGE SAM is a compelling story of love, devotion, and trust that is sure to win your heart.

Customer Reviews:

Old Yeller 2.......2007-06-08

If you're looking fore a superb "coming of age" family favorite, "Old Yeller" is it. Our kids, ages 5 and 10 LOVE this movie. My husband and I are delighted to share this childhood favorite with them. This is one movie that does the book justice. Get it and enjoy it!

Old Yeller/Savage Sam.......2007-05-09

Dorothy McGuire was the quintessential canine/boy mother of ther time. Both of these movies are tear jerkers, yet she helps the boy to understand, bear and deal with death.

Old Yeller Double- header.......2007-04-07

Wow! Did this bring back memories! I still cry at the end. And to remember what a handful Arlis was....praise be to his mother:)

Great movies.Old yeller/Savage Sam........2007-04-03

Old yeller & savage sam, are two wonderful old classic movies,they are true CLASSIC Disney productions.You will laugh and cry when you view these. These old movies are what Disney was all about.( Good Wholesome family movies).

Old Yeller 5th generation.......2007-03-25

Old Yeller has been a favorite of mine since I 1st watched it in a movie theater with my grandma as a young girl. I begged My Mom and Dad to see it again and even though money was tight back then they took all of us (6 kids) to see it again. When my children were growing up in the 70's and 80's I bought it and we watched it a lot on our VCR. All 5 of my chilren now in ther 30's and late 20's still love this movie as much as I do. My 10 year old grand daughter has watched it several times now and says it still makes her cry (it tends to do that to every one towards the end). The younger grand children also like and enjoy watching it.It has it's lessons in life and funny moments. Just a good movie about the daily
hardships and life in general durring that era. And who can't resist loving Arliss and his little temper fits?

Average customer rating:

Three Coins In The Fountain
a gorgeous travelogue & interesting insight into social mores of 50 years ago
Totally Corny and A Charmer!
GREAT MOVIE PRODUCTION!
Three Coins in a Fountain

Three Coins In the Fountain
Starring: Clifton Webb , Dorothy McGuire , Jean Peters , Louis Jourdan , and Maggie McNamara
Director: Jean Negulesco
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Classics | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Romantic Adventure | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $9.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( T ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Roman Holiday (Special Collector's Edition)
Love is a Many-Splendored Thing
It Started in Naples
Summertime - Criterion Collection
A Letter to Three Wives

ASIN: B0002B15Y2
Release Date: 2004-11-02

Amazon.com

Velvety and glazed like a fattening pastry, this 1954 love story concerns three American women who make wishes for love in Rome, and end up having three romances. The cast is fine, but as for the film, what you see is what you get. There's no mystery to any part of this movie--like everything director Jean Negulesco made once CinemaScope entered his life (e.g., How to Marry a Millionaire, A Certain Smile), Three Coins is designed to lull rather than stimulate. (It did, however, win Oscars for cinematography and the Jule Styne-Sammy Cahn title song performed by Frank Sinatra.) --Tom Keogh

Description

A charming romantic comedy about three American roommates working in Italy who wish for the men of their dreams after throwing coins into Rome's magnificent Trevi Fountain.

Customer Reviews:

Three Coins In The Fountain.......2007-05-13

Actually if you follow the story line, you will notice that only two coins are thrown in the fountain. A delightful romantic movie.

a gorgeous travelogue & interesting insight into social mores of 50 years ago.......2007-05-12

there are worse ways to wile away an evening than revisiting this (in its own way) fascinating look at the 1950s. this is not the world of douglas sirk, tho it may have many of the same characteristics. its a world where independent women wind up with the guys they love, and everybody manages to dress well. the movie is gorgeous to watch, a prime example of how cinemascope was utilized to lure fans who were deserting their weekly movie habit in favor of television. a great travelogue for roma and its environs, and of course theres that infectious theme music which youll never shake.

Totally Corny and A Charmer!.......2007-03-24

Don't recall ever seeing this movie before tho I'm familiar with the title song, tho not by Frank Sinatra whose version I found boring. The film is delightfully amusing and beautiful to look at. Dorothy McGuire getting tipsy is really funny! It was a surprise to see such a young Louis Jordan and Rossano Brazzi and I barely recognized Clifton Webb. Who knew he had red hair!Very enjoyable and entertaining.

GREAT MOVIE PRODUCTION!.......2007-03-12

Good classic story - great scenery.

I love it.

Thank you!

Three Coins in a Fountain.......2007-02-07

Dated, but a lovely look at Italy and a true romantic story that holds up well, even today. It was great to see a movie that I last saw in the 50's when it was made. We have come a long way in movie making sice this one, with special effects etc, but it was nice to see REAL ACTORS, REALLY acting.

Get romantic..take a look, you should love it.

Average customer rating:

Good-hearted but preachy
Bravo, Celeste! Bravo, June!
See it through to the end...you'll be glad you did
It goes beyond entertainment
The "Gentleman's Agreement" Era Greatly Impacted our Political Landscape

Gentleman's Agreement
Starring: Gregory Peck , Dorothy McGuire , John Garfield , Celeste Holm , and Anne Revere
Director: Elia Kazan
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Classics | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

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

All Deals | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( G ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

How Green Was My Valley
The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit
Marty
The Lost Weekend
All About Eve

ASIN: B00006RCO2
Release Date: 2003-01-14

Amazon.com essential video

Elia Kazan directed this sometimes powerful study of anti-Semitism in nicer circles, based on Laura Z. Hobson's post-World War II novel. Gregory Peck is a hotshot magazine writer who has been blind to the problem; to ferret it out, he passes himself off as Jewish and watches the WASPs squirm. Seen a half-century later, the attitudes seem quaint and dated: Could it really have been like this? Yet the truth of the story comes through, in the wounded dignity of John Garfield, the upright indignation of Peck, and the hidden ways bigotry and hatred can poison relationships. That's particularly true in the Oscar-winning performance of Celeste Holm, who finds more layers than you'd expect in what seems like a stock character. --Marshall Fine

Description

A journalist assigned to write a series of article on anti-semitism. Searching for an angle, he finally decides to pose as a Jew-and soon discovers what is to be a victim of religious intolerance.

Customer Reviews:

Good-hearted but preachy.......2007-06-16

This is a movie about anti-Semitism plain and simple. It hangs its blatant philosophies on a paper-thin storyline that is not really about the characters portrayed by excellent cast, but about an idea. The characters represent types: The idealistic journalist, the put-upon Jewish friend, etc., all used to express the filmmakers' concerns.

Not being alive when this movie was made, I cannot really speak about the accuracy of the way it protrays anti-Semitism back then, though I don't doubt that its depiction is pretty much on the nose, albeit melodramatic. When Gentile journalist Peck goes undercover and starts passing himself off as a Jew in order to write an expose, he encounters all sorts of prejudice--both blatant and subtle. Walking a mile in Jewish moccasins not only opens his eyes to what his Jewish childhood buddy has experienced his whole life (and by extension, all American Jews), it ends up endangering his family and his love life.

The script is for the most part very heavy handed, relying far too much on lecturing rather than showing, and including many tedious, almost embarassing speeches, about what it means to be an American, what the signers of the Constitution stood for, etc.

Still, it's a movie that's bound to generate interesting, and important, conversations about the nature of prejudice. Later audiences might be thinking more about how women, blacks, hispanics,gays, etc., are and have been the victims of such mindless hatred, but the message remains the same over and over again through the decades: Prejudice is an insidious, nasty phenomenon that needs to be routed out wherever it exists and in whatever form.

While, in the case of Gentleman's AGreement, it may not make for superb moviemaking or art, it is certainly a subject that needs to be broached openly and often, as long as prejudice exists, and from that point of view, this is a worthwhile movie, and one that probably needed to be made when it was.

Bravo, Celeste! Bravo, June!.......2007-04-16

Whereas there is much to admire about this movie, I found this flick annoying. The storyline was good enough - definitely worth the effort of sitting through the movie - but (like some other reviewers here have suggested) it is very heavy-handed, at times... clumsily written, at other times... with an unfortunate performance by Dorothy McGuire.

If you've not seen Dorothy McGuire in a movie before, do not judge her by this performance! Instead, watch her in A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, and you'll see what a brilliant actress she was. Unfortunately, in Gentleman's Agreement, her onscreen presence was annoying - practically ruining every scene she was in (for me, anyway). To her credit, though, she had one of the worst parts in the movie to convey - a difficult character, but also a badly-written character, too. It's hard to picture any actress being able to say some of the clumsy dialogue they gave her. (It didn't help that her make-up was also unflattering...) In almost all of her scenes, she had the same half-smile, dreamy-eyed look... regardless of what she was saying - as if she were a robot without a thought in her head. Too bad. She is a much, much better actress than what is presented here.

Gregory Peck was fine. John Garfield was fine. Ann Revere was great. Dean Stockwell was also pretty terrific (unusual for a child actor to not be cloying, back in 1940's Hollywood).

BUT, the movie belongs to Celeste Holm. Truthfully, I've never really been a great fan of hers, but now? I feel like I need to re-review anything I've seen her in. She is fantastic in this movie - subtle, witty, intelligent, feeling, and beautiful. I did not know she'd won the Academy Award for this movie, but - after having seen it - I can understand why. The movie may be 50+ years old (and showing its age), but whenever Celeste Holm comes onscreen, the movie is suddenly vibrant and alive. Bravo, Celeste.

Another surprise was June Havoc's performance. Like Celeste Holm, June Havoc makes the movie come alive. Suddenly, Gregory Peck seems a little less wooden, when he's on camera with Havoc. June Havoc is wonderful in this movie.

Unfortunately, much of the movie (in this day & age, now) reminds me of something we would've had to watch in high school, during an American History class... Too preachy. Too heavy-handed. Too slow. With characters too one-dimensional.

See the movie for the sake of Film History - and the performances of Celeste Holm and June Havoc. But for a good night at the movies? Uh... I'd try something else.

See it through to the end...you'll be glad you did.......2007-02-04

I agree with another review that the movie plods a lot in the first half. Someone could miss the first half hour or so and you could catch them up to the plot in less than 30 seconds.

But wait it out, get up and make some popcorn or knit a sweater while you watch, and make sure you watch to the end, cause it's the last ten minutes that deliver that powerful punch.

Pay close attention during the conversation between John Garfield and Dorothy McGuire, toward the end of the movie, and you will feel the movie hit home. You may see yourself in the dislikable character of Green's fiance, Cathy, all of a sudden and half to admit, I do that all the time. She forgot that there is a big difference between not liking racism, and doing something about it. Don't we all?

Watching a movie like this is like this: ....yawn....stretch...yawn...POW!

See it.

It goes beyond entertainment.......2007-01-30

This 'old' black and white movie really gets to the core of anti-Semitism in western society thought and practice.

The "Gentleman's Agreement" Era Greatly Impacted our Political Landscape.......2006-12-13

Everyone should see this 1947 film which highlighted the anti-Semitism prevalently found in Republican areas like Connecticut. And yes, this now firmly Democratic Party stronghold once was solidly in the GOP column. Far too many Republicans were anti-Semitic bigots and did everything possible to discriminate against Jews. Journalist Phillip Green (Gregory Peck) pretends to be Jewish so that he can find out about the reality of these exclusionary practices. He finds out quickly that the discrimination is much worse than could have earlier imagined. No, the establishment elites did not wear Nazi uniforms and swear allegiance to Adolph Hitler. Their prejudicial behavior was subtle and nonviolent. The goal was to turn Jewish-Americans into second class citizens. Regrettably, we have not overcome the resulting anger and bitterness of this era. Many Jewish voters still hesitate to vote Republican even when this might arguably be their logical choice.

I strongly urge all teachers to require their students to view this film. They need to understand the vast evolution American society has experienced in the last sixty years. No thinking citizen should ignore "Gentleman's Agreement." It should be on the top of those movies you---and your possible children must see in the near future.

David Thomson
Flares into Darkness

The Greatest Story Ever Told (Movie Only Edition)

Average customer rating:

2nd Best, But Not Bad.
Magnificent
Restoration status?
Right On time
The best Biblical epic!

The Greatest Story Ever Told (Movie Only Edition)
Starring: Max von Sydow , Michael Anderson Jr. , Carroll Baker , Ina Balin , and Pat Boone
Director: Jean Negulesco , David Lean , and George Stevens
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Classics | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Religion | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Drama | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

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

( G ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Jesus of Nazareth
The Ten Commandments (50th Anniversary Collection)
The Robe
The Bible ... In the Beginning
Ben-Hur (Four-Disc Collector's Edition)

ASIN: B0002BO05S
Release Date: 2004-07-06

Amazon.com

The life of Christ got an excessively long treatment (260 minutes, later trimmed to 195) in this 1965 film directed by George Stevens (The Diary of Anne Frank). Max von Sydow does beautiful work as Jesus--his spontaneous mourning at discovering his friend Lazarus has died is not like anything in other New Testament epics--and Stevens renders the familiar tale with a handsome authenticity. But the project is nearly undone by an unwise gimmick in which seemingly half of Hollywood's living stars at the time make brief (often very brief) cameo appearances, some of which are ridiculous. But there is a lot to like in the film, and Von Sydow's sensitive nobility sticks in the memory. --Tom Keogh

Description

"A magnificent film, handled with reverence, artistic appreciation and admirable restraint" (NewYork Daily News), this glorious epic is an inspiring, grand-scale recreation of the life of Jesus of Nazareth, from His humble birth and teachings to His crucifixion and ultimate Resurrection. Lavishly produced at a cost of $20 millionan enormous amount for the timeand honored with five 1965 Academy AwardÂ(r) nominations*, this exceptional motion picture is exquisitely beautiful. Now fully restored to its original theatrical brilliance with intermission and overture, it is truly The Greatest Story Ever Told. *Cinematography (Color), Original Score, Art Direction (Color), Costume Design (Color), Special Visual Effects

Customer Reviews:

2nd Best, But Not Bad. .......2007-05-25

If you follow my reviews, you know that I see Franco Zeffirelli's "Jesus of Nazareth" (1977) as the best movie about Jesus. This earlier version with Max Von Sydow as Jesus falls short in several ways. (It lacks the deep character development, a lot of the educated speculation, as well as the artistic beauty of "Jesus of Nazareth.") Well, that said, this earlier version is not bad considering that it was made over a decade earlier. And there are some things that make this 2nd best version worth watching. (2nd Best isn't always so bad.) The first interesting thing is when Herod orders the killing of the children (in an attempt to kill Jesus early). Herod himself actually quotes "Jeremiah" 31:15. (See "Matthew" 2:16-18.) Thus the movie underlines that there IS such a thing as a conscious and deliberate attempt to fulfill a prophecy. Or for that matter, making our own ends coincide with a prophecy that has been sitting around for some time. Telly Savalas gives an interesting picture of Pilate. He simply wants to keep order. In his book "The Killing," Bishop Richard Holloway explains that Pilate was really no worse than anyone else who would have had that job. (Side note: For the record, Pilate has been the procurator for some time before the trial of Christ, and by the time Christ's trial came, Pilate was getting tired of his office.) Another interesting 'artistic liberty' taken is that Mary Magdalene meets Jesus when she is almost stoned for adultery. (See "John" 8:3-11.) Thus we see that one can go from a sinner to a saint. Also, Jesus tells the wealthy Lazarus some painful truths about wealth that upset him. But later Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. Thus we see that Jesus loves us even though we have our shortcomings. Another interesting thing is that when Jesus casts out the changers from the temple (See "Matthew" 21:12-13), he explains that burnt offerings are NOT what God desires. To be sure, this movie does not have the memorable beauty of "Jesus of Nazareth." But Max Von Sydow actually does the role quite well. Granted, when there are several movie versions of one story, we usually have our favorites. But often, other versions do have interesting things to offer. Even if (as in my case) Robert Powell will always be Jesus to you, it won't hurt to give this version a chance.

Magnificent.......2007-03-11

`The Greatest Story Ever Told' is magnificent. It has a classic sweep and splendor that lives up to its title. While there are some questional interpretations, and some scenes are unnecessarily plodding, the performances are strong and the crowd scenes are often rousing. Filmed in Utah, the cinematography gives grandeur to match the film. Max Von Sydow provides a proper transcendence as Jesus, and Charlton Heston demonstrates both passion and prudent understatement as John the Baptist. Honorable mention goes to Telly Savalas who gives the right ambiance to Pilate. Furthermore, Judas's portrayal as the conflicted betrayor has a proper subtlety even if his lines don't always match the character. ("I don't want the money," the apostle known for robbing the common purse, says.) Sal Mineo, Sidney Poitier, Donald Pleasance and a myriad of others also guest star. Even John Wayne makes a token appearance as the centurion that can be measured in seconds, making 'The Greatest Story...' the 'A Bridge Too Far' of Christian cinema.

George Stevens wrote, directed, and produced this epic. His technical aspects solidify a masterful treatment. However, one could quibble with his directing for making it too tame in places and for his screenplay's discrepancies. (In another example, Martha chastises Jesus, but in the Bible she says, "Even now you could bring him [Lazarus] to life.") While Stevens' interpretations substitute scripture in places, the raising of Lazarus, Jesus triumphal entry into Jerusalem, and his crucifixion give the spark of passion this venue deserves. Furthermore, implementing Handel's Messiah in key scenes is a masterstroke. All said and done, 'The Greatest Story Ever Told' is a reverent and relevant portrayal of Jesus and his life.

Restoration status?.......2007-02-15

Has anyone heard if the the original "Road Show" 4 hour + print of this movie still exists?-And if there are any plans to release it on DVD?
Sure The cameos are hokey-But between Van Sydow's performance, Alfred Newman's score, the cinematography, and George Stevens' magnificent very wide screen compositions-Can anyone really say that "King of Kings" (1961)
had any more resonance?

Right On time.......2007-02-02

We really enjoyed this movie. During the Christmas holidays, it used to be traditonal viewing biblical movies and stories on Christ. This movie is one of those that is enjoyable to watch anytime and more so during this time of year...the birthday celebration of Christ.

The best Biblical epic!.......2007-01-17

George Stevens masterpiece is, for me, the best of all the Biblical epics. It takes dramatic license in setting the scripture and the events, but it does so in a very peaceful and profound manner. The script is very well written, presenting scripture in a poetic, dramatic manner and the musical score is superb. Biblical scholars disagree over the meaning of the Matthew 16:18 passage "on this rock I will build my church" - here seemingly presented to refer to Peter himself as the rock when the true meaning and most accurate translation would appear to be that the statement of Peter - that Jesus is the Christ and the Son of the living God - is the rock or foundation on which the church is built. The cast of this film is very large, with cameo roles from many of the major stars of the day. Max von Sydow is an exceptional actor who captures the loving, caring spirit of Jesus. The location, including the four corners region of the US, is a striking background for the story of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.

Average customer rating:

The Spiral Staircase
A real thriller!
One emerged from the film feeling as exhausted by terror as McGuire had been...
Gothic Style Drama and Suspense
Steer Clear of the Wine Cellar

The Spiral Staircase
Starring: Dorothy McGuire , George Brent , Ethel Barrymore , Kent Smith , and Rhonda Fleming
Director: Robert Siodmak
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Classics | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Film Noir | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

Suspense | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

Thrillers | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

Mystery | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

Classics | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $9.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( S ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Where the Sidewalk Ends (Fox Film Noir)
Whirlpool (Fox Film Noir)
I Wake Up Screaming (Fox Film Noir)
The Heiress (Universal Cinema Classics)
The Dark Corner (Fox Film Noir)

ASIN: B000AM6OOE
Release Date: 2005-10-04

Amazon.com

An unusual suspense film, The Spiral Staircase tells the story of a mute servant girl threatened by a murderer who has a penchant for killing the handicapped. Ethel Barrymore, Elsa Lanchester, and George Brent co-star, while Dorothy McGuire expertly captures the dilemma of the mute Helen Capel. Capel, who has not been able to speak since childhood, must somehow call for help before becoming the killer's next victim. McGuire's performance carries the film far past any B-movie qualities in the plot, and the last line is one of the most memorable in film history. Silent movie buffs will especially enjoy the opening scene, which takes place at a turn-of-the-century movie parlor. --Mark Savary

Description

A murderer is targeting disabled young women in a sleepy New England town, and Helen (Dorothy McGuire), a mute servant in a Gothic mansion, is terrified she's next! Mrs. Warren (legendary actress Ethel Barrymore in an Oscar®-nominated* performance [Best Supporting Actress, 1946]), the invalid, bullying mistress of the house, warns Helen to leave at once, rather than rely on her weak son and stepson for protection. But even as Helen is packing her things, she suspects she may be too late and the murderer is closer than she ever imagined!

Customer Reviews:

The Spiral Staircase.......2007-03-25

Outstanding movie!!! If you love a good thriller this is your movie.

A real thriller!.......2007-02-21

I love this movie, and it is the type of film that was made a long time ago that is just "creepy" enough to be fun rather than nauseating. The
suspence level is great and the performances (especially Ethel Barrymore's) are first-rate. It's really very enjoyable.

One emerged from the film feeling as exhausted by terror as McGuire had been..........2007-01-15

The extra vulnerability of the handicapped has been a magnet to attract some fine directors of suspense...

The fulcrum of Robert Siodmak's 'The Spiral Staircase' was the fact that the beautiful and expressive Dorothy McGuire was dumb - deprived of her speech by shock... Her terror when death stalked had to be wordless, and it was all the more potent... She could not communicate, she could not plead or call for help...

It was New England in 1906, and she was employed by the bedridden mistress (Ethel Barrymore) of an old mansion (decorated in Victorian style). On the girl's day off, a disabled girl was found murdered in the little town. It was the third such murder... In each case the victim had been physically handicapped - and, as we learned later, the murderer killed because he could not tolerate imperfection...

There was a chilling start to the suspense as Dorothy McGuire walked home through a stormy night, rattling a twig against railings... In a lightning flash we saw - but she did not - the silhouette of a man watching her... On into the house and, as she paused on a landing, we saw the feet of the man on another landing... waiting. And then, in a close-up of his eye, we saw her face reflected - an imperfect face...

On this level the tension was maintained in visual terms, through the murder of another girl in the house and the mute's discovery of the body, and her belief that she knows the murderer... She tricks him into a room and locks him in... but, as she is to find, she has locked up the wrong man...

Ethel Barrymore received the film's only Academy Award nomination, as Best Supporting Actress... McGuire would have to wait another year to be nominated as Best Actress, for her great role in Elia Kazan's emotional 'Gentleman's Agreement', 1947.

Gothic Style Drama and Suspense.......2006-10-10

This fondly remembered film uses a gothic atmosphere and a terrific performance from Dorothy McGuire to capture and keep the viewer's attention. The suspense builds slowly and it is the kind of film best watched on a rainy night with a big bowl of popcorn.

Nicholas Musuraca's photography captures the menace of the wind and rain in this truly old-fashioned tale of suspense and romance. Dorothy McGuire shines as the mute Helen under Robert Siodmak's uncluttered direction. Roy Webb, famous for many great scores at RKO, adds another fine one to his list in this Dore Schary production from Selznick. This is a film of atmosphere and performance rather than nail-biting tension. As with many of Ethel Lina White's novels brought to film, the movie is actually better than the book.

The film opens as the mute Helen appropriately watches a silent film while a killer on the loose preys once more on a young woman with an imperfection. Helen is very aware of her own limitations but the young town doctor is in love with her and believes she can be helped to speak once again. When it becomes evident that the killer is connected somehow to the old mansion where Helen takes care of the ill Mrs. Warren (Ethel Barrymore), she is soon in great danger because of her affliction.

From there it is only a matter of figuring out just who Helen should be wary of. An old spiral staircase and a single rainy night will reveal much. The two very different sons of Mrs. Warren offer latent hostility and intrigue while Dr. Parry tries to protect and warn her, as does the sick Mrs. Warren. Rhonda Fleming offers a sexy contrast to McGuires's wholesome mute girl as the secretary romancing the wayward brother Steven. A fine cast that includes Kent Smith as the doctor, George Brent as the responsible son, and Elsa Lanchester round out the players in this gothic style drama.

A shy kiss between Helen and Dr. Parry in a doorway sets the tone for the film, which is very old-fashioned suspense and romance. McGuire has some wonderful moments throughout the film. One such is when she is daydreaming of her marriage to Dr. Parry which becomes a nightmare beacause she cannot utter "I do" at the alter. The pace is slow and deliberate but works because of a wonderful ending, especially the final shot.

Those expecting grandiose tension and suspense will probably be disappointed upon seeing this film for the first time. Those who can ignore all the hype of its reputation, however, will find much to love in its gothic atmosphere and old-fashioned romance. A great film for a rainy night!

Steer Clear of the Wine Cellar.......2006-08-15

With her large, expressive eyes and rather plain features, Dorothy Mc Guire is perfect for the mute servant girl in this superb gothic thriller. So is stylish noir director Robert Siodmak who really knows how to translate troubled inner worlds into complex camera effects. Together, they transform the hoary elements of a maniacal killer, a spooky old mansion, and a houseful of suspects, into a memorable movie experience.

I paricularly like the opening sequence where a 1900's audience sits watching an early feature length film, The Kiss. The rest of the audience sits stoically, not knowing what to make of the new-fangled experience. However, Mc Guire's simple servant girl sits enraptured, absolutely transfixed, her luminous eyes suffering along with the endangered heroine, whose predicament curiously foreshadows Mc Guire's own plight yet to come. I doubt that any actress has won over an audience any faster than during those few seconds.

Credit should also go to that terrific RKO tandem of art director Albert D'Agostino and set director Darrel Silvera, whose artistic eye helped lift that studio into the pantheon of 1940's black & white. Together, they manage to keep a single set, the old house, from becoming boring to look at, while perfectly complementing Siodmak's own gothic sensibilities.

Still, there is a downside. Poor Kent Smith plays the young doctor. Technically, he's a competent enough actor; however, his charisma factor registers somewhere between dull gray and dried cement. Here his rather smarmy physician appears to have wandered over from the set of Young Doctor Kildare. Fortunately, his screen time is limited.

In compensation are the wonderfully daffy Elsa Lanchester as the cook, and Carleton the dog as Carleton the dog, perhaps the most beautifully ugly face in the history of canine thespians. Also, making an impressive appearance is an apparent forerunner of hurricane Katrina , howling and thundering for the entire ninety minutes in true gothic fashion.

Anyhow, this is a genuinely artistic suspenser from RKO's golden period, proving once again why Hollywood's eventual stampede to technicolor was not an unmixed blessing.

Average customer rating:

Best Doggone Dog in the West
Worst Doggone movie is the world!!!!!!!
Dissapointed me
You Are So Beautiful, . . . To Me
Archives ,The Best!!

Old Yeller (Vault Disney Collection)
Starring: Dorothy McGuire , Fess Parker , Jeff York , Chuck Connors , and Beverly Washburn
Director: Robert Stevenson , and Jack Kinney
Manufacturer: Walt Disney Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Animals | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

Drama | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

Family Films | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

All Disney Titles | Disney Home Entertainment | Stores | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( O ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Where the Red Fern Grows
Swiss Family Robinson (Vault Disney Collection)
The Yearling
Pollyanna (Vault Disney Collection)
Treasure Island

ASIN: B00005RRG4
Release Date: 2002-05-07

Amazon.com essential video

There's nothing hip about this vintage Disney film that begins and ends with a corny song about the "best doggone dog in the West." But that's the beauty of Old Yeller, originally released in 1957. The simple, heart-warming story of a boy who bonds with a feisty stray dog in 1860s Texas is full of 1950s sensibilities: A Donna Reed-style perfect "Momma" (Dorothy McGuire) who knows best, a couple of brothers who quarrel in the best sitcom tradition, and a father (Fess Parker, in a small role) who goes off to provide for his family, leaving his older boy (Tommy Kirk) in charge and his incredibly cute younger one (Kevin Corcoran) to steal as many scenes in the movie as he possibly can. With Old Yeller at his side, Kirk becomes a little man, who in the end must make a decision so heart-breaking that it's one of filmdom's most memorable moments. --Valerie J. Nelson

Description

No film better captures the powerful emotions of hope, courage, and friendship than this treasured and much beloved classic, OLD YELLER. The quintessential tale of a boy's love for his dog has touched the hearts of millions, its enduring legacy growing with each new generation and it's "still one of the best!" (Leonard Maltin) Set amidst the landscape of 1860s Texas, a young boy named Travis (Tommy Kirk) wants nothing to do with the lop-eared stray. But Old Yeller quickly proves himself a loyal friend, protecting the family and saving Travis' life. Soon they become inseparable pals, sharing joyous experiences and learning valuable lessons about growing up.

Customer Reviews:

Best Doggone Dog in the West.......2007-03-07

Life was tough in the old west. There were wild critters, Native Americans (annoyed that someone was taking their land, again), insufficient rain, the lecherous fat guy looking to mooch your food, and hydrophoby (hydrophobia, also known as rabies). Yep, life was tough in the old west. But no problem, Katie Coates (classy actor Dorothy McGuire who appeared in numerous roles in movies such as "Friendly Persuasion," "Swiss Family Robinson," and "Summer Magic") manages to survive everything with the support of son Travis (Disney regular Tommy Kirk). Katie needed help because her other son Arliss (Kevin Corcoran, another Disney regular) was an obnoxious brat.

Father Jim Coates (Fess Parker, who was already a huge success in Disney's Davy Crockett shows) goes on a trip, leaving Katie, Travis and Arliss to fend for themselves. Before long a big yellow dog shows up, much to Arliss's delight. Initially Travis resents the dog because it causes him a lot of work when the dog causes destruction on the farm. However, the big yellow dog is friendly and manages to save Arliss's life. Old Yeller even wins Travis's love.

Much of this movie is a comedy. Arliss and Old Yeller keep us entertained with their antics. Old Yeller is so big and lovable that you have to laugh sometimes. Old Yeller is also very protective of his new family.

As I said before, life is tough in the old west. Wild animals existed all around the Coates homestead. One day a wolf attacks the family. The only thing that saves the family is the big yellow dog. Katie quickly realizes that the wolf had rabies, and she pens Old Yeller up to learn whether the wolf has given Old Yeller rabies.

I leave you to watch the end of the movie for yourself.

"Old Yeller" is one of those movies that deliberately tugs at your heartstrings. Even I struggled to keep my eyes from watering when Travis faced Old Yeller in the shed. However, Disney movies nearly always end with a message of hope and love, and so does this one.

Sometimes it feels good to have your emotions manipulated, even if you are sad for a little while. This movie does it so well that you may want to watch it twice in a row.

Enjoy!

Worst Doggone movie is the world!!!!!!!.......2006-10-26

I watched this film because everyone said it is a classic. Like many classics it is anything but. Why does everyone cry at this movie? I didn't cry at this movie; I didn't anything close to tears. This is not because I hate dogs, I think that dogs are not people and that the dog was better off after he was shot. Also this movie may have been much better if the acting had be decent. The acting of the boy made me laugh instead of cry when the dog died. And if his little brother had spoken one more time I would have screamed. This same little boy is in many Disney films and every time he is unbarable. So unless you have a love for punnishment don't watch this movie.

Dissapointed me.......2006-06-26

First, you must know I love animals, I love movies and I love movies in which I can cry my heart out. I have cried on almost every movie I have ever saw, but somehow this movie didn't make me cry.
I guess that isn't a real bond for having a dog for such a small period of time....
It's a nice movie, not big deal

You Are So Beautiful, . . . To Me.......2006-04-24

Disney has done outstanding films about a boy and his dog - Old Yeller tops them all, including Lassie w/Roddy McDowell. And this DVD set comes with a second disc filled with an array of quick dog flicks coupled with interviews of people in the dog flick business.

This 1957 movie is set in pre-Civil War America and centers around a frontier family whose "Pa" (played by Fess Parker) heads out on a cattle drive and leaves his eldest son, Travis, (is he only twelve?) in charge of "Ma" and his little brother Arliss. The boy feels like the odd one out with his little brother getting all the attention, until a stray yellow dog turns up. Travis and Old Yeller become best friends.

Old Yeller wins the rest of the family over too by saving Arliss from a bear, saving the sweet corn from raccoons, and protecting Travis from wild hogs. The hog fight leaves both boy and dog with flesh wounds from their frightful encounter and everyone worried whether either of the two would come down with rabies. However, they both recover without incident.

Then Old Yeller has a run-in with a wolf. Soon after, Old Yeller is frothing at the mouth trying to get out of the shed that Travis put him in as a precaution. Travis keeps telling his mother that Old Yeller will get better. But Old Yeller becomes so sick and so out his mind, that Travis has to become a man and put his best friend out of his misery.

This film made Sputnik look like a hot-air balloon!

Archives ,The Best!!.......2006-04-08

Disc. 2 is the best part of the set!, with all the doggy extras and interviews. I am forever grateful to the reviewers that detailed what disc 2,of the DVD Vault collection has on it!!I have searched for 20 years for The Arizona Sheepdog movie because I own relatives of the Border collies featured. Its not the entire movie but, 18 minutes is better than nothing.I never would have found it without the reviewers that described what was on disc 2. Old Yeller is sad but, realistic of life and the happiness we can get f