The Warner Archive Blu-ray/DVD Thread

[Andrew Monroe Pallid Hands Find all posts View Profile Close Andrew Monroe]

Oh hell yeah!

Who wouldn't want to spend a rainy afternoon in a bookstore with her?!? And drinking whiskey no less! I actually think she looks even sexier before she takes her glasses off. Miss, I need help please....

[Ian Jane Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close Ian Jane]

Today's crop of new releases from WAC - lots of Mitchum!

ONE SHOE MAKES IT MURDER (1982) Robert Mitchum made his TV debut in this stand-out telepic about a down at his heels gumshoe tasked with a simple case that goes lethally pear-shaped. Mitchum plays just-past-his-prime Harold Shillman, a plodding, cynical ex-cop who finds himself inside a web of corruption that's just as tired and soul-sick as he is. Criminally overlooked, this film ranks among the best TV detective pics ever produced. Produced by co-star Mel Ferrer who was able to entice Angie Dickinson to play opposite Mitchum. Also stars Howard Hesseman, and adapted from the novel So Little Cause For Caroline.

PROMISES TO KEEP (1985) It's a made for TV Mitchum menagerie in this gathering of the generations. Robert Mitchum plays Jack Palmer, a man estranged from his family for three decades. Stricken with illness, Jack decides it's time to settle accounts with the clan he abandoned but he shows up as they're facing a crisis of their own. Mitchum's son Chris (a noted thespian on his own) plays Jack's son Tom, while grandson Bentley Mitchum plays the third generation Palmer, Johnny. Tess Harper and Claire Bloom tamp down the testosterone with their considerable talents.

MY FORBIDDEN PAST (1951) Mitchum plays the sloe-eyed surgeon that got away in this lusty Southern soaper and Ava Gardner plays the spurned belle who sits upon a scandal. The suspiciously named Barbara Beaurevel (meaning 'good party' as played by Ms. Gardner) inherits a double legacy from her grandmother who's been kept separate from her because of her granddame's forbidden past. It's enough wealth to rule high society, and enough shame to be cast out of it. Determined to have it all — which includes her now married former-beau, Dr. Mark Lucas (Mitchum), Babs hides her heritage while she sics her loathsome lothario cousin (Melvyn Douglas, stealing a page from Price) on Mark's gulled spouse (Janis Carter). Good times appear to be rolling her way — until murder changes its course! And now she holds Mark's fate in her slippery hands…Directed by Robert Stevenson.

THE CHOCOLATE SOLDIER (1941) Nelson Eddy stars in a beloved musical mish-mash that combines the melodies of Strauss' The Chocolate Soldier with the machinations of Molnar's The Guardsman. Rise Stevens plays Eddy's songstress spouse who the seemingly spurned singer attempts to seduce in the guise of a Russian guardsman. Nigel Bruce lends support while Roy Del Ruth directs.

CAIRO (1942) The same year that gave us Curtiz's Casablanca also gave us W.S. Van Dyke's wholly different and delightful tale of war and romance among the sands of North Africa. The affable Robert Young plays an eager beaver reporter stuck at sea (literally) on his way to cover the war when a wave introduces him to a charming stranger. He soon finds himself hot on the tail of a Hollywood croonstress (Jeanette MacDonald) who may just be the MGM Mata Hari. Ethel Waters stands out as MacDonald's maid among equals.

THREE DARING DAUGHTERS (1948) MacDonald transitions from Maiden to Mother in this comedy romance about a single mom faced with a surplus of suitors thanks to three daring daughters (Jane Powell, Elinor Donahue, Ann E. Todd). José Iturbi plays José Iturbi, the man who steals a mother's heart.

THE SUN COMES UP (1948) Jeanette MacDonald bid adieu to her screen career in a remarkable film alongside a pair of very special co-stars, The Yearling's Claude Jarman Jr. and legendary Lassie. MacDonald plays a grieving mother who blames her child's beloved pet for his tragic death while Jarman plays a young orphan who teaches her to love the dog and in turn, life. And don't forget Lassie, who gets in some signature stunts!

BLACK GOLD (1962) Philip Carey (One Life to Live's Asa Buchanan) stars in this free-wheeling, rough hewn tale set during the 1920s Oklahoma wildcat oil strikes. James Best plays the pal, Diane McBain plays the hellcat they fight over and Claude Akins plays the oil baron they all battle. 16x9 Widescreen

THE CASTILIAN (1963) The tag line tells the tale: “True…Actually Shot in the Medieval Locations Where the Actual Story Took Place!” And that's just one of the wonders found in this Frankie Avalon(!) narrated historical epic about repelling the Moors from medieval Spain. Other wonders include some spectacular recreations of 10th Century warfare, Cesar Romero's dashing sidekick turn as Jeronimo and a score of international stars including Fernando Rey, Valli, Broderick Crawford, Spartaco Santoni and Teresa Velí¡zquez. Stay tuned for a deus ex machina ending that's both literal and true to the tale as told. 16x9 Widescreen

COAST OF SKELETONS (1964) Richard Todd reprises his role as Edgar Wallace's intrepid Inspector Sanders (after 1963's Death Drums Along the River) in this tale of sub-marine salvage, skullduggery and Nazi plunder. Sanders gets swept up by danger after being sent to investigate possible insurance fraud along the treacherous Nambian coast in Africa only to discover felons and femme fatales. You know your back's against the wall when the only guy you can trust is an ex-Nazi. 16x9 Widescreen

TRIPLE CROSS (1967) Terence Young, the man who laid down the blueprint for James Bond as the director of the first three films, was a natural choice to helm this thriller drawn from the real-life exploits of the WWII super-spy codenamed ZigZag. Convicted safecracker Eddie Chapman (Christopher Plummer, both debonair and gritty) gets out of jail by playing a one of a kind hat trick — he becomes a secret Nazi spy who's actually a British double agent that's still a confirmed criminal. Naturally, the Nazi's instruct him to sign his coded messages, “XXX” — pronounced by the English as “triple cross”. Yul Brynner plays Chapman's Nazi handler, while Romy Schneider and Gert Frobe play the gulled spymasters. 16x9 Widescreen

THE SEA GULL (1968) Sidney Lumet made a rare departure from his native NYC for a dacha outside Stockholm to tackle Chekhov's masterpiece, The Seagull, alongside a troupe of top-notch thespians. While James Mason and Vanessa Redgrave deliver arresting takes on the drama's dissolute seducer and resolute seducee, it's David Warner who steals the show as the tragic dreamer at the heart of the action. 16x9 Widescreen

IMPULSE (1990) Sondra Locke helms this proto-feminist take on neo-noir starring Theresa Russell who adds undercover vice cop Lottie Mason to her resume of roles that challenge our assumptions about women's roles in movies. This time she plays a faux “bad” girl who may not be playing. After indulging in her dark side, Lottie finds herself stuck with a dead mobster, a pile of loot, and both cops and crooks closing in. Jeff Fahey play the nice cop, George Dzundza plays the creep cop. 16x9 Widescreen

SECOND BEST (1994) William Hurt delivers a career-best contender performance in this sublime and skillfully wrought tale of a lonely man and a damaged child. Hurt plays Graham Holt, postmaster for a small English village. Facing the loss of his father, perpetual bachelor Graham decides to become a parent via adoption. Graham chooses troubled Jimmy (Chris Cleary Miles) on impulse, and it's a choice that may break or bond the two strangers. Superbly directed by Chris Menges and written by David Cook (adapting from his novel), Second Best is first rate all the way. Also features Jane Horrocks, Alan Cumming and John Hurt. 16x9 Widescreen

WITHOUT A TRACE SEASON 5 (2006-7) The search goes ever on for the FBI's elite Missing Persons Unit as the hit procedural storms into its fifth season. Jack Malone and his team (Anthony La Paglia, Poppy Montgomery, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Enrique Murciano, Roselyn Sanchez, Eric Close) face some of their biggest challenges as they race to solve the disappearances of a mob boss mistress and son, a champion chili-eater, a terrorist whistleblower, a Katrina survivor (the show's historic 100th episode) and 20 more. Guests include Chad Everett, Eriq La Salle, Dee Wallace, Reed Diamond, John de Lancie, Marina Sirtis, Tim Russ, David DeLuise and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio.

[Ian Jane Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close Ian Jane]

This is released today. I have to admit I am intrigued.

[Damin J. Toell Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Damin J. Toell]

This is released today. I have to admit I am intrigued.

Some info from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wonder_...man_.281974.29

[Ian Jane Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close Ian Jane]

Coming January 29th, 2013!

[Andrew Monroe Pallid Hands Find all posts View Profile Close Andrew Monroe]

As of Feb. 1 Warner Archive launched a streaming service, it's in beta right now and only available if you have a Roku device. Many titles that haven't been released on disc yet though and probably more to come. Many are in HD too.

[Ian Jane Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close Ian Jane]

The next Blu-ray release will be The Hudsucker Proxy, due February 26, 2013.

http://shop.warnerarchive.com/produc...rPicks&from=fn

[Ian Jane Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close Ian Jane]

Coming April 9, 2013:

[Andrew Monroe Pallid Hands Find all posts View Profile Close Andrew Monroe]

CRUISING is one of WAC's new releases today. Sounds like this is just a bare bones, none of the features from the OOP dvd. Glad I have that disc. I wonder if this will look the same? I would assume so but ya never know.

"CRUISING (1980) William Friedkin's controversial psycho-thriller sends an innocent rookie cop (Al Pacino) deep into the inferno of the “rough trade” scene in Manhattan's Meatpacking District. Without a Virgil to guide him out of the darkness, Pacino's character starts to get lost in a maelstrom of men, leather, and murder. Also stars Paul Sorvino and Karen Allen. 16x9 WIDESCREEN"

[Ian Jane Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close Ian Jane]

And Disorderlies too!

Weird that they'd put Cruising out on MOD without any of the extras.

[Ace Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ace]

I am gonna go for the 2 weeks free just to watch "Lucan". Have not seen it since I was a child. We will see how Lucan the Wolf Boy holds up now!

Ace

[Andrew Monroe Pallid Hands Find all posts View Profile Close Andrew Monroe]

Some interesting stuff from WAC today:


MEDICAL CENTER: THE COMPLETE THIRD SEASON (1971-72) Drs. Gannon and Lochner are back for another season of rip-roaring medical dramas that push the envelope as much today as they did yesterday. Artificial insemination, abortion, impotence, insulin shock and the plague provide a backbone for tales of prostitute wives, accused molesters, mentally challenged siblings and medical impostors. Top-flight guest stars like Carol Lawrence, Steve Lawrence, Kim Hunter, Forrest Tucker, Stefanie Powers, Jessica Walter, Bradford Dillman, Jayne Meadows, Michael Douglas (as the above mentioned mentally challenged sibling), Audrey Totter, George Maharis, Leslie Nielsen, Suzanne Pleshette, Willie Aames, Sheree North, Vera Miles, Georg Stanford Brown, Tyne Daly, and Meg Foster pass through the healing halls of County Medical Center. The season closes with a spectacular bit of stunt casting with guests Howard Duff and Ida Lupino! Newly Remastered

Paramount - Back in Print!

THE NAKED JUNGLE (1954) Carl Stephenson's adventure classic Leiningen Versus the Ants gets the big screen treatment courtesy of producer George Pal. Screen scribes Ranald MacDougall and Ben Maddow (via Philip Yordan) fill out the short story by skillfully grafting a mismatched romance between a mail-order widow (Eleanor Parker) and a repressed jungle conqueror (Charlton Heston) onto Stephenson's tale of man against implacable formic foe. We're talking killer ants — a creeping horror 20 miles long and two miles wide. Directed by Byron Haskin, co-starring William Conrad, star of the acclaimed radio version of the tale.

THE FAMILY JEWELS (1965) Jerry Lewis directs, writes, produces, and stars, stars, stars, stars, stars, stars, and stars in this family classic about a poor little rich girl (Donna Butterworth) who must choose between six eccentric uncles (all played by Jerry himself) to be her new guardian and the custodian of her 30 million dollar inheritance. But the best man for the job may not be her one of the avuncular whackos, but her clumsy chauffeur (also Jerry Lewis). Also stars Sebastian Cabot.

THE BROTHERHOOD (1968) Producer Kirk Douglas peels back the curtain on the shadowy aspects of Sicilian life a few years before Mario and Francis Ford would do the same. The son of a powerful Mafia don comes home from Vietnam and wants to lead his own life, but family tradition and his relationship with his older brother dictate otherwise as he's slowly drawn back into that world. Douglas stars, along with Alex Cord and Irene Papas. Directed by Martin Ritt.

HELLO DOWN THERE (1969) Uber-producer Ivan Tors is chiefly known for his “Blue-Sky” Sci-Fi (Magnetic Monster, Gog), aquatic adventures (Sea Hunt, Around the World Under the Sea), and family friendly animal shows (Flipper, Daktari). Hello Down There braids all three of these strands together — then throws them into a late sixties psyche-deco blender. Tony Randall plays an inventor desperate to save his pet project — an underwater model home (think SeaLab: 2020 — the Suburban Years) by convincing his family to move-in down below and stay for 30 days. Complicating matters is that his rock and roll offspring are about to sign with the heppest music agent of all (Roddy McDowall) who runs his biz thanks to a mechanical whiz. Seals, dolphins, sharks and a singing Richard Dreyfuss are just some of the delights in store. Also starring Janet Leigh, Jim Backus, Ken Berry, Charlotte Rae, Arnold Stang and Merv Griffin as himself. Directed by Jack Arnold.

THE MOLLY MAGUIRES (1970) This searing seventies social drama explores the real life struggle of Irish terrorist organization, The Molly Maguires, to improve the lot of exploited Irish immigrant miners in Pennsylvania circa 1876. Richard Harris plays the Pinkerton sent to infiltrate, Sean Connery plays the Maguires' leader. Directed by Martin Ritt.

THE WHITE DAWN (1974) A young Philip Kaufman takes on James Houston's inspired by true events tale — and the elements — to prove his adept hand at very real portrayals of humans living in the extreme. Only the third feature to film on location above the Arctic Circle, Kaufman allows the environment and the local Inuit (who speak their native language) to infuse the tale of three whalers (Lou Gossett, Timothy Bottoms, Warren Oates) stranded in an alien sub-zero world with a startling sense of otherness that manages to speak to a universal sense of humanity.

GUNG HO (1986) Ron Howard directs Michael Keaton, in full fast-talking flim flam mode, in a tale of auto-culture clash. Faced with the closure of his plant, factory foreman Hunt Stevenson (Keaton) gets a Japanese company to take over the plant, but is not prepared for the Japanese way of doing business. Also stars Gedde Watanabe, George Wendt, Mimi Rogers and John Turturro.

BACK TO THE BEACH (1987) This sly post-modern take on nostalgia-fest reunion pictures helped usher in the modern ironic era of entertainment but with more heart than snark. Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello return to the surf and sand to cook up a beach bonfire of fun along with some welcome familiar faces including Bob Denver, Tony Dow, Jerry Mathers, Don Adams, Edd “Kookie” Byrnes, Pee-Wee Herman and rock-ska wunderkinds Fishbone. Directed by Lyndall Hobbs.

KIDS IN THE HALL: BRAIN CANDY (1996) Groundbreaking sketch savants Kids in the Hall (Kevin McDonald, Scott Thompson, Mark McKinney, Bruce McCulloch, and Dave Foley) single cinema foray proves to be more than ready for rediscovery 16 years later. Faced with the age-old dilemma of how to structure a sketch feature, Kids in the Hall instead opted to make an absurdist ensemble satire that's so smart it hurts. Brain Candy's prescient skewing of Big Pharma is more relevant now than during the film's initial release, and with it we hope, an appreciation of the talented troupe that delivers it. Produced by Lorne Michaels and directed by Kelly Makin.

[Andrew Monroe Pallid Hands Find all posts View Profile Close Andrew Monroe]

A couple items of interest among today's new releases from WAC -- MITCHELL!

MITCHELL (1975) In the 70s, “MITCHELL!!!!” is the cry heard across the southland as Joe Don Baker plays the roguest cop of them all. This stalwart slob cop tackles double diabolicals as he takes on a rich racist killer (John Saxon) who likes to hunt undocumented workers, and a drug smuggler under fire from his own syndicate (Martin Balsam). Never available in an unexpurgated cut in the correct aspect ratio, Mitchell demands you re-discover him. NOW! Also stars Linda Evans as the Christmas gift that keeps on giving. Remastered in 16x9 Widescreen

SWEET REVENGE (1976) Stockard Channing and Sam Waterston star in this seldom seen Sea-Tac set gem, AKA Dandy, the All-American Girl. Channing plays a serial car thief hell bent on getting the auto of her dreams; Waterston plays the public defender aiming to save her from herself. But don't let the seeming meet-cute set-up steer you wrong — this is a black comedy character study satire on the corruptions of a consumerist society. With car chases. Directed by Jerry Schatzberg (Scarecrow). 16x9 Widescreen

THE BEASTS ARE ON THE STREETS (1978) Hanna-Barbera makes another all-too-rare foray into primetime live-action for this fur and feather-flying disaster flick. After a calamitous series of events fueled by the inexhaustible fire of human venality, a live safari tourist park's gates come down and the beasts come out — and they attack! As the park rangers try to re-corral their wayward charges, their efforts are hindered by public and police. This TV action romp rises above the norm thanks to its unwavering sympathy for the animal antagonists. With Carol Lynley and Philip Michael Thomas.

CAPTAIN CAVEMAN AND THE TEEN ANGELS: THE COMPLETE SERIES (1977-80) The World's First Super-Hero! As announced by Gary Owens' stentorian tones:
“Set free by the Teen Angels from his prehistoric block of glacier ice, comes the world's first superhero, Captain Caveman! Now the constant companion to the Teen Angels, Brenda, Dee Dee, and Taffy, in their hilarious and sometimes scary mystery missions. Get ready for Captain Caveman and the Teen Angels!” Originally a segment on Scooby's All-Star Laff-a-Lympics (and utility player for The Scooby-Doobies), the Mel Blanc-voiced Neolithic Wonder became a Saturday super-star in his own right, graduating to headline his own show. This 2-Disc, 40-Episode collection contains every mystery solved by the Teen Angels and the Captain. So, beware villains and miscreants, the battle-cry of “Caaaptain Caaaavemaaaan!!!!” will be heard once again across the land! Remastered

HILDEGARDE WITHERS MYSTERY COLLECTION (1932-37) One of the first break-out film series, Stuart Palmer's spinster sleuth cracked cinema crime courtesy of RKO Pictures. Character great Edna May Oliver played the part for the first three features and was ably paired with another character great, James Gleason, as Hildegarde's flirty foil, Inspector Piper. Gleason would ably anchor the rest of the series alongside replacement school marms Helen Broderick and Zasu Pitts. Collection includes:


Penguin Pool Murder (1932) Hildegarde takes her class on an aquarium field trip — to murder! With Edna May Oliver, James Gleason, and Robert Armstrong.
Murder on the Blackboard (1934) This time, murder comes calling inside the doors of Hildegarde's own school — and the corpse takes a powder! With Edna May Oliver, James Gleason, and Bruce Cabot.
Murder On a Honeymoon (1935) Hildegarde takes a trip to Catalina Island, and doubles down on the murders to solve. With Edna May Oliver, James Gleason, and Lola Lane.
Murder on a Bridle Path (1935) Central Park goes sinister when a society equestrian is struck down while on an early morning ride. With James Gleason, Helen Broderick, and Louise Latimer.
The Plot Thickens (1936) A corpse turns up twice, and so Inspector Piper calls in Withers. With James Gleason, Zasu Pitts and Owen Davis, Jr.
Forty Naughty Girls (1937) Inspector Piper and Hildegarde go on a date to see a Broadway musical, but murder occurs. Naturally. With James Gleason, Zasu Pitts and Marjorie Lord.

I'm pretty sure I saw THE BEASTS ARE IN THE STREETS but I don't remember anything about it. The first 3 Hildegarde Withers mysteries are really good, TCM runs them often.

[Richard--W a straight arrow Find all posts View Profile Close Richard--W]

Coming April 9, 2013:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]6049[/ATTACH]

Still waiting for GREYSTOKE.

[Andrew Monroe Pallid Hands Find all posts View Profile Close Andrew Monroe]

Yay! WAC released THE FROZEN DEAD today. I have a lot of love for this goofy movie. Saw it on late night tv while spending the night at my older sister's house in Charleston a looong time ago. Scream Theater, the local horror host show, and it was hosted by Ashley Ghastly. Also saw BLACULA for the first time that way. Couple other horror films released today too. I left off the EIGHT IS ENOUGH season 4 blurb if you'll pardon.

THE FROZEN DEAD (1966) What has Dana Andrews, Nazis on ice, murder, mad science and heads that wouldn't die? The answer is found in this sci-fi horror entree in all its cyanotic glory. Fugitive Nazi Doc Norberg has been living the high life incognito in an English castle on the ODESSA dime all while trying to defrost the Third Reich's finest warriors that were put on ice during the closing days of WWII. Unfortunately his to-the-manor-born innocent ingénue of a daughter comes calling earlier than expected with a buxom schoolchum in tow just as Norberg's Nazi bosses pay a surprise call. Horror, not hi-jinks ensue. From writer/director/producer Herbert J. Leder. Unlike it's theatrical release, this newly remastered 16x9 Widescreen presentation is now in its original aspect ratio and original color palate (Although released in black and white, the film was shot in eye-popping color!)

TORMENTED (1960) Legendary B-movie titan Bert I. Gordon helms this New England ghost story with a difference starring Richard Carlson (It Came From Outer Space). Borrowing a page from noir, Tormented plays true to its title by elevating its spooks to the psychological while delivering a very modern haunting. When a basically good man, Jazz pianist Tom Stewart, makes a disastrous choice in a moment of moral weakness, he becomes the target of a very possessive spirit - or does he? Anyone who tittered at this shoe-string wonder in the past may rethink their position after viewing this newly remastered 16x9 Widescreen edition.

THE ACCURSED (1957) This "Spy Shocker"/drawing room murder mystery delivers the goods by mixing great character actors, great characters, a compelling story and a solitary location (for the most part) that plays out like Graham Greene having a go at Agatha Christie. A group of former WWII underground operatives reunite each year to commemorate the murder of their beloved leader by the Nazis - but this year's reunion is marred by murder when one of their number tries to cover his treacherous tracks. Written and directed by Michael McCarthy with Christopher Lee, Donald Wolfit, Robert Bray and Jane Griffiths. Newly Remastered 16x9 Widescreen presentation

HANDS OF A STRANGER (1962) Maurice Renard's horror archetype, Les Mains d'Orlac, proves its immortal versatility yet again in this suspenser that flips the original's onus for murder from the metaphysical to the mind. Young concert pianist Vernon Paris (James Noah as "James Stapleton") is on the brink of stardom when his hands are destroyed in a car accident. Thanks to Dr. Gil Harding (Paul Lukather), Vernon's hands are replaced with those of a recent murder victim's. Revolted by his transplanted limbs, the musician embarks on a murderous spree of vengeance. Written and directed by Newt Arnold. And keep an eye out for a very young Sally Kellerman. Newly Remastered 16x9 Widescreen presentation