Twentieth Century Fox releases
three Hitchcock classics on bluray
Jeri Jacquin
Movie Maven
Released on bluray from 20th Century Fox are three of Alfred Hitchcock’s classic films with “Spellbound”, “Notorious” and “Rebecca”.
“Spellbound” tells the story of Dr. Constance Peterson (Ingrid Bergman), a psychiatrist who has dedicated her life to helping others. She meets Dr. Edwardes (Gregory Peck) and falls in love. What Dr. Peterson doesn’t know is that the man she loves could be a murderer! The tagline for the film is “will he kiss me or will he kill me” and this 1946 film nabbed six Oscar nominations and one win for Best Musical Score for Miklos Rozsa.
The DVD includes a commentary by Author and Film Professor Thomas Schatz and Film Professor Charles Ramirez Berg. Also, Dreaming with Scissors: Hitchcock, Surrealism and Salvador Dali, Guilt by Association: Psychoanalyzing Spellbound, A Cinderella Story: Rhonda Fleming. An interesting extra is a 1948 radio play as well as a Hitchcock audio interview.
“Notorious” tells the story of Alicia Huberman (Ingrid Bergman), a troubled but beautiful young woman recruited by Agent Devlin (Cary Grant). He helps her infiltrate a German spy ring but Alicia has fallen in love with Devlin. Now she’s being asked to seduce a leader Alexander (Claude Rains) that could ruin any chance at happiness with Devlin. Oscar nods for Claude Rains for Best Supporting Actor and writer Ben Hecht for Original Screenplay in 1947.
The DVD includes commentaries by Professor Rick Jewell and Drew Casper, “The Ultimate Romance: The Making of Notorious, Alfred Hitchcock: The Ultimate Spymaster, a 1948 radio play starring Joseph Cotton and Ingrid Bergman with Hitchcock audio interviews.
“Rebecca” tells the story of a quiet spinster (Joan Fontaine) who has spent her life being a rich woman’s companion, that is until she meets Maxim de Winter (Lawrence Olivier). After a whirlwind romance, she quickly marries and moves to Maxim’s home called Manderley. From the moment she arrives, the new Ms. De Winter is surrounded by the ghost of Maxim’s late wife Rebecca and it may ruin the happiness the couple seeks! This film was nominated for 9 Oscars winning Best Film and Best Cinematography in 1940.
The DVD includes a commentary by film critic Richard Schnickel, The Making of Rebecca, The Gothic World of Daphne Du Maurier, screen tests, radio plays and audio interview with Alfred Hitchcock.
Each of these films has the feel of how filmmaking was an art form and now on bluray by 20th Century Fox, viewers can see a crisp, clear picture. The stories are amazing and the cinematography brings the story full circle. No one was better at telling a story filled with intensity than Alfred Hitchcock.
Become a fan of these films, available on DVD bluray and renew your love for the classics!
Lady and the Tramp
Jeri Jacquin
Movie Maven
This Tuesday Disney’s opens its vaults again for the release of “Lady and the Tramp” on DVD.
This film tells the story of Tramp (voiced by Larry Roberts), a mongrel dog from the other side of the tracks – the not so good side! He loves his life of being free, that is until he meets Lady (voiced by Barbara Luddy).
Lady is a beautiful cocker spaniel that lives with the Jim Dear and Darling family. Treated like a princess, things change when the couple discovers there will be another addition to their family. Feeling as if she is losing her family, Lady decides to take off with Tramp and see the world.
But their adventure is filled with treacherous chaos and missteps that could tear them apart!
FINAL WORD: This Disney classic was first released in 1955 and has been a beloved classic ever since. The most memorable scene is Lady and Tramp having their spaghetti meal together by candlelight being serenaded. How loveable and romantic is that I ask!
The characters from the trouble making Siamese cats who sing “We Are Siamese” is sung by the beautiful Miss Peggy Lee to Trusty voiced by Bill Baucom bring back childhood memories for many and instant love by a new generation.
There are several things in the film prompted by Disney himself. The films setting are reminiscent of his hometown of Marceline, Missouri. Also, when Darling receives a puppy for Christmas this was based on Disney missing a dinner date with his wife and he presented her with a puppy – he was promptly forgiven!
At the end of the film, Tramps son Scamp is featured. Scamp became the subject for a comic strip, children’s books and comic books. He would be seen again the 2001 animated film “Lady and the Tramp II: Scamps Adventure”.
Other cast include: Bill Thompson as Jock, Stan Freberg as Beaver, Verna Felton as Aunt Sarah, Alan Reed as Boris, George Givot as Tony, Dal McKennon as Toughy, and Lee Millar as Jim Dear.
TUBS OF POPCORN: I give “Lady and the Tramp” four tubs of popcorn out of five. There isn’t anything about this classic animated film that doesn’t resonate with fun. The story is timeless and the lessons of friendship and love are wonderful. Children and adults can share in the story of these two adventuresome canines!
The Diamond Edition is a double set with DVD and bluray! The combo pack includes high definition picture and sound with never before seen scenes and songs. It also includes behind the scenes making of “Lady and the Tramp” as well as recalled memories by Walt Disney and daughter Daisy Disney Miller.
There is also The Siamese Cat Song: Finding a voice for the cats as well as Puppypedia: Going to the Dogs and so much more. This is a definitely a loaded Diamond Edition that will take you inside Disney’s creation.
In the end – this is one of the greatest love stories ever told.
