James Cagney is definately the actor of
the 1940's. The five films in the
box include The Fighting 69th. Next is the comedy romance
Torrid Zone. The third film is the
screwball comedy The Bride Came C.O.D.
which was made in 1941 and co-starring Bette Davis.
The forth film is the patriotic
World War II film Captains of the Clouds. The final film
in the set is the musical The West Point Story and
stars Virginia Mayo, Doris Day,
Gordon MacRae, and Gene Nelson. Of the bunch, my
favorites are Torrid Zone for its zippy patter and
The Fighting 69th because I
remember seeing it when I was very young. The 69th was a
celebrated regiment of soldiers made up mostly of
Irish Americans, who distinguished
themselves from the Civil War onward, and in the case of
this movie, World War I. During the War the regiment
was part of the 165th Infantry
A.E.F., itself a part of the newly formed Rainbow
Division, which was sent to France in 1918, where
some members of the 69th won
Medals of Honor. Warner Bros. released the film just a year
or so before America entered World War II, and they
meant it to kindle some national
pride and love of country as we again prepared for
conflict. There is enough patriotism, chauvinism, and
prayer in The Fighting 69th for a
lifetime. The film has a great cast and some good
action scenes going for it. If it seems too old
fashioned, trite, or predictable,
live with it. Millions of people have done so for the
past seven decades and not found it half bad. Cagney
is, and always will be,
incredible!
DVD Picks
G.I. JANE: Blu-Ray - Buena
Vista
G.I. Jane is Ridley Scott’s
hard-hitting action film about the US Navy’s first female
Seal (Demi Moore). This is one film you either like or hate,
and I am in the like category. The film is a little
predictable at times, but the action is great—as is Demi
Moore’s acting. This is one for your collection. This Blu-Ray
transfer looks incredibly film-like and the uncompressed
Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack is incredible. This DVD will
give your subwoofer and surrounds a real workout! You will
be right in the middle of the action with this fantastic
package from Buena Vista. Highly recommended.
PLANET EARTH - BBC
With over five years in the making, this
program is the ultimate portrait of our planet. David
Attenborough narrated this stunning televsion experience
that captures rare action, impossible locations and intimate
moments with our planet’s best-loved, wildest and most
elusive creatures. From the highest mountains to the deepest
rivers, Planet Earth takes you to places you’ve never been
and allows you to experience sights and sounds never before
captured on film. You will be overwhelmed by the beauty and
majesty of Planet Earth.
TRUE CONFESSIONS - MGM
In Los Angeles, circa 1940, an
embittered, once-corrupt cop named Tom Spellacy is
investigating two murders: that of a priest found dead in a
whorehouse, and that of a mutilated woman in a park. As he
searches for the culprits, Spellacy uncovers an immense web
of corruption, involving prostitutes, dirty cops and
pornography. Even the Roman Catholic Church is implicated,
particularly one Monsignor Des Spellacy, Tom’s brother.
Although Des is innocent of any wrongdoing, his actions
raise moral and religious issues that Tom must deal with, in
order to solve these bizarre murders.
JANE EYRE - Fox
An all star cast breathes magnificent
life into this captivating 1944 film version of Charlotte
Brronte’s novel. This stirring film is the definitive
version of the engrossing classic! After spending her
childhoon in an orphanage, young Jane Eyre (Joan Fontaine)
becomes governess to the ward of an imposing older man named
Edward Rochester (Orson Welles). Ultimately, Jane’s gentle
influence forces Rochester to drop his forbidding veneer,
and he proposes to her, thus beginning a chain reaction of
events that will keep you on the edge of your seat. There
are numerous extra features included in this well-built set.
THE GUNS OF NAVARONE - Sony
One of the great war movies of all time,
with an all start cast, and a gripping plot--based on the
Alistair MacLean novel. A commando team is sent to a Greek
Island to destroy the giant guns of World War II Germany
which are controlling a strategic channel in the Aegean Sea.
Gregory Peck, David Niven, and Anthony Quinn star as a team
of Allied military specialists recruited for the special
mission. This special edition contains numerous special
features including numerous original featurettes.
EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND: Season Eight - HBO
Everybody Loves Raymond, with standup comedian Ray Romano
in the title role, revolves around Ray Barone, a successful
sportswriter living on Long Island with his wife, Debra
(Patricia Heaton) and their three children – and that is the
good news. What is the bad news? Ray’s meddling parents
Frank (Peter Boyle) and Marie (Doris Roberts) live directly
across the street and manage to infiltrate their son’s home
to unparalleled extent. And then there is Ray’s older
brother Robert (Brad Garrett). Robert is a divorced
policeman who lives with his parents, and is a constant
thorn in his brother Ray’s side. Everybody Loves Raymond,
Season Eight is available in the atypical 16:9 ratio, Audio
English 2.0, and is complete with subtitles in English,
Spanish, and French. All 23 eighth season episodes are
included, as well as numerous bloopers and deleted scenes
from the series. The stories are original and the cast is
absolutely brilliant! This series represents true comic
genius and is highly recommended to all!
