A Big Batch of ERROL FLYNN

6-FILM COLLECTION: ERROL FLYNN (Blu-ray)

1938-1948 / 709 min (6 movies)

Warner Archive Collection

Available at www.MovieZyng.com

Review by Mr. Paws😺

Is this a collection of Errol Flynn’s greatest work? Not by a longshot, nor is it intended to be. Instead, this set gathers six Blu-ray titles that were previously released separately. So while we might scream “What?? No Captain Blood??” (there’s still no Blu-ray for that one), this does offer a varied selection of movies Flynn did during his tenure at Warner Brothers. 

Of course, it would have been a crime not to include The Adventures of Robin Hood, which many feel is his greatest film. While I’m not inclined to agree, it remains the definitive telling of the mythical Saxon outlaw. Filled with action, humor, romance and Flynn at his most charismatic (all in beautiful Technicolor), it’s impossible not to be swept along, even 87 years later. Since we don’t get Captain Blood, at least there’s 1940’s The Sea Hawk, which I do think is Flynn's greatest film. Released at the height of his popularity, The Sea Hawk is an epic adventure with Flynn as sea captain Geoffrey Thorpe, England's most infamous privateer, defending his country against enemies through piracy. The final showdown remains one of the greatest sword fights ever filmed.

Yet another collaboration with director Michael Curtiz, 1940’s Santa Fe Trail is a historical drama that plays fast and loose with history, with Flynn as confederate general Jeb Stuart and Raymond Massey as abolitionist John Brown. While not a great film, it’s certainly watchable, though I personally think Flynn is miscast. Flynn fairs much better in 1943’s Edge of Darkness, though he’s just one part of a uniformly excellent cast. Aptly titled, the film is somber in tone and occasionally infuriating when depicting injustice against a Norwegian town at the hands of the Nazis, but this leads to a stunning - and surprisingly violent - final act once they've been pushed too far. This one ranks among Flynn’s best films.

"Yo, Guy! Read between the lines!"

If you’ve seen Northwest Passage with Spencer Tracy, then you’ve seen 1945’s Objective, Burma!, which tells the same story, with Flynn leading his squad as Captain Nelson. Though I doubt anyone would argue that Flynn’s a better actor than Tracy, this one is ultimately more entertaining (though a little too long). Rounding out the set is 1948’s Adventures of Don Juan, and who better to take the role of the world’s most famous womanizing swordsman? Considering his own reputation and behavior, he’s arguably just playing a version of himself. And that’s just fine, because the movie’s a hell of a lot of fun.

Again, none of the Blu-rays in this collection are new. The restorations and transfers (generally pretty excellent) are identical to previous releases, as are the bonus features. Quantity and quality of the content varies, running the gamut from loaded (Robin Hood) to bare-bones (Santa Fe Trail). Robin Hood, Don Juan and The Sea Hawk also include “Warner Night at the Movies” as a great viewing option, with a cartoon, newsreel, short subject and trailers preceding the feature, just like the ol’ days. While the set isn't definitive, it's worth grabbing if you don't already have most of these particular titles.

ULTIMATE GANGSTERS COLLECTION is Essential Viewing

ULTIMATE GANGSTERS COLLECTION: CLASSICS (Blu-ray)

1931-1949 / 357 min (4 movies)

Warner Bros (of course)

Available at www.MovieZyng.com

Review by Mr. Paws😸

During Hollywood’s classic era, MGM was synonymous with musicals, while Universal was renowned for its monsters. Warner Bros chose a darker path, establishing itself as the premier purveyor of gangster films. This indispensable five-disc set, originally released in 2013, collects four of their most iconic examples with generally excellent restorations and a slew of entertaining bonus features. Now that it’s back in print, it’s a must-grab for gangster fans who might’ve missed it the first time around.

Kicking things off is 1931’s Little Caesar, which is pretty much the movie that started it all (once talkies took over, anyway). It also turned Edward G. Robinson into a star. His oft-imitated (and parodied) turn as ruthless rising gangster Rico Bandello remains one of his most memorable, and the movie itself, while comparatively quaint, established the template for what was to come (it’s hard to imagine either version of Scarface without it). 

That same year brought The Public Enemy, which did for James Cagney’s career what Little Caesar did for Robinson’s. He’s electrifying as ambitious career criminal Tom Powers, who, along with childhood buddy Matt Doyle (Edward Woods), achieve wealth and power as prohibition era bootleggers. Though not nearly as violent as its reputation suggests, this is a dark film with tragic underpinnings, as exemplified through Powers’ tumultuous relationships with his disapproving brother, Mike (Donald Cook) and doting mother (Beryl Mercer). The revenge-driven final act is still a stunner. Then, of course, there’s that classic grapefruit scene.

While Humphrey Bogart is best remembered for playing antiheroes and romantic leads, he made his first big splash as a cold-blooded villain. He doesn't actually have the lead role in 1936’s The Petrified Forest, but he lights up the screen and steals the entire movie from his bigger (at the time) co-stars. Set mostly in a remote diner where on-the-lam killer Duke Mantee holds assorted patrons hostage, the movie is occasionally stymied by melodrama, but it’s obvious Bogey was destined for greater things.

Cody welcomes his new neighbors.

While all the films in this collection are classics, 1949’s White Heat is an inarguable masterpiece. As psychotically unstable gang leader Cody Jarrett, James Cagney makes Tom Powers appear downright benevolent. Yet at the same time, despite his violent and vindictive nature, Jarrett is a complex character whose dependence on his domineering mother (Margaret Wycherly) has disturbing undertones and renders him somewhat sympathetic. The compelling story is tension filled, fast moving and comes to one of the most memorable climaxes in movie history. Featuring an excellent supporting cast, tough, violent action and strong direction by Raoul Walsh, this ranks among the greatest gangster movies ever made.

One could easily list other great Warner Bros gangster movies that are just as worthy for including in this collection, but it’s hard to argue with the choices here. All of them are exemplary films of the genre, featuring iconic performances by three legendary tough guys. The video and audio transfers are excellent, though I’m assuming that Little Caesar’s workprint was a bit too old and worn for a pristine restoration. It’s a minor quip over an otherwise must-own collection for gangster movie fans.

EXTRA KIBBLES

PUBLIC ENEMIES: THE GOLDEN AGE OF THE GANGSTER FILM - Made in 2008, this is an outstanding feature-length look at gangster film origins and the classics Warner Bros built its reputation on. Loaded with clips, analysis and appreciation by a variety of critics and historians. Included on a bonus DVD.

MOB OF GANGSTER-THEMED CARTOONS - 4 classic Looney Tunes shorts: I Like Mountain Music; She Was an Acrobat’s Daughter; Racketeer Rabbit; Bugs and Thugs. Included on a bonus DVD.

WARNER NIGHT AT THE MOVIES - Each disc includes the option to view the movie as experienced back in the day, with a preceding newsreel, live-action short, cartoon short and a trailer for another film. Introduced by Leonard Maltin.

FEATURETTES - Each disc includes a 15-20 minute appreciation by various historians, critics and the one-and-only Martin Scorsese.

AUDIO COMMENTARIES - Little Caesar, by Richard B. Schull; The Public Enemy, by Robert Sklar; The Petrified Forest, by Erix Lax; White Heat, by Dr. Drew Casper.

GULF SCREEN THEATER BROADCAST - Radio broadcast of The Petrified Forest from 1940.

1954 RE-RELEASE FORWARD - This was used when Little Caesar and The Public Enemy were re-released as a double feature.

Four CLARK GABLES In One

4-FILM COLLECTION: CLARK CABLE (Blu-ray)

1935-1939 / 441 min (4 movies)

Warner Archive Collection

Available at www.MovieZyng.com

Review by Mr. Paws😺

Warner Archive has recently released a few 4-film collections showcasing such legendary stars as Elizabeth Taylor, Gary Cooper and (the set we’re reviewing) Clark Gable. The included titles are the same Blu-ray editions that were previously available separately; this is simply a more economical way to grab all four at once. 

The Clark Gable collection features movies he did in the 1930s while under contract at MGM. There’s no Gone with the Wind here (haven’t we seen that one enough anyway?), but it does boast of couple of his all-time best.

1935’s Mutiny on the Bounty is generally considered the definitive adaptation of the oft-told incident, and for good reason. While playing fast and loose with history, the film is a dramatically gripping account of Fletcher Christian (Gable) seizing control of the HMS Bounty from cruel, tyrannical Captain Bligh (Charles Laughton). Though featuring one of Gable’s better early performances, the film is stolen by Laughton, who’s deliciously hateful.

EXTRA KIBBLES - Pitcairn Island Today is a promotional short; 1936 Newsreel features Oscar awards footage; Trailer.

1936’s San Francisco is not the first disaster film. However, it’s the first one with all the elements that would come to define the genre...melodrama, subplots, tumultuous relationships, an all-star cast, epic destruction and a narrative blueprint followed by countless other films since. It’s also the first disaster movie with special effects that are more-or-less convincing. Even today, its depiction of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake is pretty damned impressive. Like some of the soapier entries in the genre, San Francisco dedicates a great deal of its running time to trials and tribulations of its main characters, but once the fight for survival begins, the film is thrilling.

EXTRA KIBBLES - Clark Gable: Tall, Dark and Handsome is an enjoyable 45 minute documentary; Bottles (cartoon short); Cavalcade of San Francisco (short); Night Descends on Treasure Island (short); Alternate ending; Trailer.

"I swear...it was like this when I got here."

Released the same year, Wife vs. Secretary is a romantic comedy co-starring Myrna Loy and Jean Harlow. Gable is Jake, a magazine publisher whose loving wife, Linda (Loy), is led to believe (through gossip and misunderstandings) that his relationship with dedicated secretary ‘Whitey’ (Harlow) might be more than purely professional. Not bad as these things go, but hardly one of Gable’s essential films. It also features James Stewart in one of his earliest roles.

EXTRA KIBBLES - The Public Pays is a short from MGM’s “Crime Doesn’t Pay” series; Trailer.

Finally, 1939’s Idiot’s Delight was Gable’s last film before Gone with the Wind made him Hollywood's dreamiest dreamboat. Based on a popular play, it’s mostly remembered for being the only time Gable performs a musical number in a movie. Elsewhere, there’s plenty of comedy and melodrama, but while the film is held in high regard by some, this writer felt it could have benefited from a little trimming, including that musical number (with all due respect, Mr. Gable, you ain’t much of a singer).

EXTRA KIBBLES - The Good Egg and It’s an Ill Wind are two Looney Tunes shorts; Alternate ending; Trailer.

As with most Warner Archive Blu-ray releases, the picture and sound restorations for these movies are quite good. Contentwise, the set is worth grabbing for Mutiny on the Bounty and San Francisco alone. Though the other two aren’t completely without interest, neither rank among the best of their genre or Clark Gable’s lengthy filmography.

THE BEAST WITH FIVE FINGERS and THE WALKING DEAD: Pity The Poor Pianists

THE BEAST WITH FIVE FINGERS and THE WALKING DEAD

(Blu-ray)

FROM WARNER ARCHIVE COLLECTION

Available at www.MovieZyng.com

Review by Josey, the Sudden Cat🙀

Warner Archive serves up a couple of minor classics that, despite the ominous titles, narrative set-ups and creepy aesthetics, I wouldn't consider to be pure horror films. Another common thread is both stories involve musicians getting royally screwed over (and not by their managers).

THE BEAST WITH FIVE FINGERS (1946/88 min) - Eccentric invalid pianist Francis Ingram (Victor Francen), who only has the use of one arm, dies one night. In his will, Francis has left everything to his unhappy nurse, Julie (Andrea King), much to the consternation of his greedy brother & nephew, who contest the will’s validity. Also present at the reading are Francis’ secretary Hilary Cunnins (Peter Lorre), as well as Bruce Conrad (Robert Alda), the pianist’s friend and Julie’s lover. Soon after, a disembodied hand begins stalking people one by one, while Francis’ haunting piano music echoes throughout the mansion.

The Beast with Five Fingers has the tone and atmosphere of a horror film, but ultimately ends up being more of a mystery thriller. But it’s a pretty good one, with an intriguing story and, considering it’s nearly eight decades old, excellent special effects. The characters are well-drawn and feature decent performances all around, with Lorre being a particular standout. The ending, which includes a brief-but-silly shift to comedy, sort of caps things off like a Scooby-Doo episode.

EXTRA KIBBLES

2 CARTOON SHORTS - The Foxy Duckling and The Gay Anties.

AUDIO COMMENTARY - By historians Dr. Steve Haberman and Constantine Nasr.

TRAILER

Play that funky music, white hand.

---------------------------------------------------------

THE WALKING DEAD (1936/66 min) - A variation of the Frankenstein concept with the same star, The Walking Dead is a sci-fi tinged revenge story featuring Boris Karloff as down-and-out musician and ex-con John Elman, who’s framed by gangsters for a judge’s murder and sent to the electric chair. Resurrected by scientists who know he’s innocent, John goes about getting his revenge on those who wronged him.

Like Frankenstein’s monster, Karloff effectively instills yet another undead character with sympathy, and he probably appreciated being able to do it this time around without being buried under a mountain of make-up. Elsewhere, Ricardo Cortez is wonderfully despicable as the crooked lawyer who set him up in the first place. Despite John’s haunting appearance and some life-after-death pondering, The Walking Dead emphasizes revenge over horror. As such, it’s fairly entertaining, though the story is wrapped up rather abruptly.

EXTRA KIBBLES

FEATURETTE - Michael Curtiz: The Greatest Director You’ve Never Heard Of is an excellent 30-minute retrospective appreciation of Curtiz by several noteworthy modern directors.

2 CARTOON SHORTS - The Cat Came Back and Let It Be Me.

2 AUDIO COMMENTARIES - 1) By historian Greg Mank; 2) By historian Alan K. Rode.

TRAILER

The Walking Drunk.

Both films are interesting little curios, though neither are creative milestones for anyone involved. The Blu-ray transfers for each are good and come with some enjoyable bonus material, especially the affectionate Michael Curtiz tribute accompanying The Walking Dead.

LOONEY TUNES COLLECTOR'S CHOICE, VOL. 4: The Golden Years and Beyond

LOONEY TUNES COLLECTOR'S CHOICE, VOL. 4 (Blu-ray)

1937-1964 / 188 min (27 shorts)

FROM WARNER ARCHIVE COLLECTION

Available at www.MovieZyng.com

Review by Mr. Paws😺

This fourth volume in Warner Archive’s Collectors Choice series continues raiding the vaults for more Looney Tunes obscurities from the golden years (and a few which aren’t). Like the previous volumes, it showcases 27 shorts, some of which haven’t been available on home video for years…if ever.

This one goes way back to 1937 with an absolute charmer. “Streamlined Greta Green,” a Friz Freleng-directed one-off featuring a world of personified automobiles and a defiant little car named Junior who cuts class to visit the bustling city. From the same era - and perhaps even more obscure - is “Dangerous Dan McFoo,” directed by Tex Avery.

At the opposite end of the timeline are shorts from the 1960s, generally considered the nadir of the studio’s output, when budgets were slashed and creativity was on the wane. This is best/worst exemplified by the dreadful “Devil’s Feud Cake,” which is a cheaply cobbled collection of scenes from previous Bugs Bunny/Yosemite Sam shorts to assemble a “new” story. Why it was chosen to represent the studio is a complete mystery. Also from this era is “Road to Andalay” with perpetually obnoxious Speedy Gonzalez. Conversely, “Hopalong Casualty” is another Road Runner/Wile E. Coyote classic (the one with earthquake pills!), as is “D’Fightin’ Ones,” Freleng’s clever take on The Defiant Ones. 

Kitty Krueger.

In between, shorts range from interesting curiosities to resurrected gems. Sylvester and Tweety show up in “Muzzle Tough” and the hilarious “Hyde and Go Tweet,” but there are also a couple of earlier ones with similar characters who predate them (“The Cagey Canary” & “Double Chaser”). Since we all need more Foghorn Leghorn in our lives, this disc offers “Henhouse Henry” and “Leghorn Swoggled.” Sam the Sheepdog and Ralph Wolf punch the clock for another wild workday in “Double or Mutton.” Daffy Duck is extensively represented by “Along Came Daffy,” “Holiday for Drumsticks,” “Stork Naked,”  “Muscle Tussle” and “Quack Shot.” 

A couple of one-offs pop up here and there, the best being Chuck Jones’ “Fox Pop.” As for Looney Tunes’ biggest star, aside from the aforementioned “Devil’s Feud Cake,” Bugs Bunny only shows up in one other cartoon, “Lighter Than Hare,” which (along with “Stork Naked”) appears as a bonus feature. But despite his comparative lack of screen time, Looney Tunes Collectors Choice Vol. 4 is another revealing collection of lesser-known shorts. Few would rank among the studio’s best, but collectors and completists will find a lot to like.

EXTRA KIBBLES

BONUS CARTOONS - Lighter Than Hare, with Bugs Bunny; Stork Naked, with Daffy Duck.