Warner Archive Collection New Releases Jan. 14: A Boy and (Not) His Dog

 

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Talking ‘Bout My Best Bixby

THE COURTSHIP OF EDDIE’S FATHER: THE COMPLETE THIRD SEASON (1971-72) The third and final season of the beloved TV classic brings with it some new faces (comedy greats Anne Meara and Jerry Stiller), new fears (Summer camp! Karate! Fetching Soviets!), and new foes (Eight is Enough’s Willie Aames taking up the ‘best frenemy’ role previously enjoyed by Jodie Foster). But the show still delivers its sitcom-changing mix of maturity, tenderness and laughs thanks to the evident bond enjoyed by series’ stars Bill Bixby and Brandon Cruz along with comedic support from series creator James Komack and series regular Kristina Holland. Adding to the razzamatazz is one very special guest-star, Sammy Davis, Jr as a phobia-filled insurance adjuster as well as Carol Lawrence as the aforementioned sexy Soviet, All in the Family’s Sally Struthers, Alice’s Vic Tayback, Columbo’s Bruce Kirby, and One Day at a Time’s Pat Harrington, Jr.

Man’s Other Best Friend

KIRBY GRANT AND CHINOOK ADVENTURE TRIPLE FEATURE, VOLUME TWO (1949-50) Kirby Grant (TV’s Sky King) and Chinook the Wonder Dog are back to battle evil-doers and protect the innocent across the Great White North in this trio of action-packed adventures culled from the hit Monogram series. Based on the works of James Oliver Curwood, the films detail the arctic circle adventures of the mighty Canadian Mountie Cpl. Rod Webb (Grant) and his faithful half-wolf companion, Chinook (Chinook).

The Wolf Hunters (1949) Helmed by legendary director Oscar ‘Budd’ Boetticher, sees Rod and Chinook hot on the trail of a murderous fur thief and uncovering a criminal conspiracy.
Snow Dog (1950) It’s dog vs. wolf as Chinook (and Rod) battle a murderous white wolf that bears an uncanny resemblance to Chinook himself.
Call of the Klondike (1950) Mountie and dog search for missing prospectors but find secret gold mines, treachery and love.

A Pair for the Ages

FIBBER McGEE AND MOLLY DOUBLE FEATURE (1942, 1944) The first couple of radio comedy, Jim and Marian Jordan, bring their immortal creations Fibber McGee and Molly off of the airwaves and on to the celluloid in this pair of surreal side-splitters. The pair’s contributions to popular culture are immeasurable thanks to heading one of the longest running radio comedy series in US history (1935-59.) From catch-phrases (“T’aint funny McGee!” “Heavenly days!” “That ain’t the way I heared it!” “You’re a haaaaaaard man, McGee.”) to now-familiar tropes (the overstuffed hall closet, the perennially penurious Fibber’s zany get rich schemes, a vast assemblage of wacky neighbors including the great Gildersleeve, Wallace Wimple, Abigail Uppington and scores more) to a skillful mix of dry deadpan and flat-out slapstick, the Jordan’s imprint on American humor resonates to this day – heck, there’s even an Fibber McGee and Molly app! This RKO double feature pairing sees the McGees leave the suburban confines of 79 Wistful Vista for two very different venues.

Here We Go Again (1942) The McGee’s celebrate their 20th Anniversary in high style when they bring their party to all the guests that RSVP’d “No” thanks to the allures of Lake Arcadia’s very exclusive Silver Tip Lodge. As Fibber sweats the bill, we encounter Molly’s former flame Otis Cadwalder (Gale Gordon), familiar voices Throckmorton P. Gildersleeve (Harold Peary), Wallace Wimple (Bill Thompson), Abigail Uppington (Isabel Randolph) and bandleader Ray Noble. Meanwhile Edgar Bergen is hunting for butterflies with Charlie McCarthy and Mortimer Snerd when he catches sight of lithesome Jean Gildersleeve (Ginny Simms). While we are treated to the sight of Bergen’s ventriloquist dummies coming to life thanks to cinema trickery, Edgar gets conned into Fibber’s scheme and the whole thing builds to an explosive climax.

Heavenly Days (1944) Mr. McGee goes to Washington where he intends to become a true vox populi thanks to prompting from a spirit of 1776. Shot while amidst the turmoil of World War II, Jim Jordan’s sympathies as a veteran of WWI come singing through in a memorable and moving tribute to the troops. The costs of war come through as well, thanks to an international gaggle of war orphans that come under the McGee’s care while Dr. George Gallup (Don Douglas) hunts for the average American thanks to Fibber’s follies.

NOTE: These DVDs are Manufactured on Demand (MOD); to order, fans must visit The Warner Archive Collection or WB Shop.com

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