Warner Archive Collection New Releases: Rolling Out the Big Guns
Thanksgiving Blues
PASSAGE TO MARSEILLE (1944) On Blu-ray! Humphrey Bogart plays Jean Matrac, a happily married French journalist who is framed and sentenced to Devil’s island by French Fascists. But Matrac devises a bold escape from the legendary island prison, faces death adrift at sea with fellow escapees, helps the loyal crew of a French merchant ship overcome its pro-Fascist captain then fights for his country as a member of Britain’s Royal Air Force. Based on the novel Men Without a Country by Charles Nordhoff and James Norman Hall. Co-starring Claude Rains, Sydney Greenstreet, and Peter Lorre. Directed by Michael Curtiz. SPECIAL FEATURES: Warner Night at the Movies: Uncertain Glory Theatrical Trailer (SD); Vintage Newsreel (SD); I Won’t Play (SD) – Academy Award Winning Short Subject; Jammin’ the Blues (SD) – Academy Award Nominated Musical Short Subject; The Weakly Reporter (SD) – Cartoon Classic; The Free French: Unsung Victors (SD) – Featurette about the WWII French Resistance; Breakdowns of 1944 (SD) – Studio Blooper Reel; Passage to Marseille Theatrical Trailer (HD) – Newly Remastered in HD!
DEEP IN MY HEART (1954) On Blu-ray! MGM’s star-laden musical biography follows the life of legendary Broadway composer Sigmund Romberg, who led the vanguard to raise the bar for American musical theater scores. Among the film’s many all-star charms include a duet with Gene Kelly and his brother Fred, “I Love to Go Swimmin’ with Wimmen,” Ann Miller performing “It,” Cyd Charisse and James Mitchell scorching the screen on “One Alone” from The Desert Song, and Jane Powell and Vic Damone’s more than memorable medley of “The Road to Paradise” and “Will You Remember” from Maytime. But the film’s most unforgettable moment belongs to star Jose Ferrer’s one-man version of “Jazzadadoo”. Directed by Stanley Donen with Jose Ferrer, Merle Oberon and Helen Traubel. Guest starring Walter Pidgeon, Paul Henreid, Rosemary Clooney, Gene & Fred Kelly, Jane Powell, Vic Damone, Ann Miller, Cyd Charisse, Howard Keel, and Tony Martin. SPECIAL FEATURES: Original Theatrical Trailer (HD); Outtake musical sequences: “Dance, My Darlings” sung by Helen Traubel; “Girlies of the Cabaret” performed by George Murphy (with Esther Williams); Audio only outtake: New Moon medley, “One Kiss” sung by Joan Weldon (not used in final film)/”Lover Come Back to Me” (as used in film); MGM Concert Hall series short subject: “The Strauss Fantasy”; MGM Classic Cartoon Farm of Tomorrow.
It’s Toon Time!
THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS (1987) Legendary animation studio Rankin/Bass assembled an A-list roster of talents to create this animated adaptation of Kenneth Grahame’s enchanting masterpiece of children’s literature. Originally intended for theatrical release, family hour TV audiences might not have been prepared for was the most faithful adaptation seen to date of Grahame’s tale of forest critters mucking about in boats and trying to save their dear friend Mr. Toad (voice of Charles Nelson Reilly) from his own worst whimsies. The voices of Roddy McDowall (Ratty), José Ferrer (Badger), and Eddie Bracken (Moley) round out the tales iconic quartet, and with exquisite character design, and original songs (including a title song sung by Judy Collins), this version of the misadventures of Mr. Toad and co. is ready to become a holiday family favorite. Newly remastered.
Cry Murder!
DEATH ON THE DIAMOND (1934) Robert Young takes the mound as the hotshot pitcher who’s got the heat to take the hapless ’34 St. Louis Cardinals all the way to the pennant. The only hitch is that sinister forces are bringing another kind of heat to the rally – the kind that puts players on the permanent D.L. Full of shot-on-location work of the Cardinals and their opponents on and off the field, Death on the Diamond has something for sports fans, mystery lovers, and cinephile alike. Based on the novel by Cortland Fitzsimmons, co-starring Madge Evans, Nat Pendleton, and Ted Healey with an appearance by Mickey Rooney. Newly remastered.
MURDER IN THE PRIVATE CAR (1934) Based on the stage suspenser “The Rear Car,” this light on its feets mystery drama comes packed with high octane action, pulp era chills, and timeless comedy. When switchboard operator Ruth Raymond (Mary Carlisle) learns she’s the secret heiress to a railroad tycoon’s fortune, she hops the train to NYC along with her best gal pal Georgia Latham (Una Merkel). Quicker than you can say ‘mystery villain,’ it’s lights out for the stentorian announcement, “You have eight hours to LIVE!!!” It’s a good thing for Ruth and Georgia ‘crime deflector’ Godfrey D. Scott (Charles Ruggles) is on board to keep them safe. Did we mention the escaped gorilla? Newly remastered.
MURDER IN THE FLEET (1935) Robert Taylor anchors the action in one of his first leading roles in a tale of sabotage on the high seas. Seconded to test a top secret firing control gear, the crew of the USS Carolina, under the command of Captain John Winslow (Arthur Byron) and Lt. Tom Randolph (Robert Taylor) welcome aboard visitors both official (Raymond Hatton and Jean Hersholt) and unauthorized (Una Merkel and Jean Parker). As the swabbies gear up for the test, murder and sabotage disrupt the ship. Also starring Death on the Diamond’s pair of Nat Pemdleton and Ted Healey. Newly remastered.
THE STRANGLER (1964) While a nation was still gripped in fear of the notorious Boston Strangler, Allied Artists offered up this suspenseful slice of catharsis and psychosis starring the great Victor Buono as a lab technician driven to murder nurses by uncontrollable impulse. Director Burt Topper blends post-Noir and post-Psycho Hitchcock for a satisfying brew that compels and disturbs. Also starring Ellen Corby. Newly remastered.
NOTE: These DVDs are Manufactured on Demand (MOD); to order, fans must visit The Warner Archive Collection, WB Shop.com, Amazon or Barnes & Noble.
