Warner Archive Collection New Releases June 3: Garson and Gable – That’s Great!
A Gaggle of Greers
DESIRE ME (1947) Brooding noir romance pairs MGM’s great lady Greer Garson up with Robert Mitchum for a post WWII tale of dark obsession. Paris born free spirit Marise (Garson) chucks town for the Brittany countryside when she falls head over high heels for smoldering fisherman Paul (Mitchum). When the war interrupts their storybook romance, she holds onto hope despite official reports that Paul is dead. It all comes crashing down when Paul’s fellow POW Jean (Richard Hart) escapes from the camp and tells her it’s true that Paul has passed. But Jean harbors some secrets, including a mad passion for Marise.
THE LAW AND THE LADY (1951) Greer Garson take a run at the shoes formerly worn by Norma Shearer and Joan Crawford in this third film adaptation of the play” The Last of Mrs. Cheyney” but in this go round, they flesh out the lovely jewel thief’s backstory while ramping up the romance. Virtuous domestic Jane Hoskins is lured from the townhouse to the casino by charming rake Nigel Duxbury after she is accused of theft while employed by his twin brother, Lord Minden. Criss-crossing the globe while fleecing rich rubes at the gaming tables, Jane adopts the identity of “Lady Loverly.” Running out of options, they hatch a scheme for one big heist at the Northern California estate of Julia Wortin (Marjorie Main). The scheme gets monkeywrenched when Jane falls for the dashing Juan Dinas (Fernando Lamas), leaving Nigel to wonder just what has been stolen, and from whom.
Edwin Knopf directs.
SCANDAL AT SCOURIE (1953) In their final film together, Garson and Pidgeon’s ease and chemistry pop-off the Technicolor screen as they play a childless Protestant couple in Ottawa who dare to adopt a French Canadian orphan from Quebec (Donna Corcoran) in this sweet and poignant family tale that’s a heartfelt plea for tolerance. Jean Negulesco deftly intertwines the strands of adult polemic, human drama, and children’s fable (there’s a talking goldfish – kind of) to great effect. In other words, make sure to have a hanky handy.
STRANGE LADY IN TOWN (1955) Mervyn LeRoy guides Greer Garson through the gates of Warner Bros. for this widescreen Warnercolor Western wonder. Garson plays a most strange lady, indeed – the first modern doctor to hit the frontier. If her new-fangled methods weren’t problem enough, there’s the simple fact that she’s a femme! It’s a good thing there’s a sword-side doc in town (Dana Andrews) to ground her in Western realities before crime comes calling. Also stars Cameron Mitchell. 16×9 Widescreen.
Shining Star
DR. KILDARE: THE COMPLETE THIRD SEASON (1963-64) Jim Kildare, MD (Richard Chamberlain) starts his third year at Blair General Hospital newly promoted to the position of Chief Resident by mentor and Chief of Staff, Dr. Leonard Gillespie (Raymond Massey). In addition to grappling with challenges as far-reaching and prescient as steroid-psychosis, low calorie weight gain, and the tragic fall-out from Nagaski, Dr. Kildare now adds the care, training and protection of Blair General¹s staff of interns to his duties. Far more than “Three Stars Will Shine” down on this 34-Episode, nine-disc collection as some of Golden Age Hollywood’s greatest guest star alongside some noteworthy up-and-comers including Claude Rains, Charles Bronson, Yvette Mimieux, Walter Pidgeon, Gena Rowlands, Cesar Romero, Yvonne Craig, Jack Lord, Ralph Bellamy, Celeste Holm, Sal Mineo, Lauren Bacall, Glenda Farrell and Joan Blondell in a season that spells romance for Dr. Gillespie and heartbreak for Dr. Kildare.
The King at Paramount – Back in Print!
TEACHER’S PET (1958) Romantic comedy pairs a mature Gable up with the ever-feisty Doris Day for a student-teacher clash between the Trades and the Professions. Gable plays a famed City Editor who sneers at his invitation to lecture to Journalism Professor Day’s adult ed class. Unfortunately, it’s a sneer he does with words and circumstances that end up planting him as an undercover student in the class. It’s cupid and comedy from then on in this lively, lovely diversion that most assuredly rates an A+. Guest lecturer Gig Young nearly steals the show. 16×9 Widescreen.
IT STARTED IN NAPLES (1960) Gable helps Sophia Loren cement her status as a one-of-a-kind international superstar in this gentle comedy that seeks to take the ugly out of the American. Gable plays high class Philadelphia lawyer Mike Hamilton, a fish out of water in Capri in search of the nephew he did not know he had (Marietto). He finds his brother’s son in the care of his seemingly low-class aunt Lucia and a custody battle is in the offing. But the island of Capri and Lucia herself may have something more to teach know-it-all American Mike. 16×9 Widescreen.
NOTE: These DVDs are Manufactured on Demand (MOD); to order, fans must visit The Warner Archive Collection, WB Shop.com, Amazon or Barnes & Noble.
