Warner Archive Collection New Releases: Twice Upon a Taurog
TWICE UPON A TIME (1983) George Lucas executive produces the animated delight Twice Upon a Time from directors John Korty and Charles Swenson. In a once-upon-a-time world, our heroes are Ralph, the all-purpose animal, and his constant companion, Mumford, who only talks in sound effects. Their mission is nothing short of saving the cosmos from the dastardly plot of Synonamess Botch, who wants to unleash a barrage of nightmare bombs to ensure nonstop bad dreams. They cross paths with a colorful army of characters, including their FGM (a fairy godmother from the Bronx), the musclebound – and pea-brained – Rod Rescueman and Scuzzbopper, Botch’s scheming court jester and screamwriter. The off-the-wall characters and story are portrayed with an innovative animation technique, lumage, which gives depth, texture and translucent color to every scene. Music from Michael McDonald and Bruce Hornsby accompanies the action. Full of unexpected delights, Twice upon a Time is a one-of-a-kind fantasy. Special Features: Dual audio tracks – Theatrical PG audio track and unrated family-friendly director’s audio track. Commentary track with director John Korty and collaborators John Baker, Harley Jessup, Brian Narelle, Will Noble, Henry Selick and Carl Willat.
A Tour of Taurog
With a career that spanned the Silent Era to singing cinema with Elvis Presley, Norman Taurog was a true cinema journeyman, capable of delivering delights across a multitude of movie genres.
LUCKY NIGHT (1939) Myrna Loy stars as an incognito heiress on the hunt for the real thing who meets Robert Taylor as the penniless romeo whose remarkable run of good luck on one fateful night entraps the pair in marriage most unexpected. But what’s a fated pair of lovers to do when their luck turns sour?
THE HOODLUM SAINT (1946) William Powell stars as a cynical WWI vet out to secure his stash, while Esther Williams and Angela Lansbury play the society girl and the showgirl vying for his affections. Enraged at the callous treatment accorded to the returning doughboys, the vet, an ex-newspaperman, turns his wits and wiles to the almighty dollar only to get tripped up by the Great Crash and an even greater power. Co-starring an all-star assemblage of mugs and mooks including James Gleason, Frank McHugh and Rags Ragland.
THE BEGINNING OR THE END (1947) Groundbreaking docu-drama depicts the danger and desperation behind the Manhattan Project, leading up to the decision to drop the bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Brian Donlevy leads the cast as the army administrator herding the science fat cats trying to bust the atom. Also stars Robert Walker, Audrey Trotter and Hume Cronyn.
PLEASE BELIEVE ME (1950) Deborah Kerr stars as an imaginary heiress who attracts the masculine gaze of a playboy (Peter Lawford), a barrister (Mark Stevens), and a conman (Robert Walker) while on a cross Atlantic voyage. James Whitmore and J. Carrol Naish add comedic spice as a pair of Runyonesque criminals, conspiring to get their cash and help love run true.
Paramount’s DVDs Return to Print
FANCY PANTS (1950) Bob Hope and Lucille Ball team for a rollicking remake of Ruggles of Red Gap.
ANOTHER TIME, ANOTHER PLACE (1958) Sean Connery makes a sensational screen debut in this post-WWII weepie as the apex of a triangle with Lana Turner and Glynis Johns.
HELLER IN PINK TIGHTS (1960) Louis L’Amour’s unusual Western about barnstorming theatrical troupe comes to extra-vivid life in this film from the great George Cukor. With Sophia Lorena and Anthony Quinn.
OH! WHAT A LOVELY WAR (1969) Richard Attenborough makes his directorial debut with this All-Star English ensemble musical revue of the War to End All Wars.
DARLING LILI (1970) Julie Andrews and Rock Hudson star in this World War One musical espionage romance that provided the background for director Blake Edwards’ satiric masterwork S.O.B. Director’s cut.
PLAZA SUITE (1971) Neil Simon’s triptych of love and humanity is brought to the screen with Walter Matthau, Maureen Stapleton, Barbara Harris and Lee Grant.
HUSTLE (1975) Neo-noir classic pits Burt Reynolds against the snake pit of Los Angeles elite and enslaved.
LIPSTICK (1976) Mariel and Margaux Hemingway star in this startling thriller about rape and revenge.
PRETTY BABY (1978) Louis Malle’s controversial historical drama about photographer E.J. Bellocq and the relationships he forms in a bordello. With Keith Carradine, Susan Sarandon and Brooke Shields.
