Amazon.com essential video

Disney's 1967 animated feature seems even more entertaining now than it did upon first release, with a hall-of-fame vocal performance by Phil Harris as Baloo, the genial bear friend of feral child Mowgli. Based on fiction by Rudyard Kipling, the film goes its own way as Disney animation will, but the strong characters and smart casting (George Sanders as the villainous tiger, Shere Khan) make it one of the studio's stronger feature-length cartoons. Songs include "The Bare Necessities" and "Trust in Me." --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (64)

A good movie with even better music
Mowgli was raised by wolves and now he's growing up in the jungle. He's been in the jungle all his life, so he doesn't know what it's like to even be around another person. But it's not as bad as it sounds, Mowgli has tons of great friends such as the hilarious Baloo the bear. But he also has a few enemies, mainly a gruesome tiger named Shere Khan, who doesn't like humans at all. It's up to Mowgli to survive in the wilderness, and with the aid of his friends, he'll have a good chance of not having to worry about Shere Khan. But will Mowgli ever find out what it's like to be around other people?

"The Jungle Book" is a good movie. It has good animation, it's entertaining with the animated drama and the hilarious antics of Baloo, and it has some of the best songs out of any of the Disney movies, such as "Bear Necessities." I recommend anybody who likes animated movies to take a walk in the jungle and give "The Jungle Book" a chance.

It's just a bare necessity!
The feature-length cartoons Disney continues to produce are fine films, but nowhere near as good as classics like The Jungle Book. Unburdened by the modern-day Disney habit of giving every film a heavy family-friendly moral message, the Jungle Book is just 100% pure fun, with a cool hero (Mowgli), entertaining friends (especially the bear Baloo) and some great villainous characters (most memorably Shere Khan the tiger). This movie was made years before Phil Collins or Elton John were drafted in as cartoon soundtrack composers, and the songs are just awesome - "The Bare Necessities", "I Wanna Be Like You" and Kaa the snake's hissed encouragement to "Trust in Me". Get this DVD while you can!

Contrasting review
I know how many people gave five star reviews on here. Mine is not a five star review. I am giving you my straight opinion on this movie.

One, I don't think this movie is fit for family viewing. Adults will not find it interesting or entertaining, and it hardly serves any purpose in teaching moral lessons to children. Two, this cartoon almost borders on animated pedophilia. It just looks sick and wrong, really, with this older, scary bear taking this young innocent away and teaching him his "bear ways."

This is not charming entertainment. This is a pain. If you want a charming, older Disney movie you should check out their animated version of Robin Hood. The music in Robin Hood is far better as well. I have always disliked "The Jungle Book."

To Run with the Wolves: A Girlhood Dream
I'm a little kid, don't remember exactly how old, elementary school age. My teenage cousin promises to take me to see *The Jungle Book*. She falls asleep. Minutes are ticking down to show time. I poke at her but she snoozes on. Elders tell me to leave her alone. I stand over her and glare, using my powers of mind control to will her awake. It works!

I was just desperate to see this movie. I loved all the Disney animals stories and *The Jungle Book* turned out to be my favorite. The lively songs, lush animation, compelling characters, and strong storyline left quite an impression on me. Can never forget the loving and gentle Bagheera, that kooky monkey, and Baloo, Baloo the lovable bear. Ooh, and that sinister Shere Khan striking fear in the hearts of all and the slithering sneaky snake always up to no good. The voices used are wonderful and fit the characters to perfection. I was in heaven, and it has stood the test of time by remaining one of my favorite animated films.

I just wanted so badly, just longed to be a girl version of Mowgli. Raised by wolves, living wild and free in the jungle, playing with the bears and apes. Climbing trees and swinging from vines. Yep, that was the life for me. I sobbed at the end, crying: No, Mowgli, don't leave your animal friends behind and live with people. You are making a big mistake! Would he return to his original home? I wondered, why of course he would!

As an adult, I understand Mowgli's decision to join the village and live with his own kind. The girl in me, though, still doesn't get it and yearns to run free.

jungle book
jungle book is an enjoyable and funny film it is wonderful for children and i thought it was good as well. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

a wonderful film based on a great book
One of the best books I have ever read is Margaret Landon's true story of Anna Leonowens, who at the age of 33, went to Siam as a governess to tutor the king's children. A widow of incredible courage and talent, her story is moving as well adventurous, and this film is a marvelous adaptation of Anna's time in that strange and foreign land, with her small son to take care of.
Landon's book of course also inspired the terrific Rodgers and Hammerstein musical and the film starring Deborah Kerr and Yul Brynner, as well as the far less successful 1999 remake.

Rex Harrison, in his first film for an American studio is riveting as King Mongkut; it's a sensitive and insightful portrayal, with his beautiful voice and enunciation making the most of the intelligent script, and Irene Dunne is a strong and wonderful Anna. These were the days when Caucasian actors took the parts of Asians, and we have some excellent supporting parts taken by Lee J. Cobb as Prime Minister Kralahome, Linda Darnell as Tuptim, and Gale Sondergaard, who received a Best Supporting Actress Oscar nomination as Lady Thiang.
Oscars were given for Best Art Direction, and to Leon Shamroy for his fabulous cinematography, and nominations were for score (Bernard Herrmann) and screenplay.

The excellence and charisma of its two stars and their chemistry together are great to watch, and anyone who likes Landon's book as much as I do will appreciate this film. Total running time is 128 minutes.

Classy Movie with Claasy Actress
Anna and The King of Siam stars one of my favorite actresses. Irene Dunne has always been a star with tons of class and in this movie you can see why she was so popular in the 30s and 40s. The movie differs from the musical stage hit The King and I, but it is, nevertheless, very enjoyable. The sets, the photography and Rex Harrison as the King are all superb.

Excellent Movie
I have seen this movie over and over again.I love it.I have been waiting for it to come out on DVD but decided not to wait any longer.When I first saw it I was a bit surprised by Rex Harrison in the lead role, but after a few moments you begin to believe he is the King of Siam.The cast is superb.....the movie is excellent.

if it were DVD
I love this movie and want to buy it but will not till it comes out on DVD.

The King and His Teacher
Irene Dunne stars as a widowed single mother who is engaged to teach the numerous children of the King of Siam.Rex Harrison stars as the King, a man trying to bring Siam into the modern world and to find respect for himself and his country on the world stage.Ultimately, he comes to rely on Dunne for her support and guidance to achieve his goals, and there is an obvious feeling of attraction that develops between the two.Dunne delivers yet another solid, emotional performance as the independent woman who must learn to adapt to a new culture.Dunne was always such a pro, yet surprisingly is not as well known today as other actresses from her time.Harrison strikes me as an odd choice for the role of the King, but he grew on me as the movie progressed, and although I think he's not the best choice, he nonetheless delivers a credible performance.Gale Sondergaard, a favourite character actress of mine, is very good and quietly effective as the King's ignored first wife, looking out for the interests of her son, the heir.I don't know how much of the story is really true, but it is entertaining and a good look at another time and place in history.It's an excellent production, and even if you've seen the musical, I'm sure you'll enjoy this version, too. ... Read more

Book Description

A story of burgeoning womanhood and blossoming love, Colette's masterpiece reveals the author's grasp of the politics of relationships. With music, drama, and the charm of French-inflected English, this unabridged novella follows Gigi's training as a courtesan. Leslie Caron, the star of the best-loved film based on Gigi brings to life the Paris of 1899 in all its sensuous detail. 2 cassettes. ... Read more

Reviews (62)

"GiGi" - 9 Oscars / Best Pix 1958 now on WideScreen DVD!!
MGM's "Gigi" was their last big Musical production. MGM won 9 Oscars including; Picture of the Year (1958), Best Director - Vincent Minnelli, Best Song - "Gigi", Best Cinematography, Art & Set Design, Best Costumes.

The Colorful Metrocolor WideScreen production was directed by Vincent Minnelli - Oscar Winner!! Lerner & Loewe provide us with the great lyrics & music. Gigi title song won an Oscar! Another favorite is Maurice Chevalier's singing of "Thank Heaven For Little Girls".

Summary: We are in the Summer of 1900 Paris. Leslie Caron as "Gigi" was perfectly cast as the young Parisian grand daughter being groomed & refined to be the socialte wife for a rich to do gentlemen. Gigi is infactuated with her Grandmothers (Herimone Gingold)ex's nephew Gaston (Louis Jourdan) a rich playboy who befriends the young rough around the edges, Gigi. As this story developes Gaston's has numerous public affairs that continue to fail & his only joy is being with Gigi. As the story evolves we have lush & colorful sets and lavish scenes of 1900 Paris & a complex love story begins. Hollywood Happy endings, prevail!

This DVD has a Full Screen & WideScreen (LetterBox) version. the movie is 116 minutes long. Excellent Quality picture & Color. Only extra is a trailer. Very delightful family movie.
Enjoy.

A BEAUTIFUL MUSICAL.
A lavish, glossy and eminently tuneful movie treat, GIGI tells the story of an illegitimate waif who lives in 1890's Paris with her Aunt Alicia and her Grandmother (Hermione Gingold). Their plan is transform this waif into an elegant courtesan so that she can become the mistress of wealthy Jourdan, who eventually takes her as his bride because he truly loves her. This throws Gingold for a loop; the family is not used to marriage: Chevalier - Jourdan's father - was once her lover...Produced in Paris, it's a delight from the first frame to the last. All the usual Parisian landmarks are featured: the Tuileries, the Bois de Boulogne, the Palais de Glace, etc. Chevalier steals every scene he's in (except, perhaps when he's singing I REMEMBER IT WELL with Gingold). The original story was based upon a French story by Collette and was ingeniously adapted for a musical stage play by Lerner and Lowe. Caron had played the role on the Paris stage, and here her songs were dubbed by Betty Wand. The film won a grand total of 9 AA & a special Oscar was given to Chevalier for his contribution of over 50 years of performing in the entertainment world.

Bravo! Bravo!
I think that GIGI is the best musical ever. I just love Aunt Alicia and her sister. Hermoine Gingold is fabulous. This movie takes you into a world that you don't want to come out of. If only they would make more movies like this today. My grandaughter absolutely adores it. I want to watch Gigi over and over and does not want it to end. I get lost in the movie and wish I could stay there forever. It is absolutely fantastic.!!!!! More young people should be able to see this movie. Whomever have not seen this movie they are missing out on life itself. Julia Reid

Watch it for Leslie Caron!
I had never seen the Best Picture of 1958, the year of my birth. Turner Classic Movies (possibly the best channel of all available televison channels) provided many of the Best Picture winners during the month of February so I finally got to see it.
Although quite dated and politically incorrect (I challenge you to see/hear Maurice Chevalier sing "Thank Heavens for Little Girls" and not think it so) this movie is a perfect vehicle for Leslie Caron. She is funny, charming and winsome. Effective as both a young girl and then convincingly blossoming into a young lady, Miss Caron is entirely believable in her role. Hermione Gingold plays her guardian aunt with Maurice Chevalier the uncle of her suitor. Louis Jourdan is charming but I found Monsieur Chevalier to be what my mother used to call a "professional Frenchman". Laughing off the suicide of one of his nephew's mistresses is totally unacceptable and I also found Chevalier's mannerisms tedious.

On the whole I found that by watching the movie strictly for the performances of Caron, Gingold and Jourdan it was very enjoyable. Paris was lovely, the costumes gorgeous and Vincente Minelli's direction superb.

Substance, not sparkle -- the triumph of innocence in "Gigi"
When Yeats mourned, "The ceremony of innocence is drowned," he was prophesying the loss of all that is decent in the coming 20th century - and he was crying out for us to fight for all we are worth to prize the innocence of the young, to put aside all self-indulgent pursuits in the face of innocence. "Gigi" is set against all the magnificence the world can offer as a backdrop for the test of innocence against the cunning and the carnal. The movie's real appeal comes not from its lush setting, costumes and flight from our crass age into the Impressionist gentility of fin-de-siècle Paris, but ultimately from Aristotle's pet component of any literary work of merit: the plot. And "Gigi" has a plot that never fades for an instant. In truly entertaining fashion we watch as the fate of the heroine's innocence comes to hang on the edge of a knife from the movie's sunny beginning to its climactic end. For lovely, irresistible Paris is, in reality, a turbulent arena where the innocent are thrown to all the well-tailored wolves of Society, to fend for themselves with nothing but their hearts and their integrity as protection against a life-lived-hollow.

The watchword for "Gigi" is paradox, that steady companion of reality. Look for it everywhere, in the boredom that pervades the intricate lives of the rich elite versus the interest and charm that young Gigi exudes when she simply enters a room. The simple, the "straight of heart," are the enviable ones, while the titans gnash their teeth (and one another's) in their futile pursuit of a remedy for an ennui that becomes downright pathological. Leisure becomes the hardest work of all for the upper classes; titillation requires higher and higher doses, until no amount of frivolity - France's special export to the world - will give joy. Where, the movie asks, is all this legendary Gallic joie-de-vivre? The wealthiest of them all, Gaston (played to perfection by Louis Jordan), is so far past the pursuit of money that he alone of his class has the composure to look around himself, take his life's bearings, and realize that the Emperor is quite naked. And so he is driven on his strange, unconscious heroic quest to live an authentic life. It begins when, on an impulse, he hops out of a carriage ride with his uncle, Paris's veteran joie-de-vivre mentor (played to sheer magnificence by Maurice Chevalier), and seeks refuge in the simple house of Hermione Gingold, who plays Gigi's grandmother.

Chevalier represents the Parisian romantic idol of his age. One gets the feeling in watching him in "Gigi" that he was almost spending his entire movie career simply in apprenticeship for this seminal role. For I do not think we could really understand the frantic romanticizing of the 19th century French without his incredibly compelling, appealing performance - it flows so naturally from his every pore that it seems less like acting than living the bon vivant code he preaches. And yet, having reached the pinnacle of self-interest, Parisian style, he is still touched by Gigi's grandmother, just as his nephew is ultimately won over to real love by the innocent one, Gigi herself. We are, in fact, educable! And the undercurrent of joy that pervades this masterpiece of filmmaking is centered around this buoyant theme: we can all be taught to realize virtue.

Gigi is Gaston's soulmate, though neither knows what that means at the movie's start. He is too emotionally stunted to realize she is a woman - and wouldn't know what to do with a woman besides woo her - and she is unaware that she is leaving childhood. The movie chronicles the maturing of both partners-to-be: Gigi from physical and emotional adolescence to womanhood, Gaston from the emotional adolescence that Society has demanded, to manhood. There is realism in the depiction of all this gaiety, as we watch Gaston try desperately to follow his uncle's "sage" advice, clinging sulkingly to his boorish, feckless bachelorhood and blaming Gigi for being "unreasonable" in wanting marriage over a high-priced affair. His antics make him the more likeable, as we identify with whatever false ideal we might have clung to long after it had outlived its usefulness. In the case of "the Parisians" that Gigi rants against in her early soliloquy, it is the puerile, incessant pursuit of romantic adventure long after grown adults should have found their mate that has gone stale ... and made their lives atrophy as pathetic parodies of eternal 17-year olds. The victim of all this pursuing is innocence - in this case, the innocent love that a young woman can bring to her mate only once, not in the absurd repetition of romantic pursuit that characterized adulterous Paris.

Does Gigi conquer this silly, dangerous sensuality alone? No, again paradox moves to the forefront, and Gaston discovers for himself the infinite spiritual beauty of true love that Gigi has been trying to express to him. In her moment of weakness, he finds the need to become strong - and so useful to his mate. And thus in the end, love conquers its counterfeit, amorousness.

"Gigi" is a warning to our own age that has set itself on its own reckless pursuit of loving relationships, turning nature on its head in the process and life into a cosmic game of trivial pursuit. In raising before us the challenge to love, no less relevant to us now, the artist's value to Society rises above mere diversion. The challenge is whether we even now can listen to the message of "Gigi," whether we in our own jaded Society can pull back from the abyss of terminal, self-centered sensuality and rediscover the God-given joy of our heart's true desire ... innocent love become mature through fidelity. ... Read more

Amazon.com

A movie doesn't win seven Oscars for nothing. A glowing Greer Garson (Best Actress) commands the screen as Mrs. Miniver, a middle-class British housewife whose strength holds her family together as World War II literally hits their home. Walter Pidgeon as her architect husband seems to be the prototype for future TV dads in this affecting portrait of love--familial and romantic--during war. But the relationship between Mrs. Miniver's college-age son (Richard Ney) and the upper-crust Carol (Best Supporting Actress Teresa Wright) is filled with inherent drama--as the war speeds up their young love, it also has the potential to doom it. The 1942 film, which also won for Best Picture and Best Director, is filled with colorful characters, snappy dialogue, and sensational plot twists. Although you spend much of the movie dreading that one of the Minivers will become a casualty of war, when it finally happens, it's not what you anticipated. Exactly what you'd expect from a legendary film that lives up to its billing. --Valerie J. Nelson ... Read more

Reviews (7)

EXCEPTIONAL WAR TIME MELODRAMA/BEAUTIFUL TRANSFER!
"Mrs. Miniver" is one of those non-factual, war time propaganda tear jerkers that has proven itself to be enduring and immensely entertaining. Upon its release, Winston Churchill declared the film more influential in getting America involved in WWII than a fleet of destroyers. The plot concerns Mrs. Miniver (Greer Garson) the atypical English housewife quietly enduring the hardships of war and capturing a downed Nazi pilot in her begonias in the process. It sounds hoaky but actually the story is incredibly stirring. Walter Pigeon, Garson's frequent costar, is cast as her tender husband, Clem. Richard Ney plays her slightly opinionated son, Vin who rises to the occasion and becomes a flyer for the RAF. Aside: Ney and Garson were carrying on an affair during the filming that eventually resulted in a disastrous marriage and a quicky divorce. Oh well, at least the relationships in the film are perfect. Of merit is Teresa Wright's outstanding performance as Carol, Vin's doomed fiancée.

Previously issued versions of this film were near perfect so it's really no surprise to discover that this DVD carries on in the same tradition. Quite simply: the picture is outstanding. Blacks are deep and solid. The gray scale is beautiful and well balanced. There is hardly a scratch or a bit of grit or grain to distract. The soundtrack is equally impressive in MONO but very, very nicely balanced. A bit of a disappointment comes from the fact that no one at Warner Brothers had the foresight to do a "making of" featurette. All we get is a couple of short subjects and a stills gallery.

Mrs. Miniver married her son!
Great movie; interesting tidbit: Richard Ney (Mrs. Miniver's older son "Vin") was 27 at the time this movie was released; Greer Garson was 38. They married in 1943 and the studio was afraid of negative publicity about it! They divorced in 1946.

Propaganda as Entertainment
This IS [or was] a wartime propaganda film, but one extremely well directed and played. In fact, Adolph Hitler stated that this was be best propaganda film produced by our side during WW II. The only ovely emotional and melodramatic moments typical in such films are the concluding scenes in the church. Otherwise, the approach is restrained, believable and thoroughly entertaining.

Even for John Wayne Fans
This is by far not your typical war movie. I love war movies. I have the vast majority of war movies on DVD or VHS. I have been anxiously awaiting some of the older classic war movies like "The Enemy Below (1957)", "African Queen (1951)", "Mrs. Minniver (1942)", and "The Pied Piper (1942)" to come out on DVD. I am delighted to see this will be available in February.
No movie that I have seen about WWII tells a better story of how the English endured so much hardship and personal loss for so many years. This could easily have been a very depressing movie but it has many lighter and uplifting moments that balance out the sorrow and make you feel good at the end of the movie. If you bought this just because of the award nominations it received you should consider yourself pretty smart. If you buy it because of the good reviews from people here at Amazon you are intelligent. If you bought it because you only buy the best movies, and this is a great movie with a boat load of extras, well there aren't words to describe how gifted you are.

If you enjoy movies that take a more personal look at the impact of war on families you will like this movie. Far from being boring as some family movies drag when they get into far to many personal details. This movie has plenty of action with the Battle of Dunkirk, German bombings and strafings, and a enemy parachutist on the loose. Mrs. Miniver reminds me a little of a tough woman like Maureen O'Hara in the John Wayne movies. Her strength is a little more sophisticated but nonetheless you know it is there. She is the kind of woman you know can weather the storm and you are happy to have her with you. The DVD includes Greer Garson academy award footage, photos, and a couple wartime shorts. The movie itself makes it a great buy, but with these bonuses it's a steal.

Mrs Miniver.
Come on you guys, this has to be one of the most heart rendering stories ever put on to celluloid. Now we have digital disc, and the ability to touch the world with devastating sound and picture quality....and what...sit on your fingers waiting for the studio....we want the movie on disc...so hurry up...PW. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Collectors Item
This film is really great, for as much as any other reason...the spooky noir-ish atmosphere that permeates every frame.
The story works pretty well although it does not have quite the energy of some of the earlier Bruce/Rathbone collaborations.
The description on the Box of the plot sort of makes it a collector's item.
As with a certain metered degree of the captioning done on these films, the plot description is terribly inaccurate.
Just for the record the King of a Ravenia has been assassinated and his son Nikolas is now a potential target of assassination.
Holmes fools the on-board assassins by having the Future King pose as a Ship Steward.
It is Dr. Watson's Nephew who poses as the Future King.
Nikolas, the Future King never poses as Dr. Watson's Nephew as the box description says.
This glaring inaccuracy is no big deal other than it sort of makes it even more collectable.
I am thinking of compiling a complete list of all the captioning mistakes and omissions and Box Sleeve inaccuracies.
Frustrating only in that it is pure slackness on the part of MPI.
The quality (long believed lost forever) of the films is the over riding redeeming feature overall though.
It is important to remember... that Rathbone and Bruce were a lot like Lennon and McCartney....even when they were not at their absolute best together...they were still 100 times better than anyone else.

The 10th film in Universal's Sherlock Holmes series
"Pursuit to Algiers," the tenth film in Universal's Sherlock Holmes series, is fairly routine overall, but it does have a novel twist in that it sends the Great Detective and Dr. Watson off to sea.

In some ways, its plot is similar to the next film, "Terror by Night," in that Holmes is once again renting out his services as a bodyguard of sorts, this time protecting the son of the assassinated King of Ravenia as he sails home to claim his throne. The future monarch is disguised as Watson's nephew! Aside from Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce, what gives this entry its kick are the other passengers, the most eccentric and suspicious bunch ever booked onto a voyage.

Coming at the tail-end of a series whose finest moments were now behind it, "Pursuit to Algiers" is far from the best, but possessing enough suspense and atmosphere to recommend it.

Brian W. Fairbanks

pretty good
This is one of twelve movies of Rathbone as Holmes put out during the war and shortly thereafter by Universal. All twelve stories are newly written and not contained in the originally published series. Holmes is played in the traditional was as a talented person who is always willing to help others while interjecting some humor in the process. This Holmes is very humble and does not suffer from the mental illness of egomania. This is in stark contrast to the Brett version where Holmes displayed arrogance and airs of secret knowledge which is almost exclusively done in real life by people who are marginal performers.

This particular story plot is somewhat less imaginative and realistic compared to the other eleven, but it is still entertaining to watch.

The digital remastering makes the quality like a recently made movie without any visual or audio flaws. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

The greatness of John Garfield was that he was a tough guy who wasn't afraid to wear his sensitivity on his sleeve. What makes this such a great film is that director Jean Negulesco and his two writers (including Clifford Oddets) construct a complex web of ambiguity around Garfield's own torment. He's a violin virtuoso from the slums of New York who rises to the top with the assistance of socialite Joan Crawford (who was never better). There's a sexual intensity to his art that she wants to possess, and there's a vulnerability behind her lacerating façade that he wants to expose. They play each other like a couple of virtuosos, stripping each other's spirit away. What helps transcend this depression-era class struggle is its cool sophistication. It's a sublime noir about loneliness. Everyone knows his dream has hit a dead end, except Garfield. He refuses to give up, even after his soul is long gone. --Bill Desowitz ... Read more

Reviews (24)

Warning for those on the wagon ... Smoking & Drinking
This is a wonderful film but I wanted to warn viewers who are not supposed to be drinking alcohol or smoking:Joan Crawford is smoking and drinking in each and every scene!She never puts her glass down and always has smoke coming out of her.I have been on the wagon for smoking for 16 months now and I would not watch it.It's not fair for someone else to be smoking when I can't.Just a simple warning and I do not mean to denigrate the movie.I think Joan looks her best in this film, she is ultra glamourous and is dressed to kill in every scene.John Garfield did his finest work and his role is very believable.The violin music is great, too.5 stars but be warned, it makes one want a glass of bourbon and a Chesterfield filter tip in every scene.

Sublime Masterpiece of Film!
"Humoresque" is one of cinema's sublime masterpieces.It is the apex of what any art form can be.It has a rich, complex script; superb performances; gorgeous black and white photography; impeccable, beautifully drawn characters; believable emotion; glamour; and music -- music throughout that is close to heaven.The violin solos are played by Isaac Stern.Gritty Paul Borae (John Garfield - never better or sexier) overcomes his humble background in the slums of New York City (largely Eastern European then) to become a concert violinist, generously aided by his mercurial patron/love interest Mrs. Helen Wright (Joan Crawford).Every character is perfect, the script amazing, the dynamics between Garfield and Crawford complex and intense.And if you've never been a Crawford fan, this is the film that will leave no doubts as to why she was the star in MGM's galaxy for so many years.She is breathtakingly beautiful here and her performance is real and unaffected; it is in films like this at her peak that one sees why Crawford was Crawford.There are numerous dazzling close-ups where a range of emotion and story are conveyed on the faces without a single word.The exquisite ending reaches a crescendo as in the music.Unforgettable.Cinema at its most masterful.

Great On Many Levels
I've seen this movie at least a dozen times over the years and never tire of it. So rivetting is Garfield and Crawford's performances that even without the great music it would have still been a great tragic love story (and I'm not one who cares for this genre). The volatility between the two lovers is what makes this movie so great; perhaps because they're complete opposites, or perhaps because the relationship is illicit. No matter, the chemistry between Garfield and Crawford is difficult to deny.

Another point. As a violinist myself Garfield does the most believable job of ANY actor I've seen in ANY movie, and I've seen almost all, that actually appears to be playing, it's almost unbelievable.

Finally, Oscar Levant, who was a great pianist in his own right, especially as an interpreter of Gershwin, does a splendid job as the comic counterbalance to Garfield's brooding intensity, and thought he actually stole some of the scenes with his sarcastic wit.

This movie has it all: great music, great story, great acting. Truly one of my favorites from that era.

Smooth as a Stern Cadenza
An apex of studio movie-making. 40's soap opera simply doesn't come any slicker than this. The black and white photography is rich, glossy, and superb, the luminescent glow behind Crawford's close-ups almost transforming this middle-aged warhorse into a fallen madonna. The screenplay anticipates Garfield's role in "Body and Soul" as he claws his way up from poverty using a bowstring instead of fists. For a tough guy, we still believe in his poetic soul and no one from that era was better at combining the two. Then too, no film has communicated an on-screen classical score more effectively than this, as Crawford is alternately beguiled, seduced, and overwhelmed by pulsating strains from the great composers. And, of course, there's that all-time smashing finale so lushly romantic, I'm still picking seaweed from my hair. I'm glad the screenplay gives an obscure contract player like Ruth Nelson a chance to show her thespic talents. Her face-off with Crawford over the direction of Garfield's affections is an epic one, though she's probably a shade too aristocratic for the long-suffering motherly role. Moreover, there are the many memorable throw-away lines, one could expect from a stellar cast that includes Hollywood's master cynic, the mordant Oscar Levant. In fact, his self-effacing personality and casual witticisms are so distractively entertaining, they threaten to undo the entire melodrama. For fans of Levant, it's a showcase, and I wouldn't be surprised if many of those sarcasms were his own. (If only the writers could have dispensed with that dreary stereotype of the wholesome-girl-in-waiting, this time the fresh-faced Peggy Knudsen.) With this film, director Negulesco proves he could spread the soap suds as smoothly as a Douglas Sirk or a John M. Stahl. Without a doubt, this is the Hollywood dream-factory hitting on all eight cylinders in ways that just don't happen anymore.

Nothing Good Can Come Of This Relationship
In HUMORESQUE we see a dedicated young musician (John Garfield) meet a wealthy possessive woman (Joan Crawford) who takes an obsessive interest in him and his career as a violinist. We know that nothing good can come of this relationship and we are surely looking at a tragedy in the making. In spite of all the warning signs we feel compelled to watch this movie to the end.

The acting of both Garfield and Crawford is superb. The role of Helen Wright seems to be the perfect vehicle for Crawford. Oscar Levant excells as a pianist and Garfield's friend. The rest of the strong supporting cast includes J. Carrol Naish, Joan Chandler and Tom D'Andrea. Garfield's violin is played by Isaac Stern.

HUMORESQUE received an Oscar nomination in 1946 for Best Scoring of a Dramatic Picture. Jean Negulosco directed many other fine movies during his career including JOHNNY BELINDA, ROAD HOUSE and THREE COINS IN THE FOUNTAIN. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

Vincente Minnelli's 1958 adaptation of Colette's story about a girl (Leslie Caron) groomed as a courtesan--but desired as a wife by a Parisian playboy (Louis Jordan)--won a lot of Oscars, but it also has the unusual distinction of being an MGM musical shot on location in the City of Lights. What a musical it is (by Lerner and Loewe): MauriceChevalier and Hermione Gingold crooning "Ah, Yes, I Remember It Well," plus the songs "Thank Heaven for Little Girls," "Gigi," "I'm a Bore," and "She's Not Thinking of Me." Director Vincente Minnelli (Some CameRunning, Meet Me in St. Louis) makes a sumptuous, dreamy, almost laid-back affair of it all, and the indispensable cast is forever etched into memory. Hollywood's long-running infatuation with continental grace and manners, the memory of a much earlier time imported to American movies through such immigrant directors as Ernst Lubitsch, may have finally come to a gentle end with this film. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (62)

"GiGi" - 9 Oscars / Best Pix 1958 now on WideScreen DVD!!
MGM's "Gigi" was their last big Musical production. MGM won 9 Oscars including; Picture of the Year (1958), Best Director - Vincent Minnelli, Best Song - "Gigi", Best Cinematography, Art & Set Design, Best Costumes.

The Colorful Metrocolor WideScreen production was directed by Vincent Minnelli - Oscar Winner!! Lerner & Loewe provide us with the great lyrics & music. Gigi title song won an Oscar! Another favorite is Maurice Chevalier's singing of "Thank Heaven For Little Girls".

Summary: We are in the Summer of 1900 Paris. Leslie Caron as "Gigi" was perfectly cast as the young Parisian grand daughter being groomed & refined to be the socialte wife for a rich to do gentlemen. Gigi is infactuated with her Grandmothers (Herimone Gingold)ex's nephew Gaston (Louis Jourdan) a rich playboy who befriends the young rough around the edges, Gigi. As this story developes Gaston's has numerous public affairs that continue to fail & his only joy is being with Gigi. As the story evolves we have lush & colorful sets and lavish scenes of 1900 Paris & a complex love story begins. Hollywood Happy endings, prevail!

This DVD has a Full Screen & WideScreen (LetterBox) version. the movie is 116 minutes long. Excellent Quality picture & Color. Only extra is a trailer. Very delightful family movie.
Enjoy.

A BEAUTIFUL MUSICAL.
A lavish, glossy and eminently tuneful movie treat, GIGI tells the story of an illegitimate waif who lives in 1890's Paris with her Aunt Alicia and her Grandmother (Hermione Gingold). Their plan is transform this waif into an elegant courtesan so that she can become the mistress of wealthy Jourdan, who eventually takes her as his bride because he truly loves her. This throws Gingold for a loop; the family is not used to marriage: Chevalier - Jourdan's father - was once her lover...Produced in Paris, it's a delight from the first frame to the last. All the usual Parisian landmarks are featured: the Tuileries, the Bois de Boulogne, the Palais de Glace, etc. Chevalier steals every scene he's in (except, perhaps when he's singing I REMEMBER IT WELL with Gingold). The original story was based upon a French story by Collette and was ingeniously adapted for a musical stage play by Lerner and Lowe. Caron had played the role on the Paris stage, and here her songs were dubbed by Betty Wand. The film won a grand total of 9 AA & a special Oscar was given to Chevalier for his contribution of over 50 years of performing in the entertainment world.

Bravo! Bravo!
I think that GIGI is the best musical ever. I just love Aunt Alicia and her sister. Hermoine Gingold is fabulous. This movie takes you into a world that you don't want to come out of. If only they would make more movies like this today. My grandaughter absolutely adores it. I want to watch Gigi over and over and does not want it to end. I get lost in the movie and wish I could stay there forever. It is absolutely fantastic.!!!!! More young people should be able to see this movie. Whomever have not seen this movie they are missing out on life itself. Julia Reid

Watch it for Leslie Caron!
I had never seen the Best Picture of 1958, the year of my birth. Turner Classic Movies (possibly the best channel of all available televison channels) provided many of the Best Picture winners during the month of February so I finally got to see it.
Although quite dated and politically incorrect (I challenge you to see/hear Maurice Chevalier sing "Thank Heavens for Little Girls" and not think it so) this movie is a perfect vehicle for Leslie Caron. She is funny, charming and winsome. Effective as both a young girl and then convincingly blossoming into a young lady, Miss Caron is entirely believable in her role. Hermione Gingold plays her guardian aunt with Maurice Chevalier the uncle of her suitor. Louis Jourdan is charming but I found Monsieur Chevalier to be what my mother used to call a "professional Frenchman". Laughing off the suicide of one of his nephew's mistresses is totally unacceptable and I also found Chevalier's mannerisms tedious.

On the whole I found that by watching the movie strictly for the performances of Caron, Gingold and Jourdan it was very enjoyable. Paris was lovely, the costumes gorgeous and Vincente Minelli's direction superb.

Substance, not sparkle -- the triumph of innocence in "Gigi"
When Yeats mourned, "The ceremony of innocence is drowned," he was prophesying the loss of all that is decent in the coming 20th century - and he was crying out for us to fight for all we are worth to prize the innocence of the young, to put aside all self-indulgent pursuits in the face of innocence. "Gigi" is set against all the magnificence the world can offer as a backdrop for the test of innocence against the cunning and the carnal. The movie's real appeal comes not from its lush setting, costumes and flight from our crass age into the Impressionist gentility of fin-de-siècle Paris, but ultimately from Aristotle's pet component of any literary work of merit: the plot. And "Gigi" has a plot that never fades for an instant. In truly entertaining fashion we watch as the fate of the heroine's innocence comes to hang on the edge of a knife from the movie's sunny beginning to its climactic end. For lovely, irresistible Paris is, in reality, a turbulent arena where the innocent are thrown to all the well-tailored wolves of Society, to fend for themselves with nothing but their hearts and their integrity as protection against a life-lived-hollow.

The watchword for "Gigi" is paradox, that steady companion of reality. Look for it everywhere, in the boredom that pervades the intricate lives of the rich elite versus the interest and charm that young Gigi exudes when she simply enters a room. The simple, the "straight of heart," are the enviable ones, while the titans gnash their teeth (and one another's) in their futile pursuit of a remedy for an ennui that becomes downright pathological. Leisure becomes the hardest work of all for the upper classes; titillation requires higher and higher doses, until no amount of frivolity - France's special export to the world - will give joy. Where, the movie asks, is all this legendary Gallic joie-de-vivre? The wealthiest of them all, Gaston (played to perfection by Louis Jordan), is so far past the pursuit of money that he alone of his class has the composure to look around himself, take his life's bearings, and realize that the Emperor is quite naked. And so he is driven on his strange, unconscious heroic quest to live an authentic life. It begins when, on an impulse, he hops out of a carriage ride with his uncle, Paris's veteran joie-de-vivre mentor (played to sheer magnificence by Maurice Chevalier), and seeks refuge in the simple house of Hermione Gingold, who plays Gigi's grandmother.

Chevalier represents the Parisian romantic idol of his age. One gets the feeling in watching him in "Gigi" that he was almost spending his entire movie career simply in apprenticeship for this seminal role. For I do not think we could really understand the frantic romanticizing of the 19th century French without his incredibly compelling, appealing performance - it flows so naturally from his every pore that it seems less like acting than living the bon vivant code he preaches. And yet, having reached the pinnacle of self-interest, Parisian style, he is still touched by Gigi's grandmother, just as his nephew is ultimately won over to real love by the innocent one, Gigi herself. We are, in fact, educable! And the undercurrent of joy that pervades this masterpiece of filmmaking is centered around this buoyant theme: we can all be taught to realize virtue.

Gigi is Gaston's soulmate, though neither knows what that means at the movie's start. He is too emotionally stunted to realize she is a woman - and wouldn't know what to do with a woman besides woo her - and she is unaware that she is leaving childhood. The movie chronicles the maturing of both partners-to-be: Gigi from physical and emotional adolescence to womanhood, Gaston from the emotional adolescence that Society has demanded, to manhood. There is realism in the depiction of all this gaiety, as we watch Gaston try desperately to follow his uncle's "sage" advice, clinging sulkingly to his boorish, feckless bachelorhood and blaming Gigi for being "unreasonable" in wanting marriage over a high-priced affair. His antics make him the more likeable, as we identify with whatever false ideal we might have clung to long after it had outlived its usefulness. In the case of "the Parisians" that Gigi rants against in her early soliloquy, it is the puerile, incessant pursuit of romantic adventure long after grown adults should have found their mate that has gone stale ... and made their lives atrophy as pathetic parodies of eternal 17-year olds. The victim of all this pursuing is innocence - in this case, the innocent love that a young woman can bring to her mate only once, not in the absurd repetition of romantic pursuit that characterized adulterous Paris.

Does Gigi conquer this silly, dangerous sensuality alone? No, again paradox moves to the forefront, and Gaston discovers for himself the infinite spiritual beauty of true love that Gigi has been trying to express to him. In her moment of weakness, he finds the need to become strong - and so useful to his mate. And thus in the end, love conquers its counterfeit, amorousness.

"Gigi" is a warning to our own age that has set itself on its own reckless pursuit of loving relationships, turning nature on its head in the process and life into a cosmic game of trivial pursuit. In raising before us the challenge to love, no less relevant to us now, the artist's value to Society rises above mere diversion. The challenge is whether we even now can listen to the message of "Gigi," whether we in our own jaded Society can pull back from the abyss of terminal, self-centered sensuality and rediscover the God-given joy of our heart's true desire ... innocent love become mature through fidelity. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Everybody does his or her bit for the war effort in this comedy thriller released in 1943, smack in the middle of World War II. Bob Hope stars as bumbling war correspondent Robert Kittredge, a man so inept that he misses the German invasion of Russia. "I wouldn't even trust you to cover a hole in the carpet!" screams his editor in chief, Mason (Donald MacBride, with the requisite steam coming out of his ears). Then, of course, Kittredge stumbles onto an evil Axis plot and ends up saving the world.

Dorothy Lamour--Hope and Bing Crosby's glamorous love interest in seven Road pictures--appears here sans sarong, playing an intrepid Lois Lane type. But Hope doesn't have to fight Crosby for her affections; "Der Bingle" makes only one brief vocal appearance, via a music box.Subtlety is not this movie's strong suit, and goofy gags abound from the start, with Hope skulking through a Russian hotel disguised as a Cossack to escape creditors. The Axis characters--Germans, Italians, and Japanese--arestereotypical villains all. An uncanny Mussolini look-alike has a blink-and-you'll-miss-it cameo in an airplane scene, and acclaimed director Otto Preminger proves he's a good sport with his portrayal of a wicked Nazi ringleader. It's all a fun romp, and an interesting look back at the kind of propaganda Hollywood once churned out to help keep the world safe for democracy. --Laura Mirsky ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Lovely Slice of the 1940's
I was born in 1952, but would come home from gradeschool to find 1940's movies being played on the local TV station. I fell in love with the strange world of the 1940's, which was so very different from the late 50's.

This movie is a delightful romp, as Bob Hope and Dorothy Lamore fight Nazi terrorists and spies in Washington DC who are planning to attack American cities enmass, poisoning the water, blowing up power stations, the type of thing the Bush Administration is always trying to scare us about. I suppose this shows my political bias, but at one point in the movie, a character says that she will no longer work with the Nazi's since she values the freedom in this country. My immediate thought that was with the Patriot Acts 1 and 2, it is from INTERNAL sources that we now have to worry about our freedom, whereas in the 1940's it was the external enemy that wanted to turn us into a police state.

Anyway, this movie is delightful in giving a slice of the popular culture at that time, the wonderful tailored clothes, bizarre women's hair styles, the GI Joe patriotism, and most importantly the laughs which haven't aged a day since 1942, all the way up to the hilarious conclusion when members of all branches of the military join Bob and Dorothy in saving the USA!

If you enjoy WW2 memorabilia, this movie may be a fun experience for you. If you are a baby boomer like me who was raised on such black/white movies on TV after school, it will be a nostalgic look back wards. This is the REAL THING, not some modern movie made to re-enact the WW2 days. In a wierd sense, this is a very sweet movie when Bob and Dorothy were young and vital, and the world was in great danger, and yet we all had time to laugh.

SIMPLY GREAT !
As a French (currently living in Switzerland), I have never had the opportunity to be that familiar with Bob Hope and his humor, therefore I bought this DVD at random...and I simply hit the ceiling ! First of all, on the technical point of view, the transfer is absolutely exceptional (when you'll watch the trailer, you shall see the difference !) , glorious black and white, great sound with lots of dubbing (Argh !) and subtitles.
The story is very light but amusing, typical of those WWII comedies and the lines of Hope...Mama mia ! you can die for them !
It is so hilarious that I already watched it twice in 3 months
So do not hesitate to purchase it , even if the price ... appears to me to be too excessive ... ... Read more

Reviews (11)

No virtuous woman for Ingrid Bergman this time around
Ingrid Bergman plays Clio Dulaine, the half-Creole illegitimate daughter of a new Orleans aristocrat, who returns to the Crescent City from Paris after her mother's death to revenge herself on her father's family. While she succeeds in humiliating the Dulaines, she flirts with Texas gambler, Colonel Clint Marron (Gary Cooper). He is not thrilled by her need for revenge and heads off to Saratoga Springs. Clio eventually shows up, pretending to be a French noblewoman in an attempt to get a rich husband, setting her sights on railroad tycoon Bart Van Steed (John Warburton). But we all know who is really the right guy for her. Bergman, a brunette for this film, certainly finds the sexy Clio to be a nice change of pace from the nuns and cool refugees from the continent she had been playing of late. Unfortunately, the melodrama offers nothing new and Bergman ends up with Gary Cooper because, well, he is Gary Cooper; a bit roguish, but still a pillar of strength and virtue. All the sparks are on her side of the equation. "Saratoga Trunks" is based on a novel by Edna Ferber. Flora Robson received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress for role as Angelique, Clio's attendant, in this 1945 film was directed by Sam Wood.

wonderful period movie!
fabulous adaption of edna ferber's nove...set in tun-of-the-century new orleans. ingrid bergman is luminous as clio dulaine and the costumes are ravishing!Supporting actors wonderful and Gary Cooper is perfect as clint. A must-see!

Character actress saves the day!
While I concur that English actress Flora Robson playing a "mulatto" is stretching things a bit, her studied performance, as well set decorations, is the only reason that this Cooper/Bergman vehicle is tolerable.

Robson had an extremely long career on the stage and in film, comparable to contemporary Dame Judith Anderson. By portraying the role of Bergman's maid, she joined a rather short list, including Lord Olivier ("Othello") and Ava Gardner ("Showboat"), of white actors "passing" as black.

Hey, it was the norm, back in the day. "Saratoga Trunk" was no different from most era westerns or historical dramas in the practice of white actors portraying persons of color.

Very Entertaining
This movie is fun and entertaining, with Ingrid Bergman giving a wonderful performance as Clio, showing just how talented and versatile she is. Gary Cooper is also good in a very typical Cooper role as a Texas cowboy. The movie has some very witty and sparkling dialogue, with Bergman having some of the best lines, and the best scenes are between her and Cooper. A must-see for Bergman fans.

Ingrid, Gary and Max Steiners Love Theme
Ingrid is more beautiful than ever; Gary is perfect as "that Texas" out for revenge and fortune by hook or crook. As Clio and "Cleent", in her restored French Quarter house, when they stroll in her small garden and the lovely Steiner love theme plays, it is a romantics dream. ...if you love beautiful costumns, sets, and the romantic films from the golden era, you will like this movie.
When the little lawyer sent by her fathers aristocratic family comes to her house to buy her off and get her out of town, she bests him in the negotiations. A Magic Movie Moment comes when he looks at her with a small smile and says "may I say - you are very -- beautiful?" And she says with a beautiful, wicked smile "Yes, isn't it lucky?" You want to say YES!! You go girl!
Florence Bates as the grand dame in Saratoga steals every scene she is in. Jerry Austin as the dwarf "Pepito" jack-of-all-trades, is fun and I think brings dignity to the role. Flora Robson is quite good as the maid/companion and received an academy award nomination.
But it is the romantic French Quarter, the wide veranda at the Saratoga hotel, with all the old biddies rocking and gossiping; and Clio and Clint, two rogues, and their love story that make this so much fun to watch. Just relax and enjoy. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

A Genuinely Fun Movie
Gambit shows us two superbly developing stars, Shirley MacLaine and Michael Caine -- and in restrospect, you realize from watching this fine movie that they had what it takes, even back in the 1960s. Shirley was just superb as a street-wise nightclub dancer, and Michael was perfect as the crook with grand plans who never could seem to make things work just right. This is a funny film. Your kids will like it, if you can convince them to actually sit and watch it with you, and follow the plot. Gambit was a good precursor to Caine's best finagling movie, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels... you can see where he got practice appearing frustrated, the way his plans with Shirley kept going off track.
Enjoy.

First a classic heist film, then a clever romantic comedy.
Gambit is a marvelous film full of style as well as substance. Much as I'd like to discuss the plot, I dare not because much of the film's special surprises stem directly from telling the plot. So just trust me when I say grab it- if for no other reason the exotic locales, Shirley MacLaine's beauty, charm, and smarts (not to mention the stunning wardrobe by costumer Jean Louis), and the fun interplay between MacLaine, relative newcomer Michael Caine, and the urbane and charming Herbert Lom. A perfect film for the Sunday afternoon you're not going anywhere.

Another great heist movie!
Very enjoyable caper comedy with Shirley Maclaine and Michael Caine(plus Herbert Lom from the Pink Panther films). Has a neat gimmick to it(as the slogan goes-"don't tell the beginning"), but is really just and overlooked little gem of a comedy-check it out!!

Gambit Gambit Gambit
This is an excellent comedy adventure film full of action and suspense. It's one of those heist movies that used to be popular. Ronald Neame tightly directed this film for full dramatic-comic impact. It contains an admirable score by Maurice Jarre. Not bad.

Very Entertaining
An extremely amusing film.The first half is quite serious but the second half sweeps you off on a rollercoaster ride of humour,romance and sheer unpredictablity!My favourite line in the movie is when the millionaire asks what is said about amber Michael Caine doesn`t have a clue and tries to bluster his way out when Shirley Maclaine smiles sweetly and remarks coolly,"amber is the soul of the tiger trapped in stone" She is just lovely in it ... Read more