Reviews (39)

Vault Disney DVD packed with extras for a low price
What a fantastic DVD this is. The Vault Disney series is wonderful, and I hope they give more films the same treatment soon. Not only is the film beautifully restored (in its original 2:35:1 theatrical aspect ratio, and with 5.1 THX surround sound), but the DVD itself is packed with delightful extras.

There's a documentary about making "Swiss Family Robinson" that is nearly 50 minutes long and contains interviews with Sir John Mills, James MacArthur, Tommy Kirk, and Kevin Corcoran. There's a commentary track with the latter three contributing comments about the film. There's an additional interview with MacArthur about his film work, the original theatrical trailer and television spots, radio spots, the entire story album that came out with the film, a Donald Duck cartoon, and more! If you like "Swiss Family Robinson," get this DVD -- even if you already have the VHS tape. It's worth it just to finally have a widescreen version of this family-friendly classic (the better to view the wonderful island vistas), even if you don't figure all of the wonderful extras into the bargain.

this LOADED dvd deserves more than 5 stars
I strongly reccommend! This has to be one of the most fun family films Walt Disney ever made. And the 2 disc DVD treatment that Disney gave this film is perfect. It is Widescreen first of all, maybe it is the first widescreen release outside of theatres ever done for the film. And what a diffenrence in makes in the beautiful island vistas of the film. The DVD transfer itself is well done, with lush colors, great image and depth, great sound, it just sparkles.

The movie was filmed on location on the tropical island of Tobago. While the production went way over budget, Walt did not get mad at the time since the film was worth it. Featuring loads of animals, comedy, action, suspense, pirates, and tropical scenery this was a hard adventure film to beat. And similar to the role the Nautilus filled in "20,000 Leagues Below the Sea", the treehouse becoems a star in it's own right. The invenetive home designed by the castaways from the ship salvage is incredible to behold. An audio commentary as an alternate track features comments from casr and crew.

The extras on this DVD are what really make it a treasure, and they are not all listed here at Amazon or even on the packaging. You have to hunt it down and get creative with your remote. So let me help by telling you what to look for if you buy this... For starters they have the original cartoon that was released with the movie, "Sea Salts" allowing you to see this with the kids the way that it is meant to be seen. There is a 2 minute "1960 Disney Studio Album", a montage of projects, attractions, shows, and films being made and released that year. Next we have 23 minutes from an old Walt Disney television episode titled "Escape to Paradise", that includes the parts of that episode that show the making of the film. Up next is original 1960 movie theatre trailers for the film, and 1960 televison spots. Then there are "Storyboard to Scene Comparisons"; a seperate "Storyboard Gallery"; and a 2 minute "Production Gallery" of photo stills from behind the scenes at location. Another gallery of production stills; "Biographies" on 8 principle actors; and "Concept Art" on the film design work.

A featurette titled "Adventure in the Making" was made just for this set, and at 49:00 minutes long it is very complete, with recent interviews of the original cast and crew. There is great behind the scenes footage in this piece, and the folks regale us with funny stories. Peter Elleshaw (matte artist), Ken Annakin (director), Danny Lee (special effects), and actors John Mills, Tommy Kirk, Kevin Corcoran are all here. ANOTHER short 4 minute featurette that was also made just for this set is "Swiss Family Treehouse" narrated by Hayley Mills, it is the pre-opening footage and the actual Opening Ceremony of the Swiss Family Robinson's Treehouse (now gone) at the Disneyland Park. Walt is really enjoying himself in this must see footage.

Included on the set is a very nice 12 minute interview with James MacArthur, who appeared in this film and 3 others for Disney along with a TV movie. This features great video as well. There is a "Pirates" music video of clips from Disney films, tv shows, cartoons, and the theme park to the tune of "Yo HO Yo HO A Pirates Life For Me". Another unusual feature has 20 minutes of excerpts from the 1940 non-disney version of the film.

The set has Audio Archives set to photos from the film, including 2 Interactive SOund Studios, 2 songs from the film, original 1960 radio spots, and the soundtrack of the original merchandise Storybook Album released on LP in 1960.

I really enjoyed this DVD, I wish all the really good classic Disney films got at least some of this kingly treatment. They are the best studio about protecting their old source material, archives, etc, and are in the best position to place intruiging extras with the movie. Thank YOU Disney for this compilation that really honors this gem of a film the way it should be!!!!

Good Movie.
This is a really good movie. Especially for little kids.... but hey, we're all little kids at heart, except for scrooge, but it's still a good movie. Both versions, new and old.

ALL AGES
This is a classic for all ages. We have watched the video over and over as a family and now need it in DVD. From my 3 yr. old niece, to my now teenage son, and my husband and I, and even my parents, it continues to draw us in. I believe its lure is that everyone can find a character to identify with, and long to prove their mettle on the island. I love introducing new generations to this tale.

Don't waste your time or money
Don't bother wasting your time or money on this movie. I don't care about the quality of the cinematography, the quality of the story is what is lacking. From the elmination of Jack, one of the Robinson children, to the blatant disregard for absolutely any speck of information from the book, this film will make you cringe in horror. Rather, go get the original book, and curl up with your family and read. It's a better use of your time than watching this garbage. It doesn't deserve the one star I was forced to give it. ... Read more

Reviews (60)

Charming and Hilarious Re-telling of the Robin Hood Story
I am not a great Danny Kaye fan, but this movie is one the the very funniest I've ever seen. Everything about it is excellent, from the production values to the songs & lyrics, from the fine quality of actors to the charm and wit of the dialogue and the story. There is literally nothing wrong with this movie. It is fit for all audiences, from the youngest to the oldest members of your family. I remember the first time I saw it, being struck by the fact that all the actors seemed to be having an absolutely marvellous time. Particularly during the Jester's first call at entertaining the court...unforgettable and sheer delight. Every single person on camera looked like they were having a wonderful time just being there. I hadn't seen anything like such a fine emsemble cast since 'All About Eve.' I think it must have been because there were no bad lines, no bad parts, no scenes that didn't work, and everyone had a chance to shine. Having a good material to work with really does make a world of difference. Stars Danny Kaye, Angela Landsbury, Basil Rathbone, and a host of marvellous British actors whose names are right now escaping my memory. Buy it. Keep it. Enjoy it for years.

The Brew that is True...
If one is tired of baudy bathroom humor of the typical comedies one finds today, perhaps "The Court Jester" will satisfy your comical thirst. Set in England during the time of chivalry and knighthood this musical comedy stars Danny Kaye as a ne'er do well circus performer who ends up out"fox"ing the dastardly villains, getting the girl and saving the real king's butt (so to speak). Glynis Johns plays Maid Jean whose stunning beauty and big eyes just make you melt (wow, I wish I'd been born earlier). Basil Rathbone is his typical bad self as the evil Ravenhurst playing it to the hilt! This film pulls out all the comical stops from tongue twisters to hypnosis, magnetism and even a Zorro sword play spoof with Rathbone! This is Danny Kaye's finest and funniest comedy! A must see movie!

Comedy Could Not Better Be!
In the history of the movies, fewer things are more amusing than watching Danny Kaye behave as Danny Kaye. Watching his films was a wonderful part of my childhood,and I remember being at home from High School on the day of his passing. I'm very glad for the legacy he has left us to enjoy.
In "The Court Jester" he couldn't be more in his element as he amuses us with his usual patter numbers clever, tounge-twisting lyrics and sword play, and moves us with his loving care of the orphaned infant heir to the English throne. The scene of his lullabying the baby was shown as a tribute to him at the end of "Entertainment Tonight" the weekend after his death and it was a fitting tribute to him, his love of children, and the childlike sense of wonder he brought to all of his films.
As Kaye's love interest, Jean, a charismatic Glynis Johns is highly complimentary.She is not the sterotypical woman of medeival times, but having been raised as a boy, has a lot of cunning, ingenuity, and an occassional bit of brawn as the leader of those in rebellion against Cecil Parker's evil King.
Angela Lansbury's Princess Gwendolyn longs for true love rather than an arranged marriage. She is firm and decisive in many ways, as she helps bring the tale to a positive conclusion.
As the sourceress, Mildred Natwick leads into some of the film's funniest scenes, including the notorious "Pellet with the poison is in the vessel with the pestle" routine that has become a classic.
Hubert Hawkins' cleverness in seizing the real Court Jester,(John Carradine, a man whom I could never really think of as funny) who was very arrogant, disguising himself in his clothes, and using his tounge-twisting dialogue with the King to cover his tracks is also a riot.
Basil Rathbone as the evil henchmen is a refined villian. It's amusing the way Kaye kept pushing his name out of the way during the opening credits, and I have wondered how often Hawkins' accelerated knighthood ceremony had to be rehearsed before those on the set could stop laughing.

Although the film overlooks the fact that a person can't be hypnotized against their will, the way Hubert Hawkins is, the comedy is generally light, and goofy, doesen't get any saucier than the exposure of an infant's backside, and children will love it.
And as Hawkins reassures us at the beginning,"What starts like a scary tale ends like a fairy tale, and life couldn't possibly better be!"

So funny your cheeks will ache from laughing!!
This is one of Danny Kaye's best. He was so talented and his comic timing is impeccable. The "chalice from the palace" scene is so funny that I have not forgotten it over the years. This movie will get you out of the blues in no time.

You will go and buy this movie and do it like that (snap)!
This is my favorite movie of all time. When I was a kid Danny Kaye movies played every Sunday morning and we would wait the few months until it came around again.

I have never stopped laughing at the scenes, the funny interplay between Danny Kaye and the court and his continual buffonery.

Even kids will love this movie. It starts with a dance routine which is almost like Robin Hood Men in Tights. That is quaint, yet the next scene will take you in and take you on the funniest rides of all time.

Kaye, disquised as an old man who is hard of hearing having a scream fest with the captain of the guard. This few minutes is one of the funniest scenes I have ever witnessed. Then there are just funny scenes that will make you split your sides with laughter from there on out.

The wit it took to bring together this cast and the concept of the movie seems that it will never be outdated.

What Danny Kaye and the rest do here is ascend age and time making this movie appeal to any age group, young or old. I have seen a young family start off thinking this was a silly movie then, taken by the first comedic interaction, launch into continuous laughter. I laugh getting a kick out of watching everyone else laugh too.

This movie is a must for any DVD or VHS library. Share it with your friends, watch it when you are a little too stressed out to do anything else to lighten up your day.

The plays on words, the different fast paced situational scenes that will have you thinking; 'how clever...,' even when you think that Hawkins/Giacommo is at his end, then it gets even funnier. The Chalis with the poisly has the pellet with the pesly......

This movie is so fast paced that you cannot believe you have sat there and laughed for the better part of 90 minutes. The great thing about the DVD, you do not have to worry about watching this over and over again and wearing it out.

This movie has great color and scenery. The imagery is wonderful. You wonder if they really were in a castle.

Laugh and love this movie......I recommend it for school, church and family activities. It is a classic that may become more well known with time. ... Read more

Reviews (29)

Black comedy at its finest
This is the kind of dark, bleak comedy that the British excelled at in the 1950s, and seems to anticipate many of the comic trends found on both sides of the Atlantic in the decades that were to follow. The plot concerns the adventures of a group of thieves who meet in the apartment of Alec Guinness, the gang's mastermind and the tenant of the lady of the title. Although the movie has many wonderful moments, I think my favorites are those in which a wildly grinning Guinness explains to his landlady the various goings on in his flat.

The cast is absolutely first rate. Even by Guinness's chameleonic standards, this is one of his more unusual performances. He made himself up to bear a striking resemblance to the great Alastair Sim, wearing some padding to make his frame look more like Sim's, and wearing false teeth and combing his hair to more successfully mimic Sim. It is a quite successful imitation, but I would enjoy knowing a bit more about why Guinness made this decision. Anyone familiar with the Pink Panther films will be delighted to see Peter Sellers and Herbert Lom as members of Guinness's gang. Lom was one of the great heavies in 1950s British film, and his casting in a comedy film was at the time highly unusual. Sellers, of course, was a few years from the film that would first bring him fame, I'm ALRIGHT, JACK, and his role in this film is not a major one. This is very definitely the "early" Peter Seller, carrying a great deal more weight before he lost a great deal because of the illnesses that plagued him throughout most of his life (Sellers suffered from a very serious heart condition the eventually killed him).

This film isn't for everyone. It isn't a film that will illicit laughs so much as smiles. And many will find the entire tone to be very, very dark, perhaps too dark for their liking. Finally, many will not enjoy a comedy in which all the major characters are essentially unlikable cads. But for those of us for whom these are not barriers, this is one of the most unique and enjoyable comedies of the 1950s.

The Ultimate Ealing Comedy
My parents took me to see "The Ladykillers" when it first came out in England in 1955--I loved it then, and I have never changed my mind. It is my favourite Ealing comedy. I will try not to duplicate other comments, but I'm pleased to see that the other reviewers think as highly of this film as I do.

Of course Sir Alec--with those horrible teeth and hair--is marvellous, but this gem is very much an ensemble piece. The rest of the "gang"--cocky young Peter Sellers--guilt-ridden Cecil Parker--dim, thuggish Danny Green--nasty, impatient Herbert Lom--are all terrific in support. As for Katie Johnson, she achieved some sort of cinematic immortality, as the sweet, little, old lady, who quite innocently undermines the gang, and its dream of enjoying the stolen "lolly". Also watch out for reliable Jack Warner playing--as always--a policeman, and a riotous cameo from a young Frankie Howerd.

The DVD is nice--the colour is pretty decent for a 48-year old film. Well done, Anchor Bay !

If you like British comedy from what many consider to be its "golden age", owning "The Ladykillers" is not a luxury--it is a necessity.

P.S. If anyone from Anchor Bay reads this, how about a nice DVD of "Genevieve " ?

Watch this, not the remake!
Alec Guinness is terrific here as the simpering, creepy criminal who uses a string quartet as a front for a huge theft. The base of operation for him and his fellow "musicians" is a room that he is renting in Mrs. Wilberforce's house. She's a kind, grandmotherly old lady who, in her own quiet and clueless way, manages to wreck all their plans.

The Ladykillers is a fantastic dark comedy; you might be shocked at how dark it can get, particularly when the frustrated criminals contemplate killing the old woman, an act made difficult by her age and general kindliness. The ending will have you hooting in delight and surprise. Really a great movie for those who savor irony and subtle humor, and who wish to see Alec Guinness in one of his greatest comedic roles.

The recent remake of the film is not worth watching. Though Tom Hanks is generally a fine actor, he does not hit the right note as the eccentric, scheming criminal; in fact, the entire remake doesn't capture the spirit of the original.

A Classic!
This is GREAT comedy, a la British! The plot is a gem, and the acting simply superb. To see Guiness, Sellers and Lom at the top of their form; and the "little old lady" is a treat. The suspense is unbearably funny and what a black comedy is all about. No holds barred here!

I wondered if you'd like some tea?
Ealing comedy at its zenith. Led by Alec 'Kenobe' Guinnes, a cabal or robbers hole up in the house of an elderly lady, Mrs Wilberforce, under the guise of a string ensemble. Mrs W eventually rumbles them and they agree there is no option left but to dispose of her. Unfortunately, things do not go as planned and string ensemble is whittled down to nothing in no time.

Comedy throughout, although a very real sense of the macabre helped by the backdrop of a dark marshalling yard to the rear of the property where the final scenes are played out. Beautiful! ... Read more

Description

In this best-loved of Hitchcock’s British-made thrillers, a young woman on a train meets a charming old lady (Dame May Whitty), who promptly disappears. The other passengers deny ever having seen her, leading the young woman to suspect a conspiracy. When she begins investigating, she is drawn into a complex web of mystery and high adventure.

... Read more

Reviews (45)

Criterion is Cool
I don't have the other DVD version to compare this with, but this Criterion edition of THE LADY VANISHES is very good. There is an animated index page with the sound of a train. The print of this film looks very good -- of special interest is the "restoration" section of the index. Through the use of "wipes" the Criterion people show you a before and after version of the cleaned-up print. Very neat.

There is also a commentary from a film historian which is interesting, if a bit dry. I didn't get a chance to listen to the whole thing yet.

This is a good Hitchcock movie. It's a lot of fun -- as innocent as a Nancy Drew mystery at times, but with interesting strokes from the master! I had a good time.

DELIGHTFUL, SURPRISING GEM
"The Lady Vanishes" is a sparkling Hitchcock cocktail that looks forward to "North By Northwest" with its light adventure/mystery plotline and romantic/witty humor. Lockwood and Redgrave are spirited and always believable and understated in their roles, and if the mystery ultimately is revealed to be a trifle thin, Hitchcock makes the journey there so much fun that we don't mind in the least. (After all, this doesn't have the depth and poetic quality of "Vertigo"--but it isn't meant to.) Wry support from the secondary cast adds humor and social commentary, and a few trademark Hitchcock images give what could have been (in lesser hands) a claustraphobic production, a real cinematic charge. The Criterion DVD is remarkable: crisp, clean images, and a great and always interesting commentary from Bruce Eder. This is the kind of film whose reputation will continue to grow with time; its understated performances and Nancy Drew type premise give it a surprisingly timeless feel. For Hitchcock fans, the film and the Criterion disc are a must.

No "North by Northwest," but good early Hitchcock
This is early Hitchcock and you can see the talent that was already there. He made this story into a great suspense film, even though there were quite a few implausibilities. It's an odd film, though, in that it mixes a rather dark story (woman disappearing on a train) with an almost slapstick feel at times. This caught me off guard, and sometimes subverted the tension Hitchcock was trying to create. But it's a very witty film, quite fast-paced once it gets going, and very suspenseful. Definitely a fine example of early Hitchcock and an interesting look at turn-of-the-century Scotland.
Also, since this is a Criterion edition, the special features are excellent. Even more impressive, considering that the movie was made in 1935. They include an original press book that you can zoom in on and read, as well as commentary.

a great release for Criterion and one of Hitchcock's best !
The Lady vanishes is one of my most favorite Hitchcock films.

In it a young British woman meets an older Biritsh woman on a train in continental Europe. Later, her friend is nowhere to be seen and when no one else remembers her being there, she suspects a conspiracy.

It is another great one of the Pre WWII films that talks about Europe having 'problems' that will eventually lead to the second war.

Brilliant entertainment, nicely packaged
Along with The 39 Steps and The Man Who Knew Too Much, the Lady Vanishes represents the very best of Hitchcock's pre-Hollywood output.

It's a gripping tale told well. All the usual Hitchcock tricks and idiosyncracies are present and correct; the blonde, the train, and of course the murder and the fiendish twists.

Hitchcock was often at his best when designing films in restricted locations, so much of this takes place on a train, a train on which, of course, a lady - one Ms Foy - vanishes and everyone denies she ever even existed. Margaret Lockwood is excellent as the young woman determined to prove her own sanity by finding out what happened to Ms Foy.

And Michael Redgrave is great as the caddish wiseacre who is the only passenger who'll believe her.

Hitchcock was always great at getting the right chemistry between his leads, and this is another relationship with crackling, intelligent, slightly subversive dialogue.

It rips along at a great speed for a film of its vintage and deserves its place in the Hitchcock canon as his last truly great English film. But even forgetting who made it, forgetting its historical interest, its still an evolving, light-hearted yarn with all the elements you would want; action, romance, comedy and, naturally, suspense.

Brilliant entertainment, nicely packaged with a commentary and added material - although it's the film you'll come back to again and again. ... Read more

Amazon.com

With the long-take experiment of Rope still fresh in his mind, Alfred Hitchcock turned his attention to romantic melodrama:Under Capricorn, a novel of 1830s Australia. Having little of the usual suspense to rely on, Hitchcock used the elegant long-take method to draw out Ingrid Bergman's harrowing performance. As a fallen aristocrat who married a former stable boy (Joseph Cotten) and moved Down Under, Bergman gives a fine portrayal of a woman hemmed in by a sour marriage and a guilty secret. The actress also felt hemmed in by Hitch's elaborate camera movements; she hated them. This expensive picture flopped on its first release, but it has a hypnotic flow despite a tendency toward talkiness. Hitchcock fans will recognize, beyond the details of plot, a couple of the director's key motifs:the jaundiced view of marriage, and the anxieties underlying social status. And, of course, the worship of an actress. --Robert Horton ... Read more

Amazon.com

Ealing comedy--cozy, gentle, and whimsical, right? In this case, think again. Alexander Mackendrick was always the most politically aware of the Ealing directors, and in The Man in the White Suit (1952) he takes the studio's favorite theme of the little man up against the system and gives it a sharp satirical twist. Sidney Stratton (Alec Guinness at his most unworldly), a maverick scientist working in a textile mill, invents a fabric that never gets dirty and never wears out. He's hailed as a genius--until management and unions alike realize what his brainwave implies. Mackendrick's humor is exact and pointed, and the satire turns savage as a lynch mob of bosses and workers hunt Sidney down through dark, narrow streets. Mackendrick's disenchanted view of class-ridden British society still rings horribly true, and he draws note-perfect performances from the cream of British character actors: Cecil Parker as the liberal mill owner (based, it's said, on Ealing boss Michael Balcon); Ernest Thesiger as the evil old godfather of the industry; and, wittily sensual as Sidney's confidante, the ever-wonderful Joan Greenwood. Plus, listen out for the "voice" of Sidney's bizarre apparatus, the funniest and most unforgettable sound effect ever devised. --Philip Kemp ... Read more

Reviews (10)

One of Alec Guinness's best comedic films of the fifties
Although Alec Guinness had already achieved a fair degree of fame on stage and on screen by the time he made THE MAN IN THE WHITE SUIT, this is, in fact, one of his earliest starring roles. Strictly speaking, although he had portrayed eight characters in 1949's KIND HEARTS AND CORONETS, this was his first comedy in which is played the lead. Playing inventor Sidney Stratton, Guinness further cemented his burgeoning reputation as one of England's most interesting and versatile actors.

The film features a marvelous though, to early 21st century film fans, largely unknown cast. Joan Greenwood, who is one of my favorite actresses in the history of film--beautiful, effortlessly sexy and sensual, enormously talented, and possessed of one of the great voices in the history of cinema--plays Guinness's romantic counterfoil. Cecil Parker, who while never a star, seemed to populate dozens of successful films without ever calling attention to himself. The film also features a typical performance by Ernest Thesiger, who played ancient-old-man parts for over forty years in films and is one of the most unique looking actors in British film history.

The story involves a quirky scientist inventing cloth that never gets dirty and never wears out, but which comes out of the lab pure white. This was at a time when a whole range of new synthetic fabrics were hitting the market, so the subject was very topical at the time. The plot revolves around the anticipated effects such material would have on the textile industry. The film is a comedy, but it is the kind of comedy that creates more smiles than laughs. It is not less delightful for that.

What Is Big Business Hiding From Us?
Alec Guinness plays another one of the oddball characters he often played in 1950's British films, this time as an inventor/scientist of a miracle fabric that will not wear out or get dirty. It seems like a great idea to him and to the owner of the factory where he makes it, but then the economic reality of it becomes an issue. What will happen to fabric manufacturers and the clothing industry if clothing doesn't wear out? Will unions let that happen? Trapped in the middle of all this turmoil is Guinness, glowing in his white suit. He delivers yet another terrific performance, and is well supported by so many fine British character actors. The film is well written, although I found the first fifteen minutes or so a little confusing. The premise is great, and it makes you question whether there are a lot of potential products not being invented because of their long term effects on big business, regardless of their usefulness to the general public!

YaDADUMdeeDOODAHaY
I'm not eggsactly sure how to justify my rating or describe this film. It's not exactly a great, touching, or brilliant film. It's a bit dry. The humor is there but only so long as you're the sort of person to laugh at the bleakest of insights, the bitterest of satires, or the most depressing qualities of society. It is as relevant to the present as it is to it's own time. It is entertaining to a degree, if fairly obvious on the surface. Alec Guinness is a good actor and suits The Man in the White Suit perfectly.

This is the sort of film I can admire, enjoy watching once, reflect upon for a little bit afterwards, get depressed and/or happy about what it implies, type off a quick review, and be done with it. It's definately not a 50s romp though comedy like Some Like It Hot, more of an intelligent satire that's more than average in entertaining and a little bit more lighthearted than Sunset Boulevard.

Whiteout
Would anyone really want to live in a perfect world? That momentous question and nothing less is the theme of Alexander Mackendrick's comedy, which despite it's high reputation is still, to my mind, one of the most underrated films in the world's cinema. Mackendrick examines what the human race really means by perfection in this allegory about a semi-mad scientist who seems to invent a perpetually clean, tear-proof cloth. There goes any need for variety in anybody's clothing, ever, and although the textile industry is the setting for the story it doesn't take much imagination to see the director's point in a larger context. Mark Twain used to say that the Christian idea of heaven sounded like hell to him, and we see that same insight brought to visual life here. An impeccable cast, headlined both by the great Alec Guinness and by Joan Greenwood, whose voice was almost as distinctive as Guinness'. As a social comedy I rate it with Stanley Kubrick's "Dr. Strangelove," and I can think of no higher praise.

Emperor's New Clothes set with socio-economic issues...
The driven Sidney Stratton (Alec Guinness) bounces from job to job as he finds a way to sneak into each textile company's laboratory where he commences his own scientific investigations in regards to a new resistible fabric. This fabric should be able to withstand almost anything and even repel dirt. However, each time he gets close to finding the solution he must escape or is taken for a mad man. Man in the White Suit is an interesting satire as it combines the Emperor's New Clothes with socio-economic issues in a modern setting. This comedy is enhanced through Alec Guinness's character Stratton who is rather eccentric and absentminded as he performs with his usual brilliance, which leaves the audience with a wonderful cinematic experience. ... Read more

Reviews (45)

Criterion is Cool
I don't have the other DVD version to compare this with, but this Criterion edition of THE LADY VANISHES is very good. There is an animated index page with the sound of a train. The print of this film looks very good -- of special interest is the "restoration" section of the index. Through the use of "wipes" the Criterion people show you a before and after version of the cleaned-up print. Very neat.

There is also a commentary from a film historian which is interesting, if a bit dry. I didn't get a chance to listen to the whole thing yet.

This is a good Hitchcock movie. It's a lot of fun -- as innocent as a Nancy Drew mystery at times, but with interesting strokes from the master! I had a good time.

DELIGHTFUL, SURPRISING GEM
"The Lady Vanishes" is a sparkling Hitchcock cocktail that looks forward to "North By Northwest" with its light adventure/mystery plotline and romantic/witty humor. Lockwood and Redgrave are spirited and always believable and understated in their roles, and if the mystery ultimately is revealed to be a trifle thin, Hitchcock makes the journey there so much fun that we don't mind in the least. (After all, this doesn't have the depth and poetic quality of "Vertigo"--but it isn't meant to.) Wry support from the secondary cast adds humor and social commentary, and a few trademark Hitchcock images give what could have been (in lesser hands) a claustraphobic production, a real cinematic charge. The Criterion DVD is remarkable: crisp, clean images, and a great and always interesting commentary from Bruce Eder. This is the kind of film whose reputation will continue to grow with time; its understated performances and Nancy Drew type premise give it a surprisingly timeless feel. For Hitchcock fans, the film and the Criterion disc are a must.

No "North by Northwest," but good early Hitchcock
This is early Hitchcock and you can see the talent that was already there. He made this story into a great suspense film, even though there were quite a few implausibilities. It's an odd film, though, in that it mixes a rather dark story (woman disappearing on a train) with an almost slapstick feel at times. This caught me off guard, and sometimes subverted the tension Hitchcock was trying to create. But it's a very witty film, quite fast-paced once it gets going, and very suspenseful. Definitely a fine example of early Hitchcock and an interesting look at turn-of-the-century Scotland.
Also, since this is a Criterion edition, the special features are excellent. Even more impressive, considering that the movie was made in 1935. They include an original press book that you can zoom in on and read, as well as commentary.

a great release for Criterion and one of Hitchcock's best !
The Lady vanishes is one of my most favorite Hitchcock films.

In it a young British woman meets an older Biritsh woman on a train in continental Europe. Later, her friend is nowhere to be seen and when no one else remembers her being there, she suspects a conspiracy.

It is another great one of the Pre WWII films that talks about Europe having 'problems' that will eventually lead to the second war.

Brilliant entertainment, nicely packaged
Along with The 39 Steps and The Man Who Knew Too Much, the Lady Vanishes represents the very best of Hitchcock's pre-Hollywood output.

It's a gripping tale told well. All the usual Hitchcock tricks and idiosyncracies are present and correct; the blonde, the train, and of course the murder and the fiendish twists.

Hitchcock was often at his best when designing films in restricted locations, so much of this takes place on a train, a train on which, of course, a lady - one Ms Foy - vanishes and everyone denies she ever even existed. Margaret Lockwood is excellent as the young woman determined to prove her own sanity by finding out what happened to Ms Foy.

And Michael Redgrave is great as the caddish wiseacre who is the only passenger who'll believe her.

Hitchcock was always great at getting the right chemistry between his leads, and this is another relationship with crackling, intelligent, slightly subversive dialogue.

It rips along at a great speed for a film of its vintage and deserves its place in the Hitchcock canon as his last truly great English film. But even forgetting who made it, forgetting its historical interest, its still an evolving, light-hearted yarn with all the elements you would want; action, romance, comedy and, naturally, suspense.

Brilliant entertainment, nicely packaged with a commentary and added material - although it's the film you'll come back to again and again. ... Read more

Description

Boris Karloff gives a brilliant performance as mad scientist Dr. Laurience, a once-respected researcher of the mind and soul who goes off the deep end when the scientific community rejects his work.He uses his invention to first exact revenge on his enemies, then tries using it to win the heart of his delightful assistant, played by British ingénue Anna Lee.It’s classic Karloff in this unforgettable early horror film. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Of all the things I've lost I miss my mind the most ...
In the English production The Man Who Changed His Mind (1936) aka The Brainsnatcher aka Doctor Maniac Who Lived Again aka Dr. Maniac aka The Man Who Lived Again (whew!), directed by Robert Stevenson, who later went on to direct primarily for Disney on such features as Old Yeller (1957), The Absent Minded Professor (1961), Mary Poppins (1964), The Love Bug (1968) among many others, stars Boris Karloff as Dr. Laurience, a scientist who has perfected a means to remove the content of one's mind, store it, and transfer it to another host body. The film also stars Anna Lee, whose film and television credits, spanning 65 years, are too numerous to mention here, as Dr. Clare Wyatt along with John Loder, another actor with an extensive history in film, as Dick Haslewood.

The film begins with a young couple, Dr. Clare Wyatt and Dick Haslewood, discussing Clare's imminent departure to go and work with the well known, but now reclusive, brain specialist Dr. Laurience. It's a great opportunity for Clare, but Dick feels uneasy about it, and uses the chance to badger Clare with his endless proposals of marriage, which contain all the charm of asking one what'd they like for lunch. He's a real smooth one, that Dick...oh yeah, I almost forgot to mention Dick is a news reporter, and the newspaper he writes for is also owned by his father, Lord Haslewood (I don't think Lord is his name but more like his title, as the English are apt to lavish such things on you if you got the dough). A classic case of nepotism? Sure looks that way to me...anyhow, Dick decides to follow (can you say stalker?) Clare out to the small village where Dr. Laurience is holed up on the pretense that maybe there's a story to be had, but we all know he's jonsin' for the Clare. Clare arrives at a dilapidated old house, where she meets Dr. Laurience, along with his cranky, gimpy, wheelchair-confined psuedo manservant Clayton. Clayton seems to suffer from any number of normally fatal maladies, but the doctor manages to keep him alive. Why? It couldn't be for the man's wit and personality, as he's a real crank and quite curmudgeonly. We soon learn of what the doctor has been doing, his whole saving the contents of the mind deal. At first the notion, while intriguing, doesn't seem to be very practical, but then we see the real application as Dr. Laurience transfers the minds of two chimpanzees (you see, one monkey was docile while the other hostile, and, after strapping electrified colanders to their heads, the once docile monkey was now hostile, and vice versa). Isn't science a wonderful thing? Anyway, after the success, the doctor now ponders another experiment, one with human subjects...

Dick, who isn't aware of any of this, writes a fluff piece to which his father, Lord Haslewood, a pompous goof and supposedly supporter of science, offers Dr. Lauirence an opportunity to work in his institute, and access to much better equipment and resources on the condition that Haslewood's newspaper gets exclusive rights to publish the results of the doctor's experiments, whatever they may concern. The trouble really begins after Lord Haslewood calls together the scientific community so that Dr. Lauirence may announce his theories, which elicits much derision, and subsequently Lord Haslewood not only cuts off the doctor's funding, but then he claims all the work Dr. Lauirence has done is now his property, to do with as he wishes, based on the contracts signed. This sends Dr. Lauirence over the edge, in a particularly great scene, and the mad scientist now becomes an evil mad scientist, declaring his intentions to use his machines and theories not for the betterment of mankind as he once hoped, but for his own, personal gain. Just what exactly does this entail? Well, you'll have to watch and see...

I really enjoyed this little known creepy classic. Karloff plays the mad scientist wonderfully, managing to squeeze out a certain amount of pathos and dimension in a role others would have played in more traditional, straight up form. Purely interested in the science of screwing around in realms not meant to be delved into my man, he soon finds himself betrayed by those who once seemed to support him, and now he reverts to the very callous base human attributes of greed, lust, and revenge. The supporting actors, all accomplished within their own right, were wonderful and seemed to flourish within the context of good scripting, snappy and polished dialogue, and excellent direction. I did love Karloff's mind snatching machine...it was kind of subdued, certainly not in the grand nature of that of Frankenstein, but certainly believable and adequate, despite the fantastical theories and possibilities behind it...the morality of Dr. Lauirence's experiments within the story were rarely focused upon, but it did seem to be an underlying aspect imbedded in the story, allowing for the viewer to come to his/her own conclusions, which I appreciated. The film, which runs approximately 66 minutes, moves quickly, wasting little or no time on useless elements. I did sort of question Clayton's relationship with the doctor, as he didn't seem capable of much anything given his state, and his presence seemed a bit contrived as the plot unfolded, but this was a minor issue. I really loved the bits of humor injected within the script, which worked wonderfully to round out some of the characters.

The full screen (original aspect ratio) print provided on this disc looks remarkably good, despite its' age, and the audio is clear and crisp, much better than I would have expected, given the rarity (until now) of the film. There are no special features available other than chapter stops, but that matter little to me given the excellent quality of the film available here.

Cookieman108

KARLOFF THE GREAT!
this is a wonderful film. fantastic production values from gainsborough films in england, a wonderful print, and a good performance from anna lee, who starred later with karloff in "bedlam." p.s. when are the val lewton films coming out on DVD????

and karloff of course great. the release of this and a mint print of THE GHOUL add greatly to the karloff oeuvre of the 30s.

now when are they going to release THE BLACK CAT and THE RAVEN on DVD???????

Rarest Of Karloff Classics Is Here!
I ordered this DVD without any idea as to it's quality --- the original title for the disc (as opposed to the American release monicker, "The Man Who Lived Again" ) tipped me off that it could be something special. Well, Karloff fans, it is something WONDERFUL, and every bit the Karloff "event" as last year's "The Ghoul". As most of you know, the pic was virtually lost for decades, and the only video source was a well-used 16mm print with the American main title. This DVD is, however, very much the real thing, and it looks and sounds terrific --- it's the major vintage horror release of 2004 (so far), and I dare say it will be hard for anyone to top it. As to the movie, it is one of Karloff's best from any period, and I would recommend this DVD without reservation! ... Read more

Amazon.com

British cinema in the late 1950s and early 1960s turned out a series ofgently satirical films that mocked established institutions, and HeavensAbove! is the member of the group that turned its attention to religion.Peter Sellers, in an unusually low-key performance that's all the better forbeing underplayed, stars as a young vicar whose tendencies to interpretChristian doctrines in his own individualistic way, rather than conform tochurch traditions, leads to all kinds of chaos. He really believes, for example,in taking from the rich to give the poor. It's a quietly funny film rather thana festival of belly laughs, but the points it scores against religioushypocrisies are deftly and persuasively made, and it's one of those Britishcomedies in which squadrons of wonderful character actors fill out the minorroles. Any fan of vintage British comedy will find a cast including Irene Handl,Eric Sykes, Miriam Karlin, Ian Carmichael, Cecil Parker, and Roy Kinnear hard toresist, and there are also very brief appearances from Derek Nimmo and RodneyBewes at the beginning of their careers. --Andy Medhurst ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Metaphor, satire and a brilliant critique
"Heavens Above" immediately preceded "Dr. Strangelove" and "The Pink Panther" with Sellers at the top of his form. He blends into the role of Rev. Smallwood with such completeness that he seemingly went through catechism and seminary - perhaps even journeyed back in time to the Sermon on the Mount.
Smallwood is mistakenly placed as the priest of small town, which is profoundly in need of a priest. Unfortunately, what the town needs and what they want are entirely opposite. Without agenda and in full conviction of the Christian gospel, Smallwood takes every utterance of Jesus as the standard by which society should operate. Smallwood's attempt in the twentieth-century works about as well as his first-century counterpart's.
A truly thoughtful, humorous, and insightful film, "Heaven's Above" is as near to an original clergy film as any in the last century. It is a step beyond satire - more of a hypothetical exercise. The difference between loving and absolutely loving the film depends completely on how the ending is received: (Should it have ended earlier? Is it a departure from the character? Too much farce?) Cinematography is splendid and witty, acting is thoroughly successful and the DVD transfer is crisp and rich. The biographical text on Sellers is interesting. If only there were more extras....

A classic film indeed..go buy it now!!!
This film is in a class of it's own. A classic 1960's black and white movie from the UK that is better, much better than you might think. Set in a typical parish in rural England, Peter Sellers plays a kind, honest and loyal vicar that battles church, the locals and goverment to do what is right for a family of gypsies.
It's the kind of film that makes you feel good, and that is what counts. ... Read more

Reviews (45)

Criterion is Cool
I don't have the other DVD version to compare this with, but this Criterion edition of THE LADY VANISHES is very good. There is an animated index page with the sound of a train. The print of this film looks very good -- of special interest is the "restoration" section of the index. Through the use of "wipes" the Criterion people show you a before and after version of the cleaned-up print. Very neat.

There is also a commentary from a film historian which is interesting, if a bit dry. I didn't get a chance to listen to the whole thing yet.

This is a good Hitchcock movie. It's a lot of fun -- as innocent as a Nancy Drew mystery at times, but with interesting strokes from the master! I had a good time.

DELIGHTFUL, SURPRISING GEM
"The Lady Vanishes" is a sparkling Hitchcock cocktail that looks forward to "North By Northwest" with its light adventure/mystery plotline and romantic/witty humor. Lockwood and Redgrave are spirited and always believable and understated in their roles, and if the mystery ultimately is revealed to be a trifle thin, Hitchcock makes the journey there so much fun that we don't mind in the least. (After all, this doesn't have the depth and poetic quality of "Vertigo"--but it isn't meant to.) Wry support from the secondary cast adds humor and social commentary, and a few trademark Hitchcock images give what could have been (in lesser hands) a claustraphobic production, a real cinematic charge. The Criterion DVD is remarkable: crisp, clean images, and a great and always interesting commentary from Bruce Eder. This is the kind of film whose reputation will continue to grow with time; its understated performances and Nancy Drew type premise give it a surprisingly timeless feel. For Hitchcock fans, the film and the Criterion disc are a must.

No "North by Northwest," but good early Hitchcock
This is early Hitchcock and you can see the talent that was already there. He made this story into a great suspense film, even though there were quite a few implausibilities. It's an odd film, though, in that it mixes a rather dark story (woman disappearing on a train) with an almost slapstick feel at times. This caught me off guard, and sometimes subverted the tension Hitchcock was trying to create. But it's a very witty film, quite fast-paced once it gets going, and very suspenseful. Definitely a fine example of early Hitchcock and an interesting look at turn-of-the-century Scotland.
Also, since this is a Criterion edition, the special features are excellent. Even more impressive, considering that the movie was made in 1935. They include an original press book that you can zoom in on and read, as well as commentary.

a great release for Criterion and one of Hitchcock's best !
The Lady vanishes is one of my most favorite Hitchcock films.

In it a young British woman meets an older Biritsh woman on a train in continental Europe. Later, her friend is nowhere to be seen and when no one else remembers her being there, she suspects a conspiracy.

It is another great one of the Pre WWII films that talks about Europe having 'problems' that will eventually lead to the second war.

Brilliant entertainment, nicely packaged
Along with The 39 Steps and The Man Who Knew Too Much, the Lady Vanishes represents the very best of Hitchcock's pre-Hollywood output.

It's a gripping tale told well. All the usual Hitchcock tricks and idiosyncracies are present and correct; the blonde, the train, and of course the murder and the fiendish twists.

Hitchcock was often at his best when designing films in restricted locations, so much of this takes place on a train, a train on which, of course, a lady - one Ms Foy - vanishes and everyone denies she ever even existed. Margaret Lockwood is excellent as the young woman determined to prove her own sanity by finding out what happened to Ms Foy.

And Michael Redgrave is great as the caddish wiseacre who is the only passenger who'll believe her.

Hitchcock was always great at getting the right chemistry between his leads, and this is another relationship with crackling, intelligent, slightly subversive dialogue.

It rips along at a great speed for a film of its vintage and deserves its place in the Hitchcock canon as his last truly great English film. But even forgetting who made it, forgetting its historical interest, its still an evolving, light-hearted yarn with all the elements you would want; action, romance, comedy and, naturally, suspense.

Brilliant entertainment, nicely packaged with a commentary and added material - although it's the film you'll come back to again and again. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Not Best Quality, But 2 Classic Hitchcocks for a Great Price
I am not going to re-summarize how much fun these oldHitchcocks are. I'll just say that they are the best of his oldGaumont British films. Look elsewhere on Amazon for reviews.

This Whirlwind double feature is of okay quality ... The picture is mildly soft and the sound is a bit muddy and hissy (not too bad, but the occasional line of dialogue is hard to understand --subtitles would have helped!) But, it is acceptable if you just want to enjoy these two films together for [the] price ... I certainly did.

For extras, the DVD includes a somewhat interesting newsreel from the time period and a crummy Porky Pig cartoon, that was beofre the good Warner Bros cartoons and seems to have been strangely edited by Whirlwind. The idea was to make it like a theatrical double feature from the late 30s, but it just seems like public domain stuff that Whirlwind had to chuck on. The poster pics in the booklet are nice. ... Read more

Description

On 'Iron Maiden: The Legacy of the Beast' we go behind the music to discover what it took for this unlikely group ofheadbangers to remain Kings of the metal scene for over two decades (and counting!). Packed with interviews this documentary brings the full story of how this unlikely group became metal legends. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

The Great Maiden DVD Swindle
I'm sorry to write this, as I am a great fan of Iron Maiden, but words are not enough to describe how disappointed I felt when I pressed the play button to watch this DVD. There's hardly any footage of the band, no music by Iron Maiden whatsoever since it hasn't been authorised by the band itself and no new insight into Maiden's biography. Altogether a big disappointment. I wish I had spent my money on something else. Just don't make the same mistake and don't buy it!!!

Pretty bad....
Being one of the biggest Maiden fans you'll ever meet (and I really mean that), let me tell you that no amount of adoration for this band will make you pleased with this purchase.

Perhaps the first clue to the let-down of this DVD is in the title, where it clearly says 'Unauthorized'. Well, that's QUITE appropriate since, in this DVD, you'll see almost NO video footage of the band at all. Much less in action. Rather, expect to see countless dull interviews and background images with (and this is the worst part) music that sometimes clearly ISN'T even Maiden. What the heck is up with that ???

On a better note, however, it's always cool to hear more about the band. And if you're like me you can never get enough of anything to do with Iron Maiden. Some of the interviews are interesting and a few are really funny. But its not much.

In conclusion, this is a unfortunately dull and very disapointing DVD. Were it on TV it would certainly be worth watching, but I would hardly advice paying money for it unless you have plenty to burn. Rather I would spend my money finishing up my Maiden collection, since every album rocks. ( Or for a better Maiden DVD purchase, pick up their video history, Visions of the Beast- though its more expensive, it's worth it)

Thank God for Iron Maiden.

The LAME-acy of the Beast
Let me begin by saying I LOVE IRON MAIDEN. That said if you also consider youfself a fan. Don't bother buying this garbage. I believe I could have made a better documentary interviewing my local Iron Maiden-Fan friends. There is absolutely NOTHING redeeming about this DVD. No video footage of the band, only photos with some generic pseudo-metal music in the background. This is the first unauthorized documentary I've ever bought and the last. It's completely worthless...DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY. The producers of this piece of junk should stick to local-access cable TV. I'm giving this 1 Star simply becasue the amazon rating system won't allow me to leave 0 stars or more appropriatly negative stars ... Read more

Description

Claude Rains (Notorious) and Vivien Leigh (Gone With the Wind) star in the film adaptation of George Bernard Shaw's play. Based on Roman history, "Caesar and Cleopatra" follows the treachery and deceit as the Roman conqueror and his queen attempt to take and hold the Egyptian throne. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Vivien is stunning!
This movie is pretty cool but Vivien makes it marvelous! Hey DVD people! Why does this movie get released on DVD for the UK and not the USA? I would like this movie for my DVD collection!

It's Still A Delight! Really It Is!...
Yes, those that complain that this 1946 film version of Shaw's famous play of the same name is mainly 'stage-bound' and the acting often seems 'stilted'-- well, sigh, they surely have a point.

Bernard Shaw himself (he did not die until the 1950s) is credited with the screenplay, which may have something to do with the criticisms. Shaw is very talky and hard to 'transfer' to motion picture standards of verisimulitude, but this movie has a beautiful, delightful Vivien Leigh, the incomparable Claude Rains, the beautifully dashing Stewart Granger, plus 'old friends' of the classic British cinema such as Flora Robson, Felix Aylmer, Basil Sidney, Stanley Holloway, Leo Genn, Francis L. Sullivan -- all who appeared in wonderful films like Laurence Olivier's 'Hamlet', David Lean's 'Great Expectations' and many other intelligent pictures of that pre- and post-war (WWII, that is) period. (There is even a very very young, but very lovely as always, Jean Simmons as a slave of Cleopatra who plays the harp.)

The picture attempts an 'epic' look, with battles yet noted I'm afraid by unconvincing stunt work and 'casts of thousands' sort of milling about -- and Cecil B. De Mille does this so much better than Gabriel Pascal, the director of 'Caesar and Cleopatra'. But I myself admit I love the Shavian ambience -- the intellectual activist actually attractive (in Shaw's plays at least!) to the winsome young woman; ... friendship, discussion and respect; thought as more important than 'action-adventure'.

If Shaw's plays do seem too dated to you and they generally bore you, yes, stay far away from this film! But if you brighten when 'entertainment' is also provocative to the intellect and not only to the eye (and other sense organs) -- and particularly if you have great affection for the era of British cinema dominated by Olivier, David Lean, and the early Tony Richardson and featuring so many familiar and adept character actors that fill the firmament with 'supporting' stars, you will like the movie, and ignoring its quite obvious flaws, enjoy every minute: I guarantee it!...

Definitly a disappointment
I just recently became a Vivien Leigh fan after seeing her in great films. I picked this up at my public library, looking foward to see her again. When I put into my VCR and when this movie appeared at the screen, I must say I was terribly disappointed. Nothing like GWTW or Waterloo Bridge. Her version of Cleopatra was ofial. And Claude Rains also gave me a bad impression, since it was the first time I had ever seen him on screen. I fell asleep half way through the movie, and when I woke up, I intended to fall back asleep. It was a horrible waste to my Saturday evening. But you can't be totally harsh because Vivien Leigh was going through some tough times during the making of the movie. But i'd recommended Waterloo Bridge, or GWTW, or any other Vivien Leigh film, but not CAESAR AND CLEOPATRA.

Great Caesar's Ghost!
This is the most affordable of the great 1940's-1950's renditions of George Bernard Shaw's plays, done perfectly by great actors of their time: Claude Rains(CasaBlanca), Vivien Leigh(Gone With the Wind), Stewart Granger, et al. Mainly true to Shaw's play, it depicts a modern, empowering leader, not a military despot; clever, quick, dialectic drama, great staging, costuming, even musical scoring. This is Shaw, not history, or Shakespeare, of course. Except for Pygmalion, other Shaw plays on film cost ... more; this is a bargain for sparking the study of Shaw's brand of post-Victorian thinking. Finally, Caesar's Egypt invasion in this play suggests timely comparisons to present U.S. conflicts with Iraq, AlQuetta & the Islamic world.

Caesar and Cleopatra...Leigh/Rains Version
This version of Caesar and Cleopatra is an historical farce. The talent of Leigh and Rains are wasted on this thing. At the start of the film when Leigh meets Caesar Leigh plays the role of Cleopatra as a whimsical/foolish/giddy girl. Outrageous. Good costumes for a period piece but when compared to the Claudette Colbert or Elizabeth Taylor verions this is a disgrace. Don't bother...you have been warned. ... Read more

Reviews (45)

Criterion is Cool
I don't have the other DVD version to compare this with, but this Criterion edition of THE LADY VANISHES is very good. There is an animated index page with the sound of a train. The print of this film looks very good -- of special interest is the "restoration" section of the index. Through the use of "wipes" the Criterion people show you a before and after version of the cleaned-up print. Very neat.

There is also a commentary from a film historian which is interesting, if a bit dry. I didn't get a chance to listen to the whole thing yet.

This is a good Hitchcock movie. It's a lot of fun -- as innocent as a Nancy Drew mystery at times, but with interesting strokes from the master! I had a good time.

DELIGHTFUL, SURPRISING GEM
"The Lady Vanishes" is a sparkling Hitchcock cocktail that looks forward to "North By Northwest" with its light adventure/mystery plotline and romantic/witty humor. Lockwood and Redgrave are spirited and always believable and understated in their roles, and if the mystery ultimately is revealed to be a trifle thin, Hitchcock makes the journey there so much fun that we don't mind in the least. (After all, this doesn't have the depth and poetic quality of "Vertigo"--but it isn't meant to.) Wry support from the secondary cast adds humor and social commentary, and a few trademark Hitchcock images give what could have been (in lesser hands) a claustraphobic production, a real cinematic charge. The Criterion DVD is remarkable: crisp, clean images, and a great and always interesting commentary from Bruce Eder. This is the kind of film whose reputation will continue to grow with time; its understated performances and Nancy Drew type premise give it a surprisingly timeless feel. For Hitchcock fans, the film and the Criterion disc are a must.

No "North by Northwest," but good early Hitchcock
This is early Hitchcock and you can see the talent that was already there. He made this story into a great suspense film, even though there were quite a few implausibilities. It's an odd film, though, in that it mixes a rather dark story (woman disappearing on a train) with an almost slapstick feel at times. This caught me off guard, and sometimes subverted the tension Hitchcock was trying to create. But it's a very witty film, quite fast-paced once it gets going, and very suspenseful. Definitely a fine example of early Hitchcock and an interesting look at turn-of-the-century Scotland.
Also, since this is a Criterion edition, the special features are excellent. Even more impressive, considering that the movie was made in 1935. They include an original press book that you can zoom in on and read, as well as commentary.

a great release for Criterion and one of Hitchcock's best !
The Lady vanishes is one of my most favorite Hitchcock films.

In it a young British woman meets an older Biritsh woman on a train in continental Europe. Later, her friend is nowhere to be seen and when no one else remembers her being there, she suspects a conspiracy.

It is another great one of the Pre WWII films that talks about Europe having 'problems' that will eventually lead to the second war.

Brilliant entertainment, nicely packaged
Along with The 39 Steps and The Man Who Knew Too Much, the Lady Vanishes represents the very best of Hitchcock's pre-Hollywood output.

It's a gripping tale told well. All the usual Hitchcock tricks and idiosyncracies are present and correct; the blonde, the train, and of course the murder and the fiendish twists.

Hitchcock was often at his best when designing films in restricted locations, so much of this takes place on a train, a train on which, of course, a lady - one Ms Foy - vanishes and everyone denies she ever even existed. Margaret Lockwood is excellent as the young woman determined to prove her own sanity by finding out what happened to Ms Foy.

And Michael Redgrave is great as the caddish wiseacre who is the only passenger who'll believe her.

Hitchcock was always great at getting the right chemistry between his leads, and this is another relationship with crackling, intelligent, slightly subversive dialogue.

It rips along at a great speed for a film of its vintage and deserves its place in the Hitchcock canon as his last truly great English film. But even forgetting who made it, forgetting its historical interest, its still an evolving, light-hearted yarn with all the elements you would want; action, romance, comedy and, naturally, suspense.

Brilliant entertainment, nicely packaged with a commentary and added material - although it's the film you'll come back to again and again. ... Read more

Description

Indiscreet:Romance is in the air when a dashing diplomat (Cary Grant) is introduced to a beautiful and famous actress (Ingrid Bergman).The fact that he's married doesn't stop the lovestruck pair from falling into a passionate affair.But it turns out that the actress isn't the only one with a talent for role-playing- her married lover is actually a single playboy with no intentions of settling down.When his secret is revealed, she decides to give her Romeo a taste of his own medicine - and discovers it's just what the love doctor ordered. That Touch of Mink:Love arrives with a splash when a handsome and eligible tycoon (Cary Grant) and a beautiful working woman (Doris Day) meet over a curbside mud puddle.He's enchanted by her small town ways; she's captivated by his romantic, debonair manner.But when it comes to marriage, they have decidedly different views - she wants it and he doesn't!What ensues is a game of cat-and-mouse as each tries to win the other - with hilarious and heartwarming results. ... Read more