Reviews (47)

Great movie and the DVD Transfer is Crystal Clear!
I don't think I've ever seen a good print of this film till I bought the DVD, which is fabulous! I'm not a die-hard Audrey Hepburn fan, but she is very charming and looks fabulous in the fashions. I love the ability to skip the numbers I don't like with the DVD since I find this a very uneven film. When it is good it is nearly flawless (and that's most of the time--opening credits, Think Pink, Funny Face, Bonjour Paris, The Photo Shoots, S'Wonderful, the final fashion show) but when it is bad it is horrid (a 60 year old Fred Astaire trying to be a beatnik, Fred's unending "matador" dance number, the whole plot with the Professor, Clap Yo'Hands). I was disappointed in the additional features--the original trailer is ho hum and the Paramount "documentary" is really just an extended sales pitch with bad stock footage. Where's an interview with the great Stanley Donen? Still, overall well worth purchasing.

A Marvelous Movie!
Fred Astaire and Audrey Hepburn together on screen. Just that alone makes seeing this movie worthwhile. However, this film has a lot of other things going for it. To begin with, this film gives the fabulous Gershwin score a first class treatment. Astaie's version of the title song is definitive, and while no singer, Hepburn's rendition of "How Long Has This Been Going On" has a sensitivity and power that is quite hard to find in many musicals. Next, The lush Paris locales are simply beautiful. After decades of musicals that were done entirely on soundstages, it is a breath of fresh air to see the realism and freedom of space that on location shooting can bring to a film. Then, there's Kate Thompson. While Fred and Audrey are glorious, it's Ms. Thompson who's the real scene-stealer as the bossy magazine editor. She transforms "Think Pink" into a delightful Showstopper, and always gets the best lines. Enugh talk. Go see this movie. It's a treasure you won't soon forget.

P.S. If your wondering why I took off a star, it's because of the age difference between Astaire and Hepburn. Astaire was in his late 50's when he made this film, and Hepburn was not yet 30. I simply don't believe that their romance is reasonable. After a few great song and dance numbers, it's not really a big deal, but it's worth a star.

Where Was MArni NIxon?
Funny Face has just about everything going for it. Audrey Hepburn, Fred Astaire, Stanley Donen, great Gershwin tunes, a terrific rare glimpse of the incomparable Kay Thompson and above all some of the most exciting visuals and overall art direction ever caught on film. So what happened? The sad decision to let Hepburn do her own singing. That's not to say her voice is bad. It's very... nice. But for a full blown musical of this scale, the audience is yearning for Hepburn's character to really give out with a great set of pipes. Perhaps not quite to the extent of Kay Thompson, an actress perhaps better suited for the stage than the intimacy of the screen. Yet while the movie does not fulfill its promise, it's still well worth seeing. The transformation of Hepburn from mousy bookstore clerk to haute couture model is as wonderful as her similar transformation in "Sabrina". The modeling sessions with Astaire directing Hepburn are delightful and above all the VistaVision presentation of late 50s gloss can not be matched, (the opening credits nearly make up for the entire movie). With Richard Avedon and Suzy Parker's influence the movie almost makes you forgive its failings. Still by the last frame the audience is left with only one thought: "Where's Marni Nixon when you need her?".

The Ultimate Fashion Musical!
Anyone who loves Breakfast at Tiffany's and Roman Holiday knows that Audrey Hepburn is one of the most magical women ever captured on film. But there is something special about Funny Face. It captured a part of the real Audrey -- part book worm, part great dancer, part reluctant star. The "On How to be Lovely" scene with Patricia Neal is one of the most glorious moments in film. You just cannot help but smile when they start singing that song. It will make you fall in love with Audrey over and over again!

Isnt bad. Far from Great.
Fred Astaire, the greatest movie star of all time (Along with Chaplin of course) paired with Audrey Hepburn in this enjoyable, but still slightly dissapointing romantic musical set in France.

If your expecting this film to have great dancing, then dont. It hasnt. What you get however is a very colourful movie with a few decent songs, but others can be questionable.

The basic story is, Fred Astaire is a photographer who discovers a girl (Hepburn) who works in a bookstore and makes a model out of her (Check other reviews for more on the story).

Overall, not too bad a movie. Could have been better, but recommended for fans of either Astaire or Hepburn. ... Read more

Amazon.com

First broadcast in the United Kingdom in 1967, Captain Scarlet was the most grownup of all Gerry Anderson's SuperMarionation adventures. Of course there are gadgets and toy-friendly machines galore--like the Spectrum Pursuit Vehicle, the Angel Aircraft, and Cloudbase itself--but, unlike the colorful fantasies of Stingray and Thunderbirds, this series' concern with an implacable, vengeful enemy, conspiracies, and double agents drew its inspiration from James Bond and the cold war spy dramas of the 1960s. Special effects whiz Derek Meddings instills the action sequences with a truly Bondian grandeur and, like the sinister SPECTRE of the Bond films, the Martian Mysterons seem all the more hostile for their unseen presence, their agents infiltrating every organization dedicated to their destruction, just as it seemed the Soviets were doing at the time. The indestructible Captain Scarlet is killed then resurrected every week (though not like South Park's Kenny), and more often than not the Mysterons emerge triumphant, and always undefeated. The varied cast of Spectrum agents and their voice characterizations also aim at verisimilitude (Captain Scarlet, voiced by Francis Matthews, sounds like a grim Cary Grant), while the puppetry is more realistic than ever. Now with newly remastered picture and Dolby 5.1 surround sound for the DVD release, Captain Scarlet still looks and sounds like the epitome of '60s cool. For Americans, this is the first time the show--consisting of 32 episodes--has been available. --Mark Walker ... Read more

Reviews (21)

Gerry & Sylvia Andersons AMAZING PUPPETRY now on DVD!
This review is in recognition of Gerry & Sylvia Andersons amazing talent/devotion of bring puppets to life (1967)!!! Their vision and magical ability to breathe life into fiber glass is still a monumental pain staking task to say the least. Even today this scifi series "Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons" stands the test of time for entertainment, special effects and delightful color.

Summary - Captain Scarlet for 32 amazing episodes battles the invisible "Mysterons" a Martian race who was mistakenly attacked by Spector (Scarlets military organization). The Mysterons have the ability to assume any human body and animate objects. This cat & mouse game keeps us on our toes. The storylines, meticulous minature model sets, the special effects (explosions/destruction galore), and the puppet realism (their mouths, eyes and bodies move very realistically - remember this is 1967 and everything is hand built - no CGI).

Bonus Features: Gerry Anderson Commentary on premiere episode 1 (very informative - many of the shows 1967 inovations stood the test of time ie, the helmet micro microphones), Introduction to Captain Scarlet, Photo Gallery and DVD Production Credits.

Again, Thank You & Congratulations to the Andersons for an introducing us to the world of advanced pupperty & outstanding entertaining show/series. Now digitally remastered picture & sound gives a very presentation. This Full Screen vivid COLOR 4 DVD Box Set gives us 32 episodes in detailed color & crystal clear sound. This is fun stuff to watch! Enjoy.

Captain Scarlet
At last A & E has released the Gerry Anderson Supermarionation series Captain Scarlet And The Mysterons on DVD. I first saw it when it was on TV in the 1960's and its combination of believable characters and tense,gripping stories hooked me immediately. I rarely saw the show when it was on the Sci-Fi Channel, so I'm glad the whole series is on DVD now. It's more violent than other Supermarionation shows, but it was more realistic, showing that Spectrum could fail to stop the Mysterons as well as stop them. I wholly recommend this DVD set not only for the old time fans like me, but also for people who never saw the series before.

"Do I Get a Coconut?"
Since I was riveted by this show as a kid, I thought my own two sons ages 6 & 9 might enjoy it. We were all captivated! The supermarionation techniques were much refined by this series, and you won't see the troublesome "big heads" and exposed wires as on Thunderbirds. Captain Scarlet's storylines are a bit serious, much cold-war angst and very James Bondish. Count on the best of impecible British manners from all the SPECTRUM gents! Each of the captains has unique character qualities as well as colored boots to match their vests... even the kids will not lose track of who's who. Too bad there was little effort made to distinguish personalities of the 5 female pilots, known as the the "angels", other than their being each a blond, redhead, brunette, and gratuitously thrown in, an Asian and African-American. Usually the Angels seem to simply hang about the modernistic lounge, reading magazines and filing their nails, while awaiting the next assignment. You'll have to count on the male forces of SPECTRUM to provide all the intrigue.

In the episode "Craterville 101", watch for normally reserved Captain Green to enigmatically blurt out "Do I get a coconut?", when he is being praised by his fellows, Captain Scarlet and Blue for having just destroyed a Mysteron aggressor tractor! This caused a huge laugh and it is now an often used family statement.

The series ended without explanation after episode 32. Too bad as everyone was ready for more!

A childhood fantasy relived!
The year is 2068. On an exploration of the Martian landscape, SPECTRUM agent Captain Black mistakenly fires on and decimates a Martian city. The residents of the city are the Mysterons. An invisible race that now declares war on the inhabitants of Earth. After they destroy Captain Black and his team, the Mysterons use their powers to re-create Captain Black and set out to lay waste to mankind. The Mysterons are able to recreate anyone and everything they destroy. Their first target is the President of the World Government. Captains Scarlet and Brown, agents of the Global protection agency SPECTRUM are en route to provide protection for the President, but before they arrive, they are killed by the Mysterons. Their perfect replacements pick up where they left off and escort the President to the World Government HQ. Once there Captain Brown attempts to kill the President but to no avail. Captain Scarlet also tries but is shot by Captain Blue and plummets 800 feet to what is sure to be his death. Amazingly, Captain Scarlet recovers from his injuries and becomes Spectrum's most valuable agent in the fight against the Mysterons!

September of 1967 saw the introduction of Gerry Anderson's most adult oriented and easily most ambitious series to date. Unlike Stingray and The Thunderbirds Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons introduced graphic violent content including the deaths of several characters in each episode. Anderson has been a staple of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) for almost 40 years. In that time he has produced twenty series, five of which made it to American Television (XL5 in 1963, Thunderbirds in 1994 and Space 1999, UFO and Captain Scarlet in the 1970's). One of the hallmarks of Anderson's series was the use of something called "Supermarionation". Essentially, the coolest puppets in the world coupled with the coolest miniature sets, made children's imaginations run wild, not too mention bringing their wildest dreams to life. In the Stingray, and the Thunderbirds series, the heads of the marionettes were clearly out of proportion to their bodies, which while not distracting did give a more fanciful look to the production. In Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons the process of Supermarionation was perfected in that the heads of the puppets could now be made proportionally correct as the solenoid chips (computer controlling elements that controlled the synchronization of the mouths of the puppets with the dialogue) that were once housed in the heads of the puppets were now small enough to fit in the chest cavity of each marionette. Given the current improvements the puppets were now 1/3rd human scale. Newer problems however, arose, as these new "stringless" puppets controlled from the bottom of the stage as opposed to the ceiling could not be made to walk convincingly. The problem was fixed by the incorporation of moving sidewalks, differing camera angles and the addition of sounds of movement. I.E. shoes "clicking" on pavement. Supermarionation was a resounding success and Captain Scarlet went on to become one of Anderson's highest rated entries. A&E has again put together a fabulous multi-disc (four) entry. Available in the U.K. for some time, on PAL encoded VHS and recently DVD, Captain Scarlet has finally made it to America and in the best shape since its original run.

The original soundtrack for Captain Scarlet is included as well as a beefed up DD5.1 platform. The 5.1 presentation is on par with that of the platform for the Thunderbirds. The surrounds are used for both atmospheric and directional movement and the sub tends to be very active. The dialog is all very clear and easily understood. There are two commentary tracks provided by series creator Gerry Anderson. The first is on the pilot episode "The Mysterons" and the second is on the 30th episode entitled "Attack on Cloudbase". The commentaries sound scripted and tend to fall on the dry side. They're informative but not very interesting.

The video is presented in its original 1:33.1 full frame. The colors are all rich and vibrant. Black levels are good and saturation levels are good. There are a few moments of artifacting throughout the series but they don't at all detract from the visual presentation.

The extras included on the discs are photo galleries, character bios, vehicle guides and SPECTRUM ID cards for all of the Spectrum agents including Captain Black and DVD-ROM interactive vehicle diagrams. 32 episodes in all, Captain Scarlet has been never before been made available on this side of the pond. The "truest treat", if you will, is this domestic release of the entire series.

As a kid this was always my favorite TV show. Now that they have finally landed in Region 1 in a most handsome 4-DVD set, I am ecstatic! While there is word that Captain Scarlet is being brought into the 21st century via a new CGI series, it will be hard pressed to equal the sheer joy and delight these programs have offered. The storylines are cohesive and the presentation makes for wonderful viewing!

Technically astounding but what happened to fun?
I Love "Thunderbirds," "Supercar," "Stingray,"and "Fireball XL 5." Those series are loaded with great sets, special effects, and even some humor. "Supercar," the most primitive of the above (It was made in 1958-59) is a delight because it is an early children's show (of my youth) beautifully transferred to DVD. Captain Scarlet is technically amazing. The marionettes have been perfected to look more human. The vehicles, crafts, and special effects are slick and convincing. My problem with this series is that it is so, so serious. The earlier series could be enjoyed by anyone, not just sci-fi nuts. 'Captain Scarlet" has all of the ponderous heaviness of the worst of sci-fi movies. The earlier series were human and you coudl tell that the humans behind them were having fun. "Captain Scarlet" never lightens up. Watching it, I feel as if the series was hijacked by technically skilled robots instead of humans. Gerry Anderson was divorcing his wife and partner, Sylvia, at this period. She was th eone responsible for the character stylizations. This may explain why "Captain Scarlet" is a cold affair. ... Read more

Reviews (27)

Doris Day: Greatest Pop Vocalist, Great Actress & Person !
In the annals of pop music, musical films and outstanding entertainment careers few can match that of Doris Day, either in longevity or quality.Her naturally superb vocal talents were honed at a very early age (17) singing with top territorial big bands and ultimately with the great Les Brown Band of Renown with whom she had her first hit record, "Sentimental Journey", in 1945.That experience helped her develop the power, depth, phrasing and lyrical vocal style that made her the finest pop vocalist of all time.Nowhere is that talent more evident than in this Academy Award nominated film on the life of songstress Ruth Etting.Music wise the songs are incomparable as are the orchestrations and Doris' renditions.One need only to listen to the emotion and purity of "Never Look Back", "It All Depends On You" and "I'll Never Stop Loving You" with just piano accompaniment to hear how she had no rivals then, and especially now, in the vocal arena.

The film takes some liberties with facts and characterizations as all bio films do but who cares?The acting is first rate with Jimmy Cagney as the controlling minor league thug, Marty Snyder, Cameron Michell as her real love and musical director, Johnny, and veteran character actor, Robert Keith, as the faithful supporting booking agent.It is said that Cagney, who was nominated for his third Oscar as Snyder, had no qualms about getting second billing to the much younger Day.

As film bios go, this one is hard to beat.Outstnding talent, a great script, incredible music and outstanding musical performances puts "Love Me Or Leave Me" at the top of all music biographies.I first viewed this film in 1955 as a very young and impressionable kid.It has not lost a thing over time, especially when weighed against the tripe and fluff that eminates from Hollywood now.I recently got the soundtrack CD and it is outstanding in sound quality.Miss Day recently turned 81 and is still beautiful and active in Carmel California.This performance and her equally great 1951 performance in "Young Man With A Horn" remain my favorite Doris Day films.

No Tacky Virgin in This One!
I'd seen clips of Doris' more "known" movies and never thought I'd be purchasing a Doris Day flick.Then, I saw Doris' interpretation of "Shakin' the Blues Away" on "That's Entertainment III."Amazing.Had to buy the DVD "Love Me or Leave Me."

The film showcases an awesome vocal performer and surprisingly good acting on the part of Ms. Day. It made me feel that most of the other films of her career were a waste of her obvious talent. Let's put it this way--at many points of the film, she convinced me to be more sympathetic to her gangster husband than her.She was that convincing.James Cagney turns in a blistering performance with great subtlety.His obsession and misguided love for Ruth Etting (Ms. Day) are convincingly portrayed.

The DVD is in gorgeous Dolby Surround that will blow you away if you have a good system.The print is clear and clean--dripping in saturated Eastmancolor.Add this one to your collection of treasured DVDs and turn a friend on to Doris in a role suitable to her talent--if you can part with it!

DVD extras
DVD special features include: Soundtrack remastered in Dolby Digital 5.1, Three vintage shorts, the first two with Ruth Etting (A Modern Cinderella, Roseland, A Salute to the Theatres)

"Love Me or Leave Me" is a great movie!
I can't wait to see this movie on DVD.I first saw it about 15 years ago after taping it on TNT.This movie contains what I think is Doris Day's greatest performance---and what a shame she didn't get an Oscar nomination for it.This role showcases all of her talents and hints at the truly great acting ability she had and rarely had the opportunity to show.So many of her roles were lightweight.Nevertheless, she was one of the greats of her generation.I hope the Academy rewards her with an Honorary Oscar one of these days.If you're on the Board of Governors, think about it.

"Love Me or Leave Me" is one ofDay's crowning achievements
Doris Day can do ANYTHING!And in this film, she is cast against type as a woman who "makes a pact with the devil" to get the career she so strongly desires.Well, it isn't "Faust",
but our Doris certainly makes you think it is. Doris Day and James Cagney both give complex performances that enrich this
film so much, and Doris Sings a wonderful batch of standards
that rival ANYTHING she has ever done.If all you got was the songs, you would have more than your money's worth...but you get a fascinating movie about a real woman and the mistakes she made.And for those of you who think Doris can only play the coy virgin...I assure you...our beloved Doris is neither coy nor virginal in this film.SHE will knock your socks off!!!
THANK YOU DORIS...for ALL your wonderful performances...you can do anything and everything...and if proof were needed this is it. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

Charles Spencer Chaplin, the London ragamuffin who became the most popular man of his era, gets his proper due with this deluxe package of four classics. Each two-disc set begins with an excellent new digital transfer of the picture and remastered sound. The Gold Rush, Chaplin's 1925 masterpiece, puts the Little Tramp into the snowy Yukon; it includes such celebrated sequences as the "Dance of the Rolls" and Chaplin's uncanny metamorphosis into a large chicken. Both the original silent version and Chaplin's re-edited 1942 release (for which he added his own musical score and narration) are included. A documentary on "Chaplin Today" looks at the film through the eyes of Burkina Faso director Idrissa Ouedraogo. Modern Times (1936) is Chaplin's peerless take on the machine age; his ballet on the assembly line remains one of the great images of modern man driven mad by mechanization. The DVD extras include a couple of (somewhat extraneous) vintage promotional films about the wonderful world of mass production, the famous Chaplin composition "Smile" performed by Liberace (huh?), and penetrating comments on the film by the Belgian filmmakers Luc and Jean-Pierre Dardenne.

The Great Dictator is Chaplin's comic undressing of Hitler, boldly released in 1940. An absorbing documentary, "The Tramp and the Dictator," details production of the film, and color footage shot on the set provides fascinating behind-the-scenes material. Limelight (1952), in which he plays a fading vaudevillian, is Chaplin's magnificent elegy on his own career. Extras include a deleted scene, the entire Oscar-winning score, and Bernardo Bertolucci on the film's emotional impact:"I don't cry often, but here my tears flow." Each film has a loving introduction by Chaplin biographer David Robinson--but newcomers to Chaplin should watch the movies first, as the extras give away endings and the best jokes. --Robert Horton ... Read more

Reviews (8)

The Tramp for a New Generation
Most have heard of Chaplin. Though many have not seen an entire movie of Chaplin's. This collection is a great way to expose and introduce a younger generation to the visual comic genius of Chaplin. Kids who happen to have a short attention span forget that Chaplin is B&W and silent when they watch this. That's how good he is. This collection brings honor to Chaplin's greatest achievements by presenting the movies with superior picture quality. The extra featues are great! This is a "must-have" for any DVD enthusiast.

Magnificent films and magnificent man
Charles Chaplin was the greatst cinematic genius of the 20th century. His brilliance was celebrated and recognized for decades, but then America brutally turned against him. How it grieved him that his adopted homeland, the country that had given him fame, riches and untold fortune, denounced him as a Communist and basically didn't allow him back into the country. What a singular disgrace. His story is told magnificently in these four films, spanning thirty years. We open up with the little tramp and conclude with the haunting, depressing, yet poignant "Limelight." This last film is my favorite of them all, with Charlie's unique, beautiful voice speaking so softly to a 19 year-old Claire Bloom. It was send chills down your spine to see his work (finally) restored to its original glory. The final scene, with Keaton standing behind, when they slowly draw the sheet over his face signifies the artistic death of Charlie Chaplin. No one went out with more grace and pathos.

If you're a long-time Chaplin fan or a Charlie newbie, this set has something for everyone, from the globe dance in "The Great Dictator" to the depressing scenes of Calvero unable to make his audience laugh anymore. It's all here and it will touch anyone with a love of film. There was only Chaplin and this set shows the entire spectrum. My highest recommendation.

The Ultimate Of Chaplin's Creations
This box set is absolutely wonderful! Not only does it include bonus material that is fascinating, it also offers the original version of "The Gold Rush" as released in it's original form- the way our grandparents saw it in the theater. If you or someone you know is a Chaplin fan, this collection is a must, with his most famous and memerable films ever. Also included in the bonus material is an unseen [until now] look at many aspects of Chaplin and his films.
I recommend highly!

SILENCE IS GOLDEN IN THIS STUNNING BOX SET
Without a doubt, Charlie Chaplin is the reigning king of silent comedy. His impeccibly limber gesturing, sense of timing and evocative facial features have made him a landmark artist, a masterful film maker and one of the greatest talents to ever grace the silver screen. What more can be said; does it get any better than the little tramp?!? And now, Warner Home Video proves that it does, indeed get better; a lot, lot better. Having had to contend with poorly transferred, badly worn VHS and primative bootlegged DVD copies for years, the home video audience at last gets to witness Charlie in his best video incarnation ever! This box set features four classics from the Chaplin legacy; Modern Times, The Gold Rush, The Great Dictator and Limelight. In each case, Chaplin illustrates the art of making movies as no one before or since. Great fun!
THE TRANSFER: No expense has been spared in making each film sparkle as never before. The gray scale is incredibly rich and beautifully balanced. Blacks are deep. Contrast levels show off Charlie's make up. Fine detail is gloriously realized. Minor edge enhancement and some pixelization do occur but nothing to distract or even hint that anything but absolute care has been taken to make these films look as good as they possibly can. Almost all age related artifacts are gone. Truly, I can't say enough to recommend these transfers. The audio is mono and nicely balanced.
EXTRAS: Each disc comes with a brief featurette on Chaplin's legacy and some interesting supplimental extras including outtakes in some cases and interviews in others.
BOTTOM LINE: No more to be said: don't walk - RUN to your nearest video retailer and make the Chaplin Collection a part of your home video library!

Yeeeeehaaaaaaaaaaa!
Hey, living in Belgium, Europe, I bought the complete box (10 movies plus extras: it equals this volume one plus volume two, plus a complete biography and the movies "A woman of Paris " and "A King in New York") at Amazon Uk, and you can find my complete review there. But THIS material cannnot be avoided by anyone loving Chaplin's work: it is the supreme collection!

And 5 stars is far to little a reward for the job those people did by putting together such collection! ... Read more

Amazon.com

The Diamond Collection consists of five Marilyn Monroe films plus the documentary The Final Days. Bus Stop (1956) stars Monroe as a singer who finds herself trapped at a bus stop in the middle of nowhere during a blizzard. How to Marry a Millionaire (1953) was built around a trio of female stars, Monroe, Lauren Bacall, and Betty Grable, who play friends who come up with a plan to find and marry rich men. Monroe plays an ambitious showgirl in 1954's There's No Business Like Show Business, which brings together two giants of Broadway, Ethel Merman and Irving Berlin, to celebrate the glories that were vaudeville. Howard Hawks's 1953 musical Gentlemen Prefer Blondes stars Monroe and Jane Russell as friends who go to Paris looking for mates. The film is charged by Hawks's stylish snap, a famous set piece or two (including Monroe descending that staircase while singing "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend"), Russell's wit, and songs by Leo Robin and Jule Styne. The Seven Year Itch (1955) is a memorable laugh machine. As a married man left alone during a hot summer, Tom Ewell shows off crack timing matched by Monroe's zesty comic flair, and the scene in which her white dress is blown skyward by a passing subway train has entered the encyclopedia of great movie images.

In The Final Days, producer-director Patty Ivins chronicles Monroe's final, aborted feature film, Something's Got to Give, which was ultimately shut down after the star was dismissed from the production. Beyond Monroe's fragile emotional and physical health, this well-crafted profile examines the financial crisis facing her studio as well as the mounting frustration of meticulous director George Cukor and his cast, including costar Dean Martin, as Monroe's absences drove the shoot over budget. The documentary concludes with a 40-minute reconstruction of footage completed for the feature, which would subsequently be reshot as a vehicle for Doris Day and James Garner, Move Over, Darling. ... Read more

Reviews (32)

Goodbye Norma Jean
Are you in for a treat! The Diamond Collection features 5 Marilyn movies, and the first-time ever release of her final, unfinished film. First up is "Bus Stop", directed by Joshua Logan in 1956. Don Murray(in his first film) co-stars as a riotious young country cowboy. This bumpy romance is stage-bound and corny. However, it's final scenes reveal an emotionally scarred young woman's character that is hauntingly reminiscent of the "Marilyn Mystique". The second film is "There's No Business Like Show Business", from 1954. It's a back-stage show business melodrama; dated and slow. However, this new DVD offering is dripping with luxurious, mind-bogeling color. Dan Dailey co-stars, along with a very young Hugh O'Brian. The third film is 1955's "Seven Year Itch". Director Billy Wilder had filmed the classic "Sunset Boulevard" just 5 years before. "The Seven Year Itch" was a smash Broadway comedy hit for 3 years. Tom Ewell signed on to repeat his starring role. Ewell plays a hen-pecked husband, alone for the summer in his sweltering Manhattan flat. Then he meets "the girl". It's a fast moving satirical romp. The timing and acting are superb. It's near perfect. The fourth film is "How to Marry a Millionaire", from 1953.This vibrant, classy comedy stars Marilyn along with Betty Grable, Lauren Bacall, and Hollywood icon William Powell, who once romanced Jean Harlow. Marilyn easily steals the show. Her ditzy, near-sighted blond model named Pola is a scream from begining to end. Next is "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes(1953)". A famous action director, this was Howard Hawk's only musical. Jane Russell co-stars. The shipboard scene with Marilyn, Charles Coburn, and George Winslow ranks among the funniest ever shot! Finally comes a special treasure trove of Hollywood legend. "Something's Got to Give" has been locked away in a 20th Century film vault for 40 years. Carefully edited from 9 hours of film never seen before, it is perhaps the first half of her final intended film. Shot in 1962, it features her only nude scene. George Cukor directed parts of "Gone With the Wind" in 1939. Here he leads Marilyn and barks orders at child actors on the set. An exceptional cast includes Dean Martin, Cyd Charisse,Phil Silvers, Steve Allen, and the mysterious Wally Cox. 19 days behind schedule, filming was suspended due to Marilyn's poor health. Marilyn enticed the studio to begin re-filming, armed with a new million-dollar contract and a 2 picture deal. Ravaged by 10 years of Hollywood stardom, Marilyn suffered bouts of depression. She died in August, 1962, of a pill overdose. For the first time ever, the camera opens the door on this fragile, frightened, and damaged little girl living in a still beautiful 35 year-old woman's body. "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend". But having just one friend might have helped save this little girl.

The DVD Diamond Collection captures the total appeal of MM.
MM (Marilyn Monroe) was and now again (due to these magnificent widescreen digitally restored picture & sound DVDs) the most celebrated film star of Hollywood.

The Technicolor quality & clarity of all the movies are worth the price of admission. This 6 DVD set allows us into the hey day of Hollywood with Marilyn becoming the most celebrated star of her era. These movies are all upbeat musicals (Theres No Business Like Show Business & Gentlemen Prefer Blondes - Monroe & Jane Russell were honored & immortalized at Graumans Chinese Theatre (foot & handprints) for there success in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.) or comedies (How to Marry a Millionaire, Seven Year Itch (the famous subway grate dress scene), Bus Stop, & Something's Got to Give (her final incomplete film restored and edited for our enjoyment (40mins)).

Marilyn was captured on film forever but now her true beauty & talent explode off the screen with these restored beauties.

This collection has the beauty, the vulneribilty and talent of Marilyn Monroe. These DVD's are the best sampling of Marilyn's eternal stardom, total audience appeal & obsession with her.

MM is totally delightful in all these upbeat color filled movies. She always steals the scenes, lights up the screen & audiences always want more of Marilyn.

She can act (comedy & drama), dance, sing & win our hearts.

If you have ever wondered about this Hollywood phenomenon you can now see for yourself the true talent & beauty of Marilyn Monroe. There are many extras but the movies are the candy. So sit back and enjoy this Diamond Collection of this legendary star immortalized forever on these DVD's.

Absolutely essential collection of Marilyn Monroe films!
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For anyone who loves Marilyn Monroe, or even for anyone who knows nothing about her but wants to learn, this is an essential collection of her films.

Buy this set along with The Diamond Collection II, and you will have most of the best of Marilyn Monroe's body of work.

The surprise DVD in this set is the "Final Days" disc, in which Marilyn's final (uncompleted) film, "Something's Got to Give" has been reconstructed to give an idea of how the finished movie might have looked.

Marilyn missed a lot of shooting days on the set of this final film, which led to her being fired in mid-production. Acdcordingly, there is a lot of plot missing in this reconstruction. However, if you watch the Doris Day vehicle "Move Over Darling", which was a retitled and completed version of "Something's Got to Give", it will fill in the gaps so that you can watch the reconstructed "Something's Got to Give" and figure out the plot.

It's wonderful that at last we have this final glimpse of Monroe's on-screen magic. She appeared breathtakingly beautiful in the surviving footage of this film. It really makes me sad to realize she didn't survive the summer of 1962 so that she could complete the filming.

Ah yes... MMMmmmarvelous Marilyn!

Of these "gems", The Seven Year Itch is my best friend
OK, finally, the six videos in the first Diamond Collection, meaning her 20th Century Fox pictures. Not all are flawless gems, but rather most are the ones she is best known for, and we get an indepth, well-detailed narrative of her aborted last movie.

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes: Yes, the musical that put Marilyn on the map after the success of Niagara. This movie is dated, but there's also the mindset of the opposites of its two stars. Lorelei Lee will simply drool over a diamond, while Dorothy drools over big pecs. Things aren't that way today. And the classic "Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend" led Madonna to duplicate that scene in her "Material Girl" video. Good songs and numbers mask a so-so plot and characters. Rating: 3.5

How To Marry A Millionaire: The second Cinemascope film made, Millionaire has MM teaming up with Betty Grable and Lauren Bacall, out to snag rich husbands. MM is Pola, a myopic blonde who keeps bumping into walls and things without her glasses, which she is reluctant to wear because "men aren't attracted to women who wear glasses." That's what she thinks. Again, the materialistic "money is everything" theme prevalent in the 1950's. Not bad, though. (Rating: 4).

There's No Business Like Show Business: Marilyn only has a supporting role as Donald O'Connor's love interest in this one, with the really hot Latin-flavoured "Heat Wave" number a highlight. Most of the drama in this splashy but with no substance movie goes to Ethel Merman, Dan Dailey, and O'Connor. Rating: 3

The Seven Year Itch: This has been my favourite MM film, not because of the skirt scene. For one thing, there's Tom Ewell's character, the married Richard Sherman, who has been happily married for seven years and has a great imagination, but not much esteem. Enter the Girl, a figure out of a dream, who tells him in a speech towards the end: "But there's another guy in the room, way over in the corner. Maybe he's kind of nervous and shy and perspiring a little. First you look past him, but then you sort of sense he's gentle and kind and worried, and he'll be tender with you. Nice and sweet. That's what's really exciting. If I were your wife, I'd be very very jealous of you." That cheered me up given my looks. Rating: 5

Bus Stop: The first film she did using Method acting, this is the film touted as the one where she could finally act, in her role as Cheri, a singer looking for respect who is initially flattered at the courtesy given by Bo, a green cowboy, who is so smitten at her, he intends to marry her, something that stuns her. She has no plans of marrying him, but unfortunately, Bo can't take no for an answer. Rating: 4

The Final Days: James Coburn narrates the events surrounding the making of Something's Got To Give, a remake of the Cary Grant/Irene Dunne comedy My Favourite Wife. The film would've been Marilyn's 21st, but due to her frequent absenteeism, an overdose, conflicts between director George Cukor and various writers, and the impatience of Fox studio heads desperate to be bailed out at the big slurping sound of cash draining at another debacle of a film also starring a temperamental actress, Cleopatra with Liz Taylor, it was alas not to be. Marilyn shines in some moments, such as the scene with the children. And the scene in the swimming pool is equal in exhibitionism as the skirt scene in The Seven Year Itch. She shows a bit of her derriere when she puts on the bathing gown, something that wouldn't have been allowed in the final cut, (read Mr. Hays). However, other scenes and outtakes show her in a drug-induced haze. Also included is the first 15-20 completed minutes of Something's Got To Give, where Marilyn totally shines in her scenes with Dean Martin and the children. I saw possibilities in this, as two months after being fired, MM had successfully negotiated a return to production for the film with a higher salary. That was on 1 August. Four days later, she was dead. (Rating: 4.5)

Overall rating: (3.5+4+3+5+4+4.5)/6=4.

The beautiful Eleanor Parker
Eleanor Parker is just as beautiful as Monroe, but her breasts are smaller.

Watch Parker act up a storm in "Interrupted Melody", playing the polio-stricken opera diva Marjorie Lawrence. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

A favorite film of some of the world's greatest filmmakers, including Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg, John Ford's The Searchers has earned its place in the legacy of great American films for a variety of reasons. Perhaps most notably, it's the definitive role for John Wayne as an icon of the classic Western--the hero (or antihero) who must stand alone according to the unwritten code of the West. The story takes place in Texas in 1868; Wayne plays Ethan Edwards, a Confederate veteran who visits his brother and sister-in-law at their ranch and is horrified when they are killed by marauding Comanches. Ethan's search for a surviving niece (played by young Natalie Wood) becomes an all-consuming obsession. With the help of a family friend (Jeffrey Hunter) who is himself part Cherokee, Ethan hits the trail on a five-year quest for revenge. At the peak of his masterful talent, director Ford crafts this classic tale as an embittered examination of racism and blind hatred, provoking Wayne to give one of the best performances of his career. As with many of Ford's classic Westerns, The Searchers must contend with revisionism in its stereotypical treatment of "savage" Native Americans, and the film's visual beauty (the final shot is one of the great images in all of Western culture) is compromised by some uneven performances and stilted dialogue. Still, this is undeniably one of the greatest Westerns ever made. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (120)

A classic western
The Searchers is considered by many to be one of the best westerns ever made, and I cannot disagree with them. The story follows the efforts of two men trying to track down a kidnapped girl from Comanches over the course of five years. The men tracking the tribe are a Confederate veteran and the girl's uncle and the other a family friend and also part Cherokee. The film is beautifully shot as all John Ford westerns are, which adds to the overall mood of the movie. There is a vastness to some scenes which show the futility of tracking down this girl after so many years. The Searchers is a classic that provided John Wayne with a role that was different from any other he had previously played.

John Wayne stars as Ethan Edwards, the Confederate veteran trying to track down his niece after his brother's family is slaughtered by a Comanche raiding party. He plays the role of the racist veteran to perfection. At times it is startling to see him in a role that differs so greatly from most other movies he had done. Jeffrey Hunter plays Martin Pawley, the Duke's partner in his search for the kidnapped girl. He plays a good sidekick to Wayne throughout since they have such differing personalities in the movie. Also starring are Natalie Wood, Ward Bond, Harry Carey JR, Patrick Wayne, Hank Worden, Ken Curtis and plenty of other Wayne stock actors. The DVD is good but could have been much better. You can view the movie in fullscreen or widescreen, with trailers included alongside four documentary shorts. A must have for western fans that is up there with Shane and The Wild Bunch as some of the greatest westerns of all time!

John Wayne at his Western Best now on WideScreen DVD!
"The Searchers" (1956) Anamorphic Widescreen DVD version is one of the best classic westerns ever made! Ranked in the American Film Institute's (AFI) top 100 movies of the last 100 years (1998). Having the best Western Director, John Ford partnering up with his favorite cowboy star, John Wayne can only be the beginning of a grand movie. Adding Widescreen Technicolor, the colorful Panoramic Monument Valley - Utah (Ford's favorite western area to film), a fantastic musical score and top supporting cast leads us on one of the best filmed westerns ever!

Summary - Ethan Edwards (John Wayne) is returning home to his only Brother & his family. After he and a posse of Texas Rangers (Lead by Ward Bond) were decoyed away by distant marauding Indians. The actual Indian raid was on remaining defenseless families left behind. Ethan's returned to find his Brothers family massacured all but his youngest niece, Debbie (played by Lana (younger)& Natalie Wood (older). His vengence takes him on a 5 year journey to recover her. Wayne is brilliant and proves he is a great actor.

"The Searchers" is a powerful 2 hour emotional rollercoaster ride. This movie will leave you with more respect of John Wayne's ability to act, Director John Ford's genius to tell a very complex story. Leaving us forever with a Great Western Classic! Enjoy.

Searchers!!
Ethan Edwards, (John Wayne), finds his way home after the civil war to his brothers homestead. Some cattle are rustled and he and a few men track them only to discover it's a Comanche trick to lure them away while they kill out the folks left behind which is Ethan's brother, wife, and kids. They arrive back too late, all are dead except Ethan's niece who was taken captive. Ethan sets out to find his niece accompanied by Martin Pauley, (Jeffrey Hunter), who Ethan found as a baby years earlier after another Indian raid. Ethan loved his brother's wife which is clear in the book by Lemay but very lightly alluded to in the film. This helps to explain his rage because everything he cared for in the world is gone. He will pursue the Comanche that have his niece until hell freezes over. Along the way he finds that he is still a human being. This film is widely considered the greatest western of all time and a favorite film of Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg if that means anything to you, I thought I would toss it in anyway.

STILL SEARCHING FOR AN ADEQUATE TRANSFER
John Ford was a master craftsman of the American cinema. Though he dabbled in melodrama and action during his directorial career, his everlasting contribution to the movies remains in those galvanic distillations of the old west put forth by an unparalleled series of legendary films. "The Searchers" ranks among his most finely wrought and meticulously hand crafted projects. Indeed it seems to be the film in which the culmination of Ford's own commitment to the power, beauty and frailty of the western frontier tragically come together in a revisionist perspective that exposes both its grandeur and its flaws. The film stars the iconic John Wayne as Ethan Edwards - a strangely majestic antihero who vows bloody revenge after his cousin and family are slaughtered by marauding Comanches. But Ethan's search for his surviving niece (Natalie Wood) becomes a sinister and all-consuming obsession when he learns that she - having been abducted while still a child - has now adopted the ways of her captors and, at least in Ethan's mind, has become one of them. The film tackles racism in the form of Ethan's distrust of one time family friend (Jeffrey Hunter) who is part Cherokee and the sweep and spectacle of Death Valley has never been quite so poignantly captured on film.
THE TRANSFER: While Warner Home Video has made "The Searchers" available in anamorphic widescreen in a print that is light years ahead of anything the film has looked like before for the home film enthusiast, compared to more current DVD releases, the visual splendor of the transfer falls short of expectations. Though colors are rich there's something of a muddiness and lack of balance to them in many of the indoor scenes. Also, several scenes appear to be suffering slightly from color shrinkage, creating a slightly out of focus image quality that is distracting. Age related artifacts are present but do not distract so much as the digital anomalies of pixelization and edge enhancement which greatly plague the background information in most of the long shots. A slight shimmering is inherent in all of the scenes. Black and contrast levels can be solid at times, while sometimes appearing slightly pasty. Ditto for the unnatural flesh tones which are either overly pink or a ruddy orange. The audio has been remastered and delivers a nice expansive presentation which is in keeping with the vintage of the original sound elements.
EXTRAS: Not this time around. Sadly, this film deserves a documentary.
BOTTOM LINE: "The Searchers" is a masterful western, on par with "Stagecoach" and "High Noon". Definitely one to add to your film library.

The Best Western Ever Made
This is the best Western ever made. There's simply too much to say about it here to do it justice. The imagery, John Wayne's character's growth, the comraderie between the "searchers", the supporting cast and the theme will make seeing this film worth the while of even those who "hate" Westerns. It's a classic, and purchasing it will be money well spent.

Enjoy. ... Read more

Description

Members of an Antarctic research team are killed off by a frozen alien they uncover. ... Read more

Reviews (135)

The Finest Thing Movie Ever!
The Thing From Another World is the mother of all aliens attack the world films. Most people think immediately of John Carpenter's version of this story. It is an unfortunate comparison because the two films could not be further apart in story, style or intent. Where the modern version relies on gory effects and the star power of Kurt Russel to carry the day, the original film has none of that. The great director, Howard Hawks, is probably best remembered for his westerns, and his work with John Wayne. As Producer, Hawks brings a masters touch and a history of being one of the greatest storytellers in American cinema to this film. Even though Christian Nyby directed the film, Hawk's style is evident in the retstrained pacing, crisp banter and short but absolutely stunning action sequences. The viewer barely sees The Thing, played by a younger James Arness except in brief and savage action sequences. We have to wait until finally in the film's exciting finale he is revealed in full. The creature is unlike the modern take on the alien lifeform. The Thing is human in design, with a minimal approach the the make up. No spewing orifices, shooting mandibles or acid blood here. This Thing is a relentless, intelligent being who keeps upping the stakes, staying one step ahead of the heroes in a tense game of cat and mouse, with the fate of the entire world in balance. The cast is one of the great ensembles of all time. The dialogue is terse, witty and sparse. All of the archetypical heroes are here, the brave Army officer, the beautiful ex-girlfriend, the scientist who is so naive and trusting that he would be willing to risk the world in the pursuit of knowledge. The setting, an isolated, weather whipped outpost on the continent of Antartica is a wonderful, eerie backdrop for the grim proceedings to come. There are so many cinematic and entertainment reasons to enjoy this masterpiece that it would be easy to overlook the messages that Hawks delivers with this seemingly straight forward film. Science for science's sake can be destructive. A people must be aware of external threats and be prepared to defend against them. A nation must work together and recognize that strong leadership is necessary when a crisis is looming. All favorite themes of the times when this film was made. It was made at the inception of the Red Scare in America. In a sense it is a facist piece of work, but taken as a whole, it is so exciting and so crisp in execution that one can forgive and overlook the undercurrent of paranoia that permeates the work. Every generation of science fiction fans should be required to see this film, The Innocents and The Bride of Frankenstein so they can see how it was all done first, and in many cases better.

The classic 1950's science fiction film of cold war paranoia
"The Thing From Another World" remains the best of the 1950's black & white science fiction films, avoiding both the fake monsters of "Them," its ideological counterpart, and the piety of "The Day the Earth Stood Still." I still remember the first time I saw this movie and realized that here were characters who talked as fast as I did. I know Robert Altman and "M*A*S*H" get the credit for "inventing" over-lapping dialogue, but that seems a bit absurd to me after watching the conversation and group discussions throughout this film. I am teaching a Science Fiction literature class for the first time this semester and I wanted them to also watch an example of a classic 1950s science fiction film and this film was my immediate choice.

As John Carpenter reminded us in his 1982 "remake," the 1951 version is not even remotely faithful to John W. Campbell, Jr.'s classic sci-fi short story, "Who Goes There?" Campbell wrote of a stranger visitor from another planet who could take on human appearance, so that the problem was that you never knew if the guy sitting next to you was your buddy or the monster. "The Thing" offers a monster from outer space, but with atmosphere, pacing and wit rarely seen on the silver screen. Charles Lederer gets screen credit for the script, but we know know both Howard Hawks and Ben Hecht had a hand in the writing as well (you can find Lederer's original script on line to check out the differences for yourself), and it has been taken as gospel for years that Hawks had some hand in the direction as well (as did Orson Welles according to some). After all, this was Christian Nyby's first screen credit as a director and he went on to direct mostly television series from "Gunsmoke" to "Kojak." Whatever the background of the story, what is important is that this film manages to combine claustrophobia, xenophobia, paranoia and hypothermia into a first rate chiller.

The story is relatively simple. Something crashes in the arctic near a scientific station and Air Force Captain Patrick Hendry (Kenneth Tobey) and his crew fly on up to see what is going on. The station is run by Dr. Arthur Carrington (Robert Cornthwaite), who may well be the haughitest scientist on the planet. Just to make things interesting Hendry has a relationship with the good Doctor's secretarial assistant, Nikki Nicholson (Margaret Sheridan, technically the "star" of the film). The group heads out to the crash site, where they find something buried in the ice. In one of the most famous (not to mention inexpensive) special effects shots of all time, the group traces out the shape of the buried object and discover'it is round. When attempts to use thermite to thaw out the space ship only end up destroying it, the crew finds the "pilot" has been thrown clear and frozen in a block of ice, which they obligingly take back to the station and where an electric blanket used so the armed guard does not have to look at that thing in the ice serves as the deus ex machina for getting the creature out and about. Mayhem then ensues. Note: I remember people referring to the Thing (played by James Arness, who avoids monster makeup as the heroic FBI agent in another classic 50's sci-fi film, "Them!") as the "carrot monster" movie because the creature is more like a sentient vegetable than any animal.

Unlike "Them" where the military willingly listens to the nice elderly scientists to get the big bad giant ants, "The Thing" has a more complex socio-political sub-text. Dr. Carrington declares "Knowledge is more important than life" and pontificates about how "There are no enemies in science, only phenomena to be studied." Offering a more objective point of view is Ned "Scotty" Scott (Douglas Spenser), a reporter who came along for the ride and stumbled onto the story of the century, who pointedly asks, "What can we learn from that thing except a quicker way to die?" Thus we have a conflict in the group between the scientists and the military men, although in the end it is Carrington alone who refuses to see the errors of his freethinking ways. But more importantly, Captain Hendry is not the true hero of the piece, and one of the great running gags of this film is that he is always trying to catch up with the plots of his crew, especially Bob (Dewey Martin) the crew chief, whether in regards to finding a way of dealing with the carrot monster or trying to get their captain to settle down with Nikki. Another great thing about this film is that the romantic subplot is one of the most unromantic subplots in movie history, having to do mostly with what may or may not have been said during a drinking engagement on a previous weekend.

This is one of those science fiction films where if you do not love it then you probably have not seen it, although you have probably seen people watching "The Thing" since it pops up in both "Halloween" and "Scream." Not until "Alien" do we have such a superb combination of science fiction and horror, and I would still pick the simple elegance of this 50 year old film over the special effects of Ridley Scott's film. Just compare two scenes from these films to prove by point: the chest-buster scene from "Alien" and the gieger-counter scene from "The Thing." In 2001 "The Thing" was added to the National Film registry, which is a totally appropriate piece of timing. Finally, remember: "Watch the skies, everywhere! Keep looking. Keep watching the skies!"

Terrible
I saw all the wonderful reviews of this "classic" film and decided to go out and buy a copy. Was I dissappointed. Don't let anybody fool you about this film. Perhaps it was good compared to other horror films released in its time but even that is hard to believe. Now, I don't claim to be a maven of the "horror" genre but this film just didn't live up to its expectations. Aside from the fact that I found the plot development to be rather slow and drawn out, the acting really turned me off. I didn't find the acting to be natural as others seem to believe. The acting was so contrived it was disturbing(and not in a horrific way). I felt like the dialogue was rushed and that each character felt they needed to churn out their lines as fast as possible, which really made me nervous listening to it. And in this hurried fashion, the characters interrupted each other often resulting in much of the dialogue being muffled and lost. This was my main concern with the movie. It lacked the emotion and convincing acting necessary to enthrall the viewer in the characters' dillema. One thing's for sure. I'm never watching this movie again.

The scariest movie I have ever seen
This is one movie that really scared me as a kid when I first saw it and still gives me the creeps. I love the actors, dialog, scenery and the story. This movie will give anyone the "willies". Everytime it is on tv I get caught up again watching it. Hollywood cannot make movies like this anymore. The new movies I watch (maybe) once and forget about them. The Thing I can watch over and over. Margaret Sheridan is so cute.

"Keep your eyes on the sky"
The Thing from Another World is a highly entertaining mix of the horror and sci-fi genre with a perfect blend of the two. In the North Pole, a team of scientists reports the crash of an unidentified spacecraft near their base camp. The Air Force sends a team in to investigate what happened. Once there, they find an alien spacecraft, but it is destroyed while they are trying to remove it from the ice. However, the group does find a passenger frozen in ice which they take back to the research laboratories. When the creature accidentaly thaws from the ice, the Air Force pilots and the researchers are in for more than they bargained for. What makes this movie enjoyable is that the Thing is not seen for much of the movie allowing the viewer to imagine what it possibly looks like which makes everything a little more tense and nerveracking. Made on a low budget, The Thing is quickly paced with sharp dialogue that never slows down. A classic sci-fi/horror movies from Howard Hawkes that shouldn't be missed.

Kenneth Tobey stars as Captain Patrick Hendry, the by-the-book, courageous leader of the Air Force team sent in to investigate the crash of the spacecraft. Robert Cornthwaite plays Dr. Carrington, the scientist who wants to preserve the Thing because he holds progress in science above all else. Douglas Spencer plays journalist, Scotty, who wants to break the big news to the world. Margaret Sheridan plays Nikki, the love interest for Captain Hendry. Hendry's crew includes James Young, Dewey Martin, Robert Nichols, and William Self. James Arness of future Gunsmoke fame plays the Thing. The movie also stars Eduard Franz, John Dierkes, Nicholas Bryon, George Fenneman, and Paul Frees. The DVD offers fullscreen presentation and the theatrical trailer. For an exciting, well-made horror/scifi movie, check out The Thing from Another World! ... Read more

Reviews (57)

Bawdy Good Fun!
Totally irreverent and unabashed Paint Your Wagon is bawdy good fun for the whole family! In spite of the critics' remarks about its morals or lack of them, I found the story to be true to life in the old west. In watching the documentary "Ken Burn's presents The West," one learns that many decent law abiding folk abandoned all sense of morality and manners once out on the American Frontier.

The music as with all Lerner and Loewe films is excellent, especially the unforgettable song, "They Call The Wind Maria." Clint Eastwood sings beautifully and most probably could have had a nice singing career had he not gone to tough guy films and spahgetti Westerns. Lee Marvin and Jean Seberg compliment a fine cast of actors that make this musical very enjoyable and a believable picture of life in the Old West.

Adapted by Paddy Chayefsky (remember "Marty?") the musical is filmed on location in a beautiful wilderness (supposedly) in California which is about to become a state. Reckless, raucous and full of good fun it makes Rogers and Hamerstein's "Oklahoma" look dull and tame by comparison. Like the song "With A Little Bit Of Luck" in the musical, My Fair Lady, Lerner and Loewe tend to celebrate the lesser (and more real) qualities of humanity with a tongue-in-cheek sense of humor. Thus so I dare say I enjoy Lerner and Loewe much more than Rogers and Hammerstein.

Bawdy Good Fun!
Totally irreverent and unabashed Paint Your Wagon is bawdy good fun for the whole family! In spite of the critics' remarks about its morals or lack of them, I found the story to be true to life in the old west. In watching the documentary "Ken Burn's presents The West," one learns that many decent law abiding folk abandoned all sense of morality and manners once out on the American Frontier.

The music as with all Lerner and Loewe films is excellent, especially the unforgettable song, "They Call The Wind Maria." Clint Eastwood sings beautifully and most probably could have had a nice singing career had he not gone to tough guy films and spahgetti Westerns. Lee Marvin and Jean Seberg compliment a fine cast of actors that make this musical very enjoyable and a believable picture of life in the Old West.

Adapted by Paddy Chayefsky (remember "Marty?") the musical is filmed on location in a beautiful wilderness (supposedly) in California which is about to become a state. Reckless, raucous and full of good fun it makes Rogers and Hamerstein's "Oklahoma" look dull and tame by comparison. Like the song "With A Little Bit Of Luck" in the musical, My Fair Lady, Lerner and Loewe tend to celebrate the lesser (and more real) qualities of humanity with a tongue-in-cheek sense of humor. Thus so I dare say I enjoy Lerner and Loewe much more than Rogers and Hammerstein.

The movie they tried to ruin
"Paint Your Wagon" is almost a textbook case in how to ruin a film version of halfway decent musical. Take a minor Lerner & Lowe hit, blow it up all out of proportion, cast three non-singers for the main leads, and remove most traces of the whimsy and irony that made this moderately popular in the first place. That the result is STILL somewhat entertaining is almost a miracle. A lot of the credit has to go Lee Marvin, who plays his trademark drunken Westerner to the hilt. But Clint Eastwood and Jean Seberg are bland to the point of nonexistence. A standout (he's hard to miss) is Harve Presnell, an actual singer who belts out the movie's big hit, "They Call the Wind Maria" then promptly disappears. There's a lot of "what-in-the-world-were-they-thinking?" in this one. But it's still worth a couple hours of your time.

Good Old Fun
Wow, how can you not love Clint Eastwood's singing? This movie is fun and hilarious. A little action and a lot of laughter. The characters are witty and the plot is creative. I would recomend this movie to anyone, unless you don't agree with drinking, smoking and gambling. Just watch the movie and enjoy.

My first true laugh
Thirty years ago when I as a young buck watched this movie, it was a delightful surprise. That Lee Marvin was so funny. You never forget that first kiss,well you never forget that first really uncontrollable laugh either. Lee Marvin, like alot of heavies, had a gift for comedy. The part of the movie when Marvin thinks he is in hell is so classic. The closing song is bittersweet. It is hard to say good-bye to all the great characters. Ah to be so young and innocent again! ... Read more

Reviews (195)

Here Come THE JETS!
WEST SIDE STORY remains unique...to the point of astounding...in status among most accomplished classics in cinema history. Legendary director Robert Wise[whose eclectic mastery of film ranges from "lost" mythology epic, HELEN OF TROY to sci-fi milestones-THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL and STAR TREK:The Movie]perfectly renders a film of passion;tragedy;humor and ultimate celebration of youthful humanity. Leonard Bernstein's score is peerless Americana: classic ART and popular entertainment.Jerome Robbins'choreography is electrifying;Steven Sondheim's "libretto lyrics" are ensconded in popular music immortality.

West Side Story's ensemble cast is likewise peerless.
Natalie Wood is superb as American JULIET, Maria. Richard Beymer's Tony/Romeo charcterization wonderfuly combines heroic "tough guy" with star-crossed lover. George Chakris(Bernardo)and Russ Tamblyn (Riff)jive; fight and dance their rival gangs into legend. My favorite is Rita Moreno.Her performance as earth mother/eternal woman figure, ANITA is remarkable. Her ferocious sexual brio;lioness-Queen humor("if you can fight in/for AMERICA!");home girl insouciance, and passionate GRACE are archetypal.WEST SIDE STORY thematically equals--if not surpasses--its SHAKESPEAREAN progenitor.It is America's SOUND OF MUSIC.The ten Academy Awards could be justly re-awarded.

[When I learned "my" homies back in Massachusetts'Pelham Regional High School...citadel/incubator of so-called 5-college professoriate and University of Mass'PC satrapy centered in Amherst...BANNED WEST SIDE STORY as Racist(this year the school is featuring VAGINA MONOLOGUES)I wondered: "WHERE ARE THE JETS when you need them?"]...

Certainly WSS was never conceived--as Mel Gibsons's THE PASSION OF CHRIST--to stir Culture War and rally believers. WEST SIDE STORY is,"unsimply",American film making at its finest and cinema art of world class caliber. It is movie ICON,which,as The JETS challenge, remains at-the-ready: "to beat every last f.....'gang on the whole f.....'street!"(10 Stars)

powerful,realistic , the finest musical drama I have seen
This ia a very intense, fast moving story in which many of the scenes easily could have happened in real life in New York at that time.

The quality of the music and lyrics blends beautifully with the action, and the choreographed dances are breathtaking.The actors fit their parts to such perfection that I could not imagine anyone else than Natalie Wood playing Maria, or George Chakiris as Bernardo, and on and on for the rest of the Jets and Sharks. My favorite musicals are those from 1950-1970 and of all the great ones like Oklahoma, South Pacific, and the Sound of Music, West Side Story impresses me as the most exciting dramatic musical of all time. It is hard to find a boring moment in this movie. When I think about this movie, the ballet numbers, choreography, and excitement stand out the most in my mind. For a fast moving drama this is a classic against which to compare other musical drama. Who would have thought that a mere conflict between two gangs could have been portrayed into such a dynamic movie. The producers certainly succeeded in bringing up to date the Romeo and Juliet saga. The romance and tragedy of Tony and Maria will always be indelibly impressed in my mind.

Magnificent adaptation of Romeo & Juliet!
Robert Wise made his masterpiece with this film mixing the essential spirit of the shakesperian mood , recreating it in the modern times as a racial conflict.
Wise mixed the drama with a credible plot . The coreography is towering and the music ( Oh what kind of inspiration was in the mind of Leonard Bernstein , acquire buy also the soundtrack; Maria became a classic ), Rita Moreno won a deserved Academy Award and this became a personal triumph for Natalie Wood one of the most beautiful faces ever seen in the cinema story .
The sequence fights between the bunchs is perfect articulated , there is a fine balance between drama and music.
Enjoyable film and of course for all a generation of teenagers in that age , who actaully are grandparents , still remember with nosthalgie that unforgettable jewel picture .

The Best Musical
West Side Story is one of my favorite musicals. The music and the choreography is incredible. Natalie Wood and Richard Beymer make a perfect Maria and Tony. Now that it is on the 2 Disc Special Limited Edition, it is even better. You can have the original intermission music if you wish and there is a great documentary called West Side Memories which shows how this amazing musical was made. Along with the special edition you get a book that contains the original screenplay, a timeline of the show from when the idea was first thought of and to when it came to the screen, a pamphlet you could of bought in the theaters when it first opened in 1961, and newspaper clippings of what critics thought of the show. Even if you didn't get the special edition this show is still worth owning. The songs are incredible. My favorites are "Maria", "America", and "I Feel So Pretty" which a ninety minute instrumental version is used for the intermission.

Best movie Ever
This movie is a must anyone who loves musicals, it's a total classic. If you thought you knew a lot about the movie, think again, because with all the extra fetures will provide you with more knowledge that you than think about.

The movie has definatley got some of the best dance seguences ever made for a musical. ... Read more

Reviews (36)

Hayley in her element
Hayley Mills stars in the Disney thriller THE MOON-SPINNERS, a sinister and menacing story set against the dramatic backdrop of the island of Crete.

Nicky Ferris (Hayley Mills) and her aunt (Joan Greenwood) are travelling through Europe. Her aunt is a music historian from the BBC and is recording folk songs from the remote villages.

They travel into Crete, staying at the Moon-Spinners Inn, run by a kindly lady (Irene Papas) and her young son. However, some shady dealings are being done, with the owner's brother (Eli Wallach) heavily into astrology and smuggling.

Nicky finds herself thrown into a world of espionage and theft, and finds the love of her life.

Also featuring Pola Negri in a rare film appearance, THE MOON-SPINNERS is one of Hayley Mill's best Disney films.

EXCELLENT MOVIE
I first read the novel "Moon Spinners" by Mary Stewart and enjoyed the book thoroughly. When I saw that there was a movie based on the novel I was a little skeptical, but Disney usually does a great job so I decided to give it a try. If you like Trixie Belden, Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys mysteries, you will definitely enjoy this movie. Hayley Mills is wonderful as usual and the movie contains great suspense and mystery with just a touch of romance. I liked it so much, that I purchased the movie so that I could watch whenever I wished.

Now I want to go to Crete and have an adventure!!!!
The Moon-Spinners has to be one of my favorite movies of all time. Hayley Mills is the all-american girl....err...except for the fact that she's English (it makes no sense, but it is completely true). She gives a genuine performance and most girls can relate to her. I will not deny that this movie is completely cheesy, but it is all in the best way. This movie has everything; adventure, romance, drama, mystery, and is set in the beautiful isle of Crete. The love story is unique and original and will make you smile all over. This movie was acclaimed for being Hayley Mill's first onscreen kiss and I have to admit that it's a good one. I love how this movie embodies the essence of crete, with the beautiful beaches and little villages. I recommend this movie to people of all ages.

I love this movie, but...
I will not buy the DVD until I can get it in a W-I-D-E-S-C-R-E-E-N Edition!!! What good is beautiful Crete if it's panned, scanned,sliced, diced, and squashed? I want the whole picture, not 2/3rds!

Great movie! Full of exitment and adventure!
I think this is a wonderful movie that can be seen again and again! The acting is very good and there are some exiting moments to add suspense.
Hayley Mills and Peter McEnerny are both exellent in their roles and the acting of Irene Papas and Eli Wallach was also very good. You should get this movie and watch it with your children, it will be a great experience! ... Read more

Reviews (22)

The Fickle Finger of Fate goes to Rhino
The contents of this package rates five stars, but what drags it down to three is that Rhino created a fancy package and short-changed the public on the amount of episodes they put in the package. I mean SIX episodes in a three-DVD set for [that amount]? Come on Rhino! You could easily have put 12 episodes in this set. After all, there were 144 episodes of Laugh-In. At 12 episodes a set, it would takes years to release them all on DVD. Now it's going to take twice as long.
Aside from all that, the episodes are great and the picture and sound are crisp and clear. The interviews aren't bad either.
So Rhino, enjoy your Fickle Finger of Fate. I'll be thinking twice before I shell out {good money]for six more episodes of Laugh-In.

When will they put this series out on DVD?
For six years, I watched Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In on Monday nights. I enjoyed it because it was funny, with catchphrases like "Sock it to me," "You bet your sweet bippy," and "Here comes da judge" performed by an ensemble cast of comedians including Goldie Hawn, Lily Tomlin, Ruth Buzzi and Arte Johnson. I haven't seen this show for several years, so I bought this DVD as soon as I saw it. This DVD has two episodes from each of the first three seasons and they're just as funny today as they were when they first came out. They even have the show in which Richard Nixon asked "Sock it to ME?" I'm hoping that Rhino puts every season out on DVD in box sets so that those of us who watched it can enjoy it again and those of us who never saw it can watch it and enjoy it. This DVD set has a delightful bonus - the three discs in the set has interviews with Gary Owens, Ruth Buzzi and Arte Johnson, respectively, where they discuss how they were hired for the show and discuss how they worked on the show. Creator and producer George Schlatter also explains the genesis of the show and says that there might be a Laugh-In 2004 and there is a pictoral recration of the joke wall with pictures of the regulars saying the lines they made famous. It's well worth the price and is a look back at a piece of television and comedic history. Buy it.

Timeless Humor
These days while the US is at war, the daily news is full of depressing stories and young people are feeling a bit alienated, what a relief it is to see this TV series which was born in times just like these. In the late 60's and early 70's when we were in Viet Nam, all of America was longing for a diversion from the depressing news. LAUGH-IN was the answer, and today as I watched Goldie Hawn, Arte Johnson, Ruth Buzzi, Lily Tomlin, Dick Martin and Dan Rowan, with guests Sammy Davis, Jr. and John Wayne - - - I was taken back to a better place in time, and for a while all I did was laugh and laugh. Some call it a TV show, I call it medicine for what ails ya.

Topical Humor? Eternal Laughter
Good lord there are just too many people complaining about the fact that "Laugh-In" was "topical" on this site (as if that was a bad thing). The same folks probably hoo-hah with laughter when "The Simpsons" parody "American Idol" (how do you think that'll hold up on the topicality scale in 30-plus years kiddies?) So let's get this straight: "Laugh-In" is, was and always will be a priceless and epochal combination of humor "ripped from the headlines" (of its time) and the last gasp of vaudeville.

That's right - vaudeville. Because while the editing in "Laugh-In" is straight out of the French New Wave, the rythm of the humor is pure Borscht Belt. No joke is too low, no cow is too sacred, and that's why this is a priceless buy for any of you kids out there in TV land. "Laugh-In" was to its tumultuous era what Michael Moore is to ours: a forum that was willing to take aim and name names. It was funny and it was courageous, and it deserves to be celebrated for all the brilliant humor it still possesses.

For those who decry the shows "dated" references, let me just say: Listen, punk, go buy yourself a history book. "Laugh-In" is inviting you to reflect upon the most significant era of modern American history (the 60s, which defined the America of today as surely as the Civil War did the America of the 1880s), and if you're too lazy to Google what they mean when they say "Mai Lai" on the show, you shouldn't be writing reviews on Amazon in the first place.

So thank you, Mr. Agnew, and we'll see you soon, in beautiful downtown Burbank...

Don't Get Bipped.
This is another example of a company- in this case Rhin$o
trying to exploit the older gay community. Of course that's why the obvious boxsets of I Love Lucy and say stuff like The Twilight Zone are such a rip-off. BB$C are just con-artists and better avoided until they offer fair market value. Yes Laugh-In is outdated but in a way that I think is cool and works as a great period piece. The editing and camera work make it better and underneath it all the overall messages of the show are universal. But 6 episodes is just Rhin$o trying to cash in on the older gay community yet again. Think of it this way. Even if you don't mind paying $50 for 6 episodes unlike say 30 something hour long of The Outer Limits for about the same price you are still being deprived of a lot of Laugh-In Viewing. Viewing that you won't get