From Deseret News archives:

New DVD collection showcases Lancaster's versatility as actor

Published: Friday, Oct. 26, 2007 12:34 a.m. MDT
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This may sound grim, but the film is primarily a rowdy comedy, something akin to the brawling humor that often shows up in John Ford-John Wayne pictures. Lancaster and fellow marine Chuck Connors square off in a three-way romance with Virginia Mayo, then team up to take on the enemy. At one point, Lancaster dances in a grass skirt!

"His Majesty O'Keefe" (1954, color) is another semicomic swashbuckler, as Lancaster plays a ship's captain who survives a mutinous crew. He then lands on his feet at a nearby South Seas island where he finds riches in coconut oil and is made a king.

The film is loaded with action and comedy, and Lancaster — all teeth and muscles — seems to be having the time of his life.

"Executive Action" (1973, color, PG, widescreen). Made 10 years after the Kennedy assassination, and nearly two decades before Oliver Stone's "JFK," this conspiracy-theory thriller about the Kennedy assassination tells a fictional "what-if?" story with a few real-life characters portrayed by actors, supplemented by newsreel footage.

A group of wealthy and powerful men — led by Lancaster, Robert Ryan and Will Geer — come together to orchestrate the assassination. Chilling in its gradual build-up.

Extras: Vintage featurette (on "Executive Action"), short films, cartoons, trailers


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E-mail: hicks@desnews.com

Recent comments

Yes, Elmer Gantry IS missing. And what about The Unforgiven with...

lemma | Oct. 29, 2007 at 8:17 a.m.

I find it impossible that Elmer Gantry was not included in this...

Anonymous | Oct. 26, 2007 at 5:55 p.m.

Burt was a strong actor and his circus roots served him well.

New Man | Oct. 26, 2007 at 4:53 p.m.

Image
Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

Burt Lancaster as "Jim Thorpe - All American."

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