'Forbidden Hollywood' on DVD
Here's a disparate batch of movies new to DVD, led by a third collection of pre-Production Code films that were quite adult for their time.
"Forbidden Hollywood Collection, Volume Three: William Wellman at Warner Bros." (TCM/Warner, 1931-33, b/w, four discs, $49.92). Filmmaker William Wellman is largely unknown to modern moviegoers, but some of his films are very well remembered.
Among them are "Wings" (the first winner of the best-picture Oscar), "The Public Enemy" (which made James Cagney a star), "A Star Is Born" (the original nonmusical version), "Nothing Sacred" (classic screwball comedy), "The Ox-Bow Incident" (a classic Western) and "The High and the Mighty" (the first epic disaster flick).
Wellman also made some of the best, although largely forgotten, hard-bitten dramas of the pre-code era, before Hollywood's self-censorship kicked into gear in 1934. Six fascinating examples made between 1931 and 1933 are in this set, along with a pair of documentaries on Wellman, who led a life as rowdy as his movies.
The films here include a pair that were previously released on VHS: "The Purchase Price," with Barbara Stanwyck as a mail-order bride with a dark past; and "Heroes for Sale," with war veterans overcoming impossible odds during the Depression.
And four movies make their home-video debut: "Other Men's Women," with Mary Astor pursued by a pair of suitors who work for the railroad (with James Cagney in a supporting role); "Frisco Jenny," the sordid story of a brothel madame; "Midnight Mary," starring Loretta Young, who shines as a hard-luck dame trying to get ahead; and perhaps the best film in the box, the provocative "Wild Boys of the Road," about tough homeless kids riding the rails during the Depression.
Extras: full frame, audio commentaries, two documentaries on Wellman, shorts, cartoons, trailers
"To Catch a Thief: Centennial Collection" (Paramount, 1955, $24.99).
"The Odd Couple: Centennial Collection" (Paramount, 1968, G, $24.99).
The "Centennial Collection" titles are digitally cleaned-up reissues of classics, with loads of bonus features on a second disc. I wish Paramount would get busy and let us have more of its never-released vintage titles, but when the reissues look this good it's hard to complain.
Comments
- Cougars lead Utes 10-6 at halftime 4:56 p.m.
- TSA gets Grinchy with snow globes 4:34 p.m.
- Luxury resort in depressed Rhode Is. 4:34 p.m.
- Jones' joy for life remembered 4:09 p.m.
- 'A Christmas Story' opens this week 4:05 p.m.
- Fantasy is reality for BYU professor 4:05 p.m.
- Art gallery exhibitions this week 4:05 p.m.
- Special exhibits and programs 4:05 p.m.
- 'The Nutcracker' tradition of change 4:05 p.m.
- Ballet West sponsors coat drive 4:05 p.m.
- Cave to be sealed with body inside
- Predicting the unpredictable: BYU wins
- Vegas, Poinsettia bowls or bust
- Glover gives Utes last-second upset
- BYU football: 5 keys to victory
- Cougars turn back Wildcats'
- Running game key to BYU offense
- Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
- Woods, wife unavailable for interview
- Idaho woman dies after fall
- BYU would like friendlier rivalry
272 - Thunder rolls by Jazz
136 - Letters: Rushing to judge Palin
134 - Boys basketball rankings
134 - Editorial: Poor welcome for Palin
113 - Cave to be sealed with body inside
113 - Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
111 - Letters: Trump card for believers
98 - Rivalry Week is highly profane
88 - Utah, BYU are top choices for bowls
76
The Wall Street Journal has reported that the holiday retail season...
When "Dancing With The Stars" began more than two months ago, 16 couples...
Comedian Brian Regan, who is scheduled to perform at Abravanel Hall on...
Yes, LDS are fully commissioned officers in the US Armed Forces, and they all...
The police routinely cycle in and out of military units now in the national...
I hope that one day i will be able to play football for byu, I love you guys!...
It's amazing how many people look out their window and see snow on the ground...
Rose's actions are a clear example of someone who has no business being in...
man Harvey Unga is a wuss, somebody needs to teach that boy how to play some...
The Police around this country have a standard of beating citizens as long as...
Fantasy is reality for BYU professor's.
Who is gonna sue Utah?. State air-pollution monitors are advising...
It's good to see that the light of the Gospel is the same, world-wide, in all...



You can be the first to comment on this story.