From Deseret News archives:

Matthau, Lemmon lead pack

'House Calls,' 'Front Page,' 'Dad' among new DVD releases

Published: Wednesday, June 8, 2005 12:34 p.m. MDT
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
Here's a wide variety of movies new to DVD, led by three titles featuring Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon — together in one and separate in two others.

"House Calls" (Universal, 1978, PG, $12.98). This is one of the best unsung movies of the 1970s, a hilarious romantic comedy with Walter Matthau as a widowed, middle-age doctor who's enjoying the attention of single women for the first time in his life, and Glenda Jackson as the financially strapped, independent woman he can't get off his mind.

The stars are in top form, but there are also rich laughs from Richard Benjamin, whose reactions to the madness around him are priceless, and especially Art Carney, as the senile head of surgery who occasionally misplaces patients.

Extras: Widescreen, trailer, language and subtitle options (English, Spanish, French), chapters.

"The Front Page" (Universal, 1974, PG, $12.98). Billy Wilder's adaptation of the oft-filmed newspaper play, set in the late 1920s, isn't perfect, but Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon are superb in their respective roles as bombastic editor Walter Burns and his best reporter, Hildy Johnson.

Story continues below
The plot has Hildy trying to leave the newspaper to get married (to Susan Sarandon), but getting caught up in a breaking story, with Walter feeding the flame. Rapid-fire dialogue and excellent performances by a great ensemble cast make this a most worthwhile adaptation of this chestnut (although Carol Burnett is miscast as a hooker).

Extras: Widescreen, trailer, language and subtitle options (English, French), chapters.

"Dad" (Universal, 1989, PG, $12.98). Jack Lemmon is amazing here, playing a much older man who has slipped into senility but is eventually given a second chance to briefly live it up.

The plot revolves around his high-rolling son, played by Ted Danson, who comes home to care for his father, even though they've never really connected. In the process, Danson sees the need to mend fences with his own estranged son (young Ethan Hawke). Olympia Dukakis, Kathy Baker and Kevin Spacey co-star.

Extras: Widescreen, trailer, language and subtitle options (English, French), chapters.

"The Four Seasons" (Universal, 1981, PG, $12.98). Although this domestic comedy-drama, written and directed by Alan Alda, bites off a bit more than it can chew, it largely succeeds as an exploration of the lives of three upscale couples who vacation together.

Comments

You can be the first to comment on this story.

Image
Deseret Morning News Archives

Walter Matthau and Glenda Jackson quarrel in the middle of the street in a scene from "House Calls."

previousnext

Latest comments

BYU is afraid to play in front of the media public every year and that is why...

Will one, just one of you AGW believers prove that the earth is warming!...

Wondered what 1 would do if given and oppurtunity to play a professional...

Letters: Fools in Washington

Like most people I am progressively sicker with the way congresses are...

Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies

I have explored Nutty Putty before as well as other caves around the State....

Ywa Zionz has it share of deaths but the difference is that Zions National...

Actually a lot of conservatives did NOT want this war and still don't....

All these Ute fans are setting themselves up to be humiliated. Oh, and by...

this is a senseless death that didn't have to happen. my heart goes out to...

Musicians leave audience in awe

The band was awesome!! Thank you, Caleb, for allowing a member of the Little...

Advertisements