Box sets celebrate icons of silver screen

Two new DVD box sets this week salute icons of the old Hollywood studio system.

Six of superstar Clark Gable's films, primarily from the 1930s, make up his "Signature Collection," and another box is devoted to the fictional Honolulu detective Charlie Chan.

All of these films have their politically incorrect elements, but put into context (and with help from bonus features), they provide fascinating mini-history lessons.

• "Clark Gable: The Signature Collection" (Warner, 1933-53, not rated, b/w, $59.92). The centerpiece here is "San Francisco," which includes a pair of vintage travelogues devoted to that city. All of the others also provide enjoyable entertainment, each demonstrating a varied facet of Gable's startling big-screen charisma, which has yet to wear off. And all of these films are new to DVD.

— "Dancing Lady" (1933) is the earliest picture here, a routine backstage romantic musical. But it gets a star-power boost from Gable, Joan Crawford and Franchot Tone in the leads, as well as support from newcomer Nelson Eddy, the great Robert Benchley, knockabout comics the Three Stooges — and the debut of a young unknown hoofer by the name of Fred Astaire. Oh, and Eve Arden has one line as a dancer. (The disc includes the shorts "Plane Nuts," with the early, Vaudeville-style Stooges, and "Roast Beef & Movies," with one Stooge, Curly Howard, in a small role.) (Trivia note: Curly Howard is billed as "Jerry.")

— "China Seas" (1935) reunites Gable and Jean Harlow (they made six films together), and their banter is a highlight of this yarn about a steamer going through dangerous waters with rich, secret cargo. Great support from Wallace Beery, Robert Benchley, Rosalind Russell, Hattie McDaniel.

— "San Francisco" (1936) holds up as grand cinematic fun, with Gable in peak form as a rowdy, womanizing dance-hall owner who decides to run for office and finds himself falling for a classy singer (Jeanette MacDonald). Spencer Tracy is his oldest pal, the local priest (the film boasts a strong religious component), and the supporting cast is great. But the money shot is the climactic re-creation of the 1906 earthquake, which, even in this day of computer graphics, manages to look great. (Bonuses include an alternate ending and the cable documentary "Clark Gable: Tall, Dark & Handsome," hosted by Liam Neeson.)