The 1953 fast paced comedy finally makes it to DVD in a Special Collectors' edition.
A global byword for cinematic quality of a quintessentially British nature Ealing Studios made more than 150 films over a three decade period. A cherished and significant part of British film history only selected films from both the Ealing and Associated Talking Pictures strands have previously been made available on home video format - with some remaining unseen since their original theatrical release. The Ealing Rarities Collection redresses this imbalance - featuring new transfers from the best available elements in their correct aspect ratio this multi-volume collection showcases a range of scarce films from both Basil Dean's and Michael Balcon's tenure as studio head making them available once more to the general public. LONELY ROAD (1936) On a drunken drive to the coast an ex-naval officer interrupts what he believes to be a smuggling operation and informs Scotland Yard... Black and White / 70 mins / 1.33:1 / Mono / English THE WATER GIPSIES (1932) A.P. Herbert's famous tale about a girl living on a Thames barge and her love for a local artist. Black and White / 74 mins / 1.33:1 / Mono / English THE SIGN OF FOUR (1932) Arthur Wontner stars in the classic Sherlock Holmes mystery in which an ex-convict seeks revenge on a man who failed to honour his word. Black and White / 74 mins / 1.33:1 / Mono / English FEATHER YOUR NEST (1937) Unseen since its original theatrical release this George Formby vehicle stars George as a gramophone record factory worker who creates a hit song. Black and White / 78 mins / 1.33:1 / Mono / English
Adapting a play by Edgar Wallace, one of the twentieth century's most successful and prolific crime/mystery writers, The Terror stars Wilfrid Lawson and Bernard Lee in a tale of underworld intrigue with a ghostly twist, with the superb casting and lively dialogue showcasing Wallace's trademark wry humour. Featured here in a brand-new transfer from original film elements The Terror is showcased in its as-exhibited theatrical aspect ratio. For ten years, The Terror has laughed at both police a...
For anyone who travels the congested roads of Britain these days the utterly delightful Genevieve will provoke a wistful, nostalgic sigh of regret for times gone by when there were no motorways, traffic jams were almost non-existent and friendly police motorcyclists riding classic Nortons (without helmets) cheerfully let people driving vintage cars race each other along country lanes. Even in 1953, Henry Cornelius gentle comedy must have seemed pleasingly old-fashioned, concerned as it is with the antics of two obsessive enthusiasts on the annual London to Brighton classic car rally. The principal quartet could hardly be bettered: though John Gregson is something of a cold fish as Genevieves proud owner, the radiant warmth of Dinah Sheridan as his long-suffering wife more than compensates. Kenneth More is ideally cast in the role of boastful rival enthusiast and Kay Kendall has possibly the best comic moment of all when she astonishes everyone with her drunken trumpet playing. Cornelius also directed Ealings Passport to Pimlico, so his sure eye for gently mocking and celebrating British eccentricities is never in doubt. The screenplay by (American writer) William Rose now seems like an elegy to a way of life long disappeared: the pivotal moment when Gregson stops to humour a passing old buffer about his love of classic cars comes from a vanished era of politeness before road rage; as does the priceless exchange between hotel owner Joyce Grenfell and her aged resident: "No ones ever complained before", says the mystified Grenfell after Gregson and Sheridan moan about the facilities, "Are they Americans?" asks the old lady, unable to conceive that anyone British could say such things. Genevieve is both a wonderful period comedy and a nostalgic portrait of England the way it used to be. On the DVD: the "Special Edition" version of Genevieve has a decent new documentary with reminiscences from Dinah Sheridan (still radiant), the director of photography and the films editor, who talk about the challenges of filming on location. Most treasurable of all, though, is legendary harmonica player Larry Adler, who remembers his distinctive score with much fondness and is not at all embittered by his Hollywood blacklisting, which meant he was denied an Academy Award nomination. Theres also a short piece on some of the locations used (which for economic reasons were mostly in the lanes around Pinewood studios), cast biographies and a gallery of stills. The 4:3 ratio colour picture looks pretty good for its age and the mono sound is adequate. --Mark Walker
A triple-bill of murder mysteries featuring the very best of celluloid detectives Sherlock Holmes and Sir James Blake.
Horror Hotel: This hotel is the gateway to hell! Young college student Nan Barlow (Stevenson) uses her winter vacation to research a paper on witchcraft in New England as her professor recommended that she spent her time in a small village called Whitewood. Once she gets to the village she notices some weird happenings but things begin to happen in earnest when she finds herself ""marked"" for sacrifice by the undead coven of witches! The Terror: A lieutentant in Na
Sherlock Holmes (Arthur Wontner) and Dr. Watson (Ian Fleming) are lured out of retirement to investigate a mysterious murder at Birlstone Castle. They discover that a group of coalminers calling themselves The Scowlers are caught up in the plot along with the treacherous Professor Moriarity (Lyn Harding). Holmes must battle wits and might with Moriarity and an American gangster to find the murderers and save The Scowlers from destruction. Stylishly shot with thrills and mystery at every turn this fourth film in a series of five with Arthur Wontner as Sherlock Holmes is one of the best.
3 Classic Sherlock Holmes movies of the silver screen starring Basil Rathbone and 8 classic TV episodes starring Ronald Howard.
This riveting mystery is a ""whodunit"" at its best. The legendary British sleuth Sherlock Holmes accompanied by his loyal sidekick Watson become wrapped up in yet another jewel-centered mystery when a beautiful young woman finds herself the surprised recipient of the world's second largest diamond. The master detective is summoned to figure out just who sent her the jewel and why.
The Speckled Band (Dir. Jack Raymond 1931): Helen Stoner becomes concerned when she hears a mysterious whistle - a sound her sister complained about right before her death. Sounds like a case of Holmes (Raymond Massey) and Watson (Athole Stewart). The Sign Of Four (Dir. Graham Cutts 1932): In this classic murder-mystery an escaped killer embarks on a ruthless quest to track down a missing treasure as well as the man who cheated him out of it.
Silver Blaze (Dir. Thomas Bentley 1937): Over-worked and tired Sherlock Holmes agrees to accept an invitation to stay with Sir Henry Baskerville at his estate. Once Holmes and Watson arrive they are informed that at a nearby stable Sliver Blaze a racehorse favored to win an upcoming track event has been stolen and his trainer killed. When Baskerville's future son-in-law falls under suspicion Holmes takes the case. Believing that his archenemy Moriarty lies behind the c
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