A Disney "classic" that actually is a classic, Dumbo should be part of your movie collection whether or not you have children. The storytelling was never as lean as in Dumbo, the songs rarely as haunting (or just plain weird), the characters rarely so well defined. The film pits the "cold, cruel, heartless" world that can't accept abnormality against a plucky, and mute, hero. Jumbo Jr. (Dumbo is a mean-spirited nickname) is ostracised from the circus pack shortly after his delivery by the stork because of his big ears. His mother sticks up for him and is shackled. He's jeered by children (an insightful scene has one boy poking fun at Dumbo's ears, even though the youngster's ears are also ungainly), used by the circus folk, and demoted to appearing with the clowns. Only the decent Timothy Q. Mouse looks out for the little guy. Concerns about the un-PC "Jim Crow" crows, who mock Dumbo with the wonderful "When I See an Elephant Fly", should be moderated by remembering that the crows are the only social group in the film who act kindly to the little outcast. If you don't mist up during the "Baby Mine" scene, you may be legally pronounced dead. --Keith Simanton
A Disney "classic" that actually is a classic, Dumbo should be part of your movie collection whether or not you have children. The storytelling was never as lean as in Dumbo, the songs rarely as haunting (or just plain weird), the characters rarely so well defined. The film pits the "cold, cruel, heartless" world that can't accept abnormality against a plucky, and mute, hero. Jumbo Jr. (Dumbo is a mean-spirited nickname) is ostracised from the circus pack shortly after his delivery by the stork because of his big ears. His mother sticks up for him and is shackled. He's jeered by children (an insightful scene has one boy poking fun at Dumbo's ears, even though the youngster's ears are also ungainly), used by the circus folk, and demoted to appearing with the clowns. Only the decent Timothy Q. Mouse looks out for the little guy. Concerns about the un-PC "Jim Crow" crows, who mock Dumbo with the wonderful "When I See an Elephant Fly", should be moderated by remembering that the crows are the only social group in the film who act kindly to the little outcast. If you don't mist up during the "Baby Mine" scene, you may be legally pronounced dead. --Keith Simanton
In the tradition of grand animated classics Disney's 11th animated masterpiece The Adventures Of Ichabod And Mr. Toad presents two unforgettable children's classics. Through award winning Disney animation wizardry The Wind In The Willows and The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow come together in one fabulous adventure - in its original theatrical format. Hang on for the wild motorcar ride of J. Thaddeus Toad as he drives his friends Mole Rat and Angus McBadger into a worried frenzy! The
The Magnificent Seven effortlessly turn samurai into cowboys (the same trick worked more than once: Kurosawa'sYojimbo became Sergio Leone's A Fistful of Dollars) and Akira Kurosawa's rousing Seven Samuri was a natural for an American remake through this movie--after all, the codes and conventions of ancient Japan and the Wild West (at least the mythical movie West) are not so very far apart. The beleaguered denizens of a Mexican village, weary of attacks by banditos, hire seven gunslingers to repel the invaders once and for all. The gunmen are cool and capable, with most of the actors playing them just on the cusp of 60s stardom: Steve McQueen, JamesCoburn, Charles Bronson, Robert Vaughn. The man who brings these warriors together is Yul Brynner, the baddest bald man in the West. There's nothing especially stylish about the approach of veteran director John Sturges (The Great Escape), but the storytelling is clear and strong, and the charisma of the young guns fairly flies off the screen. If that isn't enough to awaken the 12-year-old kid inside anyone, the unforgettable Elmer Bernstein music will do it: bum-bum-ba-bum, bum-ba-bum-ba-bum... followed by three inferior sequels, Return of the Seven, Guns of the Magnificent Seven, and The Magnificent Seven Ride!--Robert Horton, Amazon.com
MGM's bold idea to remake George Cukor's Oscar-winning upper-class romantic farce, The Philadelphia Story, into a star-studded technicolor musical with Cole Porter tunes somehow works splendidly and remains an underrated gem. Even the plot and character names--and some bits of dialogue--all remain the same as the original. Crooning Bing Crosby replaces Cary Grant as the wealthy ex-husband trying to win back his soon-to-be-remarried ex-wife, spoiled ice queen Tracy Lord (Grace Kelly, stunning and aloof in her last film role, originated in the earlier comedy by Katherine Hepburn). Unlike Grant, however, Crosby has jazz great Louis Armstrong, playing himself, in his corner for quixotic persuasion. Frank Sinatra (cocky in James Stewart's former role) and Celeste Holm add support as the nosy reporters covering, and subsequently complicating, the upcoming wedding. Sure, High Society lacks the original's witty satire, sarcasm and character complexity; but it's assuredly paced and wonderfully acted, and contains enough romantic chemistry to keep the plot engaging. And then there's the music. Unlike the grandiose production numbers of many 40s and 50s musicals, High Society's musical sequences are considerably low-key and intimate, focusing on Porter's lyrical content and the style in which it's delivered by the charismatic performers. Armstrong kicks the film off in telling style: he sings the title track, a calypso tune outlining the plot like a Greek chorus--not as an elaborately choreographed song-and-dance number, but instead stuffed claustrophobically in the back of a limousine with his jazz band. Other musical standouts include Sinatra and Crosby playfully tossing barbs during "Well, Did You Evah?"; Crosby and Armstrong teaming up for an energetic clash of styles in "Now You Has Jazz"; the two soaring, archetypal ballads by the leads--Crosby's "I Love You, Samantha" and Sinatra's superior "You're Sensational"; and, finally, the satirical Sinatra/Holm duet, "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?", the closest High Society ever comes to social or class-commentary. --Dave McCoy, Amazon.com
This Technicolor® classic, Paramount's first to be released in VistaVision, teams Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye as two song-and-dance war veterans who become one of the hottest acts in show business. When they encounter a sister act (Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen), they're off to Vermont for a holiday celebration unlike any other. Directed by Michael Curtiz (CASABLANCA) and featuring timeless songs by Irving Berlin, it's an essential and festive favorite.
John Wayne teams with William Holden and eminent western director John Ford for this frontier actioner. Written by John Lee Mahin and Martin Rackin this faithful representation of one of the most daring cavalry exploits in history is both a moving tribute to the men who fought and died in that bloody war and a powerful action-packed drama. Based on an actual Civil War incident The Horse Soldiers tells the rousing tale of a troop of Union Soldiers who force their way deep into Sou
Shipwreck survivors Jeff and Turkey (Bing Crosby and Bob Hope) are guests of a beautiful princess (Dorothy Lamour) who plans to marry Turkey. But the jealous Sheik Kassim has other plans for the groom. Jeff and Turkey manage to save their skins at the brink of a desert war. The film garnered 2 Academy Award Nominations including Best Original Screenplay.
Two talented song-and-dance men (Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye) team up after the war to become one of the hottest acts in show business.
After triumphing at the Academy Awards® (including wins for Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor) with the 1944 box office smash Going My Way, director Leo McCarey (Duck Soup) and star Bing Crosby immediately collaborated on the equally successful follow-up, The Bells of St Mary s, presented here in a heavenly 4K restoration. Father Chuck O Malley (Crosby) is dispatched to fix up an inner-city parochial school on its last legs, and his easygoing, unconventional demeanour instantly clashes with that of the firm, no-nonsense Sister Superior Mary Benedict (Ingrid Bergman, fresh off winning the Best Actress Oscar® for Gaslight), who is keeping the school open through sheer will and faith alone. Over the course of the school year, the pair bicker and ultimately bond over their differing visions on how to save the school and the role a miserly businessman (Henry Travers, It s A Wonderful Life) who wants the building condemned might play in doing so. A blockbuster crowdpleaser on its release, The Bells of St Mary s remains just as affecting today, thanks to McCarey s directorial light touch, Crosby s laidback charisma and iconic singing voice, and Bergman s radiant charm, all of which earned them well-deserved Oscar® nominations. SPECIAL EDITION CONTENTS: 4K restoration of the film from Paramount High Definition Blu-rayTM (1080p) presentation Original lossless mono audio Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard-of-hearing Up to His Neck in Nuns, an all-new visual essay by David Cairns Analysing O Malley, a newly filmed appreciation by chaplain and film academic Revd Dr Steve Nolan You Can Change The World, a 30-minute promotional film for The Christophers from 1949 directed by McCarey and featuring appearances from Crosby, Bob Hope, Irene Dunne, William Holden and Jack Benny, presented in high definition Two Screen Guild Theater radio adaptations starring Crosby and Bergman, plus an additional radio featurette Re-release theatrical trailer Image gallery Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Jennifer Dionisio FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Fully illustrated booklet containing new writing on the film by Ronald Bergen
Failing singer/actor Frank Elgin (Crosby) has the chance to make a comeback when director Bernie Dodds (Holden) offers him the lead role in a new musical. Georgie (Kelly) Frank's wife finds herself coping with everything as her husband turns to alcohol in an attempt to shield his insecurities. Georgie decides to team up with Bernie in an attempt to boost Frank's self-esteem. Some fantastic performances especially from the three leads; Grace Kelly won an Oscar for her performance
The Bells Of St. Mary's (Dir. Leo McCarey 1945): This Going My Way sequel stars Bing Crosby reprising his role as worldly-wise Father Chuck O'Malley and introduces Crosby's beloved song Aren't You Glad You're You? Father O'Malley is transferred to the soon-to-be-condemned school run by Sister Benedict (Ingrid Bergman) and the two quickly match wits and stubbornness eventually finding a middle ground. A surprisingly light touch of sentimentality and humor gives this film by director Leo McCarey a glow of genuine feeling that effortlessly captures viewers' hearts. Going My Way (Dir. Leo McCarey 1944): Youthful Father Chuck O'Malley (Bing Crosby) led a colorful life of sports song and romance before joining the Roman Catholic clergy but his level gaze and twinkling eyes make it clear that he knows he made the right choice. After joining a parish O'Malley's worldly knowledge helps him connect with a gang of kids looking for direction and handle the business details of the church-building fund winning over his aging conventional superior (Barry Fitzgerald). Songs such as Swinging on a Star sparkle and both Crosby and Fitzgerald do a fine job tugging at the heartstrings in a gentle irresistible way that will make viewers return to this lovely film again and again.
Contains the titles: The Road To Morocco: Two bumbling buffoons are shipwrecked on an island off the coast of North Africa. When the beautiful Princess Shalimar comes to their rescue Jim and Turkey think they've died and gone to heaven. But once her brawny jealous husband finds out what these clowns have been up to they're going to wish they had never left their island. The Road To Singapore: Josh Mallon and his best buddy Ace Lannigan are avowed playboys. They won't even consider getting married. But Josh's shipping magnate father is tired of his prodigal son's whimsical ways. So he forces him to settle down and get a job. Rebellious to the bone Josh puts and end to those plans when -- on the eve of his big engagement party -- he and Ace set sail for Singapore. They accidentally wind up in Kaigoon instead but these free-spirited bachelors couldn't care less. Unfettered by money or responsibility they're as happy as can be. Their trouble begins when they both fall in love with the same lovely native lass. The Road To Utopia: The irrepressible Chester and Duke are back on the road again. This time around the vaudevillians -- disguised as Alaskan bruisers -- are trekking to the Klondike with a newly-found map to a gold mine. A comedy of errors begins when the citizens of a rough and tumble miner's town mistake the boys for claim-jumpers. Saloon mistress Sal goes gunning for the luckless pair whose treasure map just happens to have been her late father's property. Eventually the three gold-hunters team up and begin searching for the mine together. The Road To Zanzibar: After Chucks and Fearless sell a phony diamond mine to a crook the two escape to Zanzibar where they meet comely Brooklyn gals Donna and Julia. Amid jokes and songs the foursome embark on a wacky safari but the women are only going along in hopes of finding Donna's missing brother. When the guys discover the true reason for the safari they decide to return to Zanzibar; that is until they encounter a band of wild cannibals -- who have their own plans for the duo.
Dumbo remains one of Disney's greatest animated treasures - a heart-warming and inspiring tale overflowing with charm and memorable songs. When a slow stork finally delivers Mrs. Jumbo's pint-sized baby elephant he's the talk of the circus. But with a pair of oversized ears baby Dumbo is laughed at and ridiculed. With remarkable courage and the help of his loyal friend Timothy Mouse Dumbo overcomes all odds in a triumphant celebration of love and determination!
Billionaire Jean-Marc Clement (Montand) learns that he is to be satirized in an off-Broadway revue. He goes to the theatre where he sees Amanda (Monroe) rehearsing a song and the director thinks him an actor suited to play himself in the revue. Clement takes the part to see more of Amanda but for how long can he keep his identity and his intentions a secret?
With music by Irving Berlin songs by Bing Crosby and dancing by Fred Astaire Holiday Inn is one of the most delightful and memorable musicals of all time nominated for 3 Academy Awards. Crosby plays Jim Hardy a song and dance man who leaves showbiz to open a Connecticut Inn. Astaire plays Ted Hanover Hardy's former partner and rival in love. And of course there are girls (Marjorie Reynolds and Virginia Dale) an agent (Walter Abel) and plenty of lavish song and dance routines with spectacular production numbers. It contains all your favourite Irving Berlin hit songs including the one and only White Christmas.
Beautiful aloof Newport heiress Tracy Lord (Kelly) is about to marry bland businessman George Kittredge (John Lund) but matters become complicated when her ex-husband C K Dexter-Haven (Crosby) moves to her neighbourhood determined to win back her hand. Things go from bad to worse for Tracy when journalist Mike Connor (Sinatra) arrives to cover the wedding for Spy Magazine. When Tracy is forced to choose between her suitors will she realise that ""safe"" doesn't always mean the best b
Rhythm On The River (Dir. Victor Schertzinger 1940): Bing Crosby and Mary Martin play a pair of star-crossed ghostwriters he of melody and she of lyrics who discover that the man they write for is a fake but their love for each other is real. Rhythm On The Range (Dir. Norman Taurog 1936): Bing plays a singing cowboy out where the b-b-b-buffalo roam in this lighthearted musical western.
Wizard of Oz: We click our heels in anticipation. There's no place like home and no movie like this one. From generation to generation The Wizard Of Oz brings us together - kids grown-ups families friends. The dazzling land of Oz a dream-come--true world of enchanted forests dancing scarecrows and singing lions wraps us in its magic with one great song-filled adventure after another. Based on L. Frank Baum's treasured book series The Wizard Of Oz was judged the best family film of all time by American Film Institute. And this never-before-seen restoration looks and sounds better than ever. We invite you to embark for the Emerald City on the most famous road in movie history. Dorothy (Judy Garland) Scarecrow (Ray Bolger) Tin Woodman (Jack Haley) and Cowardly Lion (Bert Lahr) await you on the Yellow Brick Road and ""Over the Rainbow."" Singin' in the Rain: Starring Gene Kelly Donald O'Connor and Debbie Reynolds and featuring unforgettable song and dance classics like 'Singin' in the Rain' 'Make 'Em Laugh' and 'All I Do Is Dream of You' it has ""just about everything you could ask for in a movie musical"" Sunday Review. Set in Hollywood in the roaring 20s co-starring Jean Hagen and the incomparable Cyd Charisse and featuring a spectacular 12-minute 'Broadway Ballet' finale it is indisputably ""the most enjoyable of all American movie musicals"" Pauline Kael. The programme now contains a previously-deleted sequence featuring Debbie Reynolds in the never-seen-before footage of 'You Are My Lucky Star'. High Society: Beautiful aloof Newport heiress Tracy Lord (Kelly) is about to marry bland businessman George Kittredge (John Lund) but matters become complicated when her ex-husband C K Dexter-Haven (Crosby) moves to her neighbourhood determined to win back her hand. Things go from bad to worse for Tracy when journalist Mike Connor (Sinatra) arrives to cover the wedding for Spy Magazine. When Tracy is forced to choose between her suitors will she realise that ""safe"" doesn't always mean the best bet?
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