"Actor: Hedda Hopper"

• Sunset Boulevard | DVD | (07/04/2003) from £5.99   |  Saving you £10.00 (166.94%)   |  RRP £15.99

  More than half a century after its release in 1950, Sunset Boulevard is still the most pungently unflattering portrait of Hollywood ever committed to celluloid. Billy Wilder, unequalled at combining a literate, sulphurous script with taut direction, hits his target relentlessly. The humour--and the film is rich in this, Wilder's most abundant commodity--is black indeed. Sunset Boulevard is viciously and endlessly clever. William Holden's opportunistic scriptwriter Joe Gillis, whose sellout proves fatal, is from the top drawer of film noir. Gloria Swanson's monstrously deluded Norma Desmond, the benchmark for washed-up divas, transcends parody. And her literal descent down the staircase to madness is one of the all-time great silver-screen moments. Sunset Boulevard isn't without pathos, most notably in Erich von Stroheim's protective butler who wants only to shield his mistress from the stark truths that are massing against her. But its view of human beings at work in a ruthlessly cannibalistic industry is bleak indeed. Nobody, not even Nancy Olson's sparkily ambitious writer Betty Schaefer, is untainted. And neither are we, "those wonderful people out there in the dark". Norma might be ready for her close-up, but it's really Hollywood that's in the frame. No wonder Wilder incurred the charge of treachery from his peers. It's cinematic perfection. On the DVD: Sunset Boulevard lends itself effortlessly to a collector's edition of this quality. The film itself is presented in full-frame aspect ratio from an excellent print and the quality of the mono soundtrack is faultless: the silver screen comes to life in your living room. The extras are superb, including a commentary from film historian Ed Sikov and a making-of documentary which includes the memories of Nancy Olson. Interactive features such as the Hollywood location map add to the fun. --Piers Ford

• The Patsy | DVD | (08/11/2004) from £10.56   |  Saving you £8.42 (111.23%)   |  RRP £15.99

  Reprising his role as Stanley the bellboy Jerry Lewis returns in The Patsy. When a star comedian dies unexpectedly the team behind the man decide to train an unknown to fill the shoes of the late comedian for a TV show. Undeniably absurd but extremely funny the film centres on the disastrous attempts by Stanley to fulfil the requirements to pass himself off as the comedian. As Stanley's big debut approaches his abilities deteriorate rapidly into a melting-pot of mayhem and slap

• Dracula's Daughter | DVD | (05/05/2008) from £11.40   |  Saving you £-1.41 (N/A%)   |  RRP £9.99

  Hungarian countess Marya Zaleska seeks the aid of a noted psychiatrist in hopes of freeing herself of a mysterious evil influence.

• Buster Keaton - Speak Easily | DVD | (13/10/2008) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £4.99

• Speak Easily | DVD | (12/01/2009) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £9.99

  Buster Keaton stars as Professor Post a shy clumsy scatterbrain who sees his chance for a new life when he inherits 0 000. In search of adventure and companionship he meets The Midnight Maids theater company on an outbound train. Enamored with the troupe's lead dancer and duped by the shady piano player (Jimmy Durante) the Professor uses his inheritance to become the benefactor of the show. Convinced of their talent he leads them to Broadway where he is certain their classic drama will catapult them into stardom. When the production hits the stage and Professor Post discovers he's financed a girlie show he'll do anything to halt the objectionable material - even if it means becoming the star himself! The best of Buster Keaton's sound era features Speak Easily contrasts his befuddled innocent character with the fast-talking antics of Jimmy Durante. Sydney Toler (the future Charlie Chan) makes an appearance as a bewildered stage manager.