Available for the very first time for home viewing, Prudence and the Pill serves up a comic slice of sixties permissiveness from the days when the oral contraceptive was an exotic and legendary devise that few people had any experience of using. Made in Britain by Twentieth Century-Fox, and starring the debonair David Niven and the luminous Deborah Kerr, with vivacious support from 'It' girl Judy Geeson, this film takes us back to 1967's 'Summer of Love', when established morality and codes of sexual behaviour were being turned upside down by new ideas and technology. So grab a gonk, straighten your mini-skirt and prepare yourself for a bumpy ride courtesy of the imprudent Prudence. Special Features: Digitally Remastered Picture and Sound In Coversation with David Niven - Documentary Stills Gallery
While horror conventions may change from generation to generation, there are ideas that will scare us no matter what time period we inhabit. Dead of Night is a classic horror anthology that effectively plays on those timeless fears. Mervyn Johns stars as a man who has been summoned to a house with a group of strangers he has never met but has seen in his dreams. As they convene, he predicts certain events will happen as they do in his dreams and when they do, the other guests relate their own experiences with the supernatural, including tales of a possessed mirror, a sinister ventriloquist's dummy and an eerie premonition of death. Throughout the group meeting, the protagonist fears something horrible will happen to him and we are left to wonder what it might be. The film's final, revelatory sequence offers an unexpectedly horrific surprise. It may have been made in 1945 but Dead of Night is still spooky. --Bryan Reesman
In this television sitcom Gordon Brittas (Chris Barrie) is the manager of Whitbury New Town Leisure Centre. He means well wants to do well and wants to be a good manager. Unfortunately his best talent is to continually create recipes for total disaster. Deep down Brittas cares for his staff but all he ever seems to do is make their lives more difficult. Trying to rise above this and to keep the Leisure centre running smoothly is his assistant Laura (Julia St John). Behind every good man so the saying goes is a good woman and behind any maniac is a good woman losing her sanity! Helen Brittas (Philippa Haywood) is no different as she struggles to cope with the mania of her husband.
Sterling Archer, the world’s most dangerous spy, and his snarky ISIS cohorts are back for another outrageously raunchy season of international espionage and hilarious interoffice intrigue! When he’s not busy foiling ecoterrorist threats, tracking down mysterious killers, or having sex in X-ray machines, the suave master-spy has his hands full with bikini-clad ninjas, Swiss nymphomaniacs and paternity suits. Archer searches for the true identity of his father, battles breast cancer and brings a sexy, ex-KGB agent home to meet his domineering mother. It’s all in a day’s work for this man of mystery in this uproariously edgy animated farce.Archer Season 2 delivers 13 incriminating episodes and features exclusive bonus content not seen on TV.Episode Comprise: Swiss Miss A Going Concern Blood Test Pipeline Fever The Double Deuce Tragical History Movie Star Stage Two Placebo Effect El Secuestro Jeu Monegasque White Nights Double Trouble
When Inspector Morse first appeared on television in 1987, nobody could have predicted that it would run into the next century, maintaining throughout a quality of scripts and story lines that raised the genre of the detective series to a new level. Much of its success can be attributed to John Thaw's total immersion in the role. Morse is a prickly character and not obviously easy to like. As a detective in Oxford with unfulfilled academic propensities, he is permanently excluded from a world of which he would dearly love to be a part. He is at odds with that world--and with his colleagues in the police force--most of the time. Passionate about opera and "proper beer", he is a cultural snob for whom vulgarity causes almost physical pain. As a result, he lives from one disillusionment to another. And he is scarred--more deeply than he would ever admit--by past relationships. But he also has a naïve streak and, deep-down sensitivity, which makes him a fascinating challenge for women. At the heart of Morse's professional life is his awkward partnership with Detective Sergeant Lewis, the resolutely ordinary, worldly sidekick who manages to keep his boss in an almost permanent state of exasperation while retaining his grudging respect. It's a testament to Kevin Whateley's consistently excellent performance that from such unpromising material, Lewis becomes as indispensable to the series as Barrington Pheloung's hypnotic, classic theme music. Morse's investigations do occasionally take him abroad to more exotic locations, but throughout 14 successful years of often gruesome murders, the city of Oxford itself became a central character in these brooding two-hour dramas: creator Colin Dexter stating he finally had to kill Morse off because he was giving Oxford a bad reputation as a dangerous place! --Piers Ford
In an uncanny piece of art imitating life, Who Dares Wins came out in 1982 just after the infamous storming of the Iranian Embassy by the legendary British Special Air Services (SAS) unit. The plot builds up to that unshakeable image of black-clad troops abseiling the front of a stately home and smashing through the windows, and pays off expectations with a thrilling finale. Anyone expecting two hours of military instruction will be disappointed however. After the opening 10 minutes with the troops, the almost James-Bond-like story follows Lewis Collins (riding high in those days after TV's The Professionals) as he infiltrates a radical anti-Nuclear society. Operation: Destroy requires him to go undercover with their potentially insane leader Frankie (Judy Davis), ignoring his wife and child. The period detail is often the film's most entertaining feature as Collins tours across 1980s London constantly eluding spies on his tail. Apart from the endless permed hairdos and the fact that the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament hasn't got much to demonstrate about these days, there's the fashions and low-tech gadgetry to enjoy. In the US the film was called The Final Option. The DVD includes a photo gallery, and a history of the SAS. --Paul Tonks
The wonderful Judy Garland stars in this charming musical as Esther Smith whose father comes home and announces he is going to uproot his whole family to New York on the very eve of the 1903 St. Louis World Fair. Brilliantly directed by Vincente Minnelli and full of wonderful songs - 'Trolley Song' 'Have yourself A Merry Little Christmas'.
'Another Life' is a version of the true-life scandalous tale of Percy Thompson's 1922 murder by Freddy Bywaters lover of Percy's wife Edith. To follow-up the clever disturbing 'Intimate Relations' writer-director Philip Goodhew once again taps into a true-crime story. The story begins in 1913 with the lively Edith (Little) and her family celebrating Christmas. Despite her driving ambition Edith has agreed to marry her quite dull and nerdy boyfriend Percy (Moran) and at first
Early in the 1690's a wave of witchcraft hysteria hit the Massachusetts village of Salem. More than 400 people were accused of witchcraft by a group of children seemingly possessed by the devil. Twenty were executed or killed and many others were jailed and were still awaiting trial when the Governor had them released. Sarah Coyle (Vanessa Redgrave) was one who survived after years imprisoned. Her two sisters (Phyllis Thaxter and Kim Hunter) were hanged as witches. Ten years later
Conners (Norton) is a former U.S. Navy Seal searching for an ancient Japanese ceremonial sword and the body of his grandfather who stole it during World War 2. With the help a computer expert (Ashana) he manges to locate the sword but the Japanese government and the ruthless Yakuza also seek the coveted prize and will stop at nothing to retrieve it. It's a battle to the finish and only one man can remain standing...
When Inspector Morse first appeared on television in 1987, nobody could have predicted that it would run into the next century, maintaining throughout a quality of scripts and story lines that raised the genre of the detective series to a new level. Much of its success can be attributed to John Thaw's total immersion in the role. Morse is a prickly character and not obviously easy to like. As a detective in Oxford with unfulfilled academic propensities, he is permanently excluded from a world of which he would dearly love to be a part. He is at odds with that world--and with his colleagues in the police force--most of the time. Passionate about opera and "proper beer", he is a cultural snob for whom vulgarity causes almost physical pain. As a result, he lives from one disillusionment to another. And he is scarred--more deeply than he would ever admit--by past relationships. But he also has a naïve streak and, deep-down sensitivity, which makes him a fascinating challenge for women. At the heart of Morse's professional life is his awkward partnership with Detective Sergeant Lewis, the resolutely ordinary, worldly sidekick who manages to keep his boss in an almost permanent state of exasperation while retaining his grudging respect. It's a testament to Kevin Whateley's consistently excellent performance that from such unpromising material, Lewis becomes as indispensable to the series as Barrington Pheloung's hypnotic, classic theme music. Morse's investigations do occasionally take him abroad to more exotic locations, but throughout 14 successful years of often gruesome murders, the city of Oxford itself became a central character in these brooding two-hour dramas: creator Colin Dexter stating he finally had to kill Morse off because he was giving Oxford a bad reputation as a dangerous place! --Piers Ford
Drama starring Burt Lancaster and Judy Garland. Psychologist Dr Matthew Clark (Lancaster) runs a controversial boarding school for children with learning difficulties known for its no-nonsense, tough love approach. When Clark recruits former concert pianist Jean Hansen (Garland) as the school's new music teacher despite her complete lack of teaching or nursing experience, she quickly forms a bond with one of the children, the severely autistic Reuben (Bruce Ritchey), much to Clark's concern.
The complete initial adventures of the upper crust crimefighter John Steed...
The life and times of Edward VII dramatised for the television. The BAFTA award winning 1975 drama comes to DVD for the first time! Episode titles: The Boy Experiment In Education The New World Alix A Hundred Thousand Welcomes The Invisible Queen Dearest Prince The Royal Quadrille Scandal The Years of Waiting King At Last The Peacemaker Good Old Teddy!
Jack loses his fortune in the Wall Street crash. He returns to Liverpool illegally with gangsters pursuing him across the Atlantic. He becomes involved in the Spanish Civil War and agrees to run arms for an ex-Sergeant Major. Episodes include: 'Action! Comrades In Arms!' and 'Roll Of Honour'.
Woman of the Year (Dir. George Stevens 1942): Tess and Sam work on the same newspaper and don't like each other very much. At least the first time because they eventually fall in love and get married. But Tess is a very active woman and one of the most famous feminists in the country; she is even elected as ""the woman of the year"". Being busy all the time she forgets how to really be a woman and Sam begins to feel negleted. Pat and Mike (Dir. Goerge Cukor 1952): The sun will sneak by a rooster before sports promoter Mike Conovan (Spencer Tracy) lets opportunity pass him by. So the first time he sees genteel Pat Pemberton (Katharine Hepburn) swing a five-iron he decides to ink her to a pro contract. ""Not much meat on her "" Mike later says ""but what's there is cherce."" For this chercest of romantic comedies George Cukor directs Ruth Gordon and Garon Kanin provide the Oscar-nominated screenplay and a deft cat plays various Damon Runyonesque types including Aldo Ray as a dim-bulb palooka and Charles (Bronson) Buchinski as a tough guy who finds Pat tougher. Sports stars of the day (Like Babe Didrikson Zaharias and Gussie Moran) add to the Jocks-and-Jills fun. Let the games begin! Adam's Rib (Dir. George Cukor 1949): Assistant District Attorney Adam Bonner loves his wife Amanda but doesn't care much for his opposing counsel in a sensational attempted-murder trial - an opponent who happens to be Amanda. Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn were never more evenly matched than when they brought their sharpened wits and prickly affection to this George Cukor -- directed comedy written by Ruth Gordon and Garson Kanin. Judy Holliday co-stars as the woman whose shooting of her philandering spouse becomes a feminist cause for Amanda. Hepburn generously saw Holliday's work as a screen test for casting the film of Holliday's stage vehicle Born Yesterday. Hepburn's ploy worked. So does this fine funny movie. Keeper Of The Flame (Dir. George Cukor 1942): ""A determined reporter. A grieving widow. A heart-pounding tale of suspense."" Spencer Tracy plays reporter Steve O'Malley who goes investigates the death of a ""national hero"" named Robert Forrest. He meets his widow Christine (Katharine Hepburn) and falls in love with her. His investigation reveals that the dead hero may have been plotting to overthrow the government and suspects that Christine may have been involved. He confronts her with his evidence and ""she refuses to speak out in her own defense."" He doesn't know if she is innocent or not.
Female Perversions is the provocative and stimulating story of Eve Stephens a successful attorney struggling under the tremendous pressures of power promiscuity and a destructive sister. Consumed by wild sexual fantasies she is unable to feel satisfied by either her male or female lovers. She uses them to fuel her all consuming desire for sexual fulfilment regardless of the damage she is doing to those around her. In a truly shocking exploration of female perversion Swinton delivers a riveting performance that ranks alongside her stunning portrayal of `Orlando'. Dare to let yourself go... where you've never been before.
The second of the Merchant/Ivory films (A Room with a View, Howard's End), Maurice deals with a theme few period pieces dare mention--a young man's struggle with his homosexuality. It's not just a gay coming-of-age story, however. The hero wrestles with British class society as much as his personal and sexual identity.The film opens on a stormy, windswept beach, as an older man awkwardly instructs young, fatherless Maurice Hall (James Wilby) in the "sacred mysteries" of sex. The same turbulent, wordless struggle with passion lasts throughout this slowly evolving, beautifully filmed story. Novelist E M Forster's brainy, British melodrama hinges on choice and compulsion, as the pensive hero falls for two completely different men. First comes frail, suppressed Clive (Hugh Grant), who wants nothing more than classical Platonic harmony ... and a straight lifestyle. (Grant's performance is so convincing, one wonders how he ever became a heterosexual sex symbol.) After Clive's wedding, Maurice turns to hypnosis to cure his unspeakable longings. Unfortunately, his "cure" is interrupted by Clive's lustful, brooding, barely literate gamekeeper Scudder (Rupert Graves), a worker more at home gutting rabbits than discussing the classics. Maurice's love for a "social inferior" forces him to confront his illicit desire and his ingrained class snobbery. --Grant Balfour
The Thames provides a backdrop to the high-spirited clowning of rubber-faced vaudevillian Leslie Fuller in this breezy nautical comedy co-scripted by BAFTA nominee Val Valentine and Fuller's regular collaborator Syd Courtenay. Direction comes from silent-era and Hal Roach/Laurel & Hardy veteran Ralph Ceder. Made at the height of his fame in 1935 Captain Bill features Fuller in the hugely popular role of the dim-witted Cockney – this time as a luckless bargee who unwittingly gets himself involved with a gang of gun-runners! Also starring Fuller's stalwart sidekick Hal Gordon this classic comedy feature is presented here in a brand-new transfer from the original film elements in its as-exhibited theatrical aspect ratio. Special Features: Image Gallery Promotional Material PDFs
Harrowing, funny, and immediately addictive, the 1979 British television series Danger UXB stars Anthony Andrews as Army Lieutenant Brian Ash, an engineering student whose excitement about his rapid commission as an officer during World War II is tempered by his unenviable post with a bomb disposal unit. Assigned to a fatality-heavy team that defuses unexploded German bombs scattered throughout London during the blitz, Ash faces down his terror and eventually becomes the closest thing to an expert one can be dismantling sometimes booby-trapped ordnance. In doing so, he earns the respect of his superiors as well as from the enlisted men working under him, and his protracted survival is nothing short of miraculous considering the tragic number of friends and colleagues Ash loses. There is a dark side, however. The longer Ash sticks with his unit, the more obsessive he becomes about his responsibility to keep London safe. Meanwhile, his nerves grow frayed and his morale collapses. Ash's desperate romance with a married woman (Judy Geeson) provides him little to hold onto, and when a true crisis ambushes his spirit toward the end, one can't be sure if he's headed for the scrap heap of permanent casualties. Based on the recollections of an actual wartime bomb disposer, Danger UXB was created by John Hawkesworth, who later produced (and wrote many episodes for) the fantastic Sherlock Holmes TV series starring Jeremy Brett. Despite many tense moments in Danger UXB's 13 episodes--one is always expecting a bomb to blow away a favorite character--the show is also graced by great humor (Ash's crew sometimes bring to mind Sergeant Bilko's hustlers) and a warm, likable cast. Andrews himself, perhaps, has never been better. This boxed set includes a History Channel documentary, "Bomb Squad." --Tom Keogh
Please wait. Loading...
This site uses cookies.
More details in our privacy policy