I'm happy to be working with VCI Entertainment, one of the nation's oldest independent video companies. Bringing you reviews of some of the finest films from the past. www.vcientertainment.com/

A Christmas Carol (1951) Blu-ray

"...This flick is not only the gold standard against which all other holiday films should be measured, but also one of the greatest films ever made, period..." --Entertainment Weekly - 12/12/2003--

In this adaptation of the Charles Dickens' classic, "A Christmas Carol," a remake of the 1938 film, Ebeneezer Scrooge (Alastair Sim) contentedly meanders through his life as a cruel miser until one fateful Christmas Eve when he is visited by four ghosts, his old business partner Jacob Marley, the Ghost of Christmas Past, the Ghost of Christmas Present and the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. The spirits show him how his behavior has degenerated over the years as his heart has become colder. Using events from Scrooge's idealistic past, dreary present, and dismal future, the apparitions try their best to melt his steely soul. Will Scrooge see the error of his ways and learn the true meaning of Christmas? Check out this hailed classic and find out! Many critics widely consider this the definitive film version of Charles Dickens' cherished novel.
I can count on one hand the fims that I have to watch at least once a year. And the 1951 version of "A Christmas Carol" staring Alastair Sim is at the top of that list. Now, for the first time ever, you can experience this cherished holiday masterpiece in Blu-Ray. Using new state-of-the-art high definition film transfer from the original 35mm negatives - digitally restored picture and sound. The perfect gift for your family.

Bonus Features:

- Audio Commentary by George Cole.
- Pop-up Trivia
- American Theatrical Trailer
- British Theatrical Trailer
- Also Includes the Standard DVD with both 4x3 and 16x9 versions.

Buy it now on Blu-ray
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DARN GOOD WESTERNS Volume 2

6 Movies on 2 DVDs
Disc One:

MASSACRE: Indian treachery leads to tragedy in this made-on-location Western adventure with Dane Clark and James Craig as officers of the law who lead a small group of men into "redmen" territory to investigate reports of guns being sold to unfriendly Yaqui Indians. Every arrow screams death in an unexpected finale. 1956 (76 minutes)

THREE DESPARATE MEN: Deputies Preston Foster and Jim Davis save their brother Ross Latimer from hanging for a crime he didn't commit, but a guard is killed in the fracas and this makes all three hunted criminals. Now living to defy the law instead of defend it, they rob a train and then brazenly attempt a one-of-a-kind double-holdup. 1951 (72 minutes)

OUTLAW WOMEN: Meet the babes who shoot to thrill and make the coyotes howl! In this offbeat Western yarn, the town of Las Mujertes is run by women and controlled by saloon owner Marie Windsor, but male visitors (including Jackie Coogan as a gunslinger!) create complications. 1951 (72 minutes)

Disc Two:

SHOTGUN: Sterling Hayden challenges the fury of the untamed west with a SHOTGUN in this gritty outdoor drama. He's a deputy who vows to avenge the murder of a marshal and hits the vengeance trail, encountering half-breed Yvonne DeCarlo and bounty hunter Zachary Scott. Tracking the killer leads into Indian country, where they are captured by redmen who pit Hayden and his quarry against each other in a shotgun duel. Harrison's Reports hailed this Technicolor Western as "fast, exciting and interesting ... it holds [the viewer] in tense suspense." 1955 (80 minutes)

DEPUTY MARSHAL: Wrongly suspected of murder, deputy marshal Jon Hall devises a plan to draw all the actual suspects (including Dick Foran and Russell Hayden) out into the open and prove which one of them committed murder in order to profit off of the coming railroad line. Hall's real-life wife, Frances Langford, provides a few songs. "Fast-moving action"-Motion Picture Exhibitor. 1949 (76 minutes)

FOUR FAST GUNS: Against a backdrop of Arizona landscapes, this offbeat Western spins the yarn of a wanted man (James Craig) who turns unofficial lawman to tame the town of Purgatory--but finds that the main troublemaker is a crippled saloon owner whose infirmity, according to the Western code, keeps him safe from gun justice. Craig becomes the target of a succession of hired leadslingers--including his own brother (Brett Halsey). Who is the FASTEST of the Four Fast Guns? 1959 (72 minutes).

I have had a soft spot in my heart for westerns for as long as I can remember. And my father-in-law pretty much watches westerns all the time. So when he comes for a visit it's nice to pop in a movie that hasn't been on TV a 100 times in the last 6 months. As long as VCI keeps putting out quality entertainment like "Darn Good Westerns Volume 2" we'll keep watching them. So hit the trail and pick up your copy today.

Bonus Features:

- Trailers

- Interview with Robert L. Lippert, Jr., producer of MASSACRE

Buy it on DVD October 20, 2009
www.vcient.com

THE GREEN HORNET

The Green Hornet (also referred to as simply Green Hornet) is a masked fictional crime fighter. Originally created by George W. Trendle and Fran Striker for an American radio program in the 1930s, the character has appeared in two Universal serials. In the 13 episode serial "The Green Hornet", the city is faced with rising crime and increased racketeering activity, intrepid newspaper editor Britt Reid (Gordon Jones) becomes the crime fighter the Green Hornet. As far as the police are concerned, the Hornet is himself a criminal; this misunderstanding enables Reid to operate "outside the law" to battle criminals and racketeers. Working along side the Hornet is the brilliant inventor/sidekick Kato (Keye Luke), the only living person who knows the true identity of the Hornet. Our heroes fight an infamous racket's that's menacing their city.
I love the serials and "The Green Hornet" didn't let me down. This DVD set is action packed from episode 1 (The Tunnel Of Terror) to episode 13 (Doom Of The Underworld). Now I can retire my old VHS copy of this wonderful serial. And if I could think of one thing I love as much as serials it's old time radio. And speaking of old time radio what a treat to find two episodes of "The Green Hornet" radio program in the bonus fetures. Get yours today "The Green Hornet" is sure to go fast.

Bonus Features:
- Liner Notes by author Martin Grams Jr.
- Two Radio Episodes of THE GREEN HORNET
- "I AM...THE GREEN HORNET" Audio Piece by Clifford Weimer
- Before and After Restoration Example
- George W. Trendle Bio
- Photo Gallery

Buy it on DVD July 28, 2009
www.vcient.com

THE GREEN HORNET STRIKES AGAIN!

The Green Hornet Strikes Again! A Universal movie serial based on the The Green Hornet radio series by George W. Trendle. The sequel to the 1940 serial The Green Hornet. A thousand ALL-NEW thrills! In this 15 episode serial, Britt Reid (Warren Hull) is enjoying a vacation in Hawaii. While he is away, he learns that a crime organization has extended its activities into virtually every industry in the city. Disguised as the Green Hornet, Britt makes forays against the underworld establishment. Each attack brings him closer to the identity of the syndicate mastermind, an arch crook named Grogan.
I have just finished a Green Hornet marathon so I guess I'm all set for the new Green Hornet movie coming out in 2010. The cast in "The Green Hornet Strikes Again!" is the same as "The Green Hornet" with one exception, this time Warren Hull puts on the mask of the Green Hornet and turns in a first rate performance. It just dosn't get any better than this. So pop some corn, put up your feet and let The Green Hornet and Kato take you to the next thrill packed episode of "The Green Hornet Strikes Again!".

Bonus Features:
- Liner Notes by Martin Grams Jr.
- Two Radio Episodes of THE GREEN HORNET
- Green Hornet Facts and Trivia
- Before and After Restoration Example
- Photo Gallery
- Keye Luke Bio

Buy it on DVD July 28, 2009
www.vcient.com

Dick Powell's ZANE GREY THEATRE Complete Season One

Wonderful tales of the Old West laden with history and adventure are presented in Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre, a half-hour western anthology TV series that debuted on CBS, October 5, 1956 and ran for 5 whole seasons. Dick Powell served as the host for the entire series and also starred as various characters in 15 episodes. The series was originally based on the short stories and novels of western author Zane Grey, but as the series continued, new material was included. Aaron Spelling, who later became a legend in Hollywood, wrote twenty Zane Grey episodes. Zane Grey Theatre was also ground-breaking for producing five episodes which were spun-off into subsequent TV series: (1) Trackdown (from Season one's "Badge of Honor") starring Robert Culp as Texas Ranger Hoby Gilman, (2) The Rifleman (from Season 2's "The Sharpshooter") with Chuck Connors as Lucas McCain, (3) Black Saddle (from Season 2's "Threat of Violence" with Chris Alcaide instead of series star Peter Breck as Clay Culhane), (4) Johnny Ringo (from Season 3's "Man Alone") starring Don Durant, and (5) The Westerner (from Season 3's "Trouble at Tres Cruces") starring Brian Keith as Dave Blassingame. In addition, Wanted: Dead or Alive, with Steve McQueen playing the bounty hunter Josh Randall, was a CBS spinoff of Trackdown, and Law of the Plainsman, starring Michael Ansara as a Harvard-educated, Native American U.S. Marshal was an NBC spin-off of The Rifleman.
I don't know if it was the writers or the actors ( I think it was both ) but more drama, action and feeling could be put in a half hour show during the early days of TV than in a two hour feature today. If you love westerns or just good TV this should be a welcome addition to your DVD collection. Get it today.

Bonus Features:
- Video Interview with Norman Powell (Dick Powell's son) by Joel Blumberg
- Audio Interview on the history of Four Star Productions with author Christine Becker by Joel Blumberg
- Classic TV Commercials.

Buy it on DVD June 9, 2009
www.vcient.com

"I Love You Rosa"

"I Love You Rosa" aka: Ani Ohev Otach Rosa (Hebrew); Rosa, te amo (Spanish) (1972)

Jerusalem's Orthodox community at the turn of the 20th century is the setting for this now-classic film about the life of a young Sephardic widow. Under Levirate law, as delineated in the Book of Deuteronomy, Nissim has the duty and obligation to marry his brother's spouse on the death of his brother. Nissim is very fond of Rosa, and grows to love her. However, he is only eleven, and newly single Rosa is not interested in either child-rearing or remarriage, so she shoos him away.
Quite a few years later, Nissim comes back with marriage in mind. Their conflicts and growing love resolve in a satisfying conclusion. Based on the life of director Mizrahi's mother, the film addresses the implications of ancient religious tradition on modern life, particularly for women's rights.
This film is one of the best written stories of the young Israeli film industry --- Excellent cast and well acted, and a beautiful period piece showing life in Jerusalem in the 19th century --- This was the last film that Menachem Golan and Yoram Globus produced in Israel before moving to Hollywood to start Cannon Films --- On the strength of this movie they got backing for their new company. Michal Bat Adam is stunning as Rosa, a young widow caught in the web of ancient religious edicts.
This film was nominated for an Oscar in 1973 "Best Foreign Film", nominated for the "Golden Palm" at the Cannes Film Festival and given four and a half stars by the N.Y. Daily News. What more can I say except that you too will love "I Love Rosa".

SPECIAL FEATURE:

- Bio of Director Moshé Mizrahi

Buy it now on DVD.
www.vcient.com


Classic FILM NOIR Volume 3 Double Feature

A fine addition to any film collection. Amazing Mr. X is a haunting movie with top notch perfomances by the entire cast. Of note, Carole Landis was originally scheduled to play the part of Christine Faber taken by Lynn Bari, but she committed suicide a few days before shooting began. Next I would like to thank VCI Entertainment for Reign of Terror. Film preservation is very important to me and without the help of VCI, Reign of Terror could have been lost. And Robert Cummings and Arlene Dahl under the direction of Anthony Mann, well this is one movie that had to be in my personal collection. Get yours today.

AMAZING MR. X (aka The Spirtualist): Mystery, romance and warm drama - A charlatan, portrayed by Turhan Bey, poses as a spiritualistic medium to manipulate his chief victim portrayed by Lynn Bari. The victim's sister (Cathy O Donnell) suspicious of Bey, sets out to prove him a fraud until she falls in love with him. Bey is so influenced by Miss O Donnell that he decides to give up his fraudulent ways. But, it may be too late! Blackmail may be the undoing of the charlatan turned repentant.

REIGN OF TERROR (aka The Black Book): France 1794 - a taut, fast paced adventure set during the French Revolution that plays more like a gritty Film Noir thriller, courtesy of auteur director Anthony Mann and cameraman extraordinaire John Alton, plus an expert cast led by Robert Cummings who turns in a surprisingly tough performance and the most lovely Arlene Dahl.

Bonus Features:
- Trailers
- Amazing Mr. X Commentary by Jay Fenton
- Reign of Terror Commentary by Alan Rode and Arlene Dahl
- Phone Interview with Arlene Dahl
- Photo Gallery

Buy it now on DVD
www.vcient.com

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