Collecting Movie Reviews

The engineers of this DVD set have done a remarkable job of restoring these kinescopes. It is bright and clear as if they had been shot this year.
The clarity only accentuates what a brilliant performer Judy Garland was! It is such a joy to see these shows that were made before I was born.

I have been a long-time fan of Judy Garland. My favorite movie is The Wizard of Oz, and I also love Meet Me In St. Louis, The Harvey Girls, Love Finds Andy Hardy, and on and on. However, until I got this boxed set, I had never seen Judy's television series. I was simply blown away by the shear talent of the woman. She didn't sing songs; she interpreted them. She laid out her emotions raw for all to see with every note. Even when she wasn't in her "best voice", she could still sell a song better than anyone before or since, and yes, I do include Barbra! The problem with the show was that the network had absolutely no idea what to do with Judy. At first she was teamed with Jerry Van Dyke, who was supposed to provide comedy relief between songs. Unfortunately, the two had no chemistry, and the writing was decidedly unfunny. Blaming Van Dyke, CBS fired him. Sad, yes, but the show improved. Then a new format where Judy would trade banter and stories over tea with her guest stars was launched; sometimes it was brilliant, sometimes not. Always brilliant, however, was Judy Garland, whether bringing down the house with her amazing voice, talking about Old Hollywood while digging through her trunk, or just manipulating what would normally be a mundane story into something hilarious and magical. This Judy is not the tragic Judy you read about or see portrayed on TV by Judy Davis or Andrea McArdle--this was one funny, talented lady. What a shame the show only lasted one season, but the one season is chock-a-block with "rewatchability". Judy's guest stars included Tony Bennett, Vic Damone, Count Basie, Lena Horne, Jack Jones, Ethel Merman, and, of course, Liza Minnelli. The show was video taped in black and white with the latest state-of-the-art cameras of the time, giving the show a sleek, sophisticated look. The DVD transfer makes the most of this and is absolutely stunning. You also have the option to listen to the original mono soundtrack or a new 5.1 version. The set also comes with the book Rainbow's End by Coyne Steven Sanders, which details the history of the show, and is extremely informative. The set contains fourteen complete episodes, including some outtakes and alternate takes. Some of the other shows in the series have been released seperately, but I am hoping for a second boxed set to complete my collection. Unfortunately, my favorite episode, The Christmas Show, is not included here, but can be purchased separately.

Forget your troubles, c''on get happy! This four DVD set contains 14 episodes from Garland's historic (but ill-fated) 1963-64 CBS TV series -- that's more than half of the 26 programs that were taped. Remastered and restored to pristine brilliance, this is Judy at her very best, singing tunes she made famous and sharing the spotlight with such famous folk as Lena Horne, Ethel Merman, Tony Bennett, Peggy Lee, Ray Bolger, Steve Lawrence, Count Basie, Mickey Rooney and her daughter, Liza. The bonuses are terrific: more than 15 never-broadcast outtakes from all the shows; a paperback edition of "Rainbow's End: The Judy Garland Show;" photo gallery and press shots never before seen and audio commentary with people involved in the original broadcast of the series.

I saw this movie almost a year ago on the "Flix" pay channel. I was mesmerized! I priced it on several web sights featuring videos and was astonished at the price $35 and up. I waited to see if it would come down. It didn't and I couldn't wait any longer. Let me say it was worth every penny that I paid for it! I think Fellini captures the spirit of the character Cabiria, and Gulietta Masina makes Cabiria her own. Wonderfully engaging and emotionally touching. I highly recommend it.

Bravissimo! Il piu maestro di film di tutto mundo!

Giulietta Masina has often been compared to Charlie Chaplin, but I tend to favor the argument that she is like an Italian neo-realist Lucille Ball. All you have to do is watch the scene when the tiny Cabiria is dancing the nightclub, kicky her legs up and smiling away to feel the energy and comic timing that the late Ball put into her various Lucy characters.

Nights of Cabiria is truly one of Fellini's best films. It's touching and humorous and beautifully acted. If some of the scenes look familiar, it's because they were done almost shot-for-shot in the American musical remake, "Sweet Charity." However, "Nights of Cabiria" is a much better film than Charity ever was. As much as I like Shirley MacClaine, she really doesn't caputure the essence of the small, plucky prostitute like Masina does. MacClaine plays Charity like a slightly retarded shrinking violet, whereas Masina is small but tough. Just look at the scene when she walks between the two much taller prostitutes and has a look on her face just daring them to say anything. Masina is brilliant in her role. If Cheri Oteri proved herself as a dramatic actress, she'd probably be the best choice to play Cabiria nowadays in a remake.

One of the most moving sequences in the film is the one that caused so much controversy and was cut out of the film for almost 40 years: the man with the sack sequence. In it, Cabiria faces what may become of her in the future and it's a sober reality. This is one of the best moments onscreen.

Definitely worth the rental.

not his best work, no matter what the hippies tell you.

Ikiru is a prime example of Akira Kurosawa's personal directorial motive, which seems to drive much of his work. In Ikiru, we are placed at the precipice of a life-altering experience, a cataclysmic event that will unalterably change the course of Watanabe(the main protagonist)'s life in the film. In this way, I see Watanabe as the spiritual embodiment of Kurosawa himself, and the film as a sort of personal reflection on the matter of a "second chance" at life, reminiscent of Kurosawa's own earlier experiences in the Canto earthquake, World War II, as well as his literary exposure to Dostoevsky and Shakespeare, who certainly have much to say about life after near-death. I see Kurosawa as the type of person to pay mind to the notion of resurrection and what a "reborn life" can entail for a person after he's survived the edge of it for himself.

As it is, I'm not surprised Ikiru would dare to take on such a dramatic, and deeply reflective theme on what it means to live your life. Initially, Watanabe is portrayed as a sort of epitome for the modernized corporate-Japan, in which life isn't human per se, but more like a robot's, or a machine's, with the daily routine of the corporation reducing men to mere tools or "cogs in the wheel." When he finds he has cancer, however, and that he has less than a year to live, it puts into question everything he has lived for, and it asks the hardest questions of all: What can I do now? and What will remain of me when I am gone? I think the notion of legacy is important here. The idea of leaving a mark on the world, and not being forgotten in the way that most spirits are after their bodies are laid to rest and buried. We see this especially when Watanabe, early in the film, cherishes memories of his son, (memory, as we will see, figures greatly into what things we put our value into) and that up until that point, everything he did in his life was for the sake of his young boy.

This does not last for long, however, and when push comes to shove, and that "legacy" is put to the test, Watanabe finds out the hard way that 30 years of hard work amounts to nothing more than a largesse for his son to capitalize on, if not outright steal, rather than what he really wishes it to be--a prosperous and grateful son who will always remember how hard his father worked to provide for him a good and comfortable life. (On an ancillary note, I found it interesting when Watanabe discussed this with a young female worker. She responded with something along the lines of, "Why are complaining like this? Your son never asked you to provide him a good life. How can you expect him to be grateful?" It brought to my mind the idea of 'blind love' and how this can be the most difficult type of love of all since it often goes unseen. Working constantly in the background, blind love is hardly ever the focus of attention and thus becomes easily forgotten. It's easy to see why it would go on thankless and unrequited--it was never valued in the first place. I think this is what happened in Watanabe's case.)

When his own son turns on him, Watanabe is forced to reconsider his personal meaning in life (remember now, his son has downgraded him to a mere means-to-an-end, not an ends-in-itself), and determine a new "ends" in life, much in the spiritual vein of King Lear. After a series of different tricks and ploys to learn what he wants out of life, he discovers what is truly important is to have legacy--to have something to be remembered by, which becomes embodied in the form of the new park that he builds. I believe it is this message that Kurosawa is trying to instill in his viewers--that all human beings, regardless of what they do or want to do, at the end of their lives, they want to feel as though they've done something they will be remembered for and by. Everyone desires a "legacy" in the twilight of their life. Watanabe finally managed his, and it serves as a tribute to him that we're watching the film in this way, i.e., "in memory" of Watanabe, much as we read about important figures through memoirs. The "memories" of Watanabe are what will last, and the park will always be there to remind us of his toil, sweat, and blood. This is what will truly be his enduring high-note, i.e., how hard he worked to bring about that park, and the type of man he was in perservering through his cancer, even to the final moments of his life, to make it a reality. That is truly a memorable legacy indeed.

I will not go into detail regarding this movie about a man with limited time. I will say that this could be one of the most traumatizing movies I have ever seen. If you are simply going through the motions in your life and you think that you are a living, connected person, check this movie out. If you don't get it, there is no hope for you.

This 1959 adaptation of the Greek myth thrilled me.It is quite rare that I am entertained by books turned into movies. Even though the setting (in Rio de Janeiro,Brazil at Carnival)undeniably differs from the original, I truly admire this film.

This was a great film but it was sad. Eurydice is being chased by death (a dude in a death mask but the actual grim reaper) and we never know why. Perhaps Eurydice was supposed to have died and she somehow cheated death but she finds Orpheus while visting her cousin only Orpheus is engaged to Mira, a crazy but beautiful woman who immediately becomes suspicious of Eurydice. This film was made in Rio and the cinematography was wonderful considering how dated this film actually is. Be warned that it's subtitled and that it's a pretty depressing ending.

When I first saw this movie in 74, I was in my early teens.

I was aware of Africa and its many different people, but I had

no idea (besides African Americans) that there were other

people of African decent, and (who looked like me)spoke a

foreign language. I was filled with even more Black Pride!

In the 80's I purchased a VCR. I inquired to a friend as to

whether I could find Black Orpheus on tape, my friend said "all

movies were on tape now." Ever since then I have had several

copys.I've shared my tapes with everyone, most of the time they

were not returned but thats alright because it meant the

person enjoyed it. Many of my friends and co-workers thought

that they would not enjoy a foreign film but were intriqued by

Black Orpheus.

I would like say in closing that for many years I've searched

for info on the cast of this movie, very little has been found.

A couple of days ago I read that Adhemar da Silva (death) had

died in '01. He was not only an actor but an outstanding Olympic

athelete of the 52-56 games. Between both games he won seven gold

medals in the triple jump. Mr.da Silva was also a lawyer.

Why do we always allow good people to go to the wayside before

we give recognition. I would definitely like to known about the

lives of the surviving actors, especially the children whom are

not that much older than I.

PEACE

It helps that Modern Times is one of Chaplin's best films, period, running a close second behind City Lights (I hope that's next on the re-release list). And happily, unlike The Gold Rush, which was ruined by awful sound choices, the Modern Times DVD offers a clean transfer of the film with all the beloved original elements intact as far as I could see and hear, plus a host of extras.

The film itself is the most briskly paced of Chaplin's feature-length films. And his writing is sharp, unhindered by the sermonizing which permeates his last works. The dilemma facing our Little Tramp this time is something all of us can relate to: For the first time, we see him thinking ahead, wanting to have a future, to form a family, and working towards that end. Chaplin's physical-comedy skills are at their peak: Witness the extended takes of the rollerskate scene, and the factory assembly line. Even if the 18fps (sometimes 16fps) film speed made everything look faster than it really was, it's still impressive physical co-ordination requiring flawless execution, since Chaplin rarely edits using coverage.

In Modern Times we see one of the first truly well-rounded Chaplin heroines. The radiant Paulette Goddard was Chaplin's best leading lady, her high spirits and lively presence being a much better foil for Chaplin than the starry-eyed icons of perfection that were Georgia Hale, Edna Purviance, or Virginia Cherrill. She just has more star quality and brings a quirkier, more animated personality to Chaplin's films, balancing them nicely.

And the gags -- some of the best in the Chaplin canon. The eating machine always has me rolling on the floor; the nonsense song is terrific (the DVD offers a "karaoke" version which, though a novelty, does tell us finally what the lyrics actually are); and all the machine gags are fast-moving gems.

The bonus materials include a long outtake and several documentaries. "Chaplin Today" features guests Luc and Jean-Pierre Dardenne, the French filmmakers behind the film Rosetta, and though their film-historian banter is not entirely to my taste, they do bring up some insights that I hadn't observed about Modern Times.

In all, a great release, and a great DVD to have for movie nights. It's a wonderful presentation of a comedy classic.

I love old movies and own several Criterion Collection DVDs from the 1930s, but in terms of picture quality, none compare with the new Chaplin Collection restoration of "Modern Times" (1936). The restoration looks pristine, with no graininess whatsoever and only the very occasional artifact. They even have a remastered Dolby 5.1 soundtrack. My only complaints about the first disc: no audio commentary to accompany the film, and more than five minutes of warnings from FBI, Interpol, etc. in every language. I didn't sit all the way through, but my "Forward", "Next" and "Menu" buttons were disabled. I had to hit "Stop" then "Play" again to get back to the main menu.

The second disc has an introduction by biographer David Robinson documentary, in which Robinson explains that Chaplin was very concerned with and educated about economics and the role of industry in causing the Great Depression. His ideas became the driving force behind "Modern Times".

The documentary features a commentary by two French directors. I didn't find it particularly insightful. However, there is also footage of Chaplin (without his Tramp costume) with Gandhi and talking to a camera. Though brief, it gave me my first look at Chaplin the man (I had only seen him as the Tramp).

Overall, an excellent work, and highly recommended. Oh yeah, the film's good too.

This Feature is Chaplins last silent movie. Even though the title is Modern Times chaplin wasn't so easy on letting silent movies go.
This is a movie thats great for all ages and should not be resented at any cost.
This is a movie about a factory worker being fired and gone to jail. A lady that lives with her Dad starts to live with the factory worker after her dad has been shot. The two fall in love. Through the movie the two find themselves looking for work,food,and shelter. They also get in trouble with the law. I have one real big piece of advice abut this movie watch it.

I've seen few movies made before 1960 and fewer silent movies (just Haaxan, Nosferatu (because Shadow of the Vampire and the Herzog remake) and Man With the Movie Camera (because of the recent Cinematic Orchestra soundtrack). Suffice to say, outside of Kurosawa, Ozu, Welles, Hitchcock, and Lean, I havn't greatly enjoyed many of the older movies, The Great Dictator, being one of the few. It's also my first Charles Chaplin movie, mostly because my great fear of the silent picture (which is a bit odd, considering many of my favourite movies have minimal dialogue)- I figured that I'd start with a talkie and work my way back.

Although it drags a bit (maybe should have cut 20 minutes or so) I found numerous humorous moments in the movie (especially the Hitler parody with the beach-ball globe and duck hunting). There's a serious from-the-heart speach at the end, one that's very much out of character (or in character, depending on how you look at it), and, although it lends gravitas to the parodies beforehand, I think it would have been much more appropriate (and scathing to all political nonsense) if it had been done in character.

Anyways, The Great Dictator is a fun movie, that serves as a good introduction to Chaplin (at least, I'm eagre to see more, especially Monsieur Verdoux and Modern Times). The DVD has some nice goodies too, so it's worth a purchase if you want to build up a library, but I can't see myself wanting to watch this again for a long while.

i dont usually write reviews, but i was browsing through and saw that "The Great Dictator" had 5 stars on the overall review, so i felt obligated to keep it up with the 5 stars it deserves.

Here, Charlie Chaplin accomplishes the impossible, by juxtaposing comedy next to horrible tragedy, and having it all work because his positive motivation and wit package the critically important messages in a way that effectively sent the point home to many millions of viewers worldwide. His intent was to favorably alter the course of world history in a very dark era, and he may, indeed, have done it to a degree. The 50-minute explanatory narration covering the historical context of this work is a great asset to the set. It sells at a premium and, if you are a serious film and/or history fan, pay it to get this set. Buy it, also, to appreciate the damage done by the McCarthyist era in this country, which was so bad that Chaplain had to return to his native England.

Marilyn Monroe in some of her best films. SHe doesn't star in all of them, but her contribution to the films is unforgettable.

Take "There's no Business like show business"(a completely awful movie which showcases marilyn's voice and body while the rest of it bores the heck out of you) out of this great collection of MM's films, and you have got quite a nice set of movies to feast upon. Also, the documentary, which originally aired on AMC, "The Last Days", is outstanding. Marilyn looks stunning in the footage of her last work on film that was never shown until now.
"The Seven Year Itch", "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, "How to Marry a Millionare", and "Bus Stop"(yippee!! finally back and looking fantastic on dvd) are all great movies of Marilyn's and throwing that monstrosity I mention above in was in bad taste.
I still think it's worth buying. I got it as a gift. It is a perfect gift for the Marilyn lovers like myself.

This review refers to the "Marilyn Monroe-Diamond Collection" DVD Collectors Edition(20th Cent Fox)...

Okay you've been warned. If you watch these films back to back your mouth muscles will tire from smiling so much! They are, like Marilyn herself, simply irresistable. They are also jammed packed with lots of other wonderful stars, fabulous music, snappy dialouge, and they are restored beautifully in the original widescreen and glorious technicolor.The set includes five fun films from the 50's, a captivating documentary, and an edited, reconstructed version of her final but unfinished project.

You'll find Marilyn and pals Lauren Bacall and Betty Grable foraging for rich husbands in "How To Marry A Millionaire"(1953). The men they set their caps for include David Wayne, Rory Calhoun, Cameron Mitchell and even William Powell.
Marilyn and Jane Russell sail for France and declare "Diamonds Are A Girls Best Friend" in the delightful romp "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes"(1953). This one co-stars the wonderful Charles Coburn.
Next up from 1954 Marilyn shares the spolight in "There's No Business Like Show Business" with Ethel Merman, Donald O'Connor and Mitzi Gaynor. This one will delight musical lovers with it's lavish song and dance numbers, and wait till you see some of Marilyn's outfits!
Even happily married Tom Ewell is not safe from Marilyn's charms in "The Seven Year Itch". The wife's away for the summer and poor Tom must find a way to cool off poor Marilyn from the hot weather! Hmmm....Delightful....and of course, this one has the famous skirt scene.
Can a girl with a past and a naive rancher find love? It's a pleasure finding out in this poignant tale of "Bus Stop"(1956). it also stars Don Murray, Arthur O'connell, Betty Field, Eileen Heckart and a very young Hope Lange. Marilyn shows us her tremendous dramtic skills in this one.
And then there's the very touching "Marilyn Monroe: The Final Days". Narrated by James Cobourn, it's an open and honest look at what took place in the last few months of Marilyn's life, and the problems she was having while filming her final film. Immeditaley following the documentary there is an edited, reconstruction of the scenes shot for the film. This film, also starring Dean Martin, "Something's Got To Give", which was to be a remake of the Grant/Dunne film "My Favorite Wife", finally saw an audience as "Move Over Darling" with James Garner and Doris Day.

If you are a Big Fan of MM or are considering this as a gift for some who is, this set is definatly the way to go. If you are like me, you know that eventually you will put out the money for all of them anyway!. Also I did not see "The Final Days" for sale separatly. This boxed set is an absolute bargain!. All the films look fabulous. All wonderfully restored. Each Disc has it's own bonus features, including comparisons of the restoration, and some theatrical trailers. There is a "Movietone Newsreel" relating to the cinemascope process on the documentary disc. The technical info here says that these discs are in 5.1, and although the sound on all the discs is excellent, they are not 5.1. Bus Stop, Millionaire and Show Business are all in 4.0, Seven Yr Itch is in 3.0, and Gentlemen in Stereo and full frame.That is what they say on the box and that is exactly how my DVD player decoded them. As I said they sound wonderful, but I thought I would mention that for those that it may make a difference to.

20th Century has put together a wonderful must have package, that you'll enjoy time and time again....enjoy ...Laurie

under the conditions of pure magic - a fairytale - i'd find it rather difficult to believe that a person would be unable to enjoy this movie. for soldiers of love, fizzled cynics in contempt against the modern world, and artists interested in exploring - from outside oneself - the metaphysical relationship with his or her muse - i doubt there's a more perfect film than 'children of paradise'.

the criterion dvd is loaded with features, though, save for the wonderful and poetic commentary, most of them are completely worthless and unnecessary. they could have done us a lot more favors. perhaps when the next great video medium comes around, the 'children of paradise' release will have more bonus featurettes and what not.

but as for now, the transfer is exquisite. the sound is great. and the movie, of course, is perfect.

A timeless story about the price of art, set in 19th century Paris. 'Paradise' is the name of the theater where the actors struggle to ply thir craft. It's meant as a double entendre, since it is at once both paradise and hell. The main action plot cosists of a love triangle between remarkable characters. The actors are magnificent, including Marcel Marceau's teacher, the great mime, Jean Barrault.

This classic was shot during the occupation, and many actors and stagehands literally risked their lives to finish the project, including the director, Marcel Carne.

This is perhaps the best French film of all time. Certainly among the top five. I could name 'Grand illusion' and 'Beauty and the Beast' , but then would be hard pressed to come up with another in the same league.

Magical.

Wait for a long rainy day to watch this one to truly enjoy it.It's a bit long but very worth it. Jean Louis Barrault is fabulous as the mime.

I have never understood why people find this to be the pinnacle of British Comedy. Once you get past the numerous jokes about Mrs. Slocum's.... cat and a flaming Mr. Humphreys you have very little left to justify it's long run except that it was probably the right show in the right place at the right time. In retrospect it is lacking. Many will disagree with me but that's life.

At long last the entire series of this classic Britcom (ten series from 1973 through 1985) is available on two DVD boxed sets. Commencing with the black-and-white pilot, set one covers the entire first five series (thirty-four 30-minute episodes from 1973-1977). Incidentally, these are all the series to feature curmudgeonly Mr. Grainger, head of menswear; sadly, Arthur Brough died (aged 73) before series six got under way. The BBC has done a fantastic job with these DVDs--the quality of the picture is awesome, the sets come complete with the Christmas specials (positioned chronologically in the order originally broadcast), with the icing on the cake being the DVD extras.

The series revolves around the staff of Grace Brothers' Department Store--particulary the staff of menswear and ladieswear. The ladies' department is headed by the pompous, air-assuming Mrs. Slocombe (Mollie Sugden). She's a bit of a man eater (or would be could she get her hands on one!) and is forever fretting about Tiddles, her um pussycat! Her junior is sexy Miss Brahms (Wendy Richard), who is constantly fighting off the advances of Mr. Lucas, the menswear junior. In between Mr. Lucas and Mr. Grainger is Mr. Humphreys (John Inman). With his mincing gait, outrageous costumes, and familiar cry of "I'm free," he's my personal favourite--though how can one really choose between this lot as they are ALL superb! Of course one cannot forget the subtly lecherous floorwalker, Captain Peacock, a pompous ex-army officer (or so he claims). One gets a sense that this is probably the only position of authority he's ever had, and he milks it for all its worth, barking orders at his underlings at every opportunity. His favourite target is the rough, bawdy maintenance man, Mr. Mash (replaced by Mr. Harman in the fourth series), a militant trade unionist who loves to goad Cpt. Peacock (and who probably makes more money than he does too!). And who could forget Mr. Rumbold, the bald-pated, jug-eared department head (like Mollie Sugden, Nicholas Smith was very good-natured in allowing his physical appearance to be the basis of so much humour!); or Young Mr. Grace, the elderly and extremely frail but hilariously lustful store owner (Harold Bennett was 74 when the series began!).

DVD extras consist of three 30-minute profiles (John Inman (1999), Mollie Sugden (1998), and Wendy Richard (2001)), each of which provides a brief bio, snippets from the various television productions in which the actor has been involved, remembrances from fellow actors (on the Inman and Richard profiles these include writers Jeremy Lloyd and David Croft plus all the surviving members of the original AYBS cast with the exception of Nicholas Smith). John Inman's forte is pantomime, and his profile includes snippets from some of the pantos he's done. Mollie Sugden's profile includes remembrances by actor William Moore (her late husband), and the focus, careerwise, is shared between AYBS and The Liver Birds (her two biggest series). Wendy Richard's profile is the only one that is narrated, and it contains in a nutshell much of what one finds in her delightful autobiography "Wendy Richard...no 's'". Careerwise, it focuses on AYBS and Eastenders (the two main series she's done). It's the most personal of the three, and a special treat is hearing a snippet of Mike Sarne's 1962 song "Come Outside" which featured Richard and was responsible for launching her career. The final feature is "Are You Being Confused?", a text-based dictionary of British slang.

With scripts liberally laced with double entendres, innuendos and puns, and a cast of characters made all the more memorable by some of the most capable actors in British comedy, this is character comedy at its best. It's an outstanding collection of a true Britcom classic which I highly recommend. I also highly recommend Richard Webber's excellent tribute book "Are You Being Served? A Celebration of 25 Years" (a 1998 UK publication).

After years of trying to see every episode of this hilarious sitcom on PBS only to have endless time changes, schedule reshufflings, and telethons get in the way, I am so glad that the BBC has put all 69 episodes out on DVD so quickly. This first set represents the best AYBS? material with original cast members Arthur Brough (Mr. Grainger), Harold Bennett (Young Mr. Grace), Larry Martyn (Mr. Mash), and Trevor Bannister (Mr. Lucas). From the black & white pilot through "It Pays to Advertise" from season 5, this set also includes my all-time favorite AYBS? episode "Big Brother," when Mr. Rumbold installs a closed circuit television in the store to uncover a burglar but instead uses it to spy on the Grace Brother's staff. The artistic details of both AYBS? sets are very nice. After choosing an episode, the elevator conductor announces the title and the lift doors open to reveal the plot.

What I also enjoy about both DVD sets for this series are the extras in volume 7. In this set, you get half hour bios on John Inman, Molly Sugden, and Wendy Richard. Each bio includes pre-AYBS? clips (Sugden in "The Liver Birds," "Coronation Street;" Richard in "The Newcomers," "Hugh and I," "Up Pompeii!," "Dad's Army," etc.). In Richard's bio, there are many clips from the long-running soap opera EastEnders. They also include interview clips with Inman, Bannister, Frank Thornton, Richard, and Sugden as well as others that look like they were recorded fairly recently. Why was this series so successful?: Because the characters were wonderful, the acting superb, and the writing irreverent and just plain funny! This set (as well as series 6-10) has a very 1970s design and looks great on display. Any fan will cherish both sets and, as Mrs. Slocombe says, "I am unanimous in this."

This is a great movie. If you like anything about Titanic you will love this movie. It is # 1

A titanic film, first released in 1958, that still makes a powerful impact. This telling of the sinking of the Titanic, based on Walter lord's classic book oft he same name, is still the best of the lot. No special effects, no annoying close-ups, no relentless warbling about hearts going on and on and on and . . .. Criterion deserves kudos for reissuing the film in
DVD, in a digital transfer so pristine and a sound so clear it is almost frightening. Added bonus: "The Making of 'A Night to Remember," a 60-minutre documentary with fascinating, rare behind-the-scenes footage. Full steam ahead!

Its a true classic,, and of chourse it out beats the 1997 Titanic with just focusing on Rose (Kate Winslet) and Jack Darson (Linardo, I dot know how to spell his last name so iam not gunna even try. Alough I think this could have won a ocar if it had todays special sound affects and picture with a better part of the cast and story........
Alough I think the the 1997 Titanic showed more actors panicing running about,, and doing whatever they can to surviver in this movie there calm more or less.
But anyway this is a classic!!