Knight at HOME at the Movies
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
Two Classic Boxed sets and One Comedy
There's really nothing that links these three titles together -- other than the fact that they're all diverting, expert
entertainments that won't tax the brain. Enough of a reason to recommend them!
There's really nothing that links these three titles together -- other than the fact that they're all diverting, expert
entertainments that won't tax the brain. Enough of a reason to recommend them!
Betty Grable, the lovely, good natured pin up queen of World War II, who had her
gorgeous gams insured for a million dollars, was just about to give up on the movies
when Fox cast her as the lead in the Technicolor spectacle with the samba flavored songs,
Down Argentine Way in 1940. At 23, after over 40 films, Grable was finally a star. The
movie, one of four in Fox Home Entertainment’s new Betty Grable Collection,
Volume 1, is a delightful piece of fluff in which Grable falls in and out and in love again
with Don Ameche (playing a Argentinian playboy). Support is offered from the irresistible
Charlotte Greenwood as Grable’s fun loving aunt and the film also marked the
introduction of Latin spitfire Carmen Miranda to American audiences. The stellar success
of the movie led to Moon Over Miami (the best in the set) which found Grable and younger
sister Carole Landis on the hunt for rich husband’s in sunny Florida. Once again delightful
comedic support was offering by Charlotte Greenwood (who performs a hilarious number
that includes her infamous high kicks), the Tin Man Jack Haley as an amorous bellhop
and Ameche and Bob Cummings as suitors vying for Grable’s affections. The Dolly Sisters,
a backstage story based on a true story, so brilliantly parodied by Carol Burnett, followed
in 1944. This teamed Grable, then at the height of her popularity, with amiable June
Haver. Dreamy John Payne played Grable’s love interest this time out. The set concludes
with 1950’s My Blue Heaven, the least satisfying entry in the set but Dan Dailey, one of
Grable’s frequent latter co-stars, is a perfect match onscreen for the peppy Grable. Each
of the films is packaged with reproductions of lobby cards, film historian commentaries
and the like while Argentina also includes the full length A&E Biography channel episode on
Grable. Available separately or in the set (a better bargain).
Fox Home Entertainment has also released Charlie Chan Volume 1, the first in what
will hopefully be a series of sets of the many Fox titles in the series. Warner Oland stars
as the rotound and now politically incorrect Chinese born, Hawaiian residing detective who
finds himself in London, Paris, Egypt and Shanghai to solve his cases in under 75
minutes. Many stars, including Ray Milland, appear in the films. Oland, who played a
number of ethnic characters aside from Chan during his unsung career, brings intelligence
and dignity to the role. Though Chan is often the victim of unwitting, ethnic slurs, he
tosses them off with a raised eyebrow or a polite but barely disguised rejoinder. All the
while solving the unsolvable mysteries through his powers of deduction. Fox has done
what they can with these well worn titles (Charlie Chan in London, the first dates from 1935
and Paris was thought to be lost – it’s a delightful find) and in addition to cleaning them
up digitally as best as they can, have added new and interesting featurettes to each (the
one on Charlie Chan in Egypt which details the real life Hawaiian detective who inspired the
character is especially fascinating). A lot of fun. Don't feel guilty about enjoying these.
Finally, Paramount Home Video has released the under appreciated romantic comedy
Failure to Launch with stars Matthew McConaughey and Sarah Jessica Parker. Though
many reviews found little sizzle between the two physically pleasing leads, I strongly
disagreed and also rather liked the subplot between Parker’s depressed roommate and
her would be nerd lothario. The disc doesn’t offer any deleted scenes but does have the
usual making of featurettes, as well as a cute one on dating and another on real life adult
men still living at home with mom and dad. There’s also a mini reality show/contest in
which costars Bradley Cooper and Justin Bartha size up three singles who need to leave
the nest and spread their wings.
gorgeous gams insured for a million dollars, was just about to give up on the movies
when Fox cast her as the lead in the Technicolor spectacle with the samba flavored songs,
Down Argentine Way in 1940. At 23, after over 40 films, Grable was finally a star. The
movie, one of four in Fox Home Entertainment’s new Betty Grable Collection,
Volume 1, is a delightful piece of fluff in which Grable falls in and out and in love again
with Don Ameche (playing a Argentinian playboy). Support is offered from the irresistible
Charlotte Greenwood as Grable’s fun loving aunt and the film also marked the
introduction of Latin spitfire Carmen Miranda to American audiences. The stellar success
of the movie led to Moon Over Miami (the best in the set) which found Grable and younger
sister Carole Landis on the hunt for rich husband’s in sunny Florida. Once again delightful
comedic support was offering by Charlotte Greenwood (who performs a hilarious number
that includes her infamous high kicks), the Tin Man Jack Haley as an amorous bellhop
and Ameche and Bob Cummings as suitors vying for Grable’s affections. The Dolly Sisters,
a backstage story based on a true story, so brilliantly parodied by Carol Burnett, followed
in 1944. This teamed Grable, then at the height of her popularity, with amiable June
Haver. Dreamy John Payne played Grable’s love interest this time out. The set concludes
with 1950’s My Blue Heaven, the least satisfying entry in the set but Dan Dailey, one of
Grable’s frequent latter co-stars, is a perfect match onscreen for the peppy Grable. Each
of the films is packaged with reproductions of lobby cards, film historian commentaries
and the like while Argentina also includes the full length A&E Biography channel episode on
Grable. Available separately or in the set (a better bargain).
Fox Home Entertainment has also released Charlie Chan Volume 1, the first in what
will hopefully be a series of sets of the many Fox titles in the series. Warner Oland stars
as the rotound and now politically incorrect Chinese born, Hawaiian residing detective who
finds himself in London, Paris, Egypt and Shanghai to solve his cases in under 75
minutes. Many stars, including Ray Milland, appear in the films. Oland, who played a
number of ethnic characters aside from Chan during his unsung career, brings intelligence
and dignity to the role. Though Chan is often the victim of unwitting, ethnic slurs, he
tosses them off with a raised eyebrow or a polite but barely disguised rejoinder. All the
while solving the unsolvable mysteries through his powers of deduction. Fox has done
what they can with these well worn titles (Charlie Chan in London, the first dates from 1935
and Paris was thought to be lost – it’s a delightful find) and in addition to cleaning them
up digitally as best as they can, have added new and interesting featurettes to each (the
one on Charlie Chan in Egypt which details the real life Hawaiian detective who inspired the
character is especially fascinating). A lot of fun. Don't feel guilty about enjoying these.
Finally, Paramount Home Video has released the under appreciated romantic comedy
Failure to Launch with stars Matthew McConaughey and Sarah Jessica Parker. Though
many reviews found little sizzle between the two physically pleasing leads, I strongly
disagreed and also rather liked the subplot between Parker’s depressed roommate and
her would be nerd lothario. The disc doesn’t offer any deleted scenes but does have the
usual making of featurettes, as well as a cute one on dating and another on real life adult
men still living at home with mom and dad. There’s also a mini reality show/contest in
which costars Bradley Cooper and Justin Bartha size up three singles who need to leave
the nest and spread their wings.
