Holiday, Comedy, Family… and Hitchcock Thrillers?
I know I sound like a broken record complimenting WB on their decision to distribute TCM films in a four pack, on two discs, but I can’t help it. When you see the quality of films you get for $27 (roughly) you can’t help but wonder why other studios haven’t followed suit. Regardless, WB has released another set just in time for the holiday season and just in time for mom and pop stocking stuffers. Let me list what’s in each and I’ll come back and let you know which one is my favorite:
Comedy
A Night at the Opera (Marx Brothers)
Arsenic and Old Lace
Father of the Bride (yep, didn’t know they made this one eons ago, did you?)
The Long, Long Trailer
Holiday
Christmas in Connecticut
A Christmas Carol
The Shop Around the Corner
It Happened on 5th Avenue
Family
Lassie
Flipper (did you know the father of this show wrote Blade Runner‘s first script?)
The Incredible Mr. Limpet
National Velvet
Hitchcock Thrillers
Suspicion
Strangers on a Train
The Wrong Man
“I Confess!”
Personally, in comparison to the first set of these that I reviewed, I think this harkens back to more of a ‘classics’ status than the previous set. You’ve got one helluva movie in A Night at the Opera with the Marx Brothers. Their style of comedy laid the groundwork for slapstick and quick one-liners. Even after half a decade you can’t help but enjoy and laugh at that film. That certainly does highlight the comedy pack, with Arsenic and Old Lace coming in a very close second. If you’ve never seen the latter of the movies, it’s one of Cary Grant’s most impressive films. He was super young at the time, but it’s still worth it if nothing else for his physical comedy. Still, the comedy isn’t as strong as one of the other three.
The Family pack is good, but it’s mainly for a younger audience. My biggest concern with this pack is that the younger kids in your household (be it your own kids, or your younger siblings) may not get some of the more innocent comedy. I think that kids will absolutely love Lassie and Flipper, but you’re pushing it with Mr. Limpet and definitely pushing it with National Velvet. Still, very solid TCM classics, but not the best.
Moving on to the wonderful world of Hitchcock Thrillers. I think that WB made a great decision with distributing some of the more obscure Hitchcock films onto one set of DVDs. For most people they won’t remember these, but don’t discount them. Strangers on a Train and Suspicion are two of the strongest Hitchcock films made. Sure they didn’t get the press that North by Northwest or The Birds or even Psycho garnished, but they still have a very strong cast and great sense of thrill in them. I think most people should probably start out with Strangers on a Train to get into the groove of how great these other Hitchcock films can be. It was a fantastic decision putting them into their own TCM category; they certain deserve the attention.
Finally, the Holiday set is probably my favorite, not only because the movies they picked are classic, but because people like feeling good around this time. Back when I worked at Suncoast (eons ago) I remember having to stack the shelves with Holiday VHS tapes (yes, you read that right) and all of these films were on that shelf. Two of these films have been remade many times over and the other two are just holiday gems to feel good about. The Shop Around the Corner is a wonderful movie that many could say was ripped off when You’ve Got Mail arrived about a decade or so ago. Getting a young James Stewart going in his hay-day was nothing short of brilliant. He’s witty and plays a wonderful along side of Margaret Sullivan. Of course, the real gem in this set is the 1938 A Christmas Carol. I prefer this version over the more recent George C. Scott or the Disney version.
As for bonus material/special features it’s really hit or miss. Having to stuff four movies on two DVDs leaves little room for intricate features. Going into the decision making purchase, just know you’re not going to be getting the ‘special editions’ of these films. What you are going to be getting is a guaranteed four films in each set that are truly classics.