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Long before Unforgiven deconstructed the Western, or Blazing Saddles lampooned it, Cat Ballou poked the genre in the eye. An altogether enjoyable comedy, the film is full of small surprises, big laughs, and wonderful character turns. Catherine Ballou (Jane Fonda) is a schoolteacher until a hired thug kills her daddy. To protect what she loves, she collects two petty criminals, a wisecracking hired hand, and a hired killer, Kid Shelleen (Lee Marvin). Unfortunately, Shelleen is a raging drunk who is so inebriated and unsteady with a gun he literally misses the broad side of a barn. However, Cat, has, as they used to say in those days, a mind of her own, and she masterminds a spectacular train heist that puts them all on the lam. Marvin won an Academy Award for his role as the derelict Shelleen, and his performances (he actually has two) are still topnotch and on target. The framing device, two wandering minstrels, played by Stubby Kaye and Nat "King" Cole, are the maraschino cherries on the top of this Wild West confection. --Keith Simanton ... Read more

Reviews (22)

Great movie, great DVD!
"Well now, friends, just lend an ear / For you're now about to hear / The Ballad of Cat Ballou..." so begins the "Greek chorus" of Nat 'King' Cole and Stubby Kaye, banjos in hand. Having seen "There's Something About Mary" before "Cat Ballou," I didn't realize that the former was paying homage to the latter with this clever device. (Of course, being the original, "Cat Ballou" does it much better). By the way, the often-humorous score is by Frank DeVol.

The performances are good all around, each character with well-played and memorable funny bits. Jane Fonda plays it straight and serious next to the inept-ness of so-called outlaws Dwayne Hickman and Michael Callan and the over-the-top Lee Marvin (in a dual role as the Kid Sheleen, the drunken hero, and Tim Strawn, the bad guy with an artificial nosepiece). Marvin and the horse steal the show!

This movie is a lot of fun - pure entertainment - and the DVD people at Columbia/Tri-Star did a really good job putting together some extras. The audio commentary with Hickman and Callan itself is fun to listen to while watching the movie on repeat; it's very informative and even laugh-out-loud funny at times. The featurette with the director provides some good info on the movie, and the original trailer and vintage advertising (movie posters, etc.) is nostalgic.

The picture and sound quality is excellent; the visuals are clear and colorful, no noticeable scratches...the sound is very clear for being monaural. One side of the disc has the widescreen (definitive) version; the other side has the formatted version, which is also worth a look as it contains some extra information at the top and bottom of the screen on the scenes that were soft-matted.

I love this movie - it's nice to see that the DVD people took some interest enough to put together the special features on an almost 40-year-old film. Keep up the good work!

Worth seeing, if only for Lee Marvin's performance!
This 1965 spoof of westerns was a big hit back then. It's the story of Katherine Ballou, nicknamed "Cat" and played by Jane Fonda, who comes home to her small Wyoming town after studying to be a schoolmarm. However, because her father refuses to sell his land to the speculators, he is brutally murdered. She goes gunning for revenge. But this is a comedy and it's all very lighthearted, especially since there are constant musical narratives by Stubby Kaye and Nat King Cole. Lee Marvin won an academy award for his excellent portrayal of two aging outlaw gunmen and he's great. It's worth seeing, just to see his performance as he's a master not just of facial expressions, but also of total body language. Jane Fonda looks pretty as the sweet-young-thing turned outlaw. And there's enough love interest and comical episodes to keep the story moving. There's a train-robbing incident that is quite funny. And, of course, there's a happy ending.

I'm not much for comedies and so that fact that I was willing to spend the 96 minutes watching it all the way through says a lot for it. Recommended for light entertainment.

Steel-eyed Kid Shelleen
Saw this flick when it first came out: four performances were unforgettable --- marvellous Marvin, fascinating Fonda, melodious Cole and Kaye. Within its own light comedy framework this film is a masterpiece, regardless of what one or two reviewers think. This must be due to Elliot Silverstein's exceptionally deft direction. It is fast-paced and beautifully balanced. The characters cut across each other like oil and vinegar, hardly a scene is out of place. It has all the hallmarks of a masterpiece: timelessly entertaining, thought-provoking and even moving, both sad and funny, and can stand any number of repeat viewings. Silverstein's comments in the extra features are brief, to the point and invaluable. Fonda's acting (what a sweetie, what a dish!) is perfection in the part; Marvin's magical transformation from derelict to dead-eye via a throat-full of hooch is just as astounding every time you watch it. His arrival in Wolf City is one of the most dynamic entrances by a legendary gunman ever seen in movies. Anyone who hasn't already seen this evergreen comedy is in for a treat.

One of the Classics
This is truly one of the funniest (and funnest)western spoofs ever made. Lee Marvin is at his best, and Nat King Cole and Stubby Kaye will leave you singing "Cat Baloooooo" to yourself for weeks. As an editorial aside, reviewers who have rated this flick down based on Jane Fonda's appearance in it are asses. I didn't think much of John Wayne's politics, but I sure enjoyed his movies.

Another old favorite
Saw this film 7-8 times earlier in life, not just to look at Jane Fonda but because it's one of the funniest films I know. Lee Marvin, as 'the hero', is at his best! ... Read more

Reviews (22)

She goes Hawaiian all the way ...
This movie isn't as good as the first "Gidget" but it's better than the third . Ofcoarse, they should have stuck with Sandra Dee in all of them but having Deborah Walley in this one was, I think, a good choice overall .And I've always adored Joby Baker more than James Darren ( whatever happened to Joby ? ) !

I love this movie!
I really enjoy this movie no matter how many times I've seen it. Debra Walley is terrific and of course James Darren is great to look at. It's fun and love that Debra Walley made Gidget a fiesty one in this movie. I really like Gidget's clothes also.

One of my all-time favorites!
This movie is hilarious and timeless. I watch it over and over and it never gets old. The humor is refreshing and the movie is reminiscent of simpler times. This movie will become a family tradition for you, especially if you have teenaged daughters. Everyone I have played this video for has become hooked!

Gidget Goes Hawaiian
I love the whole movie (I'm a sucker for comedy, romance and happy endings)and get a special thrill of seeing Hawaii BEFORE all the commercialism. I visited Hawaii twice and stayed next door to the Royal Hawaiian..Gidget stays in this hotel in the movie. It makes me wish I could have visted Hawaii in the 50's and 60's.

Brings back memories
I saw this movie 5 times at the theatre when I was in the 7th grade. Oh, if times were this innocent again! I ordered this previewed VHS from "Paragoncompany.com" on July 3...still haven't received it... my VISA was charged for the purchase within the order week. My recommendation is to order the movie, see it with your preteen or teenage daughter... you will love it, just do not order it from Paragoncompany. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

A Butchered Masterpiece
THEY CAME TO CORDURA was originally 148 minutes. It was hailed by critics who saw this version, including the NY Times, which gave it a rave. But Columbia grew nervous, it was dark, grim, downbeat. The army looked like it was filled with cowards, rapists, murderers. Columbia took the film away from director Robert Rossen and lopped off 35 minutes, then added back in several minutes of exposition. The resulting film is maddening. At times brilliant, at times clumsy; it's pacing is awkward, the editing downright amateurish. The minions at Comubia hadn't a clue what they were doing whgen they butchered and re-editied the film. Even so, it is still a fine, fine film. The writing is spot-on, some of the dialogue scalding; the acting is flawless, and many of the sequences take your breath away. An extraordinary score. And Cooper is heart-breaking in his depiction of the coward. The scene between him and Rita Hayworth, in which he tells of cowering in the ditch, is screen acting of the highest order. Rossen was in the process of buying the film back from Columbia to return it to his original vision when he died. Perhaps it will yet happen. But not by Columbia, which has dropped this DVD onto the market with no extras and no attempt to restore it. Even so, CORDURA is well worth the purchase. Truly, a butchered masterpiece.

TOTALLY BORING MOVIE !
This movie is a failure in every way - I do not know what the
other reviewers are talking about...
This movie is about a bunch of people wandering around in the desert through the whole movie until the end.
Cooper is too old and one does not like him playing a coward.
Hayworth is the only good thing about it. She plays great
and looks great. This was her last A-movie for Columbia.
Afterwards her big career was over in 1959.

At What Price Courage
This 1959 film from director Robert Rossen sets out to define the meaning of courage. Set in 1916 Mexico during General Pershing's Expedition to capture Poncho Villa in revenge for his raid into New Mexico, the US Army sets out to find soldiers worthy of the Medal of Honor. Ironically, a branded coward Gary Cooper is given the task. This is a slow and deliberate movie. It is noteworthy not for its script but for its depth of well constructed characters and their motivations. By the end of the film you may ask yourself if cowards and heroes walk the same thin line. Van Heflin gives a standout performance and he is the real catalist behind Cooper's internal struggle that manifests itself visually on the screen.

The last great cavalry charge
This fictitous dramatisation based around the last cavalry campaign and the heroic exploits of some troopers at the almost last mounted pistol charge(the last mounted pistol charge was lead by Ed Ramsey in charge of G troop,26th Cavalry regiment(P.S)against Japanese during the defense of the Phillipines during WW2) shines on despite the rough as guts editing . The real charge at Ojos Azules was lead by Apache scouts serving alongside the 11th Cavalry regiment.The regiment in this movie is the 28th Cavalry(the real 28th didnt exist until 1943 and when it did it was a negro regiment).The charge is an action milestone,over 300 horses where used. Cooper plays an officer who has officialy been shamed for cowardice in the face of the enemy,he is given a"deskjob" for his cowardice and must escort a mixed group of citation winning heroes back to base at Cordura.This rag tag detachment are ambushed on route and are forced to surrender there horses,and it is after this that the real nature of the "heroes" becomes apparant. The real star of the movie is Van Heflin,he steals the show and runs rings around the other actors.The editing is abrupt and obtrusive at some moments(much of the film is reversed and to a uniform collector like myself it becomes very distracting)but the A-list cast peform beyond these shortcomings. This movie has more in common with Treasure of the Sierra Madre than it does with The Wild Bunch but somehow seems at home between the two. A great movie that could only be improved by a DVD release. Thanks for your time Golpeo Rapidamente

They Came to Cordura
This film is set in 1916 Mexico during General Pershing's Punitive Expedition to capture Poncho Villa. Gary Cooper plays Maj. Thomas Thorn, an Army officer accused of cowardice, sent to observe and deliver five men (Van Heflin, Tab Hunter, Richard Conte, Michael Callan and Dick York) for consideration to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor. Rita Hayworth is an American accused of giving aid and comfort to the enemy. The film is rather tedious as it ever so slowly tries to discern the meaning of courage. Its greatest assets are the beautiful color cinematography by Burnett Guffey and an underrated and powerful performance by Van Heflin. I have never seen Heflin better, as he remains a constant thorn in the side of Cooper. Heflin plays one of the crudest and potentially violent characters I have ever seen. He physically looks the part and plays it with incredibly subdued menace. The film was directed by Robert Rossen and co-written by Rossen and Ivan Moffat. ... Read more

Reviews (19)

Excellent family film, both entertaining and substantial.
Those who have become accustomed to the virtually limitless possibilities of computer-generated special effects should learn to appreciate the "old ways," the by-now-primitive techniques that delivered the goods while working within the limits of the technology of the time. When you consider that Mysterious Island was produced in 1961, you have to marvel at the way the oversized creatures were brought to life in this film, thanks to the magical touch of Ray Harryhausen, the acknowledged master of stop-motion animation. But more than the special effects, this production is well-acted, beautifully filmed, perfectly scored, and intelligently written. Plus, it's an excellent way to introduce the kids to Jules Verne. I eagerly await the DVD release of this movie.

Thrilling sequel to "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea".
Producer Charles Schneer produced this sequel to Jules Verne's "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" with art direction and special effects under the capable hands of Ray Harryhausen, whose stop-motion creatures are the highlights of the movie. A giant crab, an equally large prehistoric bird and a mammoth bee are but a few creatures that show up in this version, which is faithful to the Verne source material in major plot elements but differs in many details such as the addition of the giant creatures and the incorporation of a love interest.

Composer Bernard Hermann contributed an effective soundtrack that highlights the dangers that the castaways face, but the movie is almost "wall to wall" music, with the brassy main theme repeated again and again. Hermann is arguably the best, most influential soundtrack composer in motion picture history but here his music seems to be repeated and overused to the detriment of the movie.

The film opens during the the Civil War with a very well rendered escape sequence from a Confederate prisoner-of-war camp in Richmond, Virginia. The direction, music and Harryhausen's great effects work all come togther here to produce a truely thrilling escape sequence that opens the film and ultimately places the characters on the deserted, doomed Pacific island. The bulk of the movie takes place here as we see how the castaways survive on the desert isle and learn the ultimate fate of Captain Nemo and his famous submarine, the Nautilus.

This movie is a bit more character driven than most Schneer/Harryhausen efforts, with some emphasis placed on the internal conflicts of the castaways, but ultimately the Ray Harryhausen creatures and special effects steal the show.

Good retro fun
Somehow, everything about this movie screams "Saturday afternoon". It has an improbable plot, effects from a simpler era, and the good winning out over the morally ambiguous.

The only fair way to judge this movie is in its own context, now more than 40 years old. At the time, Harryhausen's stop-action creatures were the height of special effects. The giant crab, bee, and other creatures could not have been done any other way. Rays from "electric gun" may have been scratched directly onto the film. Again, it looks unsophisticated to today's eye, but matches the rest of the movie very well.

For its time, though, this movie has a few fairly modern features. The one black actor had about as much of a role as the others, even though Jim Crow was still alive and kicking. There was a skimpy-skirted female lead with a habitual need for being saved. The other woman, however, was one of the more competent members of the group. She was used to a life of ease, but quickly showed her competence at handling support functions for the team, and under primitive conditions. Maybe she did "women's work", but she did jobs that needed doing and she got past her aristo background to do them. About the only complaint we ever heard was that her gun jammed at a crucial moment.

There's no high moral or deep art here. There is good fun. It's a little dated, but that is just part of its charm.

great family entertainment
My kids love this movie and my wife and I like it, too. It's not a great movie, both because it has a rather creaky Jules Verne plot, and like most Harryhausen movies it sometimes becomes too enchanted by the "movie magic" to pay enough attention to the actors, but these are not things that your kids will mind, and you probably won't be bothered by them, either. What the movie does have is the same thing that is one of the strengths of Verne's books, which is its "larger than life" feel. I was always transported by his books into a world of high adventure, and this movie does that for my kids (and it takes me back there, too).

The performances in this movie are all solid (and Herbert Lom is very good as Nemo), and the special effects are interesting and entertaining. And it might interest your kids in the book, which is even better.

A CLASSIC ALL TIME MASTERPIECE, ON DVD!
Yes in deed, the great classic as I watched as a kid. A group of people who find themselves stranded on an uncharted deserted island. Wigh gigantic animals, engaging story line. And yes this is out on DVD as I have just purchased it. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

DVD Inquiry
This is one of the best minis produced from an era of high gloss and pure soap. One question - where is the DVD?

Krantz's other works of Princess Daisy, Dazzle and I'll Take Manhattan have been put on DVD. So where is Scruples? We're waiting...

A rhinestone in a trashcan
This heavily sanatized mini-series of Judith Krantz's filthy page turner about the filthy (and kinky) rich is a hoot! The real thrill of the novel was the many positions Krantz's characters could twist themselves into while slipping out of their designer clothes in several glamorous locales. This being a made-for-American-TV event, the viewer has to make due with designer clothes (um, sort of), and the glamorous locales (if you consider a studio backlot a glamorous locale). The result is a less than compelling saga of gorgeous Lindsey Wagner (who we are expected to believe was a fat teenager who blossemed into a beautiful secretary thanks to a trip to Paris LOL) who marries a rich old codger who dies, leaves her a ludicrous sum of money, and inspires her to open a Beverly Hills boutique (yes, that old story. Again!). The old codger does stick around long enough to utter one of the funniest lines ever ("If you were any more decent, you'd be indecent"!!!). Along the way we are also introduced to Barry Bostwick (totally unbelievable as a studly photographer) and the irritating Marie-France Pisier (who was so naked in 'The Other Side of Midnight') as a fiery french fashion designer. There are numerous silly subplots to stretch out the action, a few guest stars to rival the starry wattage of, say, 'The Love Boat', and some truly laugh-out-loud scenes. Trust me, you'll want to stick around for the whole gaudy thing, even if you feel a bit tarnished afterward. So indulge in the shoddy glitz of 'Scruples' and witness the hilarity for yourself.

Fantastic Mini-Series
A fantastic mini-series with fantastic stars. Lindsey Wagner is superb as always.

pure fun
I love this miniseries. All of the characters are developed so well.And Lindsey Wagner is so believable as the elegant and beautiful Billy Ikehorn.I also loved Marie France Pisier and Barry Bostwick.Buy this tape it isn't trashy but very well made.

Lindsay Wagner keeps you interested and entertained.
This mini-series based on the popular novel is pure escapist fantasy.Lindsay Wagner somehow makes it feel real.She has the ability to keep you focused on her without overacting.She is a star....This material is saved by her and has her alone to thank for it's success. If you are a fan of lindsay's you will love this, if not, you will have trouble with the plot and frivolity. I loved it! Again, the producers should be very happy with Lindsay's excellent acting. ... Read more

Description

Tony Curtis stars as Lepke, head of Murder Inc., the syndicate that spattered the headlines of the day with blood. From his rough-and-toumble East Side childhood to his rise in the drug trade to his 1944 execution at Sing Sing, Lepke depicts with brute force the criminal career of a man with more than 60 murders to his credit. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Overlooked Tony Curtis Movie!!
This is an overlooked Tony Curtis Movie that's really worth watching.It's a must see!! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

TOO EXPENSIVE
I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW YOU ARE SUPPOSE TO PUT OUT THAT MUCH
MONEY FOR A MOVIE THAT IS NOT EVEN ON DVD! I REMEMBER IT AS
A GOOD MOVIE BUT WHAT A WASTE HOW YOU ARE USING THESE CLASSIC
GOOD OLDER MOVIES BY NOT JUST MAKING IT AFFORDABLE AND MAKE MORE
OF THEM!!!

Re-release this movie!! Make it affordable!!
This timeless cult classic movie with a starstudded cast that includes Cliff Robertson,Buddy Ebsen,Anne Helm,Telly Savalas and many others is probably the greatest Doctor/Hospital movie ever especially concerning the trials and tribulations of being an intern in both the Doctor and Nursing profession.It's a fun,must see film that should be re-released on vhs/dvd so that humble people like myself can afford it!! ... Read more

Reviews (22)

She goes Hawaiian all the way ...
This movie isn't as good as the first "Gidget" but it's better than the third . Ofcoarse, they should have stuck with Sandra Dee in all of them but having Deborah Walley in this one was, I think, a good choice overall .And I've always adored Joby Baker more than James Darren ( whatever happened to Joby ? ) !

I love this movie!
I really enjoy this movie no matter how many times I've seen it. Debra Walley is terrific and of course James Darren is great to look at. It's fun and love that Debra Walley made Gidget a fiesty one in this movie. I really like Gidget's clothes also.

One of my all-time favorites!
This movie is hilarious and timeless. I watch it over and over and it never gets old. The humor is refreshing and the movie is reminiscent of simpler times. This movie will become a family tradition for you, especially if you have teenaged daughters. Everyone I have played this video for has become hooked!

Gidget Goes Hawaiian
I love the whole movie (I'm a sucker for comedy, romance and happy endings)and get a special thrill of seeing Hawaii BEFORE all the commercialism. I visited Hawaii twice and stayed next door to the Royal Hawaiian..Gidget stays in this hotel in the movie. It makes me wish I could have visted Hawaii in the 50's and 60's.

Brings back memories
I saw this movie 5 times at the theatre when I was in the 7th grade. Oh, if times were this innocent again! I ordered this previewed VHS from "Paragoncompany.com" on July 3...still haven't received it... my VISA was charged for the purchase within the order week. My recommendation is to order the movie, see it with your preteen or teenage daughter... you will love it, just do not order it from Paragoncompany. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Pepe
The last time I watched Pepe I was very young. This movie was entertaining, funny, and in good taste. I think most everyone will enjoy this movie.

Pepe
I remember seeing this movie when I was growing up. I've only been able to find this film on VHS only in Spanish. I would like to beable to find one in English. If anyone can help me I would appreciate it.

It was full of laughter and tears.
Pepe, Is one of my all time favorite movies. Growing up I would watch him with my mother who is 87 years old. It made me cry and laugh at the same time. They just don't make movie like that anymore.

Pena ajena
Lots of Hollywood stars attend this Cantinflas funeral. IT'S DREADFUL! If you haven't seen any Cantinflas movie please don't see this one, or you'll never understand why this genius was once considered by Chaplin "the funniest man alive".

A Classic with more than 25 famous stars - many now gone.
Pepe is a flimsy story meant to showcase a bunch of Columbia's stars...and it succeeds. Cameos abound and it's fun to "count the stars" as they pass through the story line - especially Greer Garson playing herself, as Mrs. Buddy Fogelson! Most of these stars are gone now, and it's a pleasure seeing them in their heyday. Cantinflas is his usual original self, and the music is fun too! ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Is cutting off picture information "Family friendly"?
Oh, Disney! Disney! Why do you stab me in the heart so often?
This company seems to think that avoiding black little bars at the top and bottom of 4:3 television screens makes families happy and content. Why not consider us grownups instead, who are very saddened indeed to watch movies like this with the sides cut off?
Besides, what child or teenager today would tolerate viewing this movie anyhow, cropped or in letterbox format? This is definitely a film for people BORN in the fifties and sixties. Yes, it's overlong! Yes, it's corny a lot of the time! Yes, it's often dull and even boring! And yes, I still enjoy it for all its faults! But I would be ten times happier if Disney had given me this film on DVD in the correct aspect ratio of 1.78:1 - with anamorphic enhancement, of course! WHEN WILL THEY LEARN?

DVD vs VHS
I have been familiar with this film since I worked for Disney in 16mm film distribution in the 1970s. I started at Disney after just coming back from Europe, so the French settings were nice to revisit.

I am very familiar with the various negatives of this film. I agree with several reviewers that a DVD should contain the best possible picture and sound element. It should also present the film in its original, projected aspect ratio, which for BON VOYAGE was 1:85.1 (Academy 'flat') which gives the film a slight, rectangular image. However, full frame, 4 by 3 transfers of 1:85x1 pictures are not necessarily all that bad. You loose a little picture on the sides, but not really that much. Some work could have been done on color correcting, although the DVD's 'look' exactly matches the projected film.

I also agree that a few 'extras' would have been nice, even just the theatrical trailer. Walt Disney filmed 'everything' to do with his studio's product, so there must be a good amount of 'extras' for BON VOYAGE in the Disney film vaults. Why aren't they included?

Anyway, it's still nice to have this some-what overlong film back on the market. I grabbed a copy at BestBuy as soon as I spotted it. I have always felt that it was about 20 minutes too long, and that it incorporated two scenes (Fred McMurray and the French prostitute in Paris, and the attempted extortion of son Elliot on the Riviera) that should not have been in the script. The film might have done better with its intended audience. Tommy Kirk's performance as Elliot, however, is a treasure; he was a very polished actor, and gave wonderful comic relief it wasn't 'mugging' but was built solely out of his character.

Look for one mistake the original director made, and it's in the original negative, although it shouldn't have been included. When McMurray punches the Casanova in the casino at the film's end, immediately go frame by frame for a few seconds and you can see the sound stage floor, complete with ladders for the cameras, and even some of the crew in the background.

Some of the scenes bettween McMurray and James Callan (father to young suitor) still resonate even in today's society. And McMurray lost in the Paris sewers is still very funny.

THey ruined BOn VOyage!
I would like to quote a previous reviewer

"No wonder the company is about to be taken over and broken up -- DVD was introduced to be an alternative to video, to offer more than video: better picture, more extras, and most importantly, more picture. Letterboxing. Widescreen. The complete image. So what does Disney do? They take some of their most beloved live-action films such as this one, and dump it on DVD in full-frame editions. What is the point of that? Who isn't used to widescreen DVDs yet? Why should I waste my money replacing my old Disney videos with the same crappy full screen image as before? Disney just doesn't get it, and their sales show it. Quote From Viewer From New York"

I just watched it for the first time I bought it when it came out but didn't watch until today. In fact I am watching the DVD as I right htis review. I agree with you completely. The best part about it were the menus.

DISNEY DOESN'T GET IT!!!!!!
No wonder the company is about to be taken over and broken up -- DVD was introduced to be an alternative to video, to offer more than video: better picture, more extras, and most importantly, more picture. Letterboxing. Widescreen. The complete image. So what does Disney do? They take some of their most beloved live-action films such as this one, and dump it on DVD in full-frame editions. What is the point of that? Who isn't used to widescreen DVDs yet? Why should I waste my money replacing my old Disney videos with the same crappy full screen image as before? Disney just doesn't get it, and their sales show it.

BON VOYAGE!
I just ordered my dVD today from amazon.com

I have a VHS of it that I bought when it came out in 1986 but I was so anxious for this dVD to come out.

I wish that there were going to be special features on it but I bought it anyways.

Harry Willard(Fred MacMurray) and his wife Katie (Jane Wyman) go on a sea voyage to beautiful France with their 3 children. Amy (Deborah Walley) Elliot (Tommy Kirk) and Skipper(Kevin Corcoran). Amy is dead happy about the trip, Elliot couldn't care less, and Skipper is just happy anyplace. This movie starts out @ the Shipping Office in New York City. Where Amy runs into Playboy Nicholas O'Marra (Michael Callan) well they set sail on the classic ship S.S. Pacific ? I can't remember the exact name. And they have a lot of adventures on the boat. WHen they get to Paris they first go to the Eifel Tower. But Amy runs into Nick and that fumes Harry because He can't stand Nick. Well the movie rolls along and it has a lot of funny scenes. Like when Harry gets lost in the Sewer System of Paris. And when Harry meets the Lady with the mustache (ooh what a disgusting occurance). This movie ends when Harry punches the evil Rudolph for making advances to his wife in a Casino in the French Riviera. Watch for the grand theme song. Which is my favorite part of the movie.

I have been waiting for years for this movie to come out on DVD. ... Read more

Reviews (28)

A True TriMark
TriMark Home Entertainment makes some of the worst movies ever. If you know of a movie that you think was really bad it was most likely made by TriMark. The Leprechaun series are pretty much the best movies TriMark has ever made. My other friends that have watched this movie and the rest of the series agree that Leprechaun 3 is the best(not saying it's good or anything). A storekeeper buys a statue of the leprechaun. The person he purchased the statue from warned him to never touch the medallion that hung around the leprechaun's neck. Of course the storekeeper takes the medallion and examines it only to find the statue gone when he goes to return the necklace. You guessed it! By taking the medallion the leprechaun was able to come to life and escape, but on his way out the leprechaun drops his gold coin. Before the leprechaun notices it's gone an underaged college student goes to sell his Rolex in order to get money to gamble with. Something on the computer in the store was talking about how you can have one wish when finding a leprechaun's gold coin. Obviously the guy finds the coin and wishes that he would get his money back that he had lost playing craps and be able to play with it again without loosing anything. The movie is then hard to follow and has some really stupid unnecessary scenes. I'd buy the movie anyways... I have it.

cool
this movie tells a lot about las vegas if you can look closely enough to see.he sure is ugly though.no stars here.its a touch on the violent side but isnt really scary at all.it is meant as a horror film but is hardly that at all.as with most horror films,it is low budget.the very fact that hes in las vegas seperates it from the other leprachaun films.it is easily the best of the set i think.there is no nudity either.most people will just think its stupid.i liked it though.

IT'S ALRIGHT, BUT IT'S STARTING TO GO A LITTLE BIT TOO FAR
THIS TIME, THE LEPRECHAUN RETURNS TO WREAK HAVOC IN LAS VEGAS. PRETTY MUCH AN AVERAGE HORROR SEQUEL. HAS SOME THRILLING MURDERS, BUT IT LACKS THE COOLNESS OF THE FIRST SEQUEL. I GUESS THIS ONE'S OK. BUT, THE NEXT MOVIE WOULDN'T TURN OUT SO GOOD.

He Keeps Going, and Going, and Going...
The first entry in the "Leprechaun" franchise arrived on the scene in 1993, with the second appearing as if by magic the following year. Why not keep the trend going and release "Leprechaun 3" in 1995? That is exactly what the movers and shakers behind the "Leprechaun" series did, probably thinking that striking a rapidly cooling griddle is better than striking one when it is ice cold. Once again calling on diminutive star Warwick Davis to play the wicked elf, the individuals responsible for "Leprechaun 3" decided to move the setting to Las Vegas where the lure of bright lights and the thrill of gambling could provide a suitable backdrop for the machinations of the leprechaun. Does this move work? Sort of, even though "Leprechaun 3" suffers from numerous problems that only get worse from this point on: atrocious acting, increasingly lame sight gags and jokes, cheaper budgets, annoying characters, and a failure to follow rules established in earlier films. Despite these glaring failings, "Leprechaun 3" is really the last film I am able to say I enjoyed in the franchise. Parts four and five simply collapse under the weight of the aforementioned problems.

In "Leprechaun 3" the little beastie appears in Las Vegas when a haggard looking fella stumbles into a pawnshop lugging a big bundle. It turns out that this package is our old friend the leprechaun, frozen into a little statue due to some jeweled necklace. The guy sells the statue to the pawnshop owner for chump change and as quick as you can say "Begorrah," the greedy employee removes the necklace and unleashes the malevolent force that is Warwick Davis decked out in knickers and pepperoni faced makeup. The pot of gold appears as well, and since we all know by this time that the slimy sprite cannot stand to see humans pawing his precious coins, the pawnshop guy promptly incurs the wrath of the little devil. It is also during these opening sequences that we learn the rules of the game have changed once again: now the leprechaun cannot stand the presence of other leprechauns and his gold coins suddenly have the power to grant their possessor one wish. Obviously, this knowledge sets up the idea that another leprechaun will challenge Warwick Davis and that several people will find one of the coins and make wishes.

Enter Scott McCoy, an impressionable kid driving to Southern California so he can start school in a few weeks. He quickly meets local cutie Tammy Larsen, a young lady who works for a hack magician at the Shamrock, one of the cheaper looking casinos on the strip. Tammy agrees to sneak Scott into the casino so he can see what Las Vegas is all about, and it isn't too long before the inevitable happens. Scott gambles away the twenty thousand dollars his parents gave him for school and goes to the pawnshop where the leprechaun went on a bloody rampage. McCoy finds a coin, figures out how to make a wish, and wins big time at the tables. In the meantime, we follow Tammy's adventures with her unctuous boss Fazio and the lecherous owner of the casino named Mitch. Mitch owes some money to a couple of local goons (can't have a movie set in Las Vegas without a mafia reference, huh?), but really has an eye for Tammy's expansive cleavage. Rounding out the cast is casino employee Loretta, a big haired, screechy lady who spends way too much time lamenting the loss of her youthful figure. I won't spoil the unfolding hijinks for you, but most of the characters learn about the magic coin and make their greedy little wishes with often tragic, and gory, results. During the course of the movie, we see somebody swell up and explode, a body sawed in half, and a cheesy electrocution. It's all done in good fun and is occasionally entertaining.

I definitely appreciated a gorier, sleazier "Leprechaun" movie. What I didn't welcome was the acting, which certainly ranks as some of the poorest in the series (although not as bad as the Bridget character in the second film). The guy who plays Scott and the woman in the Tammy role are the worst offenders. Every time these two appeared on screen I could literally smell the sour odor of their performances wafting off of my television set. These two are so bad that even my DVD player belched derision over their ham handed antics. Fortunately, the other actors do slightly better, and Warwick Davis is great as always as the leprechaun. In fact, my favorite scene in the movie occurs when Davis is strolling down the streets of Las Vegas looking for his stolen coin. Here's this evil, ugly looking monster moving in and out of crowds of people and no one notices him! Moreover, he occasionally cackles loudly for no apparent reason during his jaunt. I laughed so hard over this scene that I watched it several more times just to get the full effect of the whole thing.

The DVD is the same as other Trimark "Leprechaun" discs. The picture transfer looks good and there are several trailers for this film and other installments in the series. After viewing all of the "Leprechaun" movies, I would like to see a commentary from Warwick Davis on at least one of these DVDs. I would like to hear what the man himself has to say about these films. Anyway, "Leprechaun 3" is worth watching if you have a couple of hours to spare and can't think of anything better to do. If nothing else, this movie is the only place you will ever see a flaming dwarf flying though the air, and that ought to be worth something.

bleehhhhhhh
god people, when will the horror end. now the bastards in Vegas making more murders because of his gold, thats the whole story of all the movies. his frickin gold. with mindnumbing supportees and bad directing. this is a toiletbowl mess.

favorite line in the whole movie
Leprechaun- there was an old man from O'Grass, his balls were made of brass and in stormy weather his balls clanked together and sparks flew out of his ass(this was hilarious) ... Read more

Reviews (28)

A True TriMark
TriMark Home Entertainment makes some of the worst movies ever. If you know of a movie that you think was really bad it was most likely made by TriMark. The Leprechaun series are pretty much the best movies TriMark has ever made. My other friends that have watched this movie and the rest of the series agree that Leprechaun 3 is the best(not saying it's good or anything). A storekeeper buys a statue of the leprechaun. The person he purchased the statue from warned him to never touch the medallion that hung around the leprechaun's neck. Of course the storekeeper takes the medallion and examines it only to find the statue gone when he goes to return the necklace. You guessed it! By taking the medallion the leprechaun was able to come to life and escape, but on his way out the leprechaun drops his gold coin. Before the leprechaun notices it's gone an underaged college student goes to sell his Rolex in order to get money to gamble with. Something on the computer in the store was talking about how you can have one wish when finding a leprechaun's gold coin. Obviously the guy finds the coin and wishes that he would get his money back that he had lost playing craps and be able to play with it again without loosing anything. The movie is then hard to follow and has some really stupid unnecessary scenes. I'd buy the movie anyways... I have it.

cool
this movie tells a lot about las vegas if you can look closely enough to see.he sure is ugly though.no stars here.its a touch on the violent side but isnt really scary at all.it is meant as a horror film but is hardly that at all.as with most horror films,it is low budget.the very fact that hes in las vegas seperates it from the other leprachaun films.it is easily the best of the set i think.there is no nudity either.most people will just think its stupid.i liked it though.

IT'S ALRIGHT, BUT IT'S STARTING TO GO A LITTLE BIT TOO FAR
THIS TIME, THE LEPRECHAUN RETURNS TO WREAK HAVOC IN LAS VEGAS. PRETTY MUCH AN AVERAGE HORROR SEQUEL. HAS SOME THRILLING MURDERS, BUT IT LACKS THE COOLNESS OF THE FIRST SEQUEL. I GUESS THIS ONE'S OK. BUT, THE NEXT MOVIE WOULDN'T TURN OUT SO GOOD.

He Keeps Going, and Going, and Going...
The first entry in the "Leprechaun" franchise arrived on the scene in 1993, with the second appearing as if by magic the following year. Why not keep the trend going and release "Leprechaun 3" in 1995? That is exactly what the movers and shakers behind the "Leprechaun" series did, probably thinking that striking a rapidly cooling griddle is better than striking one when it is ice cold. Once again calling on diminutive star Warwick Davis to play the wicked elf, the individuals responsible for "Leprechaun 3" decided to move the setting to Las Vegas where the lure of bright lights and the thrill of gambling could provide a suitable backdrop for the machinations of the leprechaun. Does this move work? Sort of, even though "Leprechaun 3" suffers from numerous problems that only get worse from this point on: atrocious acting, increasingly lame sight gags and jokes, cheaper budgets, annoying characters, and a failure to follow rules established in earlier films. Despite these glaring failings, "Leprechaun 3" is really the last film I am able to say I enjoyed in the franchise. Parts four and five simply collapse under the weight of the aforementioned problems.

In "Leprechaun 3" the little beastie appears in Las Vegas when a haggard looking fella stumbles into a pawnshop lugging a big bundle. It turns out that this package is our old friend the leprechaun, frozen into a little statue due to some jeweled necklace. The guy sells the statue to the pawnshop owner for chump change and as quick as you can say "Begorrah," the greedy employee removes the necklace and unleashes the malevolent force that is Warwick Davis decked out in knickers and pepperoni faced makeup. The pot of gold appears as well, and since we all know by this time that the slimy sprite cannot stand to see humans pawing his precious coins, the pawnshop guy promptly incurs the wrath of the little devil. It is also during these opening sequences that we learn the rules of the game have changed once again: now the leprechaun cannot stand the presence of other leprechauns and his gold coins suddenly have the power to grant their possessor one wish. Obviously, this knowledge sets up the idea that another leprechaun will challenge Warwick Davis and that several people will find one of the coins and make wishes.

Enter Scott McCoy, an impressionable kid driving to Southern California so he can start school in a few weeks. He quickly meets local cutie Tammy Larsen, a young lady who works for a hack magician at the Shamrock, one of the cheaper looking casinos on the strip. Tammy agrees to sneak Scott into the casino so he can see what Las Vegas is all about, and it isn't too long before the inevitable happens. Scott gambles away the twenty thousand dollars his parents gave him for school and goes to the pawnshop where the leprechaun went on a bloody rampage. McCoy finds a coin, figures out how to make a wish, and wins big time at the tables. In the meantime, we follow Tammy's adventures with her unctuous boss Fazio and the lecherous owner of the casino named Mitch. Mitch owes some money to a couple of local goons (can't have a movie set in Las Vegas without a mafia reference, huh?), but really has an eye for Tammy's expansive cleavage. Rounding out the cast is casino employee Loretta, a big haired, screechy lady who spends way too much time lamenting the loss of her youthful figure. I won't spoil the unfolding hijinks for you, but most of the characters learn about the magic coin and make their greedy little wishes with often tragic, and gory, results. During the course of the movie, we see somebody swell up and explode, a body sawed in half, and a cheesy electrocution. It's all done in good fun and is occasionally entertaining.

I definitely appreciated a gorier, sleazier "Leprechaun" movie. What I didn't welcome was the acting, which certainly ranks as some of the poorest in the series (although not as bad as the Bridget character in the second film). The guy who plays Scott and the woman in the Tammy role are the worst offenders. Every time these two appeared on screen I could literally smell the sour odor of their performances wafting off of my television set. These two are so bad that even my DVD player belched derision over their ham handed antics. Fortunately, the other actors do slightly better, and Warwick Davis is great as always as the leprechaun. In fact, my favorite scene in the movie occurs when Davis is strolling down the streets of Las Vegas looking for his stolen coin. Here's this evil, ugly looking monster moving in and out of crowds of people and no one notices him! Moreover, he occasionally cackles loudly for no apparent reason during his jaunt. I laughed so hard over this scene that I watched it several more times just to get the full effect of the whole thing.

The DVD is the same as other Trimark "Leprechaun" discs. The picture transfer looks good and there are several trailers for this film and other installments in the series. After viewing all of the "Leprechaun" movies, I would like to see a commentary from Warwick Davis on at least one of these DVDs. I would like to hear what the man himself has to say about these films. Anyway, "Leprechaun 3" is worth watching if you have a couple of hours to spare and can't think of anything better to do. If nothing else, this movie is the only place you will ever see a flaming dwarf flying though the air, and that ought to be worth something.

bleehhhhhhh
god people, when will the horror end. now the bastards in Vegas making more murders because of his gold, thats the whole story of all the movies. his frickin gold. with mindnumbing supportees and bad directing. this is a toiletbowl mess.

favorite line in the whole movie
Leprechaun- there was an old man from O'Grass, his balls were made of brass and in stormy weather his balls clanked together and sparks flew out of his ass(this was hilarious) ... Read more

Reviews (28)

A True TriMark
TriMark Home Entertainment makes some of the worst movies ever. If you know of a movie that you think was really bad it was most likely made by TriMark. The Leprechaun series are pretty much the best movies TriMark has ever made. My other friends that have watched this movie and the rest of the series agree that Leprechaun 3 is the best(not saying it's good or anything). A storekeeper buys a statue of the leprechaun. The person he purchased the statue from warned him to never touch the medallion that hung around the leprechaun's neck. Of course the storekeeper takes the medallion and examines it only to find the statue gone when he goes to return the necklace. You guessed it! By taking the medallion the leprechaun was able to come to life and escape, but on his way out the leprechaun drops his gold coin. Before the leprechaun notices it's gone an underaged college student goes to sell his Rolex in order to get money to gamble with. Something on the computer in the store was talking about how you can have one wish when finding a leprechaun's gold coin. Obviously the guy finds the coin and wishes that he would get his money back that he had lost playing craps and be able to play with it again without loosing anything. The movie is then hard to follow and has some really stupid unnecessary scenes. I'd buy the movie anyways... I have it.

cool
this movie tells a lot about las vegas if you can look closely enough to see.he sure is ugly though.no stars here.its a touch on the violent side but isnt really scary at all.it is meant as a horror film but is hardly that at all.as with most horror films,it is low budget.the very fact that hes in las vegas seperates it from the other leprachaun films.it is easily the best of the set i think.there is no nudity either.most people will just think its stupid.i liked it though.

IT'S ALRIGHT, BUT IT'S STARTING TO GO A LITTLE BIT TOO FAR
THIS TIME, THE LEPRECHAUN RETURNS TO WREAK HAVOC IN LAS VEGAS. PRETTY MUCH AN AVERAGE HORROR SEQUEL. HAS SOME THRILLING MURDERS, BUT IT LACKS THE COOLNESS OF THE FIRST SEQUEL. I GUESS THIS ONE'S OK. BUT, THE NEXT MOVIE WOULDN'T TURN OUT SO GOOD.

He Keeps Going, and Going, and Going...
The first entry in the "Leprechaun" franchise arrived on the scene in 1993, with the second appearing as if by magic the following year. Why not keep the trend going and release "Leprechaun 3" in 1995? That is exactly what the movers and shakers behind the "Leprechaun" series did, probably thinking that striking a rapidly cooling griddle is better than striking one when it is ice cold. Once again calling on diminutive star Warwick Davis to play the wicked elf, the individuals responsible for "Leprechaun 3" decided to move the setting to Las Vegas where the lure of bright lights and the thrill of gambling could provide a suitable backdrop for the machinations of the leprechaun. Does this move work? Sort of, even though "Leprechaun 3" suffers from numerous problems that only get worse from this point on: atrocious acting, increasingly lame sight gags and jokes, cheaper budgets, annoying characters, and a failure to follow rules established in earlier films. Despite these glaring failings, "Leprechaun 3" is really the last film I am able to say I enjoyed in the franchise. Parts four and five simply collapse under the weight of the aforementioned problems.

In "Leprechaun 3" the little beastie appears in Las Vegas when a haggard looking fella stumbles into a pawnshop lugging a big bundle. It turns out that this package is our old friend the leprechaun, frozen into a little statue due to some jeweled necklace. The guy sells the statue to the pawnshop owner for chump change and as quick as you can say "Begorrah," the greedy employee removes the necklace and unleashes the malevolent force that is Warwick Davis decked out in knickers and pepperoni faced makeup. The pot of gold appears as well, and since we all know by this time that the slimy sprite cannot stand to see humans pawing his precious coins, the pawnshop guy promptly incurs the wrath of the little devil. It is also during these opening sequences that we learn the rules of the game have changed once again: now the leprechaun cannot stand the presence of other leprechauns and his gold coins suddenly have the power to grant their possessor one wish. Obviously, this knowledge sets up the idea that another leprechaun will challenge Warwick Davis and that several people will find one of the coins and make wishes.

Enter Scott McCoy, an impressionable kid driving to Southern California so he can start school in a few weeks. He quickly meets local cutie Tammy Larsen, a young lady who works for a hack magician at the Shamrock, one of the cheaper looking casinos on the strip. Tammy agrees to sneak Scott into the casino so he can see what Las Vegas is all about, and it isn't too long before the inevitable happens. Scott gambles away the twenty thousand dollars his parents gave him for school and goes to the pawnshop where the leprechaun went on a bloody rampage. McCoy finds a coin, figures out how to make a wish, and wins big time at the tables. In the meantime, we follow Tammy's adventures with her unctuous boss Fazio and the lecherous owner of the casino named Mitch. Mitch owes some money to a couple of local goons (can't have a movie set in Las Vegas without a mafia reference, huh?), but really has an eye for Tammy's expansive cleavage. Rounding out the cast is casino employee Loretta, a big haired, screechy lady who spends way too much time lamenting the loss of her youthful figure. I won't spoil the unfolding hijinks for you, but most of the characters learn about the magic coin and make their greedy little wishes with often tragic, and gory, results. During the course of the movie, we see somebody swell up and explode, a body sawed in half, and a cheesy electrocution. It's all done in good fun and is occasionally entertaining.

I definitely appreciated a gorier, sleazier "Leprechaun" movie. What I didn't welcome was the acting, which certainly ranks as some of the poorest in the series (although not as bad as the Bridget character in the second film). The guy who plays Scott and the woman in the Tammy role are the worst offenders. Every time these two appeared on screen I could literally smell the sour odor of their performances wafting off of my television set. These two are so bad that even my DVD player belched derision over their ham handed antics. Fortunately, the other actors do slightly better, and Warwick Davis is great as always as the leprechaun. In fact, my favorite scene in the movie occurs when Davis is strolling down the streets of Las Vegas looking for his stolen coin. Here's this evil, ugly looking monster moving in and out of crowds of people and no one notices him! Moreover, he occasionally cackles loudly for no apparent reason during his jaunt. I laughed so hard over this scene that I watched it several more times just to get the full effect of the whole thing.

The DVD is the same as other Trimark "Leprechaun" discs. The picture transfer looks good and there are several trailers for this film and other installments in the series. After viewing all of the "Leprechaun" movies, I would like to see a commentary from Warwick Davis on at least one of these DVDs. I would like to hear what the man himself has to say about these films. Anyway, "Leprechaun 3" is worth watching if you have a couple of hours to spare and can't think of anything better to do. If nothing else, this movie is the only place you will ever see a flaming dwarf flying though the air, and that ought to be worth something.

bleehhhhhhh
god people, when will the horror end. now the bastards in Vegas making more murders because of his gold, thats the whole story of all the movies. his frickin gold. with mindnumbing supportees and bad directing. this is a toiletbowl mess.

favorite line in the whole movie
Leprechaun- there was an old man from O'Grass, his balls were made of brass and in stormy weather his balls clanked together and sparks flew out of his ass(this was hilarious) ... Read more

Amazon.com

Carol Lynley stars as the guileless young woman who becomes the sole heir to eccentric millionaire Wilfrid Hyde-White's fortune in this remake of the Paul Leni silent-film classic. But there's a catch: all the surviving relatives must spend the night in the old mansion. If she dies or is judged insane within the next 12 hours a new heir will be named, and, as if a house full of greedy relatives isn't enough, a homicidal maniac is on the loose, or so informs asylum director Edward Fox, making a dramatic swashbuckling entrance crashing through the library window like a British Zorro. Radley Metzger, best known for his elegant erotic dramas and racy romantic comedies, steps out of the genre that made his name since his debut film Dark Odyssey. With tongue firmly in cheek he refigures the old, dark house farce as a British comedy of manners, nicely capturing the clipped delivery and witty repartee of the drawing-room comedy at the expense of the thrills and chills that make Leni's original so memorable. It's a stylishly handsome and often clever film (the reading of the will, with brash Hyde-White hosting from beyond the grave through the magic of home movies, is an inspired highlight), but it never achieves any tension or terror. Honor Blackman, Wendy Hiller, Daniel Massey, and Olivia Hussey costar. --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Fun adaptation of classic stage thriller!
Carol Lynley looks like she's having a ball in this fun, creepy version of the stage play about a bunch of would-be heirs stuck spending the night in a house of horrors. If your kids are planning a slumber party, or you're in the mood for Drive-In fare, this is an entertaining choice for your movie viewing!

Spend your money on a different Cat & The Canary version!!!
I bought this DVD in hopes it would be great but instead I find it to be just an average film. This story has been done different times and I can tell you that the absolute best version is the Bob Hope version (Cat and The Canary 1939). That film unfortunately isn't available. Another good version which is available is the silent one from around 1927 and it does a good job too. If I were you, I would try to locate those versions before ever getting this version. Don't get me wrong, this film isn't bad but it just doesn't stand up to the other 2 versions. The premise is as follows on this 1978 version: Glencliff Manor, 1934. A dark/stormy night. The family of a deceased millionaire has been summoned for the reading of his final will and testiment. An unexpected visitor arrives, the chief psychologist from the local mental hospital who is searching for a dangerous criminal escapee. Turn off the lights and you can enjoy this one but I am spoiled by the 2 far better versions so please if you can, see the 1939 Cat and The Canary with Bob Hope and or see the silent 1927 version. Those I promise will make you forget this one.

Oddly appealling
There is something about this film I find oddly appealing. The first half is a wonderful character study while the second half falls into third rate who done it. The quality of the DVD is not what I would normally expect, some scratches, etc. but I found myself watching it several times reliving the joy it gave me many years ago when I first discovered it. It is good entertainment. Favorite line, "except the moth".

At Last: A Superb and Fun Chiller For the Faint of Heart!!
The year is 1934. Precisely twenty years has passed since the timely death of Cyrus West. And now, since where there is a will, there's a way--It's time to celebrate!--One of our lucky guests (all of whom are related) will inherit a fortune via a reading from beyond the grave! This whimsical film is designed for an intelligent audience. Its characters are (with a few dastardly exceptions) highly likable people engaging in interesting conversations. Exclusively filmed in London, England, we soon find ourselves surrounded by a most fitting ambiance: Spooky house, too much floor space, constant downpour, a frequent roar of thunder, and the most wonderful indoor fire one could imagine! It's great--In fact perfect--For anyone who is a chicken at heart but wants desperately to enjoy a horror movie! You see, it seems the technical crew didn't quite want to really frighten us. Perhaps the intention was just to get us thinking a bit. For one thing, no one seems concerned about (what is certain to be) a shocking electric bill as the lighting is near brilliant at all times (obviously, the old and remarkable mansion wasn't refurbished with dimmer switches)! Dinner is served, the main course being "Bombay Chicken (with extra curry)". "I think this chicken died in 1914," announces one uninhibited soul. Next come the creeping shadows ("only the shadow knows"), secret passageways, escape hatches, screams in the night, a character who disappears in the middle of conversation, an old clock that starts to chime but never finishes, and yes, even a beautiful black cat. Enter (speaking of beauty) actress Olivia Hussey ("Cicily Young") who proves she is equally splendid with make-up as she is without (for suitable comparison, please see her in the notorious "Black Christmas" which is most definitely NOT for the faint of heart). Olivia does it a lot with her eyes not to mention a very appropriate and low cut red dress. At one point, left in the bedroom by herself a bit too long, "Cicily" remarks (upon her roommates' eventual return), "Where have you been?"; Roommate: "Not far."; Cicily: "Being alone in this place gives me the double creeps." Also joining the party are a host of charming characters who are dressed quite stiffly in formal attire consistent with the time period. There's "Harry", a naturally likable chap; The wrinkly "Mrs. Pleasant"; Mrs. Crosby (full of stately mannerisms); The lovely "Annabelle" (wrinkle free); "Susan", outspoken, and in need of a large mole being removed from the left side of her face); And "Paul", a fine gentleman but also Annabelle's "kissin' cousin". There's also a surprise guest from "down the way" who comes barging on the scene to announce (in Paul Revere fashion), "There's an escaped homicidal maniac on the loose who has escaped from a home for the criminally insane!" . . . "We're just up the road," he adds. Furthermore, he always tries to get in A HOUSE whenever he escapes! Then he likes to hide! "I'm asking everyone in the area to lock themselves in until morning," adds this bearer of "good tidings". This provokes quite a reaction among the genetically predispositioned (mental illness happens to run in the family) ("Remember: Cream first, and coffee later"). A couple of gems: "I don't know why I should be glum"; "Well, I wasn't mad when I came here, but I certainly will be soon!" Get a grip! The relatives can all take comfort in knowing that Mr. West knows something they don't! None of us thought it would turn into this type of evening, but not to worry: All of the jolts are left in Dr. Frankenstein's laboratory. ... Read more