Reviews (339)

A true masterpiece! A 5 star winner and a true classic!
The Wizard of Oz has got to be one of the greatest movies in classical and musical cinema history. For sixty years this movie has been the perfect choice for childeren and adults to watch and enjoy. The story is about Dorthy Gale who lives in Kansas with her aunt and uncle. When Dorthy decides to run away from home because of her feelings being empty a tornado hits and she and her house are taken to another world, the Land of Oz. A place where she finds friends like she never imagined like Glinda the good witch of the north, the beautiful witch who gives her the rubey slippers which posses power like any unknown. The scarecrow, a friendly man of clothing and straw who wants a brian, the tin woodsman, a sweet man made of tin who wants a heart, the lion, a kind and cowardly forest animal who wants courage and the wicked witch of the west, a evil witch who wants the rubey slippers and revenge on Dorthy for accidently killing her sister, the wicked witch of the east. As Dorthy and her friends follow the yellow brick to the emerald city, the place where the great and powerful and mysterious Wizard of Oz lives the magic of this film can tell the rest.

A true masterpiece! Excellent polt, characters, music and more. It holds an emotional presents that will touch everyone's heart and wish they were in the Land of Oz! See it and live through the magic of this timeless classical film of wonders.

An OZ-some DVD Experience
Like most baby boomers, I've watched this film dozens of times in the past on broadcast TV, then VHS tape, then LaserDisc ... but I had never actually SEEN "The Wizard of Oz" until this newly restored DVD came out. It's an amazing transfer. The sepia-tone Kansas sequences are startlingly sharp and clear, and the Technicolored world "Over the Rainbow" is truly dazzling. I found myself fascinated by details I had never noticed before: the glittering corn stalks in the Scarecrow's field; the mirror-like floors of the Emerald City; the polished buttons on the guardsmen's uniforms. Incredibly, even the individual grains of red sand in the Witch's hourglass stood out and glistened! All these minor-but-sumptuous visual details served to heighten the magical spell that the film has always woven, enhancing the performances, the story, and the music.

The DVD extras are a mind-boggling embarrassment of riches. The "Making Of" documentary hosted by the incomparable Angela Lansbury is worth the price of the DVD alone, but there's so much more: an international poster gallery, interviews with cast members, deleted scenes, production stills, radio clips, etc, etc. There's enough material to keep even the most casual viewer fascinated for hours, and a true Oz buff will be occupied for days!

If you only bought a DVD player to watch this one disc, it would well be worth the expense. Treat yourself, and fall in love with this classic film again ... for the first time.

The Wonderful Movie of Oz
I have been enchanted as I now watch the movie as an adult. It is not just a story about a girl from Kansas trying to get back home - actually, that was added into the movie: "There's no place like home" wasn't in the book even. I think it was a story of things that we want, and that we imagine these things may be granted by the Wonderful Wizard of Oz. The scarecrow wants a brain, the tinman a heart, and the lion courage. On their journey off to see the wizard, they encounter the wicked witch of the west - who is determined to get the ruby slippers off of Dorothy's feet. Now, the thing I am puzzled by is at the beginning, Glinda is the one who reminds the wicked witch about the shoes. Then she is the one who places them on Dorothy's feet: "There they are and there they'll stay." Had she not had the shoes, her journey to the wizard would not have been so troublesome. Not to mention that the "good witch" sent Dorothy on a journey to a phony wizard. I wonder now if there was some kind of irony in that - since she was also the one who in the end tells Dorothy that all she has to do is click her heels together and say "there 's no place like home." While the movie is totally a classic I love and will watch over and over again, I am wondering about the book: Were the "ruby slippers" (which were silver in the novel) as magical - and - if there was no "no place like home" in the novel then I am wondering how Dorothy got back to Kansas. I think that because each time I watch this film I realize something new, it will always remain one of my favorite movies ever.

The Wizard of Oz is wonderful
The classic film! The Wizard of Oz is wonderful. Judy Garland's breakthrough performance. Beautiful.

Growing Up, Growing On
I knew every line of this as a kid. I loved the books. I even loved the sequel that everyone else hated because I love OZ. I tried to be "over" this movie for a long time as an adult. But every time I see it I re-remember why I couldn't get enough before. The quintessential fairy tale. All kids and all adults should watch it again to remind them that a movie can work without sex, violence or graphic anything really. It's scary -- touching -- and completely engrossing -- more so each year I grow older. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

The Great Caruso..tape..
It took the longest to get here for whatever
reason..I don't know.. I wrote to the seller and he wrote
back..which made me happy.. I love the tape.. Fondly,

Mario Lanza at his Best
Mario Lanza displays his supurb talent in this music filled video and if you aren't already a fan "The Great Caruso" will make you one. The musical selections in this video are unsurpassed. A video you will watch over and over.
Beverly J Scott author of Righteous Revenge

Lanza, still the best!
I have been in love with this movie since first seeing it in the theater when I was a child. I am watching it again today, and it is still very good. I am moved by his singing like no one else's. The movie has so many musical numbers, it is wonderful. I just wonder why there was never a sound track from the movie, at least I have never been able to find it. The Ava Maria number still brings tears to my eyes!

A wonderful movie!
I really enjoyed this film, and would give it more stars if I could. Mario Lanza has such a beautiful and heavenly voice.

He is also a great actor as well. A great movie about the life of the Great Caruso. Well worth watching.

The perfect introduction to opera
This movie can truly be called life-changing. It certainly changed my life; I was totally ignorant of opera before a chance re-run of this movie introduced me to a whole new musical world. As it turned out, I was in illustrious company. There is not a single contemporary tenor of note who was not inspired by this movie.

Let's be honest from the outset: the movie bears little resemblance to the real Caruso's life, and, yes, it is corny in the grand tradition of Hollywood musicals. But who cares? Lanza's singing is perfection itself, and his vibrant personality overflows in practically every scene. The rest of the cast is good, with top-notch operatic singers Blanche Thebom, Giuseppe Valdengo, et al providing Lanza with some worthy (and rare) vocal support.

Highlights include a superb Vesti la Giubba, a moving Ave Maria and a rapturous Because. In all the movie contains 27 vocal items, with not a dull moment to be found amongst them.

See this movie and revel in a unique vocal talent. In the words of one admirer, Mario Lanza could "outsing the entire Mormon Tabernacle Choir", and the movie is a stark reminder of how bland today's singing idols really are. Viva il grande Lanza! ... Read more

Reviews (21)

Now isnt that him???
The first time I saw this movie ,someone told me that there is actually a scene in which Mario Lanza does indeed appear.... after about the third time, I think I found it....It is the scene in the cathedral after the King dies and the Prince is singing "I'll walk with God". Not the close up, mind you, but the very long wide angle shot. That said, regardless of why Lanza was fired or quit or got too fat(All stories that go around).This is a delightful old fashioned film. Edmund Purdom does an admirable job(especially of the dubbed songs)in a really tough turn.Ann Blyth is a perfect Kathy and the supporting cast is among the best.What a hoot to see Richard Anderson and John Ireland as the leaders of the rival corps. I dont suppose they could really sing either,but...
An all around good time!

Beautiful music...Heartbreaking Story
I will not recap the story behind this beautiful musical....other reviewers have done this well. All I want to say is be prepared to be delighted by the music and destroyed by the ending of the story. No matter how many times I've seen The Student Prince I end up a whimpering mess at it's conclusion. Very bittersweet and all too real, impossible love situations destroy me. That look on Ann Blyth's face, as the Prince she loves but cannot have visits her one last time, haunts me well after the film concludes, at which time I'm crying like a baby. In fact, as I write these sentences I'm crying again!! Too bad that Mario Lanza was not given the acting role (for whatever reason). We do get to hear his glorious singing voice dubbed with actor Edmund Purdom doing a credible acting job. But it is the radiant Ann Blyth (with her own beautiful singing voice) that steals the show for me, and I'm a gay man!! I only hope the DVD will follow soon.
Recommended for all lovers of romance. Have the tissues ready for the ending.

Mario's Voice and Edmund's Body
Mario Lanza was slated to star in this great movie. Unfortunately, he gained a lot of weight and was replaced - not just directorial differences, but Lanza's eating/drinking were taking him over - a sad by-product of fame for some. Edmund Purdom is not Lanza but he does make a handsome prince. When I first saw the close-ups, I noticed that the synching wasn't quite in-synch...but one soon forgives and forgets. This is a lovely story with outstanding music - in all, a delight.

excellent musical.
"The Student Prince," with Ann Blyth and Mario Lanza is a wonderful and beautiful film. I so enjoy it. It's colorful such a great fairytale and some of the best songs. Mario Lanza and Ann Blyth are great actors abd singers. The costumes and scenery deserve a award. A must see film well worth watching many times.

Lanza Was Right... the Directing is Terrible!
This is the worst film to feature Lanza in any way. Lanza and the Director just couldn't get along and I can see why. The Director has poor Edmund walking his wooden way through this film while incongruously opening his mouth and emitting all of the unrestrained passion of Lanza's voice. Lanza wanted to play the Prince evolving from a disciplined Prussian into a passionate lover. The Director would not allow the metamorphosis. Lanza would have been great in this role, but he just couldn't tolerate what he thought (correctly, I believe) was the absurd juxtaposition of the sometimes sentimental other times pleading or romantic music/lyrics... with the Director's insistence that the lead be played almost devoid of emotion. It was Director vs. Mario and the result was that this is the film marks the beginning of the tragic end of Lanza's painfully brief career. ... Read more

Reviews (16)

Less is always more.
After seeing all the overstuffed bio-musicals which are paying homage to Kern, Rodgers, Hart, Gershwin, and the like, this one is a breath of fresh air because it is much simpler and more basic in its construction. Its two main leads (Fred Astaire and Red Skelton) do not take the material over-the-top; instead they underplay, and in Skelton's case, he is so subdued that he reveals a wonderful, sensitive, acting talent. The musical numbers, of course ("So Long Oolong," "I Wanna Be Loved By You," "Three Little Words"), speak for themselves. And Astaire and Vera-Ellen are sublime in the shipboard dance of "Thinking of You," as they dance around and over pieces of furniture in a stateroom large enough to accomodate a piano. Arlene Dahl and Gloria DeHaven are fine as well. And, of course, you have a pre-'Singin' In The Rain' Debbie Reynolds performing as the 'boop-boop-a-doop' girl Helen Kane- with voice provided by Kane herself!!

This is the greatest songwriting/dancing musical ever made!
I am only 12 years old, and my little sister is only 9, but "Nevertheless" (one of the songs in the movie) we're in love with it! Fred Astaire and Red Skelton play the roles of fabulous songwriters Bert Kalmar and Harry Ruby. The story is marvelous, the score beautiful, and the dancing performed by talented Astaire and Vera-Ellen tops many other teams! I highly request it if you have good taste in movies! And I guarantee you'll be singing yourself asleep with songs like "Three Little Words", "So-long Oo-Long", "Thinking of You", etc. Enjoy, cause I know I did!

Arlene Dahl IS GREAT, but underused
This is one of Astaire`s lesser known vehicles, but in my opinion - 1 of his very best. It was his own favorite movie. He is a delight co-starring with Red Skelton(his intense comic style is toned down here) and has a wonderful chemistry with the great dancer Vera-Ellen. The film is full of good songs and memorable supporting players including Gloria DeHaven(as her own mother Mrs Carter DeHaven), Debbie Reynolds(dubbed by Helen Kane) and Carleton Carpenter. Debbie and Carleton was reteamed in the Jane Powell film TWO WEEKS WITH LOVE and indeed stopped the show with "Aba-Daba Honeymoon".

But when the Norwegian actress Arlene Dahl enters the film; she brings the film a step further. Her beauty and charm makes u go wild and her "I Love You So Much"-number good and simply staged. Unfortunately her role as Eileen Percy - the silent movie star - is a minor 1, but she glows every time she`s in front of the camera.

Miss Dahl has visited her homeland many times and has done wonders for the Norwegian community in the States. She is also the mother of Lorenzo Lamas of Falcon Crest and Renegade fame.

Wish there were more dancing!
I absolutly love Fred Astaire, and I also like Vera-Ellen when I first saw her in White Christmas. WHen I found a movie with the two of them I was so excited to see two wonderful dancers together. But, unfortunatly they dance together only in the beginning when he hurts himself and then gives it up for song writing. Nevertheless, the movie was good and I enjoyed it, but if you want to see it because you look forward to lots and lots of good dancing with Fred and Vera-Ellen then you might be slighty dissapointed like I was.

Another fine Fred Astaire film...!
A brisk, enjoyable Fred Astaire flick, which features Fred and Red Skelton as the prolific Depression-era songwriting team of Bert Kalmar and Harry Ruby, who wrote standards such as "Whose Sorry Now," "Nevertheless," and "I Wanna Be Loved By You," known for its "boop-oop-a-doop" refrain, sung by squeeky-voiced Helen Kane. Astaire and Skelton play things pretty low-key in this straightforward potboiler; Skelton is particularly likeable with his big-lug interpretation of Ruby's personality and Astaire... Well, he's just Astaire, which is to say he's great -- wish maybe he'd danced a bit more in this one. The music is nice too, especially when they sing as a duet; the movie's only downside is the drab female leads, Arlene Dahl and Vera-Ellen, both of whom are a bit dull, and don't sing that well. All in all, though, an entertaining, pleasantly nostalgic film, well worth checking out. ... Read more

Reviews (19)

Elvis at his best
Elvis came of age as a dramatic character actor in his third film, utilising his innate animalism as the primary character's motivation. As Vince Everett, a violent young man imprisoned for man-slaughter, Elvis plays the character with ease, at once tender, surly, arrogant and humble. The film studio's motivation may have been to exploit the rock'n'roll bandwagon for all it was worth (this was 1957 after all - rock was just a "passing fad") but Elvis rose to a greater challenge - to prove that he could pass muster as a big-screen actor, AND fly the rock'n'roll flag. He succeeded - brilliantly.

Even if the direction is a little staid at times, and the storyline was an old one even then, the film brought rock'n'roll squarely into the adult marketplace, where it stayed.
Alex Romero's imaginative choreography of the title number(with not a little help from Elvis himself), risque dialogue ("that ain't tactics honey, it's just the beast in me") and the bleak, anti-social central character (the Hollywood stereotype of youth during the 50s - see "The Wild One" and "Blackboard Jungle") combined to create an iconic portrayal of the "Rock Rebel".
"Jailhouse Rock" remains the template for the cinematic fusion of rock music and drama.

The King at his cinematic best
A dynamic presentation of Elvis' true acting skills and some great songs. In an ironic reflection of real life, Vince Everett's [Elvis' character] cellmate plays a manipulative con, taking control of Elvis' talent - much like Elvis' real manager - "Colonel" Tom Parker.
Best seen in widescreen mode, the DVD offers both that opportunity, plus the standard full-screen pan & scan version.
A must-see movie, whether or not you are a fan of the King.

kick ass
elvis is the best musician ever im only 19 and i think hes awesome my role model

dodi
Purchased the tape recently and have enjoyed watching it several times. I haven't been a real fan of Elvis until recently and now I can't get enough. So far this is the first movie of him that I have seen. I think his acting was fine and I loved the songs in the movie. Looking foeward to the other movies I have also purchased. I prefer him in his younger years than in the seventies. I think it was a tragedy for him to have died so young. I wish I had paid more attention to him in the seventies while I was younger and he was still alive.

a very hot rock and roll movie
elvis at his very best, before his army days....
the sound track recordings for the movie and the
r.c.a. record are very good...

see this, and elvis will win you over..!! ... Read more

Reviews (11)

HOME SWEET HOME
Trying to choose a favorite episode in the most sophisticated detective spoof of all time is like trying to choose your favorite child! It's almost impossible for there's always something special about each one that tugs at your heart! So it is with The Thin Man Goes Home...as equally charming on it's own merit as all the others in this series. It's quite a slower pace than we're accustomed to, but then Nick and Nora do manage to get involved in a murder even when going back home to visit Nick's parents. Thankfully the plot involved here is at least understandable, while I was never able to follow Nick's reasoning in solving his other storylines! It's a great tribute to the charismatic personalities of William Powell and Mryna Loy that they continually hypnotized the audience into overlooking the screwy plots written for them. My only criticism is that Nick openly spanks Nora in front of his parents! It seemed a bit chauvinistic of Nick's character to exhibit such behavior and unlike Nora's strong independent nature to allow him to humiliate her in that respect. None the less, this flick is an important piece of classic movie history, and should be appreciated for the magnificient acting talents of it's two stars!

This movie was so good I popped my vest buttons!
This is the fourth sequel to the 1934 smash hit THE THIN MAN. Just when I would have thought the series was dead the producers and writers were able to add life to the franchise.

Nick goes home and of course gets dragged into another murder mystery. Nora, who by now should no longer be curious to see Nick solve a mystery, tries to get Nick to solve a murder mystery so he can impress his father the medical doctor. Nick's father had always hoped his son would have become a doctor and when Nick became a cop and then detective he looked down on him. As far as the mystery goes it follows the typical THIN MAN formula. A bunch of suspects are introduced and in the end Nick rounds them all up and reveals the killer.

The comedy is better than ever. Rather than have Nick always drinking and having jokes centered around his drinking Nick is now sober. The jokes are even funnier because everyone believes he is still a drunk and he just can't convince them otherwise. The scene in his Dad's parlor is hilarious. Nick is stone sober but due to a series of mishaps he is on the floor and appears to all to be drunk as ever. Also, when Nick recounts his childhood to Nora and tells her of his trips to the wood shed that brings back memories of my childhood and trips to the wood shed.

This is my second favorite THIN MAN movie. Right behind AFTER THE THIN MAN and just before the original THIN MAN. It is an almost perfect blend of mystery and comedy. Where the heck are the DVD's for all the THIN MAN movies?

"Has Nora Become 'Ordinaire'?"
A delightful change of pace from previous "Thin Man" movies -- no cutsie "little Nickie" and no annoying references to Nora as "mama."

Nick returns home, is faced with a mystery, and finally receives his father's praise. Most importanly, Nick's background is nicely developed. Obviously his brains and composure come from his father while his drinking problem and sometimes-irresponsibility are the result of an overweaning mother.

The plot unwinds with several twists and features an assortment of local small-town characters played by a wonderful supporting cast. (None of them are portrayed disparagingly, or negatively mocked or compared to "hip" New Yorkers.) The story moves along at a pleasant pace and of course Nick smoothly solves the mystery.

What's MOST interesting, however, is the transformation seen in Mrs. Charles -- Nora has become "ordinaire." The once strikingly beautiful, ultra-sophisticated woman is now a whining little wife. While once capable of exchanging rapier one-liners with a variety New York males, she now is reduced to self-consciously avoiding eye contact with a few appreciative men in a pool hall. She would have verbally decimated those guys in earlier movies. Can this be the same Nora who effortlessly reigned over parties on both coasts?

Nora's role seems to be that of her husband's cheerleader -- and an uninteresting one at that. Maybe she's trying to ingratiate herself with the family. And she looks...well....

While changes in fashion come and go, it's a pity to see Nora with an unflattering hairstyle and in uninteresting clothes. Maybe audiences in the 40's wanted different images from those in the '30s. Or maybe motherhood took a toll on Nora. Meanwhile Nick is more charming than ever -- and -- in a household without liquor! He's more than a drunk afterall. In fact we get new insight into Nick that will gratify his many fans.

This is a very good movie, do watch it.

No Small Town Is Safe When Nick And Nora Show Up
Nick and Nora go to a small town to visit Nick's parents in this installment. Of course, usually it's a quiet place where nothing exciting ever happens, but when the Charles show up, there's bound to be murder. There's an extra dose of humour in this story compared to the others in the series and the film has a strong supporting cast that includes Lucile Watson and Harry Davenport as the parents, Gloria DeHaven as a drama queen, Leon Ames as a mysterious art collector, and best of all, Anne Revere as the town's crazy woman. William Powell and Myrna Loy do their customary good job as the leads. The mystery was interesting, with some good twists, and other than needing a little tightening up in a few places, the film moves along well. Mystery fans will enjoy this entry.

Nick and Nora Visit the Folks.
This entry in the series is a change of pace. Instead of New York or San Francisco we have Sycamore Springs. Sycamore Springs looks as if it is just down the road from George Bailey's Bedford Falls. It's very Norman Rockwell. Lots of trees, picket fences, and big houses. Nick and Nora breeze into town to celebrate Nick's birthday with the folks. There are a variety of suspicious characters hanging around town. They get nervous when a famous detective arrives. There is, in fact, a murder. Right on the Charles' front porch. Nick and Nora's razor sharp repartee lost some of its edginess by this point in the series. This film gets disparaged as a step down in quality. Although some of the banter takes place over a wobbly piece of lawn furniture in the side yard rather than a cocktail shaker in a New York bar, dismissing the film as inferior is a mistake. Ozzie and Harriet interludes notwithstanding, this is fun for those who enjoy classic comedy. A hallmark of the series is that the murder is an excuse for humor. Not to make fun of murder, of course, but it's hilarious when Nora follows a suspect on a walk on the wild side. The WWII flavor of this flick adds to its old-fashioned charm. The mystery is of stolen propellor plans down at the local defense plant. The small town social mores are quaint. This movie is a good fit for fans of classic comedy, Thin Man fans, and collectors. Ownership is recommended. ;-) ... Read more

Amazon.com

Among the most exciting of MGM swashbucklers, Richard Thorpe's 1952 Ivanhoe stars Robert Taylor as the medieval hero of Sir Walter Scott's novel. Returning to England from the Third Crusades, Ivanhoe is steadfast in his determination to raise the ransom for the captured King Richard (Norman Wooland), but the effort is full of peril. First is Ivanhoe's reunion with his estranged father (Finlay Currie), a Saxon who hates the Norman king and refuses to give his son the money. Then there's Ivanhoe's unpopular rescue of a wealthy Jew, Isaac (Felix Aylmer), from anti-Semites, and the subsequent decision by Isaac's beautiful daughter, Rebecca (Elizabeth Taylor), to pay Ivanhoe's entry fee in a tournament. (The strapped knight seeks the tourney's cash prize.) Wait, it gets worse: two of Ivanhoe's closest associates (played by George Sanders and Robert Douglas) collude with Richard's evil brother, Prince John (Guy Rolfe), to discredit their friend and steal away Rebecca and another woman, Rowena (Joan Fontaine)--who also fancies Ivanhoe--for themselves. Yes, the situation looks grim, but surprise appearances by a couple of legendary hero types toward the end help level the playing field. Nonstop adventure to make one swoon, Ivanhoe is a gorgeous treat and reasonably faithful to the Age of Chivalry. Things worked out so well for this film, Thorpe and Taylor got together the next year to make Knights of the Round Table. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Very Good Rendition of the Sir Walter Scott Classic Tale!
Robert Taylor and Director Richard Thorpe team up for their first of two (Knights of the Round Table in 1953) epic tales of noble knights and beautiful damsels in this well made adaptation of the 1819 Sir Walter Scott classic, nominated in 1952 for three Academy Awards, including Best Picture. It is, of course, the classic retelling of one man's, Wilfred of Ivanhoe, quest to restore Richard The Lion-Hearted (Norman Wooland) to the throne stolen by his evil brother, Prince John (Guy Rolfe). But with all it's feats of derring-do, this version is also a tender tale of love. Robert Taylor stars as the intrepid Saxon knight-errant Wilfred of Ivanhoe, who is charmed by not one fair lady, but two; the stunningly beautiful Rebecca (Elizabeth Taylor) and the stately Saxon princess Rowena (Joan Fontaine). In striking contrast to this romantic feast, there is the malevolent Sir Brian De Bois-Guilbert (George Sanders), Ivanhoe's deadly enemy and constant threat. This film features some very authentic looking and spectacular fighting sequences and is sure to become a favorite film of students of 12th-century English history. Filmed entirely on location in Great Britain, this movie is very rich in detail, including costumes and weaponry. Very representative of the Metro Goldwyn Mayer classics, this is a very good film somewhat typical of the film making of this decade, but still good enough to be enjoyed in modern day. If you somehow missed this one, give it a look; An excellent movie !!!

Very Good Rendition of the Sir Walter Scott Classic Tale!
Robert Taylor and Director Richard Thorpe team up for their first of two (Knights of the Round Table in 1953) epic tales of noble knights and beautiful damsels in this well made adaptation of the 1819 Sir Walter Scott classic, nominated in 1952 for three Academy Awards, including Best Picture. It is, of course, the classic retelling of one man's, Wilfred of Ivanhoe, quest to restore Richard The Lion-Hearted (Norman Wooland) to the throne stolen by his evil brother, Prince John (Guy Rolfe). But with all its feats of derring-do, this version is also a tender tale of love. Robert Taylor stars as the intrepid Saxon knight-errant Wilfred of Ivanhoe, who is charmed by not one fair lady, but two; the stunningly beautiful Rebecca (Elizabeth Taylor) and the stately Saxon princess Rowena (Joan Fontaine). In striking contrast to this romantic feast, there is the malevolent Sir Brian De Bois-Guilbert (George Sanders), Ivanhoe's deadly enemy and constant threat. This film features some very authentic looking and spectacular fighting sequences and is sure to become a favorite film of students of 12th-century English history. Filmed entirely on location in Great Britain, this movie is very rich in detail, including costumes and weaponry. Very representative of the Metro Goldwyn Mayer classics, this is a very good film somewhat typical of the film making of this decade, but still good enough to be enjoyed in modern day. If you somehow missed this one, give it a look; An excellent movie !!!

MGM's Superb Version Of The Sir Walter Scott Classic
There have been many versions of Sir Walter Scott's classic 1819 swashbuckling story "Ivanhoe", over the years but few of them come near MGM's well crafted and rousing 1952 version that reteamed the two Taylors (Robert and Elizabeth), for the second time. This version benefits greatly from being filmed on location in England, taking full advantage of the nature terrain which gives this film such an authentic feel and flavour. It marked another late career triumph for veteran MGM star Robert Taylor who was fresh from appearing in the blockbuster "Quo Vadis", in Rome when MGM sent him this time to England to take the lead role of Sir Walter Scott's heroic character fighting injustice in the medieval England of Prince John. This film has everything the swashbuckler fan could ask for, daring sword play, a beautiful leading lady, wonderous recreations of 12th Century England, and stunning action sequences filmed on the largest outdoor Castle set ever constructed by MGM while it had a studio in England.

The adventure story of the dashing knight Wilfred of Ivanhoe who champions the cause of the absent King Richard the Lion Hearted while he is away with the crusades is well known to most school age children but this film version is no mere comic book characterisation. Robert Taylor found a real niche late in his career playing these hero's of early English history and in "Ivanhoe",he is perfectly cast as the dashing knight who not only fights the wrong doers trying to steal King Richard's throne, but finds time to romance two beautiful women in Saxon princess Lady Rowena (Joan Fontaine), and the lovely young Jewess Rebecca (Elizabeth Taylor). The opening of the film finds Richard's throne usurped by his younger brother the wicked Prince John (Guy Rolfe). While returning from the Crusades Ivanhoe discovers that King Richard far from being dead as his brother would have the country believe is actually being held for ransom in Austria. Returning to England Ivanhoe finds the Saxon's under siege from Prince John and on a visit where he attempts a reconciliation with his estranged father Cedric (Finlay Currie)he sees first hand the work of Prince John and his follower Sir Brian de Bois-Guilbert (George Sanders). After an attempt is made to rob one of his father' guests the elderly jew Issac of York (Felix Aylmer) Ivanhoe becomes acquainted with his beautiful daughter Rebecca who pledges her jewellery towards King Richard's ransom. Entering a jousting tournament hoping to win the prize money to free Richard, Ivanhoe comes up against his mortal enemy Sir Brian de Bois-Guilbert and is heavily wounded. He is taken to Rebecca's house to recover however Sir Brian not only seeks to destroy Ivanhoe but wants to take the lovely Rebecca as his own. In an attempt to flee Prince John's forces both lady Rowena and Rebecca are captured by Sir Brian who takes them to the Norman fortress where he imprisons both Isaac of York and Ivanhoe's father Cedric. Ivanhoe gives himself to Sir Brian in return for the other release but he is betrayed and imprisoned with the others. Sir Brian however hasn't counted on the Saxon's revenge and soon the castle is undersiege. Despite an attack which sees the castle taken by the Saxons Sir Brian manages to escape with Rebecca who is then put on trial for supposed witchcraft. When it looks like Rebecca will be burned as a witch Ivanhoe arrives to her defense and offers to settle the verdict by one to one combat with Sir Brian. During the fateful contest Sir Brian is killed and just in time King Richard arrives home to claim back his throne displace the usurper Prince John. The conclusion sees Ivanhoe reaffirm his commitment to the lady Rowena despite his obvious attraction to the younger Rebecca.

Nominated for an Academy Award in 1952 for Best Picture this was one of MGM's biggest productions for the year and no expense was spared on sets, colour photography and action sequences. Robert Taylor was so successul in this role that MGM assigned him to play Sir Lancelot in "Knights of the Round Table", the following year to be also directed by Richard Thorpe. Rarely has Elizabeth Taylor appeared more beautiful than as the young heroine Rebecca. Hers is an interesting role which thankfully presents a sympathetic jewish character into the story. Elizabeth herself never wanted to do this film and was always scathing of her own performance here passing the entire film off in interviews as "just a big medieval Western". That really doesn't do the film justice as it is first rate entertainment of the old school. George Sanders and Guy Rolfe make superb villians and Sanders indeed manages to breath extra dimension into what could have been simply a one dimensional villian with his playing opposite Elizabeth Taylor in particular. The spectacular jousting scenes and the siege of the Norman castle are sequences rarely bettered in these type of films and every effort was made to give the film the correct period feel. The costumes by Roger Furse and art direction supplied by Alfred Junge really enhance the atmosphere and authentic historical look of "Ivanhoe" making it one of the better thought out historical adventures from the 1950's decade.

First class entertainment is provided all the way by MGM's "Ivanhoe", and as an example of what the studio could produce even as it went into decline in the 1950's it is top rate. The two Taylor's would never appear together again on film but they make a most interesting screen team and "Ivanhoe", boasts the sort of supporting cast in Joan Fontaine, George Sanders , Emlyn Williams and Finlay Currie that makes me wonder where the equivalent talent is in Hollywood today. Enjoy Robert Taylor fighting evil in 12th Century England in this wonderful version of Sir Walter Scott's immortal "Ivanhoe".

Same Category as The Adventures of Robin Hood
Why is this movie not released on DVD???? Does the studio have any plans on releasing soon???

A Beautiful Movie
I saw this movie in 1952 when I was 7 years old. Years later I bought the Laser disc and am dismayed there is no DVD.There have been many swashbuckling movies but this is the best. It is a ripping good story, poignant as well. Beautifully filmed! Robert Taylor Joan Fontaine and Elizabeth Taylor are superb-as is George Sanders. I have shown this film over and over again to my children and they love it. It is romantic without being vulgar. It has plenty of action" without being gruesome. It has character. And lest I forget a wonderful musical score. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

The Prisoner of Zenda: This Version Still Enjoyable
There is a category of film that Hollywood cannot, from time to time, resist making--that of the historical costume drama. Director Richard Thorpe took THE PRISONER OF ZENDA novel by Anthony Hope, updated and colorized the superior 1937 version with Ronald Coleman, and cast Stewart Granger in the double role as the King of Ruritania and his twin, cousin Rudolph. What marks both versions is the dashing swashbuckling that Errol Flynn first popularized in the early 30's. True, Ronald Coleman possessed a sense of dash that Stewart Granger could only emulate rather than stamp with his own screen persona. Granger is a distant lookalike cousin of the King of the mythical country of Ruritania, who is kidnapped by the evil henchman (James Mason) of the king's brother. Granger impersonates the king and falls predictably in love with Princess Flavia (Deborah Kerr), who is bound to marry the reigning king. The plot is nonsense, of course. The audience slides in with surprising grace to accept that Flavia and Rudolph fall instantly in love. What marks this version of Zenda is the witty wordplay by all concerned. Everyone in the cast all seem to have graduated from Eton and dress and speak impeccably at all times. James Mason as the roguish underling of the king's plotting evil brother radiates the same suave aura of menace that has come to mark his essential screen persona. The chatty dueling scene between Granger and Mason is an updated reprisal of a similar scene between Errol Flynn and Basil Rathbone in THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD. Deborah Kerr is, unfortunately, quite listless as she is merely a prop to further a rather slight plot complication. Jane Greer as her female counterpart who loves the king's brother is even less of a screen presence. Still, in costume dramas like this one, the willing suspension of disbelief is rendered easier by a combination of verbal repartee and old-fashioned cinematic fun that draws in the audience to overlook a series of increasingly improbable plot devices. Coleman's earlier Prisoner simply had a bit more zip and zowie.

Paging Ronald Colman !
Comparisons to the 1937 classic are inevitable. Story-wise, there is little difference except for the colonization of the remake. Many of the frames are carbon copies of each other. This reviewer feels that the b&w format of the original added to the suspense. The original cast is clearly superior especially the male leads of Ronald Coleman, David Niven and C. Aubrey Smith. Also, Douglas Fairbanks Jr. outshines James Mason as Rupert of Hentzau, the main bad guy. (I wonder if a stunt man performed that high dive.) A nice gesture is the cameo role of Lewis Stone, the star of the 1922 SILENT version. It is the 1952 female leads who compare most favorably: Deborah Kerr comes very close to equaling Madeleine Carroll as the lovely Queen Flavia, with her strong (!) sense of duty. And Jane Greer probably surpasses Mary Astor's 1937 role. Both Mary and Jane are key to the plot. Watch them closely! Blessedly, despite the many frame similarities, the remake does not carbon copy the 1937 fadeout, with Ronald Coleman's gallant wave of farewell. On its' own merits, the 1952 version is a very credible adventure story indeed. It only suffers from comparison to an original classic it cannot possibly surpass.

Pales in comparison to the 1937 version.
There are at least three reasons why this version pales in comparison to the 1937 version. First and foremost, James Mason has not a tenth the charm and youthful vitality of Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. in his portrayal of the Rupert of Henztau character. Second, in the 1937 version, Black Michael is a pitiable villian, a much more rich and vivid character than the straight-evil Michael of this version. And third, the 1937 version has the best witty repartee ever featured in a dueling scene in any movie.

A very good movie!
I highly recommend this film. Stewart Granger, James Mason, and Deborah Kerr are great in it.

Right up there with the Ronald Colman version
Remember this pair (Stewart Granger and Deborah Kerr) from King Solomon's Mines (1950) ASIN: 6301971167? Well they did it again with The Prisoner of Zenda (1952). There is all of the sward play and loyalty of the first version, plus the interaction and reaction of Stewart Granger and Deborah Kerr to add to this.

For those of you who may have missed the story King Rudolf V, who is not the nicest of guys is gets drugged out of the way. Because all Kings named Rudolf look like Stewart Granger, a vacationing Englishman, who happens to be a long lost cousin, he gets to substitute for the stability of the country and to foil the bad guys (his half-brother Michael, Duke of Strelsau (Robert Douglas) form taking over. So the question is what happened to the king? Do the bad guys win or are they foiled? Who gets the girl? Who doe the girl get? And why are you reading this when you can watch the movie? ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A Movie Lover's Delight
While it takes many liberties with the Baum story, it is a great movie. For Oz purists like myself, it would have been nice to see more of the original story in this movie (like Oz being real and not a dream!), but this movie is, on its own, wonderful. With a beautiful score (including "Over the Rainbow"), very funny dialogue, an amazing cast, special effects, and a charming story, who can ask for anything more?
What the movie does not lose is the magic of the Oz books, and it is this magic that has kept the movie fresh for over 60 years. And it almost wasn't this way. The movie, in its planning stages, almost turned into a starring vehicle, with Shirley Temple as Dorothy, and Fanny Brice or a similar commedienne as Glinda, at another time an operetta; in both cases it would have certainly lost any of the original Oz material.
Anyone who likes this movie should purchase the "Making of" video, which sheds light on the creation of this classic, and includes tons of deleted footage, home movies of backstage goings-on, and more! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn is considered by many to be the greatest American novel ever written. Though none of the many film adaptations have done the book justice, the closest remains the 1939 remake with Mickey Rooney. Toning down his usual firecracker personality, Rooney's river-boy Huck is a fun-loving, superstitious kid who can't give up his free-and-easy life of fishing and smoking, despite the best efforts of his kindly guardians. When his souse of a Pap blackmails the well-meaning matrons, mischievous Huck fakes his death and heads down the river with his friend Jim (Rex Ingram), a slave he grudgingly helps escape to a free state. Rooney displays his underrated skills as a dramatic performer as he banters with Jim about slavery, fate, and destiny, and his slow realization that, slave or not, Jim is a human being ripples across his face like a remembered sin. The last half of the picture winds the destinies of the runaways around the schemes of con men Walter Connelly and William Frawley (who make a hilarious team as "the King" and "the Duke"), where the comic antics nuzzle against despicable plots and Huck's free spirit slams against his growing sense of responsibility. It's a generally faithful adaptation until the climax, which completely removes Tom Sawyer's appearance for a melodramatic, race-to-the-rescue conclusion. But for all the film's narrative liberties, Rooney's thoughtful performance captures Twain's Huck better than any version before or since. --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Reviews (5)

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
I want, DVD version "The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn" with Mickey Roonney, with subtitles in spanish and spoken in spanish!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The best film version of the Mark Twain classic.
This is probably the most accurate portrayal of Huck ever brought to screen! Here you see the young hero learn the power of loyalty and the evils of racism as he smokes and curses his way through one adventure after another.

Despite criticisms about the use of racially offensive language, this movie(and book) have done much toward bridging the gap between the races by imparting understanding and empathy. Accusations that the language of the book should justify its being banned are born of ignorance, not a true desire for tolerance.

Watch this and decide for yourself.

It was an okay movie.
I think this book was very boring . But the movie was alittle better. I wish that he had published some better book than the ones that he has out.Mark Twain is a very creative man and I admire that. Recently i had visited his house in Conneticut. It was really nice and I enjoyed myself. Otherwise , the my most favorite book would have to be Tom Sawyer because it was an exciting aventure. Iy was also nice how he put Tom Sawyer as a continuation in Huck Finn Book, eventhough I thought that book was really boring. So to all the readers out there I would just like to say watch the movie and not read the book you will enjoy it more.

super............thanks for asking
super movie wonderful everything just a tad different from the book but overall it was great thanks for asking

Fun Movie, good acting -- not fairly true to the story
If you care for accuracy avoid this video. For fun, and a sort of neat feel - OK

Acting quite good.

But this is not the story written by Mark Twain (or Sam Clemens) ... Read more

Reviews (339)

A true masterpiece! A 5 star winner and a true classic!
The Wizard of Oz has got to be one of the greatest movies in classical and musical cinema history. For sixty years this movie has been the perfect choice for childeren and adults to watch and enjoy. The story is about Dorthy Gale who lives in Kansas with her aunt and uncle. When Dorthy decides to run away from home because of her feelings being empty a tornado hits and she and her house are taken to another world, the Land of Oz. A place where she finds friends like she never imagined like Glinda the good witch of the north, the beautiful witch who gives her the rubey slippers which posses power like any unknown. The scarecrow, a friendly man of clothing and straw who wants a brian, the tin woodsman, a sweet man made of tin who wants a heart, the lion, a kind and cowardly forest animal who wants courage and the wicked witch of the west, a evil witch who wants the rubey slippers and revenge on Dorthy for accidently killing her sister, the wicked witch of the east. As Dorthy and her friends follow the yellow brick to the emerald city, the place where the great and powerful and mysterious Wizard of Oz lives the magic of this film can tell the rest.

A true masterpiece! Excellent polt, characters, music and more. It holds an emotional presents that will touch everyone's heart and wish they were in the Land of Oz! See it and live through the magic of this timeless classical film of wonders.

An OZ-some DVD Experience
Like most baby boomers, I've watched this film dozens of times in the past on broadcast TV, then VHS tape, then LaserDisc ... but I had never actually SEEN "The Wizard of Oz" until this newly restored DVD came out. It's an amazing transfer. The sepia-tone Kansas sequences are startlingly sharp and clear, and the Technicolored world "Over the Rainbow" is truly dazzling. I found myself fascinated by details I had never noticed before: the glittering corn stalks in the Scarecrow's field; the mirror-like floors of the Emerald City; the polished buttons on the guardsmen's uniforms. Incredibly, even the individual grains of red sand in the Witch's hourglass stood out and glistened! All these minor-but-sumptuous visual details served to heighten the magical spell that the film has always woven, enhancing the performances, the story, and the music.

The DVD extras are a mind-boggling embarrassment of riches. The "Making Of" documentary hosted by the incomparable Angela Lansbury is worth the price of the DVD alone, but there's so much more: an international poster gallery, interviews with cast members, deleted scenes, production stills, radio clips, etc, etc. There's enough material to keep even the most casual viewer fascinated for hours, and a true Oz buff will be occupied for days!

If you only bought a DVD player to watch this one disc, it would well be worth the expense. Treat yourself, and fall in love with this classic film again ... for the first time.

The Wonderful Movie of Oz
I have been enchanted as I now watch the movie as an adult. It is not just a story about a girl from Kansas trying to get back home - actually, that was added into the movie: "There's no place like home" wasn't in the book even. I think it was a story of things that we want, and that we imagine these things may be granted by the Wonderful Wizard of Oz. The scarecrow wants a brain, the tinman a heart, and the lion courage. On their journey off to see the wizard, they encounter the wicked witch of the west - who is determined to get the ruby slippers off of Dorothy's feet. Now, the thing I am puzzled by is at the beginning, Glinda is the one who reminds the wicked witch about the shoes. Then she is the one who places them on Dorothy's feet: "There they are and there they'll stay." Had she not had the shoes, her journey to the wizard would not have been so troublesome. Not to mention that the "good witch" sent Dorothy on a journey to a phony wizard. I wonder now if there was some kind of irony in that - since she was also the one who in the end tells Dorothy that all she has to do is click her heels together and say "there 's no place like home." While the movie is totally a classic I love and will watch over and over again, I am wondering about the book: Were the "ruby slippers" (which were silver in the novel) as magical - and - if there was no "no place like home" in the novel then I am wondering how Dorothy got back to Kansas. I think that because each time I watch this film I realize something new, it will always remain one of my favorite movies ever.

The Wizard of Oz is wonderful
The classic film! The Wizard of Oz is wonderful. Judy Garland's breakthrough performance. Beautiful.

Growing Up, Growing On
I knew every line of this as a kid. I loved the books. I even loved the sequel that everyone else hated because I love OZ. I tried to be "over" this movie for a long time as an adult. But every time I see it I re-remember why I couldn't get enough before. The quintessential fairy tale. All kids and all adults should watch it again to remind them that a movie can work without sex, violence or graphic anything really. It's scary -- touching -- and completely engrossing -- more so each year I grow older. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Colorful, daring Hollywood epic
From the Golden Age of Hollywood comes The Prodigal (1955), a MGM release. This "Biblical" epic, based on the New Testament story of The Prodigal son, tells of the adventure of the young man who enters the pagan world and discovers the mysteries and charms of Miss Lana Turner, high priestess of the temple of a graven, cruel, jealous god, and the dangers of forbidden love. Edmund Purdom is the prodigal who is smitten by Turner's Samarra.The story plods along with some over-blown and sometimes trite dialogue, but the costumes and sets are eye-popping. This movie era could only produce such grandier and Miss Turner as the brilliant center, is sinfully beautiful. She reveals more of her self as any much younger actress would dare at the time. And she looks marvelous. See this spectacular entry for what we may never see in today's cinema.

EPIC MORALITY TALE
Lana Turner was breath taking beautiful as ever. She is the sexiest woman I have ever seen. Her costumes are surreal. If for nothing else, The Prodigal would be memorable for Lana Turner's pagan-ritual costume, which is little more than a Burlesque Queen costume that Blaze Starr, Lili St. Cyr or Tempest Storm wore. The effect was at once sexy, erotic and alluring. And an interesting side comment on the evils of Burlesque.

Worthwhile if you like the genre...
Edmund Purdom reprises his role in "The Egyptian" as a good guy who gets led astray by his passion for a woman he should have avoided. Lana Turner made a career of playing temptresses and does an excellent job here although the cast of "The Egyptian" is, overall, much stronger with Gene Tierney, Michael Wilding, and Biblical epic specialist Victor Mature. But "The Prodigal" has some quality supporting players including perennial bad guy Neville Brand and Francis Sullivan, one of the more memorable character actors of the 50s, in the role of Bosra the money lender. The production values are Golden Age MGM with large, colorful, impressive sets. Unfortunately, the script is wooden and Purdom was not a captivating screen presence.
Richard Thorpe, MGM's principal director of costume epics in the 50s did an excellent job with "Ivanhoe" (Robert Taylor, Elizabeth Taylor) but proves here that his direction could be quite straightforward and unimaginative.
The bottom line is this: If you're looking for another "Ben Hur" you won't find it here. But if you like most of the Biblical epics of the 50s and early 60s, even the second and third tier ones, you'll enjoy this film and the three star rating is for you. You'll be especially interested in the ending which is unusual for films of this type. If you do not enjoy this genre or you enjoy only the very best examples of it then you should avoid "The Prodigal".

The Prodigal
I just watched this film for the first time and found it interesting and overall good. It is a Bible story which is done very well. I thought Edmund Purdom was the best thing about the movie. He did an excellent job of acting. Lana Turner was gorgeous as always. The supporting cast was a little weak, but the story carried them along. The sets and the costumes were very well done and a pleasure to watch. I have read some bad reviews of this film but I don't agree with them. I think it's worth seeing. I know I plan to watch it again.

MGM hits a new low in Tastelessness
Whoever thought up this abomination must have been out of his mind.Technically,they did a good job,sets,props,camera work,etc.A fine set of supporting actors provide characterizations that are cliches,at best.The plot doesn't even qualify as stereotypic;the dialogue is inane;and the leads don't even provide roles that manage to be one-dimensional.There is a continuous emphasis on brutal cruel,and grossly inhumane situations,terrifying horrors of the ancient world,monstrous disregard for life,and appalling barbarisms.3/5 of the way through the picture is the most atrocious sequence;a ritual human sacrifice which will outrage anyone with the moral fastidiousnessof a gila monster. .... This piece of tripe deserves any bad remarks a critic can find. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Not What I Expected...
Tonight I watched this movie that came on cable tv... it looked like it had a lot of promise. Not to say it was terrible or that no one would like it, it's just that it is kind of strange.... A little melodramatic too. Rosalind Russell is wonderful, as is Robert Montgomery in the main character. It was a pretty good movie... just strange and scary. Overall good, but think it over before you watch it... leaves you with the chills... lots of murder and suspense. Not Hitchcock like, but more just plain old scary. Just wanted to warn you... don't watch it alone in a dark house! :o)

Overlooked and underappreciated today
This movie is far superior to many others in the same genre, striving for the same effect but missing by a country mile. Night Must Fall delivers all and more. Robert Montgomery is fantastic and gives one of the best performances I have ever seen on film OR stage. I have watched this film over and over, many times and each time I see some new nuance, some other subtle moment he gives to the character, and he is so on the money you wonder...how can someone be so gifted and play against type so convincingly? Rosalind Russell is marvellous, as always, and it is interesting to see her in one of her early movies. Dame May Whitty is the star of stars here, and it is astonishing that someone of her age could turn in such an agile and convincing performance, especially toward the end, when you are afraid the suspense alone will finish her off, on screen and off. The supporting cast are perfect; the maid, the cook, etc., and the suspicious policeman who turns up now and then. It is truly one of the most hair-raising climaxes ever put on film and is quite capable of holding its own agaisnt the efforts of today. I am amazed that this is a relatively unknown movie today, and it really should be publicized and put on DVD and find its niche with today's movie audience, who would, if they only were aware, appreciate the mastery so evident on every frame. Truly a masterpiece.

GOOSEBUMPS
If your local theatre group isn't doing NIGHT MUST FALL this efficient little movie will more than do. Emlyn Williams' original script is so canny that even reading it can give you goosebumps. John van Druten's screen treatment leaves it alone as much as possible. Dame May Whitty plays a hypochandriacal old lady; the kind who after a good night's sleep spends the next day telling everyone how she tossed & turned all night. Living with her in her house by a wood is her neice/companion Olivia (Rosalind Russell) and various servants. Enter a young page from a local hotel who may or may not be a psychopath (a chillingly effective Robert Montgomery). Williams' psychology really works on you. As unpleasant as the old lady is you don't want to see her 'get it' because Montgomery is so charming & persuasive you know in her place you'd be seduced too. It's like haveing a blind date with Ted Bundy. Whitty repeats her stage performace & she's honed it razor sharp. Rosalind Russell is awfully likeable & gives what is perhaps her most attractive performance. Montgomery, playing against type, keeps the shudders coming. For a sort of WHAT IF? version see THE NIGHT DIGGER (aka THE ROADBUILDER) with Patricia Neil & Nicholas Clay.

Highly Memorable and Horrific Tale
Robert Montgomery had the baby face and previous screen presence to really catch audiences by surprise with his grotesquely psychopathic portal of a local countryside killer. That was the surprise but more effective was the suspense that director Richard Thorpe developed with the workmanship of art designer Cedric Gibbons and cinematographer Ray June with a standard but effective score by Edward Ward. The hatbox was a nice touch. Rosalind Russell is affably astute. Dame May Whitty is rather loathsome. Who do you think really deserves their comeuppance? This was shocking stuff for 1937.

A CREEPY VENTURE.
A cranky old lady invalid allows herself to be charmed by a psychopath. As the North Sea gales were "stirring aboot", my cousins and I watched this little flick a few nights back. I must say that Montgomery played his role sincerely and his Irish accent wasn't bad---- yet the film is a just a mite stodgy and a tad too theatrical. As Danny the psychopath, Samantha Stephen's (BEWITCHED) dad was cast very against type (he practically begged Mayer for the part) but amazingly, he pulls it off magnificently (In the thirties, Robert Montgomery was primarily cast as a leading man in light, sophisticated romantic comedies opposite the likes of Crawford and Shearer). Rosalind Russell does okay as Dame May's neice but in her role of the drab repressed spinster, she was hardly in her element! Dame May obviously earned her title. As the invalid (who, in one hilarious scene, gets up out of her wheelchair a la Lucy Ricardo to fetch her box of chocolates!) her playing is quite amazing. Charmed and captivated by Danny, she is glorious when she senses impending doom when she's left all alone - one is emotionally drained just watching! In later years, the actor Richard Ney (Greer Garson married him) acted with Whitty in a picture. At one point Ney said "alright, Dame May, but I still feel that MY way was the best way". Whitty replied "Young man, you haven't GOT a way!!" This little MGM offering is a neat little thriller which I would think would definitely work better on the stage - it's too housebound, the dialogue being better suited for the stage - but it will give viewers the shivers nevertheless. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

A major (and minor) Esther Williams vehicle.
This film is a kind of dual enigma because, while it is a properly light-hearted musical (they all were, but with varying degrees of success), it also boasts a great many oddities- starting with the strange title (exactly what in the film is "for keeps?"). Esther Williams plays a properly likable, properly beautiful, aquacade star whose relationship with Jimmy Durante (a legend whom I've always enjoyed) should've been that of a father and daughter, but instead is something a tad stranger. Thankfully, this isn't ignored in the film, as her actual love interest (Johnnie Johnston), whom Durante relentlessly 'protects' from Williams, challenges his interference in the film's 11th hour. (While Durante seems to have a bothered conscience about this, it is never confirmed or denied.) Another annoyance, as someone memtioned earlier, is the blowhard opera tenor (Lauritz Melchior) playing Johnston's meddlesome father. After getting past all this stickiness, the film's highlights, which are its musical portions (especially the Cugat numbers and the striptease and swim of "Ten Percent Off"), can finally be enjoyed.

a great film!
This is an Esther Williams film, not heard aboutt or shown as often. It's really good, and well worth watching. It's one of her best. It has really nice swin scenes clothes and a pretty good storyline.

good movie
i liked this time for keeps it was a good movie i read her book
and it had some infomation in it that help me enjoyed the movie more. like in one part were it was filmed in mich there a place
in upper mich i would not mind go seeing you haved to take a boat
to get there it look like some good fishing up there.

Prime Durante
If you're a fan of Jimmy Durante or of the Grand Hotel in Mackinack Island this is a film you'll love. Durante plays the manager/protector of Esther Williams and he's in prime form. Esther's OK too if you like that sort of thing.

Esther nearly drowns
This film has the elements of an entertaining film, but fails largely due to the operatic sequences with Lauritz Melchior. He completely spoiled Esther's THRILL OF A ROMANCE (1945) and only Jimmy Durante keeps him from drowning this one, too. I don't mind operatic singing, but it just doesn't belong in a lightweight film like this. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Great Treasure
As most Tarzan movies with Johnny Weismueller, this one is great fun. Tarzan, Jane, and Boy once again face danger from outside forces and protect a secret gold treasure hidden in the jungle. The supporting cast including Reginald Owen is great. The group that confronts Boy are a good mix of good to evil. Even though there is a fair amount of stock footage in the movie, it is still a treat. Most kids even today find these movies fun to watch. Considering the great books by Edgar Rice Burroughs it is no surprise. Even though the movies are loosely based on the stories, they carry enough of his idea of adventure into them to make them entertaining. I look forward to this movie being released in a set on DVD June 8th,2004. I hope most of you will join me in buying the Tarzan DVD set. As one other reviewer indicated they wanted to get "Tarzan and the Leopard Women" and "Tarzan's Desert Mystery" on VHS. I too hope those will become available on DVD as well. They are fun to watch as well. I especially like "Tarzan's Desert Mystery".

Boy find gold. Boy and Jane captured. Tarzan find. Rescue.
The 1941 film "Tarzan's Secret Treasure" is the fifth of the twelve Tarzan movies featuring former Olympic swimming champion Johnny Weissmuller as the Ape Man. Weissmuller might not have been the definitive Tarzan, especially for anyone who read the original novels of Edgar Rice Burroughs, but he certainly ended up being the most memorable. In "Tarzan's Secret Treasure," Boy (Johnny Sheffield) finds gold at the bottom of the local river and when Jane (Maureen O'Sullivan) explains what it is and what it can buy in the more civilized parts of the world, Boy takes off to take advantage of his windfall. Of course, before Boy can find trouble, trouble finds him, in the form of Professor Elliott (Reginald Owen) and O'Doul (Barry Fitzgerald), a group of researchers eager to study the son of Tarzan, who happen to have a couple of villain in their midst in the form of Medford (Tom Conway) and Vandermeer (Philip Dorn). Eventually native and elephants become involved in the narrative as well.

The death of Irving Thalberg affected this film as budget cuts forced the use of stock shots taken from earlier movies in the series (e.g., the recycled Tarzan fights the crocodile scene). Add to that the predictable plotline and you would think that would be enough to make this a below average Tarzan movie. But it actually scores above average because of the pacing, the solid supporting cast (Fitzgerald calls the Ape Man "Mr. Tarzan"), and the fact that Sullivan still looks like the queen of the jungle. The idea of Boy wanting to make it to the big city was revitalized the following year for one of the best of these films, "Tarzan's New York Adventure." If you are currently watching the new "Tarzan" series on the WB, then that is one you will want to track down to see what it was like the first time Tarzan prowled a big modern city.

Action packed adventure!!
This may not be one of the best of the Tarzan films as far as good film making goes, but it is definatley one of the most action packed. Lots of impressivley staged chases with lions and rhinos and a very athletic Boy make for an action packed hour and a half. Gotta love that stock footage of Africa!! Can someone please tell me what kind of bird that 'chicken' looking thing was? Was that a real bird or was it some kind of elaborate puppet? Simply amazing!! I've never seen anything like that in my life!! I find the three movies with Boy to be the most action and fun for repeated viewings and Tarzan and His Mate to be the best overall film. I just wish I could get Tarzan and the Leopard Women and Tarzan's Desert Mystery on VHS.

Tongue-in-Cheek Adventure
"Tarzan's Secret Treasure" directed by Richard Thorpe injects more humor than menace in this tale of a band of gold seekers who invade Tarzan's jungle domain. The interlopers kidnap Jane and Boy as bait for Tarzan, but instead they all fall captive to the local natives. In usual jungle fashion Tarzan saves the day. This is one of the less memorable Tarzan adventures from MGM.

Johnny Weissmuller to the Rescue again
This admirable film is a testament to Tarzan the King of the swinging rescue. Interesting script has Tarzan "swinging" into action in usual fashion. This is a good action and adventure tale. It contains discriminating effects and beautiful photography, but is marred by sped up film. Johnny Weissmuller was the best of the loincloth-clad heroes. Weissmuller was always the ultimate master of swing. The villains once again meet their match in this tense drama of capture and escape. Another favorite of mine. ... Read more

Description

Rocking and rolling south of the border, "Fun in Acapulco" finds Elvis starring as Mike Windgren, a recently unemployed boat hand who finds work as a lifeguard and singer at a local hotel.Clashing with a rival lifeguard who resents Mike's competition of who can impress the women the most.Tempted by a lady bullfighter (Cardenas) and a beautiful temptress (Andress), Windgren must rely on his ability to croon Latin love songs including "You Can't Say No in Acapulco" and "Bossa Nova Baby" to prove his romantic prowess. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Bossa Nova Baby
Great songs and Elvis is looking wonderful! A fun movie for the whole family.

The BEST!
I am a big Elvis fan, and this movie is by far my favorite one! It has everything....catchy songs....Elvis chasing the girls....you name it!

If you are a fan and have not seen this movie, I highly recommend it!