|
|
 |
|
|
|
British Cinema - Renown Pictures Literary Classics Collection (The Pickwick Papers / Tom Brown's Schooldays / Svengali [31 / 54]) (1952)
|
| Starring: | James Hayter, James Donald, Nigel Patrick, Joyce Grenfell, Hermione Gingold, Donald Wolfit, Harry Fowler, Kathleen Harrison, John Howard Davies, Robert Newton, John Charlesworth, John Forrest, Michael Hordern, Francis De Wolff, Diana Wynyard, John Barrymore, Marian Marsh, Donald Crisp, Bramwell Fletcher, Carmel Myers, Adrienne D'Ambricourt, Lumsden Hare, Hildegard Knef, Terence Morgan, Derek Bond, David Kossoff, Hubert Gregg, Noel Purcell, Alfie Bass |
| Director: | Archie Mayo, Gordon Parry, Noel Langley |
| Genre: | Drama, Foreign, England, British Drama |
| Year: | 1952 |
| Studio: | VCI |
| Length: | 366 minutes |
| Released: | February 24, 2009 |
| Rating: | NR |
| Format: | DVD |
| Misc: | NTSC, Black & White |
| Language: | English(Original Language) |
|
 |
|
|
|
SYNOPSIS:
The Pickwick Papers (1952)
In 1836 young Charles Dickens was commissioned to write a series of humorous stories about the misadventures of the members of a fictional English social club. Dickens called this organization the Pickwick Club, named after his central character, one Samuel Pickwick. He and his friends set out on a cross-country journey, and through a series of innocent misunderstandings, they wind up entangled in a comedy of errors that builds to monumental proportions. The tone of the tale turns serious when Pickwick is briefly consigned to a debtor's prison, a place which only Dickens could describe in the full measure of its hopelessness and horror. And only this picture could capture the flavor of this literary classic so tellingly. Pickwick and his friends Snodgrass, Winkle, Mr. Jingle and all the others come vividly to life, enacted by a peerless British cast. Received Academy Award Nomination for Best Costume Design, Black-and-White.
BONUS FEATURES:
- Video Featurette Original Dedication
- Trailers
Tom Brown's Schooldays (1951)
Thomas Hughes' novel of life in a boys' boarding school in the 1800's comes boldly to life on the screen. At the age of eleven Tom Brown is sent off to Rugby where, as his father tells him, he likely will "see a great many blackguard things." He does indeed. Young Tom receives a good deal of hazing from his classmates, but he takes it all in stride until he runs afoul of the school bully, the sadistic Flashman. A more despicable villain doesn't exist in English literature--or in English movies, for that matter. Tom learns the hard way that rebelling against Flashman carries a painful penalty. Robert Newton gives a moving performance as the school's reform-minded headmaster. Some of the filming took place on location at Rugby, giving the picture its strong flavor of authenticity.
NOTE: Original Black and White as well as the colorized version on one disc.
BONUS FEATURES:
- Original Theatrical Trailer
- Before and After Restoration Example
Svengali (1931, 81 min.) - Located in the "Extra Features" on the Svengali disc.
Based on George du Maurier's novel Trilby, which had already spawned a silent film, Svengali (1931) shifts the story's focus from the student Trilby (Marian Marsh) to the hypnotic, domineering tutor Svengali, played by the great John Barrymore.
Director Archie Mayo gave Barrymore his head (which was adorned with an outlandish beard), resulting in what may be the actor's most bizarre, and probably hammiest, performance. The actor, then 49, helped the 17-year-old Marsh with her performance during rehearsals. In fact, Warner Brothers was afraid that Barrymore would make his co-star another of his conquests.
Anton Grot's art direction and the cinematography of Barney McGill, both nominated for Academy Awards, are as baroque and creepy as Barrymore as the mesmeric maestro. There was also Oscar buzz for Barrymore, but he wasn't nominated. His brother Lionel won for A Free Soul.
The film was hugely successful (a fleeting nude scene didn't hurt). So much that "Svengali" has become a part of our language, describing someone who tries to influence others for their own evil intentions.
Svengali (1954, 80 min.)
Famed director Noel Langley exercises unusual artistry in his shadowy "Svengali," played by Donald Wolfit ("Lawrence of Arabia") unveiling an unwashed alley minstrel whose latent, diabolical genius finally emerges out of an uncontrollable passion for beautiful Trilby O'Ferral, played by the German bombshell Hildegarde Neff. Digitally Restored from the 35mm Negative.
BONUS FEATURE:
- Photo Gallery
- Richard Gordon Remembers George Minter
|
|
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
There are no reviews for this movie. Be the first one and write your own review by clicking here! |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
