Double the Vice…Double the Fun!
Forbidden
Five Restored & Remastered Pre-Code Classics and a New Feature-Length Documentary
Debut as a 3-Disc Set on
~The Divorcee/A Free Soul~
~Three on a Match/Female~
Night Nurse/Thou Shalt not: Sex,
Sin and Censorship in Pre-Code
Each of the features contained in Forbidden
About the Films
The Divorcee (1930)/ A Free Soul (1931)
Based on Ursula Parrott’s spicy 1929 novel “Ex-wife,” the highly controversial The Divorcee was nominated for four Academy Awards® including Best Picture. Norma Shearer won for Best Actress as a woman who confronts the hypocrisy of the double standard after catching her husband in a compromising position and forcing him to confess his infidelities. Her solution to the problem: try to match him tryst for tryst.
In A Free Soul, Lionel Barrymore captured an Oscar for his portrayal of a brilliant alcoholic lawyer Stephen Ashe, who successfully defends dashing gangster Ace Wilfong (Clark Gable) on a murder charge only to find that his headstrong daughter, Jan (Norma Shearer), has fallen in love with his client. Jan, a fun-loving socialite seeking freedom from her blue-blood upbringing, is only too eager to dump her aristocratic boyfriend (Leslie Howard) for the no-good gangster. She runs away from her childhood home to become Ace's mistress, embarking on a series of seedy adventures in
· The Divorcee commentary by Jeffrey Vance and Tony Maietta
Three on a Match (1932)/ Female (1933)
The gangster melodrama, Three on a Match, stars Bette Davis, Joan Blondell and Ann Dvorak as a trio of school chums – Mary, Ruth and Vivian – meeting for a reunion ten years after high school. Director Mervyn LeRoy crams much plot into the 64 minute run time following each of the women’s lives. Mary is now a chorus girl after a stint in reform school; level-headed Ruth has a job as a secretary; and sexy Vivian is on the verge of deserting her wealthy husband Henry Kirkwood and their baby in favor of a glamorous gangster. The film is also noteworthy for the number of future stars making brief appearances, such as Lyle Talbot, Edward Arnold and, in his first gangster role, Humphrey Bogart as “The Mug.”
In director Michael Curtiz's (
· Theatrical trailers for both films
Night Nurse (1931)/ Documentary Thou Shalt Not: Sex, Sin and Censorship in Pre-Code
William Wellman's (Public Enemy) Night Nurse is a sassy, unsentimental comedy about a private pediatric nurse named Lora Hart (Barbara Stanwyck) who, after applying as an apprentice in a family home, discovers there is a plot afoot to starve her two rich, fat, young charges to death. The culprit is the family’s chauffeur, Nick (Clark Gable), a villain who plans to marry the kids' dissolute mother and make off with their trust fund. It then is up to Hart, her wisecracking nurse friend Maloney (Joan Blondell), and her bootlegger beau Mortie (Ben Lyon) to save them. Director Wellman keeps the jokes humming along with the peril.
This never-before seen documentary, Thou Shalt Not: Sex, Sin and Censorship in Pre-Code
· Night Nurse commentary by Jeffrey Vance and Tony Maietta
· Night Nurse theatrical trailer
About the Production Code
It was not the roaring ‘20s, as is generally believed, but the four years between 1929 and 1934 that was the real era of wide-open sexuality in films. Before
Film industry censorship began in 1922, following a trio of scandals that rocked
However, the studios merely paid lip-service to the Code since they were more interested in finding ways to lure dwindling Depression era audiences into theatres.
The Pre-Code era “officially” kicked off with the 1929 release of The Divorcee (included in this collection), starring Norma Shearer, with a startling story of a woman who discovers her husband has had an affair and sets out to “balance the account.” The phenomenal critical and financial success of this picture led other studios to attempt to top it and soon almost every actress in
The era came to an abrupt close beginning
Additional TCM Archives Collections currently available include: The Lon Chaney Collection, The Buster Keaton Collection, The Garbo Silents, The
Other great collections can be found at the www.whvdvd-collections.com website.
Forbidden
Street Date:
Catalog #/
Pricing: $49.92
COURT HAT EVIDENCE 1:34
DRUNK TRAIN STATION 1:51
DIVORCEE CRASH 1:57
SAY YES –
PICNIC 1:57
KIDS
SON 1:58
Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie delivers laughs that are out of this world! A demented scientist, Dr. Clayton Forrester, has concocted a diabolical scheme for world domination. He's going to subject the human race to the worst movies ever made! But his test subject, Michael J. Nelson, possesses mankind's ultimate defense: a sense of humor. So as the classic sci-fi "B" movie This Island Earth unspools, Mike and his robot companions, Tom Servo and Crow, heckle the film mercilessly, providing a hilarious running commentary!!!
That's the description from Image Entertainment's old, long-out-of-print DVD release of the 1995 film Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie. The bare-bones, non-anamorphic disc (which I have in my own collection, having bought it for my wife when it was still "new", and catching it on sale for only $10!) was originally licensed to Image for DVD release ten years ago, and has long been out of print since Universal Studios decided to begin releasing their own shiny discs.
While many of the Universal films which Image Entertainment put out on DVD have long since been re-released by Universal themselves, MST3K: The Movie hasn't been one of them. Whenever you find copies of the OOP Image release going on eBay, it's not hard for prices to get over $50, or even around $100!
But all that's about to change, because Universal is bringing out their own DVD release at last! This morning the studio has just announced a May 6th release for Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie. This new DVD release is still going to be mostly bare-bones, but at least the trailer is thrown in...along with a brand-new anamorphic widescreen transfer that will make the video look a LOT better on your home theater system.
The soundtrack has been upgraded, too, from a simple stereo mix to a brand-new English - Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound mix. A French - Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo track is also included, as are English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing. Running time is shown as 75 minutes, a minute longer than the old Image disc is listed at.
The film is rated PG-13 due to some sexual humor. Cost for the new release will be $19.98 suggested retail price, and since many stores will be discounting it you'll find it a cinch to pick this up for under $15. We know that many of you have been waiting to add this film to your MST3K DVD collection at a reasonable cost...now you'll get your chance! — David Lambert
--
Edited by The DVD Team (David Lambert) at 01/22/2008 1:16 PM to correct the release date: Universal's info shows May 8th (a Thursday) in the detailed listing, but shows the proper street date of Tuesday, May 6th in the actual schedule area. We regret passing along the incorrect info.
Expect a review this weekend of this awesome kung fu parody!
A HUGE COMEDY WITH TINY BALLS
OVERVIEW: From the creators of Night at The Museum and Reno 911 comes Balls of Fury, the outrageous new comedy starring Christopher Walken and George Lopez. The high stakes world of underground **PING-PONG® is infiltrated in this hilarious spoof that combines comedy and action for one explosive ending. With a hysterical alternative ending not shown in theaters, experience the ultimate battle for the **PING-PONG® paddle on DVD this holiday season!
PRELIMINARY BONUS FEATURES:
Rodriguez offers Randy a new assignment
This “making of” features filmmakers Ben Garant and Tom Lennon discussing their rise from television to the big screen, as well as the training that went into making this film.
This tongue-in-cheek “mockumentary” explores a day in the life for the film’s ball wrangler.
SYNOPSIS: In a secret society, the competition is brutal and the stakes are high. It is the unsanctioned, underground, and utterly unhinged world of clandestine **PING-PONG® tournaments. Down-and-out former professional **PING-PONG® phenom Randy Daytona (Dan Fogler) is sucked into this world when FBI Agent Rodriguez (George Lopez) recruits him for a secret mission. Randy is determined to bounce back and win and to smoke out his father’s killer – arch-fiend Feng (Christopher Walken).
TECHNICAL INFORMATION:
Street Date: December 18, 2007
Pre-Order Close: November 20, 2007
Price: $29.98 SRP
Running Time: 1 hour and 31 minutes
Layers: Dual Layers
Aspect Ratio: Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85:1
Rating: PG-13
Languages/Subtitles: English, French
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1
BEFORE KING ARTHUR, THERE WAS EXCALIBUR
The Weinstein Company and Genius Products’ Action-Packed
Epic Arrives On DVD December 18
Academy Award®-Winner Ben Kingsley, Colin Firth And Aishwayra Rai
Fight To Save Ancient Rome
SANTA MONICA, CA – Discover the beginning of the legend of King Arthur when the epic-action adventure The Last Legion rides onto DVD December 18th from Genius Products and The Weinstein Company. As ancient Rome crumbles, the only hope lies with the Roman Emperor - 12–year old Romulus Augustus – and a sword with wondrous powers. With the guidance of a wizard who teaches him, a warrior who trains him and a general who leads him, the young emperor discovers the legend and power of Excalibur. Featuring a powerful and talented ensemble cast,
The Last Legion stars Academy Award® winner Ben Kingsley* (Gandhi, Lucky Number Slevin), Colin Firth (Bridget Jones’ Diary, Love Actually), Aishwarya Rai (Bride & Prejudice, Pink Panther 2) and Thomas Sangster (Love Actually, Nanny McPhee) as the young Caesar. Armed with its own legion of bonus materials,
The Last Legion DVD features ten deleted scenes, commentary by director Doug Lefler (Dragonheart: A New Beginning) and much more. The DVD will be available for the suggested retail price of $28.95.
Synopsis
A warrior and a wizard embark on an action-packed mission to save the crumbling Roman Empire and its young heir. As they battle across medieval Europe, their epic journey reveals the origin of the legendary sword Excalibur.
Bonus Materials
• Ten deleted scenes with Optional Commentary
• Audio commentary By Director Doug Lefler
• Fight Scene Choreography Featurette
• Making The Last Legion
• From The Director’s Sketchbook: A Storyboard-To-Film Comparison
BASICS
Price: $28.95
Street Date: December 18, 2007
Running time: 110 minutes
Format: Widescreen
Rating: PG-13
Catalog Number: 80775
Audio: English Dolby 5.1
Subtitles: Spanish, English
Closed Captioned
MARTIAL ARTS LEGEND JACKIE CHAN FINDS HIMSELF KNEE-DEEP IN DIAPERS IN
ROBIN-B-HOOD
Latest Dragon Dynasty Title Arrives As Two-Disc Ultimate Edition DVD On December 25 From The Weinstein Company And Genius Products
SANTA MONICA, CA – Featuring the signature style of Jackie Chan (Rush Hour trilogy, Shanghai Knights), the kung-fu action comedy ROBIN-B-HOOD debuts as a
two-disc Ultimate Edition DVD on December 25 under the Dragon Dynasty label from The Weinstein Company and Genius Products. Nominated for two Hong Kong Film Awards® including Best Action Choreography (Jackie Chan and Chung Chi Li),
ROBIN-B-HOOD showcases Chan’s trademark acrobatic fighting style, comic timing and innovative stunts – this time with a baby. The story follows Chan as an unlucky gambler who resorts to robbery to pay off his debts. His luck gets worse when he and his friends kidnap a baby in exchange for a large ransom and then find themselves… changing diapers! Directed by Benny Chan (New Police Story, Fist Of Fury), the two-disc ROBIN-B-HOOD: ULTIMATE EDITION DVD includes ten deleted scenes, all-new interview with Chan and more (see details below). The ROBIN-B-HOOD: ULTIMATE EDITION DVD will be available for the suggested retail price of $24.95.
Synopsis
Jackie Chan plays a compulsive gambler who turns to robbery to pay off his debts. The real trouble starts when his buddies try to score a big payout by kidnapping a baby and he is thrust into a world filled with diapers, milk bottles and droning lullabies.
Special Features
o 10 Deleted Scenes
o Crashing the Hood: Featurette with Star and Action Director Jackie Chan
o The Hand that Mocks the Cradle: Featurette with Director Benny Chan
o Baby Boomer: Featurette with Co-Star Conroy Chan
o Playtime For Adults: On The Set Of on Robin-B-Hood
o Robin-B-Hood: An Original Making-Of
o Audio Commentary by Director Benny Chan
o Trailer Gallery
Basics
Price: $24.95
Street Date: December 25, 2007
Catalog Number: 80637
MPAA Rating: NR
Languages: English Dolby 5.1, Cantonese Dolby 5.1 and DTS
Screen format: Widescreen
Running time: 126 minutes
Subtitles: English and Spanish
Closed Captioned
MASTERS OF HORROR SEASON TWO
CULMINATES WITH
ERNEST DICKERSON’S “THE V WORD”
The word is out December 11th on DVD
BURBANK, CA – What happens to a friendship when it’s put to the test? Or when one friend beckons another friend to share his addiction? When that addiction is warm human blood and your friend is a genuine vampire, then this clash-of-wills means only one thing: the Masters of Horror are on the job! From Ernest Dickerson, the director of Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight and Bones, comes a tale of friendship and fear, of horror and hormones, and how far one friend will go to save – or damn – the other with the December 11th premiere of “The V Word” on DVD from Anchor Bay Entertainment. “The V Word” concludes the second season of the lauded (awards include an Emmy®, two Saturn Awards and a Scream Award) anthology series that broke the rules and reaped worldwide praise for its groundbreaking excursions into horror. Stuffed with enough juicy bonus features to satisfy the toughest thirst for behind the scenes access, “The V Word” DVD has an anemic SRP of $14.98, with pre-book on November 8th.
Written by series creator and Co-Executive Producer Mick Garris, “The V Word” puts a grisly twist on teenage vampirism. For geeky best friends Kerry (Arjay Smith) and Justin (Branden Nadon), who’ve only experienced carnage via their video games, it’s the ultimate late night dare: they want to see a real corpse. But when the pair breaks into a local mortuary, they unleash a ferocious ghoul (Michael Ironside, Scanners, Starship Troopers) who’s hungry to share a few depraved urges of his own. Soon, besides contending with the most dreaded of teen fears – peer pressure – they must now face the kind that might curse their souls for eternity! Jodelle Ferland (Silent Hill) co-stars.
“The V Word” on DVD drinks deep with bonus features including:
Premiering on the Show tim e cable network in October 2005 to critical and public acclaim, each one-hour Masters of Horror film sets a new standard in terror, written and directed by some of the genre’s leading practitioners.
The executive producers of Masters of Horror are Morris Berger and Steve Brown; Starz Media’s John W. Hyde; Industry Entertainment’s Keith Addis and Andrew Deane ; and Nice Guy Productions’ Mick Garris . Reunion Pictures’ Lisa Richardson and Tom Rowe are producers. Industry Entertainment’s Adam Goldworm and Ben Browning are co-producers on the series.
MASTERS OF HORROR SEASON TWO:
ERNEST DICKERSON’S “THE V WORD”
Street Date: December 11, 2007
Catalog #: N9912
UPC : 0 1313 89912-8 7
Run Time: 58 Minutes
Rating: Not Rated
SRP : $14.98