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This adapted Broadway play may be considered minor John Ford moviemaking, and some sources say he had to drop out before he could film very much of it. But what’s on the screen pleased audiences primed for the first wave of WW2 nostalgia. The story of cargo officer Henry Fonda’s one-man war against his Bligh-like Captain James Cagney had all of us ’50s kids asking dad if the war really was like that. James Cagney steals the show while stars William Powell, Betsy Palmer and Ward Bond make their marks. Young Jack Lemmon came out swinging with his bright personality and won an Oscar for his trouble.

Mister Roberts

Blu-ray

Warner Archive Collection

1955 / Color / 2:55 widescreen / 123 min. / Street Date December 8, 2020 / available through the WBshop / 21.99

Starring: Henry Fonda, James Cagney, William Powell, Jack Lemmon, Betsy Palmer, Ward Bond, Philip Carey, Nick Adams, Perry Lopez, Ken Curtis, Robert Roark, Harry Carey Jr.,...

We still love John Ford's bitter-sentimental look back at the lost Myth of the West. John Wayne and James Stewart are at least thirty years too old for their roles, but everything seems to be happening in a foggy reverie, so what's the difference, Pilgrim?  Great comedy and Lee Marvin's marvelous villain, plus the assertive 'print the Legend' message that's been hotly debated ever since. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance Blu-ray Warner Home Video / Paramount 1962 / B&W / 1:85 widescreen / 123 min. / Street Date October 13, 2015 / 14.98 Starring John Wayne, James Stewart, Vera Miles, Lee Marvin, Edmond O'Brien, Andy Devine, Ken Murray, John Carradine, Jeanette Nolan, John Qualen, Willis Bouchey, Carleton Young, Woody Strode, Denver Pyle, Strother Martin, Lee Van Cleef Cinematography William H. Clothier Production Designer Eddie Imazu & Hal Pereira Film Editor Otho Lovering Original Music Cyril J. Mockridge Writing credits James Warner Bellah & Willis Goldbeck from a story by...

Every year, the Library of Congress chooses 25 sound recordings to preserve in its National Recording Registry. This year's batch is a diverse group of America's best and brightest, including the song that best represents America's favorite pastime: baseball. Yes, "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" by Edward Meeker (not Billy Corgan's version) is now in the Library of Congress. Other additions include "Tumbling Tumbleweeds," by Roy Rogers, Tim Spencer and Bob Nolan a.k.a. The Sons of the Pioneers, Al Green's "Let's Stay Together," Henry Mancini's "The Music From 'Peter Gunn'", "Stand by Your Man" by Tammy Wynette, Captain Beefheart and His Magic Band's "Trout Mask Replica," and Steely Dan's 1977 album "Aja". Guess the library needed to fill their jazz flute quota. The registry also included some less musical recordings including the songs of humpback whales and the Gopac Strategy and Instructional Tapes...