What’s still to come in 06 … August 24, 2006
Posted by jackal in : Films , trackbackFirstly, I want to apologise to anyone who found themselves having to explain to their boss why they fell asleep at their desk while reading my most recent post, “The Second Time Around”. It seemed like an OK idea for a post at the time, but I just read it again myself and I’m thinking ‘even I don’t care …’
Anyway, this’ll be an improvement, I promise. With a little over four months left in 2006, and most of the year’s remaining DVD releases now announced, I thought I’d take a look at my pre-orders list, and whittle it down to the 10 that I’m most looking forward to:
10. The Paul Newman Collection (Warner Bros, R1, 14 November)
A seven-film boxset containing: Harper, The Drowning Pool, The Left-Handed Gun, The Mackintosh Man, Pocket Money, Somebody Up There Likes Me and The Young Philadelphians. Why so low on my list? Truth be told, I’m still a little annoyed that the immensely fun The Prize was excluded, in favour of something like Pocket Money (not exactly my favourite Newman film). Sorry, I’ll stop bitching now 
9. Columbo: The Complete Sixth and Seventh Seasons (Universal, R1, 14 November)
The last of the original 1970s episodes hit DVD in this boxsetset (since seasons six and seven only have a combined eight episodes, they’re being issued together). This final volume of the classic TV show features guest stars like William Shatner, Samantha Eggar, Louis Jourdan, Ruth Gordon, Nicol Williamson and Jamie Lee Curtis. It also includes two of the very best Columbo episodes: Try and Catch Me, and Murder Under Glass. The only bad thing? Once this is released, all that remains are the inferior “new” episodes from the show’s second life (1989-2003).
8. Forbidden Hollywood Collection: volume 1 (Warner Bros/TCM, R1, 5 December)
What should prove to be a fascinating collection: Three Hollywood movies dating from before the 1934 introduction of the Production Code: Barbara Stanwyck in Baby Face (1933), Jean Harlow in Red-Headed Woman (1932), and Mae Clarke in Waterloo Bridge (1931).
7. Hollywood’s Legends of Horror Collection (Warner Bros, R1, 3 October)
Another collection of 1930s films from Warner Bros, this time it’s six early horror films, arriving just in time for Halloween: Mark of the Vampire, The Mask of Fu Manchu, Doctor X, The Return of Doctor X, Mad Love and The Devil Doll. Should make for great late-night viewing.
6. Cary Grant: Screen Legend Collection (Universal, R1, 14 November)
I’ve mentioned this collection in a previous post. I’m familiar with none of these films, but with a star like Grant, and the price under £15, what’s not to like? Includes five films from the 1930s: Thirty Day Princess, Kiss and Make Up, Wings in the Dark, Big Brown Eyes and Wedding Present.
5. Body Heat: 25th Anniversary Deluxe Edition (Warner Bros, R1, 24 October)
IMO one of the very best neo-noirs, this terrific riff on Double Indemnity is being released in a new special edition for its silver anniversary. If you haven’t seen it, pre-order. Now.
4. Humphrey Bogart: The Signature Collection volume 2 (Warner Bros, R1, 3 October)
Four new-to-DVD titles: Across the Pacific, All Through the Night, Passage to Marseille, Action in the North Atlantic, anchored by a mouthwatering, 3-disc Special Edition of The Maltese Falcon, which includes not only the 1941 classic, but two previous adaptations: The Maltese Falcon (1931) and Satan Met a Lady (1936). Passage to Marseille is the weak link for me, but this is still one hell of a set.
3. Forbidden Planet: Ultimate Collector’s Edition (Warner Bros, R1, 14 November)
I’ve somehow never managed to cross paths with this landmark 1950s science fiction film, but that’ll soon change. WB are offering Forbidden Planet restored and remastered in a 2-disc Special Edition with documentaries, a bonus Robby the Robot-starring movie, additional footage, and so on. But, puny earthlings, who’d settle for that, when for merely double the price, you can have the Ultimate Collector’s Edition, which comes in a gorgeous tin with lobby cards and - wait for it - a toy Robby the Robot. I kid you not. Look at the picture and tell me: how can anyone resist that? 
2. Astaire & Rogers Ultimate Collector’s Edition (Warner Bros, R1, 24 October)
A package that is about as close to perfection as I can visualise. All ten Fred & Ginger musicals: Flying Down to Rio, The Gay Divorcee, Roberta, Top Hat, Follow the Fleet, Swing Time, Shall We Dance, The Story of Verne and Irene Castle and The Barkleys of Broadway in a bumper boxset with a bonus documentary, soundtrack CD, photo cards, press book reproductions, and more. Damn it, I want this nowwwwww.
1. Superman: The Ultimate Collection (Warner Bros, R1&2, date TBC)
WB promised earlier this year that a gargantuan, 14 disc Superman collection would be released late in 2006. Since then, things have become a little murky; a boxset of the four Christopher Reeve films has been announced, but nothing further. I have my fingers crossed that the Ultimate Collection is still on the cards - it would be the frontrunner for DVD release of the year in my book. What would it contain, though? Well, most likely this lot ….
Superman: The Movie 4 disc Special Edition
Superman II: Special Edition
Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut
Superman III: Deluxe Edition
Superman IV: Deluxe Edition
Superman Returns: Special Edition
Bonus discs, including Look, up in the Sky: The Amazing Story of Superman (2006)
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