classic stars, classic dvd news

It's been a long week since this past Halloween. And we've been busy here at the Shelf, reviewing new releases just for you. Awww - twern't nothin'. We'll be loading up those reviews here shortly (in fact, be sure to check back tomorrow!). Until then, we have some exciting DVD news that should have classic film fans excited.

Forbidden Hollywood, Vol. 2 (March 4, 2007- not yet available for pre-order)
This is one set that I was hoping would've been released this year. It was about this time last year that Vol. 1 came out, which we reviewed here, to much acclaim. I had great hopes that some titles like Night Nurse (check out this great post on the film at Another Old Movie Blog) would be on the next set and that there would be a documentary or features. It looks like my hopes are well founded. Forbidden Hollywood Vol. 2 will be released in a three disc set on March 4th, 2008 and will have the following 5 titles, all hitting DVD for the first time: The Divorcee (1930- Norma Shearer), A Free Soul (1931-Lionel Barrymore), Three on a Match (1932-Bette Davis, Joan Blondell and Ann Dvorak), Female (1933- George Brent and Ruth Chatterton), and the highly sought after Night Nurse (1931-Barbara Stanwyck and Clark Gable) There will be commentaries and theatrical trailers for some of the film. Also included will be a brand new, feature length documentary, Thou Shalt Not: Sex, Sin and Censorship in Pre-Code Hollywood, that covers the years before and during the Hayes code. Fantastic! What more could you ask for? Well, how about a Volume 3? I am especially looking forward to The Divorcee (one of the films that really pushed the Hayes office over the edge) Three on a Match and Night Nurse. I can't wait.

Joan Crawford Collection Vol.2 (Feb.12, 2008- available for pre-order)
Many have been waiting for Warners to release the much talked-about Vol.2 of Joan Crawford classics. I know many have been hoping that Johnny Guitar would be included in that set as well. I've got good news and bad news. Warners is finally releases The Joan Crawford Collection Vol.2 on February 12, 2008. The bad news is that fans will have to keep waiting for Johnny Guitar. That's OK- there's some good stuff here to tide you over! The five films included in this set are: A Woman's Face, Flamingo Road, Sadie McKee, Strange Cargo, and Torch Song. As usual with Warner's box sets, a bevy of trailers, commentaries, cartoons, vintage shorts and other extras will be locked and loaded.

Lastly- The Bob Hope MGM Movie Legends Collection (Dec. 4, 2007- available for pre-order)
Not too far off in December, MGM will release a 7 disc Bob Hope: MGM Movie Legends Collection on Dec. 4th. Three of the films are new to DVD: Alias Jesse James, Boy, Did I Get the Wrong Number and The Facts of Life . Four others have been previously released: I'll Take Sweden, The Princess and the Pirate, The Road to Hong Kong and They've Got Me Covered. No extras to speak so far. When we get to release date and if we receive a review copy, we'll let you know.


Good stuff, right? Well, that's not all- we've got some reviews of some recent releases that would make any classic film fan happy this holiday season. And they very well might be winners in the first annual Shelf DVD releases of the year! Who knows? Well see...



There's only one guy in the world that can do a nurse any good and that's a patient with dough!