Thursday, April 24, 2008

contest time yet again

Congrats to all of our winners of the Trading Spaces giveaway! Copies are headed your way! But now...

Our new contest begins today. Out of all of the emails, we will randomly pick 5 winners who will each receive a copy of Growing Up Wildcats. This is courtesy of the folks at Animal Planet and Genius Entertainment. Those of you who won in the Growing Up Artic a while back, may want to get in on this. SO GET THOSE EMAILS IN! All you have to do send an email to randomshelf@hotmail.com (note the rules below) with a subject line of Growing Up WIldcat in the subject line by APRIL 30th at 11:59 pm est.

The rules are simple:

Email us your entry at randomshelf@hotmail.com
1.You MUST include: Your name and full address in the body of the email, and "Growing Up Wildcat Giveaway" must be in the subject line.
2. The contest is only open to US residents
3. Only one entry per email address (and household, please!)
4. Contest ends on Wednesday, April 30th at 11:59pm. We will draw the winner and notify them by email sometime after May 1st.

Please note that your information will be held confidential and will not be published and only used solely for identifying the winner and shipping the prize. Also, we will mail the prize to you, but cannot guarantee that the post office will treat it with the same respect as we will when we send it out. We will only guarantee that we will mail it to the address you provide to us.
So get those emails in and good luck!

Let the contest begin!

Oh, I know it's a penny here and a penny there, but look at me. I worked myself up from nothing to a state of extreme poverty.

I thought we were gonna get television. The truth is... television is gonna get us.


Saturday, April 19, 2008

happy day(s)!


To all who celebrate: Happy Passover!
I am not Jewish myself, but growing up I had several good friends who were, and I attended a number of Holiday meals and celebrations. I was invited to several Passover meals and enjoyed being there and learning a lot about my friend, his faith and his family. I have been intrigued by it's history and it's connection to Christianity. And of course who can forget the accounts of Moses displayed onscreen in The Ten Commandments. When a society rejects religion in place of it's worship of big government, it loses not just a baseline need or motivation for ethics, citizenship and morality that religion instructs and supports. Society also loses some of it's sense of place and history. One of the big reasons for the week-long celebration is for Jews to remember and not forget their heritage. All of us could learn a little from that.

I found some interesting links for you perusal of commentaries and on the history of Passover:Maggie's Farm has linked to some good essays.
Check this nice post out at Seraphic Secret (hat tip to Libertas)
The History Channel website has a bunch of stuff including video clips.


Also today is Patriot's Day. It's the day following Paul Revere's Ride in which the minutemen and colonials along the route of the march of a British regiment at Concord fired upon them to prevent them from siezing and destroying a supply of weapons and ammunition; as per General Thomas Gage's orders:

Having received intelligence, that a quantity of Ammunition, Provisions, Artillery, Tents and small Arms, have been collected at Concord, for the Avowed Purpose of raising and supporting a Rebellion against His Majesty, you will March with a Corps of Grenadiers and Light Infantry, put under your Command, with the utmost expedition and Secrecy to Concord, where you will seize and distroy all Artillery, Ammunition, Provisions, Tents, Small Arms, and all Military Stores whatever. But you will take care that the Soldiers do not plunder the Inhabitants, or hurt private property.

Check out Jules Crittenden's blog for a wonderful section and essay including many first hand accounts. Do yourself a favor - read them and remember why the Right to Bear Arms was right up there with Free Speech and Free Worship with the Colonists. "Clinging", indeed.
Therefore, it's also the 233rd anniversary of Paul Revere's ride. Please check out our good friend, Laura and her great post about PR and several corresponding links she has posted! It's good stuff!

As far as reading more about it, might I recommend one of the best accounts, not only of Paul Revere's ride, but his place in history and American culture (or lack thereof) in the intervening years. It's David Hackett Fischer's aptly titled Paul Revere's Ride. It's authoritative, well written, well researched and highly readable. Pick up a copy- it's one for your personal library. Another great book is Robert A. Gross's The Minutemen and Their World. It's an excellent look at the people and families of Concord and Lexington. And Laura's recommendation of Esther Forbes' Paul Revere and the World He Lived In and Arthur Tourtellot's Lexington and Concord: The Beginning of the War of the American Revolution are Shelf recommended as well.
Maybe reading these will help us to remember...

Oh, I know it's a penny here and a penny there, but look at me. I worked myself up from nothing to a state of extreme poverty.

All who thirst for freedom may come with us. The shadow of death will pass over us tonight, and tomorrow we will see the light of freedom.


Wednesday, April 16, 2008

the last of nine legends...


Sad news this week. It seems we've lost another legend in as many weeks. Veteran animator, director and author Ollie Johnson passed away at the age of 95. He lived a full life and gave so much to others and of course to the world through his work. He was one of nine other Disney animation legends referred to as the "Nine Old Men"; including Ward Kimball, Frank Thomas, Wolfgang Reitherman, Les Clark, Eric Larson, John Lounsbery, Milt Kahn and Marc Davis.

If you've ever seen Snow White, Bambi, Pinocchio, Johnny Appleseed, Cinderella, Lady and the Tramp and countless other Disney films and shorts - you've seen his work. His long time collaborator Frank Thomas passed away a few years ago, and their work together was legendary. A great documentary film about their work, Frank and Ollie is a must see. Ollie was legendary in animation circles and animation and Disney fans around the world are in mourning.

There are some great tributes from around the web; here are some that are really worth reading:
Cartoon Brew: Jerry Beck and Amid have pulled together a cadre of articles and posts on Ollie that are "must reads."
Our good friend Laura has a wonderful post full of other links about Ollie over at Laura's Miscellaneous Musings.
Laura also including this nice article by Jim Hill over at Jim Hill Media.
Michael Barrier also remembers Ollie.
Here is the Frank and Ollie site. You can read his "Disney Legends" official bio at Disney (also the source of our picture- thanks!) and a list of his work at imdb.com.
And of course here are some of the news articles about his passing.

And here is something very special I found via Google (UPDATE: Cartoon Brew also has this posted at their site I found out later). It's a documentary from the Disney Channel (back when they showed Disney Vault, animation and stuff other than Hannah Montana) from a series called The Disney Family Album. It's the Ollie Johnson story (much of it in his own words). (You can also click the YouTube stuff and find links to other Disney Family Episodes.) Priceless stuff you should see. Here it is in three parts:
Part 1:


Part 2:


Part 3:


The best way to remember is to enjoy their work again. Thanks Ollie.


Oh, I know it's a penny here and a penny there, but look at me. I worked myself up from nothing to a state of extreme poverty.

Aw, come on, kid. Start building some memories.


Tuesday, April 15, 2008

preview: role model- gene wilder


I know today is probably not a typically happy day for some people. April 15th isn't known for it's levity. However, I have good news for those of you mired knee deep in W2s, 1040s, receipts and a whole bunch of other forms that I am sure are just between you and your accountant. Tonight Turner Classic Movies debuts a new series entitled Role Model, and it's initial offering features none other than actor, author and director Gene Wilder. The idea behind Role Model is to feature an actor or actress in conversation with someone they consider a role model. In tonight's special actor Alec Baldwin has a one on one conversation with the legendary Gene Wilder. In the introduction of the special Baldwin says, "I’m so grateful that Turner Classic Movies asked me to be a part of this project. I’m a big fan of the network, so I jumped at the chance when I was asked, ‘What movie star would you like to have a conversation with?" Filmed at Waveny House in New Canaan, located in Wilder’s home state of Connecticut, the conversation is relaxed, funny and at times very revealing.

The thing that struck me most about the special is how much this is a conversation, rather than a typical interview. With good reason as well. TCM Executive Producer Robert Trachtenberg has experience in this regard, having producer several excellent "conversations" for TCM including The Dick Cavett Show with Mel Brooks and directed several other great specials and documentaries such as Cary Grant: A Class Apart and Gene Kelly: Anatomy of a Dancer. But it's cozy, engaging feeling is also due to how comfortable Wilder is with Baldwin and how well the two get along. Baldwin has good instincts in this conversation/interview and is able to pull Wilder into deeper territory in talking about his life with Gilda Radner, his working relationship and friendship with Mel Brooks and Richard Pryor, and the two even banter a bit about marriage and first wives. (Uh, we won't go there.)

During the hour long special, Wilder and Baldwin talk about the theater, comedy, directing and film and Wilder's long career and current projects. Some of the most interesting parts of the conversation are Wilder discussing the early part of his career, like his experience filming Bonnie and Clyde and working with the late Lee J. Cobb on a television production of Death of a Salesman. I also enjoyed learning some behind the scenes information on his work on Young Frankenstein, especially his experience in writing the screenplay. Interesting too, was how he developed the Willy Wonka character that millions have come to know and love. Wilder says that he insisted on doing the physical bit with Wonka the limp and the cane in his first scene, or he wouldn't do the film. The director gave in and Wilder brought a classic character to the scream. When asked why it was so important to do that scene in that manner, Wilder responds, "Because after that, you don't know if he is a liar or not."

Wilder has many memories to share about Mel Brooks, Richard Pryor, Madeline Khan (who he describes as one the three greatest actresses of all time) and others. And Baldwin shares some of his own experiences too, in commiserating with Wilder over the difficulties of directing and acting in the same film, working at comedy and the joys of an audience, although Wilder says he prefers film over theater: "The thing I love about making movies is the peace of mind that I know I don’t have to be perfect the first time. I can be perfect the second time or the third time." But I don't want to reveal everything! You need to check out Role Model tonight and not only laugh, but learn about the man behind so many classic comedy roles.

Role Model leads off an entire night of Gene Wilder classics on TCM. Here is tonight's schedule:
(all times are EST- check local listings)
8 pm - Role Model: Gene Wilder
9:15 pm- The Producers
11 pm - Blazing Saddles
1 am - Encore presentation of Role Model: Gene Wilder
2:15 am - Start the Revolution Without Me

TCM continues to produce first rate original programming that is right in line with the TCM mission to show Classic Films. Shows like this and Private Screenings and others, only enhance the film lover's experience and knowledge. One can only hope to see more Role Models in the future. So put down that calculator and stubby pencil. Slip that envelope in the mail early. Then unwind and relax with Gene Wilder and TCM. Oh, yeah- don't forget to breathe. Just breathe easy. It'll be April 16th before you know it.


Oh, I know it's a penny here and a penny there, but look at me. I worked myself up from nothing to a state of extreme poverty.

For what we are about to see next, we must enter quietly into the realm of genius.


Monday, April 14, 2008

trading spaces giveaway

Congrats to all of our winners of the Walker Texas Ranger giveaway! Copies are headed your way! But now...

Our new contest begins today. Out of all of the emails, we will randomly pick 3 winners who will each receive a copy of Trading Spaces: The Specials. This is courtesy of the folks at the TLC Network. SO GET THOSE EMAILS IN! All you have to do send an email to randomshelf@hotmail.com (note the rules below) with a subject line of Trading Spaces Giveaway in the subject line by APRIL 21st at 11:59 pm est.

The rules are simple:

Email us your entry at randomshelf@hotmail.com
1.You MUST include: Your name and full address in the body of the email, and "Trading Spaces Giveaway" must be in the subject line.
2. The contest is only open to US residents
3. Only one entry per email address (and household, please!)
4. Contest ends on Monday, April 21st at 11:59pm. We will draw the winner and notify them by email sometime on April 22nd.

Please note that your information will be held confidential and will not be published and only used solely for identifying the winner and shipping the prize. Also, we will mail the prize to you, but cannot guarantee that the post office will treat it with the same respect as we will when we send it out. We will only guarantee that we will mail it to the address you provide to us.
So get those emails in and good luck!

Let the contest begin!

Oh, I know it's a penny here and a penny there, but look at me. I worked myself up from nothing to a state of extreme poverty.

I thought we were gonna get television. The truth is... television is gonna get us.


Saturday, April 12, 2008

lost and found.....


It's been a while, but of course you all know that. It's been quite a year for me. I've been out of state a few times. Some for work, some for pleasure. Aside from that, I have been investing most of my free time into my day job. I've been doing a lot of statistic collecting, closed door meetings and high pressure presentations. Doesn't sound much like cop work, huh? Believe it or not it has been quite essential for me lately and I have had to do it along with my standard patrol/supervisor duties and often for no extra pay. I'm not trying to make you all weep for me with this. I just feel that if I read a page often and one of it's writers ended up on the back of a milk carton I would appreciate a little explanation.

The good news in all of this is that the work has payed off and a new position has been created by my employer as a result and I will be assigned to this position beginning sometime in July. It will allow me to create my own schedule and will be mostly a 9 to 5 sort of thing. It's great news to my wife and kids and hopefully to those of you who may be interested in all of those little blurbs I used to throw up here on the Shelf as I will have much more time for this sort of thing. I plan on a post here fairly soon in reference to the current state of our wonderful country as soon as I can get it completed. If you can bear with me, I promise to return to 'active duty' here at the Shelf in the near future. In conclusion; how about a round of applause for JC and Mrs. Baravelli for pickin' up my slack!



Please feel free to comment if the need strikes you.


In America you can go on the air and kid the politicians, and the politicians can go on the air and kid the people.

It is better to die as a wolf than living like a dog.




Wednesday, April 09, 2008

tv on dvd review: walker texas ranger season 4

Hello Shelfers and welcome to our first ever TV on DVD review. For our inaugural offering we reached out to Mrs. Baravelli, she of the popular White Christmas post from last year. She is a fan of Walker Texas Ranger, and since we are on our final night of our Walker contest, we thought it would be a perfect time for a review of the Season 4 set we are giving away. And yes, this is the last night for the contest so get your email entry in! Just send us your name and address to randomshelf@hotmail.com and be sure to put "Walker Texas Ranger Contest" in the subject line. We'll be randomly drawing 5 winners from the entries tomorrow, so good luck! Now without further adieu... Mrs. Baravelli, take it away!

I must say that I was pleased and honored when J.C. requested my assistance at reviewing a new DVD collection he received. Was it because of my keen television intellect, my knowledge of acting facts and history, or my concise reporting style? Oh, but all of these reasons are for naught. The biggest reason J.C. requested my assistance is that I am a big….wait for it….DORK!!! Yes, I am a big dork and oft-times my choice of television and film entertainment is proof of this disease. For this reason, and this reason alone, I was asked to review the collection of the 4th season of Walker, Texas Ranger.

Now, I am certainly not trying to under play the value of this television program by saying that I am a dork. I just like my entertainment simple. I don’t need the high drama or the Emmy winning acting - none of which is found in this program. I don’t particularly like hanging on week after week and having to remember what happened in the 1st episode of the season to follow along in the 18th. I also don’t enjoy the grittiness that some of today’s programming brings. I follow the time old adage of KISS - keep it simple stupid. That ‘s what this show did. This box collection brings all of the episodes from the ‘96-’97 season of Walker.


The Hard Facts
Walker Texas Ranger: The Fourth Season
27 episodes from the 1996-1997 season come in a 7 disc set
Studio: Paramount
Full Screen Format
Stereo Surround
Release Date: 2-19-08
Rated: NR
Stars: Chuck Norris, Clarence Gilyard, Jr, Sheree J. Wilson, and Noble Willingham

The Show:
Chuck Norris stars as Texas Ranger Cordell Walker who fights crime in the big state of Texas more with his kicks and Cherokee instinct than with his gun. His partner, Ranger James Trivette, helps in the fight with his computer savvy skills, quick wit, and unending loyalty to his partner. Along for the ride are Assistant District Attorney Alex Cahill, Walker’s love interest, and his best friend and retired Ranger, C.D. Parker. The four friends help fight crime with high adventure and often while saving each other at one point or another.

This season was full of feel good, “after school special” plot lines, including Buddhist reincarnation, a small girl standing up to gang violence, and Christmas with a host of orphans. It also includes some more action packed sequences with some ex-cons, a white supremacist group, drug smugglers, and kidnappers of a bus full of children - now that’s what I call family entertainment!! This season is also where we get to see what happens to Alex‘s stalker “Victor LaRue”, my favorite returning character, only because the actor added a little spark to the story. We meet Alex’s father, Gordon Cahill, played by veteran television and screen actor Rod Taylor. We also meet Trent Malloy and his family in the Sons of Thunder episodes, later created as a short -lived spin-off to Walker, which I also watched.

If you’re looking for some action packed adventure without all of the blood and gore on today’s screen then this box set doesn’t disappoint. In the episode “Swan Song” Walker tracks down the wreckage of a small plane used in a bank robbery many years before. Alex insists on joining him, thinking it will be a fun adventure for the pair. Little do they know that some other criminals are also trying to find the plane wreckage, along with the money stolen in the robbery. In this one episode Walker and Alex scale a mountain under gun fire, Walker gets attacked by a bear and Alex has to, for once, help him - mixing herbs, making a poultice, and keeping him warm so he can recover from his wounds. As if it couldn’t get any worse, there’s also a scary cannibal on the loose. So much for the mountain get-away! A lot is going on in this episode and the same can be said of the entire box set.



Bonus Features:
Sad to say there are no bonus features in this set. I think it would have been a lot of fun if Paramount had included some behind the scene action sequences or even a fun blooper reel.

Audio/Video:
The visual and sound effects on the box set are just as good as when the episodes originally aired.

The Bottom Line:
So, is this collection worth the trip to to your local big box store? As a fan of Walker, I would say yes. I still catch a rerun or two now and again. It would definitely have been a lot more enjoyable with some extra bonus behind the scenes features, however, the episodes are just as I remembered. I guess they’re following my advice - KISS.

Overall rating:
4 stars (Groucho Glasses)







Posted by Mrs. Baravelli
If I don't come back you'll know it's good news.

You know? Life's funny - you can sleep off a hangover but you can't sleep off ugly.


Sunday, April 06, 2008

a legend is gone

Very sad news today. Charlton Heston has passed away at the age of 84. He passed away at his home on April 5, 2008 with his wife of 64 years (wow! imagine that in Hollywood!) Lydia, by his side. Earlier this year, it was feared that he was in the advanced stages of Alzheimer's disease, and that he wouldn't survive the year. Sadly our worst fears became true. Heston publicly disclosed he was suffering from Alzheimer's in 2002.One of the few real movie stars from his generation that we had still with us. He was a lion of an actor, a spokesman for the second amendment, and just a great man. Some on the left derided him for his strong religious beliefs and for being a spokesman for the NRA. but yet his strong principles for what was right and true made him a hero to millions more. Many forget that Heston was an outspoken supporter of Civil Rights and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. One of a few white actors who not only marched with Dr. King, but consistantly so, and one of the few at the March on Washington.

I could go on and on about his films, which I love, but I'm sure you have your favorites as well. We recently reviewed the new El Cid limited edition DVD, and it's an excellent introduction to the actor. Of course he would be iconic for The Ten Commandments, Planet of the Apes or Ben-Hur by themselves- but all of them make him a legend. Just one of his other films like Khartoum, The Agony and the Ecstasy, The Three Muskateers (1973), The Omega Man, Major Dundee, Will Penny, 55 Days at Peking, Julius Caesar, and A Touch of Evil would've made any other actor's career- it made his historic.

Oddly enough, one of my favorite Heston moments isn't from any of these films (though I do have countless favorite moments from them)- instead it comes from a cameo, late in his career. Yes, it was Wayne's World 2, as stupid as it sounds. I liked Wayne's World, silly and sophmoric, but full of pop culture gags. There is a scene where Wayne is racing to get to a church and stop the wedding of the girl he loves. He stops at a gas station to ask for directions to Gordon St. The gas station attendant fumbles through some lines, prompting Wayne to break the fourth wall and ask- "I know it's a small part, but can't we do better than this?" Some one from the crew escorts that actor out and brings in Charlton Heston who makes an epic acting moment out of the small part. I love this moment because it's funny, but it also speaks to the special talent of the man himself- and well- see for yourself:




You can read an excellent article about his life and career and the sad news of his death at Foxnews. Charlton Heston, 1924-2008: a great actor, a great American, and a great man, we'll miss you.

Update: There are bound to be many, many tributes on the web today and perhaps throughout the week, but here are a few from some of my favorite places on the web: Laura's Miscellaneous Musings has a nice tribute with more to come, Dirty Harry at Libertas has a great tribute plus an ongoing post of tributes from around the web, and Michelle Malkin has a nice post and clips from a Heston speech. Good Stuff.

Oh, I know it's a penny here and a penny there, but look at me. I worked myself up from nothing to a state of extreme poverty.

I've played three presidents, three saints and two geniuses - and that's probably enough for any man.


Thursday, April 03, 2008

dvd review: warner brothers gangsters collection vol.3

Hey, you mugs! You lookin' to blow your wig? You wanta place your peepers on a flick with some sweet tomatoes with long stems and a couple of torpedoes thrown in just ta make the joint swing? Hold da Amache- but the kibosh on the cabbage for now. Let me fill ya in first. I'm no chiseler, I've got da low down on what yer itchin' for. I've got the straight up and whether the pack is aces or not. So bend an ear brother, I'll tell ya if ya should make with the suds.

Ahem... excuse me. In all my excitement, I forgot myself. Perhaps I should just provide a translation. Let's see now...
Hello there! Would you like some fine entertainment? How about some exciting films with attractive long-legged ladies and some tough gentlemen who will provide exciting derring-do? Well, hold the phone and put away your money until you read my review. I will give you proper information about this DVD set, so that you can make an informed choice. I will let you know whether or not this new DVD set from Warner Brothers, The Warner Brothers Gangster Collection, Vol. 3, is worth adding to your home entertainment library. So check out my review and find out. I'll be straight with ya- natch! Aww, nuts.

The Hard Facts
Warner Brothers Gangster Collection Vol. 3
6 Discs in keepcases
Studio: Warner Brothers
Black and White
Full Screen
Original Studio: Warner Brothers
Release Date: 3/25/2008
Rated: NR
Stars: James Cagney, Edward G. Robinson, Humphrey Bogart
Directors: Various


Background:
This is the third installment in WB's Warner Brother's Gangster Collection series (you probably figured that when you noticed the phrase: "Vol. 3"). "But wait," you say, "I don't remember a Volume 2. How can that be." Well far be it from me to comment on your poor memory, or any other type of impairment that might have hindered you faculties, but it's no wonder you don't remember. It's because The Warner Brother's Tough Guys Collection from last year has been reissued and redubbed WB Gangster Collection, Vol. 2. Still with me? Good. Anyway, this installment of Gangster flicks include more raucous fun and humor- with the same "dese" and dose" attitude you've come to know and love.
In the 1930s, Warner Brothers was known for it's gritty dramas and gangster flicks that pushed the envelope. And audiences couldn't get enough of them. At the top of the batting order for Warners was Edward G. Robinson and James Cagney. Both had their breakout roles in recent years with 1931's Public Enemy (Cagney) and 1930's Little Caesar (Robinson). And while it was easy to come up with a plot for a regular gangster movie, Cagney's and Robinson's talents rose above the average picture. Audiences wanted to see these stars, and so they did all sorts of pictures at Warner's, but mostly with some facet of the “transgressive-type” personality that audiences had come to love. Even the gangster pictures had some sub-genres- comedies, etc. where even though the main character is a rogue, he's a lovable rogue. These characters didn't always rise to the level of anti-hero from film noir a decade or so later, but usually if our anti-hero was on the bad side, there was always someone who was really bad that our sorta bad rogue could take down.
Those types of gangster comedies take center stage in Volume 3, and we get a good look at some of Warner's other pre-code pictures, where things weren't always so nice and tidy, the vernacular was slightly shady, some of the girls weren't so nice, and not everybody got what was coming to them. To an audience living during the Great Depression, it must have been somewhat refreshing to not only see the little guy get even sometime, but also to not have to always stomach fairy tale endings. They knew all too well that although the movies were black and white, real life tended to be in shades of gray.


The Films:
Volume 3 includes six films, mostly from the early 1930s: Lady Killer, Picture Snatcher, The Mayor of Hell, Smart Money, Black Legion and Brother Orchid. Bonus Features will be listed after each film.

Lady Killer:
This 1933 film reteams James Cagney and Mae Clark, only two years after the blockbuster Public Enemy. Cagney is not a psychopathic killer here, but he retains the wiseguy attitude and endless energy. Cagney plays Dan Quigley, who gets fired from his job as a movie usher and soon falls in with a gang of small time crooks in New York. Quigley’s resourcefulness however turns the penny ante group into a gambling operation complete with a nightclub/hidden casino. Eventually the gang moves on to burglary, but one of them becomes more and more violent, eventually turning to murder. The gang splits up, and Quigley and gang girl Myra (Clarke) head to California where Dan is soon picked up and wrongly arrested for the murder back in New York. Instead of bailing him our, Myra skips with the money and the former leader of the gang, Duke. Dan eventually gets released and through a Hollywood-fable style discovery, gets a job in the movies. Dan becomes more and more popular in the films, becoming a major star. And now that Dan has turned his life around – the old gang comes back to “share” in his good fortune.

Lady Killer is a great flick, and is quite funny when it needs to be, and action packed when it needs to be. Cagney builds on his Public Enemy performance and adds more charm and verve to his role. His humor, his attitude, his constant energy makes the film so much more than the sum of it’s script and plot. Mae Clark is also great, and being an unabashed Mae Clark fan, I really wish she was in the film more. This one contains the second famous Cagney-Clark scene (after the grapefruit scene) in which Cagney grabs her by the hair and forcibly removes her from his apartment. Clark is no withering lily either. Her Maya is at times charmed by Dan, but she is also tough and subversive too. Buy Maya is nobody’s fool, she doesn’t really love Dan, but she can’t quite completely betray him either. The rest of the cast is good, especially Warners stalwart Leslie Fenton who turned a great performance as Duke. Great stuff- a great Warner’s gangster flick with lots of humor and action which goes at such a fast clip that there isn’t a single lull in the picture.
Bonus Features include: a great commentary track by Dr. Drew Casper, and Warner Night At the Movies 1933: Movie retrospective short: The Camera Speaks; Vintage newsreel; Musical short: Kissing Time; Classic cartoon: The Shanty Where Santy Claus Lives; Trailers of Lady Killer and 1933's Footlight Parade.

Picture Snatcher
Cagney returns in another 1933 film as gang boss Danny Kean who decides to give it all up when he gets out of jail. A newspaper editor once offered him job once he got out, so Danny is set on being a newspaper reporter. But once he goes to get the job, the city editor (Ralph Bellamy in a good role) who is drunk and dispirited tells him the paper is nothing more than a tabloid looking for the next scandalous picture. When Danny overhears that the publisher is looking for a picture no one else can get, he goes out – gets the picture and then gets the job as a photographer. Danny improves in his job, weathers the amorous advances of the boss’s girl, and falls in love with the daughter of the cop who initially arrested him. One of the central events of the film is the execution of a notorious female prisoner. The paper wants a picture of the execution, but the police won’t allow a representative from their paper to witness the execution because of their reputation. Danny manipulates an invite into the execution and sneaks a picture of the gruesome event.

This part of the film is actually based on a real event. A New York Daily News journalist, Tom Howard snuck in a camera into the execution of Ruth Snyder, who had murdered her husband with the help of her lover. The paper printed the picture across the front page the next day. Ruth’s story not only partly inspired this film, but also the novel and film, Double Indemnity and partly inspired the films The Postman Always Rings Twice and Body Heat. Picture Snatcher was a snappy film; fast paced and filled with action, gumption and humor.
Bonus Features include: Commentary by film historians Jeffrey Vance and Tony Maietta; and Warner Night at the Movies 1933: Vintage newsreel; Musical short: Plane Crazy; Classic cartoon: Wake up the Gypsy in Me; Trailers of Picture Snatcher and 1933's I Loved a Woman; and another trailer for Escape From Crime.

The Mayor of Hell
The third film starring Cagney makes him out to be a reformed gangster version of Father Flannigan. Several boys (similar to the Dead End Kids) get in trouble once to often and find themselves sent to a reform school run by a very sadistic and opportunistic warden. The boys discover the place is more like a prison than any kind of reform school. When a new deputy Commissioner Patsy Gargan (Cagney) arrives for an annual inspection, the warden correctly suspects that he someone who was appointed as a political favor, he isn’t too afraid of Gargan. But Gargan is no typical appointee, he is a reformed gangster who used to be like the very boys he sees incarcerated. When one of the boy is hurt attempting to escape, Gargan decides to do more than just inspect. The school nurse, who worries and cares for the boys, tells Gargan how the school should be run, giving him inspiration to run the school himself. Gargan sends the warden on an extended vacation and implements the reforms, which become successful. When the warden discovers the changes upon his return, he is determine to regain control and get rid of Gargan.
This film is sort of like a cross between Angels with Dirty Faces and Boys Town. It’s a bit much to swallow sometimes, but it is still very entertaining. The leader of the boys also bears an uncanny resemblance to Cagney, perhaps due to casting more than coincidence.
Bonus Features include: Commentary by film historian Greg Mank and Warner Night at the Movies 1933: Vintage newsreel; Musical short: The Audition; Classic cartoon: The Organ Grinder; Trailers of The Mayor of Hell and 1933's The Kennel Murder Case. Also included are bonus trailers of Crime School and Hell's Kitchen.

Smart Money
This time Edward G. Robinson is the lead in this 1931 gangster flick with flair; Cagney also appears in a supporting role as Robinson’s friend and right hand man. Robinson is Nick, a small town Greek barber, who has a special flair for picking horses, numbers and cards. He is always talking about getting into the big action in the big city, so his buddies stake him to 10,000 bucks and Nick heads for the big time. When he finds himself the victim of a scam, Nick exacts his revenge and eventually becomes one of the biggest racketeers on the East coast. The District Attorney soon sets his sights on Nick, but Nick seems too smart. It isn’t long before the DA thinks he has discovered Nick’s weakness and attempts to turn the screws.
Smart Money is a very entertaining film, but it seems to develop too long in the beginning and rushes toward the end. The Cagney character is toned down from his usual energetic self, and Robinson, as always commands the screen. Other character are underdeveloped, but it doesn’t take away too much from the film.
Bonus Features include: Commentary by film historians Alain Silver and James Ursini and Warner Night at the Movies 1931: Vintage newsreel; Musical short George Jessel and His Russian Art Choir and The Smart Set-Up; Classic cartoon Big Man From the North. Also includes a trailer of 1931's Other Men's Women.

Brother Orchid
Edward G. Robinson also stars in this 1940 film, leading an all-star cast that includes the lovely and very likable Ann Southern, Humphrey Bogart, Ralph Bellamy and Donald Crisp. Robinson plays gang boss Little John Sarto who desires to achieve “real class”. He leaves his gang and appoints his second as boss and then embarks on a long European vacation, sans his long-suffering girlfriend played by Southern. Thinking he can buy class, all Sarto ends up doing is loosing all of his money and coming home 5 years later, broke. When Sarto gets back, he expects to be greeted by his old gang with open arms, but his old second in command, Jack Buck (Bogart), has a firm grip on things and tosses him out on his ear. Seeking out his revenge, Sarto begins a rival gang and reacquiring his former territory. This doesn’t sit well with Buck, who then engineers a hit on Sarto. Although Sarto manages to survive, everyone believes he is dead. In reality, he was found by members of a monastery and nursed back to health. Sarto assumes the name of Brother Orchid and hides out among the monks and works with them growing their flowers for sale in the city.

Brother Orchid is very entertaining, and different for a gangster film. It’s really more of a comedy than anything else, with some real sentiment. Robinson’s Sarto character doesn’t really have an overnight conversion to the order, as someone might suspect. That’s something that cheesier, later Hollywood flicks would do. Sarto is more true to his character, but he still grows to respect the monks and their way of life. His eventual self-examination and realization that something needs to change comes gradually and is more believable. The cast is great as well, although Bogart’s second banana bad guy stuff is soon coming to an end by this time- and it’s beginning to wear thin. Thank goodness the studios came around during this time and realized he was destined for better things.
Bonus Features include: Commentary by Robinson Biographer Alan L. Gansberg and Bogart Biographer Eric Lax and, of course, Warner Night At the Movies 1940: Vintage newsreel; Musical short: Henry Busse and His Orchestra; Classic cartoons: Busy Bakers and Slap Happy Pappy; and Trailers of Brother Orchid and 1940's It All Came True.

Black Legion
Humphrey Bogart stars in this dark look at nativism during the 30s. Warner’s made this socially conscious drama in 1937 and based it on a real offshoot of the KKK: The Black Legion and a murder that brought the Legion to trial. Bogart is Frank Taylor, a family man and factory worker, who is passed over for promotion for a job he believes was rightfully his. The Frank Taylor we are introduced to is happy, hard working and easy going, but not getting the job sours his outlook on life. Things start to twist is views when a co-worker claims that the guy who got the promotion was only promoted because he is a “foreigner”. He introduces Frank to a secret society known as The Black Legion, who dress up in robes and hoods with skull symbols. The Legion uses terror tactics to drive off anyone who has foreign names, backgrounds or accents. Intially Frank is pleased when the Legion helps him drive his new supervisor out of town and he gets the promotion. But eventually Frank becomes more and more entangled with the Legion. His wife and neighbors notices changes in his demeanor and attitude, and when Frank loses his job, his life spirals out of control.

This seemed like an odd choice to include in this set, and I put off watching it until the last. However, I was taken by the grittiness and earthiness of the film and the message it gave. Warners specialized in these “urban social” pictures in the 1930s, and perhaps audiences saw more real life reflected in them than in other films. The film also takes an interesting approach and shows a scene where the real leaders of the Black Legion are wealthy racketeer-types who are making most of their money off of membership dues and uniform and pistol purchases. To them it’s all about the money. Perhaps that is the connection to the “gangsters” theme for inclusion in the box set.
Bonus Features include: a very good commentary by film historians Patricia King Hanson and Anthony Slide and Warner Night at the Movies 1937: Vintage newsreel; Musical short Hi De Ho with Cab Calloway; Technicolor historical short Under Southern Stars; Classic cartoon Porky and Gabby; and Trailers of Black Legion and 1937's The Perfect Specimen.

Bonus Features:
See individual films above for a listing of the bonus features. Just a small note: I really enjoy the Warner Night at the Movies and am encouraged to see them continue to bring interesting and great bonus shorts to include with the films. It really gives you a taste of the movie going experience and a snapshot of popular culture of that time. The only quibble I might have, albeit a small one, is that some of the newsreels are incomplete or lacking sound. I understand that they are dealing with existing footage issues and trying to make them relevant to the subject of the box set, but I believe I would prefer whole newsreels, rather than just relevant clips. It is less off-putting that way. Also- kudos for the excellent commentaries. Some of them were quite good, especially from the always excellent, entertaining and informative Drew Casper.


Audio/Video:
As we’ve come to expect from Warner Brothers, they take excellent care with their library of titles in bringing them to DVD. The audio is quite excellent and free of any pops or hissing on the films- except when it comes to the bonus features, particularly the newsreels which we’ve previously discussed. The prints are great and rich in black and white, shades and shadow. Lady Killer and most of the rest look crisp and fresh.

The Bottom Line:
Warner’s has had a lot to live up to with the previous two volumes in their gangster collection. They have hit it out of the park again. I really enjoyed all of the films and was surprised by a few, especially Black Legion which including a fantastic performance from Humphrey Bogart. My favorites of the set were Lady Killer and Brother Orchid – top rate flicks that everyone should see- and that center the entire set. Anyone who owns the previous two should have this on their shelf already. If you don’t, you have a great opportunity to make a serious contribution to your DVD library. In addition to picking up Vol. 3, WB has reissued the first two volumes at a great price! If you are into gangster films, do yourself a favor and pick them up. This set is highly recommended for them, classic film buffs and film history nuts alike.

Review Rating:
If we were to assign a grade to all of the films and features individually, they would earn the following:
Lady Killer: A+
Brother Orchid
: A+
Picture Snatcher: A
Mayor of Hell: B
Smart Money: B
Black Legion: A
Bonus Features: A+

Overall Rating:
Warner Brother’s Gangster Collection Vol. 3 is a MUST HAVE!
We give it 5 stars (Groucho glasses)






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Oh, I know it's a penny here and a penny there, but look at me. I worked myself up from nothing to a state of extreme poverty.

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Wednesday, April 02, 2008

new dvd giveaway!


Congrats to all of our winners of the Love Boat/Fugative giveaway! Copies are headed your way! But now...

Our new contest begins today. Out of all of the emails, we will randomly pick 5 winners who will each receive a copy of Walker, Texas Ranger Season 4. This is courtesy of the folks at Paramount/CBS DVD. SO GET THOSE EMAILS IN! All you have to do send an email to randomshelf@hotmail.com (note the rules below) with a subject line of Walker Texas Ranger Giveaway in the subject line by APRIL 9th at 11:59 pm est.

The rules are simple:

Email us your entry at randomshelf@hotmail.com
1.You MUST include: Your name and full address in the body of the email, and "Walker Texas Ranger Giveaway" must be in the subject line.
2. The contest is only open to US residents
3. Only one entry per email address (and household, please!)
4. Contest ends on Wednesday, April 9th at 11:59pm. We will draw the winner and notify them by email sometime on April 10th.

Please note that your information will be held confidential and will not be published and only used solely for identifying the winner and shipping the prize. Also, we will mail the prize to you, but cannot guarantee that the post office will treat it with the same respect as we will when we send it out. We will only guarantee that we will mail it to the address you provide to us.
So get those emails in and good luck!

Let the contest begin!

Oh, I know it's a penny here and a penny there, but look at me. I worked myself up from nothing to a state of extreme poverty.

I thought we were gonna get television. The truth is... television is gonna get us.


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