Novello, Jay

The Adventures of Ma & Pa Kettle, Vol. 2 (At the Fair / On Vacation / At Home / At Waikiki)

America's favorite country couple are back together again in a brand new collection featuring four of their all-time favorite films. Ma & Pa Kettle (Marjorie Main and Percy Kilbride) continue to charm audiences with their down-home humor and hilarious antics, inspiring in The Adventures of Ma & Pa Kettle: Volume 2, featuring Ma and Pa Kettle at the Fair, Ma and Pa Kettle on Vacation, Ma and Pa Kettle at Home, Ma and Pa Kettle at Waikiki. Join the Kettles this time as they travel the globe, getting involved in everything from international spies and pineapple plantations to harness racing and hurricanes in this delightful special collector's set.

What Did You Do in the War, Daddy?

Comedy master Blake Edwards weaves his wacky madness in this first-rate WWII story of a by-the-book Captain (Dick Shawn) who is ordered to take over a troop of misfit soldiers led by Lieutenant James Coburn.System Requirements:Running Time: 116 minutesFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: COMEDY/CLASSICS Rating: NR UPC: 883904106845 Manufacturer No: M110684

The Lost World (Special Edition) - 1960 & 1925 versions

The Lost World (Special Edition) is a terrific two-fer that includes Irwin Allen's glossy, 1960 adaptation of Arthur Conan Doyle's novel as well as the fantastic, 1925 silent version of the same story. In essence, The Lost World is Doyle's tale of an expedition to a mysterious plateau deep in the Amazon rainforest, where cantankerous adventurer Professor Challenger leads an expedition to prove the existence of prehistoric creatures living far from the civilized world. Allen's film, as with his many movie and television productions focusing on disasters (The Poseidon Adventure) and science fiction (Land of the Giants), is full of relationship complications within a large ensemble of characters, creating drama and tension even before terror strikes. An attractive cast including Claude Rains as Challenger, Michael Rennie, David Hedison, Jill St. John, and Fernando Lamas makes Allen's The Lost World fun to watch, especially if one self-consciously overlooks the cast's persistently clean and pressed wardrobe (and perfect hair) despite the jungle heat and assaults by cannibals.

Part of the film's charm is also its most ludicrous element: "dinosaurs" played by various, wriggling tropical lizards, a far cry from the stop-motion animation creatures--that actually look like dinosaurs--in Harry O. Hoyt's amazing take on The Lost World 35 years before Allen's. An impressive spectacle that conveys a certain beautiful wildness, the film stars Wallace Beery as an imposing Challenger, trapped with his team on the aforementioned plateau. In constant danger from carnivorous monsters (as well as flesh-eating monkey-men), the group's relationship strains have greater poignancy and the stakes seem higher all around. Where Allen's film is lulling, Hoyt's is galvanizing, but each is unique and well worth a visit. --Tom Keogh

An eccentric scientist (Claude Rains) returns from the Amazon with news of a distant plateau where creatures from the dawn of time still prowl the jungle. To prove his story, he gathers a team of explorers, including a journalist (David Hedison), a playboy-adventurer )Michael Rennie), a beautiful socialite (Jill St. John), and a pilot (Fernando Lamas) with a secret plan of revenge. But an unexpected attack on their camp leaves the group stranded in a world of dinosaurs and other exotic creatures, where humans are no longer the lords of the earth¿they are helpless prey.

The Robe

When Roman tribune Marcellus Gallio (Richard Burton) is sent to Jerusalem, one of his assignments is the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Marcellus, a cynical and hardened man, wins the robe Jesus wore to the crucifixion while gambling with other Roman soldiers underneath the dying savior. He later becomes convinced that his hallucinations and violent outbursts are the result of a curse received from the robe, which is now in the possession of his escaped slave, Demetrius (Victor Mature), somewhere in the Middle East. He sets out to find Demetrius in order to destroy the robe and the curse and finds faith instead, converting to Christianity. This was the first movie to be filmed in CinemaScope, and won Oscars in 1953 for costume design, art direction, and set decoration. The visual aspects of the film are stunning, and it may be worth viewing for that alone; however, the script and acting leave much to be desired, and you won't find inspiration in these areas if that's what interests you. If, however, you are more interested in this film for its religious matter, the story of the conversion of the hardened Marcellus is inspiring. --James McGrath

The first movie ever filmed in CinemaScope, THE ROBE ws nominated for five Academy Awards in 1953, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Richard Burton. Burton stars as Marcellus Galilo, the Roman centurian charged with overseeing the crucifixion. But when he wins Christ's robe in a gambling game at the foot of the cross, his life is forever changed.

McHale's Navy - Season Two

The ever-popular Ernest Borgnine, one of the all-time great "regular guy" stars, anchored McHale's Navy, a cheerful, rambunctious '60s sitcom set in the South Pacific during World War II. By its second season, the show had perfected its formula (a formula already lifted wholesale from The Phil Silvers Show): Lt. Commander McHale (Borgnine) and the scrappy crew of his PT boat (including Tim Conway, later of The Carol Burnett Show, as bumbling Ensign Parker and Gavin MacLeod, later to helm The Love Boat, as seaman "Happy" Haines) scheme, swindle, and romance their way through the war, avoiding the enemy whenever possible, and making life miserable for their petty, tyrannical commanding officer, Capt. Binghamton (Joe Flynn, later to appear in numerous Disney live-action movies like The Love Bug and The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes). Though some episodes reflected real world issues of the 1960s (for example, Ensign Parker feels less of a man when a pretty nurse turns out to be better than him at pretty much everything), by and large the show existed in a bubble of slapstick and classic vaudeville schtick--and the show's fans wouldn't want it any other way. Despite the backdrop of WWII, McHale's Navy aimed young. McHale and his crew are basically a gang of rascally kids getting away with pranks and defying the adult authority figures around them. Though the guys routinely pursue nurses, their "dates" amount to little more than stolen kisses and light petting--compared to the leering Hogan's Heroes, McHale's Navy is strangely prepubescent. Of course, this innocence is much of the show's charm, and makes the occasional Asian and Pacific Islander stereotypes a little easier to take (though it's worth noting that the Japanese characters on the show were always played by Japanese actors, something not common at the time). In addition to the original 36 episodes aired in 1963-64, McHale's Navy: Season Two features brief interviews with Borgnine and Conway (regrettably, Flynn died in 1974). The fairly bland Borgnine interview has at least one good anecdote, but the Conway interview is charming throughout. --Bret Fetzer

From Quinton McHale's first onscreen appearance on a pair of water skis 1960s audiences knew the hero of the title wasn't a typical navy officer. Set in World War II this military sitcom features a band of unlikely shipmen led by McHale (Oscar winner Ernest Borgnine MARTY) that were more at war with their staid superiors than with the Axis powers. In addition to moonshine makers and skirt chasers this motley crew features a con man and a Japanese deserter. Borgnine is supported by a stellar cast including comedic luminaries Tim Conway (THE CAROL BURNETT SHOW) Gavin McLeod (THE LOVE BOAT) and Joe Flynn (BATMAN). This collection presents the classic sitcom's second season in its entirety.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: TELEVISION/SERIES & SEQUELS UPC: 826663105742 Manufacturer No: SF10574

McHale's Navy - Season One

Something of a cross between M*A*S*H* (it's set in wartime) and Sgt. Bilko (the emphasis in on ensemble acting, with a ringleader and his band of merry pranksters), McHale's Navy isn't on a level with those two immortal sit-coms. But this amiable show, debuting on DVD with all 36 black & white episodes from its first season (1962-63) on five discs, stands the test of time surprisingly well. Not that there's any important new comedic ground broken here. These half-hour episodes are pretty much all about the same thing: Lt. Cmdr. Quinton McHale (the always reliable Ernest Borgnine), skipper of Navy PT boat #73, and his crew are stationed "somewhere in the South Pacific, 1943." They're capable sailors, engaging the Japanese enemy when duty occasionally calls, but most of the time they hang out on their own private island and have a good time--much to the chagrin of their blustery commander, Capt. Wallace Binghamton (Joe Flynn), who's constantly trying to rid himself of the regulation-defying McHale and his fun-loving band of miscreants. In that respect, McHale's Navy is much like Bilko. But unlike the latter show's brilliant Phil Silvers, Borgnine isn't really a comedian; with his unmistakable cackle, the actor's McHale, while not above taking part in a good-natured prank, is a less a Bilko-esque con artist than a regular guy, a kind of cheer- and ringleader intent on looking after his boys. The real laughmeisters on this show are Tim Conway, who brings his whole bag of shticks to the role of the bumbling Ensign Charles Parker, and Flynn, who's consistently hilarious. Among the crew, Carl Ballantine stands out as fast-talking Brooklyn native Lester Gruber; TV lovers will also recognize Gavin MacLeod in his first extended TV role before moving on to The Mary Tyler Moore Show and The Love Boat.

It's always a bit strange to see war scenes played for laughs--the Pacific Theater in World War II was hardly comedy central, after all. But they are pretty funny. And while the Japanese characters are treated fairly stereotypically, it could have been a lot worse, considering the show's pre-political correctness provenance; hell, many of the roles are actually played by Japanese actors, which was not a given (then or now), and in one episode ("Movies Are Your Best Diversion"), they speak un-subtitled Japanese. Fact is, McHale's Navy is just too mild and good-natured to offend anyone. The sole bonus feature is a dull reunion interview with Borgnine, Parker, and some other cast members.--Sam Graham

The misadventures of a misfit PT Boat crew during World War II.These are the adventures of the misfit crew of PT-73 during World War II. They're one of the best fighting crews in the Navy but break regulations when it suits them. Their commander LCDR McHale is at times as roguish as his crew but he puts his foot down when things go too far. They are assigned an XO Ensign Parker who is by-the-book but too much of a klutz to command too much respect. They have a house-boy Fuji who deserted the Japanese Navy who wears a POW outfit just in case he's caught so he won't be shot at. Their nemesis is CAPT Binghamton and his aide LT Carpenter. They're initially stationed in the South Pacific but move to Italy in the last season.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: TELEVISION/SERIES & SEQUELS Rating: UNRATED UPC: 826663104189 Manufacturer No: D5D10418

McHale's Navy: Season Three

ALL 36 EPISODES FROM THE THIRD SEASON STARRING ERNEST BORGNINE TIM CONWAY AND JOE FLYNN Lieutenant Commander Quinton McHale Ernest Borgnine Ensign Parker Tim Conway and the rest of the misfit crew of PT73 are back in action on the Taratupa Island Naval Base setting sail for 36 more adventures in hilarity. From 1962 through 1966 McHale s Navy was a mustsee staple of ABC television. By the show s third year on the air the nowfamiliar crew had become a classic embodiment of American culture an unforgettable gang of funloving guys who were constantly at odds with authority. System Requirements:Running Time: 900 minutesFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: TELEVISION/SERIES & SEQUELS Rating: G UPC: 826663107203 Manufacturer No: SF10720

The Miracle of Our Lady of Fatima

Screen chronicle based on actual 1917 events outside Fatima Portugal where three shepherd children report visions of the Virgin Mary and confront anticlerical government oppression in the process.Running Time: 102 min.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA UPC: 012569756922 Manufacturer No: 75692

The Miracle of Our Lady of Fatima tells the story--through an admittedly Hollywood prism--of one of the most beloved Catholic legends of the 20th century. Three young shepherd children in the remote Portuguese mountain town Fatima reported seeing a vision in 1917 of "a beautiful lady" who spoke to them of strife, war and peace and the love of Jesus. Soon the word spread, and throngs, teetering on mobs, gathered near the site for a glimpse of what they believed to be Mary, mother of Jesus. The children remained steadfast in their account, despite threats from the church and the government, and the final appearance of the lady, on Oct. 13, 1917, was accompanied by strange apparitions in the sky that have yet to be explained by science. The movie is well-made and -acted, especially by a radiant Susan Whitney, who plays the oldest child, Lúcia Abóbora dos Santos. The screenplay takes some liberties with the facts: the lovable jokester-sidekick character of Hugo is fictitious, and one wonders if perhaps a few of Our Lady's cautions about the multitude of evil things happening in 1917 Russia might have been heard through a Cold War filter. But the 1952 film is moving and is a reminder that big studios once routinely, and profitably, released religious-themed movies, to audiences who surely would appreciate some of the same today. --A.T. Hurley

Pocketful of Miracles

Superbly directed by the peerless Frank Capra, this remake of Lady For A Day is pure Hollywood magican unforgettable combination of comedy, whimsy and romance that was nominated* for three OscarsÂ(r)! Impoverished Broadway peddler Apple Annie (Bette Davis) has a problem. Her daughter, Louise (Ann-Margret), educated abroad since infancy, is coming for a visit and bringing her wealthy fiancÃ(c) with her. The problem is that Louise has believed all her life that Annie's a wealthydowager, and the poor old woman doesn't know what to do! Enter Dave the Dude (Glenn Ford)a big-hearted racketeerwho enlists the aid of his colorful mob of hooligans in a wild and crazy schemeto pass Annie off as a high-society grande dame so Louise can marry her fairy-tale prince and everyone can live happily ever after! *1961: Supporting Actor (Peter Falk), Song, Costume Design

Films of Faith Collection (The Nun's Story / The Shoes of the Fisherman / The Miracle of Our Lady of Fatima)

MIRACLE OF OUR LADY OF FATIMA: This story recreates the events that began in May 1917 when three shepherd children witness a vision of a beautiful lady in a grotto just outside the village of Fatima Portugal. At a time when World War I rages across Central Europe and Portugal is locked in the grip of a repressive anti-religious government their report ignites the religious fervor of the villagers--and foreshadows a dangerous confrontation with government officials.THE NUN'S STORY: A young nun dedicated to medical work in the African Congo and in World War II Belgium struggles to reconcile her independent spirit to the rigors and humility of a religious life.THE SHOES OF THE FISHERMAN: The world's first duly elected Russian Pope tries to prevent not only an atomic war but starvation in Red China as well. Based on Morris l. West's best-selling novel.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: MISCELLANEOUS/SPECIAL INTEREST Rating: NR UPC: 012569756229 Manufacturer No: 75622

Fred Zinnemann's epic 1959 drama The Nun's Story is a splendid showcase for Audrey Hepburn, who stars as the young nun Sister Luke, who is deeply spiritual yet conflicted about whether or not she can conform to convent life. Though the film is a mesmerizing--and quite leisurely--two and a half hours, its plot is fairly simple--young Gabrielle (Hepburn) enters the convent pledging her life to God, learns the disciplines associated with the life, receives her dream assignment of going to the Congo as a missionary nurse, and once there, is forced to face whether she is meant for the rigorous life of poverty, chastity, and most difficult of all, obedience. The film does a marvelous job of portraying the challenges of cloistered life without being either off-putting or overly romantic. And Hepburn, sometimes with only her eyes, communicates all the drive, faith, and conflict of a young woman so torn.

If you find during the 160-minute running time of The Shoes of the Fisherman (1968) that you don't like the plot, wait 10 minutes. It will surely change and there will be another story thread to entice you. The screenplay is literally all over the map: Siberia, where Archbishop Kiril Lakota, played splendidly by Anthony Quinn, has been exiled to a work camp in the oppressive Soviet regime; Moscow, where a genially scene-chewing Laurence Olivier plays a Soviet ruler with history with Lakota; China, where famine threatens to bring the world of the late '60s to the brink of World War III; and Rome, where Lakota travels after being freed (and where dissolute reporter David Janssen does his best to groove on the Swinging Sixties). Yet despite its flaws, the movie's central drama is riveting: the current Pope dies suddenly, and for a good bit of the film, viewers are treated to the Vatican's inner workings on the election of a new Pope. The events unfold at a leisurely pace, which allows you to drink in the spectacle and wonder of the ancient traditions. The Alex North Oscar-nominated score is lovely, and Quinn's performance is the somber-with-a-humble-twinkle glue that holds the film together. Anyone interested in the traditions and rituals of the Vatican will find plenty to savor.

The Miracle of Our Lady of Fatima tells the story--through an admittedly Hollywood prism--of one of the most beloved Catholic legends of the 20th century. Three young shepherd children in the remote Portuguese mountain town Fatima reported seeing a vision in 1917 of "a beautiful lady" who spoke to them of strife, war and peace and the love of Jesus. Soon the word spread, and throngs, teetering on mobs, gathered near the site for a glimpse of what they believed to be Mary, mother of Jesus. The children remained steadfast in their account, despite threats from the church and the government, and the final appearance of the lady, on Oct. 13, 1917, was accompanied by strange apparitions in the sky that have yet to be explained by science. The movie is well-made and -acted, especially by a radiant Susan Whitney, who plays the oldest child, Lúcia Abóbora dos Santos. The screenplay takes some liberties with the facts: the lovable jokester-sidekick character of Hugo is fictitious, and one wonders if perhaps a few of Our Lady's cautions about the multitude of evil things happening in 1917 Russia might have been heard through a Cold War filter. But the 1952 film is moving and is a reminder that big studios once routinely, and profitably, released religious-themed movies, to audiences who surely would appreciate some of the same today. --A.T. Hurley