Classics

The Rodgers & Hammerstein Collection [Remastered] (The Sound of Music / The King and I / Oklahoma! / South Pacific / State Fair / Carousel)

Among the most successful musical teams of the 20th century composer Richard Rodgers and lyricist Oscar Hammerstein Jr. created some of America's most beloved stage and screen musicals. Several of their best-known works are part of this new six-title anthology from 20th Century Fox. Updating an earlier box this wonderful 12-disc collection includes the 2005-06 remastered DVDs of the Fox R&H canon most of which are Anniversary Editions and each of which includes a bonus disc. Multiple Academy Award-winner The Sound of Music (1965) is the most recent of the productions included here and it bookends the set's two-decade span with State Fair ('45). The remaining four films represent the mother lode of Broadway-to-screen adaptations including: Shirley Jones and Gordon MacRae in the Technicolor landmark Oklahoma! ('55) and its follow-up Carousel ('56); the lavish costume drama The King and I ('56) featuring Yul Brynner and Deborah Kerr (singing with Marni Nixon's voice of course); and the ambitious wartime extravaganza South Pacific ('58).Episodes-Bonus Features: Disc 1: Carousel Special EditionDisc 2: Carousel Special Edition-Bonus DiscDisc 3: King and I Special EditionDisc 4: King and I Special Edition-Bonus DiscDisc 5: South Pacific Special EditionDisc 6: South Pacific Special Edition-Bonus DiscDisc 7: Sound of Music Special EditionDisc 8: Sound of Music Special Edition-Bonus DiscDisc 9: State Fair Special EditionDisc 10: State Fair Special Edition-Bonus DiscDisc 11: Oklahoma Special EditionDisc 12: Oklahoma Special Edition-Bonus DiscFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: MUSICALS/MUSICALS Rating: NR UPC: 024543382294 Manufacturer No: 2238229

The Rodgers & Hammerstein Collection contains film versions of the five major works by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, who helped define the American musical landscape and rewrite the direction of musical theater. After enjoying extremely successful careers working with others, Rodgers and Hammerstein first teamed up in 1943 for the prairie tale Oklahoma!, with songs including "Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'" and "People Will Say We're in Love." The subsequent 1955 film starred Gordon MacRae and Shirley Jones, who teamed up again for 1956's Carousel. While that film's dark nature made it less popular than its predecessor, the score ("If I Loved You," "You'll Never Walk Alone") was Rodgers's favorite. The King and I (also 1956) featured stage star Yul Brynner as the King of Siam and Deborah Kerr as schoolteacher Anna Leonowens, who must learn Asian customs even as she tries to instill some of her Western ones. The somewhat bloated version of South Pacific (1958) follows two couples during World War II and features standards such as "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair" and "Some Enchanted Evening" from stars Mitzi Gaynor and Rossano Brazzi. The last film, The Sound of Music (1965), proved to be the most popular, with Julie Andrews winning the hearts of seven children and their father with her blissful songs. And if the perhaps saccharine music and plot may test the patience of some, there's no doubt that songs such as "My Favorite Things" and "Climb Ev'ry Mountain" have charmed audiences around the world for decades. Accompanying the Big 5 in this set is the relatively minor State Fair from 1945 (though it does have "It Might as Well Be Spring" and "It's a Grand Night for Singing"). Some may expect and prefer other entries in the R&H canon such as Flower Drum Song or the television production Cinderella, but those were produced by different studios.

This 12-disc set from 2006 includes the two-disc special editions of each film, remastered and anamorphically enhanced for widescreen TVs (except State Fair, which was shot in traditional 1.33:1 aspect ratio). Bonus features include the Todd-AO version of Oklahoma! (which should look better than the CinemaScope version but doesn't); 40th-anniversary bonus material for The Sound of Music, including a commentary track by Julie Andrews; Lilliom, the 1934 film based on the same story as Carousel; and the 1962 version of State Fair starring Pat Boone and Ann-Margaret. --David Horiuchi

The Red Balloon (Released by Janus Films, in association with the Criterion Collection)

Newly restored and available for the first time on DVD Albert Lamorisse's exquisite The Red Balloon remains one of the most beloved children's films of all time. In this deceptively simple nearly wordless tale a young boy discovers a stray balloon which seems to have a mind of its own on the streets of Paris. The two become inseparable yet the world's harsh realities finally interfere. With its glorious palette and allegorical purity the Academy Award-winning The Red Balloon has enchanted movie lovers young and old for generations.System Requirements:LENGTH: 34 minutes Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: CHILDREN/FAMILY UPC: 715515028820 Manufacturer No: CC1746DDVD

The late French filmmaker Albert Lamorisse made this classic, 1956 short work about a lonely little Parisian boy (Pascal Lamorisse) befriended by a large red balloon, which seems to have a will of its own. As with his preceding short, 1952's White Mane, Lamorisse took home a grand prize from the Cannes Film Festival for The Red Balloon, and the latter film also won an Academy Award. There have been some stimulating pieces of film criticism (some pro, some con) written about the aesthetics of this little movie over the years, but there's no question it makes for a touching, allegorical piece always certain to prompt conversations among viewers of any age. --Tom Keogh

Speed Racer - Episodes 1-11

The world's favorite high-octane animated hero is back!Roaring into action aboard his trusty Mach-5 it's the intrepid young race car driver who sparked an international cult phenomenon: the one-and-only Speed Racer!Now for the first time ever the first eleven episodes of this classic hugely popular "Japanimation" series are brought together in this special limited edition DVD. Turbo-charged with all of Speed Racer's trademark animated thrills offbeat humor unforgettable characters and cliff-hanger action these collectible specially rematsered episodes are the stuff of every fan's dreams.So fasten your seatbelts-and join Speed girlfriend Trixie Speed's two brothers one mischievous monkey and an outrageous assortment of villains for one fast-lane no-brakes nonstop adventure after another! Ready...Set...Go Speed Racer Go!Includes: The Great Plan Part 1 The Great Plan Part 2Challenge of theiMasked Racer Part 1Challenge of theiMasked Racer Part 2The Secret Engine Part 1The Secret Engine Part 2The Race Against theiMammoth Car Part 1The Race Against theiMammoth Car Part 2The Most Dangerous Race Part 1The Most Dangerous Race Part 2The Most Dangerous Race Part 3System Requirements:Running Time: 120 Minutes. Copyright 2003 Artisan Entertainment.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: TELEVISION/SERIES & SEQUELS Rating: NR UPC: 012236116509 Manufacturer No: 14591

One of the first "Japanimation" series to air in the U.S., Speed Racer (Mach Go Go Go) debuted in syndication in September 1967. Eighteen-year-old Speed Racer wants to become a race car driver, but his father, automotive engineer "Pops" Racer, "blows a gasket" at the idea. Pops, who designed the amazing Mach 5, relents when Speed demonstrates his extraordinary driving skills. He embarks on a series of fantastic adventures that pit him and his friends against Skull Duggery, Snake Oiler, Mr. Wiley, and the Alpha Gang. With their wide chins, large mouths, and small eyes, the Speed Racer characters reflect the influence of contemporary Hanna-Barbara series, rather than the indigenous style the Japanese animation industry would later develop. Members of Gen-X who grew up watching the original show will enjoy this "collector's edition" that offers the first 11 episodes, a theme song sing-along, a villains' gallery, and an interactive demonstration of controls of the Mach 5. (Unrated: suitable for ages 6 and older: mild cartoon violence) --Charles Solomon

101 Dalmatians (Two-Disc Platinum Edition)

101 DALMATIANS has charmed audiences for generations with its irresistible tail-wagging stars memorable music and a wonderful blend of fantasy humor and adventure. Now with spectacular new bonus features and brilliantly restored Walt Disney's beloved animated classic shines like never before in an all-new two-disc Platinum Edition. Cruella De Vil Disney's most outrageous villain sets the fur-raising adventure in motion when she dognaps all of Pongo and Perdita's puppies. Through the power of the "Twilight Bark" Pongo leads a heroic cast of animal characters on a quest across London to rescue them. Bring home the exciting two-disc Platinum Edition with something for everyone including the all-new virtual Dalmatians game over 101 pop-up trivia facts an all-new music video and much more!System Requirements:Running Time: 79 Mins.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: CHILDREN/FAMILY Rating: G UPC: 786936735413 Manufacturer No: 5439403

Back in 1961, Walt Disney got a little hip with 101 Dalmatians, making use of that flat Saturday morning cartoon style that had become so popular. The result is a kitschy change in animation and story. Pongo and Perdita are two lonely dalmatians who meet cute in a London park and arrange for their pet humans to marry so they can live together and raise a family. They become proud parents of 15 pups, who are stolen by the dastardly Cruella De Vil, who wants to make a fur coat out of them. Cruella has become the most popular villain in all of Disney; she's flamboyantly nasty and lots of fun. But it's the dalmatians who shine in this endearing classic, particularly those precocious pups. Telling the story from the dogs' point of view is a clever conceit, a fundamental flaw of the live-action remake. --Bill Desowitz

On the DVD
This two-disc platinum edition features great sound and incredibly bright, intense colors thanks to the restoration process, but its most impressive selling point is the huge assortment of bonus features designed to delight children, families, and the most serious Disney fans. Kids will have fun caring for their very own puppy in the virtual Dalmatian game for television or on DVD ROM and can find out just what kind of puppy they're most like and which human Disney character they're most compatible with in the puppy profiler game. The fun with language game is geared toward the very young preschooler and teaches numbers and the names of common household items. A modern Selena Gomez music video of "Cruella DeVil" will appeal to tweens and teens. The whole family will enjoy the "101 Pop Up Facts For Families" option which prints various movie facts like the name and author of the original book and how specific scenes differ between the book and the movie right on the screen during the movie and Disney fans will love the similar "101 Pop Up Facts For Fans" feature which supplies a wide variety of film trivia about featured voice talents, famous Disney animators that worked on the film, technical devices employed like multi-pane shots and the Xerox process, and which artists directed specific scenes in the movie. Eleven separate Backstage Disney featurettes interview a host of animators, writers, historians, producers, and story men regarding the film's contemporary feel and the groundbreaking technical processes like the then-new Xerox process utilized in making 101 Dalmatians. Also highlighted is Bill Pete's amazing storytelling contribution to the film, the technical and mechanical innovations of Ub Iwerks, the songwriting process, and the animation prowess of famous Disney animators like Woolie Reitherman, Frank Thomas, Ollie Johnston, Milt Kahl, Marc Davis, Ken Anderson, and Walt Peregoy. The 12-minute dramatization of the longstanding correspondence between author Dodie Smith and Walt Disney is intriguing and the trailers and radio and television spots provide fun historical reference for the film and its various releases. Finally, the "Music and More" feature presents a variety of deleted and abandoned songs as well as many alternate versions and takes of songs used in the final film. --Tami Horiuchi

Stills from 101 Dalmatians (click for larger image)

Speed Racer - Episodes 12-23

In this second set of adventures, Speed and his friends race against a madman's robot-controlled car in "Race for Revenge." Trixie gets jealous when Speed pays too much attention to the pretty title character in "The Girl Daredevil." In "The Desperate Desert Race," the gang is taken prisoner by rebel army leader Ali ben Schemer, a character who may offend Arab-American viewers.

When Mach Go Go Go debuted in syndication in the U.S. as Speed Racer in 1967, the series had been extensively re-edited to excise much of the violence. These edits cause some continuity problems: in "Girl Daredevil," new tires appear on the Mach-5 between two scenes, and a villain steals the car, although it was out of gas minutes earlier. As the exploits of Speed, Trixie, Sparks, Spritle, and Chim Chim remain a touchstone for fans who grew up watching them, members of Gen-Y are unlikely to be troubled by these awkward moments. (Unrated, suitable for ages 6 and older: cartoon violence, tobacco use, minor ethnic stereotypes) --Charles Solomon

Cinderella (Two-Disc Special Edition)

The most celebrated of all the Disney classics CINDERELLA is also known as one of Walt Disney's all-time favorite films. CINDERELLA has enchanted generations with its spellbinding story charming music and endearing characters that live in your heart forever. The beloved fairy tale becomes pure Disney magic as beautiful Cinderella shares her dreams of romance and a better life with the lovable mice Gus and Jaq. When Cinderella's cruel stepmother prevents her from attending the Royal Ball the delightful Fairy Godmother appears! With a wave of her wondrous wand and a bouncy "Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo" the Fairy Godmother transforms a simple pumpkin into a magical coach -- and Cinderella's rags into a gorgeous gown. At the ball Cinderella falls in love with Prince Charming but must flee before the stroke of midnight breaks the spell! Now with an all-new digital restoration Disney's Enhanced Home Theater Mix and all-new games and music videos this 2-Disc Special Edition of Cinderella is the perfect fit for everyone who believes dreams really do come true. Also available on Video.Bonus Features The public made CINDERELLA one of the highest-grossing films of the year and Disney's most successful release since BAMBI. In fact it was one of the top-grossing films of 1950 pulling in $4 million during its initial release. Animators were having trouble drawing Lucifer the cat in CINDERELLA when Walt Disney saw animator Ward Kimball's cat a furry calico and declared "There's your Lucifer." System Requirements: Running Time 76 MinFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: CHILDREN/FAMILY Rating: G UPC: 786936239294 Manufacturer No: 3502403

Worry not, Disney fans--this special edition DVD of the beloved Cinderella won't turn into a pumpkin at the strike of midnight. One of the most enduring animated films of all time, the Disney-fied adaptation of the gory Brothers Grimm fairy tale became a classic in its own right, thanks to some memorable tunes (including "A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes," "Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo," and the title song) and some endearingly cute comic relief.

The famous slipper (click for larger image)

We all know the story--the wicked stepmother and stepsisters simply won't have it, this uppity Cinderella thinking she's going to a ball designed to find the handsome prince an appropriate sweetheart, but perseverance, animal buddies, and a well-timed entrance by a fairy godmother make sure things turn out all right. There are a few striking sequences of pure animation--for example, Cinderella is reflected in bubbles drifting through the air--and the design is rich and evocative throughout. It's a simple story padded here agreeably with comic business, particularly Cinderella's rodent pals (dressed up conspicuously like the dwarf sidekicks of another famous Disney heroine) and their misadventures with a wretched cat named Lucifer. There's also much harrumphing and exposition spouting by the King and the Grand Duke. It's a much simpler and more graceful work than the more frenetically paced animated films of today, which makes it simultaneously quaint and highly gratifying. --David Kronke

DVD Features

For another of its classic films, Disney delivers another dazzling DVD with a gorgeous, razor-sharp picture and 5.1 sound. (Note: the 1949 film is properly presented in full-screen format, 1.33 aspect ratio, because widescreen films weren't made until the '50s.) The best part of the supplemental features is the archival material, the absolute highlight of which is two unused songs, "Cinderella's Work Song" (in which Cinderella imagines multiplying herself à la the Sorcerer's Apprentice) and "Dancing on a Cloud."

Bippity-boppity-boo! (click for larger image)

Because these numbers were never animated, they're accompanied by stylish illustrations from the Disney artists, and they're simply marvelous to look at. The artist of much of that material, Mary Blair, gets her due in a 15-minute featurette, while the better known "Nine Old Men" are the subject of a round-table discussion among some of today's top animators. In addition, a 38-minute documentary covers their contributions to specific characters of Cinderella as well as the film in general and the vocal cast. Also on the historical side is "The Cinderella That Almost Was," tracking the development of the project through decades of original Disney concepts, characters, and songs, including the 1922 silent "Laugh-o-Gram," which is also included in its entirety.

The pumpkin transformed (click for larger image)

Additional musical material includes three radio programs and a short promo of the movie by Perry Como, in which he summarizes the plot amid some songs by the Fontaine Sisters, star Ilene Woods, and the host himself. Seven other unused songs (17 minutes total) are available in audio-only. The material for kids is on the sparse side, consisting of two music videos, Disney Channel personality Sally (from "Mike's Super Short Show") learning how to become a princess with the help of the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition crew and others, a minor dancing-princess feature, and a DVD-ROM design studio. Oddest extra: ESPN's "top Cinderella stories," including the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team and Joe Namath's New York Jets, although stories on Mia Hamm and tennis's Williams sisters should appeal to the film's primary target audience of young girls. --David Horiuchi

Cinderella Throughout the Years

Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella (1957 Television Production)	Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella (1965)	The Slipper and the Rose (1976)
Faerie Tale Theatre - Cinderella (1982)	Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella (1997)	Ever After - A Cinderella Story(1998)

Speed Racer , Vol. 3 - Episodes 24-36

Thirteen episodes from the Original TV Series never before released on DVD. Speed Racer wants you to GO, GO, GO on thirteen high-octane adventures! Jump into the Mach-5 with Speed's gang, Trixie, Sparky, Spritle and Chim Chim, as they battle assassins, monsters and the infamous Racer X. For the first time on DVD, these original episodes put you in the driver's seat! Enjoy episodes 24 - 36 (Royal Racer, Car Hater, Race Against Time, Snake Track, Man on the Lam, Gang of Assassins, Race for Life, Supersonic Car, and Crash in the Jungle).

Bewitched - The Complete Sixth Season

BEWITCHED - THE COMPLETE 6TH SEASON (DVD MOVIE)

Yes, yes, we've heard it before: Bewitched jumped the broom in season six when Dick Sargent replaced Dick York as Darrin Stevens, the most infamous cast switcheroo in TV history. But if you don't purchase this set, be advised that you will miss what Quentin Tarantino, when he hosted Saturday Night Live, proclaimed to be "the single greatest moment in television history": Serena's rendition of "I'll Blow You a Kiss in the Wind" in the episode "Serena Stops the Show." Beyond that, this season shows there was still plenty of magic left in this supernatural series. Over the course of the first five seasons, Bewitched replaced Louise Tates and Gladys Kravitzes, so why not Darrin? Besides, Sargent was originally tapped to star as Darrin (but he was contractually bound elsewhere). However, Marion Lorne, who won an Emmy as endearingly addled Aunt Clara, was irreplaceable. So when she passed away, a new character was introduced this season; Esmeralda (Alice Ghostley), a shy witch whose lack of self confidence caused her to fade when she got nervous, and whose good-intentioned spells invariably backfired. If this season suffers from anything, it's more a sense of been there, twitched that. There is yet another Halloween episode that battles the "ugly witch" stereotype, and several in which a spell gone awry is explained away as a concept for one of Darrin's ad campaigns (why else would there be a unicorn in the Stevens' backyard in the episode, "Samantha's Yoo-Hoo Maid"). And Endora (Agnes Moorehead) continues to cast embarrassing spells on Darrin, like transforming him into a yes-man in "You're So Agreeable," or compelling him to speak in nothing but clichés in "The Phrase is Familiar." But the writers did conjure up some fresh situations. In a two-parter, Darrin's newfound magic powers go to his head. In "Samantha's Secret is Discovered," Samantha (Elizabeth Montgomery) finally reveals to her mother-in-law (Mabel Albertson) that she is "a cauldron-stirring, card-carrying" witch. And this season, Samantha gives birth to warlock infant Adam. The adorable Erin Murphy, as daughter Tabitha, gives the show some added kid appeal with her misguided uses of her budding powers. In the season opener, she switches places with Jack (Family Affair's Johnny Whitaker) to climb the beanstalk and confront the Giant. In another episode, she creates a double of Samantha so she can go to the park. In addition to Montgomery's groovy dual role as Serena, this season offers the always-welcome return of Paul Lynde as practical joker and insult zinger Uncle Arthur and Bernard Fox as the cantankerous and contemptuous Dr. Bombay. This set's extras are limited to two random "minisodes" of The Partridge Family and I Dream of Jeannie. --Donald Liebenson

Speed Racer, Vol. 4

Watch eight exciting episodes of the adventures of Speed Racer and the memorable cast of characters including his pet chimpanzee Chim Chim his faithful girl Trixie his loyal mechanic Sparky and of course the mysterious Racer X. This release includes "The Terrifying Gambler" "The Secret Invaders (Part 1 & 2)" "Man Behind the Mask" "The Car Destroyer" "The Desperate Racer" "The Dangerous Witness" and "Race the Laser Tank."System Requirements:Running Time 184 Mins.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: ANIMATION/ADULT SWIM Rating: NR UPC: 012236182931 Manufacturer No: 19140

Speed Racer, Vol. 5

Includes the most exciting final 8 episodes from the original TV series never before on DVDs! Follow Speed and his turbo-charged Mach-5 as he and his gang (Trixie Sparky Spritle and Chim Chim) go on to the Grand Prix the key race for the World Racing Championship defeating colorful villains including Mr. Free Load the international spies and the infamous Racer X!System Requirements:Run Time: 184 minsFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: CHILDREN/FAMILY Rating: NR UPC: 012236202721 Manufacturer No: 20272