The Saint - The Early Episodes, Set 2

Description

The suavest saint this side of trouble is back in black and white!

Always attuned to those in distress, as well as to those in dresses, Roger Moore's portrayal of THE SAINT is the stuff of television legend. Circling the globe in his distinctive white Volvo, charm was Simon Templar's weapon of choice. Bringing with him an impeccable taste for life's finer things, THE SAINT dashed through one heart-racing adventure after another, forever chased by Scotland Yard's peppermint-chewing Inspector Teal.

Fearless and debonair, with a rogue's eye toward justice--Simon Templar, otherwise known as THE SAINT, embarks upon 16 dazzling episodes of intrigue!

DVD Features: The History of THE SAINT; Roger Moore Biography and Filmography; Photo Gallery; Interactive Menus; Scene Selection

Customer Reviews:

Great Adventure!.......2007-05-09

The early Saint episodes were some of the best television ever produced. I'm only sorry that The Saint-The Early Episodes, Set 1 and Set 2 cover just the first 28 of the seventy something black and white shows. Set 2 takes us only through episode 16 of the 27 that were made for season two.

Where oh where, is the rest of season two as well as seasons three, four and five!!!

In any case, if you like adventure, comedy, and/or mystery then you should quickly buy both of these early episode sets. You won't miss the lack of color and you won't be sorry!

The Saint - The Early Episodes - Set 2: episode listing.......2006-01-05

A&E doesn't list the episodes on the outside of the Set 2 box, or on their website, so here goes:

DISC ONE
The Fellow Traveler
Starring The Saint
Judith
Teresa

DISC TWO
The Elusive Ellshaw
Marcia
The Work Of Art
Iris

DISC THREE
The King Of The Beggars
The Rough Diamonds
The Saint Plays With Fire
The Well-Meaning Mayor

DISC FOUR
The Sporting Chance
The Bunco Artists
The Benevolent Burglary
The Wonderful War

A SINFULLY PACKED DVD SET THAT DESTROYS THE SERIES !.......2005-09-17

If you love Roger Moore and appreciate The Saint then this DVD set a serious let down thanks to the lazy recording team.The sound is terrible it's almost annoying to listen through the amp or even without it.The menus are designed in a rather amaturist style where the whole plot is revealed while you play start as the chapters show the images.How could they be so careless.I bought series one from Amazon UK and it had much better sound and menus.

Also it would have been nice if some sort of running commentery or tributes to all the famous supporting stars of the Brithish cinema/tv.Most of these stars have appeared in some of the best films ever made.

The BW episodes are much better than the colour ones and also they have a better line up guest stars Oliver Reed, Julie Christie and Jackie Collins.The villians are also much more threatening here than latter episodes!!

One of the best episodes are 'The Saint plays with fire' and the weakest being the Sporting Chance. Most of the weak episodes directed by Jeremy Summers. He has no control over the charecters or the plot.

Finally! About time.......2005-03-24

I bought the entire set from Australia, not knowing they were not "region free" as stated. Been watching them on my PC. Fabulous! What can one say about Roger Moore that hasn't been said. Can't wait to finally watch them on my TV!!

Average customer rating:

Good for the money

The Roy Rogers Show, Vol. 2
Director: Leslie H. Martinson , George Blair , Don McDougall , Robert G. Walker , and John English
Manufacturer: Critic's Choice
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ASIN: B0009OEI3C
Release Date: 2006-01-31

Product Description

Roy hits a bullseye with this populsr televsono series that premiered inh 1951. The King of Cowboys was joined by his wife and bumbling sidekick Pat Brady in his fight for law and order in the contempory West. Four features in one and all exciting as the next.

Customer Reviews:

Good for the money.......2007-01-30

You get a lot for your money with this company, Critic's Choice. These are not the best reproductions I've seen, but they are far from the worst. So when you consider the good quality and the low price, they get my vote. I hope they stay in business. Nothing special to report....Dale runs her cafe and Pat Brady plays the court jester, and Roy rip snorts his way through the bad guys. Of course, the acting was no better than a high school production, but who cared....It was such fun.
Episodes:

1. The Treasure of Howling Dog Canyon (1-27-52). Guest star is Carl 'Alfalfa' Switzer (of Little Rascals fame) 26 mins. (a good fun episode)

2. The Outlaw's Girl (2-17-52) 26 mins.

3. The Desert Fugitive (2-24-52) 26 mins.

4. Ghost Gulch (3-30-52) 26 mins.

Average customer rating:

Roy Rogers With Dale Evans, Volume 2
Starring: Roy Rogers Show
Manufacturer: Alpha Home Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000I0QLJ6
Release Date: 2006-10-24

Agatha Christie's Miss Marple Collection 2 (VHS Boxed Set)

Average customer rating:

While others have done well, Joan Hickson is the defining Miss Marple...and Nemesis is one first-rate mystery story
Miss Marple wins again
Miss Marple at her best
Solving a Mystery that has No Clues!!
Of Murder, Justice, Love and the Darkness of the Human Soul.

Agatha Christie's Miss Marple Collection 2 (VHS Boxed Set)
Starring: Joan Hickson , Michael Culver , Elizabeth Counsell , Deborah Appleby , and Lucy Gleeson
Director: Roy Boulting , David Tucker , and Julian Amyes
Manufacturer: A&E Home Video
ProductGroup: Video
Binding: VHS Tape

Bicknell, Andrew | ( B ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video

Hickson, Joan | ( H ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video

Amyes, Julian | ( A ) | Directors | VHS | Video

Tucker, David | ( T ) | Directors | VHS | Video

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Suspense | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | VHS | Video

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ASIN: 630340488X
Release Date: 1997-09-01

Customer Reviews:

While others have done well, Joan Hickson is the defining Miss Marple...and Nemesis is one first-rate mystery story .......2007-08-01

Says Professor Wanstead to Miss Jane Marple (Joan Hickson) after the murderer has been discovered, "So Mr. Rafiel's faith in his son is justified after all." "Oh, no, Professor," Miss Marple replies, "it wasn't like that at all. Mr. Rafiel wanted justice for the dead girl, even if it meant the sacrifice of his son." "Do you think he considered that," the Professor asks. "Oh, yes," Miss Marple says. "He knew I wouldn't flinch, even if it meant sending Michael to the gallows. He called me 'Nemesis,' you know, and he wasn't being entirely humorous."

Nor should any murderer underestimate this slightly frail, inquisitive and observant old woman, long a resident of the English village of St. Mary Mead, who is given to wearing tweeds and sensible shoes, often knitting and frequently gardening. Miss Marple has a mind as logical as a trap. As she says, "It's very dangerous to believe people. I haven't for years." When murder has been done, those aged eyes see things, especially in the behavior and habits of those around her, which lead to retribution. As played by Joan Hickson, Miss Marple is invariably courteous and very much of the old school when it comes to manners. She may occasionally offer advice, but is remarkably realistic. "Good advice is almost certain to be ignored," she says, "but that's no reason for not giving it." She may take part in a bit of gossip, but almost always she is giving a bit of information in order to get even more back. Hickson's Miss Marple is not without empathy or friends, but she essentially is a person quite satisfied to do her gardening. She does not twinkle. And nowhere are Miss Marple's defining qualities of logic, persistence and seriousness of purpose better displayed than in Nemesis (1987), one of the five made-for-television movies in Agatha Christie's Miss Marple - Set Two.

Mr. Rafiel, a wealthy man who knew Jane Marple years before, has died. She was notified at his death that he had a request...would she take a tour-bus excursion, visit the places on the tour and see if anything seems...well, curious? He describes no crime, he gives no clues. Perhaps there was no crime; he leaves it up to Miss Marple. And Jane Marple decides to honor his wish. She is surprised to learn a number of others also have signed for the tour because of Mr. Rafiel's request; some received money to encourage them. Gradually, Miss Marple learns the story of a young girl who disappeared, another young girl who was killed, of Rafiel's son who loved one of them and then vanished, of three sisters living in a decaying mansion...and of an overwhelming atmosphere of love, sadness and regret. Miss Marple, in her quiet and relentless way, learns the truth and then sees to it that justice, after all the years, is done while she gazes steadily at the murderer.

Nemesis is no British cozy.

The other four stories in this set may not quite reach the emotional depth of Nemesis, but they all are fine mysteries. They share complex and twisting plots, excellent acting, and a general seriousness of intention. Above all, they share the incomparable and defining performance of Joan Hickson as Miss Marple. Bear in mind that Hickson was already 78 when she starred in the earliest mystery of this set, The Moving Finger, and 85 in the set's latest, They Do it With Mirrors. Hickson filmed all 12 of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple books; her 12th and last Marple, at age 86, was The Mirror Crack'd (1992). She died after a long career in British theater and movies at age 92 in 1998.

Finishing out Set Two are: The Moving Finger (1985), when vicious poison pen letters disrupt lives and lead to murder; Murder at the Vicarage (1986), when faith and patience are sorely tested, and a murderous plot catches Miss Marple's interest; At Bertram's Hotel (1987), when Miss Marple discovers what never seems to change has, and not for the better; and They Do It With Mirrors (1991), when ambition and certitude overcome even love. Among the many fine actors taking part in these films, keep an eye out for Joan Greenwood, Jean Simmons, Joss Ackland, Margaret Tysack, Michael Culver, Caroline Blakiston, Paul Eddington, George Baker and Cheryl Campbell.

These Miss Marple films run about 1' 40" each. They are not only fine and satisfying mysteries, in a morbid way they are also great fun. Extras include biographies of Agatha Christie and Joan Hickson, plus an index of all of the Miss Marple stories. The quality of the DVD color transfers is that of decent VHS tapes. A couple look just a little faded, but nothing that gets in the way of enjoyment.

Miss Marple wins again.......2007-06-12

My mother and I have been watching Agatha Christie mysteries for a long time. This Miss Marple set was one of the best Mother's Day gifts I have given her. We both cuddle up and watch some great movies and never guessing whodunit. I recommend this to anyone who likes a good mystery.

Miss Marple at her best.......2005-09-26

For the Miss Marple fan this is a marvelous collection on DVD. I especially liked it that there were two episodes on a DVD so you didn't have to get up and change the DVD. Also included were some facts on the actors.

Solving a Mystery that has No Clues!!.......2005-01-02

+++++

(Note: this review is exclusively for the Miss Marple mystery "Nemesis" on VHS)

I watched this movie without reading the 1971 Dame Agatha Christie novel that it was based on. (Christie wrote twelve full-length Miss Marple murder mysteries.) I'm glad I did this! Why? Because it forced me to really watch this movie in order to try and deduce who the murderer was.

The movie begins with millionaire Jason Rafiel (Frank Gatliff) dying of natural causes. Soon after his death, Miss Marple (the late Joan Hickson) receives a letter written by the now dead Rafiel (who was her friend) asking her to do some investigation. Miss Marple questions and comments after reading this letter:

"What kind of crime, if it was a crime, was it? When [was it] committed - where - anything? I'm most bewildered. It's like being asked to do a crossword puzzle without any clues!"

Miss Marple eventually, with the aid of her godson Lionel (Peter Tilbury) begins slowly collecting information, the most interesting being the mysterious death of two young girls named Verity Hunt and Nora Brent. However, Miss Marple is not sure of herself in her investigation and admits the following:

"Mr. Rafiel is a ghostly puppet master...laughing at [me] from beyond the grave."

Eventually a murder and suicide occur.

Who are the people associated with this intriguing mystery? They are as follows:

(1) Michael Rafiel, Jason's son (Bruce Payne)
(2) Mr. Broadribb, Jason's lawyer (Roger Hammond)
(3) Mr. Shuster, another of Jason's lawyers (Pat Godfrey)
(4) Miss Temple, retired school head mistress (Helen Cherry)
(5) Professor (of criminal psychology) Waustead (John Horsley)
(6) Miss Cooke, bodyguard (Jane Booker)
(7) Miss Barrow, bodyguard (Alison Skilbeck)
(8) Clothilde Bradbury-Scott, the past guardian of Verity Hunt (Margaret Tyzack)
(9) Anthea, Clothilde's sister and another guardian of Verity (Anna Chopper)
(10) Lavina, a married sister of Clothilde (Valerie Lush)
(11) Mrs. Brent, mother of Nora (Liz Fraser)
(12) Archdeacon Brabazon (Peter Copley)

Joan Hickson (whom Agatha Christie herself wanted to play Miss Marple) captures the essence of the heroine super sleuth in her performance. (Hickson was 81 years old in this movie!). Other fine performances to look for are Bruce Payne as Rafiel's son and Margaret Tyzack as Clothilde.

The character Jason Rafiel also appears in the Miss Marple murder mystery "A Caribbean Mystery" (1965).

Finally, the cinematography of this movie is well done. All costumes and props are authentic looking. The background music adds to each scene.

In conclusion, this is a fun and intriguing movie even if you have read the novel it's based on!!

(1987; 100 min; made for TV; British drama; full screen; color)

+++++

Of Murder, Justice, Love and the Darkness of the Human Soul........2005-01-01

NOTE: Review of NEMESIS ONLY! ERRONEOUSLY CROSS-POSTED to DVD Set!

"Thousands of years ago, she had a measuring rod, a sword, and a whip - it's called a scourge," explains self-made millionaire Jason Rafiel (Frank Gatliff) to his nurse ... and "she rode about in a chariot driven by griffins." He is talking about Nemesis, the ancient Greek goddess of justice and vengeance, merciless punisher of human transgressions against the natural order, whose epithet was Adrasteia - she whom none can escape. "Last time I saw her," Rafiel then adds, laughing with some difficulty, "she was wearing a pink wool shawl ..."

For the old gentleman, virtually a step away from his own death at this point, is also speaking about Miss Jane Marple, elderly spinster from St. Mary Mead, whom he had met six years earlier on a Caribbean Island (see "A Caribbean Mystery," 1965), where together they had unmasked a cold-blooded killer. And although gruff old Jason had initially had only contempt for the lady, apparently so completely out of her element with her knitting needles and tweeds, which she wouldn't even relinquish under tropical blue skies and palm trees, he had soon changed his mind, realizing the powers of her razor-sharp logic and profound understanding of human nature. Thus, as he now sets about settling his own life's final score, there is no question in his mind who to turn to for help - none other than Jane Marple will do. "I imagine you knitting headscarves and that sort of thing," reads the commission she receives through his London solicitors (Roger Hammond and Patrick Godfrey) shortly after his death. "If that's what you prefer to go on doing, that's your decision. But if you prefer to serve the cause of justice, I hope you find it interesting." And he quotes the bible: "Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an everlasting stream." (Amos 5:24).

So Miss Marple soon finds herself on an unexpected Historic Homes and Gardens coach tour; accompanied by her nephew Lionel (Peter Tilbury), who is seeking refuge with dear Aunt Jane after having been locked out by his wife. Also among the tour party are a Miss Elizabeth Temple (Helen Cherry), the recently-retired headmistress of a renowned private school, a Professor Wanstead (John Horsley), who turns out to be a specialist in criminal psychology, associated with the Home Office, and two younger women named Cooke and Barrow (Jane Booker and Alison Skilbeck), who seem to be keeping a close eye on Miss Marple, but whose intentions are anything but clear.

The spinsterly sleuth's charge is momentous indeed, and it involves Mr. Rafiel's own estranged son Michael (Bruce Payne), once suspected of having murdered his young fiancee Verity Hunt. While the old millionaire doesn't expressly say so, it quickly becomes clear that Miss Marple is to find Verity's killer - even if that ultimately means charging Michael Rafiel. For old Jason has spoken of justice for a reason and, as Miss Marple later explains, "he wasn't being entirely humourous" when dubbing her "Nemesis." Indeed, he is relying not only on her "flair for evil" but, as importantly, on the fact that she will not "flinch" should she find out that Michael is guilty. But while things remain unclear to Miss Marple much longer than to Miss Temple, Verity's erstwhile teacher, who now pays with her life for a fateful misstep on her own mission to uncover the truth, Mr. Rafiel has at least woven as finely-spun a web as he could in support of his avenging angel's chore; and he has brought her in touch with everybody she needs to meet: Verity's guardians Clothilde and Anthea Bradbury-Scott (Margaret Tyzack and Anna Cropper) and their sister Lavinia Glynne (Valerie Lush), Archdeacon Brabazon (Peter Copley), Verity's and Michael's marriage counselor and spiritual advisor, and a Mrs. Brent (Liz Fraser), whose daughter had disappeared around the time of Verity's death. And Miss Marple soon realizes that the central clue to unmasking the young woman's murderer is love: Verity wasn't killed for her beauty, superior intelligence or money (none of which she possessed) - but, simply, because she was loved.

Originally airing in the 1980s, the BBC's adaptations of Agatha Christie's twelve Miss Marple novels quickly established Joan Hickson in the title role even in the view of the grandmother (or rather, grand-aunt) of all village sleuths and "noticing kinds of persons"'s creator, Dame Agatha herself. (After seeing Hickson in an adaptation of her "Appointment With Death," as early as 1946 Christie sent her a note expressing the hope she would "play my dear Miss Marple.") Prior versions, partly involving rather high-octane casts, had featured, inter alia, Angela Lansbury and Margaret Rutherford, but had been decidedly less faithful to Christie's books. While Lansbury holds her own fairly well in 1980's "Hollywood does Christie" version of "The Mirror Crack'd" (and that movie's ageing actresses' showdown featuring Elizabeth Taylor and Kim Novak is a delight to watch) the four movies starring Rutherford are only loosely based on Christie's books and Dame Margaret's Miss Marple, although likewise a splendid performance, has about as much to do with Christie's demure, seemingly scatterbrained village sleuth as Big Ben with the English countryside.

"Nemesis," published only five years before Christie's own death, is darker in mood and atmosphere than earlier Miss Marple mysteries; and this 1987 adaptation faithfully maintains that spirit. My major quibble - one of the few I have with this series at all - is that it was produced *before* the adaptation of "A Caribbean Mystery" (1989), which not only breaks the continuity in Jason Rafiel's character (superbly portrayed by Donald Pleasence in the prequel) but necessarily also leads to some incompleteness in establishing his and Miss Marple's relationship. But much of this is made up in Rafiel's final note to his sleuth, written in a frail hand and transmitted by a most significant messenger after Verity's murderer is brought to justice: "Thank you, Miss Marple, my Nemesis. Shall we meet again?" I sincerely hope they did ...

Average customer rating:

Roy Rogers, Vol. 2
Starring: Roy Rogers
Manufacturer: Platinum Disc
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0001HAIV8
Release Date: 2004-02-17

The Great American Westerns Vol. 2 (40 Movie Pack)

Average customer rating:

More of the great American West
40 Westerns ...Lots of Great Stars.....Whoa Nellie!

The Great American Westerns Vol. 2 (40 Movie Pack)
Starring: John Wayne , Roy Rogers , Richard Boone , Jimmy Stewart , and Lee Van Cleef
Manufacturer: Platinum Disc
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ASIN: B00019GI38
Release Date: 2004-03-30

Customer Reviews:

More of the great American West.......2007-06-30

Besides the standard public domain oaters most of these budget-priced box sets offer, THE GREAT AMERICAN WESTERN Vol. 11-20 also contains three documentaries, plus samplings of two long-forgotten TV series. CADE'S COUNTY starred Glenn Ford in the very last gasp of the big-budget TV western. Despite scripts fraught with social relevance and a who-who guest star roster, this well-intentioned program ran for only 24 episodes before it bit the dust.

Speaking of dust-- the other TV series represented here, DUSTY'S TRAILS, was a western/comedy hybrid featuring Bob Denver (late of Gilligan's Island). THE WACKIEST WAGON TRAIN IN THE WEST is comprised of three episodes of that prairie schooner-shipwreck of a show.

As for the rest of the movies here-- just darn good stuff with dozens of well-known actors. This is a terrific collection at a bargain price that's hard to resist!

And don't forget to check out the initial offering in this series, THE GREAT AMERICAN WESTERN Vol. 1-10 (44 Movies). It's what good-old cowboy movies are all about!

.
The following alphabetized program list provides 1 to 10 viewer poll ratings for each title, plus original theatrical name (where indicated), country of origin, (if other than USA), years of release and best-known actors

(5.3) Against a Crooked Sky (1975) - Richard Boone/Stewart Peterson/Henry Wilcoxon
(6.5) American Empire (1942) - Richard Dix/Leo Carrillo/Preston Foster
(5.7) Battles of Chief Pontiac (1952) - Lex Barker/Helen Westcott/Lon Chaney Jr.
(5.1) Bells Of San Angelo (1947) - Roy Rogers/Dale Evans/Andy Devine/Sons of the Pioneers
(5.0) Boot Hill (Italy-1969) - Terence Hill/Bud Spencer
(4.4) The Brothers O'Toole (1973) - John Astin/Pat Carroll/Hans Conried/Lee Meriwether
(6.6) Buckskin Frontier (1943) - Richard Dix/Jane Wyatt/Albert Dekker/Lee J. Cobb/Victor Jory/Max Baer/George Reeves
(5.5) The Bushwhackers - John Ireland/Wayne Morris/Lawrence Tierney/Dorothy Malone/Lon Chaney Jr./Jack Elam
(1.8) Cry Blood Apache (1970) - Joel McCrea
(5.8) Fighting Caravans (1931) - Gary Cooper/Lili Damita/Eugene Pallette
(4.9) Four Rode Out (1971) - Leslie Nielsen/Pernell Roberts
(5.1) The Gatling Gun (1973) - Guy Stockwell/Robert Fuller/Woody Strode/Pat Buttram/John Carradine
(5.4) The Gun And The Pulpit (TV-1974) - Marjoe Gortner/Slim Pickens/Pamela Sue Martin
(4.7) The Gunfighters (TV pilot) (Canada-1987) - Michael Kane/George Kennedy
(5.1) The Hanged Man (TV-1974) - Steve Forrest/Dean Jagger/Cameron Mitchell
(5.5) The Jackals (1967) - Vincent Price
(5.2) Jory (Mexico-USA-1973) - B.J. Thomas/John Marley/Robby Benson
(4.0) Joshua (1976) - Fred Williamson
(3.8) Kentucky Rifle (1956) - Chill Wills/Sterling Holloway
(3.3) Kid Vengeance (Italy/Israel-1977) - Lee Van Cleef/Jim Brown/Leif Garrett
(3.8) Little Moon and Jud McGraw ("Gone With the West") (1975) - James Caan/Stefanie Powers/Aldo Ray/Robert Walker Jr./Sammy Davis Jr.
(5.3) My Outlaw Brother (1951) - Mickey Rooney/Robert Preston/Robert Stack
(6.3) Pioneer Woman (TV-1973) - Joanna Pettet/William Shatner/David Janssen/Helen Hunt
(3.5) The Proud and the Damned (1969) - Chuck Connors/Cesar Romero/José Greco
(6.4) The Proud Rebel (1958) - Alan Ladd/Olivia de Havilland/Dean Jagger/Harry Dean Stanton/John Carradine
(3.8) Savage Guns (Italy-1971) - Robert Woods
(5.1) Seven Alone (1974) - Dewey Martin/Aldo Ray
(4.7) Sitting Bull (USA-Mexico-1954) - Dale Robertson/J. Carrol Naish/Iron Eyes Cody/John Hamilton
(6.3) The Sundowners (1950) - Robert Preston/Robert Sterling/Chill Wills
(7.7) Sunset Carson Rides Again (1948) - Sunset Carson/Pat Starling/Pat Gleason/Dan White
(6.4) Wanted: The Sundance Woman (TV-1976) - Michael Constantine/Hector Elizondo//Katherine Ross/Stella Stevens
(3.9) White Comanche (Spain-1968) - William Shatner/Joseph Cotten
(2.2) The Wackiest Wagon Train in the West (1976) - Bob Denver/Forrest Tucker/Lori Saunders
(6.4) The Woman of the Town (1943) - Claire Trevor/Albert Dekker/Barry Sullivan
(6.3) Yuma (TV-1970) - Barry Sullivan/Clint Walker/Edgar Buchanan

PLUS--
Great American West (1973-doc.) - John Ford/John Wayne/James Stewart/Henry Fonda/Andy Devine (cameo)
Gunfighters (doc.)
Old West Cowboys (doc.)
Two episodes of "Cade's County" (TV-1971-72) starring Glenn Ford

40 Westerns ...Lots of Great Stars.....Whoa Nellie!.......2004-03-28

Platinum Disc Corp has put together some really nice package deals for the Western lovers.The films may be purchased on individual DVDs(4 films to a disc) or in sets of 5 to 10 volumes at a time. This one of "The Great American Western" is Volume 2 of the larger set editions.It contains 10 discs, volumes 11-20 of the single volumes.Each smaller volume of 4 films(1 disc) comes in it's own sealed keepcase,in a box to keep them all together. All the films have enhanced 5.1 audio. The films, 40 in all(including a few documentaries) range from 1931 to 1987.

These are the individual volumes that make up the larger Volume 2 set:
Vol 11.."Battles of Chief Pontiac"(1952)..Lex Barker,Helen Westcott,Lon Chaney Jr...."Sitting Bull"(1954)..Dale Robertson,Iron Eyes Cody..."Against a Crooked Sky"(1975)..Richard Boone,Stewart Peterson...."The Great Indian Wars"(Documentary).
Vol.12.."Savage Guns"... Somebody goofed on this one..It is actually a really bad(so bad , it was almost fun) Italian Western from 1971 (although the back of the case has it listed as the 1951 Savage Guns with Richard Basehart)..."The Bushwhackers"...John Ireleand, Lawrence Tierney, Dorothy Malone..."The Sundowners(1950).Robert Preston,Robert Sterling, Chill Wills..."The Gatling Gun(1972)..Guy Stockwell, Woody Strode.
Vol.13..."The Gun and the Pulpit(1974)..Slim Pickens,Estelle Parsons, Pamela Sue Martin..."Boot Hill"(1969)..Bud Spencer, Woody Strode,Luciano Rossi(directed by Giuseppe Colizzi)..."My Outlaw Brother"(1951)..Mickey Rooney, Robert Stack.."Gunfighters"(documnetary)
Vol.14..,"Little Moon and Jud McGraw"(1974)..Aldo Ray, Stephanie Powers, James Caan and Sammy Davis Jr..."Jory"(1972)..Robby Benson,John Marley..."The Brothers O'Toole"(1973)..John Astin,Pat Carroll..."The Jackals"(1967)..Vincent Price.
Vol.15..."Pioneer Woman"(1973)..Joanna Pettet, William Shatner, Helen Hunt.."Seven Alone"(1975)Aldo Ray,Diane Peterson.."The Proud Rebel:(1958)..Alan Ladd, Olivia de Havilland(directed by Michael Curtiz).."Wanted:The Sundance Woman"(1976)..Katherine Helmond, Katherine Ross, Stella Stevens.
Vol.16..."Fighting Caravans"(1931)Gary Cooper,Tully Marshal..."The Woman of the Town"(1944)..Claire Trevor,Barry Sullivan...""Old West Cowboys"(Documentary)..."The Proud and the Damned"((1969)..Chuck Conners,Ceasar Romero.
Vol.17.."Yuma"(1970)Barry Sullivan,Clint Walker,Edgar Buchanan(Directed by Ted Post)..."The Wackiest Wagon Train in the West"(1977)Laurie Saunders, Forrest Tucker, Bob Denver..."Sunset Carson Rides Again"(1948)..Pat Starling, Pat Gleason,Dan White..."The Gunfighters"(1987)..Mike Kane, George Kennedy.
Vol.18..."American Empire"(1942)..Leo Carrillo, Preston S. Foster...."Marshall of Madrid"(1972)..Glenn Ford, Edgar Buchanan..."The Hanged Man"(1974)..Steve Forrest, Cameron Mitchell(directed by Michael Caffey)..."Sam Cade"(1971)..Glen Ford, Ed Asner.
Vol.19..."Joshua"(1976)Fred Williamson..."Kid Vengeance"(1977)..Lee Van Cleef,Jim Brown..."Four Rode Out"(1969)..Leslie Nielson,Pernell Roberts..."Cry Blood, Apache"(1970)..Joel McCrea,Dan Kemp.
Vol.20..."White Comanche"(1967)..William Shatner, Joseph Cotten..."Great American West"(Documentary/1973)with John Ford, James Stewart,John Wayne,Henry Fonda and Andy Devine..."Kentucky Rifle"(1955)..George Keymas,Henry Hull and Chill Wills..."Bells of San Angelo"(1947)..Roy Rogers, Dale Evans and Andy Devine.

There's plenty of action, adventure, some romance and even some comedy! This is some great stuff, with some great names. If you are a Western lover, and can watch em' for more than a month of Sunday's, you'll love these sets.And what a reasonable price!(check the sellers for some really good deals!) I've listed each individual volume contained, so that if you prefer to buy them singley, you'll know what you are getting.Oh and by the way, not all are family films..the selection ranges from rated G to R. Most of the earlier volumes(1-10)feature specific actors. I have the first single volume and it has four Randolph Scott oaters. If you are interested, please see my review of Great American Western Vol.1,which describes the films and the DVD transfers.

Saddle Up and Enjoy...Happy Trails....Laurie

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City of Men [Region 2]
Starring: David Bontumasi , Steve Childerston , Gabrielle Conradus , Roger Bardwell , and Roy McCall
Director: Jay Bonansinga , Fernando Meirelles , Adriano Goldman , Cao Hamburger , and Philippe Barcinski
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ASIN: B0002HSDUK

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U.F.O. [Region 2]
Starring: Roy 'Chubby' Brown , Sara Stockbridge , Amanda Symonds , Roger Lloyd-Pack , and Shirley Anne Field
Director: Tony Dow (II)
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General | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B00006JI18

RKO 281: The Battle Over Citizen Kane [Region 2]

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RKO 281
The Battle over Citizen Kane
Excellent Historical Drama
An edible version of historical events
Entertaining, if superficial treatment of famous story

RKO 281: The Battle Over Citizen Kane [Region 2]
Starring: Liev Schreiber , James Cromwell , Melanie Griffith , John Malkovich , and Brenda Blethyn
Director: Benjamin Ross
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00005JGO6

Amazon.com

This absorbing HBO docudrama tells the story of the making of what is considered by many to be America's greatest film, Citizen Kane. "Boy genius" Orson Welles came to Hollywood with no idea how to follow up his stage and radio success in the movie business. A dinner invitation to publishing magnate William Randolph Hearst's castle, San Simeon, inspired him to use Hearst's story as the basis for his brilliant film debut: a scathing allegory about the absolute corruptibility of power. RKO 281 demonstrates Welles's famously obsessive attention to artistic detail, which made his first movie such a masterpiece. But the film almost never made it to the screen--Hearst used his entire empire to try to destroy it. Two of the most mammoth egos in entertainment history--Hearst and Welles--were pitted against one another in the battle over Citizen Kane. Liev Schreiber has the close-to-impossible task of playing Orson Welles. He may not have Welles's monumental presence (who does?) but he does a credible job. John Malkovich turns in a powerful, understated performance as Welles's long-suffering sidekick Herman Mankiewicz, James Cromwell makes a first-rate Hearst, and Melanie Griffith is warmly sympathetic as Hearst's mistress, Marion Davies. The docudrama imparts some marvelously juicy insider lore, such as the real meaning behind the famous dying dispatch in the history of movies: "Rosebud." --Laura Mirsky

Customer Reviews:

RKO 281.......2007-03-30

I found this DVD entertaining, giving the behind-the-scenes look at the making of Kane. I'm a big fan of Welles and Liev Schreiber's performance of Orson was top-notch. Those of you that like story of the Battle over Citizen Kane with Orson Welles and William Randolf Hearst, this is for you. It gives a sense of how motion pictures were made in that era. I found the film to be very inspirational.

The Battle over Citizen Kane.......2006-11-11

"RKO 281" is a made-for-HBO movie on the process of making Citizen Kane, called by The American Film Institute, the greatest film ever made.
The movie is not a biopic on it's creator Orson Welles, in the same way
Walk the Line wasn't a biopic on Johnny Cash. It's a film that details a pivotal event in that persons life. We get some glimpes of Welles childhood, but this movie is about making Citizen Kane. The title of the film, which I don't like at all, refers to what Citizen Kane was called while it was being made. Liev Schreiber plays the "boy genius" Welles, who is tapped by RKO studios to make a movie after his legendary War of the Worlds radio broadcast makes people think the world is being taken over by aliens. Welles and his friend/writing partner Herman Mankiewicz (John Malkovich, who is great), whom he calls Mank, need to write a film but don't have any ideas. Then they meet William Randolph Hearst (James Cromwell), a rich newspaper publisher who lives in a large castle-like mansion filled with gorgeous woman, expensive paintings and statues, and an aura of sadness. After Welles entertains some people at a dinner party Hearst is holding, with a story about bull charging, Hearst gives him a tongue lashing about cruelty to animals. This makes Welles mad, but also gives him an idea...To write a movie about Hearst and change the name of the character to Charles Foster Craig (although later, he decides the name isn't good enough and changes it to Charles Foster Kane). As Welles and Mank work on the script, we're treated to some small funny moments including when Welles comes up with rosebud. Anyway; After the film is completed and people begin seeing it, Hearst begins to fight to get the film destroyed but begins sinking into the depths of bankruptcy. Melanie Griffith plays Hearst's mistress, who bares resemblance to Kane's second wife in the film. Before seeing this film I knew the average things about Citizen Kane that you can read in Roger Eberts book and such. I don't know how much of this film is true, but it was told in such a fun way that it was hard not to like. Orson Welles is portrayed as an occasionally mean, but dedicated man who just wanted to make a movie. I think John Malkovich steals the show as Welles co-writer. He plays his character with such finesse and charm, it's hard not to like him. If I ever hear someone say Herman Mankiewicz, I'll definitely think John Malkovich. The movie is written by John Logan (who penned the Howard Hughes biopic "The Aviator") and is surprisingly well done. I'd rather see a full biopic on Orson Welles, but this is a good substitute. Schreiber wouldn't have been my first choice to play Welles, but he does pretty well. Anyone looking for insight into Welles personal life shouldn't look much further. If you enjoyed Citizen Kane or enjoy watching John Malkovich onscreen than you should check this movie out. It's not perfect (sometimes it's even dull), but it's interesting and well-acted enough to be recommended.

GRADE: B

Excellent Historical Drama .......2006-02-23

Seven years ago, I visited the Hurst Castle in San Simian, CA and was astonished by the grandure, size, and scope of the lavish lifestyle led by William Randolph Hurst. After visiting this palace, I wondered if there ever would be a great movie that was made about this larger-than-life icon. I also read some about the controversy that surrounded Hurst later in his life when Orson Welles made his debut in Hollywood with CITIZEN KANE. Director Benjamin Ross and Producers Ridley and Tony Scott have vividly captured this pivotal moment in Hollywood history that pitted two of the most prestigious men of this era against one another: Hurst, a media mogul and newspaper tycoon, and Welles, the 24 year old controversial "boy genius" of New York. Both James Cromwell and Liev Schreiber give rivoting perfomances as Hurst and Welles as they duel over the release of what would later be considered the "greatest film of all time." Schreiber embodies the young, passionately-driven and volatile Welles, while Cromwell transforms into the tyrannical and manipulative Hurst who would stop at nothing to prevent and ultimately destroy's Welle's masterpiece. This made-for-tv film received a Golden Globe for Best Picture. In addition to brilliant performances by Cromwell and Schrieber, there are also some exquisite performances given by the films supporting cast. The most impressive of these is British actress Brenda Blethyn's portrayal of Hollywood gossip columnist Louella Parsons, who in the film acts as Hurst's vicious informant and enforcer. John Malkovich also provides a great supporting performance as Herman Mankewicz, the screenwriter for CITZEN KANE and friend of Orson Welles. In addition to Blethyn and Malkovich, British actor David Suchet ("Executive Decision"), who plays Louis B. Mayer, president and CEO of MGM Pictures, also provides a memorial appearance in adding to the underhanded deception and corruption in 1940's Hollywood over preventing CITIZEN KANE's release. Rounding out the cast is Melanie Grifitth as the charming, gullible, and attractive Marion Davies (former actress and Hurst's long-time mistress)who was the inspiration for the Susan Alexander character in CITIZEN KANE. Though there maybe some slight historical inaccurancies in the film concerning the CITIZEN KANE controversy, on the whole it is a brilliant piece of movie making that shed even more light on why the American Film Institute named CITIZEN KANE "the number one film of all time."

An edible version of historical events.......2003-09-19

I have to disagree with those who look at this as an historical narrative. This is a great story of a man fighting against a system that treated its employees as slaves. Actors, directors and writers were loaned and traded at the whim of the powerful studio bosses at the time of Kane. This shows the will of one brash, arrogant, young man who dared to stand up to that power and fight for the film he thought should be made.
This may not be historically 100% accurate, but it doesn't need to be. It needs to be the spirit, not the letter. And I believe that it is. Wells was one of the most important people in the history of film, and this dramatizes his beginnings. We should view it as such, and not as a documentary about the making of Kane.
I am in the camp that feels that this is not even Welle's best film. I feel that Touch Of Evil is a better film. But if it were not for Kane, there would have been no Evil.
(Trivia, for the non-movie-buffs. In this film they ask Welles to direct a film version of War Of The Worlds. He actually wanted to direct a version of Conrad's "Heart of Darkness." The studio wouldn't let him. 30+ years later, Francis Ford Coppola wanted to film a version of "Heart of Darkness." Both times, the studio turned them down, saying it was not a viable film. While it may be argued that in the hands of Welles or Coppola "Darkness" may have been viable, this is an example of studios having divine inspiration. Their denials gave us Kane and The Godfather. Both were the second choices of the directors. Thank you RKO and Paramount.)

Entertaining, if superficial treatment of famous story.......2003-08-13

Trying to recount anything from the larger-than-life annals of Orson Welles is a chore in and of itself. One must applaud HBO producers for going to bat with the fascinating story of "RKO 281-The Battle Over Citizen Kane." The subject matter, secret for many years but revealed publicly by a recent PBS documentary, is not exactly the stuff of classic cinema. In addition, movies about movies must always wade through mountains of vanity and self obsession. "RKO 281-The Battle Over Citizen Kane" has both characteristics in spades.

Made in 1941, "Citizen Kane" is generally considered to be one of the greatest films ever made. Director/writer/actor Orson Welles was a 25-year old prodigy at the time, wooed by Hollywood producers and given carte blanche to make his first film. After dinner at the infamous home of publishing giant William Randolph Hearst, Welles decides to make a expose drama about the man's life. "RKO 281" covers this process in a simplistic fashion, finding drama only the the battles between Welles and screenwriter Herman Mankiewicz. Hearst catches wind of the production, gets a sneak preview of the film, and attempts to use his undeniable power to buy the product and have it destroyed. He almost succeeds.

Like most HBO dramas, "RKO 281" suffers from sub-par production qualities but is boosted by fine casts giving excellent performances. Liev Schreiber does a good job in the intimidating role of Orson Welles. The character changes little during the course of the film, and rarely do we get a glimpse of what truly makes the man tick. The true highlight of "RKO 281" are the handful of terrific supporting performances, including the always intense John Malkovich as Mankiewicz, James Cromwell as Hearst and Roy Scheider as the long-suffering RKO producer. Without this trio of true heavyweights, "RKO 281" could have been insufferable.

Customer Reviews:

Say LIVE AND LET DIE.......2006-11-27

This is the oddest-looking James Bond film. It doesn't look or feel like any of the other films in the rest of the series. Cinematically LIVE AND LET DIE is an entity unto itself. Every effort to disassociate Roger Moore from Sean Connery was made in this film and in doing so the entire film also became disassociated from the rest of the series. It was a real jolt to fans when it came out. I even have a hard time watching this film today. However, to new fans just coming aboard the `Bond-wagon' it was a very humorous and entertaining film. At its core it still contained enough elemental bear bones of the James Bond series and other entries from the tongue-in-cheek spy film genre to differentiate it from other movies on the market. And that being said there are elements of this film that I do like. Derek Meddings' miniatures of Kananga's poppy fields exploding near the film's climax were excellent. Julius Harris as Tee Hee, Roy Stewart as Quarrel Junior and Arnold Williams as the Cab Driver were all good in their roles. The fight scene between Bond and Tee Hee aboard the train wasn't bad and led up to a great one-liner. One of the better scenes in the film was the confrontation between Bond and Kananga when he `reveals' himself in his New Orleans lair. I found Geoffrey Holder's choreography much better than his role as Baron Samedi, a great character that was never developed. The film's best innovation was having Paul McCartney and Wings perform their hit tune over Maurice Binder's titles. To everyone's heartbreak it was a shame that Desmond Lewelin as Q never appeared in this film. And that being said the best gadget in this film was James Bond's coffee machine. As Bernard Lee as "M" commented, "Is that all it does?"

A Movie of Firsts.......2006-03-03

This James Bond movie was a movie of multiple firsts. The first James Bond movie with a real rock song as the theme ("Live and Let Die" by Paul McCartney and Wings); it was the first major role for beautiful Jane Seymour; it was the first Bond movie where he was after someone other than someone out to take over the world; and of course it was the first Bond movie with Roger Moore in the title role.
Some of the firsts worked really well. Jane Seymour is always lovely, and in this movie she was in her early 20s, looking absolutely stunning in a variety of costumes. The song by Wings is one of their most memorable and well-known. The other firsts had varying levels of success.

Roger Moore rolled James Bond back from the continuous one-liners doled out by Sean Connery in "Diamonds Are Forever", which was welcomed and at least temporarily prevented James Bond movies from becoming spy comedies. This Bond movie also temporarily abandoned the science fiction theme of the last couple of Bond movies under Sean Connery. However, as good a bad guy as Yaphet Kotto played, ultimately he was still a drug dealer and seemed barely a worthy adversary for Bond.

The other semi-welcomed change is the increased action of this movie. While the movie is advertised as being non-stop action, which it is, I wonder whether too much action is possible. Sean Connery's Bond generally had a well developed story to back him up, with ever-increasing plot complexity. It seems that much of the intellectual complexity was thrown out in this movie for the sake of continuous car and boat chases. Yet with all that, this movie is still a good Bond movie. Not the best, but not the worst either. The boat chase through Louisiana is exciting with at several novel crashes.

One thing I didn't mention earlier is that this movie turned out to be an excellent vehicle for a number of Black actors. In addition to Yaphet Kotto, Geoffrey Holder and Julius Harris played very memorable supporting roles. Gloria Hendry as Rosie Carver is also a very memorable Black actor, as she was the first Black Bond girl; Bond's kiss must have seemed somewhat shocking to audiences of 1973, not to mention when he made love to her. The one flaw in all this is that Blacks seemed to have gotten all the criminal roles, and very few of the law enforcement roles (only one that I can recall). While having equal opportunity as criminals, people of color should have been more dispersed on both side of the line.

With all its flaws, this movie still turns out to be a decent entry in Bond filmography. Roger Moore brings the styling of "The Saint" to James Bond, which was certainly a change for Bond. Furthermore, the opportunity was taken to bring Bond somewhat back to earth. Admittedly the elements of the supernatural, introduced for the first time in any Bond movie, were a bit unusual, but just as consistent as the science fiction in the previous Bond movies. Overall I would say this movie was an improvement over "Diamonds Are Forever", and certainly worth a bowl of popcorn.

Note that "Live and Let Die" is available in a couple of versions, with varying prices. This movie may also be available in a collection. You may want to review the versions available and their cost before you choose which version is right for you. Good luck!

Cheroots for Cigarettes .......2005-12-23

LIVE AND LET DIE is the one film in the James Bond series that stands out from the rest. This is Roger Moore's first film as James Bond the British agent with the 007 "Licence To Kill" and he keeps the body count going up. In many ways it does not even seem like it is part of the series. The character of James Bond was totally revamped in LIVE AND LET DIE. Bond seems to have traded in his cigarettes for cheroots. Gone are the "Martinis shaken not stirred," the Dom Perigone, Bond's virility, worldliness and sardonic wit. It's all gone. Even his wardrobe is over-the-top. But it is all a facade. Bond's appearance as a fop and dandy are only a ruse, a deception. If you examine this film you will see that Bond is no perfunctory agent. He dispenses lethal doses of vengeful comeuppance with his urbane charm. The film's lighter approach under Guy Hamilton's direction actually makes many of the scenes of violent and contorted death more palatable. On closer examination this film is a highly stylized piece of action filled nonsense that delivers outrageous thrills, characters, dialogue and humor in a well-choreographed non-stop bit of filmmaking.

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