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My Gal Sal
Director- Irving Cummings
Cast- Rita Hayworth, Victor Mature
Country of Origin- US
Writer: Tyler Miller
MY GAL SAL (1942) is a biopic of the Gay Nineties songwriter Paul Dresser and his rise to fame. It’s also a musical about the rise to stardom and some of the missteps along the way. The film isn’t realistic and follows many musical tropes, including a forced romantic angle.
Victor Mature (I WAKE UP SCREAMING) plays Dresser and makes the man relatable. Starting the film off with family troubles and the classic “you're not made for showbiz” speeches from his overbearing father. He then moves on to work on a traveling circus that makes it’s living sailing Native American novelty items. There he meets the glamour diva Sal, played by the iconic Rita Hayworth.
The film has some pacing issues. The musical set pieces are few and far between, and the story is played safe. The screenplay was based on a biographical essay on Dresser by his writer brother Theodore Dresser. But somehow when translated onto screen, the story lacks emotional depth. The costumes and sets are wonderfully designed and colorful. But sadly, the film itself is quite visually tame.
Mature and Hayworth are the real reason to seek out the movie. Both feel natural in their roles. Hayworth gets some one-liners, and her charisma shines in every scene. Still there is so much missing from the screen. The screenplay hints at some more troublesome behind the scenes stage drama. One example being the stolen work and copyright issues Dresser faces. Or being double crossed by his manager. With this missing, the finished film feels unremarkable.
MY GAL SAL is too run of the mill to stand out, but it should appeal to classic musical fans for Hayworth’s performance alone.
Twilight Time gives the movie a handsome looking release that is lacking in extras. The English 1.0 DTS-HD sound mix is well handled and has no hiss or pops. The musical score and songs both stand out with a bold bass. Speaking of the soundtrack, per usual, Twilight Time also includes the Isolated music track. The songs by Dresser, Leo Robin, and Ralph Rainger follow out of the speakers with a nice ring. English subtitles are included.
The 1080p HD transfer has a few issues, with two scenes having some focus trouble. The colors pop and the black levels are smooth. The film has some natural film grain. The disc doesn’t have any extras other than the wonderful booklet of liner notes by Julie Kirgo.
The Film 3/5
Audio/ Video 4/5
Extras 1/5
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My Sister Eileen
Director- Robert Quine
Cast- Janet Leigh, Jack Lemmon, Betty Garrett
Country of Origin- US
Writer: Tyler Miller
Based on a 1940 play by Joseph A. Fields and Jerome Chodorov, MY SISTER EILEEN (1955) is an uneven but enjoyable musical. It tells the story of two Ohio country sisters Eileen and Ruth Sherwood (Janet Leigh and Betty Garrett) who move to New York City to make it big. Once there the issues start to blossom with bad rent prices, sleazy men, and finally a basement apartment by the less then trustworthy Papa Appopolous (Kurt Kasznar). Ruth is a talented writer, who is over shadowed by the intense beauty and innocence of her sister Eileen. As the wacky situations continue will they be able to find good work, and love?
Going into this film I had the disadvantage of not being a “musical” fan. I enjoy the genre as much as the next guy, but just like a horror anthology can be destroyed by a bad episode, a musical can be sunk by bad songs. This film sadly begins with a painful and grating opening theme. Which started a pattern of the rest of the lackluster soundtrack.
Added to this is the bad comedy aimed at Betty Garrett, who gets pushed around and mistreated because of her looks that I almost shut the movie off. But around the 30-minute mark the film did win me over. Jack Lemmon, in an early role, is a big help with natural comic timing saving some of the awkward scenes. The screenplay by Blake Edwards (10, PINK PANTHER series) spices it up whenever Lemmon’s character is on screen.
Janet Leigh and Betty Garrett do work as sisters and when there not singing there a pure joy to see. The New York setting and production design does wonders. My favorite part was the shaking apartment thanks to the new subway system. It’s a nice sound stage time capsule. I haven’t seen the 1942 Rosalind Russell version, but based on trailers it looks more in line with my tastes. Still this 1955 version does have its moments, even I the songs are lackluster.
Twilight Time ‘s release has some issues. The picture quality of the 1080p HD Transfer shows some wear and tear. The print damage and out of focus shots is shocking for one of their releases. The English 5.1 DTS-MA track is a beauty with plenty of clear audio. The musical numbers sound the best. The Isolated music track will be a great treat for musical fans. The English 2.0 DTS-MA track is also nice but a little quieter. English subtitles are included. In terms of extras we get the original theatrical trailer and a handsome booklet of liner notes by Julie Kirgo.
The Film (3/5)
Audio/ Video (3/5)
Extras (1/5)
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Anne of the Thousand Days (1969)
Director– Charles Jarrott
Starring – Richard Burton, Geneviève Bujold
Country of Origin – United Kingdom
Reviewed by - David Steigman
Anne of the Thousand Days is a costume drama starring Richard Burton, Irene Papas and Genevieve Bujold as the key characters. King Henry VIII (Burton), disgruntled because his wife Catharine of Aragon (Irene Papas), cannot produce a son to be his heir, discards his wife for a younger, more beautiful woman, Anne Boleyn (Geneviève Bujold). King Henry VIII feels Anne can give him a son to be his heir. Obviously, there is no guarantee that such a thing is possible in life, but I guess back then you those type of thoughts existed.
Anne of the Thousand Days is quite the film, perhaps a little bit on the corny, contrived side, but the film took some bold steps in the vulgar direction. Words that weren’t used in films such as “bastard child” and “virgin”
The actors all provide great performances with brilliant direction by Charles Jarrott, and an excellent musical score by Georges Delereue. King Henry VIII is arguably is one of Richard Burton’s finest roles and plays the part perfectly. Even though Burton disliked both the film and his performance in it, he did receive an Academy Award Nomination for Best Actor. His stardom rose so high, he would go on to bigger movies such as Exorcist II, The Heretic. Geneviève Bujold in the role as Anne is her most recognized role in her cinematic history
The often requested Anne of The Thousand Days finally arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Twilight Time. The picture quality for this film is simply breathtaking. With an HD master provided by Universal, the colors are just a sight to behold looking rich and bold throughout, with a great deal of depth and textures to them. Reds look especially strong here. The color palette really shines during scenes taking places in the outdoor s. Skin tones look accurate with great details to the characters faces in close-ups.
For the audio, English 2.0 DTS-HD master audio was applied sounding just terrific as it normally does, with the noise levels becoming more intense during musical numbers. English subtitles are offered.
The special features are pretty minimal; we get the usual isolated music track, the original theatrical trailer and a booklet written by Julie Kirgo essaying the film
The Film (3/5)
Audio/Video (5/5)
Extras (.50/5)
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Sunshine (1973)
Director– Joseph Sargent
Starring – Cristina Raines, Cliff De Young
Released by –Redwind Productions
Reviewed by - David Steigman
The Film (4/5)
Sunshine is a made for television documentary style movie that first aired on CBS on November 9th 1973 and was the most watched television movie in history when it first shown. The film is based on a true story of the tragic life of Jacquelyn M. "Lyn" Helton, a young parent who died at the age of twenty due to osteosarcoma, which is cancer which affects the bone cells. Despite the names being different, Sunshine is the very film that was inspired by the real events in Helton’s life. In the ‘reel’ version, the young woman who succumbs to cancer is 20 year old Kate Hayden (Cristina Rains). She along with her struggling musician husband, Sam (Cliff De Young) and her baby daughter are living peacefully in the woods and are getting by in life. Kate becomes become ill, and later has a tumor growth on her leg. After seeing a doctor she is diagnosed with cancer, specifically osteosarcoma. The doctor wants to amputate Kate’s leg, but she refuses and opts for chemotherapy instead. Despite undergoing treatment, the chemotherapy has made her sick and unable to perform her daily activities. Kate decides to forego the treatment, thus ending her life. With just few months to live, Kate becomes part of a medical research study and tape records her final days of life before the inevitable happens.
Joseph Sargent’s Sunshine is an excellent albeit, a real tear-jerker of a movie. Those who have had loved ones succumb to cancer will easily identify with this movie. It may even make it hard to sit through as the film may open old wounds. Director Sargent has done a tremendous job in directing a powerful film about a real health issue that strikes fear into people. Meaning, nobody wants to be diagnosed with any form of cancer and go through the horrors of being treated for it.
The movie has exceptionally good acting with some great emotional dialog between the leads. The supporting cast including Alan Fudge, Brenda Vaccaro, Meg Foster and Bill Mumy also hand in great performances. Sunshine includes some classic John Denver songs, including the films’ title, Sunshine, short for “Sunshine on My Shoulders”. John Denver performs his hit song “Country Road” in the film as well.
Audio/Video (4/5)
Sunshine is presented in its original full frame original 1.33:1 television aspect ratio and it’s a real stunner. Colors are just vivid, whether it’s the outdoor scenery or the Volkswagen bus that the Haydens drive or even the clothing that the characters wear. The colors overall look sharp, rich with excellent details. Film grain is present throughout. Black levels are also balanced. There are a few scenes that do look a little washed out, but nothing that lasts for any lengthy period of time. This release on Blu-ray in terms of the image quality is quite a revelation since it’s a TV movie from 1973 shot on video.
English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 is the lone audio option and the sound quality is more than adequate. Dialog, music and other noises come in rich and clear. John Denver’s songs sound the most aggressive during the presentation. There are optional English subtitles for the release as well.
Extras (.50/5)
Extras for this release include a song and dialog chapter stops option and the original theatrical trailer. A booklet by Jacqueline Taite is also part of the extras. It isn’t much but some movies getting released in high definition just aren’t going to have an ample amount of bonus materials.
Overall (4/5)
Sunshine is an entertaining, if not heartbreaking tale and if you’re in the need for a good cry, look no further. Cancer is a major problem in our society, bringing death and sadness to thousands of people every year. Redwind productions have done a great job with releasing this unlikely, but a pleasant surprise movie on Blu-ray. Recommended!
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A Man Called Peter (1955)
Director– Henry Koster
Starring – Richard Todd, Jean Peters
Country of Origin – USA
Reviewed by - David Steigman
If you are a person who is a deep believer of faith and God, the film A Man Called Peter is just for you. This religiously intensive film is in a nutshell is a biographical story about Scottish preacher Peter Marshall (played by Richard Todd) and his close relationship to God. It is a film adaptation taken from the 1951 biography of the same name written by his wife Catherine Marshall. The film is based on real life events in Peter Marshall’s life, from his boyhood to his untimely passing. As a youngster he worked long hours to save money to have an education in America. After his move and education, a now older Peter (Richard Todd) has accepted a position as pastor of the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church. The film moves on to his time at a New York seminary, his time spent in Atlanta churches, his marriage to Catherine Wood Marshall (Jean Peters), and his appointment as chaplain of the US Senate. The story goes all the way to his health problems leading to his passing.
A Man Called Peter is a marvelous well-done film, with Richard Todd handing in a superior performance as Peter Marshall. Jean Peters, who played Catherine Marshall, handed in an excellent performance as well. This was the final film she appeared in. The rest of the cast including Les Tremayne, Marjorie Rambeau and Jill Esmond, also did great jobs in their respective roles.
The film was nominated for an Academy Award in 1956 for its lavish cinematography, which was courtesy of Harold Lipstein
Twilight Time releases A Man Called Peter on Blu-ray. Thanks to an HD master provided by 20th Century Fox, the image is simply robust, with wonderful visuals. The picture quality peaks during the daylight scenes with breathtaking blue skies and scenery around it. Interiors and exterior shots look fantastic and polished with great details and rich textures. Flesh tones look accurate and detailed, especially during close-up shots of characters’ faces, while black levels looked balanced and not overly intense.
In the audio department, English 4.0 DTS-HD master audio and English 2.0 DTS-HD master audio are the two options offered for your listening pleasure. The lossless 2.0 track comes in much stronger, more intense but both options are fantastic with dialog and other sounds such as the musical scores of Alfred Newman coming in perfectly clear. Optional English SDH subtitles are offered for the release.
Special Features include the usual isolated music track, plus the extras from the previous DVD release have been ported over, which are an audio sermon by Peter Marshall, Fox Movietone Newsreels and the original theatrical trailer. The other extra is the booklet written by Julie Kirgo that essays the film.
The Film – 3.5/5
Audio/Video -5/5
Extras – 2.5/5
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X, Y & Zee (1972)
Director– Brian G. Hutton
Starring – Elizabeth Taylor, Michael Caine
Country of Origin – United Kingdom
Reviewed by - David Steigman
X Y & Zee (also called Zee and Company) is the story of a married couple, Zee (Elizabeth Taylor) and Robert (Michael Caine) Blakeley, whose relationship has hit rock bottom. They have a love-hate type of marriage which accelerates towards a hateful ending when Robert falls in love with a beautiful young widow named Stella (Susannah York) at a social gathering.
From there the film becomes a love triangle. Stella and Robert have fallen in love while having an affair which sets Zee off into a jealous rage. Throughout the picture, Zee and Robert have extremely intense arguments, nearly to the point of physical violence as they bring the worst out of each other. Zee ruthlessly plays head games and twists around words, driving Robert crazy to no end.
X Y & Zee, while is labelled as a drama to me feels like a black comedy film, that is somewhat contrived, with over the top performances by Elizabeth Taylor and Michael Caine. Taylor was bit too overwhelming in this picture even she and Caine do have good chemistry together. Despite that, X Y & Zee will hold your interest in a morbidly compelling way. The cinematography by Billy Williams is just outstanding. The movie is based on a novel by Edna O'Brien, who also handled the writing chores for the film! Under Brian Hutton’s direction, the outrageous story moves at a feverish pace. He got a lot of mileage from the main cast members whose characters went way over the top.
Twilight Time’s offering of X Y & Zee on Blu-ray is a quite nice package. The HD master provided by Sony is vivid with bright and cheerful colors throughout. Daylight scenes are just gorgeous with great ravish details with the interior and exterior shots of homes, and building all have excellent texture. The exotic clothing worn by the female leads in this picture look amazingly rich and colorful. Skin tones look accurate and also finely detailed, with close-ups showing skin blemishes and other imperfections.
English DTS-HD master audio 2.0 is the lone audio option for this release. The sounds, including dialog, the lovely music by Stanley Myers and other noises come in loud and clear without any drop-offs or hissing. When Caine and Taylor yell at the top of their lungs toward each other, their yelling is rather aggressive sounding at times. Optional English subtitles are offered for this package
Special features for this release are minimal, basically limited to the usual isolated music track and Julie Kirgo’s liner notes booklet that essays the film.
X Y & Zee is a crazy film that should be viewed by genre film fans at least once. The audio and video quality for this release from Twilight Time are top notch, making it the best way to see and hear the film. Recommended!
The Film: 3/5
Audio/Video: 5/5
Extras: .50/5
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Oklahoma Crude (1973)
Director– Stanley Kramer
Starring – George C. Scott, Faye Dunaway, John Mills, Jack Palance
Country of Origin – USA
Reviewed by - David Steigman
Oklahoma Crude is a tale that takes place in 1913, and yes, in the state of Oklahoma with its main crux about a land owner that is being threatened to sell her property to a corrupt oil company.
Land owner Lena Doyle (Faye Dunaway), and her father Cleon (Sir John Mills) and a hobo named Mase (George C. Scott) who just happens to come along out of nowhere, are drilling for oil day and night. She is under a lot of pressure from a major oil company that wants her to sell her land because of its potential wealth. The oil company is run by the ruthless Hellman (Jack Palance) who will stop at nothing to usurp the land, through any means necessary, for the same reasons. They want to drill the land for its oil for their own gains. Lena decides not to settle and sell the land, despite the threats from Hellman, leading to a great deal of fighting, gun violence and death.
Oklahoma Crude is a lively, entertaining, Western action-drama that was produced and directed by Stanley Kramer. Perhaps it’s a bit too light-hearted with themes that shift from comedic to a serious tone, but the film ultimately is able to blend the silliness together with the violence. Some of the dialog in this picture will have you in stiches.
The main leads all play their parts well, but Faye Dunaway carries the picture as the strong-willed and quite vulgar Lena. Lena’s character is a combination of both complex and raunchy and by far she delivers the best lines. She and George C. Scott worked well together, and have great chemistry. Jack Palance is fantastic as Hellman who just chews it up being the evil antagonist. He would be the equivalent of JR Ewing for those who recall the television series Dallas, which was about the oil business, and much more.
Twilight Time’s release of Oklahoma Crude is just terrific. The image quality for this Blu-ray is simply phenomenal. Given an HD master provided by Sony, Oklahoma Crude is a visual stunner with beautiful outdoor scenery, with great clarity and depth. The colors are rich, deep and highly robust. Black levels look balanced, not overwhelming and you can see what’s happening under the night skies. Skin tones look accurate with a vast amount of detail to the characters’ faces in close-ups.
In the audio department, English DTS-HD master audio 2.0 was used for this release and the music, dialog, and other action noises are flawless. Henry Mancini’s wonderful musical scores also sound rich and clear. Optional English subtitles are offered for the release as well
Extras the usual isolated music track, an audio commentary with Film Historians Lee Pfeiffer and Paul Scrabo and Julie Kirgo’s booklet that essays the films
A great film that has given excellent treatment by Twilight Time, Oklahoma Crude is a recommended release!
The Film - B
Audio/Video- A
Extras- C
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