Planes, Trains and Automobiles
by Paramount Home Video
Average Customer Review:
DVD (08 January, 2002)
list price: $12.99 -- our price: $9.74
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Given the presence of both Steve Martin and John Candy, one would expect this John Hughes comedy to be much, much funnier than it is. Certainly it's not for lack of effort on the part of its stars. Martin is an uptight businessman trying to get home from New York for the holidays. But one thing after another gets in his way--most of it having to do with Candy, a boorish but well-meaning boob who takes a liking to him. Together they travel all over the map; no matter how hard Martin tries to shake him, he can't. But Hughes's writing is never as sharp as it should be and this film winds up being only intermittently humorous. --Marshall Fine ... Read more

Features

• Color
• Closed-captioned
• Widescreen
• Dolby

Reviews (205)

John Candy...What a legacy he left...
This movie is about one of my top favorites: it has joy, sadness, brilliant one liners, excellent humor and above all: true human spirit. Again a classic that some movies of now should take as an exemple of what quality is...

'Planes Trains&Automobiles'(Paramount)Running time:92 min.
Total madcap comedy about an upper-class EASILY annoyed business man,Neal Page(Steve Martin)accidently meeting up with stooge-like bumbler Del Griffith(John Candy-R.I.P.)who make such a comedic pair,it's almost unreal!Page is trying desperately to get home,to Chicago to be with his family on Thanksgiving.The two experience some unbelievable hardships that would about drive anyone ELSE insane.My favorite scenes are:1)When the two rent a car to drive after dusk as Page demands Griffith to keep on his shoes to avoid the stench of his feet and after that Griffith drives as me 'mocks' the Ray Charle's tune "Do The Mess Around".It's a scream! 2)When they're in the motel bed together BEFORE realizing they're with one another and 3)Towards the end,the heart warming moment when the two manage to arrive in Chicago and Griffith confesses he has no home and Page invites him to his house for the holiday.A sappy moment in movie history.A must-see.Recommended.

Still Funny And Then Some...Ebert May Be Right
Film critic Roger Ebert just included this movie as one of his top favorites in his new compendium, "The Great Movies II", and you should certainly read his analysis to hear from a true aficionado. For me personally,I continue to be surprised at how much I laugh when I see this movie. I thought that by now, surely the comic sight gags and the casting of Steve Martin and the late John Candy would automatically make this a candidate for a 1987 time capsule. Instead, I have to agree with Ebert and say this film has only grown over time, The laughs are still there, but so is a somewhat more dramatic undercurrent that I likely ignored the first time I saw it. Directed and written by John Hughes previously known for his teen angst comedies like "The Breakfast Club" and "Pretty in Pink", it's really a classic anti-buddy picture as two mismatched individuals are thrown together and of course, suffer one bizarre misadventure after another as they try to make it home to Chicago for Thanksgiving.

Although you would think it would have more in common with Neil Simon's "The Odd Couple", the plot actually reminds me much more of Simon's "The Out-of-Towners", and anyone familiar with that film will have a good idea of what will happen to them. They spend a night in a cramped hotel room sleeping in the same bed, endure customer-indifferent rental car clerks, suffer through a series of vehicle breakdowns, and watch one of their last hopes literally go up in smoke. As persnickety salesman Neal Page, Martin seems to be on a constant simmer just ready to boil at the most inopportune times. Candy plays the obnoxious Del Griffith, a shower curtain ring salesman armed with an endless supply of dumb jokes and pointless anecdotes. That both manage to make their respective characters likeable is a testament to their appeal as comic actors. Martin is able to elicit empathy for a man uncomfortable with unpredictable circumstances. Candy goes beyond the obvious buffoon to reveal a vulnerable, lonely man made even more so by the holiday season. There is a particularly touching moment when he silently expresses his character's swelling hurt as Neal berates him for his unfunny stories. But it's really the comedy scenes that make this movie truly memorable, the best one involving Del's lip-synching of "The Mess Around" behind the wheel of car he is driving in the wrong direction. The ending is somewhat mawkish, but it doesn't ruin a comedy that deserves to be seen again and enjoyed. Still highly recommended. ... Read more

Asin: B00003CXC0
Subjects:  1. Feature Film-comedy   

Miracle on 34th Street
by Twentieth Century Fox
Average Customer Review:
DVD (16 October, 2001)
list price: $19.98 -- our price: $17.98
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

The original 1947 version of this Valentine Davies story follows the misadventures of Kris Kringle (Edmund Gwenn) as he gets a job playing Santa Claus at Macy's department store in New York City. Natalie Wood is the little girl who tells him she doesn't believe in Santa, and Maureen O'Hara and John Payne are the couple who help Kris through a trial in which he must prove he's the jolly fellow from the North Pole. A sweet movie and perennial Christmas favorite, this is one of those movies that gets under your skin and must be revisited every so often. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Features

• Black & White
• Closed-captioned

Reviews (73)

Classic radio show gave additional insight to movie theme
This is a great movie,as many have posted before me. However, after hearing the classic radio show (heard it on Sirius)originally aired around the same time as the orginal movie release, I learned something entirely new about this old classic I enjoyed for many years. In the classic radio show at the end when the lawyer talks with Santa about the house, he learns that Santa set the entire sanity trial up, Santa knew the lawyer could not afford the house unless he bacame a famous lawyer, and by going to trial it made the lawyer famous. I never realized that Santa set it all up by making them think he was crazy, but it makes sense that Santa could be that smart.

Please ignore the remakes and see this magical original
Many of us have seen Miracle on 34th Street many times (once a year), and for me it never wears out.Just seeing Edmund Gwenn convince the sceptical, but adorable Natalie Wood that he's Santa is always both moving and hilarious.The theme is that sometimes good (Gwenn) triumphs over evil (Sawyer) with a little luck and magic (unfortunately not this year though.)
The way the plot is put into place is masterful and George Seaton's direction flawless.Maureen O'Hara and John Payne (Gailey) do a great job and if you listen carefully you can hear O'Hara's Irish accent creep in.Also great is the judge played by Gene Lockhart who gives his role just the right dash of comedy, as well as William Frawley (better known as Fred on I Love Lucy).
The swipe it takes at psychiatry is too mild though.It depicts Sawyer as a fake psychiatrist...not challenging the legitimacy of psychiatry itself.However the message gets subtly through...there are those in the profession "with no humanity" as Kris Kringle puts it.
Even though you know the outcome it's still great to watch the triumphant result of Gailey's efforts, as well as Kringle's winning over of everyone at the end.
To me THIS is the quintessential Christmas film, not Wonderful Life or Christmas Carol which are too sentimental and dated.Miracle is intelligent, human, and timeless.

A Classic and a Gem
Great movie, even after all these years.Black and white or colorized, you can't go wrong.

Edmund Gwenn as Santa is the heart and soul of this movie.He is as we all imagine (and hope) Santa to be.It almost hurts when we see the other characters not actually believing he is the one and only Saint Nick.

But the other actors are also top notch...except for Maureen O'Hara.She may be the nicest lady in the world ... I don't know ... but she almost single-handedly torpedoes this movie.It achieves classic status despite her.

The guy who plays the lawyer, he is excellent.A nice understated but still believable performance.And Natalie Wood is cute and believable as the little girl.But the rest of the cast is a superb collection of unique characters who really fill out the movie nicely.

One last thing ... the one scene I like (love) best is the one where the little Dutch girl, who can't speak English, comes to sit on Santa's lap.A priceless, priceless moment.
... Read more

Asin: B00000K3CK
Subjects:  1. Feature Film Family   

A Christmas Story (Full Screen Edition)
by Warner Studios
Average Customer Review:
DVD (28 September, 1999)
list price: $19.98 -- our price: $15.98
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

A Christmas Story is on its way to becoming an annual holiday classic, one to keep on the shelf with It's a Wonderful Life, the puppet-animated Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and A Charlie Brown Christmas. It may have been directed by Bob Clark (responsible for the Porky's pictures), but it's based on the childhood memoirs of humorist Jean Shepherd (from his hilarious book In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash). And it is Shepherd's wry, deadly accurate and gently nostalgic comic sensibility that shines through in this kid's-eye-view of an all-American Christmas in the 1940s. All little Ralphie (Peter Billingsley) wants under the tree on Christmas morning is a Daisy Brand Red-Ryder BB rifle. He not only wants it, he's consumed with an aching desire for it. Unfortunately, his mother (Melinda Dillon) repeatedly crushes his dreams with the familiar, harsh mantra: "You'll put your eye out!" Among the movie's highlights are a surrealistic visit with little brother Randy to a department store Santa, and the childlike mixture of delight, pride, and awe with which Ralphie's dad (Darren McGavin) takes possession of a spectacularly gaudy prize he's won in a radio contest. McGavin should have won an award for his splendid comic work as a middle-aged-kid-turned-patriarch who alternates between grownup temper tantrums and unabashed juvenile joy. --Jim Emerson ... Read more

Features

• Color
• Closed-captioned
• Dolby

Reviews (333)

A true holiday classic...
Adapted from humorist Jean Shepherd's hilarious memoir (In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash), A Christmas Story has climbed the ranks of the annual holiday must see films to claim its spot among the hallowed elite. If you've ever tried to lick a frozen telephone pole, or found yourself in a ridiculous outfit on Christmas morning, then A Christmas Story is one comedy that you won't want to miss...

The story focuses on one central character - 5th grader Ralphie (Peter Billingsley) and his all-encompassing quest to receive a Daisy Brand Red-Ryder BB rifle for Christmas (you could put an eye out with one of those things, you know?) Thwarting Ralphie at every turn are his mother (Melinda Dillon) and father (Darren McGavin) who seem absolutely oblivious to their young child's aims.

Unable to come right out and say what he wants, Ralphie drops subtle hints around the house (such as placing clipped-out magazine ads for the gun in his parents' nightstand reading material). When prodded for his true Christmas wish, Ralphie blurts out that he wants a Daisy Brand Red-Ryder BB gun, but his mother's only reply is, "You don't want one of those. You'll shoot your eye out!"

A Christmas Story is filled with memorable scenes and highlights that have helped built a cult following around the life of a young boy obsessed with Christmas and surrounding by eccentric family members. When Ralphie's father beams with pride at his ability to win a newspaper contest, his proudly displays his prize in the front window of the family home - his prize being a lamp with a woman's long, stocking-covering leg as its own leg to stand on. Embarrassed, Ralphie's mother "accidentally" breaks it, sparking a war of words with her husband. Meanwhile, Ralphie dreams of saving the whole family with his Red-Ryder BB gun, and thus earning their undying gratitude.

One of the best sequences in the film involves a family trip to the local department store, where Ralphie and his little brother Randy meet with the store Santa Clause near closing time. Following a long, extended wait to reach the front of the line to see Santa, Ralphie is so brimming with anticipation to tell Santa what he wants that he can't speak. So, Santa convinces Ralphie that he wants a football. But before Santa's helper can push Ralphie down the North Pole slide, Ralphie blurts out his true wish, only to hear Santa's reply, "You'll shoot your eye out with that, kid!"

One of the best Christmas comedies ever made (few come close to Christmas Vacation), A Christmas Story is a memorable holiday classic that the whole family can enjoy. In much the same way as It's A Wonderful Life, the film has only grown in popularity in the years since its release. The timeless nature of its subject matter lends itself well to annual holiday viewing, and it remains one of the few "must see" films of the season...

The DVD Report

Fun to watch for the first couple of times....
But since it comes on TBS every year on Christmas Eve it just gets really old. It will come on for 24 hours and it just gets so annoying. Is this movie really that important to the holidays? I mean this movie is classic but main reason why I give it one star is because I got sick and tired of it for being it on TBS all the freakin time. Somebody who works for TBS needs to stop doing that.

I Don't Get It

Why has this become a classic holiday movie? I'm no big fan of schmaltz, but A CHRISTMAS STORY is utterly devoid of warmth. Its characters are unlikable, everything looks grimy and cheap, and Jean Shepherd's Lake Woebegonish narration is grating.
Next Christmas, skip TBS' 24-hour marathon and watch LORD OF THE RINGS, PLANES TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES, SOME LIKE IT HOT, heck, ANYTHING but this. ... Read more

Asin: B00000JKNR
Subjects:  1. Christmas   

Home Alone/Home Alone 2
by Fox Home Entertainme
Average Customer Review:
DVD (15 October, 2002)
list price: $29.98
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Features

• Color
• Closed-captioned
• Widescreen

Reviews (5)

No Bonus Materials??????????????
Dont get me wrong. This is a great movie, and the second one is great too. But these transfers to DVD's are complete rip offs! Where are the bonus features?????

They may come with trailers, full screen, and subtitles.... but I was very disapointed when these came out on DVD and had nothing else included on them. And I know the stuff exsists! I remember very clearly watching a behind the scenes featurette on home alone, and home alone 2 when they where about to be released. I remember Daniles talkin about how he was the guy in charge of whats funny, and i remember them talking about how it wasnt filmed at christmas and they had fake snow, and fake pigeons ect.... WHERE ARE THOSE FEATURES?????

To a person who dosent care about bonus features. Then go ahead and buy these great movies. But for someone like me who does want things like that, espesicly for such a huge comedy smash hit like these 2 movies, youd expect more wouldnt you? Even Audio comentary would be nice? Why is this blockbuster sucses treated so poorly on the DVD release? ITS NOT EVEN IN SURROUND SOUND!!!!!!!!!! (5.1)

I hope they release a better special edition of these films with features worth buying, to replace the old VHS copys most of us have. Untill then, keep your videos, the dvd's arnt worth getting yet

Can't have one without the other
It is a Thanksgiving tradition in my house to watch "Home Alone" as the dinner is being prepared.(My kitchen T.V. has a built in DVD player.)We all recite together "Take that, you filthy animal!" I always cringe at the same parts where the robbers fall into Kevin's traps.The next day, we watch "Home Alone 2" and relax. It's a lot of work preparing and cleaning up Thanksgiving dinner!

These movies are considered holiday classics in our home.("Home Alone 3" isn't even worth considering.)These two movies represent that rare combination of the sequel being just as good as the original.

A perfect christmas gift
If you or somebody you know loves Home Alone and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, and doesn't want the both movies buy themselves, this is something to get. But this is not the only 2 pack for movies on dvd, Toy Story and Toy Story 2, 101 and 102 Dalmatians, are also movies that are in 2 packs. In the first Home Alone, young Kevn McCallister (Macaualy Culkin) is angry with his large family, and wishes his whole family to disappear, the McCallisters have a trip to Paris coming up, the next day. But the every member of the family sleeps in because of a power problems during the night. And when they wake up, they have to do a lot of running around getting ready. But they forget one thing, they leave Kevin McCallister behind. And Kevin is happy when he wakes up and doesn't see his family around.

Okay Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, Macaulay Culkin is back as Kevin McCallister, but once again his family makes him angry, when there is trouble in a christmas pagent. And this time the McCallisters are going to Miami, and Kevin wishes that this time if he had his own money he own money he'll on his own vaction. There are once again power problems and the McCallisters are rushing around again, and they head off for the airport, and this time Kevin is wake and is at the airport, but his family is running to fast, Kevin loses his passport, and gets on hte flight with his family (or so he thinks), but he really boared a plane for New York. Looks like to me, Kevin has got his wish again to me. Other characters in both films include Harry (Joe Pesic), Marv (Daniel Stern), Kevin's mother (Catherine O'Hara), Kevin's dad (John Heard), Kevin's bother Buzz (Devin Ratray) and Kevin's grumpy uncle Frank (Gerry Bamman) ... Read more

Asin: B00005NKTB
Sales Rank: 27140
Subjects:  1. Feature Film Family   

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (Full Screen Edition)
by Warner Studios
Average Customer Review:
DVD (18 November, 1997)
list price: $19.98
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

You know exactly what you're getting in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation: another goofball, slapstick comedy of chaos and catastrophe with Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) and family. This time, there's no traveling involved: Clark and Ellen (Beverly D'Angelo) prepare for a nice Christmas with the kids (played by none other than Juliette Lewis and Roseanne star Johnny Galecki), when their home is invaded by backwoods cousin Eddie (Randy Quaid) and his brood, along with assorted other crazy and/or stuffy relatives. Complications, of course, are inevitable. The film is preceded by National Lampoon's Vacation (1983) and National Lampoon's European Vacation (1985) and followed by National Lampoon's Vegas Vacation (1997). Directed by Jeremiah Chechik, who went on to do Benny & Joon and the Sharon Stone remake of Diabolique. --Jim Emerson ... Read more

Features

• Color
• Closed-captioned
• Dolby

Reviews (234)

Classic Christmas Comedy
This is one of my favourite Christmas movies.

It's all about a Father, who wants his family to have the perfect family Christmas - but like everybody, he's not perfect.. and he causes some major problems.

It has all you need in a good Seasonal film. Humour, morals (come on, the ending had something) and the ability to make you really excited about Christmas, especially if it's close.

I only saw it for the first time last year - but I watch it quite a lot. It's one of those films which are addictive. You watch it once and you watch it again and again and again.

It's a real Christmas classic for me.

Just a warning though: It's not your average Christmas film. There's some rude words and suggestions in it. Thing is though, I think it's been edited for the UK.. because something that has been described in the movie wasn't on my DVD.

10/10 - Great Seasonal Comedy

The number one Christmas comedy ever!
Hands down, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation is the best Christmas comedy ever filmed. I make it habit to watch this movie about ten million times between Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve. Even after seeing the film so many times that I can recite it word-for-word, Christmas Vacation remains as hilarious and entertaining as the previous holiday season. More than just a seasonal film, it's one of those rare comedies that it near perfect from beginning to end.

Following the ongoing exploits of Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) and the Griswold family, this particular rendition of the classic Vacation movies is arguably the best. As in the previous films, Clark's goal is to create the perfect vacation for his family. Only this time, instead of hitting the road for Wally World, the Griswolds stay at home in suburban Chicago.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus (mere months away from signing on to play Elaine on Seinfeld) makes several appearances as Clark's annoying, yuppie neighbor Margot - a character accompanied by her equally yuppie partner, Todd (Nicholas Guest). Randy Quaid makes a return appearance as Cousin Eddie (playing the same role from the original Vacation film). As Clark's less-cultured relative, Eddie is a man whose "heart is bigger than his brain". Beverly D'Angelo also returns in her previous role as Clark's wife, Ellen.

When Clark vows to create "the most fun-filled old-fashioned family Christmas ever," things naturally go awry. With the Griswold family and their in-laws living under one roof, the relatives constantly get on each other's nerves. Clark sets out to decorate the house for Christmas, and his quest culminates in a 25,000 light extravaganza that cover every square inch of the house. In the process, he nearly breaks his neck several times and knocks out Todd and Margot's window with a flying lance of roof gutter ice.

The laughs multiply several times over when Cousin Eddie arrives uninvited and parks the family RV in the Griswold driveway. He brings his wife Catherine, their two kids Ruby Sue and Rocky, and their lovely dog "Snots". The crescendo of disaster steadily increases as Christmas Day approaches with the agony compounded by Clark's failure to receive his annual Christmas bonus. Clark's big Christmas surprise for the family is that he's putting in a pool, but in order to start work as soon as the ground thawed out, he had to put down a hefty deposit which his check won't cover without the Christmas bonus.

After a Christmas Eve in which the turkey explodes, Aunt Bethany's cat electrocutes itself, Uncle Lewis burns down the tree, and a squirrel gets loose in the house, a late night knock on the door gives Clark hope. A deliveryman hands him an envelope which fell between the seats - the fabled Christmas bonus.

But when the bonus turns out to be a membership in the Jelly-Of-The-Month Club instead of the cash he expected, Clark goes nuts. He extensively curses his boss, Frank Shirley, and tells the family that a nice Christmas gift would be Shirley wrapped in big red bow. Wanting to do something nice for Clark, Cousin Eddie takes the request literally. He kidnaps Mr. Shirley and delivers him to the Griswold house where Mr. Shirley reveals he cut out Christmas bonuses this year. Clark confronts him, and Mr. Shirley agrees that it was the wrong thing to do. He reinstates the bonuses, and tells Clark to add twenty percent. The whole family erupts in celebration, but their Christmas party is soon crashed by a SWAT team which takes the house by siege.

Originally released in 1989, Christmas Vacation has surprisingly little content that makes it look "dated". As such, it's certain to be a holiday viewing tradition for generations to come...

The DVD Report

Un-Special Edition
Well I am a big fan of the movie and I got it of christmas on VHS a long time ago.This christmas,I got the SE DVD along with CV2 and, The movie deserves 10 stars out of 5, but the SE DVD deserves NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The commentary is AWFUL, because not only is Chevy chase not in it, but Beverly will not shut the f--k up about her hair and boobs, Quaid has a LOT to say, Miriam Flynn keeps on bragging about how big she is and everyone keeps on interrupting each other- VERY RUDE.

Another thing I noticed is that the ornament that comes with the DVD-It's GARBAGE. It's made of styrofoam- easy to break and we threw it away. Oh, and also that on both DVD's on the back there is a shot of the Griswalds with their tree by there owner. In the movie, it dosent include that.

So I will write a positive review when something SPECIAL of the movie will come out. ... Read more

Asin: 6304698658
Subjects:  1. Feature Film-comedy   

A Christmas Carol (Original B&W Version)
by United Home
Average Customer Review:
DVD (05 November, 2002)
list price: $14.99 -- our price: $13.49
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

This is the desert-island choice of the many versions ofA Christmas Carol, with a magnificent, full-bodied portrayal of Ebenezer Scrooge by Alastair Sim that leaves everyone else in the dust. Lean and direct, this film's version of the story wastes no time trying to impress viewers with the magical nature of the spirits' visitations. Director Brian Desmond Hurst keeps the focus on Scrooge's life story, beautifully simplifying and underscoring the theme of lost women with a haunting musical refrain from the folk song "Barbara Allen." Sim's commitment to the role is at times astonishing; his Scrooge's Christmas-morning ecstasy is a marvel of giddy technique. Watch for Patrick Macnee (Steed inThe Avengers) as the young Jacob Marley--the actor made his screen debut in this 1951 production.--Tom Keogh ... Read more

Features

• Black & White

Reviews (134)

A Classic's Remasterization/Colorization :New Heights
I was concerned before buying it because of a negative review I read here about the above topic.The other reviews were positive thus overruling the bad one.

Today I watched and I was impressed.The colorization and remasterization has taken this Christmas classic to new heights making it a must for every home that celebrates Christmas and owns a DVD player.

Both sound and picture are vastly improved.The colorized version adds a new and fresh dimension to an already warm and welcomed visitor in our living rooms.

If you don't have it and are wondering if you should buy it, stop wondering and click it right now into your cart.You won't go wrong.

All time best version of the Christmas Coral
This version of the Christmas Coral with Alastair Sim "IS", without question, the all best film production of this story that has ever been produced. It not likely that any one can ever top Alastair Sim's performance. I pleased to see that this wonderful film has now been released on DVD. I WILL be getting a DVD copy of this movie as soon as I can.

Response to B.Bowzer
Acording to IMDB.com and Maltin, it was indeed Patrick MacNee playing the young Marley. Glyn Dearman played Tiny Tim. ... Read more

Asin: B00000JT8Z
Subjects:  1. Christmas   

It's a Wonderful Life
by Republic Studios
Average Customer Review:
DVD (26 March, 2002)
list price: $19.98
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Now perhaps the most beloved American film, It's a Wonderful Life was largely forgotten for years, due to a copyright quirk. Only in the late 1970s did it find its audience through repeated TV showings. Frank Capra's masterwork deserves its status as a feel-good communal event, but it is also one of the most fascinating films in the American cinema, a multilayered work of Dickensian density. George Bailey (played superbly by James Stewart) grows up in the small town of Bedford Falls, dreaming dreams of adventure and travel, but circumstances conspire to keep him enslaved to his home turf. Frustrated by his life, and haunted by an impending scandal, George prepares to commit suicide on Christmas Eve. A heavenly messenger (Henry Travers) arrives to show him a vision: what the world would have been like if George had never been born. The sequence is a vivid depiction of the American Dream gone bad, and probably the wildest thing Capra ever shot (the director's optimistic vision may have darkened during his experiences making military films in World War II). Capra's triumph is to acknowledge the difficulties and disappointments of life, while affirming--in the teary-eyed final reel--his cherished values of friendship and individual achievement. It's a Wonderful Life was not a big hit on its initial release, and it won no Oscars (Capra and Stewart were nominated); but it continues to weave a special magic. --Robert Horton ... Read more

Features

• Black & White
• Closed-captioned
• THX

Reviews (242)

Jimmy Stewart at his absolute best...
The quintessential holiday Christmas classic, It's A Wonderful Life has dominated the seasonal television landscape with its story of love, friendship, and one man's exceedingly relevant life. Filmed in 1946, this Frank Capra masterpiece opened in theaters to a lukewarm reception, but quickly rose in stature following repeated annual television airings in the 1960s to present day. The film is centered around the life of George Bailey - a likeable, ambitious resident of Bedford Falls who harbors dreams of grandeur, but begins to question the meaning of his life when things don't work out according to his plan.

When the story begins, George is a young boy employed by Mr. Gower, the neighborhood druggist. Mr. Gower, having just received news of his son's death - and engaged in the act of getting drunk - inadvertently places poison in a medicine bottle. George discovers the mistake and doesn't deliver the medicine, thus averting a major disaster. The opening scenes also show George saving his brother from certain death by pulling him out of a frozen pond where the ice had broken.

From there, the story jumps several years into the future, where a grown up George harbors dreams of world travel, exploration, and the construction of large buildings. But he ends up staying in Bedford Falls to work for his father's business, a small savings & loan (and the only financial institution in Bedford Falls not owned by the miserly Mr. Potter). Eventually, George falls in love with childhood friend Mary and the two wed, choosing to renovate an old house in Bedford Falls.

When the Great Depression strikes, George uses his own money, ingenuity, and personal demeanor to stave off a bank run that threatens to close down the family business. In so doing, George keeps Mr. Potter from using his numerous resources to force a takeover bid of Bailey Savings & Loan. Thus, he saves the town's residents from being subjected to a Potter monopoly with possibly disastrous consequences. Along the way, George is tempted with offers of riches and travel by Mr. Potter, but he turns him down - opting instead to work for the benefit of the community.

Things seem to be going well for George until his Uncle Billy absentmindedly leaves the daily deposit of the business in a newspaper that he throws in Mr. Potter's lap (while boasting about the military honors bestowed on George's brother). While George and Uncle Billy frantically search for the misplaced $8,000, Mr. Potter sees his opportunity to ruin the Bailey Savings & Loan once and for all. When George appeals to Potter for help, Potter threatens to call the authorities.

Disillusioned, George leaves Potter's office and wanders into the night. After leaving the local bar, he runs his car into a tree and then walks over to a nearby bridge. While on the bridge, George contemplates suicide as a way out. But before he can commit the act, a man falls into the water below. George jumps in to save him, and later finds out that the man's name is Clarence. Clarence claims to be angel working to get his wings. He jumped into the water to save George, and when George wishes he had never been born - Clarence aims to show George exactly what the world would be like had he never been born...

What he sees leads George to believe that his life was more than worth living. He decides to return home to his wife and children and face the consequences of the misplaced money. When he returns home, he finds that people from all over Bedford Falls have come to donate their own money to bail out their good friend George and the community fixture, Bailey Savings & Loan. Clarence receives his wings, and George Bailey is thankful for his numerous blessings.

It's A Wonderful Life is almost magical in its idyllic portrayal of Depression-era, small-town America. The characters (with the exception of Mr. Potter), harkens back to a simpler time when public attitudes toward morality prevailed, where neighbors knew each other by name, and where communities helped each other out. In addition, George Bailey and his friends are likeable people, developing a rapport with the audience that makes the viewer actively root for them and care about what happens to them. This personal connection with the audience (and the audience ability to relate to questioning the meaning of one's life) may well be the key to the enduring success of the story. Having spent over five decades as the number one Christmas movie, It's A Wonderful Life ranks as one of the greatest films of all time.

The DVD Report

IT S A WONDERFUL MOVIE
LA PRIMERA VEZ QUE VI ESTA PELICULA REALMENTE.. ME CONMOVIO.. UNA HISTORIA QUE TE LLEGA AL CORAZON.. TE HACE PENSAR COMO UNO PUEDE INFLUIR EN LAS DEMAS PERSONAS SIN DARSE CUENTA.. CREO QUE LAS ACTUACIONES ESTAN MUY BUENAS... UN EXCELENTE GUION... UN GRAN ELENCO...ES LA PELICULA.. QUE TODA LA FAMILIA DEBE VER

SALUDOS

Almost the best movie I have ever seen! I love it !
This is such a great movie I don't really know where to start.First of all, I love Jimmy Stuart. He is so awesome in this though. Its a great story that really touches anyone except the most heartless bastard. I watch it every Christmas season more than 1 time. I remember seeing it as a kid and loved it then too. Anyone who doesn't enjoy this movie is a heartless bastard is all I have to say. Jimmy Stuart and Donna Reed have excellent chemistry and Mr. Potter is an ass. Great movie. Watch it with soemone you love! ... Read more

Asin: B00005QCVY
Subjects:  1. Feature Film-drama   

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
by Sony Music (Video)
Average Customer Review:
DVD (24 September, 2002)
list price: $19.98
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

This classic 1964 television special featuring Rudolph and his misfit buddies set the standard for stop-motion animation for an entire generation before Tim Burton darkly reinvented it in the early 1990s. Burl Ives narrates as Sam the Snowman, telling and singing the story of a rejected reindeer who overcomes prejudice and saves Christmas one particularly blustery year. Along the way, he meets an abundance of unforgettable characters: his dentallyobsessed elf pal Hermey; the affable miner Yukon Cornelius and his motley crew of puppies; the scary/adorable Abominable Snow Monster; a legion of abandoned, but still chatty, toys; and a rather grouchy Santa. In addition to the title song that inspired it, this 53-minute tape is crammed with catchy tunes such as"Silver and Gold" and "Holly Jolly Christmas." Those who grew up looking forward to watching Rudolph every Christmas season will undoubtedly be able to recite the quotable quotes ("I'm cuuuute. She said I'm cuuuute." "Herbie doesn't like to make toys.") as well as any Casablanca cult audience. --Kimberly Heinrichs ... Read more

Features

• Animated
• Color

Reviews (107)

A true children's Christmas classic...
One of a plethora of animated Christmas classics created in the 1960's - A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) and How The Grinch Stole Christmas (1966) come to mind - this rendition of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is unique in that it uses stop-motion animation instead of cartoons to tell its story. Sam the Snowman (voiced by Burl Ives) brilliantly narrates the tale of an awkward reindeer and his struggle with discrimination. Along the way, he sings a number of holiday classics such as "Silver and Gold," "Holly Jolly Christmas," and of course - "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer".

The story begins when Rudolph's father, Donner, tries to cover up his son's shiny, bright red nose with a disguise. When Rudolph attends a flight training school for young reindeer, he encounters Clarice - a young doe who thinks that Rudolph is cute. This revelation causes Rudolph to leap into the air and fly around the sky like a seasoned aviator. But when he lands, the nose disguise falls off and Rudolph's red honker is exposed to the scorn and ridicule of the young bucks in flight school. Clarice is the only one who doesn't view Rudolph as an outcast freak, but her father quickly escorts her out of the presence of such a "monster".

Following this episode, Rudolph runs away only to meet up with an outcast Elf named Hermey who has committed the unforgivable sin of not wanting to make toys. Contrary to the social conventions of his time, Hermey wants to be a dentist. Feeling unwanted, Rudolph and Hermey decide to run away together. But in due time, they encounter the dangerous Abominable Snow Monster - a giant, hairy beast who crushes anyone who leaves Christmastown. Aiding in their rescue is Yukon Cornelius, a burly prospector who chops off a piece of ice with his pick ax, allowing Rudolph, Hermey, and himself to float away from the Abominable Snow Monster (who can't swim).

After floating through the night, the three characters discover The Land of Misfit Toys - an island of handicapped, screwed-up toys rejected by elf quality-control managers and forced to live away their best years in an icy wasteland. Our three heroes can relate to the misfit toys, and Rudolph promises to inform Santa of their status the next time he sees him.

When Rudolph sneaks away in the middle to return home, he meets up with Clarice (who ran away from home to search for him), and the two of them get cornered by the Abominable Snow Monster. But Yukon Cornelius faces down the Monster, and together with Hermey, he coaxes the beast into a trap - where Hermey neutralizes the Monster by pulling out his teeth.

Meanwhile, Christmastown is covered with a thick fog, and Santa ponders the cancellation of Christmas. But when he sees Rudolph's bright red nose glowing in his workshop, Santa asks Rudolph to guide his sleigh through the night. With Rudolph taking the lead, Santa swoops down on Christmas Eve just in time to rescue the depressed residents of The Land of Misfit Toys and deliver them all to expectant boys and girls who will love them for who they are.

This breakthrough Claymation classic is essential for any child's Christmas experience (and that of adults who grew up watching much-anticipated annual holiday special on TV). That's why this ranks as a definite "must-see" by any standard. But undoubtedly, we all owe a special thanks to Montgomery Ward - the giant retail chain that created Rudolph as part of a promotional gimmick one fabled Christmas season decades ago. For after all, it just wouldn't be Christmas without Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer...

The DVD Report

Great special-except for one detail
This is a great holiday special. I especially like the Island of Misfit Toys detail. The only reason I gave the special 4 stars rather than 5 stars is the detail in which Hermey pulls out the Bumble's teeth to make him safe(this could not be done to real-life animals that bite, for they cannot live without their teeth.I think this is improperly teaching the viewer that an animal who bites can have its teeth pulled to make it less harmful to humans.Therefore, I believe that this segment can easily send the wrong message to children.) Nevertheless, the special shows how okay it is to be different. Sometimes I cry when I watch the Island of Misfit Toys segment, but light up again with a smile when I see the misfit toys being dropped out of the sleigh at the end. If you have the older VHS, be sure to upgrade to this DVD version with the original song, "We're A Couple of Misfits." The "Fame and Fortune" song is included as a bonus feature.

Never Be Late For Elf Practice Again -- Thanks To This DVD!
First televised on NBC-TV on Sunday, December 6, 1964 (but usually associated with CBS-TV due to that network's many airings of the program throughout the succeeding years), the animated color TV Special "Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer" has now turned forty years of age (as of this writing), and has endured for all those years as an annual staple in many American homes.

The DVD edition I'm reviewing here is the one issued by "Sony Wonder" and "Golden Books Family Entertainment" (1-Disc version). It provides a very good-looking Full Frame (1.33:1) video image of the perennial "Rudolph" Christmas Special; with a Dolby Digital soundtrack recorded in 2-channel (original) Mono.

This particular version of "Rudolph" is quite unique actually, in that it is the "unaltered" version of the TV Special, as it aired originally in 1964. Which means that one song which has been routinely cut out of subsequent broadcasts of the program is presented uncut within this DVD version. That song being "We're A Couple Of Misfits", sung by Rudolph and dentist-to-be "Hermey" near the beginning of the show. This song was replaced in 1965 with the "Fame And Fortune" song instead.

The alternate song used in that scene ("Fame And Fortune") is included, however, as a separate Bonus Feature on this DVD. .... To tell you the truth, I prefer the "Fame & Fortune" number to the original "Misfits" tune. And I can see why the producers of the Special decided to make the switch during the second broadcast of the program in 1965. "F&F" is a better ditty, IMO. And, obviously, others thought so as well. Hence, the substitution.

This DVD contains the complete, uncut version of "Rudolph" (with a total run time of 51 minutes, 32 seconds). This is significant (and most welcome), because after the first few broadcasts on network TV, as we all know, many cuts and edits were made to the original print, so that more and more commercials could be jammed into the one-hour network timeslot over the years. It's doubtful we'll ever encounter this original "51-minute" version on network television again, due to the ever-increasing sponsors' demands for prime-time air time.

All of the rarely-seen snippets of the "Rudolph" Special are re-inserted into this full-length DVD version -- clips like: the "Peppermint" scene at the tail-end of the special, where Yukon Cornelius discovers "a peppermint mine! Yahooo!" .... And: the complete musical numbers ("Jingle, Jingle, Jingle!" and "We Are Santa's Elves") are fully intact on the DVD; whereas, in many chopped-up prints, one (or both) of these songs have either been severely truncated or cut out entirely. It's nice to be able to see the "whole" show via this nicely-done "Sony" DVD release.

This disc has a few nice add-on bonus supplements, too. In addition to the aforementioned bonus song ("Fame And Fortune"), there's also a Rudolph trivia game, an original TV promo, some ads for other "Golden Books" holiday DVD titles, and a fun and informative 11-minute "introduction" by producer/creator Arthur Rankin.

In addition, you can access English Subtitles in two different ways on this disc -- there are the traditional "captions"/(subtitles) that can be turned on at the bottom of the screen. Plus, this DVD offers what is called "Read-Speak Action Captions", which show the words on the screen in a unique, 3-D kind of fashion, displaying the words in large print right beside the mouths of each character speaking, one word at a time. An interesting alternative to the normal captioning process.

Chapter breaks are also included on this disc, with a whopping total of 27 "Scene Selections"! My goodness, some three-hour movie DVDs don't have this many Chapter Stops! :) *

* = NOTE: The "Read-Speak" Captioned version of "Rudolph" (which can be accessed via the Bonus Features area) does not have any "Chapter" breaks included.

An added word or two about the "TV Promo" on this disc --- This is a nice little bonus, which runs for 59 seconds and exhibits very good color and overall picture quality. It's an original 1966 NBC-TV promo that informs the viewers that "Rudolph is coming on Sunday, December 4th, on the General Electric Fantasy Hour" program.

A word about the DVD Menus ..... I'm not a big fan of "Animated Menus" on DVDs, but this disc's Menu system is an exception. For some reason, I really like these Menus, which offer up cheery music and cute animated sequences. The Main Menu puts the viewer right into the Christmas spirit, featuring falling snow, a decorated Christmas tree, and "Rudolph" looking skyward, complete with batting eyelids and a bright glowing nose. While the various Sub-Menus also have animated moving pictures and a "falling snow" background as well. Each Sub-Menu features a different character from the "Rudolph" Special.


Some additional "Rudolph" Notes and Trivia and Miscellaneous Ramblings :-) ..................

>> The voice talent for "Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer" was supplied by Burl Ives (Narrator/"Sam"), Billie Mae Richards ("Rudolph"), Paul Soles ("Hermey"), Larry Mann ("Yukon"), and Alfie Scopp ("Head Elf").

>> I hadn't realized this trivial tidbit until recently ...... Comet (the reindeer coach) was voiced by Don Adams (of "Get Smart" TV fame).

>> I've often wondered how many little kids who have watched this "Rudolph" Special were suddenly scared to death that Christmas might be "cancelled" (as feared in the show due to foul weather). LOL!

>> Has anyone (besides me) ever noticed with amusement that the gruff voice of the "Head Elf" dramatically changes, somehow, just before he begins to direct his "Elf Chorus" in the song "We Are Santa's Elves"? Throughout the majority of the show, Mr. Head Elf is the very coarse-sounding 'meanie' -- when he dishes out some of my favorite lines from the show, such as: "Now you come to Elf Practice and learn how to wiggle your ears, and chuckle warmly, and go "hehe" and "hoho", and important stuff like that! A dentist! Good grief!" .... And yet, in the "chorus" scene, his voice changes completely. He sounds a bit wimpish when he utters: "Now let's try out the new elf song I wrote; and remember, it's for Santa." (LOL!) This sudden and drastic vocal-cord switch always cracks me up when I watch this program.

------------------------------

The "Rudolph" TV Special is truly an American tradition. A must-see each December. And now, via this nice uncut DVD edition, the adventures of our antlered hero with the crimson-colored snoot should remain crystal-clear and in pristine condition forever. ... Read more

Asin: B00006HAWJ
Subjects:  1. Christmas   

Peanuts Holiday Collection (A Charlie Brown Christmas/A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving/It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown)
by Paramount Studio
Average Customer Review:
DVD (26 August, 2003)
list price: $39.99 -- our price: $31.99
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Two of the all-time cartoon classics It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966) and A Charlie Brown Christmas (a Peabody and Emmy winner from 1965) highlight this three-disc, six-episode set. Although the DVDs contain no extras (good grief!) and could have been combined on a single disc (drat!), the collection looks and sounds wonderful on DVD. The content is the same on the VHS and DVD sets, with two episodes per tape or disc. Accompanying Pumpkin is You're Not Elected, Charlie Brown, a cute spin on politics that has aged very well since its 1972 release. Christmas sports a lackluster sequel of sorts, It's Christmas Time Again, Charlie Brown (1992) that has Sally dwelling on getting (instead of giving), Charlie Brown facing a spending dilemma, and everyone suffering stage fright before the annual school play. A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (1973) also won an Emmy but is not as well known as others; it also suffers from not having the original cast. Snoopy is foremost in helping to put on an impromptu feast (toast and popcorn) as the gang keeps forgetting the true meaning of the holiday. Also on the disc is a better Thanksgiving venue, The Mayflower Voyages (1988), part of the This is America, Charlie Brown series that breathed new life into the franchise. Mostly narrated by Linus, the show traces the Pilgrims' plight and doesn't talk down to youngsters on the hardships they faced. It's a treasure of a gift (for others or yourself), all nicely packaged. --Doug Thomas ... Read more

Features

• Color
• Box set

Reviews (42)

A must have for your collection
Everyone already knows how awesome these are.It's good to have in the collection to watch at my leisure during the holidays.Brings back good memories.

Fantastic Addition to Your DVD Collection!
I bought this box set for my husband, who is a huge Peanuts fan, for Christmas and he absolutely loves it!No one should get through the holidays without watching the Peanuts specials!

I hadn't seen these specials for years simply because I kept missing them when they would come on TV, since they're usually only aired once or twice a year.Now they can ben watched at your own leisure. :)

I like how the bonus material included extra cartoons, but bonus material is one of the best parts of DVDs so I wish there were more.I love love love making-of featurettes, and that would have been really great to have as a bonus feature on each DVD.

Despite the lack of bonus material, this is a great collection for both young and old. :)

The classic stories that set up the holidays so well
I was given this set for Christmas, as these have been favorites of mine for 30 years.Every year as a child we would watch these specials a week or two before the holiday on television.In short, these stories and characters are part of my childhood.

In DVD format they look like new.The colors are so sharp, and the format is simple and easy.Each DVD comes with the classic story (Christmas, Thanksgiving and Halloween) and each comes with a bonus Charlie Brown special.For example, the Christmas disc comes with a "sequel" special I had not seen before.It is not as good as the original, but was very entertaining.Likewise the other bonus specials were new to me as well, so that was a fun treat.

One of things that make the Christmas special in particular so timeless and good for the family is that they were written before the era of censorship of any mention of the Biblical meaning of Christmas.Whenever I read the second Chapter of Luke, and the story of Christ's birth, I "hear" it in Linus's voice!The music in the Christmas special is classic as well, and a foundation for the Holiday at my house.

Of course who could forget such classic scenes as Peppermint Patty exclaiming "What kind Thanksgiving is this? Where is the turkey, the cranberries, where is the Pumpkin pie?"Or when Charlie Brown and the other kids are looking into their trick or treat bags and Charlie says "I got a rock".These scenes and many others make the Halloween and Thanksgiving specials fun to watch again and again.

Buy this set so your children will make these timeless and classic specials part of how they identify with these Holidays, or better yet, buy it for the child in you.Highly recommended for everyone.
... Read more

Asin: 0792169182
Subjects:  1. Children's Video   

Dr. Seuss - How the Grinch Stole Christmas/Horton Hears a Who
by Warner Studios
Average Customer Review:
DVD (05 October, 2004)
list price: $19.97 -- our price: $14.98
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

This all-time classic now has Horton Hears a Who! on the samevideo for a great double bill.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas
To heck with the kids--this is one of the best holiday presents you can give yourself. Adapted from the children's book byDr. Seuss, this charming story is one to watch every holiday season. It is just edgy enough to help you forget the more cloying aspects of Christmas, yet it is also sweet enough to remind you of the reason for all that holiday cheer. Animation genius Chuck Jones directed this 1966 television production featuring the voice of Boris Karloff as the mean greenie. Bitter and selfish, the Grinch decides to steal Christmas away from the Whos, the sweet little folk who live at the bottom of his mountain home. When little Cindy Loo Who returns his hateful act with kindness, she melts the old miser's heart. There are many reasons to watch this: inventive wordplay, Karloff's impressive narration, and a very memorable soundtrack. --Rochelle O'Gorman

Horton Hears a Who!
Chuck Jones was chief animator on this lively adaptation of the famous book by Dr. Seuss. The story of a friendly elephant named Horton who discovers--deep inside a daisy--a tiny city called Whoville with tiny, intelligent residents--this film (fleshed out a bit from the source) is strong on character and has striking, appealing visuals. The little folks of Whoville, with their natural air of aristocracy, are a kick, and when they come to see Horton as a hero for his democratic view of all life big and small, the effect is quite touching. This should be a real treat for kids already familiar with the book, and just might inspire those who haven't read it to pick it up. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Features

• Color
• Animated
• Closed-captioned

Reviews (108)

A Christmas television classic for the ages...
One of only a handful of essential, "must-see" animated Christmas classics, How The Grinch Stole Christmas is a Dr. Seuss holiday masterpiece. Created in 1966 on the heels of the phenomenal success surrounding such TV specials as A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964), the Grinch has morphed into a sacred annual Christmas rite perfect for any child from one to ninety-two.

How The Grinch Stole Christmas tells the story of a lumbering green monster who has a heart seven-sizes-to-small. Living with his dog in a mountaintop cave high above the town of Whoville, the Grinch (voiced by Boris Karloff) hates all the Whos, but what he hates worst of all is their happiness and celebration at Christmas. So the Grinch (smiling an evil Grinch grin) hatches a plan to steal Christmas. Fashioning reindeer horns for his dog and Santa suit for himself, the Grinch drives a sleigh down into Whoville while the Whos are asleep on Christmas Eve. He steals their lights, their ribbons, and their bows. He steals their boxes, packages, and bags. He steals wreathes and Christmas trees and even their Roast Beast (why that evil Grinch even stole the Who hash). And only thing he left behind was a crumb far too small for even a mouse. Caught in the act of stealing a Christmas tree by tiny little Cindy Loo Who, the Grinch tells an evil lie about taking the tree to his shop to fix the lights and sends the girl back to bed.

Leaving Whoville with his bounty, the Grinch starts off the highest mountain peak where he plans to throw all the Who stuff off a cliff. But first, he waits to hear the cries of pain from the Whos as they wake up to find all of their things long gone. Instead, every Who down in Whoville gathers together to sing a song. They aren't sad. In fact, they seem to be glad. The Grinch ponders this unaccounted for event and discovers the true meaning of Christmas. In an effort to save the sleigh full of Who stuff from falling off of the cliff, his heart grows seven sizes on that day, and he gains the strength of seven Grinches times ten. He rides the sleigh full of presents back into Whoville, where he celebrates Christmas with the Whos and even carves the Roast Beast...

Created under the direction of Chuck Jones (creator of famed Warner Brothers characters Road Runner, Wile E. Coyote, and Pepe Le Pew), How The Grinch Stole Christmas is a masterful production with stellar voice-overs, imaginatively drawn characters, and Karloff's impressive narration. Several songs interspersed throughout are memorable in and of themselves (such as "You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch"). In a nutshell, no celebration of the Christmas holidays is truly complete without at least one viewing of How The Grinch Stole Christmas...

The DVD Report

Why Isn't the Grinch Bright Green?
Because he wasn't bright green in 1966. Lots of reviewers complain about the Grinch's color. This DVD contains the original TV broadcast where the Grinch was a yellowish-green (pea green) color. This is not a digitally enhanced version and neither the product description, nor the DVD case itself, mislead you into thinking it is - I can't spot those words anywhere on my mine. The Grinch had no color in the book, and I would think Dr. Seuss had some say in what color Chuck Jones made him in the original animation. The "ugly" color (as some people would call it) just personifies the Grinch's character - he wasn't meant to be "bright and merry". If it suited Dr. Seuss, it suits me. You'll notice that the Christmas trees and wreaths are their proper green color when in the same frame as the Grinch - it's unlikely that just the Grinch's color would fade or deteriorate, and not any others. Being that it's not digitally enhanced, it does suffer from the "graininess" of the original film, but it's minimal.

All that aside, hopefully a digitally enhanced DVD version ison the way for all who prefer a greener Grinch. Other reviewers have noted the short clips of digitally enhanced animation shown in the short documentary entitled "TNT's How The Grinch Stole Christmas! Special Edition" in the special features section of the DVD, but fail to mention the disclaimer that's at the beginning of it: "This film is a demonstration of work in progress." Which means back in 1996, when the documentary was made, they were in the middle of digitally enhancing it (evidently deciding that a bright green Grinch looked better/more commercial than a pea green Grinch in the process). That was over 8 years ago, and I personally don't know if the digitally enhanced version has been shown on TV or not. I also haven't seen the VHS version, but did notice it's cover says "New Digitally Enhanced Version" on it (unlike this DVD, which doesn't). Maybe what's in the documentary on this DVD is what's on the digitally enhanced VHS version, but for whatever reason, they haven't released a digitally enhanced DVD version yet.

If what you want is the classic animation in its original state, this is for you.

cheerful and alluring
the ending is brilliant
Borlis Karloff is creepy as the voice of the Grinch. and alluring as the narrator. Chuck Jones is a brillaint cartoonis. as is Dr Seuss who made many lovely books. both of these 2 toons on dvd are timeless. I must of seen the Grinch one 100 times on tv at least. you can never get sick of it. it may be short in time span. but the Grinch tale is so powerful that in 24 minutes you grow to realize that Christmas is not about gifts and toys. it's about being together with loved ones and family. that and don't steal things from others. it's a touching classic story. when I have kids someday I'll have them watch this with me. it's really a touching story. Horton hears a who. is adorable. funny. and just amazing all in one. give it a try if you haven't already. I have this on dvd and love it every time I watch it ... Read more

Asin: B00004VVP9
Subjects:  1. Children's Video   

A Christmas Carol
by Twentieth Century Fox
Average Customer Review:
DVD (12 October, 2004)
list price: $14.98 -- our price: $13.48
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

In the same year that he directed a handsome version ofThe Scarlet Pimpernel for television, Clive Donner also made this worthy 1984 small-screen production of theDickens tale. George C. Scott can't quite muster a decent English accent, but he does bring some new colors to this movie's interpretation of Scrooge, making the character less nasty for the sake of nastiness and more a product of a life of lovelessness. The supporting cast is first-rate, and the production is far more handsome than most TV fare. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Features

• Color
• Closed-captioned
• Dolby

Reviews (119)

Perennial Christmas favourite
George C Scott is outstanding as the miserly, miserable Scrooge. This is one of the finest productions of this Charles Dickens classic story about the miserable Ebenezer Scrooge being shown the error of his ways. He is visited first by the ghost of his old partner Jacob Marley who warns the old man that his immortal soul will wander the earth for eternity if he doesn't mend his ways. He is also warned he will be visited by three ghosts, Christmas past, Christmas present and Christmas future who will try and help him mend his ways.
This is a film that warms the heart and never becomes dated. Essential viewing during the festive season.

Outstanding
In spite of "Rocketman's" ridiculous and absurd comments regarding the "greed-driven" 80's (charitible giving in the 80's skyrocketed and reached all-time highs, and homelessness has always existed, it just was used by the media in the 80's as a tactic to downplay the greatest economic expansion in history) and his lame attempts to manufacture at best, naive generalities regarding the incredibly blessed and prosperous Reagan years, he did have it right regarding this version of "A Christmas Carol." The acting is supurb down the line, the music accentuates the mood at any given moment, be itfestive, dramatic or scareywhen appropriate; the ghosts and special effects are outstanding, especially for that era, the setting is quintessential Dickens England, and Scott is by far the best "Scrooge" ever. No version can compare to it. It is a must-have for Christmas.

Santa delivers George C. Scott in a magnificant production
The given wisdom is that Sim's 1951 version of Scrooge is the definitive.

Now isn't it time for you to decide for yourself?

This version was made in 1984 at the height of the greed-driven 80's where everyone thought the most important thing to be was a Wall Street power broker selling junk bonds and Reagan's economic policies gave us the start of the homeless problem which persists today.Considering Scrooge was a money lender, it's hard not to have a bit of poignancy of the issues of charity and kindness to others seep through the production.Dickens wrote "A Christmas Carol", like all his works, as a social commentary - so it's not surprising to see real touches of political commentary in the drama.

As originally written, the tragedy of Ebenezer is that he was highly successful, highly powerful, and highly intelligent and yet cut-off from his fellow man.George C. Scott infuses a deep intelligence in Ebenezer that Dickens intended.The subtle humor of this version, often relayed in the form of sarcasm, gives a richer characterization (not recognizing Tiny Tim, who is waiting for his father to finish work, Scrooge tells the cripple: "Don't beg on this corner, boy").

The script is spectacular.It is highly faithful to the spirit of the original Dickens.Even added dialogue regarding the use of coal in the office highlights the interaction between Scrooge and Cratchit and characterizes Scrooge, including his intimidating use of logic, immediately.If you hadn't read the original, you wouldn't even know it was added to the story.

Besides, no one but Scott could deliver the line "Misterrrrrrrrr Cratchit!" so powerfully.

Give yourself a real Christmas treat and see what one of the best American actors of the last century can do with such a familiar tale. ... Read more

Asin: B00000K3CJ
Subjects:  1. Christmas   

An American Christmas Carol
by Image Entertainment
Average Customer Review:
DVD (30 November, 1999)
list price: $19.99 -- our price: $17.99
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Features

• Color

Reviews (21)

FONZIE PLAYS SCROOGE....AAAYYYYYY!!!!
For some reason I always thought this film was older than 1979...in any case this "American-ized" version of Dickens' A Christmas Carol stars Henry Winkler as the SCrooge character who is renamed Benedict Slade.Winkler was at the height of his popularity when this ABC made for TV movie came out so I'm certain that's why he was cast.Unfortunately you just can't see anything but Fonzie, even under layers and layers of make-up.

The scene is shifted from 1840's London toDepression-era New England, as miserly businessman Slade receives a long-overdue attitude adjustment one Christmas eve when he is visited by three ghostly figures who resemble three of the people whose possessions Slade had seized to collect on unpaid loans. Assuming the roles of the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future from Charles Dickens' classic story, the three apparitions force Slade to face the consequences of his skinflint ways, and he becomes a caring, generous, amiable man.

In a bit of ridiculousness, the "Ghost of Christmas Future" is portrayed by a black man wearing gold chains, dressed in 1979 fashions and listens to disco music. Their "Ghost of the Future" jumped a little too far ahead, and is comical by todays standards.

Winkler does an admirable job in his role and Dorian Harewood really shines.Still...Dickens is a classic...why ABC felt a need to revise something so perfect is beyond me. This is a good change of pace but if you really like "A CHristmas Carol" stick with the Alastair Sim or George C. Scott versions.

Wonerful
Io One word WONDERFUL MOVIE Henrey Winkler dose great job in this movie. A movie for the all family to watch if you love him as the fonz you love him as slade (scrooge)

A Classic Tale Revisited
Awesome.If you like Christmas, then you'll like this movie.Just as the original by Dickens, it teaches us the true meaning of Christmas.I have been hooked since seeing this movie as a young adult and it still delivers.I enjoy the American twist on Dicken's story.You won't get a Victorian town in England, but you will get a simpler America and the American entrepreneurial spirit.Henry Winkler gives a commendable performance and the supporting cast works well.All in all, a must see for Christmas. ... Read more

Asin: B00001O2G7
Sales Rank: 14910
Subjects:  1. Christmas Music   

Trading Places
by Paramount Home Video
Average Customer Review:
DVD (24 June, 2003)
list price: $9.99 -- our price: $9.99
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

In this crowd-pleasing 1983 comedy of high finance about a homeless con artist who becomes a Wall Street robber baron, Eddie Murphy consolidated the success of his startling debut in the previous year's 48 Hours and polished his slick-winner persona. The turnabout begins with an argument between super-rich siblings, played by Ralph Bellamy and Don Ameche: Are captains of industry, they wonder, born or made? To settle the issue, the meanies construct a cruel experiment in social Darwinism. Preppie commodities trader Dan Aykroyd (perfectly cast) is stripped of all his worldly goods and expelled from the firm, and Murphy's smelly derelict is appointed to take his place, graduating to tailored suits and a world-class harem in record time. Eventually the two men team up to teach the nasty old manipulators a lesson, cornering the market in frozen orange juice futures in the process. Director John Landis (The Blues Brothers) doesn't have the world's lightest touch, but he hits most of the jokes hard and quite a few of them pay off. Trading Places is also a landmark film for fans of Jamie Lee Curtis. --David Chute ... Read more

Features

• Color
• Closed-captioned
• Widescreen
• Dolby

Reviews (90)

Trading Places
Eddie Murphy and Dan Akroyd are perhaps one of the funniest duos of all time. They were hilarious together Saturday Night Live, so it's no surprise they repeat that same chemistry on the big screen. The movie ultimately about betrayal, greed, love, irony, friendship, deception, revenge, and comedy. The story basically tells you about two eccentric billionaires that decide to bet how two completely opposite individuals would react in different environments while cornering the stock market. Switching a homeless con artist Eddie Murphy to a rich stock broker while turning a successful businessman Dan Akroyd into a homeless drug attic. Upon discovering of this wager, Eddie and Dan form an alliance in their ultimate quest for revenge. The movie will take you on a great thrill ride that'll leave you begging for more. Overall, this is a must see film.

REALLY REALLY BAD
How do they get the crop report to the US government?Clarence Beeks is on a ship to Africa.Does the US Gov't accept the orange crop report from any old idiot???

Seriously,I love this movie forever.

Good movie but horrible DVD!
Please do not get the DVD because some of the scenes were cut. They need to make a new edition. The DVD is really bad! ... Read more

Asin: B00003CXD3
Subjects:  1. Feature Film-comedy   

White Christmas
by Paramount Home Video
Average Customer Review:
DVD (21 November, 2000)
list price: $14.99 -- our price: $11.99
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

This semi-remake of Holiday Inn (the first movie in which Irving Berlin's perennial, Oscar-winning holiday anthem was featured) doesn't have much of a story, but what it does have is choice: Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, an all-Irving Berlin song score, classy direction by Hollywood vet Michael Curtiz (Casablanca, The Adventures of Robin Hood), VistaVision (the very first feature ever shot in that widescreen format), and ultrafestive Technicolor! Crosby and Kaye are song-and-dance men who hook up, romantically and professionally, with a "sister" act (Clooney and Vera-Ellen) to put on a Big Show to benefit the struggling ski-resort lodge run by the beloved old retired general (Dean Jagger) of their WWII Army outfit. Crosby is cool, Clooney is warm, Kaye is goofy, and Vera-Ellen is leggy. Songs include: "Sisters" (Crosby and Kaye do their own drag version, too), "Snow," "We'll Follow the Old Man," "Mandy," "Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep," and more. Christmas would be unthinkable without White Christmas. --Jim Emerson ... Read more

Features

• Color
• Closed-captioned
• Widescreen
• Dolby

Reviews (126)

One of the best Holiday movies ever!
I've watched this movie my whole life and have looked forward to watching it every year on television.This year, we finally splurged and bought the dvd. The color is just beautiful on it and it was done so very well. I really appreciate owning it now and getting to watch it whenever I choose. This is truly a timeless story - watching Crosby honor a WWII veteran - it's just nice to see the way things used to be in a simpler time, unaffected by the various occurrences today. It certainly would be nice to go back in time and have a holiday like this movie portrays. It's certainly romantic and something everyone should have as their holiday traditional movie watching!

My Favorite Holiday Movie
Danny Kaye is my favorit comedian of all time.This movie gives him a chance to show his comedy as well as the handsome dramatic actor too, well sort of.Danny and Bing are absolutely wonderful in this movie.It is a must see for all of you who enjoy the classic musicals with a real plot.The scenes are beautiful and the on screen chemistry between the actors and actresses is perfect.Buy this in place of "It's a Wonderful Life," and watch it throughout the entire year!

Best Movie Ever!!!!!!
White Christmas is the best movie ever made. It is feel good, heart warming entertainment. It is even fun to watch in the summertime! I could watch it every day. By far, my favorite part is the Sister song. If you don't like this movie, you are crazy!!!! ... Read more

Asin: B00004YNIX
Subjects:  1. Christmas   

The Bells of St. Mary's
by Republic Studios
Average Customer Review:
DVD (26 March, 2002)
list price: $14.98
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

The Bells of St. Mary's works much better for its battle of wills between a parish priest and a head nun than the dopey musical interludes that pepper it, but Bells is still a winning, emotionally satisfying film. This sequel to Going My Way has Father O'Malley (Bing Crosby) taking over the St. Mary's parochial school and finding himself at loggerheads with Sister Benedict (Ingrid Bergman, looking gorgeous even in a habit). There's a wonderful balance to all of this: O'Malley takes a more worldly approach to administration and is wrong just as many times as the nun is when she insists on a more biblical approach. About four subplots suffuse the film, including the story of a young charge from the wrong side of the tracks, and the deteriorating state of St. Mary's in the shadow of a brand-new building (the owner is played by the avuncular Henry Travers). A dear film. --Keith Simanton ... Read more

Features

• Black & White
• Closed-captioned

Reviews (27)

A Feel Good Film With Interesting Psychological Conflict
"The Bells of St. Mary's" was a shrewd move by Paramount Studios and director Leo McCarey, whose successful prequel film about the likable and practical Catholic priest Father O'Malley, "Going My Way", spawned the 1945 release, which included an additional element that provided the basis for an interesting psychological conflict.Irish Catholic McCarey was impressed by letters he received from movie fans who enjoyed "Going My Way" and suggested that he do a similar film showcasing the role that nuns played in the Catholic world inhabited by Father O'Malley.

Bing Crosby had garnered a Best Actor Oscar for "Going My Way" and McCarey secured the services of the beautiful Ingrid Bergman to play Sister Benedict, the Mother Superior of St. Mary's School.Crosby found himself immediately clashing with Bergman on certain points relating to the parish, but through it all a mutual respect existed between them.Each realized that the other was committed to the best interests of St. Mary's.

Dudley Nichols, a Best Original Screenplay Academy Award winner a decade earlier for the John Ford film about the Irish political conflict starring Victor McLaglen, "The Informer", directed his effort in the script toward presenting Crosby and Bergman in periodic conflict, but learning from those experiences.Much of the contrast, they realize, stems from the way that men and women view situations.One phase of the film showing this difference is when Bergman teaches a young student who has been victimized by a bully how to box as a means of restoring order.She feels a tinge of guilt since the youngster's failure to fight back and receipt of a beating in the process stemmed from his obedience to her stricture against fighting at St. Mary's.

When Crosby pursues a conventional macho posture in extolling the need for protecting oneself and praises the fighting skills of the bully, the nun has had enough.She purchases a boxing instructional book written by former heavyweight champion Gene Tunney and adeptly instructs the obedient youngster in the manly art of self-defense as he ultimately teaches the bully a lesson.Crosby recognizes her teaching skill and becomes cognizant of the strength of her feminine viewpoint.

An area where Crosby and Bergman cooperate is in seeking the answer to the nun's fervent prayer.She believes that of the mortgage holder of their property, Henry Travers, who has built a modern building next door and seeks to use the church property for an employee parking lot, may through prayer and proper persuasion be convinced to give them his modern structure.The result would be a new school and no further need to use the tired current facility.

The effectiveness of Crosby and Bergman stems from their soft sell technique with just the right pinch of Christian charitable thought thrown into the mix.Travers, who cannot sleep nights and experiences heart problems, confides to the priest and nun separately that he wishes he was better liked.

Their soft sell approach in advancing the "It is more blessed to give than to receive" precept along with the accompanying feel good element of charity prompts Travers to see things in a light more favorable to the interests of St. Mary's.

Crosby and Bergman are delights to behold in this feel good film.They provide challenges to each other through disagreement and an effective front when they team up on the issue of greatest importance to them, the welfare of St. Mary's parish.

Bing Crosby And Ingrid Bergman Together In Much Loved Roles
What can I say about this classic film other than that it captures perfectly two of Hollywood's most beloved performers in Bing Crosby and Ingrid Bergman at the peak of their careers in roles with which they would be forever cherished for. The phrase "they dont make them like this anymore", I feel definately applies to this charming little movie which was a sequel to Bing Crosby's Academy Award Winning role in the previous years classic "Going My Way". Playing the ever resourceful singing Father O'Malley Bing Crosby created the type of character for which he would be always identified with. The great Ingrid Bergman fought long and hard to obtain the plum role of Sister Benedict despite the reluctance of David O. Selznick to loan her for a role which he felt would only require her to sit and listen to Bing Crosby sing. Ingrid apparently said that she would love to be able to do just that and turned in one of her most famous performances as the sensible head nun of St. Mary's School who engages in an affectionate rivalry over the future of the school when Father O'Malley is assigned there to sort out the school's many problems. The two leads deliver first rate performances in the rather leisurely story and with "The Bells of St. Mary's", Ingrid Bergman especially became almost the benchmark for how nuns were to be portrayed in Hollywood for the next 30 years.

We first see Father O'Malley arriving at St. Mary's school in his new appointment where he is to be responsible for looking into the future of the present establishment which from lack of funds is operating in a very run down building and has already been forced to sell off most of the children's playing area to developer Horace P. Bogardus (Henry Travers). He is building a new factory on the site and hopes to buy the rest of the school as well. St. Mary's is run by Sister Benedict(Ingrid Bergman), a nun who believes in the power of prayer to obtain what is needed in life. With Father O'Malley's more practical everyday philosophy on life the two soon become engaged in a battle of wills over what future St. Mary's has. Sister Benedict strongly believes that Mr. Bogardus will eventually donate his nearly completed building to the school whereas Father O'Malley sees the logic of selling off the remaining school grounds. As time goes by a number of people and incidents occur to colour the life of St. Mary's and which allow both Father O'Malley and Sister Benedict to learn more about each others qualities that increase the at times reluctant respect they have for each other.Father O'Malley takes responsibility for the education of a young girl Patsy (Joan Carroll), who is left at the school and who doesn't know who her father is, and he sets out to reunite her shattered family. Meanwhile Sister Benedict takes young student Eddie (Richard Tyler), under her wing and actually teaches him boxing in order for him to be able to defend himself against some playground bullies. Despite the seemingly ongoing hopeless situation St. Mary's is in Sister Benedict's unswerving belief in a miracle occuring finally does happen when through a health scare Mr. Bogardus realises the need to do something for others in order to be liked by people and with some not so gently "persuasion", by Sister Benedict and the other nuns he finally donates the new building to the school and thus St. Mary's is saved from closing. However Sister Benedict's trials are not yet over when her own health begins to fail from over work and it is discovered she is suffering from the early stages of TB. Father O'Malley with his growing respect for the Sister then faces the difficult task of relieving her of her duties at her beloved St. Mary's so that she can recover in a warmer climate from her ailment. At first depressed about being sent away and not informed of her illness Sister Bendict prays hard to find forgiveness in her heart for Father O"Malley's seemingly harsh actions. Only when she is finally saying her goodbyes to the Sisters does Father O"Malley break down and tell her the real reason why she is being sent away and the rift between then instantly disappears. To an obviously relived Sister Father O'Malley then delivers his famous line that if She ever needs anything at all all she needs to do is "Dial "O" for O'Malley".

As beautiful and heartfelt story as you would find anywhere "The Bells of St. Mary's", is a class act from start to finish and while perhaps not as famous as its illustrious "parent", "Going My Way", it has much that is worthwhile. The once off teaming of Bing Crosby and Ingrid Bergman created great chemistry on screen and they are both incredibly believable in their performances. The film contains a number of truly delightful little scenes that really help humanise the characters such as when Father O'Malley has to content with a kitten playing in his hat while he is giving his welcome speech to the very amused nuns, and especially when Sister Benedict teaches Eddie to box and "coaches", him from the window during a school yard fight. Both performers are perfect here and in the sadder moments such as when Sister Benedict is told she is being sent away these two really show their acting strengths in a scene that could have been simply sentimental with little depth to it but which is turned into a remarkable scene that shows that clergy are people just like everyone else full of many different emotions. Veteran character actor Henry Travers who was so wonderful in countless classic over this decade such as "Mrs. Miniver", delivers another fine performance here as the grumpy Mr. Bogardus who eventually sees the value in living life in the service of others. His scenes with Ingrid Bergman in particular recall his great work opposite that other popular 40's actress Greer Garson in "Mrs. Miniver", and is beautifully multilayered for what could have been just your standard mean old man.Produced and directed by Leo McCarey he leads the film in an at times slow and leisurely pace however that suits the subject matter here as it slowly traces the growing respect that develops between the two sometime rivals Father O'Malley and Sister Benedict. Nominated for 8 Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Actor and Best Actress, the film shows off its expertise in all areas and while at times of course idealised it is a good illustration of much of the largely unacknowledged work carried in schools by the clergy over the decades.

"The Bells of St. Mary's", may appear on the sentimental side to modern movie watches but I appreciate it for the truly great performances by the two leads in their prime and for the sensitive treatment it takes in depicting one woman's great belief in the basic good of others and their ability to do t