Next Tuesday **TCM/Warner** is introducing their TCM Vault line by releasing their long-anticipated Lost and Found RKO Collection. And while it's only available for sale through TCM, starting next Tuesday it will be availble for rent here at Classicflix.com.
The titles are: Double Harness (1933), Rafter Romance (1933), One Man's Journey (1933), Stingaree (1934), Living on Love (1937) and A Man to Remember (1938). Stars include William Powell, Ginger Rogers, Lionel Barrymore, Joel McCrea, Irene Dunne, Frances Dee and Reginald Owen.
We all know there's something special about classic movies, and have various reasons as to why we are avid classic cinema fans, but there are few sensations like viewing your favorite star on screen in a film once thought lost. So thanks to TCM for providing this grand opportunity!
Via TCM:
The Lost and Found RKO Collection represents six forgotten classics of the great 30’s RKO studio era. Broadcast on TCM in April 2008 for the first time anywhere since their initial theatrical release more than 50 years ago, these titles are now available exclusively on DVD from TCM in rare special editions, for a limited time. Each title contains bonus features such as: rare background information, still galleries, publicty art, and video interviews.
TITLE DETAILS
Double Harness (1933)
Smartly directed by John Cromwell, Double Harness was a critical and financial success upon its release. Seen today, the movie seems at once modern and nostalgic, offering a vivid reflection of a sophisticated era in filmmaking. Double Harness has not been seen since its original theatrical release in 1938. Not part of a 50’s television package commonly sold along with the other five "lost" RKO films, it remained relatively unseen until its broadcast premiere on TCM in April 2007. Ann Harding and William Powell lend a great dose of chemistry to this lively comedy about a woman who tricks a man into marriage—and only then tries to earn his love the old-fashioned way. Harding plays Joan Colby, a charming young schemer who believes “marriage is a business” and sets her sights on wealthy playboy John Fletcher (Powell). Once Joan slyly arranges for her father (Henry Stephenson) to spot her and John in a compromising situation, marriage is no longer an option—it’s a necessity. John soon catches on, though, and while divorce looms Joan takes it upon herself to win his affection back honestly. Double Harness is now available for the first time on home video.
BONUS FEATURES:
- Behind-the-Scenes photos featuring, dozens of Scene Stills featuring stars Edward Ellis and Anne Shirley
- An Original Pressbook & Movie Poster
- Original Trailer
- TCM Video Interviews
Ginger Rogers and Norman Foster shine in this breezy comedy about two struggling tenants forced to occupy the same Greenwich Village apartment. When telemarketer Mary Carroll (Rogers) and night watchman Jack Bacon (Foster) both fall three months behind in their rent, their landlord forces them to share the fourth floor attic in twelve-hour shifts: Mary resides there during the evening, and Jack during the day. Despite the fact that they’ve never met, Mary and Jack form definite opinions of one another, trading their share of caustic notes and nasty practical jokes. It isn’t until these two unwitting roommates meet away from the apartment that they find a romantic connection—all the while unknowingly complaining to each other about… each other! Featuring Robert Benchley as Mary’s boss (and unwelcome love interest), and Laura Hope Crews as a patroness of the arts (with eyes for Jack), Rafter Romance stands out as one of director William Seiter’s best comedies. Since it was made before the “Code” was enforced, the 22-year-old Rogers is even allowed a titillating "strip" scene. Rafter Romance is one of six RKO films of the 1930s previously thought "lost" but rediscovered and restored by TCM, and now available for the first time on home video.
BONUS FEATURES:
- The Original Theatrical Trailer
- Behind the Scenes photos featuring Rogers with cast and crew, dozens of Scene Stills, Publicity Stills, Movie Posters, Lobby Cards
- TCM Video Interviews
Academy Award-winner Lionel Barrymore stars in this gentle drama about a widowed physician who returns to his small rural hometown to set up practice. Dr. Eli Watt (Barrymore) tends tirelessly to the needs of the town’s skeptical and unappreciative residents, often receiving home-grown vegetables as the only payment for his work. Dr. Watt’s son Jimmy (Buster Phelps as a child, Joel McCrea as an adult) follows his father’s footsteps in the medical field, eventually surpassing him in reputation as a successful if selfish surgeon. Jimmy soon takes his beautiful fiancée Joan (Frances Dee) for granted, and it is up to the altruistic Dr. Watt to set his son straight. An inspirational testament to human kindness, One Man’s Journey impressed filmgoers and critics alike: The New York Times praised Barrymore’s performance in particular, noting that he “lends amazing sincerity to his role” and director John Robertson handles the story with impeccable sensitivity. One Man’s Journey is one of six RKO films of the 1930s previously thought "lost" but rediscovered and restored by TCM, and is now available for the first time on home video.
BONUS FEATURES:
- Scene & Publicity Stills
- Movie Posters
- Lobby Cards
- Pressbook Materials
- TCM Video Interviews
Irene Dunne and Richard Dix team up in this exhilarating hybrid of musical and Western adventure set in Australia in 1874. Aspiring opera singer Hilda Bouverie (Dunne) is languishing at the home of her super-rich guardian (played by the hilarious Mary Boland) when she unwittingly falls for the mysterious bandit Stingaree (Dix). Disguised as a well-known composer and inspired by Hilda's mesmerizing voice, Stingaree gifts Hilda with one of his own compositions-- "Tonight is Mine"-- which subsequently puts her on the path to international fame. Of course, Stingaree captures Hilda's heart in the process. This boisterous film was Dunne's first showcase as a singer, and features several songs including "Stingaree Ballad," "Once You're Mine," and the ubiquitous "Tonight is Mine." Though it stands out as one of the more unusual items in director William Wellman's filmography, Stingaree was met with favorable reviews: The New York Times commented that the movie's "impossible happenings are highly entertaining." Stingaree is one of six RKO films of the 1930s previously thought "lost" but rediscovered and restored by TCM, and is now available on home video for the first time.
BONUS FEATURES:
- A Rare TCM Archives interview with director Wellman on his early career
- Behind the Scenes photos featuring Dunne with cast and crew, dozens of Scene Stills, Publicity Stills
- Movie Posters
- Original Sheet Music
- TCM Video Interviews
Featuring Franklin Pangborn and Joan Woodbury as criss-crossed suitors, Living on Love is a briskly-paced romantic comedy with a delightful screwball flair. Living on Love is one of six RKO films of the 1930s previously thought "lost" but rediscovered and restored by TCM. A remake of the 1993 RKO comedy Rafter Romance, Living on Love follows the story of two indebted tenants (James Dunn and Whitney Bourne) forced by their landlord (Solly Ward) to inhabit the same basement apartment in 12-hour shifts. In due time, each of the unwitting roommates comes to despise the other’s unseen presence, which leads to a host of practical jokes which become more and more outrageous. When Gary and Mary finally do meet in the outside world, they fall in love—that is, until they discover each other’s true identity! Living On Love is now available for the first time on home video. Great Bonus Features include Scene Stills, Publicity Stills, an Original UK Pressbook, Original Lobby Cards, TCM video interviews, and more.
BONUS FEATURES:
- Scene & Publicity Stills
- An Original UK Pressbook
- Original Lobby Cards
- TCM Video Interviews
A critically acclaimed Garson Kanin/Dalton Trumbo collaboration, A Man to Remember is one of six RKO films of the 1930s previously thought "lost" but rediscovered and restored by Turner Classic Movies. A Man to Remember has not been seen since its original theatrical release in 1938. Not part of a 50’s television package commonly sold along with the other five "lost" RKO films, it remained relatively unseen until its broadcast premiere on TCM in April 2007. The only surviving copy of this film was a 35mm original nitrate, Dutch-subtitled, English-language print, which was preserved by the Netherlands Filmmuseum in 2000. A rare remake generally considered superior to the original and shot, according to Kanin, in 15 days on a budget of only $84,000, A Man to Remember received extraordinary critical praise. The New York Times named it as one of the years ten best films. The newspaper's critic Frank S. Nugent called it "a distinguished and unusual film, for the qualities which distinguish it are merely such elements as simplicity, honesty dignity and human warmth -- elements which properly should be found in every film drama, yet so rarely are." A Man to Remember is now available for the first time on home video.
PLEASE NOTE: A Man to Remember is presented with Dutch subtitles. At present, this is the only known surviving print.
BONUS FEATURES:
- Behind-the-Scenes photos featuring Garson Kanin in his directorial debut
- Dozens of Scene Stills featuring the stars Edward Ellis and Anne Shirley
- 2 original Pressbooks
- Lobby Cards
- TCM Video Interviews
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