UNIVERSAL VAULT: Trio of Titles Arrive on DVD

Seven months since their last wave of titles, Universal's MOD program kicks back into high gear with the announcement of three titles newly available on DVD as part of their Vault Series. Click here for details.

Bob Hope Classic Comedy Collection & Francis Artwork Too

Universal has announced the Bob Hope Classic Comedy Collection for release on April 29th. Click here to read the full story.

The Women (Blu-Ray) in May

One of the top films of what is usually considered the Golden Age's greatest year of filmmaking (1939), The Women (Blu-Ray) has been announced by Warner Bros. with a May 6th street date. Click here to read the full story.

Second Chorus - Standard & Blu in May

WHAT: WHEN: STUDIO: PRICE:

Second Chorus (Blu / DVD) May 14th Film Chest Retail: $19.98, Our: $14.99

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Previously released on DVD, Second Chorus (1940) has been announced by Film Chest with a May 14th street date on both DVD and Blu-Ray.

Retail will be $19.98, but it's available at ClassicFlix.com for only $14.99.


Students who were in the college band together go searching for a job and end up in Artie Shaw's band. In only his second film after ending his legendary partnership with Ginger Rogers in 1939, Fred Astaire returned to the screen in the frothy big band musical Second Chorus.

Excited about the opportunity to work with legendary big band leader Artie Shaw, Fred signed on for this romp co-starring Burgess Meredith and a winning Paulette Goddard. Shenanigans abound: Fred and Burgess play friendly rivals, musicians who purposely flunk their college courses in order to maintain lucrative jobs as college band leaders, but the real attraction,of course, lies in Fred’s musical numbers.

With lyrics by the legendary Johnny Mercer (“Dream”, “Moon River”) and music by both Hal Borne (Astaire’s rehearsal pianist) and Artie Shaw, Second Chorus received Academy Award nominations for Best Song (“Would You Like to Be the Love of My Life?”) and Best Score. But it’s the film’s terrific final number, “Poor Mr. Chisholm”, that’s the real award winner, with Fred whirling through an all-stops-out sensational tap while simultaneously conducting Artie Shaw’s top of the line big band—proof yet again of Astaire’s unquestioned status as the greatest dancer in Hollywood history.

OLIVE: Diary of a Chambermaid, Strangers in the Night & More in February

Olive Films has announced five titles, on both standard DVD and Blu-Ray, for release on February 26th. They are:

• The Diary of a Chambermaid (1946) - Paulette Goddard, Burgess Meredith, Hurd Hatfield, Francis Lederer, Judith Anderson & Dir. by Jean Renoir
• Lady for a Night (1942) - John Wayne, Joan Blondell, Philip Merivale, Blanche Yurka, Ray Middleton
• The Red Menace (1949) - Robert Rockwell, Hannelore Axman,
• She Devil (1957) - Mari Blanchard, Jack Kelly, Albert Dekker, John Archer, Fay Baker
• Strangers in the Night (1944) - William Terry, Virginia Grey

All are making their respective DVD & Blu debuts and can be found in the recent additions section.

MGM: Something Wild (1961) Plus Robinson, Goddard in Vice Squad

Four more MGM Limited Edition Collection titles have been announced.

On December 6th, Something Wild (1961) with Carroll Baker and Ralph Meeker will be released; followed by three titles on December 20th:

• Vice Squad (1953) - Edward G. Robinson, Paulette Goddard
• The Magnetic Monster (1953) - Richard Carlson, King Donovan, Jean Byron
• Diary of a Bachelor (1964) - Joe Silver, Dom DeLuise

UNIVERSAL: Bob Hope - Thanks for the Memories Collection in June

WHAT: WHEN: STUDIO: PRICE: TITLES:

Bob Hope - Thanks for the Memories Collection June 8th Universal Retail $39.98, Our: $30.99 Thanks for the Memory (1938), The Cat and the Canary (1939), The Ghost Breakers (1940), Nothing But the Truth (1941), Road to Morocco (1942), The Paleface (1948)

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One of the most requested films we've had over the years has been Bob Hope's The Cat and the Canary (1939). Now, thanks to Universal, the wait is over as they've announced a June 8th release date for Bob Hope - Thanks for the Memories Collection.

In addition to Cat, two other titles will be making their DVD debut: Thanks for the Memory (1938) and Nothing But the Truth (1941). Paulette Goddard fans will also be happy as she stars in Cat and Nothing But the Truth.

The 3-disc set will also contain 3 re-releases: Ghost Breakers (1940), Road to Morocco (1942), The Paleface (1948). More bonus features (below) than most Universal sets as of late too. Although some may be recycled.

Retail will be $39.98, but it's available at ClassicFlix.com for only $30.99.

DETAILS:

DISC 1:

Thanks for the Memory (1938, 75 min.)

The Cat and the Canary (1939, 79 min.)

BONUS FEATURE:

• Theatrical Trailers

DISC 2:

The Ghost Breakers (1940, 85 min.)

Nothing But the Truth (1941, 91 min.)

BONUS FEATURES:

• Entertaining the Troops
• Command Performance 1944
• Hollywood Victory Caravan
• Photo Gallery
• Theatrical Trailer

DISC 3:

Road to Morocco (1942, 82 min.)

The Paleface (1948, 91 min.)

BONUS FEATURES:

• Command Performance 1945
• The "Buttons and Bows" Sing-Along
• Photo Gallery
• Theatrical Trailer