REASONS TO HOOK UP YOUR VCR #2

In the documentary UNIVERSAL HORRORS, a friend of James Whale talks about one of the last Universal silent horror films THE LAST WARNING then says he believes the film to be lost. Nope! Rocket Video has it. A woman once saw it on the shelf and excitedly exclaimed, “This film is supposed to be lost!” I personally searched for years for a copy of this film—and it’s only on VHS.
Directed by German émigré Paul Leni, THE LAST WARNING (1929) was based on a novel and a play of the same name. Leni, who also directed CAT AND THE CANARY, THE MAN WHO LAUGHS and WAXWORKS, peppers his film with examples of German expressionism while equally balancing comedy and scares. The film stars Laura La Plante, Montagu Love and Slim Summerville and was shot on the sets from THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA.
In the film, actor John Woodford is killed during the performance of a play. His dead body disappears and his ghost supposedly haunts the theater forcing it to close down. The police are baffled. Years later, a savvy producer re-opens the theater, reuinites the original cast and crew and produces a new version of the play. Murder and mayhem ensue.
There are many striking scenes in the picture (I love the brief moment when an actor jumps under a lowering curtain and the camera follows him under the curtain) and the atmosphere is perfect. It’s the perfect picture to watch during a thunderstorm.
THE LAST WARNING can be found in Rocket Video’s silent film section. It was remade by Universal in 1939 as HOUSE OF FEAR starring William Gargan and El Brendel. This is also a great flick and has never been released on VHS or DVD…though, between you and me, there’s a VHS copy for rent in the FREE section and I will most likely discuss it in a future installment of this column.
This is your last warning…see THE LAST WARNING!

DON'T TOSS YOUR VCR YET - Stardust

Stardust (Michael Apted, 1974)

no relation whatsoever to the 2007 film of the same name!

"Show me a boy who never wanted to be a rock star,

and I'll show you a liar."

In this sequel to That'll Be The Day (Claude Whatham, 1973), we continue on our journey with Jim Maclaine, again played by 70's British pop idol David Essex. Jim is no longer the bored and directionless British youth of the first film. He's learned the bass and joined a band called The Stray Cats. Along with his friend (and new band manager) Mike, played by 60's British pop idol Adam Faith, he quickly takes over, forcing the L.V. out. (Note to those readers in bands: always watch out for the bass player.. always standing off to the side, all quiet-like. they're likely plotting against you).

Sex, Drugs, and Rock 'n Roll ensue. We watch as Jim rises to the status of Rock-God and then spirals out of control (as one often does when one becomes a deity, Rock or otherwise). Talent is wasted. Record execs meddle. Friendships are betrayed. Marriages crumble. And not everyone is gonna make it out alive. It has a fantastic soundtrack as well, 60's classics along with The Stray Cats/Maclaine tunes from the film, performed by Essex (and can usually be found at Amoeba on double LP for under $4.00). All in all, one of the great rock flicks. Very possibly the best one you've never seen. Lots of 60's music references, more in-jokes than you can count. Fan or musician yourself, you're bound to recognize something in this film.

fun things to note:

- "Mike" was originally played by Ringo Starr in That'll Be the Day. He refused to return for the sequel- rumor has it he was uncomfortable with references to Pete Best.

- Keith Moon plays the band's drummer with all the energy and madness of his drumming. That guy is just fun to watch. might have had a brilliant film career had he not, you know...

- It also features Larry Hagman (J.R. Ewing, Jr. himself, of Dallas fame), and numerous 60's and 70's Brit pop stars including Dave Edmunds and Marty Wilde.

- Stardust has never had a legitimate DVD release, but is available to rent on VHS at Rocket.

-BP

REASONS TO HOOK UP YOUR VCR #1: TALES OF MANHATTAN

These days when everyone is looking forward to what new format will reign supreme, leave it to me to look back at VHS, a format most already consider dead. I find something quaintly nostalgic about VHS, I like the sound, the feel and often when watching old movies that are not widescreen, I'll put in VHS instead of DVD. Many have also asked why we haven't disposed of the VHS in Rocket's collection. Two reasons: 1) many of our customers still do not have DVD players--shocking, I know--and 2) some of the titles we have on VHS have not yet been released on DVD--doubly shocking, I know!!
So, that's why I am coming up with this column or running installments of REASONS TO HOOK UP YOUR VCR, each time spotlighting something great from our collection that is not on DVD.

Let's begin with...

TALES OF MANHATTAN!
This all-star anthology film from 1942 follows a cursed tailcoat as it travels through the city from one owner to another bringing misfortune (or does it?) to those who possess it. Directed by Julien Duvivier, the film contains 5 stories of drama and comedy starring Charles Boyer, Rita Hayworth, Edward G. Robinson, Ginger Rogers, Henry Fonda, Charles Laughton, Paul Robeson and Eddie "Rochester" Anderson. As an added bonus, the tape restored a segment from the film that had been cut prior to its release. Although completely different in tone, the missing segment is an uproarious comic one starring W.C. Fields (as well as Margaret Dumont and Phil Silvers!) and ends with one of the great comedian's best lines.
This film is involving and wonderful; the segments all work well and achieve the desired effect (I even teared up during the Laughton story). The last story was my least favorite due to its over-the-top preachy tone but its worth sitting through to get to the final shot and the final fate of the cursed coat.
In addition to the cast members listed above, a plethora of character actors and Hollywood perenniels appear in smaller roles making the movie a who's who of talent. It's definitely fun viewing for a rainy afternoon and a good reason to hook up that VCR!
Note: Duvivier would also direct another all-star anthology--Universal's "FLESH AND FANTASY"--which some have included as part of the studio's horror line (see the book "UNIVERSAL HORRORS").

   - Jeff