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April News
April Highlights:
Dangerously good:
Before Bond, before Napoleon Solo, before the Avengers, there was British special agent John Drake in "Danger Man," a half-hour TV series put together by Lew Grade and Ralph Smart and featuring Patrick McGoohan as a NATO security agent whose primary objective was to put out "fires" and help keep the peace around the world. The show -- which was set in Washington (in keeping with Grade's desire to sell the series to the U.S. market) -- began its run in September, 1960, in Great Britain and, though was a success there, never caught on in the States. Drake was initially thought of as a Bond-like agent: a woman's man, quick on the draw and the repartee. But when McGoohan was cast in the role, he quickly made it his own: giving Drake a quiet personality and strong moral values. Guns were used only as a last resort and women -- though there were plenty -- weren't the sex objects that littered latter-day spy films. With the success of the James Bond films and the public's fascination with spies, "Danger Man" was resurrected in October 1964 as an hour-long series, and lasted for two seasons (it was exported to the U.S. as "Secret Agent" in 1965, with a new opening title sequence set to Johnny Rivers' "Secret Agent Man") before McGoohan -- and his character -- moved on to "The Prisoner." In the second "Danger Man" series Drake was now an agent for England's M9 security agency. And though more jaded, he still took the moral high road, using words rather than weapons to get out of sticky situations. He was less perfect and more fallible and though still quick with his fists, his wit and intelligence more often than not saved his missions. And, unlike other spies of the time, the politics of the Cold War dominated the stories, with Drake sent to a different locale around the world each week to save a mission from the grips of "the other side" (no acronymed super-villains here). A&E Home Video is in the throes of releasing the entire hour-long series on DVD, with "Danger Man A.K.A. Secret Agent" DVD Sets 1 (with six episodes), 2 and 3 (with eight episodes each) already on the market ($39.95 per set). These are the British editions (in glorious black & white) sans the Johnny Rivers' opening (though that opening is included as the only extra on the discs). And the show still holds up well. The pacing, the literary and intelligent dialogue, and straight-ahead story lines still put to shame most of what passes for drama on TV today. Not to be missed. Thank you, A&E.Duck and Cover:
Many man-made innovations have changed civilization, but few have had a greater impact than the atomic bomb. Initially filling the world with wonderment, the bomb's devastating possibilities quickly turned awe into unshakable dread. On the 20th anniversary of its theatrical release, "The Atomic Cafe" is back to provide the public with a much needed release of comic energy. A dark comedy in the truest sense, this classic took the country by storm with its chilling, poignant and often hilarious reminder of Cold War era paranoia in the U.S. Artfully presenting a collage of newsreel footage, government archives, military training films, and 50s music, the documentary captures a panicked nation during the Atomic Age, with fall-out shelters and duck-and-cover drills as part of our culture's social consciousness. An ode to a bygone era? $19.95 VHS, $24.95 DVD. (Docurama: 800-314-8822, www.docudrama.com).Gunn Shoots Again:
Those folks at A&E Home Video have cornered the market on cult TV series, bringing our wonderful box sets of "The Avengers," "The Prisoner," "Space: 1999," "The Saint" and "Secret Agent A.K.A. Danger Man" (see above). Now they've upped the ante with the release of the first two DVD sets of the late-50s super-cool TV private eye "Peter Gunn." Created and produced by Blake Edwards, Peter Gunn -- played by Craig Stevens -- was hip, suave and sophisticated. The weekly show had a great jazz-influenced score by Henry Mancini, skillful plotting, witty dialogue and a great supporting cast with Lola Albright and Herschel Bernardi. Each DVD set contains 16 episodes on two discs; $39.95.Clay Me Over:
On April 9 Rhino Home Video presents the DVD premiere of the beloved animated classic Gumby. The stop-motion, clay-animated Gumby was created in 1955 by Art Clokey and first appeared in shorts on "The Howdy Doody Show." It then became a Saturday morning TV series, "The Gumby Show, and continued in syndication until 1967. Gumby is still popular worldwide with books, toys, clothing and the ever-popular green bendable keychain. Rhino's seven-disc box set -- replete with a bendable Gumby -- collects together some 110 shorts ranging from "The Gumby Show" in 1956 to syndicated episodes in 1967. Bonus features include an interview with Gumby creator Clokey, and his son Joe; the Gumby pilot, interview with Dal McKennon, the voice of Gumby; brand new claymation scenes featuring Gumby, Pokey and Rocky Rhino; storyboards; behind-the-scenes footage; more; 690 minutes, $99.95. A single disc containing the first 21 episodes ("Gumby Volume 1") is also available for $19.95 (Rhino Home Video). Remember this about Gumby: He never takes unfair advantage in any situation; he's environmentally aware and responsible; he loves books and reading; he drinks fruit juices; he is never mean; he doesn't drink or smoke; he's nonviolent; he doesn't wisecrack; he doesn't talk about people behind their back; he never hides his bump under a hat. Ah heck: "Gumby for President."For movie lovers:
April offerings from Wellspring Media should warm the cockles of cinema lovers' hearts. "Directed by Alan Smithee" is a 50-minute in-depth look at the films of infamous "director" Alan Smithee -- the pseudonym used by directors when, because of infighting, disputes, power struggles or betrayals, they disown their film and remove their name from it. The Smithee name has gone on 47 films, ranging from "Meet Joe Black" to "Scent of a Woman," and this docu explores the intrigue and drama behind the name and the films. Available in VHS ($19.98) and DVD ($24.98). "Kurosawa" is the first major documentary to be made since the director's death in 1998, and includes interviews with his family and colleagues as well as clips from "Rashomon," "Seven Samurai," "Throne of Blood," "Yojimbo" and "Ran," among others. Available in VHS ($19.98) and DVD ($24.98). In conjunction with this release, Wellspring has reduced the price on two of Kurosawa's later films, "Ran" and "Madadayo," to $19.98 VHS. And, lastly, the company has lowered the VHS and DVD prices (to $14.98 and $19.98 respectively) for its Francois Truffuat Collection, covering a group of 12 films that includes "The 400 Blows," "The Last Metro," "Love on the Run," "Shoot the Piano Player," "Two English Girls," "Stolen Kisses," "Bed and Board" and "Jules and Jim." All releases are available April 23."Dead" alive again:
George A. Romero's chilling low-budget horror classic "Night of the Living Dead" has received a quality DVD makeover courtesy of Elite Entertainment. Their Millennium Edition of the black & white saga of the hungry undead includes a restored, THX-approved transfer and such extras as dual commentary tracks with Romero and the cast; "Night of the Living Bread" parody; original mono soundtrack and Dolby 5.1 remix; still photo gallery; history of Romero's The Latent Image company; scenes from the "lost" Romero film "There's Always Vanilla"; interviews; posters and collectibles; props; the entire original shooting script; and much more. Available now for $24.95.
More April Video News For Kids:
Buena Vista Home Entertainment has picked up for distribution "The Baby Einstein Company" line of pre-school videos that promote learning and discovery for infants and toddlers. The initial line of releases, available now, include "Baby Einstein," "Baby Mozart," "Baby Bach," "Baby Dolittle: World Animals," "Baby Dolittle: Neighborhood Animals,' "Baby Van Gogh," "Baby Shakespeare," "Baby Santa's Music Box" and "Baby Newton"; $14.99 VHS and $19.99 DVD."Fun Songs for Kids" is a new series of sing-along videos aimed at introducing pre-schoolers to classic songs and rhymes. The first four VHS releases -- each with easy-to-read onscreen lyrics -- includes "25 Fun Songs for Kids Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star," "25 Fun Songs for Kids Old MacDonald Had a Farm," "25 Fun Songs for Kids Row, Row, Row Your Boat" and "25 Fun Songs for Kids Humpty Dumpty"; 30 minutes and $6.98 each from Madacy Kids! (800-784-0991, www.madacy.com).
Two new videos and two new DVDs from hit PBS animated TV series "Dragon Tales" arrive this month from Columbia TriStar: "Let's Stick to It" (which promotes persisting at challenging tasks) and "We're Special" (which promotes accepting differences) are available now on VHS, each with three adventures linked by songs, $12.95; "Yes, We Can!" and "It's Cool to Be Me" are available now on DVD, each with five adventures linked by songs, $19.95.
Pre-school standbys Kipper, Barney, Thomas the Tank Engine and The Wiggles have new videos. "Kipper: Cuddly Critters" is available now from HIT Entertainment for $9.99 VHS. "Barney's Beach Party" will arrive April 30 from HIT on VHS ($14.95) and DVD ($16.99). "The Best of James" (James is the red engine friend of Thomas the Tank Engine), which contains three adventures featuring James, Thomas and friends on the Island of Sodor, on VHS ($12.98); "The Best of James" on DVD contains eight episodes with storyteller George Carlin, four sing-along songs, a "Hooray for Thomas" read-along story, three games, more, $19.98, available now from Anchor Bay. "Hoop-Dee-Doo! It's a Wiggly Party" features 55 minutes of the Down Under musical group's signature blend of danceable rhythms, catchy tunes and whimsical sets, $14.95 VHS and $19.99 DVD from HIT.
New kids on the block: Warner Home Video has put together the Warner Bright Kids Collection, bringing together videos from the Child Smart, PBS Kids and Sesame Workshop franchises. Available now are two developmental Child Smart videos ($12.95 each VHS): "Your Tiny Artist" and "Your Tiny Maestro"; two new pre-school PBS Kids' animated Caillou adventures, "Caillou: I Want to Grow Up" and "Caillou: Goodbye Winter, Hello Springtime!" ($12.95 each VHS); the DVD debut of Sesame Street's full-length theatrical feature "Follow That Bird" ($19.95); and a DVD compilation from the award-winning Reel Wheels video series, "Reel Wheels Truck Adventures" ($19.95).
"Jay Jay the Jet Plane," the hot new Public Television series, has four new titles debuting on April 23 from Columbia TriStar: "Friends Take Flight" and "Soaring Sky High" videos ($12.95 each) and "Supersonic Pals" and "Learning Life's Little Lessons" DVDs ($19.95 each). "Jay Jay" adventures are designed to introduce pre-schoolers to the wonders of science and nature while promoting healthy, imaginative interaction and behavior.
Special Interest:
She's made jazzy ballads, pop standards and love songs popular again and now she's on VHS and DVD: Grammy Award-winning Diana Krall has released her first video of a concert performance -- "Diana Krall Live in Paris" -- on the Eagle Vision label. Recorded live at the Paris Olympia Theatre on December 1, 2001, to a sold-out audience, the video features the multiplatinum songstress delivering a sensual collection of romantic ballads and bossa novas from her "The Look of Love" and "When I Look in Your Eyes" albums. The DVD version includes a behind-the-scenes feature and music videos and is recorded in both Dolby Digital Surround 5.1 and DTS formats.WGBH Boston Video will release on April 23 "Misunderstood Minds," a documentary that addresses the problems posed by children with "learning differences," learning difficulties that cause perhaps as many as one in five families to cope with children who struggle to learn but don't fit any clinical diagnosis -- for some reason, they're not learning. Though they may be suffering from learning problems, their teachers, classmates and even their families often mistakenly label them "lazy" or "stupid." This VHS illustrates the emerging view that specific identification and customized management of learning differences is the key to success for millions of struggling children. $19.95 (800-949- 8670).
Manga Entertainment will release on April 30 the first three VHS volumes of the 1983 animated series "Astro Boy" (which is actually an updated color version of the hit Japanese series that wowed American audiences in 1963 when it aired on NBC) by anime giant Osamu Tezuka. The show -- about an android boy abandoned by his creator and adopted by a kindly doctor who teaches him to use his special powers to aid and protect mankind -- is the basis for a live-action feature by Jim Henson Pictures/Columbia Pictures due for a 2004 release. Each of the first three volumes contains five 30-minute episodes; Volumes 4--6, with six episodes each, will be released July 30; Volumes 7--9, with six episodes each, will be released October 29; $19.95 each. A multi-volume DVD series will be released in 2004. Manga is cross-promoting the release with Dark Horse Comics as they publish (for the first time in the U.S.) the original manga comic book in English. For more info: www.astro-boy.net.
The 'B' Side: Other April Releases
In "Rancid Aluminum" a businessman whose business and love life are on the rocks must turn to the Russian Mafia to save the day. Stars Joseph Fiennes, Rhys Ifans, Sadie Frost, Tara Fitzgerald, Keith Allen and Nick Moran. Lions Gate, 2000, R, priced for rental, DVD day and date.
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March 25, 2001
