Garv’s Pick of the Week: Mr. Topaze (Film Movement)
For the release week of October 13th:
Garv’s Pick of the Week: Mr. Topaze [Blu-ray / Film Movement]: Famed British comedian Peter Sellers only directed a single film, Mr. Topaze (1961), but that film was lost and unavailable for view until the only surviving 35mm prints in the BFI National Archive were scanned in 2K for this Blu-ray release. The film is an adaptation of Marcel Pagnol’s popular French play, Topaze, which was previously adapted in 1933 with John Barrymore in the lead. I reviewed the earlier adaption HERE. I haven’t seen Peter Sellers’ version, but the trailer embedded above looks fun. I’m overjoyed that a “lost” film from the comedian’s heyday is getting a home video release.
Additional Titles of Interest —
Sergeant York [Blu-ray / Warner Archive]: This popular war film from director Howard Hawks and star Gary Cooper gets a new 4K restoration and Blu-ray release.
The Pledge [Blu-ray / Mill Creek]: This 2001 film, directed by Sean Penn, stars Jack Nicholson as a homicide detective who makes a promise to the family of the victim. Nicholson gives his best, most down-to-earth performance since the 1970s. I love this film.
Picnic [Blu-ray / Sony]: William Holden was about 10 years (and they were ten hard years) too old to play Kim Novak’s contemporary in this film adaptation of William Inge’s play. It’s still a good film.
Reversal of Fortune [Blu-ray / Warner Archive]: I haven’t seen Barbet Schroeder’s “based on a true story” flick since its theatrical release. I remember liking it. Of course, at that time, I had no idea who Alan Dershowitz was.
Death Laid an Egg [Blu-ray / Cult Epics]: This weirdo giallo has received multiple Blu-ray releases, but this package, which includes both the 91- and 104-minute versions, should be the definitive release.
The Untold Story [Blu-ray / Unearthed Films]: Speaking of weird. That’s all we’ll say about this one.
Space Ghost and Dino Boy: The Complete Series [Blu-ray / Warner Archive]: Before Space Ghost was a talk show host on Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim, he was a Saturday morning cartoon superhero.
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