Garv’s Pick of the Week: Alias Nick Beal (Kino Lorber)
For the release week of July 13th:
Garv’s Pick of the Week: Alias Nick Beal [Blu-ray/ Kino Lorber]: The Faust legend gets a noir makeover in Alias Nick Beal (1949). Thomas Mitchell stars as Joseph Foster, a district attorney reformer who loses his sense of morality after he encounters a shadowy figure named Nick Beal (Ray Milland). Audrey Trotter co-stars as a former prostitute who gets under Foster’s skin. The “Tsar of Noir,” Eddie Muller provides the audio commentary on the Blu-ray release.
Additional Titles of Interest —
The Web [Blu-ray/ Kino Lorber]: This lesser-known film noir has a great cast of character actors, including Ella Raines, Edmond O’Brien, William Bendix, and Vincent Price.
Larceny [Blu-ray/ Kino Lorber]: Kino has one more catalog noir title this week. This one stars John Payne, with support from Joan Caulfield, Dan Duryea, and Shelley Winters.
Almost Famous [4K UHD/ Paramount]: Cameron Crowe’s most personal film gets a 4K UHD upgrade. Both the theatrical and expanded director’s cut versions are included in the package.
The Great Gabbo [Blu-ray/ Kino Classics]: Here’s a weirdo Pre-code musical starring Erich von Stroheim as a ventriloquist with relationship problems.
Objective, Burma! [Blu-ray / Warner Archive]: Errol “Robin Hood” Flynn goes to war in Raoul Walsh’s WWII flick.
Skin Deep [Blu-ray / Mill Creek]: John Ritter stars as a womanizing, alcoholic writer in this Blake Edwards comedy, which will likely play a little uncomfortably in the world of “#MeToo.”
The Pianist [Blu-ray / Shout Select]: Speaking of uncomfortable, I’m in the group who can separate the art from the artist. Your mileage may vary when it comes to the work of Roman Polanski.
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