Garv’s Pick of the Week: Edward Everett Horton: 8 Silent Comedies (Undercrank Productions)
For the release week of August 10th:
Garv’s Pick of the Week: Edward Everett Horton: 8 Silent Comedies [DVD / Undercrank Productions]: Classic film lovers know Edward Everett Horton as one of the best supporting character actors of the Hollywood studio era, and Boomers remember him as the narrator of the Fractured Fairy Tales segments in the animated series The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle and Friends. However, even those that knew Horton’s work well were likely unaware that he starred in a series of silent comedy short subjects from 1927-1928. Luckily, silent film historian and musical accompanist Ben Model was aware, and he launched a Kickstarter to restore and release these precious films. If you didn’t get in on the Kickstarter, the set of all eight of Horton’s silent shorts is now available through Model’s DVD label Undercrank Productions. This might be my favorite Undercrank Productions release thus far (and several of their earlier titles have made my “Picks of the Year” lists). The shorts, produced by Harold Lloyd, are very funny, have high production values, and are in excellent condition for their vintage. This set gets my highest recommendation.
Additional Titles of Interest —
Charley Chase: At Hal Roach: The Talkies Volume 3 [DVD/ Kit Parker Films-The Sprocket Vault]: It’s a great week for classic comedy. The Sprocket Vault continues it’s excellent releases of Charley Chase’s talkie comedies at Hal Roach Studios with this 3-Disc set covering the final three years of the comedian’s contract (1934-1936). The set contains 21 short comedies, encompassing 440 minutes of hilarity from the studio known as “The Lot of Fun.”
Nashville [Blu-ray/ Paramount Presents]: Robert Altman’s sprawling, epic satire of America in the 1970’s was previously released in a fantastic Blu-ray from The Criterion Collection. However, that disc is now out of print. Paramount is giving collectors a second chance to get their hands on this landmark film by releasing it themselves, under their Paramount Presents imprint.
Pirate Treasure [Blu-ray/ VCI]: Billed as “12 thrilling chapters of heart-stopping action!” If you like to have your heart stopped repeatedly, this is the disc for you.
F.P. 1 Doesn’t Answer [Blu-ray / Kino Lorber]: This 1932 sci-fi flick was the last film Peter Lorre made in Germany before he fled the country, due to the rise of the Nazis. Both a German language and English version of the film are included in this Blu-ray set.
Desire [Blu-ray / Kino Lorber]: I hope this 1936 romantic comedy is more imaginative than its title. Marlene Dietrich and Gary Cooper star.
O.S.S. [Blu-ray/ Kino Lorber]: This W.W. II spy thriller stars Alan Ladd. I bet he wears lifts.
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