Garv’s Pick of the Week: Man on the Flying Trapeze (Kino Lorber)
For the release week of April 19th:
Garv’s Pick of the Week: Man on the Flying Trapeze [Blu-ray / Kino Lorber]: It’s classic comedy lover Christmas, because Kino Lorber is releasing three hilarious movies by W.C. Fields on Blu-ray this week. The best of the bunch is 1935’s Man on the Flying Trapeze, which is arguably Fields’ most personal film, and it’s also the only movie he directed (uncredited). If you love It’s a Gift (1934) and The Bank Dick (1940), then you need to see Man on the Flying Trapeze, as it is Fields’ third comedy masterpiece.
Additional Titles of Interest —
You’re Telling Me! [Blu-ray / Kino Lorber]: This 1934 W.C. Fields comedy features a masterful drunk scene and Fields’ legendary stage golf routine (previously presented in the short The Golf Specialist). You can find my full review HERE.
You Can’t Cheat an Honest Man [Blu-ray / Kino Lorber]: W.C. Fields missed out on the role of the Wizard in The Wizard of Oz, due to a scheduling conflict with this 1939 circus comedy, in which he was teamed with ventriloquist Edgar Bergen (and his dummies). This movie is the least of the three Fields comedies coming out this week, but it still contains some very funny moments. You can find my full review Here.
The Girl Can’t Help It [Blu-ray / Criterion]: Frank Tashlin’s rock ‘n’ roll comedy stars Jayne Mansfield, Tom Ewell, and a number of popular 1950’s rock artists, including Little Richard, Fats Domino, Julie London, Eddie Cochran, the Platters, and Gene Vincent.
In the Heat of the Night [4K UHD / Kino Lorber]: Kino Lorber is going the extra mile with this release. Not only does it contain In the Heat of the Night on 4K UHD disc. Also included is an extra Blu-ray containing the follow-up films in the Sidney Poitier “Mr. Tibbs” series, They Call Me Mr. Tibbs! (1970) and The Organization (1971).
Rogue Cops and Racketeers: Two Crime Thrillers from Enzo G. Castellari [Blu-ray / Arrow Video]: This Blu-ray box set includes two Italian poliziotteschi crime thrillers, The Big Racket (1976) and The Heroin Busters (1977).
Night Creatures [Blu-ray / Scream Factory]: Scream Factory continues its series of Collector’s Edition Blu-ray releases of Hammer titles. This 1962 Peter Cushing film, also known as Captain Clegg, is a different take on the same story that was adapted as the Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color TV mini-series, The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh (1964).
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