Garv’s Pick of the Week: Never Say Die (Kino Lorber)
For the release week of March 21st:
Garv’s Pick of the Week: Never Say Die [Blu-ray/ Kino Lorber]: Kino Lorber continues their individual Blu-ray releases of Bob Hope’s filmography with a couple of early titles that starred the comedian before his breakout role in The Cat and the Canary (1939). Never Say Die is one of the best of Hope’s early films. He may not have completely found his “wisecracking brave coward” character that cemented his stardom, but the film has a very funny premise and a screenplay co-written by the great Preston Sturges. In an update of a Broadway play from 1912, Hope stars as a millionaire hypochondriac who is told (mistakenly) that he has one month to live. This results in unexpected romantic entanglements (with Martha Raye) and a duel of honor (with Alan Mowbray). Remember, there’s a cross on the muzzle of the pistol with the bullet and a nick on the handle of the pistol with the blank.
Additional Titles of Interest —
Thanks for the Memory [Blu-ray/ Kino Lorber]: In the film The Big Broadcast of 1938, Bob Hope and Shirley Ross introduced the world to the Academy Award-winning song that would become Hope’s trademark. When Paramount reteamed the pair for this romantic comedy, it made sense to play upon the popularity of the song by titling the movie Thanks for the Memory.
The Long Wait [4K UHD / ClassicFlix]: ClassicFlix makes their second foray into the 4K UHD market with this 1954 film noir adaptation of another Mickey Spillane novel. You won’t find Mike Hammer here. This is a non-series title from Spillane, starring Anthony Quinn as a brutish amnesiac. You can find my full review of this effective (if preposterous) low-budget noir mystery HERE.
Sorry, Wrong Number [Blu-ray / Shout! Factory]: Barbara Stanwyck is bedridden in this noir thriller, co-starring Burt Lancaster.
Lucky Jordan [Blu-ray/ Kino Lorber]: This wartime propaganda film provides touches of both comedy and drama, as a gangster (Alan Ladd) takes on the Nazis.
Crazy People [Blu-ray / Shout! Factory]: In one of his better post-Arthur roles, Dudley Moore plays a burnt out advertising executive whose career takes an upswing, after being sent to a mental institution.
The Belle Starr Story [Blu-ray / Raro Video]: I bet you didn’t know that Lina Wertmüller (Seven Beauties) directed a Spaghetti Western. I certainly didn’t, until I saw this Blu-ray announced. Elsa Martinelli portrays the titular female gunslinger.
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