Garv’s Pick of the Week: The Fortune Cookie (Kino Lorber)
For the release week of August 17th:
Garv’s Pick of the Week: The Fortune Cookie [Blu-ray / Kino Lorber]: This 1966 Billy Wilder comedy was the first onscreen pairing of Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau. Wilder had worked with Lemmon multiple times by this point, and he had tried to cast Matthau in The Seven Year Itch, but the studio thought he was too much of an unknown at the time to play the leading role. Coming off the Broadway triumph of The Odd Couple (in which he was originally teamed with Art Carney), Matthau was bankable, and Wilder finally got to showcase him as a scheming shyster lawyer in this comedy. Matthau ran away with the picture and earned a “Best Supporting Actor” Oscar. The film itself falls somewhere in the middle of Wilder’s output, as a maudlin streak occasionally gets in the way of the fun; but middle-range Wilder is better than lesser Wilder, and even lesser Wilder is worth watching.
Additional Titles of Interest —
The Emperor Waltz [Blu-ray / Kino Lorber]: Speaking of lesser Billy Wilder films, did you know that he also directed a Bing Crosby musical? It isn’t surprising if you said “no,” because it is one of his lesser-seen films of both the director and star.
Fitzwilly [Blu-ray / Kino Lorber]: It’s a shame that Dick Van Dyke didn’t make more films in his prime, so every one is precious. This Christmas caper comedy has Van Dyke portraying a butler who masterminds heists to allow his penniless employer (Dame Edith Evans) to live in the lifestyle of which she has become accustomed. Barbara “Agent 99” Feldon provides the love interest. Keep an eye on this site for a full review.
Shadow of the Thin Man [Blu-ray/ Warner Archive]:The fourth entry in the popular Thin Man series, was the first not to be derived from a Dashiell Hammett story and not to be written by the screenwriters Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett. Unfortunately the changes in scribblers can be felt in the finished product. Shadow of the Thin Man is neither as witty nor as alcohol-soaked as the series entries that preceded it. Nick is even forced to drink a glass of milk. Horrors!
Sundown: The Vampire in Retreat [Blu-ray/ Vestron Video & Lionsgate]: I’ve always been curious about this vampiric Western starring David Carradine and Bruce Campbell. The premise and the cast both scream fun.
Original Cast Album: “Company” [Blu-ray / Criterion]: Documentary giant D.A. Pennebaker captured the recording of the original cast soundtrack to the Stephen Sondheim musical. This Criterion Blu-ray also includes the Documentary Now! parody episode, “Original Cast Album: Co-Op.”
Percy [Blu-ray / Code Red]: This British comedy about the first penis transplant stinks. However, it has a great soundtrack by The Kinks. I suggest that you skip the movie and buy the soundtrack.
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