Independent distributors Olive Films have announced that they will release a number of exciting classic films on Blu-ray in July. Amongst them are Max Ophuls'
Caught (1949), Irving Pichel's
Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid (1948), Lewis Milestone's
Armored Attack! a.k.a.
The North Star (1943), and André De Toth's
The Other Love (1947).
Operation Petticoat
Screen legends Cary Grant (Father Goose) and Tony Curtis (Some Like It Hot) ship out for laughs and adventure in one of the most hilarious comedies to ever hit the high seas. The U.S.S. Sea Tiger is on its last legs until the handsome skipper (Grant) and his ingenious, if slightly unethical, junior officer (Curtis) scavenge the parts and supplies needed to put the sub back into action. Forced out to sea prematurely by an enemy air attack, the sub leaks and limps along until five stranded Army nurses come aboard and initiate their own renovations. From one mishap to another, the sub ends up a blushing pink, making it a target for both Japanese and American forces. The two dashing stars lead an all-star supporting cast that includes Joan O'Brien, Dina Merrill, Gene Evans, Dick Sargent, Arthur O'Connell, Gavin MacLeod, Madlyn Rhue and Marion Ross. Wonderfully directed by the legendary Blake Edwards (The Pink Panther) and beautifully shot in color by the great Russell Harlan (Rio Bravo, Red River). The classic comedy received a 1959 Academy Award nomination for Best Writing (Story and Screenplay written directly for the screen). STREET DATE: JULY 1.
So This Is New York
Legendary Richard Fleischer (Tora! Tora! Tora!, Fantastic Voyage) directed this 1948 comedy based on Ring Lardner's (Champion) novel "The Big Town" and adapted for the screen by Carl Foreman (The Bridge on the River Kwai) and Herbert Baker (Don't Give Up the Ship). The film follows a rube, Henry Morgan, on a journey as he uses his recently obtained inheritance to take a trip to 1910's New York with his wife (Virginia Grey) and sister-in-law (Dona Drake). Along the way, he encounters numerous eccentric characters including a drunken jockey, a sleaze ball millionaire and a devious stage actor – all scheming to court his sister-in-law in order to gain a slice of the inheritance. The cast includes comic legends Rudy Vallee, Bill Goodwin, Hugh Herbert, Jerome Cowan and Leo Gorcey. So This is New York was the maiden voyage for producer/director Stanley Kramer (Inherit the Wind) and radio humorist Henry Morgan's first film. STREET DATE: JULY 1.
Good Sam
In the tradition of It's a Wonderful Life… everyone in town agrees that there ought to be more good Samaritans like Sam Clayton (Gary Cooper, High Noon). Sam is a department store manager and a devoted family man. Unfortunately for Sam, no good deed goes unpunished. When Sam loans the family car to the neighbors … he gets sued when they have an accident. When he invites his brother-in-law for a visit – much to the dismay of Sam's wife (Ann Sheridan, Kings Row) – the man stays around for six months. Sam is even willing to loan his own family savings to a young couple so they can start their own business and have a baby. Eventually, Sam learns why nice guys finish last when he himself needs someone to turn to! Legendary director, Leo McCarey (The Bells of St. Mary's, An Affair to Remember) directed this dark comedy with gorgeous black-and-white cinematography by the great George Barnes (The File on Thelma Jordon, Rebecca). STREET DATE: JULY 1.
Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid
Things seem to be going swimmingly for Mr. Peabody (William Powell, The Thin Man) – then one day his life takes a whimsical turn. While fishing, he snags a beautiful mermaid (Ann Blyth, Mildred Pierce). In a flight of youthful fancy, the stodgy Bostonian falls for the mermaid and takes her to a pond at his villa. The seemingly harmless crush creates all sorts of comical mix-ups! When Mr. Peabody's jealous wife's car (Irene Hervey, The Lucky Stiff) is found abandoned, the discovery leads the police to believe he bumped off his own wife! Irving Pichel (The Miracle of the Bells) directed this whimsical comedy with an uproarious screenplay by legendary Nunnally Johnson (The Dark Mirror, The Dirty Dozen). STREET DATE: JULY 8TH.
Caught
Caught is a tale of Leonora (Barbara Bel Geddes, Vertigo), an aspiring carhop who meets and marries a mysterious millionaire, Smith Ohlrig (Robert Ryan, God's Little Acre). Soon after the wedding, Laura realizes she's trapped in a loveless marriage with a ruthless workaholic husband who torments her with twisted mind games. Unable to obtain a divorce from Smith, she moves out of the mansion and goes to work for a dedicated doctor, Larry Quinada (James Mason, Odd Man Out). The two quickly fall in love but the romance comes to an abrupt halt when Leonora learns that she is pregnant with Ohlrig's child. Legendary director Max Opuls (Max Ophüls) (Letter From An Unknown Woman, The Reckless Moment) and the top-notch cast masterfully navigate the ensuing complications through atmospheric cinematography by Lee Garmes (Duel In The Sun) and stylish art direction from Frank Paul Sylos (Suddenly). Caught was adapted for the screen by Arthur Laurents (West Side Story, Rope) from Libbie Block's novel "Wild Calendar." STREET DATE: JULY 8TH.
The Lost Moment
The Lost Moment is a 1947 thriller in the tradition of Rebecca and the only film directed by actor Martin Gabel. Robert Cummings (Sleep, My Love) stars as Lewis Venable, an energetic American publisher in search of the lost love letters of an early 19th century poet. Under a false name, Lewis rents a room in a mansion from Juliana Borderau (Agnes Moorehead, TV's Bewitched), a former lover of the dead writer. Overseeing the eerie mansion is Juliana's near-psychotic niece, Tina (Susan Hayward, Where Love Has Gone), who mistrusts the publisher from the very onset. It soon becomes clear to Lewis that the mansion harbors horrible secrets, however, he intends to collect the lost letters at any cost. Art director Alexander Golitzen (Touch of Evil) and set decorators Russell A. Gausman (Shadow of a Doubt) and Ken Swartz (The Affair of Susan) make great use of the haunting Venetian mansion. The incredible makeup used to make Agnes Moorehead appear 105-years-old created quite a stir in 1947, as it became the subject of many magazine articles. The Lost Moment was shot in glorious black-and-white by Hal Mohr (The Wild One) from an adapted screenplay by Leonardo Bercovici (Portrait of Jennie, The Bishop's Wife), and based on the Henry James' best-selling novel "The Aspern Papers." STREET DATE: JULY 8TH.
Arch of Triumph
In 1938, Paris has become a haven for refugees trying to escape growing Nazi power. Charles Boyer (Gaslight, The Buccaneer) plays Dr. Ravic, a German surgeon practicing medicine illegally in France. Always one step away from being discovered and sent back to Germany, he seeks revenge on his enemy, a Nazi officer (Charles Laughton),
who tortured him. One night, he saves Joan Madou, played by Ingrid Bergman (Casablanca, Notorious), a woman cast adrift after the death of her lover. He finds her a job singing at a nightclub, and eventually they begin an affair, only to be separated when Ravic is found out and deported. Lewis Milestone's (All Quiet on the Western Front) adaptation of Erich Maria Remarque's novel is an atmospheric tale of romance and revenge set among the rising tensions of a continent at the brink of war. STREET DATE: JULY 15TH.
Armored Attack! a.k.a. The North Star
When the school year ends, five friends from a small Ukrainian village decide to travel to Kiev. Their trip is cut short when German aircraft attack and their town falls under occupation. While many escape to the hills to form an anti-Nazi resistance group,
a German doctor, Dr. Otto Von Harden (Erich von Stroheim), begins to use the children for medical experiments and as sources of blood transfusions for wounded German soldiers. Directed by Lewis Milestone (All Quiet on the Western Front), this story of valiant resistance stars Dana Andrews (Laura), Anne Baxter (All About Eve), and Walter Huston (The Treasure of Sierra Madre) as the Russian doctor who discovers the nefarious German plot. In 1943, The North Star was nominated for six Academy Awards. The North Star (1943) was re-released in the midst of the Cold War as Armored Attack! (1957). The original references to the allied Russian military were excised and an overtly anti-Communist narration track was added. This disc includes the original theatrical cut, The North Star, which runs 30 minutes longer and preserves Milestone's initial version of the film before these politically-motivated changes were made.
Special Features:
- THE NORTH STAR (1943): The complete original extended theatrical cut. Running time: 106 mins
- Radio Adaptation: On January 3, 1944, Screen Guild Theater (CBS) broadcast this half-hour radio adaptation of THE NORTH STAR, with Walter Huston, Anne Baxter, Farley Granger, and Jane Withers all reprising their roles from the film.
STREET DATE: JULY 15TH.
Forever Female
After aspiring playwright Stanley Krown's (William Holden) new play is optioned, his producer (Paul Douglas) insists he rewrites the script to allow his middle-aged ex-wife (Ginger Rogers) to play the lead role, that of a 19-year-old ingénue. But the role wasn't meant for her, and despite constant changes, Krown's play can't seem to win over critics. Irving Rapper directs this charming update to J.M. Barrie's play Rosalind. A sly showbiz satire, Forever Female also features Pat Crowley in her Golden Globe winning performance as Sally Carver, the young actress who wants nothing more than the lead part for herself. Also features Marion Ross ("Happy Days"), George Reeves (TV's "Adventures of Superman") and an early on screen appearance by Academy Award winner George Chakiris (West Side Story). STREET DATE: JULY 23RD.
The Other Love
Barbara Stanwyck (Double Indemnity) is Karen Duncan, a famous concert pianist living her dream until she's stricken with tuberculosis. She's sent to Swiss sanatorium to rest, unaware her illness is terminal. There she falls for her caretaker, Dr. Anthony Stanton (David Niven), who has trouble getting her to face the seriousness of the condition. With the help of her neighbor (Joan Lorring), Karen rebels against Dr. Stanton's strict rules and eventually meets a dashing racecar driver, (Richard Conte). Soon, Karen is sneaking out into town to meet him. But when a fellow patient dies, Karen begins to understand the gravity of her illness and must decide whether it's worth risking her life for love. This bittersweet tearjerker was directed by Academy Award Nominee André De Toth (The Gunfighter) and is based on a story by Erich Maria Remarque (All Quiet on the Western Front). STREET DATE: JULY 23RD.