Steve...O
Senior HTF Member
- Joined
- Dec 31, 2003
- Messages
- 4,376
- Real Name
- Steve
I finally had a chance last night to watch Fox's recently released "Charley's Aunt" DVD. Being a big Jack Benny fan I very much looked forward to seeing this rare film for the first time. It certainly didn't disappoint; I found it howlingly funny with a surprising amount of somewhat risque material thrown in (check out Cregar's walking stick when he sees "Charley's Aunt" for the first time).
Kay Fwancis receives high billing for a relatively small role, but Laird Cregar and Edmund Gwenn are absoultely delightful in their roles. Those who know Cregar primarily for his menacing noir roles will be amazed to see his flair for comedy.
It's unfortunate that Fox released this to little fanfare since their DVD is so well done. In my opinion, the print quality is very good to excellent and the limited supplements are enjoyable. There's a very funny promotional short pairing Benny with Tyrone "Ty" Power and Randolph "Randy" Scott, Randy Skretvedt offers a commentary (really a Benny bio), liner notes are provided as are 4 reproduction stills.
Sales numbers for this at Amazon were pretty abysmal; I'm not sure how this did elsewhere. Best Buy wasn't even stocking this in their stores. Hopefully Fox will find a way to release the other Jack Benny film they control ("Meanest Man in the World").
If anybody from Fox is reading this: thank you for releasing "Charley's Aunt" and doing such a great job with this!
Steve
Kay Fwancis receives high billing for a relatively small role, but Laird Cregar and Edmund Gwenn are absoultely delightful in their roles. Those who know Cregar primarily for his menacing noir roles will be amazed to see his flair for comedy.
It's unfortunate that Fox released this to little fanfare since their DVD is so well done. In my opinion, the print quality is very good to excellent and the limited supplements are enjoyable. There's a very funny promotional short pairing Benny with Tyrone "Ty" Power and Randolph "Randy" Scott, Randy Skretvedt offers a commentary (really a Benny bio), liner notes are provided as are 4 reproduction stills.
Sales numbers for this at Amazon were pretty abysmal; I'm not sure how this did elsewhere. Best Buy wasn't even stocking this in their stores. Hopefully Fox will find a way to release the other Jack Benny film they control ("Meanest Man in the World").
If anybody from Fox is reading this: thank you for releasing "Charley's Aunt" and doing such a great job with this!
Steve