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Warner Gangster Vol 4 - Sep 23 (1 Viewer)

Sergio A

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This has just been posted over at DVD Times:

DVD Times - WB Gangsters Collection Vol. 4 (R1) in September

It looks like a fascinating set of slightly lesser-known titles though it is very smart to have KID GALAHAD also avalable as a separate release - a lot to enjoy here, thanks to WHV

Warner Home Video have announced the release of Warner Bros. Pictures Gangsters Collection Volume 4 on 23rd September 2008. This latest group of crime genre classics features five new to R1 DVD gangster films: The Amazing Dr. Clitterhouse, The Little Giant, Larceny, Inc., Invisible Stripes and Kid Galahad. The films contain bonus features such as rarely-seen Warner Bros. shorts, vintage newsreels and classic cartoons, plus original theatrical trailers. Also included in the collection is an all-new Warner Home Video feature-length documentary, Public Enemies: The Golden Age of the Gangster Film which takes the viewer on an inside look of every aspect of the crime genre and how it came about. The six-disc collection will sell for $59.92 SRP and Kid Galahad will be available as a single title for $19.97.

The Amazing Dr. Clitterhouse (1938)
Dr. Clitterhouse (Edward G. Robinson) is fascinated by the study of the physical and mental states of lawbreakers, so he joins a gang of jewel thieves for a closer look in this often amusing crime drama. Claire Trevor co-stars as a savvy crime queen, and Humphrey Bogart plays Rocks Valentine, whom Dr. C. calls “a magnificent specimen of pure viciousness.” The movie also marks the start of one of film’s most noteworthy collaborations. John Huston, who was to later direct Bogart in The Maltese Falcon, The Treasure of the Sierra Madre and The African Queen, co-wrote the screenplay of The Amazing Dr. Clitterhouse.

Special Features:
Commentary by Dr. Drew Casper and Richard Jewell
Racket Busters theatrical trailer
Vintage newsreel
WB short: Night Intruder
WB cartoons:
Cinderella Meets a Fella
Count Me Out
1941 Lady Esther Screen Guild Theater Broadcast (audio only)
1944 Gulf Screen Guild Theater Broadcast (audio only)
Theatrical trailer

The Little Giant (1933)
The era of the bootlegger is past but liquor runner Bugs Ahearn (Edward G. Robinson) has a plan for what he’ll do now that Prohibition is history. He decides to head for California’s posh, polo-playing Santa Barbara to become part of the high society. What he finds there -- swindlers, gold diggers, great fun – makes first class entertainment in this pre-Code gem. Edward G. Robinson shows his comedic chops for the first time, paving the way for such subsequent films as A Slight Case of Murder, Brother Orchid, Larceny, Inc. and more persona-skewering frolics.

Special Features:
Commentary by Daniel Bubbeo and John McCarty
Vintage newsreel
WB short: Just Around the Corner
WB cartoon: The Dish Ran Away with the Spoon
Theatrical trailer

Larceny, Inc. (1942)
Edward G. Robinson once more turns his gangster image on its head in a gleeful romp based on the Broadway farce penned by Laura Perelman and S.J. Perelman. Robinson plays Pressure Maxwell, who emerges from Sing Sing planning to run a dog track with cronies Jug (Broderick Crawford) and Weepy (Edward Brophy). But the plan needs funding, so the group (assisted by Jane Wyman) opens a luggage shop as a front while attempting to tunnel into the bank next door. Now add the store’s unexpected success, a gabby traveling valise salesman (Jack Carson) and the arrival of a sour con (Anthony Quinn) who wants in on the action, and the laughs are thick as thieves.

Special Features:
Commentary by Haden Guest and Dana Polan
Vintage newsreel
The Big Shot theatrical trailer
WB short: Winning Your Wings
WB cartoons:
Porky’s Pastry Pirates
The Wabbit Who Came to Supper
Theatrical trailer

Invisible Stripes (1939)
Parolee Chuck Martin is going straight when he gets out of jail – straight back to a life of crime. In lockup or out in the civilian world, he knows he’ll forever wear a con’s ‘Invisible Stripes.’ As Martin, Humphrey Bogart continues to battle and sneer his way to career stardom in this volatile social-conscience crime saga adapted from a book by warden Lewis E. Lawes. Top-billed George Raft plays Martin’s ex-Sing Sing yard mate Cliff Taylor, who vows to walk away from crime and be a role model for his kid brother (William Holden). But what awaits Taylor are suspicion, public disdain and joblessness. So he turns to a fellow con for help. Then, as now, he finds crime doesn’t pay.

Special Features:
Commentary by Alain Silver and James Ursini
You Can’t Get Away with Murder Theatrical trailer
Vintage newsreel
WB short The Monroe Doctrine and Quiet, Please
WB cartoons:
Bars and Stripes Forever
Hare-um Scare-um
Theatrical trailer

Kid Galahad (1937)
This influential ring saga dramatically links professional boxing to criminal gambling. Edward G. Robinson is racketeer/fight promoter Nick Donati and tightly coiled Humphrey Bogart is Turkey Morgan. They’re rival promoters who, like fighters flinging kidney punches, end up swapping close-range bullets. Bette Davis plays the moll who has a soft spot for the bellhop (Wayne Morris) that Nick is grooming for the heavyweight title. And prolific Michael Curtiz directs this first of his six collaborations with Bogart that would include the romantic masterwork Casablanca and the sly comedy We’re No Angels.

Special Features:
Commentary by Art Simon and Robert Sklar
It’s Love I’m After theatrical trailer
Vintage newsreel
WB Shorts: Alibi Mark and Postal Union
WB Cartoons:
Egghead Rides Again
I Wanna Be a Sailor
Porky’s Super Service
Theatrical trailer

Public Enemies: The Golden Age of the Gangster Film -- Warner Home Video Documentary
As popular as these films were in their heyday, seminal giants like Little Caesar and Public Enemy as well as post-war gems like Key Largo and White Heat still hold power over their audiences today. Public Enemies: The Golden Age of the Gangster Film will explore the invention and development of the crime genre; the rise of Warner stars like Cagney, Bogart and Robinson; as well as directors like Walsh, Wellman and Curtiz. It will cover the films themselves and the influence they had on filmmakers all over the world; and the artistic merit that these defining classic films still warrant. Finally, the documentary will celebrate the impact that Warner Bros. Studios had in establishing the iconic Hollywood Gangster, often imitated but never equaled.

Special Features:
Four WB Cartoons: I Like Mountain Music, She Was an Acrobat’s Daughter, Racketeer Rabbit and Bugs and Thugs
 

Steve...O

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This is a very pleasant surprise to read about this morning and one I will certainly add to my collection:


Full details at DVD Times
 

Dale MA

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Excellent news. I have not seen any of the films in this set but I'll pick it up anyway. Better start watching my Vol. 3 set !!!
 

Jim_K

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Yeah Warner is the pits. The last Gangster set was 6 movies, and this one is only 5?! only 5?!!!! Cheapskates!! ;)

Seriously though this is great news. :emoji_thumbsup: I like all of these with Invisible Stripes being the best of the bunch for me.

Now bring on Film Noir Vol #5 and Legends of Horror Vol #2. :D
 

BethHarrison

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Let's hear a Hell Yes!!!

Really looking forward to Film Noir 5 (if there is one).

Will be picking up this set (as soon as I purchase No 3 :laugh: )
 

ColbyCo82

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Steven
I'm a little disappointed. I was hoping volume 4 would branch out and include some MGM gangster films like Beast of the City or The Wet Parade. But I guess it is "WB Gangsters".
 

Simon Howson

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Same boat. I haven't got around to buying 3 yet! However, I have 1 & 2.

I guess I was hanging out for Film Noir 5, so wanted to hold off with Gangster's 3 in case Film Noir 5 was announced. Hopefully Film Noir 5 is another 10 films, including some of:

Armored Car Robbery
Riffraff
Devil Thumbs a Ride
I Died a Thousand Times

I rewatched On Dangerous Ground last night, and just love that film more each time I see it.
 

Mike*HTF

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...
Great news!
Especially excited about getting to see Little Giant again.
 

Ruz-El

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Nice! Vol 3 was a lot of fun! And a feature length doc on gangster films? VERY NICE!!

I'll second all the other suggestions, especially "Devil Thumbs A ride", Tarrantino cracks that it could be renamed "The Lawrence teirny Story", I've been wanting to catch it! :P
 

Deepak Shenoy

Supporting Actor
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Jul 3, 1998
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642
Absolutely wonderful news. 4 volumes so far and there hasn't been a single title without one/more of Robinson, Cagney and Bogart. I think between the 4 volumes it covers the entire Gangster films catalog featuring these 3 stars.

I hope Warner turns their attention to the film noirs that remain unreleased.

-D
 

Charles H

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Thrilled to see LARCENY, INC. Hands down, it's the best of the WB gangster spoofs with a screenplay based on an S.J. Perelman play and a cast that includes Edward G., Jane Wyman, Jack Carson, Anthony Quinn, Edward Brophy, Broderick Crawford, and Jackie Gleason.
By the by KID GALAHAD was remade by WB 4 years later as THE WAGONS ROLL BY NIGHT. It was a circus picture with Kid Galahad morphed into a lion tamer (Eddie Albert) and Bogie as a circus boss in the Edward G. part! It would be a hoot to bring that one out in the next Bogart set.
 

Corey

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Wowzers...Great news. This frees up a lot of titles to be in an Edward G. Robinson set.
 

RafaelPires

Supporting Actor
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Jan 13, 2004
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587
Wonderful news by Warner!
First the Berkeley collection volume 2 and now this (I wasn't expecting another gangster collection from Warner this year). Great surprise and an excellent selection. I'll get the two collections for sure.

Thank you WB! And keep them coming!
 

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