Sunday, February 1, 2009

Great Films Not on DVD: February

My Sister Eileen (1942)
Starring Rosalind Russell, Brian Aherne, and Janet Blair
Airs February 3 on TCM
Midwestern sisters Ruth and Eileen Sherwood move to New York to pursue their dreams. Instead, they meet a bunch of crazy characters and fall in love. It was remade in 1955 as a movie musical starring Janet Leigh.

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (1945)
Starring Dorothy McGuire, Peggy Ann Garner, and James Dunn
Airs February 8 on TCM
Based on Betty Smith’s novel, young Francie Nolan (Garner) comes of age in turn of the century Brooklyn. James Dunn won an Oscar for his role as Johnny Nolan, Francie’s alcoholic father.

If there is only one movie that you watch this month, please make it this one. It’s been a few years since I saw it, but it made a really strong impression on me. I will be the first person in line when it finally comes out on DVD due to the fact that it almost brought me to tears (I rarely cry during movies). If you’re not particularly fond of any of the main actors, you’ll at least appreciate Joan Blondell as Francie’s aunt Sissy.

A Guy Named Joe (1943)
Starring Spencer Tracy, Irene Dunne, and Van Johnson
Airs February 13 on TCM
Reckless fighter pilot Pete Sandidge (Tracy) dies during his final mission in World War II. He comes back as the guardian angel of a young pilot named Ted (Johnson) who ends up falling for his old girlfriend Dorinda (Dunne).

Interesting fact: This movie is rumored to be Steven Spielberg’s favorite. He remade it in 1989 as Always, starring Richard Dreyfuss, Holly Hunter, and Audrey Hepburn (in her last film appearance).

Red Dust (1932)
Starring Clark Gable and Jean Harlow
Not airing this month : (
When I learned this wasn’t on dvd, I was completely shocked….a movie that contains both Harlow and Gable has been neglected? I’ve wanted to see this movie since I went through my Pre-Code phase last summer so I guess I’ll have to wait until TCM airs it again. Special thanks to Nik for bringing the lack of a dvd to my attention.


10 comments:

Unknown said...

Wow, I love every movie you listed. Doesn't it kill you to know that every single bad movie that was released in 2008 is already on DVD, and yet these gems are still unreleased? Hopefully someone will hear our cries for help and do new releases of old films more often! A new TCM pre-code set is coming in March, I think. But still no Red Dust :(

Unknown said...

Having just been presented with the Superior Scribbler’s award, I now pass along this prize, with my admiration, to you and your blog. Feel free to snag the picture from my blog, “Silents and Talkies” (http://silentsandtalkies.blogspot.com). Congratulations.


Here are the rules:

1. Name five other Superior Scribblers to receive this award.
2. Link to the author and name of the blog that gave you the award.
3. Display the award on your blog with this LINK which explains the award.
4. Click on the award at the bottom of the link and add your name to the bottom of the list.
5. Post the rules.

Millie said...

Okay, I see Kate has gotten to you first, but I still wanted to give this award, because I just adore your blog. Yesterday I received the Superior Scribbler award. It was my duty to choose five blogs which I believe have the most amazing writing. You are one of the five I chose.

You can get the award picture off of my blog.

Here are the rules:

1. Name five other Superior Scribblers to receive this award.

2. Link to the author and name of the blog that gave you the award.

3. Display the award on your blog with this LINK which explains the award.

4. Click on the award at the bottom of the link and add your name to the bottom of the list.

5. Post the rules.

(The link on number three doesn't work on comment forms, but you can look at it on my blog where your name and blog has been posted as one of the winners.)

Congratulations! -Millie

Nicole Newcomb said...

Seriously can't believe that A Tree Grows in Brooklyn isn't available on dvd. That's just stupid for it not to be.

Genevieve said...

Kate: Its a travesty!! Saw 5 is out on dvd before Red Dust??!! I hope someone hears our cries soon, until then, we'll have to make do with the ones they do put on dvd.

I'm so honored!! Thank you so much for the award : ) You deserve it just as much as I do.

Millie: Thank you Millie and congrats to you as well. It feels nice to know that people appreciate my work : )

Nicole: It's absolutely crazy!! It is truly a wonderful film.

Nik said...

This is so cool! My first name check! lol thanks Genevieve! =)

I actually saw Red Dust on a VHS version from the library (which now has gone missing-- and I wasnt the one who stole it, lol). How could TCM not include this in their Pre-code collection...that image of Jean Harlow bathing in that tub is what I think of when "pre-code" and "sex" is uttered.

I've always heard of A Tree Grows In Brooklyn but I am not familiar with it. I need to look it up on TCM now.

Genevieve said...

You're welcome, Nik! lol

I'm equally surprised that Red Dust has been left out of all of the Pre-code sets. Maybe there are busy making a special edition dvd of it with lots of extras!

Definitely check out A Tree Grows in Brooklyn!

Expos 1983 Blog said...

all great picks Genevieve--and a great blog too!

from what I've gathered at rumor-sites over the past few years, Tree Grows in Brooklyn has been tied up in rights hell, and Red Dust has been held back for release in a Jean Harlow signature collection boxed set that really should have appeared by now...

luckily there's TCM (and, for Montrealers--like me!--with no access to that many-splendored channel, avi files!)

Dave

Genevieve said...

Dave: I'm glad you enjoy my little blog here : ) and welcome!

Thanks for the info about A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, I had no idea! Ditto with Red Dust.

How awful! I would absolutely die without TCM!

Izzy said...

I love movies from the 40s, and the films presented in this blog are very good, I'd like to find on the internet to see them in my house with my mother. I'd like see information about how to bowling too.