Ealing DVD Comedy Collection 2 - Britmovie

Postmaster · 18-02-2003, 05:04 PM

Building on the success of last year's celebration of Ealing Studios, Warner Home Video announce the release of a second Ealing Comedy DVD Collection for 28th April 2003. The set will contain three films: Hue and Cry, Passport to Pimlico and The Titfield Thunderbolt as well as a special features packed fourth disc exploring the Ealing legacy. All of this will be available exclusively as a lavishly packaged, fold out DVD set at the Suggested Retail Price of Â£39.99.

Further details from the Press Release...

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Hue and Cry - This film, the first "Ealing Comedy", features a strong cast including Alastair Sim and Jack Warner. The story centres round London's East End of the 40's and a group of criminals who use a boy's paper as a means of messages and information. This ploy is discovered by a group of East End boys who take exception to the crooks use of their favourite read! The memorable climax features the criminals being chased by thousands of young boys through the London Docklands.

B/W, Cert U, 1947, 78 mins, Audio: Mono, Screen Ratio: 1.33:1 Full Frame

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Passport to Pimlico - A whimsical and charming British film, Passport to Pimlico is one of the finest examples of the classic Ealing comedies. An archaic document found in a bombsite reveals that the London district of Pimlico has for centuries technically been part of France. The local residents embrace their new found continental status, seeing it as a way to avoid the drabness, austerity and rationing of post-war England. The authorities do not, however, share their enthusiasm...

Academy Award and BAFTA nominated starring Stanley Holloway and Betty Warren.

B/W, Cert U, 1949, 80 mins, Audio: Mono, Screen Ratio: 1.33:1 Full Frame

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The Titfield Thunderbolt - Director Charles Crichton and writer Tibby Clarke team up again for the first Ealing comedy to be produced in Technicolor. When an antiquated railway line is threatened with closure, the villagers decide to run it themselves and enter into frenzied competition with the local bus route, with hilarious consequences. The defiance of authority by local inhabitants was a favourite topic in the 40's and 50's and embellishes the characteristic Ealing theme - 'small is beautiful and big is bad'. Stars Stanley Holloway and Sid James.

Colour, Cert U, 1952, 80 mins, Audio: Mono, Screen Ratio: 1.33:1 Full Frame

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'Forever Ealing' Bonus Disc - In addition to the three films, this DVD package contains an additional DVD of special features including the insightful documentary Forever Ealing. Stars and crew from Ealing's past relive old memories and some of the greatest contemporary filmmakers give their thoughts on how the studio inspired and influenced their own productions. Daniel Day-Lewis, whose grandfather Michael Balcon owned and ran the studio during its most successful phase, producing over 100 films in the process, narrates Forever Ealing. In addition to the documentary and Director introductions, the bonus disc includes theatrical trailers and original promotional brochures.

Forever Ealing Documentary (49:26 mins)

Martin Scorsese introduces The Lavender Hill Mob

Terry Gilliam introduces The Ladykillers

Steven Frears introduces The Man In The White Suit

John Landis introduces Kind Hearts & Coronets

Theatrical Trailers for Passport to Pimlico & The Titfield Thunderbolt (tbc)
DVD-ROM FEATURES:
Original Campaign Brochures for Hue & Cry, Passport to Pimlico & The Titfield Thunderbolt

Original Campaign Brochures for Kind Hearts & Coronets, The Man In The White Suit, The Lavender Hill Mob and The Ladykillers (tbc)

JimRigby · 07-07-2003, 01:01 PM

The Ealing Comedy Boxed Sets are must-haves. But why have they excluded Two Way Stretch? Sellers, Jeffries, Hyde-White and Cribbens are all on top form.

DB7 · 07-07-2003, 01:16 PM

Quote:

JimRigby:
The Ealing Comedy Boxed Sets are must-haves. But why have they excluded Two Way Stretch?

Two Way Stretch isn't an Ealing film.

JimRigby · 07-07-2003, 01:35 PM

That'll explain it then! (Blush)

The_Late_Peter_Cook · 13-09-2003, 10:23 AM

I thought this set was a bit of a disappointment. Of the three movies, only Hue And Cry is a favourite of mine. If only they could have included Wiskey Galore (The Maggie would have been good too!).

Russ · 13-09-2003, 07:32 PM

Yes Two Way Stretch a gem of a comedy a real family favourite, it is available on DVD, albeit without any extras.

I agree about The Maggie an underrated Ealing film which never gets the acclaim bestowed on the others.

DB7 · 13-09-2003, 08:19 PM

Not only Ealing, but nearly all of the British pre-60s DVD releases have been terribly shoddy pieces of work that appear quickly knocked out to make money from the new format. If you're very lucky you might get the original trailer but chances are it'll just be a basic transfer.

If I could pick one to be rereleased from Ealing's canon it would be My Learned Friend, it came way before Kind Hearts... and The Ladytkillers, and Will Hay and Mervyn Johns are terrific.

Bernardo · 14-09-2003, 02:24 PM

Just read this thread of all those beautiful gentle films and now quite depressed. What was the chemistry they used or is it my taste stuck in the rosy tinted past? Never mind, Wednesday sees a TV outing for The Green Man. Even assassination was a very genteel affair in those days ho hum!

18-02-2003, 05:04 PM	#1
Postmaster has no status. Moderator Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 27 iTrader: (0)	Ealing DVD Comedy Collection 2 Building on the success of last year's celebration of Ealing Studios, Warner Home Video announce the release of a second Ealing Comedy DVD Collection for 28th April 2003. The set will contain three films: Hue and Cry, Passport to Pimlico and The Titfield Thunderbolt as well as a special features packed fourth disc exploring the Ealing legacy. All of this will be available exclusively as a lavishly packaged, fold out DVD set at the Suggested Retail Price of Â£39.99. Further details from the Press Release... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hue and Cry - This film, the first "Ealing Comedy", features a strong cast including Alastair Sim and Jack Warner. The story centres round London's East End of the 40's and a group of criminals who use a boy's paper as a means of messages and information. This ploy is discovered by a group of East End boys who take exception to the crooks use of their favourite read! The memorable climax features the criminals being chased by thousands of young boys through the London Docklands. B/W, Cert U, 1947, 78 mins, Audio: Mono, Screen Ratio: 1.33:1 Full Frame -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Passport to Pimlico - A whimsical and charming British film, Passport to Pimlico is one of the finest examples of the classic Ealing comedies. An archaic document found in a bombsite reveals that the London district of Pimlico has for centuries technically been part of France. The local residents embrace their new found continental status, seeing it as a way to avoid the drabness, austerity and rationing of post-war England. The authorities do not, however, share their enthusiasm... Academy Award and BAFTA nominated starring Stanley Holloway and Betty Warren. B/W, Cert U, 1949, 80 mins, Audio: Mono, Screen Ratio: 1.33:1 Full Frame -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Titfield Thunderbolt - Director Charles Crichton and writer Tibby Clarke team up again for the first Ealing comedy to be produced in Technicolor. When an antiquated railway line is threatened with closure, the villagers decide to run it themselves and enter into frenzied competition with the local bus route, with hilarious consequences. The defiance of authority by local inhabitants was a favourite topic in the 40's and 50's and embellishes the characteristic Ealing theme - 'small is beautiful and big is bad'. Stars Stanley Holloway and Sid James. Colour, Cert U, 1952, 80 mins, Audio: Mono, Screen Ratio: 1.33:1 Full Frame -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 'Forever Ealing' Bonus Disc - In addition to the three films, this DVD package contains an additional DVD of special features including the insightful documentary Forever Ealing. Stars and crew from Ealing's past relive old memories and some of the greatest contemporary filmmakers give their thoughts on how the studio inspired and influenced their own productions. Daniel Day-Lewis, whose grandfather Michael Balcon owned and ran the studio during its most successful phase, producing over 100 films in the process, narrates Forever Ealing. In addition to the documentary and Director introductions, the bonus disc includes theatrical trailers and original promotional brochures. Forever Ealing Documentary (49:26 mins) Martin Scorsese introduces The Lavender Hill Mob Terry Gilliam introduces The Ladykillers Steven Frears introduces The Man In The White Suit John Landis introduces Kind Hearts & Coronets Theatrical Trailers for Passport to Pimlico & The Titfield Thunderbolt (tbc) DVD-ROM FEATURES: Original Campaign Brochures for Hue & Cry, Passport to Pimlico & The Titfield Thunderbolt Original Campaign Brochures for Kind Hearts & Coronets, The Man In The White Suit, The Lavender Hill Mob and The Ladykillers (tbc)

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07-07-2003, 01:01 PM	#2
JimRigby has no status. Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 4 iTrader: (0)	The Ealing Comedy Boxed Sets are must-haves. But why have they excluded Two Way Stretch? Sellers, Jeffries, Hyde-White and Cribbens are all on top form.

07-07-2003, 01:35 PM	#4
JimRigby has no status. Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 4 iTrader: (0)	That'll explain it then! (Blush)

13-09-2003, 10:23 AM	#5
The_Late_Peter_Cook has no status. Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 227 iTrader: (0)	I thought this set was a bit of a disappointment. Of the three movies, only Hue And Cry is a favourite of mine. If only they could have included Wiskey Galore (The Maggie would have been good too!).

13-09-2003, 07:32 PM	#6
Russ has no status. Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 143 iTrader: (0)	Yes Two Way Stretch a gem of a comedy a real family favourite, it is available on DVD, albeit without any extras. I agree about The Maggie an underrated Ealing film which never gets the acclaim bestowed on the others.

13-09-2003, 08:19 PM	#7
DB7 is just Administrator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Shrops Posts: 6,066 My Mood: Country: iTrader: (10)	Not only Ealing, but nearly all of the British pre-60s DVD releases have been terribly shoddy pieces of work that appear quickly knocked out to make money from the new format. If you're very lucky you might get the original trailer but chances are it'll just be a basic transfer. If I could pick one to be rereleased from Ealing's canon it would be My Learned Friend, it came way before Kind Hearts... and The Ladytkillers, and Will Hay and Mervyn Johns are terrific.

14-09-2003, 02:24 PM	#8
Bernardo has no status. Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 14 iTrader: (0)	Just read this thread of all those beautiful gentle films and now quite depressed. What was the chemistry they used or is it my taste stuck in the rosy tinted past? Never mind, Wednesday sees a TV outing for The Green Man. Even assassination was a very genteel affair in those days ho hum!