Ealing Comedy Collection

[Mario Gauci]

4 classic Ealing comedies, all starring the incomparable Alec Guinness, will be released almost simultaneously on both R1 (on 10/9) and R2 (on 2/9). The films, of course, are KIND HEARTS AND CORONETS (1949), THE LAVENDER HILL MOB (1951), THE MAN IN THE WHITE SUIT (1951) and THE LADYKILLERS (1955).

The R2 DVDs (released by Warners) will be a 4-Disc box set with the films’ respective theatrical trailer and a 1 hour “Ealing Documentary” as supplements, according to Play.com, although it is not clear whether the latter will be featured on only one or all of the discs.

On the other hand, the R1 editions present the films individually with the trailer and an Alec Guinness biography (obviously the same on all the discs) as supplements. However they will also be released as a 5-Disc set, including an additional DVD featuring THE CAPTAIN’S PARADISE (1953), which is available exclusively as part of “The Alec Guinness Collection”!

It appears, however, that THE LADYKILLERS will be released in Widescreen format (1.66:1) on R1, but Full Frame (presumably 1.37:1) on R2. What was the film’s original Aspect Ratio? Also, the film originally ran for 97 mins. but it was later trimmed to 90 mins. According to the Anchor Bay website, the R1 version will be 91 mins. long, therefore the cut version! Does any one know if the R2 version will be cut too (especially considering that the PAL VHS ran for only 86 mins.) and, indeed, whether the missing footage exists anymore?

By the way, I hope the other 7 Ealing comedy classics are not too far behind, on either region: HUE AND CRY (1946), WHISKY GALORE! (1949; my own particular favorite), PASSPORT TO PIMLICO (1949), THE MAGNET (1950), THE TITFIELD THUNDERBOLT (1953), THE MAGGIE (1953) and BARNACLE BILL (1957).

[CARL]

Excellent !! Classics :notworthy

[Arch Stanton]

Looks like Warners are doing a straight copy of the R1 Anchor bay box set that's coming out soon.

[Michael Brooke]

Given the year of production, I suspect <I>The Ladykillers</I> was shot in 4:3 and designed for slight cropping to 1.66:1. I've watched the film many times on both big and small screens, and I haven't ever noticed anything unusual, so I suspect it looks fine in either ratio.

In any case, with this particular film, if you're watching the picture compositions instead of Alec Guinness, Peter Sellers, Herbert Lom et al, there's something wrong with you!

[cervaro]

I'm glad to see this set is coming out too. Would also love to see most of the others listed as well, especially The Titfield Thunderbolt and Whiskey Galore. Great movies without the need for large budgets and CGI/SFX. :)

[Gary Couzens]

This boxset sounds very tempting, even though I've seen all the films several times before.

Incidentally, a relative of mine (Edie Martin) is in all of them except <i>Kind Hearts and Coronets</i>. She was a character actress who specialised in playing little old ladies. Her biggest role was in <i>The Titfield Thunderbolt</i>, where she has fifth billing.

I never met her, though: she died in the year I was born.

[Joe91]

Just resurrecting this thread to ask if anyone can confirm how the R1 or R2 boxes sets are packaged.

Are they digipaks, or seperate amarays in a box?

[Dear Mr Echo]

There's an ad for the R2 in the new Empire - they are in a fold out digipack.
This is out on Monday... is that correct? Should have it next week thanks again to Amazon and their spectacular misprice weekend (and even more spectacular customer service). Nice Korky, nice!!!
Andrew

[DavidMcGowan]

Just had an e-mail to say my (:clap: mispriced :clap: ) copy has shipped from amazon.
However, has it been confirmed that the 1 hour documentary is included? None of the adverts in the press have mentioned the documentary, nor did the announcement of the product on DVD Times, and the amazon.co.uk review clearly states that:

"Aside from theatrical trailers on each disc there are no extra features, which is a pity given the importance of these films."

I can't find any retailers or sites mentioning the documentary other than Play, so it looks like it may not be included (although fingers crossed).

But there is good news...
"The Ladykillers is in muted Technicolor and presented in 1.66:1 ratio"

Anyway the quality of the films still make this worth the purchase (especially if you managed to order it during the amazon pricing mistake), but Play customers may not be very happy if this is definitely the case.

[John Hodson]

No mention of the doco either in the ad in today's Grauniad or in the review, which ends: "These are only dated in that they're good and original - which isn't very popular these days."

---
So many films, so little time...

[dbilsborough]

my set arrived this morning, and good it is too! It folds out to make a cross shape, with the films being in plastic holders on each "leg" of the pack and 4 film cards in the middle - know what I will be watching this afternoon :D

The only special features listed on the box are theatrical trailers :(

[John Hodson]

Got mine today too; the packaging looks pretty, but is very flimsy and even with a good deal of care won't last long (musn't grumble - not at the Amazon price!)

The Ladykillers looks tremendous (albeit for a rather dirty and speckled title sequence), and of the others, I've only briefly scanned Kind Hearts and Coronets so far, which looks reasonably clean, but is, alas, no Citizen Kane in the restoration stakes.

I wonder what the story is with the 'missing' doco?

Works of sheer genius however will transcend such quibbles...

---
So many films, so little time...

[John Hodson]

BTW - just noticed the five disk Alec Guinness Boxset from Anchor Bay in R1 is on sale at dvdsoon here (http://www.dvdsoon.com/showtitledetails.xml?uid=38555) for just under £30 plus about £2 postage (unless you can get your total order to $165 Canadian, then it's free. However, both dvdsoon and dvdboxoffice describe all the films as full screen 4:3.)

And having watched The Man in the White Suit, I would put that in the CK restoration class - superb transfer.

---
So many films, so little time...

[John Hodson]

Resurrecting this thread because there's a super bargain W.H. Smith (http://tracker.tradedoubler.com/click?p=1388&a=60823&g=17254) right now; the first Ealing Box is available in the clearance / comedy section for £11.40 plus p&p, a fantastic saving. It's a great set and well worth owning.

Thanks to the Bargain Forum chaps for the heads up.

[Person A]

Thanks for the link John.

I ran all the way the Smiths site to find that it was out of stock.

Shame :oh-hum:

[John Hodson]

Place your order; they'll either get more stock at that price, or you won't be charged. You can't lose...

[Person A]

The site is not allowing me to add it to the basket.

(OT Did manage to get the Draughtman's Contract for £5.70 though. Be quick if you want one!!)

[John Hodson]

Bugger :mad:

Sorry! I'm off to WH Smugs now... :thumbs:

EDIT - success; one BFI for less than the ridiculous prices they normally charge for them. Ta! (does it lessen the pain - or my embarrassment - to mention that the second two Ealing box sets are £19.76 each at Amazon (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/redirect-home?tag=thedvdforums-21&site=dvd)?)

[Person A]

Cheers again for the heads up John. Confusingly, this is called 'Draughtsman's Contract Vol 2' (?).

I think it's a Zed and Two Noughts as the image appears to be from this instead.

Don't mind either way as I am looking for both :clap: