Columbia Classic Movie Collection on Bluray/DVD
Movies have changed so much over the last few decades. At one time we went to the theatre to watch movies, but now we can stream them online from various sources and never have to leave our homes. And the topics are endless – there are hundreds of thousands of different titles available for viewing. I have to confess, I don’t really like chick flicks, aka romantic comedies, or any kind of violent or war movies – at least not from any newer releases. But if it’s a nostalgic movie, they have a different vibe, so my family and I are more inclined to watch them.
Nostalgic movies always seem to have a positive emotional story, moral, or lesson that touches our hearts and chokes us up most of the time. They trigger our senses and leave us with a sentimental longing for the past when things were much simpler. I love nostalgic movies for this reason. So when I learned about the new Columbia Classic Movie Collection release, I got super excited to see which six movies are included in Volume 3. These are fan-favorite movies that were lovingly restored so they would never be forgotten.
Six Landmark Films from the Columbia Pictures Library
Sony Pictures just released a Six Landmark Film Collection from the Columbia Pictures Library featuring some of our all-time favorites. They are movies that some of us grew up with or maybe are a little before our time, but we enjoy them and never seem to get tired of watching them over and over. The collection also includes an 80-page Hardcover book on the History and Impact of the films plus over 35 hours of New and Archival Special Features. Here are the included movies:
It Happened One Night
From Here to Eternity
To Sir, With Love
The Last Picture Show
Annie
As Good As It Gets
Continuing the fan-favourite and award-winning series, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is proud to debut six more acclaimed and iconic films from its library on 4K Ultra HD disc for the first time ever, exclusively within the COLUMBIA CLASSICS 4K ULTRA HD COLLECTION VOLUME 3, available October 25. This must-own set includes films that have resonated and endured, with stars and stories that have reverberated through cinema history: IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT, FROM HERE TO ETERNITY, TO SIR, WITH LOVE, THE LAST PICTURE SHOW, ANNIE and AS GOOD AS IT GETS. Each film is presented in 4K resolution with Dolby Vision High Dynamic Range, and four of the films have all-new Dolby Atmos mixes.
The six films in the COLUMBIA CLASSICS 4K ULTRA HD COLLECTION VOLUME 3 are only available on 4K Ultra HD discs within this special limited edition collector’s set. Included with the collection is a gorgeous hardbound 80-page book, featuring in-depth sections about the making of each film within the set via six all-new incisive essays from renowned writers—including a special exclusive essay from award-winning writer/director James L. Brooks on his 1997 classic, AS GOOD AS IT GETS!
The set also includes a variety of rare related features and TV episodes, expanding the worlds of several of the included films—some of which haven’t been available in decades! From a 1932 cinematic incarnation of Annie to a nearly five-hour 1979 TV miniseries adaptation of FROM HERE TO ETERNITY—and much more!—these supplemental additions round out this must-own gift set, perfectly timed for holiday gift-giving.
It Happened One Night
Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert team up for laughs as mismatched lovers in this 1934 screwball comedy classic. Spoiled Ellie Andrews (Colbert) escapes from her millionaire father (Walter Connolly), who wants to stop her from marrying a worthless playboy. En route to New York, Ellie gets involved with an out-of-work newsman, Peter Warne (Gable). The bickering couple set off on a madcap hitchhiking expedition when their bus breaks down. Complications fly when the runaway heiress and brash reporter fall in love. Directed by Frank Capra, IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT was the first movie to be honored with all five major Oscars: Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director, and Best Screenplay. Run time of approximately 105 minutes and is rated PG.
From Here to Eternity
In this landmark film, passion and tragedy collide on a military base as a fateful day in December 1941 draws near. Private Prewitt (Montgomery Clift) is a soldier and former boxer being manipulated by his superior and peers. His friend Maggio (Frank Sinatra) tries to help him but has his own troubles. Sergeant Warden (Burt Lancaster) and Karen Holmes (Deborah Kerr) tread on dangerous ground as lovers in an illicit affair. Each of their lives will be changed when their stories culminate in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Winner of eight Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Supporting awards for Sinatra in a career-defining role and for Donna Reed as a not-so-wholesome club hostess. Run time of approximately 118 minutes and is rated PG.
To Sir, With Love
A novice teacher faces a class of rowdy, undisciplined working-class punks in this classic film that reflected some of the problems and fears of teens in the 60s. Sidney Poitier gives one of his finest performances as Mark Thackeray, an out-of-work engineer who turns to teaching in London’s tough East End. The graduating class, led by Denham (Christian Roberts), Pamela (Judy Geeson) and Barbara (Lulu, who also sings the hit title song), sets out to destroy Thackeray as they did his predecessor by breaking his spirit. But Thackeray, no stranger to hostility, meets the challenge by treating the students as young adults who will soon enter a workforce where they must stand or fall on their own. Celebrating its 55th anniversary. Run time of approximately 105 minutes and is rated PG.
I don’t know how many times I’ve watched this movie. It’s one of my favorites. I didn’t know or experience discrimination or prejudiced acts until I got my first boyfriend. Growing up, my family treated everyone with kindness and respect so it was painful to see one human treating another as inferior. That was one lesson portrayed in the movie. While it was deemed not proper to visit the home of a colored person, the students in the end didn’t care what society thought. It was out of love and compassion for a friend that they rebuked a societal rule. It was heartwarming to see the positive influence one teacher had on his students. He literally turned them from being obnoxious, unfiltered brats to mature, eloquent young adults.
The Last Picture Show
Released in 1971 to critical acclaim and public controversy, THE LAST PICTURE SHOW garnered eight Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, and was hailed as the most important work by a young American director since Citizen Kane. A surprisingly frank, bittersweet drama of social and sexual mores in small-town Texas, the film features a talent-laden cast led by Jeff Bridges, Cybill Shepherd and Timothy Bottoms. Cloris Leachman and Ben Johnson each won Oscars for their work in supporting roles. Featuring both director Peter Bogdanovich’s preferred 1999 Definitive Director’s Cut and the 1971 Theatrical version on 4K Ultra HD. Run time of approximately 118 minutes and is rated 18A.
Annie
Celebrating its 40th anniversary, ANNIE is the story of everyone’s favorite plucky, red-haired orphan! One day Annie (Aileen Quinn) is chosen to stay for a week with the famous billionaire “Daddy” Warbucks (Albert Finney). One week turns into many, and the only person standing in the way of Annie’s fun is Miss Hannigan, the tyrannical ruler of the orphanage (played to hilarious perfection by Carol Burnett). Will Miss Hannigan’s zany attempts to kidnap the irrepressible Annie succeed? Sing along with the unforgettable songs and experience this beloved musical! Run time of approximately 127 minutes and is rated G.
As Good As It Gets
Jack Nicholson, Helen Hunt, Greg Kinnear and Cuba Gooding, Jr., star in James L. Brooks’ hit comedy, AS GOOD AS IT GETS, now celebrating its 25th anniversary. Nicholson gives a show-stopping Academy Award-winning performance as Melvin Udall, an obsessive-compulsive novelist with Manhattan’s meanest mouth. But when his neighbor Simon is hospitalized, Melvin is forced to babysit Simon’s dog. And that unexpected act of kindness, along with waitress Carol Connelly (Helen Hunt, in an Academy Award-winning performance), helps put Melvin back in the human race. Nominated for seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture (1997). Run time of approximately 139 minutes and is rated PG for strong language, thematic elements, nudity and a beating.
As Good As It Gets is definitely a romantic comedy. I didn’t think I would like it, especially after Melvin (Jack Nicholson) tossed his neighbor’s dog down the garbage shoot. Melvin comes off as a mean, prejudiced, and rude person who lives with a compulsive disorder. It really does get better as the movie progresses. Turns out ole’ Melvin is kind-hearted in a rough diamond sort of way. He frequents one restaurant and likes a waitress (Carol) who has a sick son. Learning of her troubles, he goes out of the way to find a good doctor for her son and picks up the tab. He also ends up dog-sitting for his neighbor Simon – it’s the very dog he threw down the shoot. But, he starts to really like the dog and wants to keep him. He ends up doing more generous acts of kindness that endear viewers even more to this eclectic character. The movie is also peppered with lots of humor that will keep you laughing. I enjoyed it!
To glean more insight into these movies, peruse the book on the History & Impact of the Films. There are lots of memorable photos and a detailed low-down on the film’s storyline. For the inside story of each film… watch the EXTRA option on DVD/Bluray on how each movie got started, who the actors were, how they were to work with, how they made scenes on a low budget and more. Did you know that Claudette Colbert complained every day on set and on the last day said she just finished the worst movie she ever made? It went on to win 5 major academy awards. The information is interesting and informative.
Disclaimer: I received complimentary products to facilitate a review. All opinions are my own, yours may differ.