BearManor Media presents "CHARLIE OF NOB HILL" (Paperback) -- by Gene Arceri.

It is not only about Charlie's heroism, but the fact that he and Miss Nova were inseparables from the very first time they met. Coming from Mrs. Binder of Pets Unlimited, this was several years earlier on one cold December day. Bringing Charlie in a basket, his curiosity could not take it any longer, he peered out to see a woman with soft Grey hair and twinkling blues eyes - it was love at first sight. Miss Nova gazed at Charlie's handsome black and white markings, the black scalloping on his back and ears, and the perfect black mustache. "He looks just like Charlie Chaplin!" she exclaimed. "He's just beautiful".

Christening him on the spot, now you belong to me. Charlie thought and he supposed he could get use to being called Charlie, but what's a CHARLIE CHAPLIN?

My favorite part of the book is on page eleven ... Charlie watched from the doorway as Miss Nova instructed a visiting friend to hang up some of her pictures. They were signed photographs of the men associated with on her publicity work in Hollywood -- One was HUMPHREY BOGART, the inscription read: "To Nova-You ain't so tough". The other picture was of a smiling CARY GRANT and he had written, "Nova, what makes you so small?" (Miss Nova was under five feet tall.) -- Between them now hung a picture of CHARLIE. "Well, she said, "now we have three tigers on the wall - BOGIE, CHARLIE and CARY".

Very reasonable and a good value for the price --- For product description and editorial review check this out on the Amazon site above my review.

Big thank you to Ben Ohmart and his staff, BearManor Media, a small press that publishes BIG books. They pride themselves on publishing quality entertainment biographies, so they often put out the first book on unique subjects -- plus specializing in books with nostalgic themes and keeping classic Hollywood alive not only thru his publishing house, but thru his own books, there is something for everyone.

Highly recommend! -- Author Gene Arceri brings a tear to your eye - very touching, for the CAT LOVERS in all of us!

Check out his other books -- Brooklyn's Scarlett Susan Hayward: Fire in the Wind

Total Page: 42 Pages ~ BearManor Media #ISBN-13: 978-1593933685 ~ (November 26, 2011)

BearManor Media presents "IDA LUPINO:BEYOND THE CAMERA" (Paperback) -- by Ida Lupino (Author), Mary Ann Anderson (Author)

I love the comments in the afterword, where Lupino states - "I was now able to tell WARNER BROS, to go to hell! None of us were happy there. I used to go up on the hill beyond the studio and throw rocks at it. I was always going on suspension or doing roles that I absolutely hated. I refused to do roles turned down by other actresses, like Better Davis."

Lupino never said she was the poor man's Bette Davis, WARNER BROS. came up with that bad line, not me. I respected Davis, Now Ida could do heavy, light - She had a great sense of scene construction. If she could have only gotten another picture like THEY DRIVE BY NIGHT or THE HARD WAY, she could have stayed on top. Lupino's states, acting is a born talent within people, it can be polished and made better but you definitely cannot teach someone to act, you need to leave that up to the audience -- Orson Welles puts it best, actor's acting, I am Bored.

In the director's chair, after films NOT WANTED (1949) and OUTRAGE (1949), Ida had offers by all the studios as a director, but she remained independent. When filmakers was dissolved, Ida turned her full attention to television directing, first directorial assignment was HAVE GUN WILL TRAVEL, Richard Boone was a wonderful man, but he was not out to baby any director, believe me, but after the first episode he said, "I like you, I want you on the rest of them. I stayed on and directed four episodes. Boone liked his direction hard-boiled."

Very reasonable and a good value for the price --- For product description and editorial review check this out on the Amazon site above my review.

TABLE OF CONTENTS: (Chapter, Title and Page Numbers)

Foreword --- xi
1. The First Meeting --- 1
2. The Christmas House --- 5
3. The Duchess of Dirt vs. The Queen of Phones --- 11
4. The Conservatorship of Ida Lupino --- 17
5. The Lupino Legacy --- 23
6. The Light That Failed --- 39
7. They Drive by Night --- 43
8. High Sierra --- 47
9. The Sea Wolf - Out of the Fog - Ladies in
Retirement - Moontide --- 51
10.Louis Hayward --- 55
11.The Hard Way --- 63
12.Life Begins at 8:30 --- 69
13.Starry Efforts --- 71
14.Devotion - The Man I Love - Deep Valley -
Escape Me Never - Road house - Lust for Gold --- 75
15.The Filmakers --- 83
16.Enter Howard Duff --- 91
17.The Bigamist --- 97
18.The Hitch-Hiker --- 101
19.Me, Mother Directress --- 109
20.Farewell to Howard --- 119
21.The End Is Known --- 133
Afterword --- 145
Filmography --- 151
Index --- 161

In closing, this book has loads of studio stills and private photographs which is always a plus.

Big thank you to Ben Ohmart and his staff, BearManor Media, a small press that publishes BIG books. They pride themselves on publishing quality entertainment biographies, so they often put out the first book on unique subjects -- plus specializing in books with nostalgic themes and keeping classic Hollywood alive not only thru his publishing house, but thru his own books, another big winner.

A wonderful story and read of a great lady of the cinema ~ Highly recommend!

Total Page: 180 Pages ~ BearManor Media #ISBN-13: 978-1593936723 ~ (December 3, 2011)

BearManor Media presents "THE FILMS OF THE FRENCH FOREIGN LEGION" (Paperback) -- by Philip Leibfried (Author)

Have many films on the 'French Foreign Legion', but was not aware of the ones I've missed. As the author points out in his introduction -- Created by an order of King Louis Philippe of France in 1831, the LEGION ETRANGERS originally served as a means of ridding France of thousands of political refugees who had sought asylum there after revolutions in their own countries in Southern and Eastern Europe.

One of the most famous and a great story BEAU GESTE, by Percival Christopher Wren, published in 1924, of an unshakable bond among three brothers, which featured action, adventure, mystery, and a character by the name of Sgt. Lejaune, who became a symbol of cruelty as great as Simon Legree. Something I didn't know was, BEAU GESTE was remade three times as a theatrical feature, but its leading characters, including an ogre of a sergeant, have influenced generations of filmmakers and film goers. Beau Geste (1926) (Silent) with Ronald Colman, Neil Hamilton, Ralph Forbes & Noah Beery ... also, Beau Geste (1939) with Gary Cooper, Ray Milland, Robert Preston, Brian Donlevy & Susan Hayward (This is one of my favorite films, great acting and direction by William A. Wellman) ... also Beau Geste (1966) with Guy Stockwell, Doug McClure, Leslie Nielsen & Telly Savalas.

In both silent and sound eras, many leading actors appeared in FOREIGN LEGION FILMS, but these motion pictures have been given short shrift in biographies and autobiographies of those performers, as it turns out films about the FOREIGN LEGION are not as highly regarded as the outfit itself.

Very reasonable and a good value for the price --- For product description and editorial review check this out on the Amazon site above my review.

TABLE OF CONTENTS: (Chapter, Title and Page Numbers)

Acknowledgements --- vii
Introduction --- ix
CHAPTER ONE: --- 1
Seminal Sands: Under Two Flags
CHAPTER TWO: --- 17
Celebrated Sands: The Novels of P.C. Wren
CHAPTER THREE: --- 37
Silent Sands: Cinema de Legion 1914-1928
CHAPTER FOUR: --- 49
Sound Sands: Cinema de Legion 1929-2000
CHAPTER FIVE: --- 67
Singing Sands: Legion Musicals
CHAPTER SIX --- 75
Shifting Sands: Films of the Post-World War II Legion
CHAPTER SEVEN: --- 85
Subtitled Sands: Foreign Foreign Legion Films
CHAPTER EIGHT: --- 113
Satiric Sands: Comedies and Cartoons
CHAPTER NINE: --- 131
Sundry Sands: The Legion on the Stage, Radio & Television
CHAPTER TEN: --- 149
Superfluous Sands: Marginal French Foreign Legion Films
and Spanish Foreign Legion Films
Bibliography --- 159
Index --- 163

In closing, author Philip Leibfried has given us much in depth, a complete listing of such depictions as possible through 2007.

Thank our lucky stars for Ben Ohmart and his staff, BearManor Media, a small press that publishes BIG books. They pride themselves on publishing quality entertainment biographies, so they often put out the first book on unique subjects -- plus specializing in books with nostalgic themes and keeping classic Hollywood alive not only thru his publishing house, but thru his own books.

An interesting must read ~ Highly recommend!

Total Page: 180 Pages ~ BearManor Media #ISBN-13: 978-1593936730 ~ (November 10, 2011)

Warner Bros. Pictures presents "THE SEA WOLF" (1941) ~ (90 min/B&W) -- Starring Edward G. Robinson, Ida Lupino, John Garfield & Alexander Knox

Directed by Michael Curtiz

Humphrey van Weyden, a writer, and fugitives Ruth Webster and George Leach have been given refuge aboard the sealer "Ghost," captained by the cruel Wolf Larsen. The crew mutinies against Larsen's many crimes, and though van Weyden, Ruth, and George try to escape Larsen's clutches, they find themselves drawn inexorably back to him as the "Ghost" sails toward disaster.

A highly regarded sea-faring classic, from the pen of legendary short story writer, Jack London

Oscar Nominated Best Photographic Effects, Special Effects Sound

Special footnote: - George Raft declined the role of George Leach because it was too small.

BIOS:
1. Michael Curtiz [aka: Manó Kertész Kaminer] [Director]
Date of Birth: 24 December 1886 - Budapest, Austria-Hungary (now Hungary)
Date of Death: 10 April 1962 - Hollywood, California

2. Edward G. Robinson [aka: Emmanuel Goldenberg]
Date of Birth: 12 December 1893 - Bucharest, Romania
Date of Death: 26 January 1973 - Hollywood, California

3. Ida Lupino
Date of Birth: 4 February 1918 - Camberwell, London, England, UK
Date of Death: 3 August 1995 - Los Angeles, California

4. John Garfield [aka: Jacob Julius Garfinkle]
Date of Birth: 4 March 1913 - New York City, New York
Date of Death: 21 May 1952 - New York City, New York

5, Alexander Knox
Date of Birth: 16 January 1907 - Strathroy, Ontario, Canada
Date of Death: 25 April 1995 - Berwick-Upon-Tweed, Northumberland, England, UK

6. Gene Lockhart
Date of Birth: 18 July 1891 - London, Ontario, Canada
Date of Death: 31 March 1957 - Santa Monica, California

7. Barry Fitzgerald [aka: William Joseph Shields]
Date of Birth: 10 March 1888 - Dublin, Ireland
Date of Death: 14 January 1961 - Dublin, Ireland (heart attack)

Mr. Jim's Ratings:
Quality of Picture & Sound: 4 Stars
Performance: 4 Stars
Story & Screenplay: 4 Stars
Overall: 4 Stars [Original Music, Cinematography & Film Editing]

Total Time: 90 min on DVD ~ Warner Bros. Pictures ~ (September 1, 1998)

Paramount Pictures presents "PRINCESS COMES ACROSS" (1936) ~ (76 min/B&W) -- Starring: Carole Lombard, Fred MacMurray, Douglass Dumbrille, Alison Skipworth & William Frawley

Directed by William K. Howard

Our mystery comedy begins something like this, Wanda Nash (Carole Lombard) is an alluring Swedish beauty who travels under the name of Princess Olga. Everyone whom she meets en route to America on the steamship Mammoth bows and scrapes to the Princess, while Hollywood anxiously awaits her arrival to star her in a big-budget film. Only the ship's band leader, King Mantell (Fred MacMurray), refuses to defer to Olga, sensing that she may not be all she claims. Mantell's instincts are right on target: the "Princess" is a phony, a Brooklyn girl who has adopted a royal guise thanks to drama coach Lady Gertrude Allwyn (Alison Skipworth) - its a publicity stunt. Unfortunately, blackmailer Darcy (Porter Hall) becomes aware of Wanda's true identity and offers to keep quiet in exchange for a huge cash settlement.

At the same time, Darcy is attempting to shake down several other passengers on the Mammoth, including King Mantell. Inevitably, Darcy is found murdered in the Princess's stateroom, and Wanda finds herself one of several likely suspects, among them Mantell. A quintet of international detectives, traveling to a convention in America, sets out to solve the mystery, which becomes even more mysterious when one of the detectives also turns up dead. Taking matters in his own hands, Mantell vows to clear Wanda's name, and in the course of things he realizes that he's madly in love with her - but will Wanda give up her hoax, and her future showbiz career, for Mantell's sake?

There is much chemistry between Lombard and MacMurray, who both could play drama and comedy, which is a sign of good acting.

* Special footnote: - George Raft initially was cast as Carole Lombard's co-star, but he walked off the set at the start of production. He objected to Ted Tetzlaff as the cinematographer.

BIOS:
1. William K. Howard [Director]
Date of Birth: 6 June 1893 - St. Marys, Ohio
Date of Death: 21 February 1954 - Los Angeles, California

2. Carole Lombard [aka: Jane Alice Peters]
Date of Birth: 6 October 1908 - Fort Wayne, Indiana
Date of Death: 16 January 1942 - Table Rock Mountain, Nevada (airplane crash)

3. Fred MacMurray
Date of Birth: 30 August 1908 - Kankakee, Illinois
Date of Death: 5 November 1991 - Santa Monica, California

4. Douglass Dumbrille
Date of Birth: 13 October 1889 - Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Date of Death: 2 April 1974 - Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California

5. Alison Skipworth
Date of Birth: 25 July 1863 - London, England, UK
Date of Death: 5 July 1952 - New York City, New York

6. William Frawley
Date of Birth: 26 February 1887 - Burlington, Iowa
Date of Death: 3 March 1966 - Hollywood, California

Mr. Jim's Ratings:
Quality of Picture & Sound: 4 Stars
Performance: 5 Stars
Story & Screenplay: 5 Stars
Overall: 4 Stars [Original Music, Cinematography & Film Editing]

Total Time: 76 min on DVD/VHS ~ Paramount Pictures ~ (September 12, 1995)

Columbia Pictures present "BLAZING ACROSS THE PECOS" (1948) (54 mins/B&W) --- Starring: Charles Starrett (Steve Blake/Durango Kid), Smiley Burnette (Marshal Smiley Burnette), Patricia Barry (Lola Carter), Paul Campbell (Editor Jim Traynor), Charles C. Wilson (Ace Brockway), Thomas E. Jackson (Matt Carter),

Directed by Ray Nazarro

Our plot and story line has the masked defender of law and order The Durango Kid protecting the rights of Thomas E. Jackson against Charles C. Wilson from Indian attacks ... is Wilson trying to drive Jackson out of business on his trading post ... can The Durango Kid out smart the baddies in this exciting Columbia oater, is Marshal Smiley Burnette still trying to figure out who is the real Durango Kid ... never fear our hero will win out and with the musical talents of Burnette to help us over the bumpy trail ---- they just don't make 'em like this anymore and Columbia Pictures was one of the leaders of exciting B-Westerns and Serials.

Charles Starrett as the black masked Durango Kid of '40s and '50s B-Western trail, he became as synonymous with the character as Clayton Moore was with the Lone Ranger and William Boyd was to Hopalong Cassidy ... The Durango Kid was an immediate hit with Saturday matinee crowd and a decision was made to continue the character, which Columbia did for an unprecedented 64 series westerns over the next seven years ... when Starrett portrayed the black clad and masked Durango Kid, he rode an Arabian white steed named "Raider" ... don't miss any of the Durango Kid features loaded with action that will leave you wanting more of his B-Western adventures.

* Special Footnote: - Charles Starrett was an American actor best known for his starring role in the "Durango Kid" Columbia Pictures western series ... In 1933 he was one of the people who helped organize the Screen Actors Guild, and in 1936 signed with Columbia Pictures to become one of the top ten western stars, starring in 115 movies the following 16 years ... in playing assorted sheriff and rangers roles, Starrett gained notoriety for his role as the "Durango Kid", the first film in which he played his famous alter-ego character was known as "The Durango Kid", which was released in 1940, but for some reason, Columbia did not see fit to continue with the series at that time ... the character was revived in 1944 and lasted through 1952. Dub Taylor, as "Cannonball", worked with Starrett until 1946 ... at that time, Smiley Burnette, who had been a very popular sidekick to Gene Autry, was brought in to replace Taylor. Burnette, appropriately enough, played a character called Smiley Burnette ... "The Durango Kid" series combined vigorous action sequences - often with speeded up camera work and spectacular stunts performed by Jock Mahoney - and western music ... each film featured a singing group, and many gave free rein to Burnette's singing and playing ... Starrett, who was independently wealthy, ended his acting career at 48 age when the "Durango Kid" series ceased production.

BIOS:
1. Charles Starrett
Date of birth: 28 March 1903 - Athol, Massachusetts,
Date of death: 22 March 1986 - Borrego Springs, California

Mr. Jim's Ratings:
Quality of Picture & Sound: 3 Stars
Performance: 3 Stars
Story & Screenplay: 3 Stars
Overall: 3 Stars [Original Music, Cinematography & Film Editing]

Total Time: 54 min on VHS ~ Sony Video ~ (9/14/2004)

Warner Bros. Pictures present "YELLOWSTONE KELLY" (1959) ~ (91 min/Color) -- Starring: Clint Walker, Edd Byrnes, John Russell, Ray Danton & Claude Akins

Directed by Gordon Douglas

Clint Walker has the opportunity to shine and convey significant "screen presence" under the tight direction of Gordon Douglas and wonderful script by Burt Kennedy, who penned so many of those wonderful Randolph Scott / Budd Boetticher westerns --- this is Clint Walker at his best.

Our plot and story line, during the late 1870s, fur-trapper Luther `Yellowstone' Kelly (Clint Walker), who once saved the life of a Sioux chief, is allowed to set his traps in Sioux territory. Reluctantly he takes on a tenderfoot assistant Anse Harper (Edd Byrnes) and together they give shelter to runaway Arapaho woman, Wahleeah (Andra Martin). Tensions develop when Anse falls in love with the woman and when Sioux chief Gall (John Russell) arrives with his warriors to re-claim her - drama and action packed scenes develop until the final credits.

In this film two wonderful character actors Claude Akins and Warren Oates, who always gave their best, whether on the big screen or the small screen.

Plus the great John Russell (Lawman TV Series/Soldiers of Fortune) is memorable in any role he portrayed.

Special footnote: - This product is manufactured on demand using DVD-R recordable media ... Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1

If you enjoyed this film with Clint Walker, check out ... Fort Dobbs [Remaster]Fort Dobbs

BIOS:
1. Gordon Douglas (Director)
Date of Birth: 15 December 1907 - New York, New York
Date of Death: 29 September 1993 - Los Angeles, California

2. Clint Walker [aka: Norman Eugene Walker]
Date of Birth: 30 May 1927 - Hartford, Illinois
Date of Death: Still Living

3. Edd Byrnes [aka: Edward Breitenberger]
Date of Birth: 30 July 1933 - New York City, New York
Date of Death: Still Living

4. John Russell
Date of Birth: 3 January 1921 - Los Angeles, California
Date of Death: 19 January 1991 - Los Angeles, California

5. Ray Danton [aka: Raymond Kaplan]
Date of Birth: 19 September 1931 - New York City, New York
Date of Death: 11 February 1992 - Los Angeles, California

6. Andra Martin [aka: Sandra Rehn]
Date of Birth: 15 July 1935 - Rockford, Illinois
Date of Death: Still Living

7. Claude Akins
Date of Birth: 25 May 1926 - Nelson, Georgia
Date of Death: 27 January 1994 - Altadena, California

8. Warren Oates
Date of Birth: 5 July 1928 - Depoy, Kentucky
Date of Death: 3 April 1982 - Los Angeles, California

Mr. Jim's Ratings:
Quality of Picture & Sound: 5 Stars
Performance: 5 Stars
Story & Screenplay: 5 Stars
Overall: 5 Stars [Original Music, Cinematography & Film Editing]

Total Time: 91 min on DVD ~ Warner Bros. Pictures ~ (January 24, 2011)

Warner Bros. Pictures present "FORT DOBBS" (1958) ~ (93 min/B&W) -- Starring: Clint Walker, Virginia Mayo, Brian Keith, Richard Eyer & Russ Conway

Directed by Gordon Douglas

Gar Davis (Clint Walker) is a wanted man who having eluded a posse rescues Celia Gray (Virginia Mayo) and her young son, Chad (Richard Eyer) from a Comanche attack. He then escorts the pair to the (presumed) safety of U.S. Cavalry Fort Dobbs. Along the way Celia (and then Chad) begin to believe that their rescuer was in fact responsible for the recent death of her husband.

Big screen debut for Clint Walker.

Great direction by Gordon Douglas and Burt Kennedy to do the script. Also, the music was by Max Steiner, who always has the pulse on the film.

BIOS:
1. Gordon Douglas (Director)
Date of Birth: 15 December 1907 - New York, New York
Date of Death: 29 September 1993 - Los Angeles, California

2. Clint Walker [aka: Norman Eugene Walker]
Date of Birth: 30 May 1927 - Hartford, Illinois
Date of Death: Still Living

3. Virginia Mayo [aka:Virginia Clara Jones]
Date of Birth: 30 November 1920 - St. Louis, Missouri
Date of Death: 17 January 2005 - Thousand Oaks, California

4. Brian Keith [aka: Robert Keith Richey Jr.]
Date of Birth: 14 November 1921 - Bayonne, New Jersey
Date of Death: 24 June 1997 - Malibu, California

Mr. Jim's Ratings:
Quality of Picture & Sound: 4 Stars
Performance: 4 Stars
Story & Screenplay: 4 Stars
Overall: 4 Stars [Original Music, Cinematography & Film Editing]

Total Time: 93 min on DVD ~ Warner Bros. Pictures ~ (January 24, 2011)

CDBY presents "RAGTIME TRICKS" -- One of the few female stride pianists to command mastery of this technically and physically demanding jazz piano style, she has been called "the next rising star in the stride world" and one of "only three or four people alive today" with the potential to recreate "the magic" of stride legend masters such as James P. Johnson, Fats Waller, Willie "The Lion" Smith, Art Tatum, and Jelly Roll Morton. A classically trained pianist and organist, Stephanie began playing piano at the age of five.

While in college, it became clear to Stephanie that she wanted to pursue stride and classic jazz styles professionally -- With a music style resembling a mixture of old blues and boogie woogie plus Fats Waller and Teddy Wilson, Stephanie has performed all over the United States as well as in Europe in a variety of venues, including The Sheldon Concert Hall in St. Louis, Missouri, Philippe Carment's music studio in Normandy, France, Mimi Blais & Friends' Concert in Versailles, Missouri, and the West Coast Ragtime Festival in Sacramento, California.

Ragtime Tricks (Track Listings & Time):

1. Troublesome Ivories (Blake) - 3:46
2. American Beauty Rag (Lamb) - 3:25
3. Rialto Ripples (Gershwin) - 3:23
4. Peacherine Rag (Joplin) - 3:24
5. The Chevy Chase (Blake) - 3:00
6. Maple Leaf Rag (Joplin) - 3:41
7. Dizzy Fingers (Confrey) - 2:04
8. Solace (Joplin) - 6:05
9. Pineapple Rag (Joplin) - 2:51
10. Ragtime Nightingale (Lamb) - 3:57
11. Elite Syncopations (Joplin) - 3:06
12. The Easy Winners (Joplin) - 3:29
13. The Entertainer (Joplin) - 3:48
14. Carolina Shout (Johnson) - 2:49

Mr. Jim's Ratings:
Quality of Sound: 5 Stars
Performance: 5 Stars
Mixing: 5 Stars
Overall: 5 Stars [Arrangements & Song Selection]

Special footnote: If you enjoyed this album, check out ... Piano Tricks Piano Tricks.. also ..Hear That Rhythm! Hear That Rhythm! .. also .. Stephanie Trick LiveStephanie Trick Live .. also .. Something MoreSomething More

Total Time: 49 min on 14 Tracks ~ CDBY ~ (June 8, 2010)

VCI Entertainment present "A CHRISTMAS CAROL" (aka: Scrooge) ~ (96 min/B&W) (Fully Restored/Dolby Digitally Remastered) - The definitive version - In Glorious Black and White --- Starring: Alastair Sim, Kathleen Harrison, Mervyn Johns, Hermione Baddeley, Michael Hordern, George Cole, Rona Anderson, John Charlesworth, Glyn Dearman, Clifford Mollison, Patrick Macnee, Jack Warner

Produced & Directed by Brian Desmond Hurst

The perfect story if you want to get your family together for a quiet evening of holiday viewing, over a half century later, "A Christmas Carol" is still working its little magic.

Brian Desmond Hurst directs a fine cast, headed by the incomparable Alastair Sim (a man who can play both malevolent and humorous) as the about-to-be-redeemed Ebenezer Scrooge -- Sim's reactions are priceless and he settles down well in the role --- Sim's performance transcends all description of greatness -- Hurst's direction evokes the ideal emotions at all the right moments --- The rest of the cast remain faithful to the Dickens' characterizations.

It is a version which has holly, plum pudding and carol singers written all over it -- One of the major contributing aspects to the impact of the film is the memorable score by Richard Addinsell, conjuring up (and alternating between) both fear and joy, darkness and light, grief and happiness, the music stands out as the best of any film adaptation of the story.

This Blu-ray edition has been digitally restored from a new 1080p, 24fps high definition transfer master produced from the 35mm negative and fine grain.

Looks great on a Big Screen Television/Monitor -- just like being in a movie theater.

Very reasonable and a good value for the price --- For product description and editorial review check this out on the Amazon site above my review.

BIOS
1. Charles Dickens (Author)
Date of Birth: 7 February 1812 - Portsmouth, Hampshire, England, UK
Date of Death: 9 June 1870 - Gad's Hill, Rochester, Kent, England, UK.

2. Brian Desmond Hurst (Producer & Director)
Date of Birth: 12 February 1900 - Castle Reagh, Ireland
Date of Death: 26 September 1986 - London, England, UK.

3. Alastair Sim
Date of Birth: 9 October 1900 - Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
Date of Death: 19 August 1976 - London, England, UK.

2. Kathleen Harrison
Date of Birth: 23 February 1892 - Blackburn, Lancashire, England, UK
Date of Death: 7 December 1995

3. Mervyn Johns
Date of Birth: 18 February 1899 - Pembroke, Wales, UK
Date of Death: 6 September 1992 - Norwood, England, UK.

4. Hermione Baddeley
Date of Birth: 13 November 1906 - Broseley, Shropshire, England, UK
Date of Death: 19 August 1986 - Los Angeles, California

5. Michael Hordern
Date of Birth: 3 October 1911 - Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, England, UK
Date of Death: 2 May 1995 - Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, UK

6. George Cole
Date of Birth
22 April 1925, Tooting, London, England, UK
Date of Death: Still Living

7. Glyn Dearman
Date of Birth: 30 December 1939
Date of Death: 30 November 1997 - London, England, UK.

8. Richard Addinsell (Music Score Composer)
Date of Birth: 13 January 1904 - London, England, UK
Date of Death: 15 November 1977 - Chelsea, London, England, UK

ALL NEW SPECIAL BONUS FEATURES:
1.) - Commentary Tracks By Marcus Hearn and George Cole
2.) - INTRODUCTION BY LEONARD MALTIN
Many, Many more in this one of a kind collection.

Mr. Jim's Ratings:
Quality of Picture & Sound: 5 Stars
Performance: 5 Stars
Story & Screenplay: 5 Stars
Overall: 5 Stars [Original Music, Cinematography & Film Editing]

Total Time: 2 DVD Set ~ VCI Home Video. ~ (November 1, 2011)