Tuesday April 4th must be a holiday that I haven't heard about before -- National DVD Comedy
Day. How else to explain the following group of assorted laugh getters all hitting stores at the
same time? And for those of a serious nature, this is also the week that Brokeback Mountain
hits the stores and for fantasy mavens, The Chronicles of Narnia is also debuting (I'll detail that
in an upcoming column).
25th anniversary celebration of the Jane Fonda-Lily Tomlin-Dolly Parton feminist
office comedy that arrived in theatres in 1980 just in time for the Christmas season.
This delightful, though sometimes over strenuous comedy, has the luck to have
comedic genius Tomlin and the neophyte but naturally talented Parton in the cast.
Fonda, who produced, selflessly gave herself the least interesting role of the timid
divorcee returning to the work force. Dabney Coleman as the ultimate sex pig boss
(hence this edition's subtitle), Mr. Hart, is funniest when the tables are turned in
Parton's fantasy as the object of sexual harassment.
This Fox Home Video edition was sent to critics in the most hilarious promo
packaging yet this year -- a reproduction of the mustard yellow box of the "Skinny &
Sweet" rat poison that figures prominently in the plot. The special features include a
comprehensive look back documentary in which all the principals participate, a nice
tribute to co-writer and director Colin Higgins (who died of AIDS in 1988), a few
assorted deleted scenes, a gag reel, and commentaries.
Oddly, though, nothing is mentioned of Parton's title song that became a monster hit
and certainly helped make the movie a monster at the box office.
releases a long awaited Mel Brooks Boxed set, The Mel Brooks Collection
which includes the previously released classics Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein
and the not a classic but still pretty funny History of the World, Part I. To these Fox
has added FIVE new to DVD Brooks titles including the long coveted High Anxiety,
Silent Movie, and Robin Hood: Men in Tights, with To Be Or Not To Be and Brooks' debut
feature, The Twelve Chairs, rounding out the 8 disc set (cover art for six of the titles
appear above).
The first three don't offer new material -- a slight disappointment, especially with
Young Frankenstein as Fox Movie Channel repeatedly runs a Making of special that
includes remembrances from Cloris Leachman and others not included on the original
disc or here. Of the five new titles (all presented in sparkling widescreen editions --
that alone a bonus) only Robin Hood: Men in Tights and To Be Or Not To Be have extra
features. Men in Tights has a retro HBO First Look documentary and To Be includes a
profile featurette on Brooks, and fellow cast mates Anne Bancroft and Charles
Durning.
There are bound to be quibbles that the titles are not being offered separately but
at less than $70 the price is right and I for one love that they're boxed together in
those now popular thin plastic cases that don't take up as much shelf space. And
finally, my beloved Madeline Kahn, Gene Wilder, Leachman, Marty Feldman, Dom
DeLuise and the rest of the Brooks extended family are together under "one roof."
above, with seminal Gene Wilder performances in Blazing Saddles and
Young Frankenstein, now comes two other Wilder vehicles making their
DVD debut. In fact both Sherlock Holmes' Smarter
Brother from 1975 and The World's Greatest Lover, the
follow-up from 1977 were never made available on VHS. I'm happy to
see Fox and other companies delving deep into their vaults for titles
that fans have been asking about for years.
After the huge success of the Brooks comedies, Wilder struck out on
his own but brought along cast members Feldman and Kahn in the
Sherlock film, an intermittently funny mystery parody set in the
Victorian era. Kahn's operatic training is put to good use as a
compulsive liar and Dom DeLuise and Leo McKern offer expert support.
This isn't full to the brim with sight and line gags like the Brooks films
which may have turned off audiences. The laughs are far subtler in
this lavish looking period comedy which pairs nicely with Wilder's other
Fox comedy, Greatest Lover. Wilder again starred, wrote and directed
a vehicle set in the silent days of early Hollywood along with co-star
Carol Kane who plays Wilder's movie star crazy girl friend. Wilder, as
a Valentino wanna be is funny as ever in this sweet comedy. No
extras on either bargain priced disc.
Another Wilder vehicle (also from Fox) -- this one with the
irreplaceable Richard Pryor -- 1976's Silver Streak -- rounds out
this duo and is a pretty good Hitchcock mystery train parody (though
not nearly so wacky as High Anxiety) written by 9 to 5's Colin Higgins
and directed by Arthur Hiller. A big, big hit and crowd pleaser, the
leading lady is Jill Clayburgh. No disc extras.
that oh so wonderful "ick" factor. Both are making their DVD debut. First up
is 1978's Thank God It's Friday from Sony Pictures. It features a cast
of disco crazed unknowns (including Debra Winger passing through on her
way to superstardom) and the ultimate disco diva, Donna Summer, who belts
out what would become that year's Oscar winner for best song, "Last
Dance." It's basically American Graffiti moved ahead 15 years with a healthy
dose of Saturday Night Fever thrown in. The hideous, fabulous fashions, hair,
and sets as well as the appropriately kitsch soundtrack, put this squarely in
the Guilty Pleasures category.
The arch and rather awful The Anniversary, a late Bette Davis black
comedy from 1968 is also getting its DVD debut from Anchor Bay. Davis plays
a Mommie Dearest to put Joan Crawford to shame. Sporting an eye patch,
chain smoking furiously, all the while bossing around her family, Davis takes
great relish in offending her son's latest fiancee. "Would you mind sitting
over there, dear? Body odor offends me" is a typical quip. The family has
gathered to celebrate the monstrous and wealthy Mrs. Taggert's birthday
party and NOTHING is going to spoil it for her -- not her cross dressing son or
any of the other problems that this foul family can dredge up. Not nearly as
funny as it sounds, nevertheless, Davis performs with her usual intensity and
the all British cast gives it a go.
Both these selections, by the way, have been featured at my own and my
partner's regular Bad Movie Night dinner parties which we've hosted over the
years. They're highly recommended viewing for those who are fast with the
quips ala Mystery Science 3000.
