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The month of April is here, and with it comes a shower of Hollywood classics debuting on Blu-ray from the Warner Archive collection, all newly restored in 4K. There’s Spencer Tracy’s first Academy Award-winning performance as well as his only screen pairing with Bette Davis. Goldie Hawn joins the Army in an Oscar-nominated turn, while a former Louisiana governor stars in the story of his own life. Along with the seven Blu-ray titles, there’s also a 4K UHD/Blu-ray combo of an acclaimed documentary on the life and career of director George Stevens.
Arrowsmith (1931) – Country doctor Martin Arrowsmith (Ronald Colman) spent a career forgoing his lofty research ambitions for the practicality of making a home for his wife (Helen Hayes). When the invitation comes to apply his discoveries to a plague outbreak in the West Indies, his acceptance will have fateful repercussions for them both. John Ford’s compelling take on the Sinclair Lewis novel co-stars Myrna Loy, Richard Bennett, Clarence Brooks. 108 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English DTS HD mono Master Audio; Subtitles: English (SDH). Includes a 1937 “Lux Radio Theater” audio broadcast with Spencer Tracy and Fay Wray.
Captains Courageous (1937) – Rudyard Kipling’s novel receives a classic screen translation, with Best Actor Oscar-winner Spencer Tracy as Manuel, a Portuguese fisherman who becomes a father figure to Harvey (Freddie Bartholomew) a spoiled millionaire’s son. After Manuel saves him from drowning, young Harvey works menial jobs aboard the schooner, learning life lessons along the way. With Lionel Barrymore, Mickey Rooney, Melvyn Douglas. 111 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English DTS HD mono Master Audio; Subtitles: English (SDH). Includes the original theatrical trailer, a radio audio promo, an MGM cartoon and a bonus Robert Benchley short.
Crack-Up (1946) – In this unusual crime thriller, Pat O’Brien stars as art critic and forgery expert George Steele, who is arrested as he attempts to break into a New York museum. Convinced that he has been in a mysterious train wreck that seems to have never happened, Steele recalls the events that led to his arrest. Along the way, he uncovers a slickly plotted art theft and a conspiracy to discredit him. With Claire Trevor, Herbert Marshall, Ray Collins. 93 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English (SDH). Includes the original theatrical trailer and a bonus “Crime Does Not Pay” short.
King Richard and the Crusaders (1954) – Lavish epic detailing the adventures of Sir Kenneth (Laurence Harvey), the brave, trustworthy knight picked by King Richard the Lionheart (George Sanders) to find the conspirators attempting to overthrow him. Rex Harrison and Virginia Mayo also star in this medieval actioner filled with rousing swordplay and based on Sir Walter Scott’s 1825 novel The Talisman. 113 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English (SDH). Includes the original theatrical trailer, two Warner Bros. cartoons, and a bonus “Joe McDoakes” short.
Monogram Matinee, Volume 2 – Country singer, sometime screen cowboy, and two-time Pelican State governor Jimmie Davis portrayed himself in the biopic Louisiana (1947), which depicted his rise from sharecropper’s son to hit songwriter to successful politician. Margaret Lindsay, John Gallaudet, Freddie Stewart also star. Then, Monogram gave Jimmy Wakely his first “B” Western lead in Song of the Range (1944), as he and his saddle pals (Dennis Moore, Lee “Lasses” White) ride to help a lady fed (Cay Forester) bring down bullion smugglers. 139 min. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English DTS HD mono Master Audio; Subtitles: English (SDH).
Private Benjamin (1980) – Goldie Hawn won acclaim with this hilarious military comedy about newly married (and just as newly widowed) Jewish-American Princess Judy Benjamin, who decides to change her life by joining the “new, liberal” Army. After clashing with a no-nonsense boot camp C.O. (Eileen Brennan), Judy is stationed at NATO headquarters and romanced by a suave Frenchman (Armand Assante). With Mary Kay Place, Harry Dean Stanton, Hal Williams, and Albert Brooks. 110 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English DTS HD stereo Master Audio; Subtitles: English (SDH). Includes the original theatrical trailer and two bonus episodes of the “Private Benjamin” TV series.
20,000 Years in Sing Sing (1932) – Based on Lewis E. Lawes’ book (which was also later filmed as Castle on the Hudson), this gripping drama stars Spencer Tracy as a crook sent to Sing Sing falsely believing his influential friends will secure his release. But his only shot at freedom is threatened when he’s temporarily let out to visit his girlfriend (Bette Davis) and winds up taking the fall for a crime he didn’t commit. With Arthur Byron, Lyle Talbot. 77 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English DTS HD mono Master Audio; Subtitles: English (SDH). Includes the original theatrical trailer, plus two Warner Bros. cartoons and two bonus shorts.
George Stevens: A Filmmaker’s Journey (1984) – A special look at the life and career of one of Hollywood’s most revered directors, put together by his son. Interviews with friends and colleagues, clips from such movies as Alice Adams, Gunga Din, A Place in the Sun, Shane, and Giant, and never-before-shown WWII footage shot by Stevens with the Army Signal Corps are featured in this remarkable documentary. 111 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English DTS HD mono Master Audio; Subtitles: English (SDH). Two-disc set includes bonus interviews with Guillermo del Toro, Christopher Nolan, and Martin Scorsese.
Each of these titles will street on April 28. Follow the above links to pre-order them from Movies Unlimited, and stay tuned to MovieFanFare for more new release announcements from Warner Archive and other companies.