LE DOULOS (1962)

Directed by Jean-Pierre Melville

Burglar Maurice Faugel has just finished his sentence. He murders Gilbert Vanovre, a receiver, and steals the loot of a break-in. He is also preparing a house-breaking, and his friend Silien (Jean Paul Belmondo) brings him the needed equipment. But Silien is a police informer

A French classic noir feature that ranks up there with Bob Le Flambeur(1955), Le Samurai(1967) and The Red Circle(1970).

No Academy Award Nominations

DVD Special Features:

An introduction by Jinette Vincendeau

Audio Commentary

THEY DRIVE BY NIGHT (1940)

Directed by Raoul Walsh

Two brothers Joe and Paul Fabrini (George Raft and Humphrey Bogart) try to make a living at wildcat trucking. The two deal with shaddy bosses, and repo men, but an accident ends Paul's days, and causes Joe to go to work for an old friend, Ed Carleson, whose wife, Lana, (Ida Lupino) has more than a passing interest in him. While Joe only has eyes for Cassie. Lana kills Ed, but claims she had no choice as Paul threatened to kill her if she did not kill her husband, only after he rebuffs her advances. At the trial she falls to pieces with the police dragging a hysterical Lana away, the judge throws out the charges against Joe and frees him to take over his old friend's business.

No picture in 1940 had a bigger thrill

No Academy Nominations

DVD Special Features:

Divided Highway: The Story of They Drive By Night

Swingtime In The Movies

MILLION DOLLAR BABY (2004)

WINNER OF THE ACADEMY AWARD FOR BEST PICTURE

Directed by Clint Eastwood

In the wake of a painful estrangement from his daughter, boxing trainer Frankie Dunn (Clint Eastwood) has been unwilling to let himself get close to anyone for a very long time, then Maggie Fitzgerald (Hilary Swank) walks into his gym. In a life of constant struggle, Maggie's gotten herself this far on raw talent, unshakable focus and a tremendous force of will. But more than anything, she wants someone to believe in her. The last thing Frankie needs is that kind of responsibility-- let alone that kind of risk--but won over by Maggie's sheer determination, he begrudgingly agrees to take her on. In turns exasperating and inspiring each other, the two come to discover that they share a common spirit that transcends the pain and loss of their pasts, and they find in each other a sense of family they lost long ago.

Nominated for 7 Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Editing

Won 4, Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress and Best Supporting Actor

Clint Eastwood's Million Dollar Baby was the critically acclaimed late release of 2004 which dethroned THE AVIATOR,( the hitherto frontrunner) on the way to Best Picture at The Academy Awards

DVD Special Features:

EDWARD THE SEVENTH (TV) (1975)

Directed by John Gorrie

This BBC series is a re-enactment of his life and has tried to keep to historical accuracy as much as possible

Due in part to his position poor Bertie was singled out early from his four brothers & four sisters for special treatment. His stern lutheran father Albert the prince consort had arranged a strictly academic upbringing for his eldest son which was totally unsuited to his personality. Albert however neglected to imbue his son with what he needed most at that time, fatherly affection. His mother as she so often did took her cues from her husband and was happy to leave their childrens education in his hands. Consequently following the early death of his father from typhoid Bertie turned his back on academia and swore he would never read another text book. At 20 he married the beautiful danish princess Alexandra of Denmark and was to father 5 children by her. Initially it was a happy marriage but soon Berties short attention span and wandering eye caused him to seek respite in the arms of other woman. Most notably among them Lily Langtry, Agnes Keyser, Alice Keppel and Daisy Brook. What his wife thought of these friendships can only be guessed at and she can not have been unaware of these liaisons. The prince of wales for reasons of decency and protocol made a point of only aligning himself with married women most of whom he would introduce to his wife. Divorced ladies were out of bounds and forbidden even in the royal presence. It was to say the least an ambiguous set of rules. His liaisons were an open secret and discretion was the watchword for members of his household. Royalty then was treated with more respect than it is now. Bertie was as immoral in many respects as his mother was amoral to the whole of the british empire. But despite these major flaws in his character he proved a hardworking and popular monarch for the short period that he reigned. At a time when relations with France & England were at their lowest ebb he toured there and his presence in Paris at such a turbulent time helped to initiate the diplomatic accords known as "the entente cordiale". Following death in 1911 he was sincerely mourned by his subjects and as his private secretary Frederick Ponsonby eulogised at his funeral,,,"we will all miss this wayward popular and in the end humane sovereign"

Not Eligible for Academy Awards Nominations

DVD Special Features: