STACK #199 May 2021

FILM FEATURE

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Michael Caine as a Cockney cad, James Caan at his finest, a Peter Lorre tour de force, and more forgotten film noir essentials are among the boutique Blu-ray label's line-up for May. Words Scott Hocking NEWFROM IMPRINT FILMS

own closet. Extras include a new commentary by film historian Kat Ellinger and the theatrical trailer. A rarely seen film noir, The Face Behind the Mask (1941) stars the inimitable Peter Lorre as a disfigured watchmaker who embarks on a life of crime. Making its physical media debut on Blu-ray, extras include commentary by film historian Alan K. Rode, an interview with Kim Newman and a video appreciation of Peter Lorre. Want more noir? The Essential Film Noir Collection 2 rounds up a quartet of acclaimed thrillers from the 1950s in a Limited 4-disc Hardbox Edition. Directed by the legendary

James Caan in the title role of The Gambler (1974). This absorbing character study of a literary professor with a major gambling addiction and a mountain of debt was the semi- autobiographical screenwriting debut of James Toback ( Bugsy ), and a great starring vehicle for Caan, who was nominated for a Golden Globe for

Alfie (1966)

T he great Michael Caine received his first Oscar nomination for his performance as the eponymous Cockney casanova in Alfie (1966) – perhaps his definitive role. "What's it all about?" as his character would say. Revelling in the

The Gambler (1974)

William Castle, Hollywood Story (1951) is a cracking mystery that ventures into Tinseltown's dark side and features cameos from several renowned silent film stars. The City That Never Sleeps (1953) combines noir tropes and magic realism, tangling intersecting stories and characters into one suspenseful package; Plunder of the Sun (1953) is an atypical noir with exotic locations and a sense of adventure, as Glenn Ford hunts for an ancient treasure in Mexico; and Private Hell 36 (1951) is a classic noir from director Don Siegel ( Dirty Harry ), involving an LAPD detective who falls for a lounge singer (Ida Lupino, who also co-wrote the screenplay). Extras for this set include new audio commentaries, featurettes, interviews and trailers. • The new Imprint range will be available with slipcases and unique artwork for a limited time only (while stocks last) on May 26 PRE-ORDER NOW

hedonism of the Swinging Sixties, Alfie goes about his womanising ways with impunity, but is ultimately forced to confront the consequences of his behaviour.

his performance. (Mark Wahlberg took on the role in an average 2014 remake.) Extras include a new commentary by critic Matthew Asprey Gear; After the Game video essay; archival audio interview with director Karel Reisz; and a featurette on the film's score. The President's Analyst (1967) is a sharp political satire with gonzo sci-fi overtones, starring James Coburn as a shrink whose secret sessions with the POTUS are taking a toll on his own mental health. Surprisingly prescient in its theme of the US government's invasion of citizens' privacy, this forgotten gem makes a welcome arrival on Blu-ray with a new audio commentary by film historian Tim Lucas and video interview with critic Kim Newman. The Chalk Garden (1964) stars Hayley Mills as a troublesome teen who may have met her match in new governess Miss Madrigal (Deborah Kerr), who has a few skeletons in her

Also featuring great parts for Shelley Winters and Denholm Elliot, the film is based on the play by Bill Naughton (Alfie's direct-to-camera confessionals reflect its stage origins) and directed by British filmmaker Lewis Gilbert, whose credits include a trio of Bond movies. But of course it's Caine's film all the way, and fans will be proper pleased with Imprint's Limited 2-disc Hardbox Edition that's stacked with extras including a new audio commentary by film historians Jo Botting and Melanie Williams; new video appreciation by British broadcaster Matthew Sweet; archival (1995) video interview with Lewis Gilbert; Michael Caine: Breaking the Mold documentary; and a feature-length doco on London in the 1960s, My Generation . You've got to know when to fold them... and know when to walk away, unless you're

58 MAY 2021

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