New on DVD: ‘Blazing Saddles’ 40th annivesary, Rogers and Hammerstein box set
Published 11:50 am Wednesday, May 7, 2014
”Blazing Saddles”
The 40th anniversary edition of the comedy is being released on Blu-ray. In any form, this is a must own for anyone who loves film comedy. The film, starring Gene Wilder and Cleavon Little, from director/ writer Mel Brooks, is considered one of the top film comedies of all time.
Included in the special edition release is the featurette “Blaze of Glory: Mel Brooks’ Wild, Wild West” in which Brooks reflects on his own movie-making chutzpah and the film’s cultural impact on audiences of all generations. It also includes 10 art cards with quotes and images from the film plus a cast reunion documentary and “Black Bart,” the 1975 television pilot inspired by the movie.
Grade A
“The Rodgers &Hammerstein Blu-ray Collection”
The songwriting team of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II created some of the most iconic musicals of the 20th century. This collection features six of the 15-time Academy Award-winning movie musicals by the team.
The set features digital restorations of “The King and I,” “Carousel,” “Oklahoma!” “State Fair,” “The Sound of Music” and “South Pacific.”
Bonus materials include a sing-a-long version of “The King and I” and more than an hour of behind-the-scenes features for “Oklahoma!”
Grade A
Also new on DVD
“Making the Rules”: Robin Thicke makes his feature film debut.
“The Terminal”: The Tom Hanks film on Blu-ray.
“I Love Lucy – Ultimate Season One”: New Blu-ray includes the first episodes of the Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz series.
“Desert Riders”: The story of human trafficking behind camel racing.
“Truth”: The line between love and lies blur.
“Revenge of the Nerds”: Nerds are back to mark the 20th anniversary of the film’s release.
“Your Inner Fish”: Three-part series is hosted by paleobiologist Dr. Neil Shubin.
“Republic of Doyle, Season 1”: Follows a father (Sean McGinley) and son (Allan Hawco) sleuthing team.
“7 Boxes”: Teen offered $100 to deliver seven boxes.
“Agatha Christie’s Poirot, Series 12”: David Suchet plays Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot.
“La Madame (Parte 1): After The Madame is kidnapped by a mob boss, she’s forced to tell the stories of each of her girls.
“A Celebration of Blues and Soul: The 1989 Presidential Inaugural Concert”: Features performances by Stevie Ray Vaughan, Bo Diddley, Bill Preston and Dr. John.
“Lewis Black: Old Yeller”: Comedian performs in Atlantic City.
