The Manchurian Candidate (1962 & 2004)

The Manchurian Candidate (1962)

B&W – 126m
Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1 – Widescreen (MGM Blu–ray) / 1.75:1 – Widescreen (Original Depending on Source & Criterion Collection Format)
Novel By: Richard Condon
Screenplay By: George Axelrod
Dir.: John Frankenheimer
Starring: Frank Sinatra, Laurence Harvey, Angela Lansbury, Henry Silva, James Gregory, Leslie Parrish, John McGiver, Lloyd Corrigan, Paul Frees and Colin Kenny.

A former prisoner of war (POW) is brainwashed to be an unwitting assassination in an international Communist conspiracy. Arguably one of the best political thrillers of all time this film holds up splendidly many years after its original release. The wonderful talent on both sides of the camera, are to be praised for this achievement. The film is haunting and heart racing never letting up.

Trivia: Frank Sinatra broke the little finger of his right hand during a fight scene with Henry Silva. Due to the film schedule he was not able to get it bandaged and allow for time for it to heal. As such it was never set properly and was crooked for the rest of his life, often causing him discomfort. Most of the scenes involving Frank Sinatra are from the first take. Only if there were something that went wrong with a take, would an alternant take be used. And finally: It has been widely reported over the years that Frank Sinatra requested that this film be withdrawn from circulation after the assassination of John Fitzgerald Kennedy (JFK) along with his other political assassination thriller, The Manchurian Candidate (1962). The Sinatra family went through great lengths to make it known that Frank Sinatra made no such request. However, the films were out of circulation for many years. It was discovered in the 1980’s that Sinatra had the legal right to restore them to public circulation (see his interview with Larry King for more details), and they were.  

Oscar® nominated for: Best Supporting Actress – Angela Lansbury and Best Film Editing. Angela Lansbury got a Best Supporting Actress Golden Globe for her performance. John Frankenheimer was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Director.

Rated: [NOT RATED] – Original Release
[PG–13] – Rerelease Rating
This is Out Of Print on VHS but available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy through MGM. It is also available on Blu–ray and DVD through The Criterion Collection.

The Manchurian Candidate (2004)

C – 129m
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen
Novel By: Richard Condon
Original Screenplay By: George Axelrod
Screenplay By: Daniel Pyne and Dean Georgaris
Dir.: Jonathan Demme
Producers: Jonathan Demme and Tina Sinatra
Starring: Jeffry Wright, Anthony Mackie, Dorian Missick, Denzel Washington, Live Schreiber, Bill Irwin, Kimberly Elise, Al Franken, Jon Voight, Meryl Streep, Roger Corman, Zeljko Ivanek, Ann Dowd, Obba Babatunde, Harry Northup, Sakina Jaffrey, Simon McBurney, Charles Napier, Vera Farmiga, Dean Stockwell, Miguel Ferrer, Tracey Walter and Sidney Lumet.

In the midst of the Gulf War soldiers are kidnapped and brainwashed via chips in their heads for sinister purposes. This reviewer must admit outright that upon seeing this film in the theater he was repulsed by it. Upon viewing it years later, the film is actually a smart updating of the classic, though it holds no candle to the original. Fine performances by the talents on screen here, and Jonathan Demme was in good form as a director. Worth a look, if only for comparison’s sake…

Trivia: Jane Fonda turned down the role originally played by Angela Lansbury, Meryl Streep here, because she didn’t want her Hollywood comeback to be as a villainess. Though many believe Meryl Streep was playing Hillary Clinton here, she cites: Peggy Noonan, Condoleezza Rice and Dick Cheney. And finally: Brian De Palma was considered as a director for this film. 

Rated: [R] – Violence & Some Language
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

It’s A Wonderful Life (1946/1947), The Bishop’s Wife (1947) & The Preacher’s Wife (1996)

It’s A Wonderful Life (1946/1947)

B&W / Colorized – 130m
Aspect Ratio: 1.37:1 – Fullscreen
A.K.A.: Frank Capra’s It’s A Wonderful Life, The Greatest Gift
Dir.: Frank Capra. Screenplay by: Frances Goodrich & Albert Hackett.
Starring: James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, Thomas Mitchell, Henry Travers, Frank Faylen, Ward Bond, H.B. Warner, Frank Albertson, Todd Karns, Samuel S. Hinds, Virginia Patton, Sheldon Leonard, Ray Walker, Charles Lane, Edward Keane and Carl “Alfalga” Switzer.

A suicidal George Bailey has a visit with an Angel to be and realizes how wonderful his life really is. Amazing film is as powerful now as it was when it was released. This was James Stewart’s return to film after serving in WWII, and what an entrance back into the business! Not a flaw to be found story or acting wise. As a historical note, this was the film that had FBI file created on James Stewart, Frank Capra and everyone else in it, due to J. Edgar Hoover’s belief that it promoted Communism. An annual favorite!

Rated: [PG] – Thematic Elements, Smoking & Some Violence.

Out Of Print on VHS but Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy.

The Bishop’s Wife (1947)

B&W – 109m
Aspect Ratio: 1.37:1 – Fullscreen
Starring: Cary Grant, Loretta Young, David Niven, Monty Woolley, James Gleason, Gladys Cooper, Elsa Lanchester and Sara Haden.

A Bishop, whose marriage is fractured as he tries to get the funds to build a cathedral, gets a helping hand from a sage stranger. Dated to be sure but a splendid film non–the–less. Everything here is perfect. Woolley is great as an aged professor who wants nothing more than happiness for his old friends the Bishop and his wife and to be able to write a book using his knowledge. Another annual MUST!

Trivia: Originally Cary Grant was set to play the bishop and David Niven was set to play Grant’s part when the film had a different director, William A. Seiter. When the man credited as director of the film, Henry Koster, assumed the position (no Animal House (1978) reference intended) he realized the casting of the men was wrong and switched their roles around, to what they are in the film, as we know it. William A. Seiter was the original director, but producer Samuel Goldwyn didn't like what he had shot and brought in Henry Koster to shoot a completely new film. The preview audience didn't like the new version, so Billy Wilder and Charles Brackett had to rewrite a couple of scenes without screen credit. Samuel Goldwyn's decision to start the film over again was a costly one, as $1 million had already been spent.

The harp playing, in the film, for Cary Grant was done by Mr. Gail Laughton. Laughton's hands are seen in the film during close-ups of Grant's character playing the harp. When Dudley (Grant) is asked if he is receiving a letter, he alludes to his character’s true nature by saying that "if I did get one, the stamp would certainly be worth saving." In Cary Grant's later picture Charade (1963), his character is seeking a large fortune that is later revealed to have been used to purchase three rare stamps for safe keeping.

The radio adaptions of the film (which were popular at the time) are as follows: The Screen Guild Theater broadcast a 30 – minute radio adaptation of the movie on March 1, 1948 with Cary Grant, Loretta Young and David Niven reprising their film roles. Lux Radio Theater broadcast a 60 – minute radio adaptation of the movie on December 19, 1949 with David Niven reprising his film role. Lux Radio Theater then broadcast another 60 – minute radio adaptation of the movie on March 1, 1954 with Cary Grant again reprising his film role. And finally the Lux Radio Theater broadcast a yet another 60 – minute radio adaptation of the movie on May 11, 1953 with Cary Grant reprising his film role for the 3rd and final time.

Out Of Print on VHS but Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy.

The Preacher’s Wife (1996)

C. – 123m
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen
Dir.: Penny Marshall
Starring: Denzel Washington, Whitney Houston, Courtney B. Vance, Gregory Hines, Jenifer Lewis, Loretta Devine, Lionel Richie and Paul Bates.

A Reverend struggles to keep things afloat both in his marriage and at his church. Another fun fluff film from the Marshall family is actually a remake of The Bishop’s Wife (1947). As remakes go, it is not all that bad. However, it does appear a tad too padded in comparison to the original classic. The cast and director are in fine form though.

Rated: [PG] – Brief Mild Language.
Out Of Print on VHS but Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy.