DVD

Average customer rating:

Cinderella Man and The Platinum Blonde
Give it a Few Tries
The Best Actor You've Never Seen
They can't all be gems.
An Early Capra Gem!

Platinum Blonde
Starring: Loretta Young , Robert Williams , Jean Harlow , Halliwell Hobbes , and Reginald Owen
Director: Frank Capra
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B0000CBL7Z
Release Date: 2003-11-04

Amazon.com essential video

This Frank Capra comedy from 1931 helped define the screwball-comedy genre that became so popular with films like It Happened One Night and The Awful Truth. In this witty romp, Jean Harlow plays an upper-crust socialite who bullies her reporter husband (Robert Williams) into conforming to her highfalutin ways. The husband chafes at the confinement of high society, though, and yearns for a creative outlet. He decides to write a play and collaborates with a fellow reporter (Loretta Young); the results are unexpectedly hilarious, especially when Young shows up at the mansion with a gaggle of boozehound reporters in tow. With snappy, ribald dialogue (allowable in those pre-Hays Code days), Capra keeps the gags flying fast and furious, taking special delight in having Williams's journalist pals rib him endlessly over his kept-man status. Platinum Blonde was a great success at the time of its release during the class-conscious Depression; for better or worse, its star Harlow was identified with the tag "platinum blonde" until her untimely death. --Jerry Renshaw

Description

A hard-nosed reporter finds himself drawn towards —and eventually married to—a wealthy platinum blonde. She is determined to "civilize" him and train him to function in society. But waiting stoically in the wings is his down-to-earth reporter buddy, who embodies the grounded, street-smart qualities that he clearly seeks in a woman. Stars screen siren Jean Harlow, Loretta Young and Robert Williams. Directed by Academy Award® winner Frank Capra.

Customer Reviews:

Cinderella Man and The Platinum Blonde.......2007-03-26

Platinum Blonde remains a fine example of an early screwball comedy about very different people trying to coexist with each under stressful situations with plenty of silly lines and good laughs on the side. The script is certainly not the best you'll ever find but the actors do a superlative job with what they are given. The direction by Frank Capra reflects forethought and the camera angles help dramatize scenes in the movie as the plot unfolds.

The story starts with newspaper reporter Stew Smith, played by the very talented Robert Williams, going to get a story on a rich society scandal. He gets it; but he also gets the heart of the daughter of the wealthy Schuyler family, Anne, played by the beautiful Jean Harlow. Stew and Anne become romantically involved and the problems begin right along with the romance. Stew comes from a working class background and he wants to support his wife; but Anne has very different plans for him. This constant tug of war for control of their relationship dominates the rest of the movie plot.

In addition, look for Loretta Young playing Gallagher. Gallagher and Stew are friends; but to make matters even more complicated Gallagher wants more from Stew than friendship. Anne's mother and the family attorney spice up the plot even further with their histrionics about the tragedy of Anne's "funeral" relationship with Stew. Wow!

Will Anne and Stew stay together? Will Anne's family ultimately accept and love Stew as one of their own? Will Stew become "a bird in a gilded cage? "How will Gallagher fit into this plot? No spoilers here, folks: you'll have to watch the movie to find out the answers to these questions! SMILE

The cinematography impressed me; in 1931 it was still difficult for pictures to be shot without the camera staying still because microphones could not yet be moved about above the cameras. Nevertheless, in Platinum Blonde Capra manages to get both the cameras and the microphones moving as the actors move about the set. Excellent! The sound wobbles at times but this is to be expected from an older movie like this one.

I agree with the reviewers who write that somehow the title of this movie, Platinum Blonde, gives you the sense that Jean Harlow is the big star--but she doesn't quite get that honor when the credits roll. In fact, she gets second billing below Loretta Young! I agree with others who believe that the movie studio was indeed trying to play up the fact that Jean Harlow was in the movie.

The DVD comes with few extras; you merely get a couple of movie trailers. That irks me but in those days excess footage was not necessarily kept.

What a tragedy that poor Robert Williams died so soon after this picture was finished. He would have been a huge star had he lived longer

Overall, Platinum Blonde is a cross between a serious story and a purely comedic romp through relationships that become challenged when two people from very different backgrounds try to stay in love. Jean Harlow fans will treasure this movie; she never looked lovelier and her very convincing acting shines all the way through the picture. Fans of older movie classics will also enjoy watching Platinum Blonde.

Give it a Few Tries.......2006-12-15

Platinum Blonde is the story of a newspaper reporter (Robert Williams), one of the best. His job is to investigate a scandal with one of the best known families, the Schuylers. He's so clever, he gets them to admit to a story against their will, but in the process is captured by the eye of beautiful daugher Anne (Jean Harlow). Although he scoops them, he also helps them out of the mess and makes his way into the family by eloping with Anne. This hurts his pal Gallagher (Loretta Young) who has loved him for years, but he's in his own world. He doesn't quite realize what he's getting himself into as a poor man wedding a rich family. Cracks from his friends ensue and day by day his wife does all that she can to change him.

Unfortunately, people have high expectations for this film, and it doesn't necessarily measure up. First of all, this is not typical Capra. There are not heartfelt messages of hope at the end. The characters do not signify what the average man strives to be or the pitfalls he faces. Secondly, Harlow does not play a seductress here; in fact, she's quite classy. Last, Williams is an unknown, and alongside an all star cast, he's the leading man. This can be startling because we have never seen him before and are therefore less likely to like him right off. The first time I saw this film, I was incredibly disappointed and what upset me even more was that this was Harlow's first DVD release. Although the title became her nickname, this is an awful way to experience typical Harlow, but it is a wonderful way for fans to see her in a new light.

If you can find a way to judge this film not based on expectations but on its own merits, you'll find it to be quite enjoyable. Each player is fantastic, namely Williams whose naturalness and easy humor makes the film breezy and fun to watch. Harlow is regal and intelligent, not the least bit green despite this being one of her first big films (before the eyebrow makeover). Young is fresh and exciting, quite thin, but absolutely gorgeous.

The Best Actor You've Never Seen.......2006-05-06

Robert Williams doesn't even get any billing n the DVD cover or on other promotions of this film, but he IS the star of the film....and he is outstanding.

Williams could have been a major star, a very well-known actor, had he not died four days after this picture was released with a ruptured appendix. The man simply puts on an acting clinic here. I wonder if young aspiring actors are ever shown this film and told to study Williams? If is wasn't for this film, I assume nobody would ever know about this guy.

Anyway, the movie is really dated but its interesting thanks to some great dialog, mainly, once again, by Williams. Jean Harlow gets the billing but a young Loretta Young has the real beauty and charm here. Too bad her role was so minor and bland. She looked absolutely gorgeous.

The storyline is one of Hollywood's favorite themes: the average Joe beating up on the snobby rich people. Harlow's "mother" in here (Louise Closser Hale) plays that snob role perfectly.

Even though I just gave it only three stars, there are lots of laughs in this film and it was a lot better than I thought it would be. Watching Williams' acting performance is worth the price of the disc, and then some.

They can't all be gems........2005-10-27

Working my way thru Harlow films in no particular order, this is so far the worst. But one of them has to be, even so it's not bad, just not very good. First of all the title is a fraud. It has absolutely nothing to do with the movie. Harlow was a platinum blonde & they didn't need to lighten her up. They toned it down just a bit after this but title stuck & did pave the way for her super-star status. Loretta Young, as Gallagher, however, looks & is much better. She's cute as one of the guys, the only female reporter in the press room of a major newspaper. Only when she shows up to cover a society soiree in a backless evening gown do we see how beautiful & well put together she really is. Not one of the boys. Her co-worker, Stew, played by Robert Williams is too stupid to see that she is in love with him. He sees her merely as his good bud. He become infatuated with Anne, (Harlow) a rich girl diletante, & she with him & his working class background. They marry she immediately sets out to change him. He moves in with her & her family. He resists to no avail & soon is refered to as a kept man by his fellow reporters, a bird in a gilded cage. Eventually, he rebels. He hooks up with Gallagher, starts divorce proceedings, & together they start writing the great American play.
This is Frank Capra's first movie & kind of a prototype for the thousands of romantic, screw-ball comedies that followed, even today.

An Early Capra Gem!.......2005-05-22

I enjoy this Frank Capra film very much and it deserves to be on DVD. Robert Williams is the real star of the film and he was a brilliant actor who died shortly after this film was made. His death was due to appendicitis. He would have gone onto stardom being a quick comic actor. I cannot see how anyone can find this film dull! The script and the pacing are superb. Capra put the newcomer Jean Harlow at ease and the result is a fine performance from the twenty year old actress. It is the best performance she gave prior to her contract with MGM in 1932. Capra toned down her make-up and let her real beauty shine through. Jean Harlow proved that she had a knack for comedy and appears very comfortable with Robert Williams. Harlow is marvelous as is the even younger Loretta Young who was a mere eighteen year old. Harlow and Young balance the film out superbly. It is not a competition between them but a challenge for Rober Williams to realise who he really loves. Jean as Ann Schuyler sees him as a project to make him into an upper class gentleman. Loretta Young pines for him and loves him as the down-to-earth reporter Stew Smith. The film works on all levels and I highly recommend it. Robert Williams, Jean Harlow and Loretta Young are all superb and aided by great direction, a tight script, superb sets, and a marvelous supporting cast. This may not be "It Happened One Night" or "It's A Wonderful Life", but it is a film that shows that Capra was a marvelous director with a unique style that is his alone. One can tell a Capra film and it is evident in "Platinum Blonde". The title wasn't his choice--he wanted to call it "Gallgher" but Columbia was cashing in on the Harlow popularity. Whatever the title, Jean Harlow deserves credit for proving that she was already a fine actress while working with the right director. I recommend this film highly. Don't miss out on a fine comedy!

Average customer rating:

Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid without the humor.
Not too bad, Thompson's a knockout; Lenz holds up well
3* = average of 4* B&W, 2* color
Better than others have indicated
A Noir Cult Classic

A Gun, a Car, a Blonde
Starring: Jim Metzler , Victor Love , Kay Lenz , Norma Maldonado , and John Ritter
Director: Stefani Ames
Manufacturer: Platinum Disc
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000059ZTF
Release Date: 1999-06-22

Customer Reviews:

Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid without the humor........2005-02-22

I have to chuckle when I see a review of this saying its full of twists and turns. In fact, its 100% predictable and can be explained in one sentence..."Paralyzed man imagines fantasy where he is private dectective". Care to guess the "trick" ending?

Anyhow its a low budget movie where everything is just a bit off. The characters dress and talk, more or less for the 1940s. But they drive a 1959 Caddy. And when the detective enters the blond's house, there's a modern motion detector for the burglar alarm, right over his head. Whoops.

But its not terrible. BillyBob is in fine form and the others would probably be fine too if the script was better. The blond is built but you won't mistake her for Lana Turner.

So, if you want to see Film Noir, for heaven's sake, get Out Of The Past. If for some reason you want a modern slant, try Cast A Deadly Spell or Witch Hunt. But if you've already seen these and want to see some actors smoking a lot of cigarettes and trying very hard to be cool, its fairly entertaining.

Not too bad, Thompson's a knockout; Lenz holds up well.......2004-04-02

This movie, featuring scenes in black and white and colo[u]r, is part detective story, part inner struggle, for the man who spends his time in a wheelchair, griping about life. That is, until his friend (played by the late John Ritter) tells him about a means of creating a fantasy life for himself. He does that, which is what leads to the "detective" part of the story. He (Metzler) plays a detective named "Stone", and he's visited by a blonde; played by the stunning looking Andrea Thompson (who reveals quite a bit more than she did on NYPD Blue-WOW! [unfortunately, the scene is in black and white, but she still looks good, in any case]). Kay Lenz, who still has it "going on", and has held up well body wise, if she's not had anything done, as his whiny sister is good. With Billy Bob Thornton and the aforementioned late Mr. Ritter [who all play dual roles] it's not too bad. Not a classic but not bad [especially if you want to see what Ms. Thompson was hiding under those "detective" clothes on NYPD Blue]. Features include the theatrical trailer and credits and a synopsis of the story. [Problem is the "cast" part only mentions the three actors, Thornton, Metzler, and Ritter.] Still a fairly reasonable movie, for the most part. (I got it for cheap, but I won't say where, as it would be competition for Amazon.)

3* = average of 4* B&W, 2* color.......2004-02-17

This 1997 film has many scenes that alternate between color and black-and-white (B&W). The premise of the movie is that a person with the reality (i.e., in color) of spinal cancer can obtain significant relief by a complete delving into a world of fantasy (in B&W), which takes place in a 1957 film-noir setting. As a big fan of the black-and-white film-noir movies of the 1940s and 1950s, I found this film quite appealing. Although it probably was not meant this way, the film is an effective parody of the film-noir genre, complete with its stylized settings and simplistic dialog. The B&W components are well photographed with noir motifs (the classic venation blind effect, for instance), and the color scenes segue effectively and often cleverly into the B&W scenes, such as when hands on the wheel of a wheel chair transition into hands on the steering wheel of a car. Many events (as the tossing of a fortune cookie), lines, and of course characters from the color parts are reused in the B&W parts. In the at times tedious color part concerned with the modern world the unsympathetic cancer victim and his obnoxious sister and her boyfriend, who have some laughable lines, are admittedly quite off-putting. Neither color part nor B&W part stands alone, but the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. The jazz score of the movie is very appealing.

Better than others have indicated.......2002-08-05

I just finished watching this movie on my computer and was moved enough to get on Amazon and see about buying it.

If you enjoyed Demme's Something Wild, then you might like this film as well as I think Something Wild is great and I enjoyed this film. The film mixes a story set in "present-day reality" with a story set in a noir-dream in a way that cleverly presents the principle that analyzing and interpreting our dreams can guide us in our daily lives. Not a principle I necessarily agree with, but I respect the way that principle is used as a theme in this movie. If you view it in this light the last 5 minutes or so are absolutely unnecessary, but they do serve to provide a pat resolution of all loose ends. I think the soundtrack is quite good also and that also prompted me to head to Amazon. Tom is someone with waay too much time on his hands (495 reviews and counting!) and while some of his reviews appear to be thoughtful I think in this instance he went in expecting a straight noir-film and was disappointed. So be warned, it's not all hard-boiled private dicks and rich, frisky dames, but it's entertaining in its own way.

A Noir Cult Classic.......2000-10-15

If you love noir films with lots of quirky twists then this is the film for you. The leading character, played by Jim Metzler, is paralyzed and bedridden. To escape his boredom and pain he follows a suggestion of his New Age pal(John Ritter) and constructs an alternate reality based on a Philip Marlowe type 50's private eye. This imaginary world is populated by characters from the real, but unsatisfactory, world of the main character. We thus get a dual role for the incomparable Billy Bob Thorton of 'Sling Blade' fame, as the sleazy boyfriend of the hero's sister, and as the crooked cop Monk Mulder. On top of all this you a great noir sound track and a Faye Dunaway lookalike as the mysterious Jade Norfleet. It is great absurd fun.

Average customer rating:

Great movie set for anyone who loves Legally Blonde!
"Legally Blonde" Set
HSYTRICAL!!!
AWESOME!
BLONDES DO HAVE MORE FUN!...

Legally Blonde Platinum Collection
Starring: Reese Witherspoon , Luke Wilson , Selma Blair , Matthew Davis , and Victor Garber
Director: Robert Luketic , and Charles Herman-Wurmfeld
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

Comedy | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B0002V7O6K
Release Date: 2004-11-09

Customer Reviews:

Great movie set for anyone who loves Legally Blonde!.......2007-06-12

I bought this gift for my little girl who loves Legally Blonde, she enjoyed the magnets, pen, notebooks and the cover of the movie! It was terrific gift for anyone who loves pink!

"Legally Blonde" Set.......2007-01-06

Well, movies are definitely brilliant. Acting is awesome, Reese is gorgeous and Luke Wilson is incredibly cute. BUT! Just one BUT, guys... I can't say that the collection itself was as goog as I hoped it would be. There are several pretty things included in the set, but they look a lot better on the pictures, than in the real life. It's a pity... For example, the notebook is rather thin and looks.. hmm.. well, a bit miserable ((( The same is with the pen, which looks absolutely different from not only from its picture but also from Elle's pens in the movies. And the magnets.. well, let's be honest, they're practically useless.
But I awarded this set 4 stars because despite all the negative things I've mentioned, Legally Blonde movies are the best of the best!

HSYTRICAL!!!.......2006-01-14

Great movies!!! wouldnt be as funny without Jennifer in it...the way she does her voice is the best..i want her lol...want her more in the american pie trilogy's

AWESOME!.......2005-07-30

Reese Witherspoon is GREAT in Legally Blonde(the first and second one). Even though I am a brunette I really enjoyed this movie. I'll try not to give away the really good bits but the plot in Legally Blonde 2 impressed me heaps. I believe that animals have rights and I haven't seen many movies about animal testing and cruelty.Jennifer Coolidge is also amazing in this movie. Most of the laughs I get from this movie are from her.
GO AND SEE THIS MOVIE!!!!!!!!!

BLONDES DO HAVE MORE FUN!..........2004-08-31

When I first saw this movie with my teenage son, I admit that my expectations were not particularly high. Was I ever pleasantly surprised by this delightfully funny comedy! Reese Witherspoon does a star turn as the not so dumb, California airhead blonde, Ellie Woods, who is dumped by her college sweetheart, Warner, before graduation, instead of getting the anticipated and expected marriage proposal. It appears that he has political aspirations and an ostensibly dumb and flamboyant blonde is not what he envisions having for a wife.

Seeking to prove herself worthy and knowing that he is planning on attending Harvard Law School, Ellie, a fashion major, also seeks admission with dogged determination and studies her charming buns off in order to do well on the LSAT, the Law School Admission Test. Her high LSAT scores, coupled with her hilarious admission video, and her perfect college grade point average, albeit in Fashion, get her through the portals of Harvard Law School, and the games begin in earnest.

What happens to her at Harvard is hilarious, as Ellie tries to get her former sweetheart back. She discovers, instead, something about herself that ultimately makes others sit up and take notice of her in a positive way. Reese Witherspoon is delightfully funny doing a comic turn and will have the viewer laughing almost immediately, while rooting for her. The supporting cast is likewise enjoyable. This is a funny, wacky comedy that is never mean spirited and is, instead, surprisingly uplifting.

Intense Action Adventure: Out in Fifty/A Gun, a Car, a Blonde

Average customer rating:

Intense Action Adventure: Out in Fifty/A Gun, a Car, a Blonde
Starring: M/Thorton, B Rourke
Manufacturer: Platinum Disc
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

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Average customer rating:

A Car, A Car,A Blonde/Unnatural
Starring: John Ritter
Manufacturer: Platinum Disc Corporation
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

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Adventure Classics: Seven Door to Death/Hot Rod Girl/Blonde Savage/They Made Me a Criminal

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Adventure Classics: Seven Door to Death/Hot Rod Girl/Blonde Savage/They Made Me a Criminal
Starring: Adventure Classics
Manufacturer: Platinum Disc
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

( A ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B000A59PS8
Release Date: 2005-08-23

Intense Action Adventure: Out in Fifty/A Gun, a Car, a Blonde/Beyond Redemption

Average customer rating:

Intense Action Adventure: Out in Fifty/A Gun, a Car, a Blonde/Beyond Redemption
Starring: M/Thorton, B Rourke
Manufacturer: Platinum Disc
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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