5 comments about Mr. St. Nick.

1. This is a good entry for the christmas movie genre. Yes it's predictable in it's intent and content. If you like old fashion movies ( 30's 40's ) you'll like this movie. There seems to be a trend in the christmas movie genre to have a younger image attached to the santa claus persona and this is no exception to that trend. We are talking in the last maybe 10 years or so of course. The leads are good and play their characters out very convincing. Of Kelsey Grammer is Kelsey Grammer but he's utilized in a good way. Ana Ortiz is well cast as the good girl next door trying to make it in America with typical yet dopy ( immigration agent nardo ) obsticles in her way. Once again this is a christmas movie with cliche's abounding thru out. If you are looking for lite fare with no car chases and good family fun this is your movie.



2. This is a family-friendly Christmas movie that boasts all the great qualities of films of a bygone era. One could easily imagine this film in glorious black-and-white featuring Academy Award Winners of the 30's and 40's.
   
   The story of a playboy discovering that he has now become Santa is filled with humor. Of course, there is an evil woman bent on taking the hero away from the true love, and some low-life "grinches" who are determined to ruin Christmas by discrediting our Santa. The only surprise here is that Kelsey Grammer makes a really cute and believable Santa. He makes that beard and suit look GOOD!



3. If you like Kelsey Grammer, you will like this DVD. Interest and new twist for a Christmas movie. Fun and entertaining. Not well publicized after its TV debut.



4. A very cute movie Christmas movie that isn't all about kids. It's nice to have a departure to something a bit more grown-up.



5. This is a very cute movie with Kelsey Grammer as Santa Clause who must take over reluctantly for his dad. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

5 comments about Andre Rieu - Love Songs.

1. DVD sound track faulty. Loud crackling sounds causes annoyance and not possible to enjoy. No reply from Amazon to complaints after receiving a replacement copy which was also faulty.



2. The sound is stereo, with some audible distortions in the mid range.
   The image is neither 4:3 nor 16:9, so it appears surrounded by black bars on my widescreen TV!



3. Andre Rieu had been a member of the Dutch Symphony Orchestra mainly playing classical music on his Stradivari violin. He also was the Concert Master. Eventually he got tired of it, and thought of a way to bring more entertainment to a larger group of people, notjust classical music lovers.
   He started out with Johann Strauss music, hired women violin and other musical instrument players. Andre Rieu asked the women to dress up in nice fancy clothes and swing along with the beautiful music of Strauss. It is a very professional group that offers charming musical entertainment. Andrej Rieu and his group travel all over the world,. They also have performed in the U.S. Highly recommend any Andre Rieu performance.



4. 
   Great & excellent music Imagine.
   
   I love in this love DVD. I strongely recommend it to the everyone. Have good spirit & enjoy the fantastic music!



5. We enjoy watching his concerts on PBS and bought his CD. Great lively music to enjoy.

5 comments about The Rounders.

1. Director: Burt Kennedy
   Format: Color
   Studio: Warner Home Video
   Video Release Date: June 30, 1993
   
   Cast:
   
   Glenn Ford
   Henry Fonda
   Chill Wills
   
   This is a wonderful comedy about two old cowboys (Fonda and Ford) who whoop off their money in town, and then are forced by necessity to go back to work for the winter working for a niggardly rancher (Chill Wills), 'topping off' (breaking) wild cayuses and rounding up wild cattle. Then, in the Spring, the cycle is repeated with the same result.
   
   On the ranch there is as a roan horse that is strongly reminiscent of the strawberry roan of Marty Robbins' song, which the boys view with a love/hate relationship. They end up owning him, in lieu of payment for some of their work.
   
   The two meet two airheaded girls, with predictable results, and the story develops from there.
   
   I found the movie entertaining, hilarious, and I hope you do too.
   
   Joseph (Joe) Pierre
   author of Handguns and Freedom...their care and maintenance
   and other books



2. I'n not talking of Matt Damon's "The rounders"..I'm taking about two great Hollywood ALL STARS...GLENN FORD & HENRY FONDA...with CHILL WILLS..their bossman!!This is a mordern day western with pure crayiness..about two cowpokes breaking in horses to live.
   FORD & FONDA...much like...STEWART & FONDA..were so GREAT!
   Fonda..with his repeating funny line.."What ever pleases you..pleases me to heck..." And the great STILL GLENN FORD...trying to break a horse & promises to have the horse made into soap..so he can bath in it.,..is very,very funny.M-G-M Studios..made it..So come on M-G-M..dust off a real winner in mordern western comedy.RELEASDED THIS BABY ON DVD & WIDESCREEN!!
   Mr.Ford & Mr.Fonda deserves to share with the good old boys!!



3. This great comedy is about two modern-day hard-luck cowboys who are always getting into a bind, and when they do, their boss is always there to bail them out of their trouble ... and into his debt (hence the name "Rounders"). As a result, they always owe him money, and to pay him back, they have to do the jobs no one else will. Paticularly funny are the scenes with the two air-head women they encounter toward the end. A great movie!
   
   SO WHERE IS THE DVD ???



4. Glenn Ford was one of our Western greats yet many of his greatest movies are unavailable on DVD. What gives???? When does this one come out on DVD? And while we're at it where's "The Fastest Gun Alive" on DVD, or where period is "The Sheepman"? Some Executives must be rollin' in the dough because they absolutely seem to refuse to make another buck.



5. This amiable modern Western benefits enormously from the casting of the great genre veterans Henry Fonda and Glenn Ford as two veteran cowboys ,forever on the verge of abandoning their nomadic lifestyle and settling down ,but never quite making it.The movie revolves around their attempts to tame an especially recalitrant bronco named Ol Fooler-who it is suggested is a little like the two men in being stubborn ,hard to tame and determined to go his own way but likeable and who eventually will be coerced back into the mainstream
   
   There is not a tightly constructed plot as such ,more a series of incidents heavy on the humour which -be aware ,is often slightly risque (there is a shot of bare bottoms for example which may bother the more prudish ).
   
   Ford and Fonda are wonderful as you might expect from two actors who always looked at home in the saddle and they bring authority and unforced pathos to the roles .Sue Ann Langdon and Hope Holliday as the two women who waylay them along the road ,are equally fine and Burt Kennedy directs with assurance and a relaxed authority .The photography is warm and mellow -just like the rest of this always funny ,often tender and frequently hilarious gem of a movie

5 comments about The Littlest Angel.

1. Not sure why people have dissed this one, but it was a huge part of my Christmases -- when it first came out on TV and much later when I was finally able to get a copy for myself. I never forgot it and thought the music -- especally "Lost in Another Time" was unforgettable. My kids all loved it although the graphics are definitely dated. Great story and a great cast. Loved Fred Gwynne!



2. I also saw this story as a child.But as delightful as this story is,it is not based on fact.Anyone with bible knowledge knows that "people" do not become angels.Angels are separate beings created by GOD as angels.The idea of people becoming angels is pure fairytale and is not in the bible.Just something to keep in mind while watching.If this comment busts anyones bubble,sorry,it needed to be done.



3. My granddaughter's VCR died and she went to DVD. Her only regret was losing her all time favorite Movie. We searched the stores and could not find a replacement in DVD. How happy I was when I found it at Amazon. I ordered it and presented it to her as a gift. Needless to say happy tears flowed. The story of giving the best of yourself - instead of worldly material expensive things - will live forever



4. Very disappointed in this TV/movie. Loved it as a kid. Horrible production values. Looks like is was done in someones basement at times. Did not stand the test of time.



5. I have noticed a couple of reviews on "The Littlest Angel" posted here that have bothered me for some time, and now I shall comment, although I'm not sure why I'm taking the time. Two reviewers have stated how "traumatized" they were when they saw this movie, since the title character (a very young Johnny Whitaker) dies toward the first of the film. He becomes an angel and returns to earth for a short time where he discovers it is impossible to communicate with his still-living family. Wow...get me a pill cause this is rockin my world! I recommend checking out most of what is offered on television these days and tell me it isn't slightly more "traumatic". I also have read in a review here that "The Littlest Angel" is theologically incorrect. One more reminder that this is a small production put together four decades ago for probably a single broadcast on network TV...it isn't a lesson from seminary. And oh yes, this movie has all the high-end production values you'd expect from 1968 TV (almost nonexistent). All that said, "The Littlest Angel" is not an american Christmas classic, but it does offer some nostalgia value for those who saw it as kids all those years ago. Just don't show it to your Sunday school class or therapy group. For them I recommend "The Passion Of The Christ" as it is less traumatic and more biblical.

1 comments about The Honeymooners - Holiday Classics.

1. For those collecting the Honeymooners DVDs take note that this is just a re-packaging of individual Volumes 3 & 4 or the second half of the Boxed Set Collection #1.

   You will only duplcate what you already have.

   I give it 5 stars because the episodes are classic live TV mastered from the original kinescopes.

5 comments about It's a Wonderful Life.

1. `It's a Wonderful Life' is one of those movies that could easily have fallen victim to its own popularity. Rendered as one of the greatest American films, `It's a Wonderful Life' has a lot to live up to, and with all that hype comes, at times, major disappointment. The nice thing about `It's a Wonderful Life' is that it actually lives up to the hype, and then some. Not only is it one of the most heartwarming films I've ever had the privilege of seeing (sure, it may not seem it at times, but just wait) but it is also one of the smartest and most intelligent films to come along.
   
   The film tells the story of George Bailey, your typical `nice' guy with big dreams that finds himself shortchanged by everyday happenstance until he's married with children, still living in the same small town he wanted so badly to escape from and working a job he never anticipated or desired. It's not that George is unhappy it's just that he is less than satisfied. As events unfold within his life that press firmly upon him to where he starts to feel trapped George contemplates the unfathomable.
   
   Suicide.
   
   The film somewhat starts at this point; with an angel being sent down to save George from himself in an attempt to gain his wings. What follows is a beautiful look at a life lived to the full despite not being lived as fully as one would have hoped, and then we get a glimpse at what life would have been like had George never lived at all, and while the results are a tad on the extreme side they help us to appreciate that each and everyone of us play a large part in the lives of everyone we touch. It's a beautiful and sincere message that resonates with everyone and touches every soul.
   
   If you walk away from `It's a Wonderful Life' unmoved then you must have ice in your veins.
   
   Some pass this movie over expecting it to be nothing more than a Christmas film, but Christmas is the smallest part of this film. Yes, it is used around the holidays to fill the heart with gladness and express the wonderment of children and family and friends and blessings but those emotions and that message is much farther reaching than a single yearly event.
   
   The film is bolstered along by some beautiful performances, especially from James Stewart (who has never been one of my favorite actors). He delivers such a powerfully moving and real portrayal of a man who doesn't fully understand all that he has until he is faced with the prospect of never having it at all. His transformation from a man down and out and unsatisfied to a man striving to retain all that he fears he has lost is amazing and utterly convincing. This is the type of performance that moves people to tears. I was also impressed with Lionel Barrymore who portrays Henry F. Potter (the Scrooge in this tale) with such devilish intrigue. He is the perfect villain to Stewart's worn soul. This is the type of villain you love to hate.
   
   In the end I must urge everyone to watch this movie, not once, not twice but over and over again. Don't limit yourself to that one time of year to enjoy this wonderful movie but indulge yourself with one of the most beautifully complete tales of love, life and the American dream ever made.



2. At its center, the film works because we all have wondered what would the world be like if we were never born. Have we had an impact? After all, whether it's leaving behind descendants, works of art, discoveries, or just our name, we all want some recognition, that we mattered, or at least were here. It helps define our sojourn, and allow us to extrapolate meaning from a cosmos which is random, indifferent, and so large and eternal as to defy the meager human ability to fully comprehend. With that as a base desire, the film then goes nearly two hours showing us a life that has many tangents with ours- be you an American, Mongolian, or Zulu. We see the effect George has had, even if he does not, and know what can only await him when Clarence pulls out his life's rug from under his feet- if not the particulars, certainly the general effects, which can only be negative. Yes, George may be more involved with others than the typical person, but we are all connected, however peripherally. This film does a better job than any other film in espousing the notion of The Butterfly Effect, even more so than the recent film of that name. We all see ourselves in George Bailey, for the film does not focus on George's mere home nor business lives, but all the important moments they bound, and even fail to contain. We can easily extrapolate ourselves into his position, especially at his moment of crisis, when he literally, as Potter taunts, is worth more dead than alive- at least on a material level.... This toweringly great film is all about corralling the material instincts and aspects of the world, and using them for the right reasons, while appreciating the values that lie beneath those instincts. The cynics, dummies, and willful misreaders of this film be damned! It is not corny, cheesy, hokey, nor a mere feel good tearjerker, like its many inferior copycats are. Too often the commercials or excerpts that are shown damage the overall film's perception, for it's a synergistic film, whose whole far surpasses its parts. It is great art, period. It is defensible not only on an emotional level, but on intellectual and artistic levels. It is also testament to the fact that great art always rises to the surface, even if bad critics pummel it. This has an extra resonance for me and those who produce excellence with no immediate reward nor recognition. But, even without that, It's A Wonderful Life deserves its plaudits, and your viewership.



3. "It's a Wonderful Life" starring Jimmy Stewart is a true Christmas classic. My husband and I watch it traditionally every Christmas for many years now. I think Jimmy Stewart did an amazing job as George Bailey who lived and worked (much to his fret) in a sleepy town called "Bedford Falls". George married and had children but still dreamed of bigger and better things. He truly was a nice man that did a lot to help others. His life was going along okay until one Christmas Eve when he had some trouble, it was then he learned through the help of a Heavenly friend Clarence, what life would be like for his family and friends if he had never been born. In the end George realizes he truly has a "wonderful life". That part always makes me tear up! Donna Reed also does a superb job as Mrs. Bailey in this holiday classic. I don't know of anyone who hasn't seen this! I love Christmas and nothing like a good hot chocolate and this wonderful movie to put us in the spirit. This is my favorite Christmas movie ever. A must have for the DVD collection!!



4. I just love this movie. You can't have enough great black and white classics at home. :)



5. What else can be said about this film? It's a classic amongst classics. I'm not usually a fan of colorization, but the studio did a great job with this film. It looks like it was shot in color. I highly recommend that everyone rent it or buy it.

1 comments about Mary-Kate & Ashley Collector's Set Around the World (When in Rome/Getting There/Holiday in the Sun/Winning London).

1. A must for any MK and A fan. Join my fan club!

5 comments about A Christmas Carol (Original B&W Version).

1. Amazon seems to have mixed up the reviews, so I will say that I am writing about the 1999 DVD of Alistair Sim's A Christmas Carol as released by VCI. I also have the 2007 release, and this 1999 disc is MUCH more enjoyable. Not a perfect transfer of the movie, but good enough to get lost in and revel in Sim's and all the other actors' marvelous performances.
   
   Avoid the 2007 2-disc set at all costs.



2. This is by far the best version of A Christmas Carole out there. Black and White all the way!



3. Be careful what you're buying here. Pictured is a 30 minute animated version of A CHRISTMAS CAROL with the VOICE of Alistair Sim. But read the other reviews and you'll discover that they're describing the live-action 1951 version in which Alastair Sim played Scrooge also. Both are great films. If you want the animated version, do an Amazon search using the two principle voices as your search criteria: "Alastair Sim Michael Redgrave".



4. In December 1845 Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol was first published. Many consider it the best short story (70 pages) ever written. There have been more film versions of A Christmas Carol than any other story, the latest has Micheal Moore as Scrooge. This version in B&W is by far the best. Other reviews praise the style and narrative of this version, and miss the fact that this is the story word for word as Dickens wrote it. Dickens like Shakespeare is best in his own words. Alastair Sim heads a great cast, Even death is the best one ever done. I have watched this movie on TV, DVD, and VCR, every Christmas Eve since the late 50's when it first came out on TV. (except the two Christmases I spent in Viet Nam) It's as much a part of my Christmas as a Christmas tree, and the best story of redemption ever written.
   The only suggestion I have to improve the movie is read the story then watch the movie.



5. Very good adaptation on film for of this classic book written by Ch. Dickens but I think there are more adaptations much better as release.

5 comments about Summer Holiday.

1. I was very satisfied with all aspeects of this order.The quality of the movie is excellent,as was the speed of receiving the dvd.I never thought I would ever be able to get a copy of a movie I had watched in 1963.



2. Saw this movie in England never thought i would find a copy of it i'am thrilled to see it on DVD it's great Movie.



3. this movie was good fun with lots of crazy antics and good fun music, a bunch of youths in a london bus, adventures,romance,language problems and much more. If you like Cliff Richard or are simply a fan of music and laughs,this is the movie to see.



4. Oy. What a disappointment. So sickeningly sweet, I had my blood sugar checked for diabetes afterwards. Makes Elvis's Fun in Acapulco look like Citizen Kane. Could only have been redeemed if their holiday bus's brakes had failed, sending this lot of saps flying off a cliff.
   
   So sunny and light, it could make dark gothic horrors sound healthy and balancing, careful about showing it to your children!
   
   Cracking my copy in half felt like I was helping rid the world of a dangerous menace.



5. Not so well know in the USA - this is a great musical for a rainy day!

5 comments about A Christmas Wish (aka The Great Rupert).

1. Based on other reviews I bought this dvd as I love Christmas-Family shows. It was good but I didn't think it was a classic. It was like a long tv episode for me as most of the footage is shot in the little apartment the family lives in. I really didn't like the commentary, Terry Moores comments about her wild life and her "shoulda coulda been top billing" kind of ruined the movie for me.



2. If you are looking for a movie to watch on Christmas day with your family, in addition to the well known Christmas classics of your collection, I would recommend this unknown movie starring Jimmy Durante. This is a heart warming story of a true Christmas spirit, much similar to Scrooge, involving the family of Mr. Amendola (Jimmy Durante), his wife Mrs. Amendola (Quinie Smith), and their only daughter Rosalinda (Terry Moore.) Jimmy Durante offers a brilliant performance as a faded vaudeville star who rents an apartment just before Christmas holidays during Great depression. With serious financial problem on one hand, on the other, they face the challenges of their penny pinching land lord, Mr. Dingle (Frank Orth) who is interested in collecting the rent money but not fix the apartment. He is a real Scrooge in person! But his wife Mrs. Dingle (Sara Haden) and their only son Peter Dingle (Tom Drake) are very compassionate and caring. One day during the prayer of Mrs. Dingle, she a finds large amount of cash ($100 bills) falling through the big hole on her roof. The family comes to believe that it is cash from heaven, a true Christmas miracle indeed! Actually this money belongs to Dingle who gets a check from his gold mine stock every week, and hides the cash in his attic which is innocently tossed by a squirrel named Rupert. Rupert belongs to the last resident of the apartment, Joe Mahoney (Jimmy Conklin) and The Great Rupert was his vaudeville act. This squirrel returns to the apartment when Joe releases him because he doesn't have a job and no money!
   
   Mr. Amendola uses his suddenly found riches to help the community by starting various businesses and offer employment. Every one in town gets suspicious about his wealth including; local law enforcing authority, IRS, and FBI. In the meantime, when Dingle losses on his investment, the checks stop coming and his luck turns ugly. When his house burns in an accidental fire; he believes that all his hidden stash is lost. Then the kind hearted Amendola steps in to help him rebuild the house. At the same time the authorities find the case of Amendola's wealth is complex to solve and hard to prosecute, and they decide to leave him alone.
   
   Tom Dingle who is in love with Rosalinda does everything to impress her, and to his disappointment she dates a wealthy song promoter named Chick Chandler (Phil Davis), but in reality she is in love with Peter Dingle, a penniless songwriter. The movie pitches the kind hearted souls of Amendola family and Dingle family together to teach the true spirit of Christmas to Mr. Dingle and the law enforcement agencies. The highlight of the movie also includes the special-effects of pioneer George Pal, and the technique of animated puppetry to bring life to the title character a lovable squirrel that rescues a family of vaudeville performers during the Christmas time.
   
   Christmas Classics:
   1. It's A Wonderful Life (Two-Disc Collector's Set) (B/W & Color)
   2. It's a Wonderful Life (60th Anniversary Edition)
   3. Scrooge (1935)
   4. Scrooge
   5. The Bishop's Wife
   6. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (Special Edition)
   7. Home Alone
   8. Home Alone 2 - Lost in New York
   9. Miracle on 34 TH Street
   10. Miracle on 34th Street



3. Really bad especially in color...save your money, unless you are a really diehard old movie fan. I do mean diehard. Get The Bishop's Wife instead with your money



4. We enjoyed the interaction between characters in this movie. It is one we can watch with the whole family. The unselfish person has the most in the end.



5. We have a tame (uncaged) squirrel and a bagpiper in the family so when I saw this dvd in a used bookstore I had to buy it. I put it on today, intending to grab 5 minutes to see how they managed the puppetry. The next thing I knew my entire family was riveted and laughing out loud, so we dropped everything and watched the whole thing. It was much better than I'd have expected. It's a great story, and my son kept saying it was essentially the same tale as a favorite childhood book called The Sqouse about a half squirrel, half mouse.
   
   THe behavior of the squirrel, especially when she (Rupert is actually played by a female) found the money, was dead on, except that she would have feathered her drey (nest) with the bills instead of tossing them away. Leaf sized paper and fabric is a favorite of our squirrel. Today I retrieved a chiffon scarf, a WW2 food ration book ( it was my MIL's) and some jewelry from our squirrel's drey.
   
   We all found the characters interesting and more complex than found in most movies of the era, and even though some of the time their actions made little sense (the author was quite lazy when it came to moving the story along), this didn't detract from the overall film, because the whole premise was a bit goofy to begin with.
   
   When the movie ended each of us named someone we want to share it with, and hours later we're still laughing at some of the antics.