{"id":18571,"date":"2014-07-25T07:10:58","date_gmt":"2014-07-25T11:10:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/cinema-crazed.com\/blog\/?p=18571"},"modified":"2016-01-17T07:15:43","modified_gmt":"2016-01-17T12:15:43","slug":"grace-kelly-collection-dvd","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cinema-crazed.com\/blog\/2014\/07\/25\/grace-kelly-collection-dvd\/","title":{"rendered":"Grace Kelly Collection (DVD)"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Fans of Grace Kelly will be impressed to see what Warner has in store for them with the release of the Grace Kelly Collection. It\u2019s a compilation of six really important and notable films from Kelly\u2019s acting career, spanning a four year period where she was quite the cinematic heavy hitter. The only caveat to the release is the omission of \u201cRear Window,\u201d which I think would have topped a great set, but that\u2019s not to say this box set isn\u2019t a heavy weight in its own right either.<\/p>\n

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Starting off the list is John Ford\u2019s 1953 Academy Award nominee \u201cMogambo.\u201d Kelly stars alongside Ava Gardner and Clark Gable in what is a remake of 1932\u2019s \u201cRed Dust\u201d; a romance adventure in where Gable becomes the object of affection between two women, all the while travailing the harsh African jungles, trying to survive and make if back to civilization. One of the soapier of the films in the set, it\u2019s a worthwhile drama if only for the strong performances by Kelly and Gardner. \u201cDial M for Murder\u201d is the sharp 1954 Alfred Hitchcock murder mystery based on the stage play in where Kelly, as character Margot, becomes the prime target of murder by her husband and a neighbor whose aware of her affair with a local crime writer. After an elaborate plan to murder Margot and make it look like an isolate incident, the incident spirals out of control when Margot kills her intended culprit in self defense.<\/p>\n

Prompting an investigation by a local detective, Hitchcock spins a web of deceit and an almost inescapable situation that he\u2019s very talented in devising. It\u2019s a very clever adaptation filled with surprises. Among the special features in the DVD are \u201cHitchcock and Dial M and 3D: A Brief History, and the 1954 Theatrical trailer. 1954\u2019s \u201cThe Country Girl\u201d stars Bing Crosby as an ex-actor and alcoholic whose dependence on his wife Georgia (Kelly) creates a rift among the crew working on his first film project in years. It\u2019s a tad misogynistic, but taken in its context, a solid drama. 1954\u2019s \u201cThe Bridges at Toko-Ri\u201d stars William Holden (along with an all star cast) as a troubled soldier given a three day shore leave to reunite with his wife (Kelly) and kids, only to introduce his troubles with the military, which involve disobedience and a violent streak.<\/p>\n

Faced with his eventual return and involvement with a deadly mission involving an attack on the Bridges at Toko-Ri, prompting a heroic attack, and sacrifice for battle. Overly patriotic and more an elegy on the heroism of the military, \u201cThe Bridges of Toko-Ri\u201d is dated, but still worth the watch, if only for Holden and Kelly\u2019s strong turns. 1955\u2019s \u201cTo Catch a Thief\u201d is one of the more iconic and notable films from Alfred Hitchcock, where he displays his love for espionage and deceit, side stepping horror completely. Grant plays ex-cat burglar John Robie, who learns that a new cat burglar is stalking Paris and he\u2019s being put to blame for the spree of thefts. Fleeing the authorities, he retreats to Paris to meet up with old friends, and pursue the cat thief. While there, he romances gorgeous Frances Stevens (as played by Kelly), all the while trying to prove his innocence and save his reputation.<\/p>\n

Garnering powerhouse dual roles from Cary Grant, and Grace Kelly, \u201cTo Catch a Thief\u201d is one of the more sophisticated and broadly appealing romance thrillers from Hitchcock\u2019s career, and is mainly suited for folks that love the amalgam of sub-genres. Among the features are a commentary by Peter Bogdanovich, Laurent Bouzereau\u201d; there\u2019s also \u201dWriting and Casting To Catch a Thief,\u201d \u201cThe Making of To Catch a Thief,\u201d \u201cAlfred Hitchcock and To Catch a Thief: An Appreciation,\u201d and finally \u201cEdith Head: The Paramount Years.\u201d Topping off the set is 1956\u2019s \u201cHigh Society,\u201d the raucous musical starring Kelly alongside Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby. Crosby is musician C.K. Dexter Haven who learns that his ex\u2014wife Tracy is getting re-married.<\/p>\n

Intending to win her back, he ventures to her wedding to steal her back, prompting a rivalry with her new husband, and an undercover reporter, as played by Sinatra. It\u2019s a simple and fun romance musical with Kelly shining among her co-stars. The DVD features \u201cCole Porter in Hollywood: True Love,\u201d the MGM cartoon short \u201cMillionaire Droopy,\u201d a newsreel entitled \u201cGala Premiere for High Society,\u201d and the radio ads and theatrical trailer for \u201cHigh Society.\u201d The DVD set itself contains the documentary \u201cPrincess Grace De Monaco: A Moment in Time\u201d which explores the final television interview with Grace Kelly by Pierre Salinger. As an added bonus, there\u2019s an envelope filled with lobby cards from the films within the box set.<\/p>\n