My recent penury has been lightened by the fact that there were few crucial DVDs released lately that it really annoyed me not to be able to afford. With today’s new releases, that mitigation ends, as there are things I definitely would buy under better circumstances. And, indeed, I did break down and bought one expensive item anyway.)
Although I tried to constrain myself, fear that the item would quickly sell out and go off market disposed me to bite the bullet and order the Animated Soviet Propaganda set, a four disc set featuring six hours of Soviet propaganda cartoons, along with a two-hour documentary on the subject.
The cartoons are groups into four categories; American Imperialists, Fascist Barbarians (cartoons ground out, needless to say, after Stalin’s ally Hitler backstabbed him and invaded Russia), Capitalist Sharks and Shining Future, which present a rather rosier picture of the delights Communism would bring than reality provided.
Obviously this sort of set will interest few, but damn, it’s fantastic that somebody would throw this together.
On the TV front, the big release of the day is the complete second season of The Wild, Wild West, which was the first year the show was in color. I love the first year’s shows, and these should be even better. Luckily, Netflix stocks it, since I have (ironically enough) blown all my money on Soviet agitprop cartoons.
Other shows of note this week include the fifth and final season of Newsradio, which was fatally marred by the earlier murder of cast member Phil Hartman; the second season of Justice League Unlimited, and the first seasons of Maude and McHale’s Navy. Camp fans, meanwhile, will no doubt enjoy Petula Clark: Petula, a TV special she had co-starring Harry Belafonte. Mr. Belafonte, by the way, is another person likely to procure a copy of the Animated Soviet Propaganda set, although his presumed enjoyment of it will be for reasons rather different from my own.
Also new on DVD are Batman Beyond S3; Deadliest Catch S1; JAG S3; Kong: The Animated Series; Milton the Monster: The Complete Series and Sleeper Cell S2.
On the film front, the most painful non-purchase will be the W.C. Fields Comedy Collection Vol. 2, which includes The Man on the Flying Trapeze; Never Give a Sucker an Even Break; You’re Telling Me!; The Old Fashioned Way and Poppy. The first two in particular are essential viewing for fans of classic comedy.
Nostalgia buffs may also wish to check out Michael Shayne The Private Detective Collection, featuring Lloyd Nolan in four examples of this b-movie private eye series. Anyone who enjoyed the recent Charlie Chan and Mr. Moto sets should give this a look.
Going to Pieces: The Rise and Fall of the Slasher Film is a documentary on the titular subject.
The Milpitas Monster is a more or less homemade ’70s environmental monster movie. This is pretty obscure, and I think it might have been meant to be funny, but in any case is generally regarded to be a bit of a turkey.
The Naked City is a typically swank re-release by the Criterion Collection, of this essential ’50s cop film.
Re-Animator Limited Edition is another loaded set on this horror classic, featuring tons of sweet extra content. Rocky Balboa is the recent sixth and final chapter of the Rocky saga.
What a Carve-Up! is a well regarded early ’60s Brit comedic Old Dark House deal.
Yesterday Machine is another turkey I’ve never gotten the chance to see, featuring ex-Nazi mad scientists and time travel and stuff. I’m really looking forward to this one.
