The story behind why some films get a DVD release and others don’t must help to make some sense of it all, but the format is into its second decade and if something doesn’t change soon regarding these five I just might have to hold my breath.
1. The Stone Killer (1973) – The Mighty Charles Bronson made some classic urban thrillers in the 1970s but this is far and away the best. Brutal action, tough dialogue, expertly paced and loaded with some of the best sleazy character actors of the era: Paul Koslo, Ralph Waite (pre-Pa Walton), Alfred Ryder and Stuart Margolin. My VHS copy was recorded off of Cinemax when Reagan was in office. The entire Pauly Shore canon has been available on DVD for years, but one of the best genre films from one of our greatest movie stars…
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2. The Dark at the Top of the Stairs (1960) – When this finally comes out on DVD you’re all coming over to the house for popcorn, root beer, Mike-and-Ike’s and a screening of a magnificent adult drama that perfectly casts Robert Preston and Dorothy McGuire as a married couple struggling through tough financial and emotional times. This is the kind of film Hollywood would never make today. It’s about what it means to be a man – about pride and masculinity and being appreciated for both. It’s also a beautiful, beautiful film I haven’t seen in twenty years and have never forgotten. Read the quotes and you’ll see what I mean. Robert Preston — brother they don’t make ’em like that anymore.
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3. The Stepfather (1987) – Believe it or not, right next to the Pauly Shore collection are all the crappy “Stepfather” sequels, but not the original. Maybe the upcoming remake will finally get this little gem out of Illogical DVD Prison. Whenever people praise this intelligent slash-fest they credit Terry O’Quinn because he’s remarkably good as a serial killer who marries into ready-made families and then cuts them into small pieces when the perfect harmony he expects begins to break down. But Quinn’s also in the sequel, which is remarkably bad. “The Stepfather” rawks thanks, yes, to O’Quinn but also a very well structured script and a number of impressively directed scenes.
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4. Chilly Scenes of Winter (1979) – (aka “Head over Heels”) John Heard plays Charles, a Salt Lake City bureaucrat emotionally undone by his unrequited love for Laura (Mary Beth Hurt). The wintry atmosphere, locations, and the criminally under-appreciated Peter Riegert as Charles’ ne’er do well best friend make for a subtle, funny, and bittersweet look at a guy who just can’t get over the one who got away. As an added treat Gloria Graham has a memorable supporting role as Crazy Mom.
Readers who have been following me around for a while know I’ve been complaining about this not getting a DVD release for years now. But the film has important fans. TCM’s own Robert Osbourne once programmed five films for an evening, and this was one of those choices. Considering the library available to him, that’s quite an endorsement. Then again, my buddy Andrew Klavan gave it a look based on my recommendation and didn’t much care for it. So there you go…
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5. The Outfit (1973) – If a low-level criminal hell-bent on revenge working his way up the mob food chain sounds familiar it’s because both this and “Point Blank” are based on novels by Donald E. Westlake. Granted it’s hard to top Lee Marvin on the hunt and Angie Dickinson naked, but “The Outfit” has Robert Duvall’s tough, moody edge and the wonderful Joe Don Baker livening things up. Like “The Stone Killer” you also have a terrific assortment of supporting actors including Robert Ryan, Joanna Cassidy, Elisha Cook Jr., Henry Jones, Richard Jaeckel, and especially Sheree North (much sexier here in her early forties than the pseudo-Marilyn days) in a small but memorable role.