THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, August 29, 1995 TAG: 9508290055
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Craig Shapiro
LENGTH: Long : 115 lines
WANT TO WORK a film buff into a real lather?
Mention Cecil B. De Mille and Raoul Walsh, then say early works by them - and we mean early - are included in ``First American Features 1912-1918.''
The fascinating collection from Kino on Video, a New York outfit seriously devoted to vintage movies, comes with a Videomatic guarantee: It will appeal to anyone with even a passing interest in cinematic and social history.
Walsh's ``Regeneration'' (1915), regarded as the first feature-length gangster film, was lost for more than 60 years. It's the story of an orphan who grows up tough on New York's Lower East Side to become the leader of an Irish gang. When a dedicated social worker opens a settlement house in the gang's district, he's inspired to turn his life around.
Besides its contemporary applications, the film technically is a landmark achievement. Walsh, who returned to the genre in ``White Heat,'' made pioneering use of the moving camera and elaborate set pieces. He also shot on location with real gang members and residents as extras, allowing a sometimes bleak but powerfully authentic look at life in New York before World War I.
When found, the film was badly decomposed, so the remastered print has a few scratches and jumps. They take nothing from its impact. ``Regeneration'' is not only a great silent film; it defines the art. There are images here you won't soon forget. Kino also has tacked on an amazing 10-minute short, shot by Thomas Edison in 1910, showing the New York police force in action.
Betrayal. Lust. Sacrifice. ``The Cheat'' (1915) has De Mille stamped all over it. A member of the Long Island jet set risks $10,000 meant for the Red Cross on a get-rich-quick hunch. When the money is lost, she turns to a Burmese ivory trader who, in a frightful scene, brands her as his property. She shoots him, and her husband takes the rap. The courtroom riot at the end is a gripper.
Sessue Hayakawa (``The Bridge on the River Kwai'') became a star as the sinister, dashing Mr. Arakau. With its use of side lighting, a technique that created a stark look to match the tone, the film also broke technical ground.
``Traffic in Souls'' (1913), George Loane Tucker's purported expose on the white-slavery market, is as melodramatic as they come. A cop busts a ring but doesn't get everyone. When his fiancee's sister is captured, the force springs back into action. A neat footnote is that the movie was shown to female immigrants at Ellis Island to warn them of the dangers of the new world.
Other films in the collection are the anti-war ``Civilization'' (1916) and ``From the Manger to the Cross'' (1912), the first biblical epic shot in the Holy Land. All have been digitally remastered and feature new scores.
They go for $29.95 each, and if the first three are any indication, they're worth every penny. Call Kino at (800) 562-3330.
SUCH A DEAL: The (Vincent) Price is right. Orion has ``The Tomb of Ligeia,'' ``Conqueror Worm,'' ``Cry of the Banshee,'' ``The Comedy of Terrors,'' ``Dr. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine'' and ``Dr. Goldfoot and the Girl Bombs'' for $9.98 each.
Orion's also cut Fox Lorber's ``Starstruck,'' ``Father,'' ``Termini Station,'' ``Freeze Die Come to Life,'' ``The Dolphin,'' ``Yellow Earth,'' ``Andrei Rublev,'' ``Solaris'' and ``My Name Is Ivan'' to $19.98.
Columbia TriStar has repackaged ``Annie,'' ``Oliver'' and ``Hook'' in those slick clamshell deals ($19.95) and put together some box sets: ``City Slickers'' and ``City Slickers II'' ($29.95); ``Monty Python and the Holy Grail,'' ``And Now for Something Completely Different'' and ``Jabberwocky'' ($34.95), ``Lawrence of Arabia'' and ``The Bridge on the River Kwai'' ($44.95) and ``Born Free'' and ``Living Free'' ($19.95).
Speaking of sets, Lucasfilm has digitally remastered the ``Star Wars'' trilogy using its exclusive THX process. The films haven't been letterboxed, but they'll look and sound better. (FoxVideo, $49.98/$19.98 per title)
TOP TAPES (in Billboard):
Sales: ``Playboy: The Best of Pamela Anderson,'' ``The Swan Princess,'' ``Forrest Gump,'' ``Pink Floyd: Pulse,'' ``Disney's Sing Along Songs: Pocahontas''
Rentals: ``Just Cause,'' ``Outbreak,'' ``Boys on the Side,'' ``The Brady Bunch Movie,'' ``Dumb and Dumber''
The Couch Report
``Kiss of Death'' (FoxVideo, 1995). David Caruso silenced the ``NYPD Blue'' naysayers as Jimmy Kilmartin, an ex-con forced back into the underworld. He wears his heart, and gutsy determination, on his sleeve. But this lean film noir belongs to a pumped-up Nicolas Cage, who gives a great performance as a vicious gangster named Little Junior. He's plain scary. The script is suitably twisty. Director Barbet Schroeder opens with a clever tracking shot that sets the tone - then he lives up to his promise. Videomatic says: A
(CAST: David Caruso, Nicolas Cage, Samuel L. Jackson, Helen Hunt. RATED: R for violence, language, nudity; 101 mins.)
``Temptation of a Monk'' (Fox Lorber, 1994). In seventh century China, a general is betrayed and hides in a Buddhist temple. Working from a story by Lilian Lee (``Farewell My Concubine''), director Clara Law brings Kurosawa-like sweep and detail to this engrossing drama of self-discovery. She also weaves in Shakespearean tragedy, Kabuki theater and Buddhist philosophy, then frames it in the best traditions of spaghetti Westerns and samurai epics. Unforgettable. (Chinese with English subtitles) Videomatic says: A+
(CAST: Joan Chen, Wu Hsinkuo, Zhang Fengyi, Lisa Lu. UNRATED: violence, mild language, nudity, situations; 118 mins.)
``Hideaway'' (Columbia TriStar, 1995). Buy into the premise and this thriller delivers. After nearly drowning, Jeff Goldblum is resuscitated, only to find himself psychically linked to a serial killer (played with real chills by Jeremy Sisto) who is stalking his daughter. Stylish direction and imaginative FX make the far-out idea work. While the surprise revelation is no surprise, and the climax is overdone, things do get tense. Goldblum is reliable as always. Videomatic says: B
(CAST: Jeff Goldblum, Christine Lahti, Jeremy Sisto, Alica Silverstone, Alfred Molina. RATED: R for violence, language, situations; 103 mins.)
Also: ``Mortal Kombat - The Animated Video,'' a spin on the popular video game (PG), plus action with Christopher Lambert and Joan Chen in ``The Hunted'' (R), Stacie Randall in ``Excessive Force II: Force on Force'' (R) and - you gotta love it - Shannon Tweed and Andrew Dice Clay in ``No Contest'' (R)
NEXT TUESDAY: ``Digital Man''
Sept. 6: ``A Goofy Movie'' ILLUSTRATION: JAMES BRIDGES \20th Century Fox
David Caruso, left, plays an ex-con forced back into the underworld
by a gangster (Nicolas Cage) in ``Kiss of Death.''
by CNB