Cast
Gary Cooper
DVD Release Date: November 7, 2006
Rating: Not Rated
Running Time: 558 Minutes On 6 Discs
The Movie
When it comes to choosing different roles in films, the actors of today’s generation just don’t have nearly as much style as they did during the Golden Years. Sure we are amazed at how Jim Carrey can be a nutbag in one film and then be in an overly dramatic and sympathetic role to the next. Johnny Depp can be a pirate, a crazed writer, or a famous character in literature and he pulls each one of them off perfectly. But way back when, actors had to learn to go from the silent film era to the world of talking pictures, black and white to color, and a change of roles between every single film. That shows just how great an actor Gary Cooper was, and you wouldn’t have to even watch a single second of his work.
But you’ll want to.
Gary Cooper passed away at the age of 60 and starred in films for 29 of them. Any kind of movie that could be made, you can check back and see that Cooper surely was in it and starred in any role imaginable. He was there for the transition of the silent film into when “talkies” were introduced in the late twenties. Black and white or color, it mattered none to the greatness that Cooper brought to the screen. Humor, drama, intensity, sympathy”¦there is nothing that this great man couldn’t do.
I am an extreme fan of movies, all years and genres. But I’ll admit that I had never seen much of Coope’s work before. I’m sure I had seen some clips or something somewhere along the line, but never the five movies in this collection in their entirety. After viewing these films, I am on a mission to see more of this fantastic acto’s career.
Dallas
The old West is the setting for this film of an outlaw, Blayde Hollister, and a marshal switching up their identities in order for the outlaw to settle an old grudge. There are some great gunfights, some wonderful scenery, and a really in-depth story that you seriously need to pay attention to so as not to get lost.
The Fountainhead
Unique architect Howard Roark has his own amazing and innovative views and designs, but his school doesn’t quite see it that way as he is expelled for not following along with the curriculum. Struggling to find some type of work because he is so set and committed to his ideas, life becomes hard and very difficult. That’s until he finds someone like himself who believes in him and also the love of a woman who supports him.
Sergeant York
A rather simple story told in one fantastic way. Alvin York is an anti-war country boy who wants nothing more then to stay at home and live his life as he wants to. When he’s drafted to World War I though, he finds out just all the things that are involved with our fighting soldiers and what the right things are to do.
Springfield Rifle
Another great western, but this time set in the era of the Civil War. Showing his true colors in times of need, Lex Kearney is dishonorably discharged for his cowardice during times of war on the battlefield. Thing is Kearney actually goes undercover in becoming a Confederate sympathizer in order to try and find out information about the Sout’s plans to stop Union shipments of horses needed in battle.
The Wreck Or The Mary Deare
Screen great Charlton Heston stars in this film with Cooper, who plays a supposed madman, Gideon Patch, who is the last remaining crewman of the leaking and doomed freighter, the Mary Deare. The ship is found by Captain John Sands (Heston) who goes to claim it until finding Patch aboard. Confusion abounds and some great action takes place as the mystery of why only one man remains on a huge ship with only a small leak and tiny fire gets weirder and weirder.
The Video
The films all look fantastic. The Fountainhead and Sergeant York are in black and white, and the other three films are in color. The colors are all extremely bright and vibrant as most films in the early days of color were. Four of the films are preserving their original theatrical aspect while Mary Deare is shown in Letterbox Widescreen.
The Audio
All five of the films are heard in Dolby Digital Mono Sound. Not the best sounding movies in the world I can tell you that, but they still come across just fine once you find a good setting.
Special Features
The Making Of The Fountainhead – Full of some of your normal “making of” stuff while also giving a great amount of information into how life was back in the forties. A very cool look into not only the film itself, but all the things that happened before it was even made.
The Fountainhead Theatrical Trailer
Commentary On Sergeant York – Historian Jeanine Basinger gives a rather insightful view on a war movie that is only half filled with actual battle as compared to today’s war movies full of nothing but fighting. A lot of information is given in this commentary so it’s really worth checking it out.
The Making Of Sergeant York: Of God And Country – Again, there is some basic “making of” events happening, but this feature also delves deep into the subjects this movie focused on and how it effected the country during it’s time of war.
Gary Cooper: American Life, American Legend – A deep look into the life and films of Gary Cooper narrated by Clint Eastwood. A must see in this collection.
Classic Cartoon: Porky’s Preview – An old time black and white classic. I love Porky Pig.
Lions For Sale – Weird. That’s all I got to say about that.
Gary Cooper Movies Trailer Gallery – Trailers for six of Coope’s films.
The Inside Pulse
It really doesn’t get much better then a collection full of movies that take you back to a different place and time; and well, are just full of some great acting and wonderful storylines. The extras are severely lacking for five films, but the ones you will get are really informative and very interesting to check out. If you’re a fan of Gary Cooper, then this set is a must. And if you’re not a fan, I still suggest going out and picking this up. I am planning on checking out more of his films, so if you’ve never seen his work like I hadn’t, then this collection is the place to start.
