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The Great Escape [1963]

Childrens Toy Shop > DVD > Classics
starring: Steve McQueen, James Garner, Richard Attenborough, James Donald, Charles Bronson
directed by: John Sturges

February 01, 2000
An early war film before the use of special effects works by it's "acting". These were top escapists who weren't to be denied, how they actually succeeded was through ingenuity, except it came at a cost, namely death and recapture.
The Germans knew they were going to be tested but they hadn't the collective nous to thwart the impending break out/s. Very sanitary in it's portrayal as it lacks an edge apart from the final scene of McQueen trying to outwit his pursuers. Marvellous back drop and having Bronson being a tunnelman afraid of the dark/clostrophobic and the brains of the operation going blind shows how plans can almost backfire.
An excellent cast illuminates this War time drama, a deserved favourite!

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L'Avventura [1961]

Childrens Toy Shop > DVD > Classics
starring: Gabriele Ferzetti, Monica Vitti, Lea Massari, Renzo Ricci, Dominique Blanchar
directed by: Michelangelo Antonioni

June 30, 2008
Anything that can be said has been said so I wont go on to much...In my view for me this is without doubt one of the best films I have seen in years, Monica Vitti is so stunning even mesmerising. Beautifuly shot. A girl myseriously disappears while on a yachting trip after that the search begins by her Lover and her best friend...(what are friend for) and what use are lovers ??. I feel that many men and women will relate to certain main characters in the way they act out there lives, I wont give anything away.cos thats the kinda guy I am.

I would also suggest seeing L'Eclisse also starring Monica Vitti and the stylish Alain Delon (good hair) also Red Desert I think it may be released on dvd region 2 in October 2008 its available on region ... Read More:

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David Essex Double Bill - That'll Be The Day / Stardust [1973]

Childrens Toy Shop > DVD > Classics
starring: David Essex, Rosemary Leach, Ringo Starr, Billy Fury, Keith Moon
directed by: Claude Whatham, Michael Apted

February 26, 2007
For any true Rock 'n' Roll fan and any former members of the growing-up cultures of the Fifties and Sixties...Seventies too, you just can't let these two get away - "That'll Be The Day" and it's sequel, "Stardust".

It's a fabulous roller-coaster ride that isn't just limited to the fairground, depicting the social and musical changes of life in 1950's Britain as seen through the eyes of the young man who turns out to be 'the minstrel of a generation' - Jim Maclaine...very amicably portrayed by teen Pop idol (at the time!), David Essex. Infact, it was Mr. Essex who was nominated for the Best Newcomer BAFTA along with Rosemary Leach as Best Supporting Actress in the role of his long-suffering Mother. A stellar cast including Robert Lindsay, Billy ... Read More:

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The Court Jester [1956]

Childrens Toy Shop > DVD > Classics
starring: Danny Kaye, Glynis Johns, Basil Rathbone, Angela Lansbury, Cecil Parker
directed by: Melvin Frank, Norman Panama

March 12, 2007
One of Danny Kaye's finer hours, this farce stands the test of time pretty well. Kaye was the Jim Carrey of his time - if you don't like his pratfalling style of physical comedy once, you won't ever like it - but even if not a fan of his particular brand of tomfoolery, the verbal patter alone is worth the price of admission.
The plot should be brushed over - it's intricate and daft as a good farce should be, revolving around mistaken identities and wooing the girl, and multiple characters up to nefarious deeds. Complications arise when Kaye tries to pretend he is the Jester, and is then hypnotised to believe he is a great swordsman and lover, and changes between identities at the snap of a finger. It is the wonderful script that makes the difference, ... Read More:

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Summer Holiday [1963]

Childrens Toy Shop > DVD > Classics
starring: Una Stubbs, Ron Moody, Cliff Richard, Lauri Peters
directed by: Peter Yates

February 26, 2007
I remember really enjoying this when I was a kid so I rented it for my children to see (3 boys aged 8,7 & 7 and a girl aged 4) but I didn't expect them to enjoy it quite as much as they did. They are now driving me mad singing Bachelor Boy almost non-stop but they loved the whole thing. The adventure of travelling around in a bus, the singing and dancing, the fun of "Fagin" doing his mime and the near-wedding to the poor Yugoslav girl - I'd forgotten quite how good it was and the children are really disappointed that I have to send it back. Please don't take it too seriously and just enjoy but I imagine if you are even looking at a review of Summer Holiday then you will enjoy it.

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The Maltese Falcon (2 Disc Special Edition) [1941]

Childrens Toy Shop > DVD > Classics
starring: Humphrey Bogart, Mary Astor

February 05, 2007
Humphrey Bogart is on top form in this John Huston-directed classic film from 1941.

The age of the film is not really a factor with this new Special Edition, as the restored picture and sound are faultless and catapult the action onto the screen for maximum enjoyment.

The plot centres on the quest to obtain an elusive statuette (as named in the title of the film), but the item is really a 'MacGuffin' since the story is played-out to involve all the matters associated with getting it, rather than the Maltese Falcon itself being significant.

This allows the detective Sam Spade character played by Bogart to dominate the film, and the quality of his performance clearly demonstrates why he subsequently rose to stardom. He is simply magnificent ... Read More:

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Exodus [1960]

Childrens Toy Shop > DVD > Classics
starring: Paul Newman, Eva Marie Saint, Ralph Richardson, Peter Lawford, Lee J. Cobb
directed by: Otto Preminger

February 02, 2004
Exodus is a pro Israel film. What is wrong with that? In Europe
most of the media puts the Arab point of view every hour with no attempt at "fairness".There is an element of stereo type of the British, Arabs and also the Palestinian Jews.Since the 1967 war we need reminding that the only Palestinians that fought for the Allies in the two World Wars were the Palestinian Jews now called Israelis.The word "Palestinian" has been inaccurately appropiated by the Arabs of palestine only.A dramatic epic and a reminder of the fact that the Arabs rejected all offers of negotiation which could have avoided refugee problems and war, and that the British Administration was not evenhanded but 100% pro Arab because of Arab oil and bolstered by traditional public school Anti semitism. Every ... Read More:

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Trumpton - The Complete Collection [1967]

Childrens Toy Shop > DVD > Classics
starring: Brian Cant

October 29, 2007
Having first seen Trumpton over 30 years ago I sat and watched this DVD with my 10 year old. We had a lot of laughs and it brought back a lot of memories for me. Trumpton feels timeless and although old does not seem dated. The DVD contains a small section on how Trumpton was made, click by click! This was fascinating. I'm looking forward to sharing this with younger members of the family. I have also ordered Bod and Mr Benn so hope these too stir up the same emotions!

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Cats - Ultimate Edition [1998]

Childrens Toy Shop > DVD > Classics
starring: Elaine Paige, John Mills, Rosemarie Ford, Michael Gruber, John Partridge
directed by: Andrew Lloyd Webber

May 06, 2002
I have had this on video for years, and have watched it many many times, it's one of those musicals you can never get bored of.
I had a dream to see this live, and my wish finaly came true last weekend and i got to see it live at the Theatre.
What can i say but Wow! I didn't think it would be as good as the video, but i was wrong, the whole cast were fantastic, and really out done themselves.
I recommend this musical to anyone,especially those people who love Cats.

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Marx Brothers Collection: A Night At The Opera / A Day At The Races / At The Circus / Go West / The Big Store / A Night In Casablanca [1935]

Childrens Toy Shop > DVD > Classics
starring: The Marx Brothers, Diana Lewis, Kitty Carlisle, Allan Jones, Maureen O'Sullivan
directed by: Charles Reisner, Edward Buzzell, Archie Mayo

August 23, 2004
This boxset contains 5 wonderful Marx Brothers films. The picture quality & sound on all of them is superb. If, like me, you are a Marx Bros. fan, then this really is a fantastic set of films to own. It is difficult for me to choose a favourite from the 5 movies here, simply because they are all hilarious & the quality of the jokes & gags is incomparable.

Worth mentioning are the extra features, which are excellent because they are on all 5 movies. For example, on "Day at the races", there are 3 cartoons with a horse theme. I enjoyed these, & I found myself laughing almost as much as when I was watching the actual movies. Other non cartoon extras include short films involving a couple whose trip to the cinema becomes a chaotic mess !!

Highlight : In ... Read More: