Master of Disguise

Starring:Dana Carvey, Brent Spiner, Jennifer Esposito, Harold Gould, James Brolin, Austin Wolff, Edie McClurg, Maria Canals, Robert Machray, Michael Bailey Smith, Vincent Riverside, Rachel Lederman, Mark Devine (II), Kenan Thompson, Jay Johnston, Mark Ginther, Carrick O'Quinn, Mitch Silpa, John Tenn, Virginia Hawkins
Director: Perry Andelin Blake
Studio: Sony Pictures
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com essential video

Richard Donner's 1978 epic about the Man of Steel showed how a film about a superhero could be a moving and romantic experience even for people who long ago gave up comic books. Beginning on the icy planet Krypton, the story follows the baby Kal-El, whose rocket ship lands in Smallville, Kansas. He is found there by a childless couple and raised as the shy Clark Kent (the young Kent is played by Jeff East). The film is perhaps most touching in these sequences, with expanses of wheat fields blowing in the wind and with a young man who can't figure out what part in destiny his great powers are meant to play. The second half, with Reeve taking over as Clark/Superman, is bustling, enchanting (the scene in which Superman flies girlfriend Lois Lane--played by Margot Kidder--through the night sky is great date material), and funny, thanks largely to Gene Hackman's sardonic portrayal of nemesis Lex Luthor. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews:

"You, you've got me? Who's got you?".......2007-07-03

I've never really been that fussed about seeing this film before - as a child (OK, and now) I was mad about Lois & Clark: New Adventures Of Superman, with Dean Cain & Teri Hatcher, and am now collecting the DVDs. (I've never seen Smallville yet - probably not a good idea to get started on that one, I've still got loads of others to watch.) People have always said, the first actor you see playing a certain role, will never compare to anyone else. Up until now, I didn't think anyone but Dean Cain could play Superman.

How wrong I was. After watching this film (and buying Superman II and Superman Returns), I have to say I love Christopher Reeve as Superman. Not only does he fill the suit rather well, he's hotter than Dean Cain (can't believe I once spent a "Bring Your Daughter To Work Day" trawling the internet at my Dad's work looking for photos of him!), and he brings a whole new dimension to the character of Clark Kent. With Dean, he was just a guy in glasses, with almost exactly the same hair. Christopher turns Clark into a bumbling idiot, who seems to be out of sorts with everything around him, and parts his hair on a different side, whether he's Clark or Superman.

I certainly hope the second movie starts with more of a bang than this one did. Just over an hour before we actually get to see Christopher as Superman. I hated the beginning, and really was going to switch it off, but thankfully, I didn't. It was just way too much, and what Marlon Brando got paid was absolutely shocking. He got paid $3.7 million, and as if that wasn't enough, he also got a percentage of the profits for playing Jor-El for 12 (TWELVE) shooting days. The fee (plus the percentage) also covered the sequel, which was being simultaneously shot with the original. He didn't appear in the sequel however, as he was involved in a lawsuit over non-payment of his profit-participation for the original movie. He ultimately received about $14 million for his ten minutes on film. ($14 MILLION).

I wasn't keen on Margot Kidder's interpretation of Lois Lane. I loved Teri Hatcher's version of the character, but wasn't so keen on this one. She seemed to scream at every opportunity, and certainly played the traditional damsel in distress character, which was very grating. Teri certainly didn't do that - she gave Lois Lane (to put it politely) balls, who didn't need a guy in tights to save her.

The film was excellent, and I was shocked at the quality of the CGI, during the flying sequences - but in a good way. I seriously expected the CGI to be worse than it was, particularly for a film made in 1978. I only noticed the CGI a couple of times, but I've seen it a lot worse in other films. I was very impressed, as I was expecting to notice it a lot.

Christopher Reeve certainly had talent, and it showed in this. He's so hot too! It's such a shame what has happened since, and it still makes me sad thinking about it. In my opinion, he's definitely the best Superman, and I doubt that will change when I watch Superman Returns. (Although Brandon Routh could have been his twin, they look pretty similar!)

Overall, I was really impressed with this film, although I think it could have been better in parts, but Christopher's performance more than makes up for that. I look forward to seeing the second, and then I might make a decision about the third & fourth. But then again, I might just buy it for Christopher. He's definitely hot. Even if he does wear tights, and his underwear on the outside.

This Is My Favorite Movie Of All Time.......2007-06-27

This is, in my opinion, the best film ever made. Period.. OMG! The casting is PERFECT! The direction is PERFECT! The music is PERFECT! The cinematography is PERFECT(Geoffrey Unsworth had to shoot the film in soft focus so that all the cutting edge, state-of-the-art effects would meld together)! The acting is PERFECT! The writing is PERFECT! And as far as the theatrical cut is concerned the editing is PERFECT! This film is just plain magical in every way possible. Maybe you had to be there, well I was, therefore I know what I'm talking about, believe me. I had the Superman poster of him(Christopher Reeve) pointing up at the sky on my bedroom door, o.k.! I had the Superman doll from the movie that came with a Superman t-shirt, o.k.!
This movie was spectacular, realistic and a lot of hard work went into it by numbers of people. The hard work shows, as the result is better than anyone could have imagined.
This film brings to life, in the most PERFECT way possible at the time, the comic book character Superman. The casting of Christopher Reeve couldn't have been more PERFECT! The believable emotion and humanity that he brought to the role is immeasurable. Richard Donner knew what he was doing and it is remarkable that the film turned out as well as it did with the producers he had.
The film covers the origins of Superman up to his first adventure up against his arch nemesis Lex Luthor(brilliantly played by Gene Hackman). He starts his job at the Daily Planet as mild mannered reporter Clark Kent. Is introduced to Lois Lane and Jimmey Olsen by Perry White on his first day. The rest is history. The adventure began and it was wonderful, a glorious debut of a franchise. It also began my love affair with Margot Kidder(as Lois Lane). I so fell in love with her watching this film, and have been ever since. No woman can match up to what Margot is to me, did I forget to mention that she's PERFECT in the film?
I've often wondered what makes "Superman :The Movie" so credible and loved. I think I've figured it out. Any film, with a cameo by such a well known(then) film critic as Rex Reed, has to be good. Between Rex and John Williams' majestic score, Richard Donner and Tom Mankiewicz' vision, some(for the time) cutting edge effects, and some really great performances it had to be great, and it's even better than that. I just LOVE this film, it makes you feel so good when you watch it, most likely I feel this way for nostalgic reasons, but so be it. Avoid "Superman Returns" at all costs and stick with the REAL Superman, the ONLY Superman, Christopher Reeve. This is the best film based on a comic book EVER!

Great Seller!.......2007-06-13

The movie was exactly as advertised, great price, and the delivery was much faster than I'm used to with online purchases.

Superman is fantastic flying fun!.......2007-05-06

The best thing about this movie are the opening credits! When I saw this movie nearly 30 years ago I was awe struck at the opening. The movie is first rate with first rate performances by Marlon Brando, Gene Hackman, Margot Kidder and of course Christopher Reeve.I enjoyed Superman I and II but didn't really care for the two other Superman movies. Don't get me wrong..Christopher Reeve is a wonderful actor and we miss him but the last two didn't have much of a plot. Superman I was and still is good high flying fun for everyone!!

It's the internet, it's Amazon . . . it's SUPERMAN THE MOVIE! dvd.......2007-04-18

WARNING! The Intergalactic Credits that "Superman: The Movie" & "Superman II" open with are waaaaaaayyyyyyyyyy toooooooo loooooooooong in spite of the beautiful orchestral score of John Williams (Jaws, Star Wars, Boston Pops)! That epic intro is more befitting of an over-the-top 3-hour 1940s Biblical epic, unless both Superman movies were combined into one geeky gratuitous leviathan (I don't mean to compare Superman to God but . . well, actually, he DOES seem quite godlike!). Regardless, "Superman: The Movie" is a glorious cinematic experience on this widescreen dvd I checked out from the Ann Arbor Public Library (in case you're a spy drafting a list of my library lendings for Homeland Security; to you also I recommend this dvd and God help you protect our great nation!). This fast paced adaptation of Siegal & Shuster's D.C. Comics icon is packed with thrills, chills, excitement, humor, drama, gorgeous visuals and stunning special effects, and it's all rated PG! You can watch it with your wife, girlfriend, mom, kids . . . everyone is happy! Christopher Reeves tops his father's TV portrayal (George Reeves) as the hero, Gene Hackman is is always on the brink of stealing the show as supervillian Lex Luthor, and Margot Kidder gives the most blood-curdling scream to Lois Lane you could ever hope to hear in a non-slasher film (the helicopter disaster is great! who can't relate to a fall-to-your-death scene?). With cameos by Marlon Brando (Jor-L, Superman's father), lil' rascal Jackie Cooper (Perry White of the Daily Planet), and Glen Ford (foster father) as well as a superb screenplay co-authored by Mario Puzo (The Godfather), this thing is SUPER DELUXE CINAMANIA! I HIGHLY recommend it! As for this copy: mine doesn't seem to have all the extras other reviewers wrote about. I guess the proliferation of editions demonstrates the popularity and longevity of this film . . .

Average customer rating:

Very weak plot
Stupid funny
The Kids Just LOVE It!
The funniest movie ever
Master of Disguise

Master of Disguise
Starring: Dana Carvey , Brent Spiner , Jennifer Esposito , Harold Gould , and James Brolin
Director: Perry Andelin Blake
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00007JMEB
Release Date: 2003-01-28

Amazon.com

For grown-up fans of Dana Carvey, this train wreck of a comedy, is, in the words of Carvey's SNL Ross Perot impression, just sad. But kids love it! Carvey's chameleonesque Pistachio Disguisey is an endearing klutz-turned-hero in the classic Jerry Lewis tradition. So perhaps they won't get the Tony Montana Scarface reference. But his Turtle man is a hoot ("Am I not turtle enough?" is the catchphrase that swept the playgrounds). And when all else fails (and it nearly does), Brent Spiner shows up to steal his scenes as the villain who has a penchant for passing gas after laughing maniacally. No doubt hopes for an Austin Powers-like franchise have been dashed. Certainly, Master, with its cameos by Bo Derek, Jessica Simpson, and Jesse Ventura, lacks Goldmember's A-list star power. But it is way more family-friendly, and that will favorably impress parents. --Donald Liebenson

Customer Reviews:

Very weak plot.......2007-06-20

All that I can say about this movie is wow.......I first saw this movie in the theater at the age of 10. I remember wanting to die while watching it. I found it as one of the dumbest, stupidest, weakest plots imagineable. Perhaps you would like the movie if you were 6....but the average 10 year old can tell that this movie is a 10 minute skit dragged out over 80 minutes.

Stupid funny.......2007-02-24

If you like stupid funny, this is the movie for you. We love it. I imagine people who like Nacho Libre, Napoleon Dynamite, Waking Ned Divine (not as stupid funny as the others), etc would like this one too.

The Kids Just LOVE It!.......2006-12-12

Our Sons just love this movie. All their friend love to come over and watch it. Even the girl cousins think that its great. Our kids age range from 3 to 7 years and it is a great movie to have when the grown ups want to spend some time talking together.

The funniest movie ever.......2006-12-07

This movie is so awesome! It has a little of everything. It has slapping, comedy, and awesome disguises! Pistachio is sooo funny! I love the way he's clueless sometimes. This movie gets two thumbs up!!!!!!!

Master of Disguise.......2006-11-10

We love this movie - it is a comedy for the whole family. It is one of those movies you can watch over and over and find something new/funny to laugh at. Definitely suggest this movie for anyone looking for a funny movie to enjoy with the whole family!

Superman - The Movie (Four-Disc Special Edition)

Average customer rating:

Original theatrical release? Not quite
Cut Up
worth every penny
Save Your Money! Get "Superman: The Movie (2000) instead.
Still the greatest superhero movie of them all

Superman - The Movie (Four-Disc Special Edition)
Starring: Christopher Reeve , Margot Kidder , Marlon Brando , and Gene Hackman
Director: Richard Donner
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000IJ79UW
Release Date: 2006-11-28

Description

A box-office smash, an Academy Award winner* and a fan favorite since it first flew into theatres in December 1978, Superman: The Movie assembles a cast and creative contingent as only a big movie can. At its heart (just as in three sequels) is Christopher Reeve's intelligent, affectionate portrayal of a most human Man of Steel. Watching Superman again isn't just like being a kid again. It's better. The movie's legacy soared even higher when director Richard Donner revisited this beloved adventure 22 years later and integrated eight minutes into the film. Enjoy more footage of the Krypton Council, a glimpse of stars of prior Superman incarnations, more of Jor-El underscoring his son's purpose on Earth and an extended sequence inside Lex Luthor's gauntlet of doom. Reeve, Marlon Brando (Jor-El), Gene Hackman (Luthor) and Margot Kidder (Lois Lane) give indelible performances that fuel the film's aura of legend. Looks like a swell night for flying. Why not come along?

Customer Reviews:

Original theatrical release? Not quite.......2007-06-10

Be warned, Jor-el -- I am a "Superman: The Movie" purest to the Nth degree (I saw the original in its first theatrical run three times in 1978 and many, many more times on videotape).

NOTE: If you thought "Superman Returns" was a better film than "The Movie", you may as well stop reading this review right here and now. There isn't a presence on earth that could convince me of that; and frankly, you don't know what you're talking about.

The so-called "Original Theatrical Release" featured in the new 4-disc "The Movie" set may have cut out all those unnecessary "director's cut" scenes (present in 2000's 4-disc all-movies DVD set) -- for example, 1) an elongated council meeting between Jor-el and the scientists who don't believe his "outlandish" theory that Krypton will soon be destroyed and 2) after Superman's initial set of rescue sequences (starting off with the Lois Lane helicopter grab), he has an extraneous, melodramatic consultation with Jor-el in the Fortress of Solitude (with the exact same musical score from an earlier scene where Jor-el bids farewell to his infant son on Krypton; a technique which I despise, as if there wasn't enough dramatic music stock from John Williams' incredible score).

BUT... what the creators of this new DVD set didn't do was purge the HORRIBLE trumped-up "enhanced" sound effects from the 2000 DVD release (yes, I looked for a way to turn it off in some sort of audio feature, but you can't). And it's obvious almost immediately. A little background before my explanation: I regard the opening credit sequence of "The Movie" as one of the most heart-pulsatingly effective credit sequences I've ever seen (and heard) on film -- from that exquisite trumpet solo as Superman makes his first appearance in comic form (Action Comics) being read by a child, to the first-person "flight" over The Daily Planet globe, and on thru the bright-blue "whooshing" trails of the transparent credits as we travel to Krypton aided by Williams' never-to-be-matched march (simply amazing!). My problem with the "enhanced" sound effects -- and where I knew they STILL hadn't given me the ORIGINAL original theatrical release as advertised -- was in the "whooshing" credits sound from "ALEXANDER SALKIND PRESENTS" onward that all but drowns out Williams' exceptional score (where the original whooshes complemented the score). And much worse, we're not given that EXPLOSIVE WHOOSH sound at the first appearance of the Superman red-and-yellow shield -- now (as was in 2000) replaced by an over-whooshy (pardon my terms) sound with a clank at the end (the rest are over-whooshy sans clanks). And what about that "nails on chalkboard" crystal squeal after Krypton and its red sun have blown to smithereens or when young Clark first builds the Fortress? It's almost too much to bear (it actually hurts my ears now).

But this was all part of the 2000 sound effect enhancements; if you don't believe me (and you have a copy of it), compare the "whooshing" sound effects from either this DVD or the 2000 DVD (exact same enhanced sound effects I've noted in both) with the videotape version (you can still find it in some video stores).

And speaking of ears, I couldn't believe them in 2000, and now I'm just pissed off about it in 2007. Will I return the DVD because of this "oversight"? Most likely. Will I send a complaint to Warner Bros.? It's on its way. Am I alone in my disgust? Highly doubt it (and I'd sure better NOT be).

The extras are nice (the ony reason this gets 2 stars instead of 1), but so what? Please help in my campaign to get what we've been asking for -- a pure "Superman: The Movie" DVD release. I'm not going to settle for anything less, and neither should you.

Cut Up.......2007-06-06

I dont know if anyone but me realizes but there is a lot cut from both versions of the movie. when lana asks young clark to go with the group after football practice to listen to records, he says he would like to, but the the jock comes up and says too bad he cant he has a lot to clean up meaning all the football gear, well before he runs home then stands against the truck when all the kids in the car from the group and lana stop to ask him how he got there so fast. he, clark, cleaned everything up super fast then ran home but its been cut out. then the part when lex luthor, otis, and miss tessmocher pull the scheme to change the direction of the rockets, all the planning and rehearsing scenes for the scam are cut out. the scam isnt even mentioned, its like all the sudden they are just doing it. the movie cuts to the car fliping, then they just start doing all this stuff no one ever talks about, well all the talk and planning was in the original movie, i remember lex luthor showing the schematic of how it was all going down, and what they all had to do, kinda like in back to the future when doc brown shows marty how hes gonna make his time travel car go back to the future, with the little model city and all. and i remeber tessmocher in that red dress all busty looking hot, getting ready to go play possum in the middle of the road, its all cut out of the movie completly. theres more cut out im sure. hollywood has been butchering all the movies for years to make them shorter and more politicaly correct. look at executive decision. about 15 minutes cut out all important stuff too.

worth every penny.......2007-04-12

For someone that grew up on Superman, this release is worth every penny because it contains the ORIGINAL THEATRICAL RELEASE!!!! I want to see the movie I seen as a kid. Not one that has been adulterated. I wish they would stop messing with films, and just give us the originals. Or at least give us an option.

Save Your Money! Get "Superman: The Movie (2000) instead........2007-03-28

I agree with the prior reviewers (Wayne C. Rogers, "bass boy" music fan), that this totally un-necessary four disc special edition, is nothing more than a pricy repackaging of the Dual-disc 2000 DVD release of "Superman: The Movie", with a few added bonus features, like the 78 Theatrical release of the film, and the old serials, meant to coincide with the Superman-Mania greeting the video release of "Superman Returns."

Still the greatest superhero movie of them all.......2007-03-21

The theatrical version of Richard Donner's Superman still holds up as the cinema's best superhero movie despite three decades' worth of advances in special effects and the arrival of almost every other comic book hero on the big screen, largely because at heart it's more a movie about what it means to be in a position where you have the power to do anything except what you really want. Although it's not without humor - it's dotted with neat little in-jokes that compliment rather than swamp the film, like Clark's brief glance at a payphone that's definitely not fit for his use - it takes itself and its characters seriously, with the absolute belief and integrity that Christopher Reeve brings to the part managing to transcend the inherent ridiculousness of a flying man who wears his underpants outside his tights. Marlon Brando's dignified performance sets the tone perfectly - this is indeed no mere fantasy, but something that carries some real emotional weight, with Kal El's journey to becoming Clark Kent and Superman one of loss and powerlessness despite his abilities. Yet rather than burying the picture the way the relentless one-note gloominess of Bryan Singer's take on the character did in Superman Returns, Donner mixes a classic epic style of filmmaking with a sense of joy and exuberance that makes the film seem a lot shorter than its 143-minutes, and throws in one of the great action setpieces of all time in the helicopter rescue sequence. Great filmmaking and great fun too.

Also included on the 4-disc set is Donner's slightly longer director's cut and a wide variety of excellent extras including all the extras from the previously released double-sided Director's Cut edition as well as nine of the classic Max and Dave Fleischer Superman cartoons from the 1940s. However, be warned that some early copies of the theatrical version didn't include the original 1978 sound mix but featured a remastered track with additional sound effects.

Average customer rating:

Technically and Historically Fascinating, But Unlikely To Appeal To Most Modern Viewers
An old dark house, a clever bat, some outstanding tracking shots. Just don't say rubeola is a plant
Definately worth a look.
Hard to FInd
This Movie is not out of print no more.................

Bat Whispers
Starring: Chance Ward , Chester Morris , Una Merkel , Richard Tucker , and Wilson Benge
Director: Roland West
Manufacturer: Image Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0000214FG
Release Date: 1999-11-30

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One of the truly oddball artifacts of the early talkie era, either a cockeyed fluke or a surrealist masterpiece. Producer-director Roland West had already done a silent film version of The Bat (1926), Mary Roberts Rinehart and Avery Hopwood's creaky stage melodrama about a fiendish criminal haunting a lonely Long Island mansion. The coming of sound cued a remake--now The Bat could whisper as well as skulk. And in a stroke of genius worthy of his mad mastermind, West added yet another dimension: The Bat Whispers would be one of a handful of 1930 features shot in widescreen, with a compositional emphasis on forced perspective and inky shadow play.

The plot is lunacy, but there are images here that seem to have escaped from the collective unconscious. Some of the miniature work, like a plunge down a skyscraper that then tilts and cuts "subliminally" into a real-life street scene, is easy to spot, yet chances are you'll find yourself enchanted all the same. And there's a chase during which the widescreen angles suddenly drop the floor right out from under one character, and you feel it in the pit of your stomach.

Like 1930's other pre-CinemaScope experiments , The Bat Whispers was shot in two versions--the 65mm Magnifilm production and one in the conventional "square" 35mm format. Deprived of the widescreen's radically unsettling asymmetry, West's movie became just another old-dark-house picture. You can see both on the DVD, and compare the standard version against the lustrous widescreen restoration by the UCLA Film and Television Archive (different cameramen, different setups, and occasionally different rhythm and action). On the other hand, why not just click on the real movie and prepare to go batty? --Richard T. Jameson

Description

The Bat, a master criminal who dares the police to catch him, has been terrifying the city. A bank is robbed, and the home of the bank president becomes the center of mysterious happenings. Amidst thrills, chills and laughs, the stolen money is discovered, and the Bat's secret identity is revealed!

Customer Reviews:

Technically and Historically Fascinating, But Unlikely To Appeal To Most Modern Viewers.......2007-06-25

THE BAT WHISPERS has a convoluted history more interesting than the film itself. Mary Roberts Rinehart (1876-1957) created this tale of a master criminal skulking around a creepy country mansion as the 1907 novel THE CIRCULAR STAIRCASE. Critics were not impressed, but the public loved it--and in 1917 Rinehart joined forces with playwright Avery Hopwood to adapt it to the stage. Retitled THE BAT, in 1920 it took Broadway by storm with its mixture of crazy characters, corny situations, and spooky atmosphere, and in 1926 film director Roland West brought the play to the screen. Once again it proved a great success; not only was the film an audience favorite, it was critically well-regarded too.

It was also made just as sound began to roar. In 1930 West decided to remake the film as a "talkie." He also decided to add a few innovative bells and whistles in a visual sense as well. Many directors of early sound films had enough to do in coping with sound technology--and so they tended to lock the camera down, a circumstance that gave most Hollywood films made between about 1929 and 1933 a visually static quality. Not so West: THE BAT WHISPERS would be noted for a remarkably fluid camera that made the most of detailed minitures and lavish sets. But more than this, THE BAT WHISPERS would truly stun audiences of the day via a widescreen format.

Widescreen format? In 1930? Surprising, yes, but true. Directors had tinkered with widescreen formats since the silent era, with French director Able Gance's 1927 masterpiece NAPOLEON a case in point--but although interesting, the results were hit and miss. With THE BAT WHISPERS, cinematographer Robert H. Planck nailed it flawlessly. He also left something of a puzzle: film historians are still not entirely sure how he brought it off. Most records seem to indicate that Planck actually shot the film on 35 mm, and then somehow managed to paste, cut, process, and reprint the original footage onto 70 mm. Regardless of how it was done, the result is astonishing, and every one who saw the film was amazed.

Unfortunately, those who saw it were few and far between. Theatre owners were still recovering from the expense of buying audio systems and they were not in a mood to pay for an expensive new screen and projection system as well. When the film went into general release, it went in standard ratio filmed by cinematographer Ray June. Again, it is hard to say exactly how this was done, but looking at both versions it would seem that June took a fair amount of Planck's footage, cropped it, and then re-shot most key scenes directly onto 35 milimeter stock.

We now come to something of a paradox. Planck's widescreen version is both visually beautiful and innovative--but Planck and director West were pretty much working without any precedent and they weren't quite sure of what do with the effect once they had it. Virtually everything is done in long shot, and when the camera isn't in motion THE BAT WHISPERS feels dry as dust and twice as slow. The June version, however, makes solid use of close-ups and medium shots, and while it sometimes feels a bit jumpy it has a better flow and a significantly better pace. Ironically, the June version is actually the more watchable of the two.

But I use the word "watchable" in a comparative sense here. The style of acting that worked so well for silent film proved horrifically awkward in sound film, and directors and actors struggled for several years to find a new acting technique. Both versions of THE BAT WHISPERS find the cast struggling in the gulf between old and new. The Planck version tends to highlight the difficulties involved; the June version softens them--but whether it be Planck or June, the performances are chiefly notable for their awkward quality.

The plot is also antiquated. Part of the charm of the novel, the 1920 play, and the 1926 film was the use of already old-fashioned plot ideas that had not yet worn out their welcome--but by 1930 the whole thing was wearing very thin, and it emerges here as overworked and lacking the necessary light touch. Every thing about the story had become very cliched, and two years later director James Whale would wickedly spoof the entire genre with a film aptly titled THE OLD DARK HOUSE. Although the Rinehart story received one more major turn before the cameras in 1959 with Vincent Price and Agnes Moorehead, the type of plot involved is now more often done tongue-in-cheek, with such films as MURDER BY DEATH and CLUE cases in point.

So what, exactly, is the value of THE BAT WHISPERS for a modern, casual viewer? The answer, rather sadly, is "not much." Hardcore fans of early 1930s film will likely enjoy the film, and film students interested in the history of cinematography cannot afford to miss it--but few others will be able to see beyond the awkward acting styles and now-absurd plot to experience the charm this film--in both widescreen and standard versions--had in 1930.

In terms of picture, the standard ratio version has the occasional blip and blemish but has weathered very well. Although it has been restored, artifacts abound in the widescreen version; even so, the picture is very clean and they do not significantly detract from the film. Sound quality is a problem in both versions, less so in the standard ratio version, more so in the widescreen version. To some extent, this may be due to the recording technology of the era (actors tend to become fainter as they move away from the center of the sets), but it seems safe to say that the entire sound balance is off on this DVD release. You'll have to turn up the volume all the way to hear it--and where the widescreen version is concerned you'll also have to sit by the speakers.

GFT, Amazon Reviewer

An old dark house, a clever bat, some outstanding tracking shots. Just don't say rubeola is a plant.......2007-05-19

When you hear the Bat whisper, you don't know whether to smile at the dated melodrama or admire some classy scenic set ups and camera work. The film may show its age with acting that is over the top, broad comic relief and a solution that for modern audiences is fairly easy to anticipate, but it looks great. The film was shot in an early version of wide-screen as well as a standard release version, using different cinematographers, cameras and set-ups. The wide-screen version is the one to watch. This is an old-dark-house creeper-thriller, with a stormy, thundering night, lots of shadowed stone staircases, massive doors and fireplaces, things that bump and thump, and, of course, a hidden room which may contain thousands of dollars stolen from a bank. More to the point, the film has a master villain who creeps and slides around wearing a bat outfit. He can shimmy up a rope in a flash or hang head down while he tips a victim out of a high window. And for fans of Bob Kane's Batman comic books plus all those Batman movies, this Bat is the grandaddy of both. He...it?...casts harsh, disturbing shadows of a tall figure with huge bat wings attached to unnaturally long arms. Is this just the work of the shadows or are his victims dispatched by some hideously deformed creature? And it whispers. All we know for sure is that the Bat is determined to frighten...or kill...his way to the stolen fortune.

The movie was based on a hugely popular stage play. The number of characters is almost large enough to make its own crowd scene. Whenever things get really tense, it seems a new character suddenly pops up. In this old mansion is the owner, a grande dame named Cornelia Van Gordon (Grace Hampton), an imperious woman with a vast bosom, a sturdy waist and a shrewd mind. How shrewd? She knows the new gardner is not what he seems when she asks him what he thinks of rubeola and he says it's a nice plant. Mrs. Van Gordon has a niece, Dale Van Gordon (Una Merkel), who seems a typical brainless flapper until we realize she's in cahoots with the false gardner. There is also a loyal maid, Lizzie (Madge Eburne), who has hysterics, rolls her eyes, prepares bear traps, sits on funny objects and acts like a cross between Patsy Kelly and Harpo Marx. There's a mysterious doctor, a small town elderly police lieutenant, a butler, a handyman who shakes violently when the Bat whispers, and a smart, big city cop, Detective Anderson, who is determined to catch the Bat and solve the bank robbery. We are faced with a question as simple as the plot, just who among all these characters could be the Bat?

Anderson is played by Chester Morris. If you're familiar with Morris' work you may recall him as a tough-guy leading man in a lot of Thirties movies. He never quite got both feet firmly on the A-level actors' list but never entirely was considered just another B-level lead. He exuded no-nonsense confidence, a kind of tall Jimmy Cagney without most of Cagney's empathy. He was always, in my opinion, an interesting actor. Then in 1941 in Meet Boston Blackie, he played Blackie, another tough, good guy detective. He was so good in the role he was instantly type cast. He played Boston Blackie in many movies during the Forties, each one a little worse than the other as the studio turned the series into a cash cow. By the time the string ran out, Chester Morris, who could be a fine actor, found himself doing television and regional theater. He killed himself with an overdose of sleeping pills in 1970 while starring in The Caine Mutiny Court Marshal at a theater in Pennsylvania. As Detective Anderson, Morris gives an odd performance that combines a clipped, sort of semi-off-and-on British inflection with a high degree of intensity.

The thing that makes The Bat Whispers of interest is the use of miniatures, especially at the beginning, the use of camera tracking shots that pull us away while walls slide back or that take us from a clock tower down to a street. Considering the weight of cameras in 1930, these shots are a tour de force. Some stunning lighting shows up, particularly when the Bat is framed against back lighting that is almost blindingly bright. And it is genuinely unnerving when the giant shadow of the bat shrivels down toward the floor and a dark, hunched shape rises up and starts slowly to limp towards us.

On balance, I think The Bat Whispers is something more than just an old and odd curiosity, but just barely. It's only out on VHS, as far as I know. Be sure you get the wide-screen version which was restored by the UCLA Film and Television Archive.

Definately worth a look........2007-03-25

The Bat Whispers is definately best of the "Old Dark House/Clutching Hand" type film I have ever seen (and that's covering about 53 years of movie viewing). This film held my attention from beginnning to end with creative model work, active camera movement and very imagenative camera angles and cinematography. This film is best viewed in the "Widescreen" version (This DVD contains both the 65MM experimental Widescreen version and standard Fullscreen versions)because it broadens the expanse of the settings and give you a broader view of what is taking place.
The characters are quite interesting and enjoyable and the acting is pretty straight forward for a film that was made right at the beginnig of the sound era. I also was amazed at how well the movie was able to keep the "Bats'" identity a secret. Neither I or any of my movie loving friends were able to figure out who he was until he is unmasked.
I had seen the original silent version titled "The Bat", by director Roland West also, some ten years ago and thought that it was a very creative film. But with the original "The Bat" the effect was lessened by its silence so director Roland West realized this and refilmed a whole new movie with "Sound".
If you are a fan of classic cinema "The Bat Whispers" should be on you list because they did not make many that are as creatively artistic or as well made as this one.

Hard to FInd.......2007-01-09

I tried for months to purchase this and each place said it was out of print or unavailable. Then I came here and here it was and in stock. So I quickly purchased it. I must say I was pleased after reading up on all the hype of this movie. There were parts of it that were comical only because of the difference in time and when this was made. But you need to take all that into consideration when you watch this. If you can, put yourself back into the year this came out and just marvel at it.

This Movie is not out of print no more........................2006-12-26

Is there any reason why these sellers are selling this movie so much still? apparently it is in print again. Anyhow this is a artistic classic I Highly Recommend this movie.

Average customer rating:

Master of Disguise

The Master of Disguise

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD
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Master of Disguise

ASIN: B0001F0T5A

Customer Reviews:

Master of Disguise.......2005-10-03

It looks fine... I didnt play it yet. It is a Christmas present. It arrived in a time manner and it appears in good condition.

Average customer rating:

Typical Wutang release
VERY GOOD MOVIE BUT IT WAS LACKING SOMETHING
What do you expect?
Nothing Fatal about this DVD except....

18 Fatal Strikes
Starring: Shih Tien , Stephen Tung Wai , Dean Shek , Tung Wei , and Wen Chiang Lung
Director: Yeung Jing Chan
Manufacturer: Ground Zero
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Crime | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

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Ninja Checkmate
Shaolin Master Killer (Widescreen Edition)
Invincible Armour
Fist of Legend
Five Deadly Venoms

ASIN: B000059H7F
Release Date: 2001-02-27

Description

Classic ninja movie hosted by the hip hop group Wu Tang Clan. Features a video by Wu Tang Clan

Customer Reviews:

Typical Wutang release.......2006-09-14

Now my rating may have been a 3 but the film was horribly presented. The movie I would give a 2.5/5 at best but only for the Shaking Eagle.

It starts out with the government looking to kill this monk. Of course their top fighter is the Shaking Eagle. With all types of swooshing sounds and hoooooooooo-waaaaaaaaaahhhhh's to distract you, this guy still has some awsesome kung fu. So the monk that the eagle is looking for gets away and Dean Shek(comedic teacher in Drunken Master and Snake In Eagle's Shadow) and Steve Tung Wei find and cure him. So FINALLY the 2 start to learn the monks styles and of course they look for revenge. The story was oh so dreary and the acting of Tung Wei was pretty bad, nowhere near a Bruce Liang of course, but let me talk about the finer points of this movie because there certainly were some.

We get to see Dean Shek in a different kind of role. Sure we know him for comedy and he displays that but we also get to see him as an actor, and a very good one he is. Also on dispay are his kung fu skills and while he could NEVER carry the movie as a hero, he is still a good fighter. And then of course we have the Shaking Eagle. The kung fu was standard at best all the way through, but the final fight is fun and bloody at the same time and way over the top. Can Tung Wei kill the invincible Shaking Eagle?

The special features include an intro where the RZA points out that Sammo and Tung Wei choreographed this movie and the fact that Tung Wei is the name of the kung fu system in Taiwan. Trailers of other wutang releases and a bonus fight of Tung Wei from the movie that Rarescope just released with Don Wong Tao: Along Comes a Tiger.

Picture quality is horrible but still watchable and we actually miss part of a good Dean Shek fight because I think RZA accidentally paused it and didn't notice for a few seconds. The sound is not very good but I am all too used to that. Certainly not the worst sound quality.

VERY GOOD MOVIE BUT IT WAS LACKING SOMETHING.......2006-05-31

ive gotten reports that this was made in 1981 at 1st and then i got reports that it was made in 1978. this movie stars stephen tung wei, shih tien (a funny cat indeed), underrated villain the shaking eagle (who gives a mesmerizing performance). the fight scenes was very good, the story is typical regular martial arts storyline. the comedy is pretty hilarious but it was lacking more fight scenes indeed. the dvd features are great i give that a 3 with a off the meatrack intro from the rza. the picture quality is decent, sound is terrible because i have to turn it all the way up and the vhs version is probably better believe it or not. but do pick this one up for sure. it is a classic for a low budget film

What do you expect?.......2002-01-19

This is about what you would expect from a 1981 low budget film. The story is lacking a bit and the comedy is lousy. The fighting is good, which makes it worth buying. I was disappointed with the audio/video quality. One channel of the audio is out of phase with the other which makes it hard to hear. By flipping the + & - wires on the back of one of the speakers fixes it. The video looks like RZA hooked up his K-mart blue light special VCR to a DVD burner and hit record. This movie is obviously aimed at Wu-tang clan fans, but it's worth checking out if you're a Kung-fu buff.

Nothing Fatal about this DVD except...........2001-06-12

Errors...

This DVD has the worst sound quality that you can imagine. I had to turn up the volume to 64 just to hear it. Then the picture freezes until the DVD skips chapters and shuts off. Its too bad as this is a classic that even though has a very bad storyline with bad comedy should still be in the collectors stock.

Amazon.com essential video

Customer Reviews:

"You, you've got me? Who's got you?".......2007-07-03

This Is My Favorite Movie Of All Time.......2007-06-27

Great Seller!.......2007-06-13

The movie was exactly as advertised, great price, and the delivery was much faster than I'm used to with online purchases.

Superman is fantastic flying fun!.......2007-05-06

It's the internet, it's Amazon . . . it's SUPERMAN THE MOVIE! dvd.......2007-04-18

Average customer rating:

Very weak plot
Stupid funny
The Kids Just LOVE It!
The funniest movie ever
Master of Disguise

The Master of Disguise [Region 2]
Starring: Dana Carvey , Brent Spiner , Jennifer Esposito , Harold Gould , and James Brolin
Director: Perry Andelin Blake
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

( M ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Family Films | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B00009B0PZ

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

Very weak plot.......2007-06-20

Stupid funny.......2007-02-24

The Kids Just LOVE It!.......2006-12-12

The funniest movie ever.......2006-12-07

Master of Disguise.......2006-11-10

Charlie Rose with Antonio Mendez; Frank Nuovo; Alberto Alessi; Richard Ostling (February 4, 2000)

Average customer rating:

Charlie Rose with Antonio Mendez; Frank Nuovo; Alberto Alessi; Richard Ostling (February 4, 2000)

Manufacturer: Charlie Rose
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Description

First, Antonio Mendez on his book, The Master of Disguise: My Secret Life in the CIA, the release of which marks the the first time the CIA has ever authorized a top-level operative to author a personal memoir. Later, a conversation with chief designer of Nokia, Frank Nuovo who is said to have changed the face of mobile communications by developing a style that enables users to personalize their phones. Then, a converstion with Alberto Alessi, the third generation of his family to head Alessi, the Italian design manufacturer, about how he has helped make his company home to some of the maestros of the design world, including Philippe Starck, Michael Graves, Frank Gehry, and Sir Norman Foster. Finally, former Time magazine reporter Richard Ostling talks about his new book, written with wife Joan, in which the Mormon church is examined from the inside out. The book is called Mormon America: The Power and the Promise.

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