Hidden Hollywood, Vol. 2 - More Treasures from the 20th Century Fox Vaults

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Comedy is king in this second collection of outtakes from the Fox studio vaults. Some former vaudevillians are captured in rare clips, including behind-the-scenes footage of Buster Keaton instructing Alice Faye in the proper method for taking a cream pie in the face. W.C. Fields holds court in a legendary sequence from Tales of Manhattan, cut from the film's release but restored here to something like its original shape (alternate takes show Fields's incorrigible genius for improvising). Danny Kaye shines in a brilliant bit from On the Riviera, parodying an off-key singer manhandling "Begin the Beguine." The musical numbers tend to be so-so, with the notable exception of the Nicholas Brothers tearing through an athletic dance routine in a harem. Skating enthusiasts will welcome the footage of Sonja Henie, whose somewhat mysterious popularity is examined. The spectacle of Victor Mature as a singing star is mercifully (and amusingly) brief. --Robert Horton

Description

See a cavalcade of legendary actors and actresses at the top of their form in this stunning collection of rare musical and comedy sequences excised from classic Fox films! The history behind each deleted sequence blends with fascinating interviews, recently discovered dailies, and rare archival footage and stills to offer a comprehensive story of Hollywood's Golden Age! Includes: W.C. Fields, Margaret Dumont and Phil Silvers in the 13 minute restored comedy sequence from "Tales of Manhattan;" rare outtakes of Buster Keaton and Alice Faye rehearsing comedy gags for "Hollywood Cavalcade;" "I'll See You in My Dreams" performed by Alice Faye (deleted from "Rose of Washington Square"); a restored version of the "Sheik of Araby" musical sequence from "Tin Pan Alley" featuring Alice Faye and Betty Grable, including never-before-seen alternate takes of a dance routine performed by the Nicholas Brothers; "The Old Army Game" performed by Kay Francis, Mitzi Mayfair, Martha Raye and Carole Landis (deleted from "Four Jills and a Jeep"); the Ritz Brothers perform a hilarious comedy sequence cut from the film "On the Avenue."

Customer Reviews:

TWO GREAT CARMEN MIRANDA OUTTAKES!.......2006-05-11

In the 1940s B&W musical FOX film, "DOLL FACE" Carmen Miranda had
one of her production numbers cut from the film due to the censors at that time. "She's Always True To The Navy" was the song Carmen sang with a lighthouse as a hat and wearing a very sexy outfit, this and another musical number of hers that ended unfortunately on the cutting room floor is presented here uncut and a joy! Not only Miranda but many great stars of Hollywoods Golden age is featured on this outstanding DVD...a real treat!

More jigsaw pieces .... and better.......2006-02-22

Following the original "Hidden Hollywood", this DVD gathers more outtakes from the films of Fox and the fascination continues with how they fit into the films and why they were removed. Joan Collins is back and narrates with her superb soft English accent and perfect diction.

The outtakes contain comedy sequences as well as musical numbers. The highlights of the former are Danny Kaye singing "Begin the Beguine" offkey from "On the Riviera" and W C Fields long lost sequence from "Tales of Manhattan", a really hilarious skit which should have been released as a short film. Of the latter, Alice Faye's rendition of "I'll see you in my Dreams" captures her vocal and visual appeal perfectly. She stands in front of a piano with a back up quartet and sings - no special effects, no embellishment, just raw talent. She is memorable.

Let's hope there are more DVDs to follow.

...even more fun than the first Hidden Hollywood...........2002-04-06

...some real gems...a thirteen minute sequence with W.C.Fields
and Margaret Dumont (she remains totally unflappable in the face
of Mr Field's shenanigans!)....Sonja Heine...who won medals in
THREE winter Olympics, starting when she was probably twelve..
and may well be the single most influential female skater of
the 20th century (the ice fairies in 'Fantasia' skate exactly
like Sonja!)--has some delightful unused sequences here..and
of course, our old friends Betty Grable and Alice Faye..and
Carmen Miranda, complete with an extension cord...this dvd packs
quite a bit of 'lost' entertainment into 90 minutes. If you
are a 'movie nut' you will love this...if you are not...go rent
Terminator II, please.

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