If you’re not familiar with the film, it follows a mail-order apprentice witch (Angela Lansbury) who finds herself saddled with three sibling refugees from London during World War II. Of course, everything comes down to this group, including headmaster David Tomlinson, basically saving England from the ravages of war.

The quintet comes up against corrupt booksellers, animated-lion royalty, and, eventually, invading Germans.

It’s hard not to compare this movie to director Robert Stevenson’s earlier film “Mary Poppins.” They both feature a magical lady, Tomlinson himself, animated animals, and some fun musical numbers, including Lansbury’s Oscar-nominated "The Age of Not Believing."

Originally released in 1971, “Bedknobs and Broomsticks” has been lovingly restored and remastered, and it’s definitely a good addition to any Disney lover’s film collection.

Buy “Bedknobs & Broomsticks” on DVD.

Bonus Features: 

• The Wizards Of Special Effects – Hosted By Jennifer Stone From Disney’s WIZARDS OF WAVERLY PLACE
• “A Step In The Right Direction” Reconstruction
• Music Magic – The Sherman Brothers
• David Tomlinson Portobello Road Recording Sessions
• Theatrical Trailers

See if this clip, “The Beautiful Briny Sea,” doesn’t put a little joy in your heart:

Image: Amazon.com

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And it gets better. Shout! Factory is also producing a wide range of bonus content for special editions and double features. Collectively, it’ll be known as “Roger Corman’s Cult Classics” home entertainment series.

The first titles include the original “Piranha” to go along with this summer’s 3-D remake, as well as “Humanoids from the Deep,” “Death Race 2000” and its follow-up “Deathsport,” the punk favorite “Suburbia,” “Rock ‘n’ Roll High School,” “Up from the Depths,” Michael Beck in “Warlords of the 21st Century,” “Demon of Paradise,” the sci-fi horror flick “Forbidden World,” and the 1981 classic “Galaxy of Terror.”

An independent filmmaker and producer, Roger Corman has produced more than 350 films and directed 50 others. He’s well known for his creative, low-budget movies, as well as his ability to spot young talent.

He had a hand in the early success of Jack Nicholson, Francis Ford Coppola, Robert De Niro, Martin Scorsese, James Cameron, Ron Howard, Peter Fonda, Jonathan Demme, Gale Anne Hurd, Diane Ladd, Tommy Lee Jones, Sandra Bullock, Bruce Dern, Talia Shire, Charles Bronson, Joe Dante, Peter Bogdanovich and Sally Kirkland.

Are you a fan of Roger Corman films? Excited about this news? Check out the trailer for “Piranha”:

Image: Amazon.com

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Warner Archives is releasing some awesome old movies that will take you back to just that time. Here’s a little round-up of some recent releases. The descriptions aren’t mine; they’re straight from Warner Archives:

“The Canterville Ghost”

One brave act and the spell is broken! The specter of Sir Simon de Canterville has haunted Canterville Castle for 300 years, ever since he was walled up alive for cowardice. A daring deed by a kinsman will free his spirit. Unfortunately, the Cantervilles are a timorous lot and Simon is out of luck. Then World War II GIs are billeted at the castle and among them is Canterville descendent Cuffy Williams. But could Cuffy be cursed with the family lily liver? Charles Laughton (as the ghost), Robert Young (as Cuffy) and Margaret O’Brien (as the castle’s six-year-old current owner) conjure peals of merry laughter out of an exuberant, ingenious comedy based on an Oscar Wilde tale and cleverly directed by Jules Dassin (Rififi, Topkapi).

More after the jump…

“The Boy With Green Hair”

Made in the hopeful post-World War II era that produced such classics of social conscience as “Gentlemen’s Agreement,” “Pinky” and “Home of the Brave,” this provocative film is a fable for its time – and ours. It tells the supernatural-tinged story of an orphan who finds a safe haven in small-town America…until the day his hair turns green. Then the townfolk turn against him, frightened by the change they cannot understand. A call for tolerance, an inspiring statement that “different” doesn’t mean “threatening,” The Boy with Green Hair boasts a fine cast (Robert Ryan, Pat O’Brien, Dean Stockwell), a popular theme song (Nature Boy) and the feature-film debut of director Joseph Losey (“The Servant,” “The Go-Between”).

By the way, check out the Warner Archive Sweepstakes. There’s some really cool stuff you can win on there.

And see all the Warner Archive DVDs right here. “The Gathering,” “Rio Rita,” and “The Show of Shows” are some other recent releases.

Image: Warner Archives

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Can the iconic movie be 20 years old? Yes, it’s true! Directed by Rob Reiner, the 1989 romantic comedy followed the friendship of Harry (Billy Crystal) and Sally (Meg Ryan) through the years.

"Can two friends sleep together and still love each other in the morning?" If you’ve seen the movie, you know the answer. If not, you probably still know the answer. The ending is really one of the best movie endings ever. Harry realizes that he loves Sally and runs half-way across town to find her at a New Year’s Eve party.

And then he says this: "I came here tonight because when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible." 

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On Friday, Nov. 13, 2009, Warner Home Video staged their own Flash Mob, as 70 couples in period costumes celebrated the film’s anniversary by dancing “The World’s Largest Virginia Reel” in the historic Marietta Georgia Town Square.

And get this. Four original cast members were there: Ann Rutherford (“Carreen O’Hara”), Mickey Kuhn (“Beau Wilkes” at age 7), Patrick Curtis (“Baby Beau Wilkes”) and Greg Geise (infant “Bonnie Blue Butler” & infant “Beau Wilkes”), along with Gina Miller who was an extra.

Robert Osborne, Turner Classic Movies’ primetime host, was also present. “Gone With the Wind” will air on TCM on Dec. 15, the actual anniversary of the film’s original premiere in Atlanta. Check out this cake – it’s Tara!

Images: Warner Home Video

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Movie: Disney’s A Christmas Carol * Trailer * Official Site	In Theaters: Nov. 6, 2009
Runtime: 96 minutes	Directed by: Robert Zemeckis
MPAA Rating: PG for scary sequences an images	Gecko Rating:

We all know the classic Charles Dickens tale about the crotchety Ebenezer Scrooge who’s visited by three ghosts who make him see the light. There’s really nothing new to tell here, but it’s the WAY the story is told that makes it seem fresh and new in our eyes. This animated, 3D version of “Disney’s A Christmas Carol” does indeed bring new life to the story.

It’s directed by Robert Zemeckis, the genius behind “The Polar Express,” and this animation is quite similar to that film. It’s really well done, somehow merging real people – in this case, mainly Jim Carrey, who plays Scrooge and all three ghosts – with the animated figures. So what you get is an animated film that seems almost like live action, jumping right off the screen at you (the 3D helps in that regard, too!).

More after the jump…

Zemeckis also helmed “Monster House,” and so even his family films have a tendency to be dark and psychological. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but in the case of both “Monster House” and “Disney’s A Christmas Carol,” they’re much too scary for little ones.

“Disney’s A Christmas Carol” opens with Scrooge looking over the body of his dead partner Marley, now lying in a casket with coins on his eyes. Of course, miserly Scrooge snatches up the coins before the body is sent to its final resting place.

We have Bob Cratchit (Gary Oldman, who also voices Marley and Tiny Tim), working faithfully in Scrooge’s dismal accounting shop. Bob somehow manages to keep his positive attitude, despite hanging around the cup-half-empty Scrooge all day. At home, his family likewise manages to be positive, despite being dirt-poor with a crippled Tiny Tim.

Another main character is Fred (Colin Firth), Scrooge’s well-off nephew who desperately desires to be friends with the old man, who’ll have none of it. Instead, Scrooge shuffles home to his massive dark house and settles in for the night with some porridge. And that’s where the action begins, with the procession of ghosts calling on him in the wee hours.

The ghosts are pretty scary although each has their little quirks. The first one, the Ghost of Christmas Past, is a funny little spirit with a flame for a head. During this sequence, we see the young Scrooge courting his love, Belle (voiced by Robin Wright Penn).

The Ghost of Christmas Present is a giant Viking type spirit sitting atop a large mound of bountiful things. And the third, the Ghost of Christmas Future, is a dark, Grim Reaper type spirit accompanied by a team of frightening stampeding horses. Each takes Scrooge through their particular time era, showing him as a young boy, a young man, a present-day miser, and a dead soul with no one to grieve for him.

The animation during these sequences is stunning, capturing both the beauty and despair of this particular era. However, if you’re at all prone to motion sickness, I recommend closing your eyes during the flying scenes. During the Ghost of Christmas Present sequence, the floor somehow becomes a glass through which you can see into the present-day time. Really awesome, and they use the 3D technology to its best use in this movie. I say that because it’s blended so well into the animation that you don’t really even notice that you’re wearing 3D glasses.

Overall, “Disney’s A Christmas Carol” is a creative and visually beautiful take on the classic tale, the ultimate story of an old miser regaining hope and love, even when things are at their bleakest. Jim Carrey is a master at his craft.

NOTE TO PARENTS: There’s really no sexual content or language issues to speak of. Most of the PG rating comes from the frightening scenes involving ghosts, skeletons, corpses, and red-eyed stampeding horses. The movie opens with Marley’s body in a casket, and we also get scenes of Scrooge being haunted in his dark mansion, and falling into a deep hole towards a casket. For these reasons, I don’t recommend it for kids younger than eight.

Images: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

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The film starred John Cusack as mediocre student Lloyd Dobler, attempting to capture the heart of a beautiful valedictorian. Even if you’ve never seen the movie (you need to fix that right now), you’ve likely seen the picture of Cusack holding that iconic boom box over his head.

Buy the 20th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray and DVD of “Say Anything.” In the meantime, here’s a pic from today’s event, which also featured the band named “Lloyd Dobler Effect.”

Image: TM and © Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. All Rights Reserved.

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The CG-animated movie is rated G, and also features the voices of Robin Wright Penn, Colin Firth, Gary Oldman and Michael J. Fox. Watch the trailer here.

Here are a few photos of Carrey and director-writer Robert Zemeckis on their “train tour” at Grand Central Station to promote the film. Looks like a blast!

By the way, Carrey has gained a few pounds for his role as Curly in the upcoming movie from Bobby Farrelly, “The Three Stooges,” scheduled for a 2010 release. He doesn’t look quite big enough yet!

More after the jump…

Image: INF

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It’s easy to forget that this great archive of classic movies is available on TCM 24/7. Check their schedule for all the great scary movies. A few coming up this week:

Tuesday, Oct. 27: 

8 p.m. – Poltergeist (1982). Evil spirits abduct a suburban family’s daughter. Craig T. Nelson.

12 a.m. – The Haunting (1963). Psychic investigators move into a haunted house. Julie Harris.

2 a.m. – Village of the Damned (1960). Residents of a British village give birth to emotionless, super-powered offspring. George Sanders.

Friday, Oct. 30:

11:15 a.m. – The Walking Dead (1936). A framed man comes back from the dead seeking revenge. Boris Karloff.

6:45 p.m. – Isle of the Dead (1945). Quarantined residents of a Balkans island fear that one of their numbers is a vampire. Boris Karloff.

8 p.m. – Gaslight (1944). A newlywed fears she’s going mad when strange things start happening at the family mansion. Ingrid Bergman

12 a.m. – Psycho (1960). A woman on the run gets mixed up with a repressed young man and his violent “mother.” Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh.

Image: Warner Archives

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GENESIS II, 74 minutes, 1973. “My name is Dylan Hunt. My story begins the day on which I died.” Set between now and the era of the starship Enterprise, this story follows Hunt (Alex Cord), who awakens after 154 years of suspended animation into a post-apocalyptic world that’s torn between the peace-loving citizens of Pax and the militaristic, mutant Tyranians. Both want Hunt to join their cause. But the Tyranians have two cruel weapons to persuade Hunt: a device of torture called a stim. And an alluring mutant (Mariette Hartley) with two navels … and one ice-cold heart.

Planet Earth, 74 minutes, 1974. The time is the 22nd century. The place is the Confederacy, a matriarchy where men are enslaved and impotent. The hero is Dylan Hunt (John Saxon), a handsome 20th century scientist awakened from suspended animation – just the “breeder” a Confederacy dominatrix (Diana Muldaur, who went on to play Dr. Pulaski in “Star Trek: The Next Generation”) has been waiting for! In this sequel to “Genesis II,” Gene Roddenberry puts a reverse spin on women’s lib in an action-filled tale set in a gleaming world of futuristic cities, underground sub shuttles, palm-sized computers and skintight uniforms. Can Hunt defy the Confederacy and free his downtrodden fellow males, or is he doomed to slavery on “Planet Earth”?

Plenty of 1970s-era goodness in these two DVDs! If you’re a fan of the “Star Trek” universe or Gene Roddenberry, they’re definitely worth a look.

Images: Warner Archive

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