Cary Grant: TCM Greatest Classic Legends

This month, Turner Classic Movies is adding four more cut-rate DVD boxes to its already extensive offerings. The first of the " Greatest Classic Legends" film collections contains four previously released films starring screen legend Cary Grant. Considering Grant's deft, comedic talents, TCM includes three pleasant comedies from the 1940's. The best of the lot is the 1940 "My Favorite Wife" in which Irene Dunne, missing for years after being shipwrecked, returns home to find hubby Grant about to remarry. A snappy Bella & Sam Spewack script, vivid direction by Garson Kanin, and great performances by the entire cast qualify this as a true classic. Don't miss Cary Grant checking out the semi-nude Randolph Scott, his reputed, real-life boyfriend!

The plot of "Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House," about an urban married couple who move out to the country, has been often imitated. Myrna Loy and Melvyn Douglas join in the fun, making this 1948 outing thoroughly entertaining.

Paired with Loy again in the 1947 "The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer," Grant is a playboy who, to avoid a scandal, is forced to date enamored teenager Shirley Temple. Loy is Temple's straight-laced older sister. Grant employs teenage slang of the period; but the results are often silly and dated. Yet this so-so comedy does have its admirers.

The worst of the lot is the hopelessly fictionalized biopic "Night and Day," in which Grant plays Cole Porter, portrayed as a rabid heterosexual. Not only was the film's subject a gay man, but also its star may well have been; and co-star Monty Wooley, a personal friend of Porter's, was also gay. Guest cameos by pop singers like Mary Martin almost make this dull vehicle worthwhile.

The films are supplemented with a few vintage shorts and assorted extras. Like all these TCM boxes, the new Cary Grant set is recommended to those who want to expand their DVD collection at a reasonable price.

TCM Greatest Classic Legends Film Collection: Cary Grant
DVD
$21.99
www.TCM.com