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DVD A Christmas Wish (aka The Great Rupert)
Although it's now more of a curiosity and a quaint reminder of a time when movies possessed a quality of innocence that has long since vanished, The Great Rupert was something of a marvel when it was released in 1950. Produced by special-effects pioneer George Pal, who had delighted audiences of the 1940s with his innovative series of Puppetoon shorts, this charming comedy employs Pal's technique of animated puppetry to bring life to the title character--a lovable trained squirrel that comes to the rescue of a down-and-out family of vaudeville performers in the depths of the Great Depression.
Jimmy Durante leads the struggling clan, barely able to pay rent in a converted garage adjoining the home of a man who's been stockpiling lucrative investment dividends in the floorboard between the two homes. From his cubbyhole in the wall, resourceful Rupert has been tossing wads of $100 bills to Durante's wife, who thinks it's cash from heaven! Ol' Jimmy cracks wise with ancient puns and one-liners, making this a treat for Durante fans looking for squeaky-clean family entertainment. And once he's saved the day for all involved, furry-tailed Rupert goes back to his own vaudeville gig with his devoted owner, played by another veteran of vaudeville, Jimmy Conlin. It's all a bit too sweet by today's tarnished standards, but The Great Rupert stands as a testament to George Pal's optimistic spirit and creative imagination, which would later bless the productions of such films as The Time Machine and The Seven Faces of Dr. Lao. --Jeff Shannon
Review(s): DVD A Christmas Wish (aka The Great Rupert)
A sweet and gentle family film
"A Christmas Wish" (AKA "The Great Rupert") is a sweet and gentle film with a quiet reminder about the true meaning of Christmas. I recently found this film by accident, and I am glad I did. Most, if not all, contemporary "holiday" films are only marketing devices used to sell useless junk to kids. Fortunately, "A Christmas Wish" pre-dates this era, having been made in the late 1940's-early 1950's when Hollywood made many, many great kid-friendly films that had real stories and demonstrated great imagination. I am thinking of the "Lassie" films, "My Friend Flicka", "The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T", etc. "A Christmas Wish", in my opinion, belongs with this group. I especially love the optimism and humor of the character played by the great Jimmy Durante. Where, in a contemporary film, will you find a father who isn't a drug dealer, or pimp, or hit man, or a crook of some kind? Or where parents, and kids, are not portrayed as morons who exist only to consume? No, you have to go back to films like "A Christmas Wish" for portrayals of human beings who have positive things to offer. I am so glad this film has been restored. The dvd edition offers the film in two versions, B&W and colorized. The B&W version is crisp and clear. I have not watched the colorized version, as I do not subscribe to the concept.
Lost Christmas Classic!
I don't recall ever seeing this movie but based on the reviews and the fact that I love Jimmy Durante, I bought it. Well, I was more than pleased that I purchased it for my collection. What an delightful film! I found myself laughing out loud so many times that my kids finally came in and sat down to watch it too- The actors are wonderful and as always... Jimmy steals the show!!! I consider myself somewhat of a 'movie buff' and I never heard of this film before so the same may go for many of you, but take a chance and get this wonderful film- Great for the whole family and not just at the holiday season, but all year long!
The best dancing squirrel movie ever
Pleasant piece of whimsy about a dancing squirrel and a poor but plucky show-biz family headed by Jimmy Durante. Animated by stop-action special effects legend George Pal, who also produced the movie.
The squirrel, the great Rupert of the title, is owned by another down at the heels performer who is forced to vacate his shabby basement apartment. The entertainer leaves, Rupert stays, and Durante and brood move in. Soon fortune is not only smiling at the Durante clan, but literally raining down it largesse on them from the rafters.
You can probably put THE GREAT RUPERT into the holiday rotation of films to watch. It has something to do with Christmas, although it doesn't carry a strong Christmas theme. Aggressively positive and sweet, it's suitable for all ages. Rupert isn't ever directly threatened, as are so many other animal characters in films today. Even the cynical who don't do cute and find Durante a mite ingratiating should get an involuntary chuckle or two out of his readings of such goofy lines as "It's so difficult to find a job for a human pyramid!" and "Mama, what's a real home without a polar bear?"
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In this elaborately scripted fantasy, when three aging businessmen are unexpectedly left without guests on Christmas Eve, each tosses a wallet including a ten dollar bill from a window in hopes that someone honest will return one, and be asked to dinner, to make their holiday less lonely. Two of the three billfolds are returned, by a young man (Richard Carlson) and a young woman (Jean Parker) whose lives are acutely changed as they are welcomed not only to the table of the three gentlemen but also into their hearts and those of their two retainers (Maria Ouspenskaya and Alex Melesh). The young pair quite appropriately fall in love, only to have their beatitude marred when their sage benefactors die in a plane crash, but when the three promptly return to their town manse as apparitions, a... More Info about this DVD Director(s): A. Edward Sutherland DVD Release Date: Released the 12 October 2004 Usually ships in 24 hours
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We bought ANGEL DOLL after reading about it in a piece for the St. Jude's Children's Hospital in Memphis (the film has a connection to this facility). Our expectations were not high, but the film was quite a pleasant surprise. There are no big stars in the movie, but the performances are solid and believable. I've seen my share of similar plot-lines (i.e., poor kid or family overcomes hardships to appreciate the true meaning of Christmas or friendship or loyalty or whatever. But Angel Doll does not cross into hokeyville. It manages to remain true to its themes and entertaining to the viewer. For the price, it's a wonderful value for any video collection. More Info about this DVD Director(s): Alexander Johnston DVD Release Date: Released the 11 November 2003 Usually ships in 24 hours
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Excellent product and very prompt delivery. Very happy with the transaction. More Info about this DVD Director(s): Rodney Gibbons DVD Release Date: Released the 23 September 2003 Usually ships in 24 hours
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One of the truly great Christmas films at long last comes to DVD. Ed Asner, Fred Gwynne, Rene Auberjenois, and writer/director Alan Shapiro and his talented crew make this Dickens-esque family perennial a must-see. Do yourself a favor and get a copy. More Info about this DVD Director(s): Alan Shapiro DVD Release Date: Released the 07 September 2004 Usually ships in 24 hours
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A Christmas perennial from 1947, this comedy/fantasy stars Cary Grant as Dudley, an angel who works his heavenly magic on an Episcopalian bishop (David Niven) who is struggling to raise money for a new church and who has grown distant from his wife (Loretta Young). While Young remains unaware of the angel's benevolent influence, this light comedy unfolds with abundant charm and lasting appeal. Featuring engaging performances from its stellar cast, The Bishop's Wife inspired the 1996 remake The Preacher's Wife, starring Denzel Washington and Whitney Houston. --Jeff ShannonMore Info about this DVD Director(s): Henry Koster DVD Release Date: Released the 06 March 2001 Usually ships in 24 hours
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