DVD Review: ‘Best of Warner Bros. 20 Film Collection: Romance’

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CHICAGO – With Mother’s Day around the corner, Warner Bros. has released another one of their stellar DVD box sets built around their 100th anniversary — “Best of Warner Bros. 20 Film Collection: Romance.” It may not be the best gift set for everyone but it does offer a strong package for those who like a little emotional manipulation with their popcorn. There are some undeniable classics in this set (along with some questionable choices) but it’s the sheer “something for everyone” quality of the release that makes it memorable.

HollywoodChicago.com DVD Rating: 4.0/5.0
DVD Rating: 4.0/5.0

Seventy years of romance from 1938’s “Jezebel” to 2008’s “Nights in Rodanthe” are included in this set that includes a book with plot descriptions for each of the films and all of the special features from previous releases. That’s essentially what this is — previous releases compiled into one box set. Literally. The DVDs are the same - transfers, featurettes, etc. So if you own more than half of the titles, you may want to consider carefully since you’ll be doubling up. However, if you or your loved one hasn’t bought a lot of romantic classics, this might be the way to go. What are my favorites? It’s hard to ignore the classics like “The Philadelphia Story” (one of my fave movies of all time), “Casablanca” (ditto), “Gone with the Wind”, and the Tennessee Williams masterpieces, “Streetcar Named Desire” and “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.” As for newer films, “The Lake House” is silly but effective. You can keep “Two Weeks Notice.” Every box set has its peaks and valleys. For the true romantic, this one has some notable peaks.

Best of Warner Bros. 20 Film Collection: Romance
Best of Warner Bros. 20 Film Collection: Romance
Photo credit: Warner Bros.

Included Films (in three boxes):
Timeless Love (1938-1942):
* Jezebel (1938)
* Gone with the Wind (1939)
* The Philadelphia Story (1940)
* Casablanca (1942)
* Mrs. Miniver (1942)
* Now, Voyager (1942)

Unforgettable Affairs (1950-1965):
* Annie Get Your Gun (1950)
* A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)
* Rebel without a Cause (1955)
* Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958)
* Splendor in the Grass (1961)
* Doctor Zhivago (1965)

Modern Romance (1973-2008):
* A Touch of Class (1973)
* A Star is Born (1976)
* The Goodbye Girl (1977)
* The Bodyguard (1992)
* You’ve Got Mail (1998)
* Two Weeks Notice (2002)
* The Lake House (2006)
* Nights in Rodanthe (2008)

Special Features Are Too Extensive To List

“Best of Warner Bros. 20 Film Collection: Romance” was released on DVD on April 2, 2013.

HollywoodChicago.com content director Brian Tallerico

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

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