When I first began collecting films back in the early seventies, my most treasured item was "Those Wonderful Hollywood Musicals" an episode from that great T.V. series "Hollywood and the Stars".
The quality was pretty naff but the content was knock-out and if anyone who loves Movie Musicals hasn't bought the reissue of it from Derann (content still knock-out, quality anything but naff), I urge them to do so at the earliest opportunity. Not only is it a splendid record of nearly every great name in American musical history but the narration by Joseph Cotton is a model of succinct information.
It was with great delight therefore that I heard that Perry's were about to Import three more of this great series and when I eventually got round to buying the titles in question, I was doubly or perhaps I should say trebly delighted. The three titles are The Wild and Wonderful Thirties, Hollywood Goes to War and The Academy Awards. The moment the credits come up with the familiar shot of a deserted film studio you notice the subtle graduation of black and white. In fact if it ever became a test card for black and white prints, each of these would with flying colours (or at least flying monochromes.)
John Kane.
I also started collecting in the seventies, and one of the first films I bought was a 400' Hollywood And The Stars: Monsters You Have Known And Loved. I have got a couple more since, I only wish that more could be released. D.O.
This page was last updated 02 Dec 2002