Silver Screen Icons: Legends - Bogie & Bacall (4FE) [DVD]

FORMAT: DVD (4) UPC: 8-83929-41505-2 RELEASED: 2014-12-02TITLE: TCM Greatest Classic Legends: Bogie & Bacall • NR • 7:00:42 Please forgive the length of this review. <rant> Since Amazon changed its review policy to display ONLY "Verified Purchases" (unless you jump through some hoops to see the "un-Verified Purchases"), and since they also don't recognize an individual movie as having come from a box-set that you purchased (and, therefore, is marked as NOT a "Verified Purchase"), I no longer post separate individual reviews for EACH movie in a box-set. I spend too much time composing my reviews to, then, have them thrown into a digital black hole — just because Amazon can't figure out that I did, indeed, purchase (from them) the movie that I'm writing about! </rant> Anyway, a few weeks after I purchased this collection, Warners (in their infinite wisdom) then decided to release each of the titles in this set separately on blu-ray (, , and ). Now, I'm seriously contemplating buying each one again, for at least the THIRD time (and in some cases the FORTH time [i.e.—VHS, Laser Disc, DVD, and, now possibly Blu-Ray]) — oh, the trials and tribulations of a lover of old movies! NOTE: As is the case with ALL of the other TCM 4-discs collections that I have seen, this set has all four discs mounted on a single spindle without any padding or protection between discs. See my review of each movie below, and the other reviews for more detail and/or other opinions regarding the plot of each movie.VIDEO: 1.33:1 • B&W • 480p • MPEG-2 (See each movie below for its Bit-Rate) "Quickie" video overview of the collection. A few days after writing the preceding paragraph about the "trials and tribulations of a lover of old movies", I sat and binge watched ALL four movies in this collection, in chronological order, and came to the following conclusions: that within the confines of the DVD format, each film exhibits at least good, to frequently very-good, picture quality. Warner Home Video has done a very-good to great job of re-mastering each film, because there are very few discernible instances of artifacts such as black specks, white dots and dropped frames. The very few occurrences of hair-lines and white vertical lines are located almost entirely (and infrequently) in "Dark Passage" — which, otherwise, has a very good-looking, sharp image. In addition, sharpness and detail (for DVD's) are VERY good (except for "To Have and Have Not", which was a little soft [even for a DVD] in many scenes, but otherwise, acceptable) — with textures of most clothing, hair-styles and furnishings being readily apparent. Lastly, contrast and gray scale (again, for DVD's) are very-good overall, and in some scenes, even excellent (most of "Dark Passage" and many scenes in "Key Largo" looked very good). Overall, the picture quality of each of these movies on DVD is mostly very pleasing — so pleasing, in fact, that because of the fine picture quality of "The Big Sleep", "Dark Passage" and "Key Largo" (and the more than acceptable picture quality of "To Have and Have Not"), I have decided to forgo the purchase of the aforementioned blu-ray versions of ALL four movies (well, at least, for the time being).AUDIO: Dolby Digital (See Each Movie below for its Number of Channels) • (48 KHz, 192 Kbps) "Quickie" audio overview of the collection. Each movie has a monophonic soundtrack in either Dolby Digital 1.0 or Dolby Digital 2.0 format, that features dialog that is very clear, with all voices being easily understood. However, dynamic range is limited in each soundtrack, and there is not much bottom-end nor any top-end to speak of in each case (which makes the musical scores and the sound effects of each movie sound a little 'thin' and less than convincing — particularly in "To Have and Have Not", which also had some distortion on many of the loud sounds located throughout its soundtrack). Otherwise, considering the age of the source elements for each film and the fact that all four movies are monophonic and dialog-driven, the audio presentation of each film has, at least, acceptable sound quality.EXTRAS: (See Each Movie below for a more detailed list its "Extras") Cartoons Trailers Several Featurettes None of the extras were reviewed. ====================== To Have and Have Not (1944) • NR • 1:40:04 Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Walter Brennan, Dolores Moran Howard Hawks (Director) MOVIE: 4.8 The one that started it ALL! Snappy dialog, witty repartee and Bogie & Bacall (in her film debut) at their sizzling best! This and the next movie, alone, are reason enough to buy this set! Watch Lauren Bacall as she sets male hearts aflutter when she asks Bogart "You know how to whistle, don't you? You just put your lips together and blow". HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. VIDEO: 4.3 (5.7 Mbps) Although this movie has a higher bit-rate than all but one of the other three movies in this collection it is by far the WORST looking (probably, from what I've read elsewhere, because of its source elements)! It appears a little soft (even for a DVD) in many scenes, and the range of its contrast isn't nearly as wide as the other movies — with many dark scenes having almost no distinguishable detail. However, there are very few discernible instances of artifacts such as black specks and white dots. Nor do I recall seeing many occurrences of hair-lines or dropped frames — but, there was far more banding in this movie than in the others (though, admittedly, this banding was mostly relegated to dark indoor scenes [such as those in the cellar of the hotel] and night scenes [such as when "Steve" (Bogart) travels on his boat in the fog to pick up the French refugees]). Overall, the picture quality of this movie, while adequate, suffers greatly in comparison with the other movies in this collection — still, most viewers will probably find it, at least, adequate. AUDIO: 2.4 (Dolby Digital 1.0) The sound quality of this movie is also problematic. While there are no loud bumps nor objectionably high levels of hiss, there was some audible distortion on many of the loud sounds in the movie. Also, dynamic range is very limited, and there is not much bottom-end nor any top-end to speak of (which makes the musical score, the musical numbers and the Foley work all sound a little 'thin' and less than realistic). However, dialog is very clear and all voices are easily understood. Otherwise, considering the age of the source elements and the fact that this is a monophonic, dialog-driven, movie from the 1940's, its audio presentation has acceptable sound quality. EXTRAS: Featurette: A Love Story: The Story of To Have and Have Not Cartoon (Becall to Arms) Radio Broadcast (Lux Radio Theater (1946-10-14)) Trailer ---------------------- The Big Sleep (1946) • NR • 1:53:58 Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, John Ridgely, Martha Vickers Howard Hawks (Director) MOVIE: 4.9 Even snappier dialog and wittier repartee than in the first movie — with a fast-paced, blink-and-you'll-miss-it plot — and even more of that Bogie & Bacall magic! Plus, an excellent supporting cast that features Dorothy Malone, Regis Toomey and Elisha Cook Jr. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! VIDEO: 4.5 (4.3 Mbps) Within the confines of the DVD format, this film exhibits VERY good picture quality. There are NO artifacts such as black specks, white dots, hair-lines or dropped frames. In addition, sharpness and detail (for a DVD) are VERY good — with the textures and patterns of most clothing and furnishings being easily discernible. Lastly, contrast and gray scale (again, for a DVD) are VERY good overall, and in many scenes, even excellent. Overall, the picture quality of this movie is very-good (and, on occasion, even excellent [for a DVD]) — and, it should satisfy all but the VERY pickiest viewers. AUDIO: 2.5 (Dolby Digital 2.0 [Dual-Mono]) Warner Home Video has apparently done some clean-up work on this film's soundtrack, because there are no loud bumps nor objectionably high levels of hiss. Also, dialog is very clear and all voices are easily understood. However, dynamic range is limited, and there is not much bottom-end nor any top-end to speak of (which makes the musical score, the musical numbers and the Foley work all sound a little 'thin' and less than realistic). Otherwise, considering the age of the source elements and the fact that this is a monophonic, dialog-driven, movie from the 1940's, its audio presentation has acceptable sound quality. EXTRAS: Comparison of Unreleased 1945 version to 1946 Theatrical Version Cast & Crew List 'Behind the Scenes' Information (Text) Trailer ---------------------- Dark Passage (1947) • NR • 1:46:14 Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Bruce Bennett, Agnes Moorehead Delmer Daves (Director) MOVIE: 4.3 This one is not up to the level of the other three in the set — but, because of its excellent cast, it is still VERY watchable. VIDEO: 4.6 (5.7 Mbps) This movie has a higher bit-rate than all but one of the other three movies in this collection, and it is by far the BEST looking (while the other high bit-rate movie is the WORST looking — go figure)! It has a very sharp and detailed image (for a DVD), with the textures of most clothing, hair-styles and furnishings being readily apparent and natural looking. Also, its contrast and gray scale (again, for a DVD) are VERY good overall, and in very many scenes, even excellent. In addition, there are very few discernible instances of artifacts such as black specks, white dots, hair-lines or dropped frames — but, there was one scene that contained a great many vertical white lines (which is obviously attributable to the source elements). Overall, the picture quality of this movie is very-good to frequently excellent (for a DVD) — and, it should satisfy all but the VERY pickiest viewers. AUDIO: 2.5 (Dolby Digital 1.0) Apparently Warner Home Video has also done some clean-up work on this film's soundtrack, because there are no loud bumps nor objectionably high levels of hiss. Also, dialog is very clear and all voices are easily understood. However, dynamic range is limited, and there is not much bottom-end nor any top-end to speak of (which makes the musical score, the musical numbers and the Foley work all sound a little 'thin' and less than realistic). Otherwise, considering the age of the source elements and the fact that this is a monophonic, dialog-driven, movie from the 1940's, its audio presentation has acceptable sound quality. EXTRAS: Featurette: Hold Your Breath and Cross Your Fingers: The Story of Dark Passage Cartoon (Slick Hare) Trailer ---------------------- Key Largo (1948) • NR • 1:40:26 Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Edward G. Robinson, Lionel Barrymore John Huston (Director) MOVIE: 4.7 While an excellent (and eminently watchable) movie in its own right, it doesn't have nearly as much of that Bogie & Bacall magic as their first two outings — mainly, because they don't spend nearly as much time together on-screen as in those other two movies (plus, Bacall's role here doesn't approach the depth and nuance of her roles in "To Have and Have Not" and "The Big Sleep"). Also, this movie is more of a suspenseful psychological drama than the first two. Still, it is a very good movie — and, it is highly recommended. VIDEO: 4.5 (5.6 Mbps) Again, within the confines of the DVD format, this film also exhibits VERY good picture quality. There weren't any artifacts such as black specks, white dots, hair-lines or dropped frames to mar its image. Also, sharpness and detail (for a DVD) are VERY good — with the textures and patterns of most clothing, hair-styles and furnishings being readily apparent. Lastly, contrast and gray scale (again, for a DVD) are VERY good overall, and in some scenes, even excellent. Overall, the picture quality of this movie is very-good (and, on occasion, even excellent [for a DVD]) — and, it should satisfy all but the VERY pickiest viewers. AUDIO: 2.5 (Dolby Digital 2.0 [Dual-Mono]) Again, apparently Warner Home Video has also done some clean-up work on this film's soundtrack, because there are no loud bumps nor objectionably high levels of hiss. Also, dialog is very clear and all voices are easily understood. However, dynamic range is limited, and there is not much bottom-end nor any top-end to speak of (which makes the musical score, the musical numbers and the Foley work all sound a little 'thin' and less than realistic). Otherwise, considering the age of the source elements and the fact that this is a monophonic, dialog-driven, movie from the 1940's, its audio presentation has acceptable sound quality. EXTRAS: Cast & Crew List 'Behind the Scenes' Information (Text) Awards List Trailer ======================

Classics!!!!

Bogart and Bacall their movies are the best!

A decent selection of some classic Bogart films. He defined the genre of Film Noir. Bacall giving Bogie directions on how to whistle is still a delight to behold. Does not disappoint and leaves you asking for more.

Have and have nots classic e maybe the favarant keylarga second the great Edward G Robinson out shines bogy in this one perfect gangster boss !

I like the old b/w classic movies and have loved Bogie since I was a little girl. I have seen his and Bacall's movies many many times but it seems you never get to see these on streaming very often. I was thrilled to find this of their 4 movies together and at a great price. I haven't watched them yet but am sure they will be alright. I was however, disappointed that the 2 DVDs were loose in the box and not protected a little better.

Over the past few years I have fallen in love with Film Noir and especially the older films such as these. Bogart was such a great actor, no one today can even come close to how he performed. And with Bacall, well, a wonderful and great duo. It is always a treat to watch these old films when you could actually hear what the actors were saying. So many actors today don't know how to enunciate properly and seem to mumble their lines. Or the music drowns out what they say.And the dialogue in these films keeps you entranced. Good flow from scene to scene. And, of course, with any good Film Noir, there are the surprises, twists and turns.

I'm not going to review the films. If you're ordering this collection you know what you're getting: The four movies Bogie and Betty made together.. nuff said about that.5 star film collection.If you want the packaging, liner notes art work etc. for your collection this set isn't for you. It's a pretty spartan case, art work as shown on cover with brief notes on the back. All four discs on a single post which was the reason for 4 instead of 5 stars, I'd prefer a post for each disc. Other side of the coin is that at this price there should be few expectations.The disc themselves appear to have been produced for individual sale. I'm not one for bonus features but they include the MGM Night at the Movies features with critical reviews, cartoon and a news real.All and all I am delighted with this purchase and happy to be able to through in Key Largo (favorite film of the Bogarts together) or learn about Argentine Cer-a-mics any time I darn well please.

Excellent addition to any movie collection. Enjoyed for weekend entertainment.

Excellent Bogart and Bacall Collection. All four films are classics and showcase the actors' versatility. It is often noirish, full of suspense and cool characters. It really is late 40s - mid 50s drama / thrillers at their best. Also, very good sound and picture quality plus subtibles.

Who could not enjoy in this collection all of "Bogey and Bacall films" all in the TCM Collection! I loved this, especially as I had only seen a few of these films on TV. I was a great fan of Lauren Bacall and what a looker she was in the 1940's. Now I can judge for myself, why the two of them were such "magic on film" together! "To Have and Have Not" is so good, that you need to go back and watch it again. I never seen "Dark Passage" or fully watched the "The Big Sleep." I found "Key Largo" very enjoyable...almost in description/setting like "Casablanca." I am so happy to have this "Bogey and Bacall" in my film collection. What a great buy!

It's Bogart and Bacall! Nothing beats TO HAVE & HAVE NOT ... though THE BIG SLEEP comes close. KEY LARGO gets better with every viewing, and even the decidedly odd DARK PASSAGE improved on the second go-round. Watch these movies and ask yourself why you may ever have thought that the world before the 1960s was innocent.

Again, please with early delivery and that DVD was in excellent condition. This collection replaced a VHS copy of 'The Big Sleep', a film I have greatly enjoyed owning and viewing. 'Dark Passage', 'To Have and Have Not', and 'Key Largo' expand my Bogie/Bacall library fantastically - never mind Bacall, my Bogie collection. Love it! Thank you.