TONY ROME / LADY IN CEMENT (1967 / 1968) (BLU-RAY)
Company: Twilight Time
Starring: Frank
Sinatra, Raquel Welch, Richard Conte, Simon Oakland, Sue Lyon, Gena Rowlands,
Jill St. John, Dan Blocker, Martin Gabel, Lainie Kazan
My Review and Thoughts:
My Rating:
Tony Rome: 3.5 out of 5
Lady in Cement: 3 out of 5
Another wonderful Special Edition release by Twilight Time.
Once again we adventure into a Frank Sinatra double feature. Twilight Time has
released many of his films and now here we are again embracing a classic soul
into the cinema world. This is a double feature of the Private I Tony Rome.
Sinatra plays the character in both films.
Old Blue Eyes was an amazing singer, and even actor. He
graced the cinema world with many wonderful examples of movies that
stand out, and the many films he did with Director Gordon Douglas has been
honored by Twilight Time Blu-ray. They not only released this double feature
starring Blue eyes but also the wonderful film The Detective.
Directed by one of the coolest directors around, Gordon
Douglas. Douglas was a killer at creating memorable pieces of cinema, and The
Detective is a prime example of his expertise and craftsmanship of cinema and so is this double feature.
Sadly, the movie world no longer has this movie genius, he passed in 1993, but
thankfully we can return to his vast array of filmed perfection. Douglas
directed many greats in so many different styles of cinema, from mystery,
drama, sci-fi to everything in-between. From the 1954 sci-fi creature feature
classic THEM! to the violent westerns like 1970’s Barquero. From comedy action
like 1967’s In Like Flint, to the films starring Frank Sinatra,
1967’s Tony Rome and 1968’s Lady in Cement. Douglas knew how to create
entertainment. The Detective is a prime example of that style that he so
greatly owned. These two I am reviewing and also the Special Edition of The Detective by Twilight Time are all prime examples of what Gordon was about.
First up is the feature film Tony Rome. This is a crime
drama, equally filled with mystery. This 1967 film was about a Private I named
Tony Rome, played by Sinatra. Rome was a tough guy, living on a houseboat. One
day he is hired by a millionaire who wants Tony to find expensive jewelry taken
by the millionaire’s daughter. Now as you would guess this doesn’t really go
smoothly. Tony runs into local hoods and also encounters the Miami Police
department.
Next up is the 1968 Lady in Cement. This crime drama also
mixes a little comedy into it. Once again Private I Tony Rome is smack dab in
the middle of a case. As he is diving in the Ocean Tony has the unfortunate
reality to run into a body of a women whose feet are encased in concrete
blocks. So as any good Private I, Tony sets out to solve the murder of the woman.
There’s a ton of wonderful actors and actresses in both
these films. The one and only beautiful and sexy Jill St. John. Always a treat
to watch her perform. Also starring in both films is the one and only Richard
Conte who really needs no introduction to film buffs. Starring in so many
wonderful examples of film from 1939 all the way to 1975, unto his death at
such a young age. 65 years old is too young. He was a multi-talented actor that
shinned in any role he did, and the role of Lt. Dave Santini in both films is no
different. The absolutely gorgeous and stunning Raquel Welch, who needs no write
up. Anyone who calls themselves entertainment buffs already know who this wonderful soul
is. Starring another fantastic stunning lady of cinema Gena Rowlands. Rowlands
is an actress that blesses the screen with her presence in anything see does.
Starting in 1954 and still working today. She is beautiful, graceful and has an
expertise in front of the camera no matter how small the part or how
big the part is.
Keep an eye out for one of my all-time personal favorites Simon
Oakland. Oakland has been in so many wonderful films. Playing so many wonderful
small and big parts throughout his career. He was both star of TV and feature films. From 1960’s Psycho, 1961’s West Side Story,
1968’s Bullitt, 1972’s Chato’s Land (which might I add Twilight Time has
released on a Special Edition Blu-ray), 1973’s Emperor of the North (which
might I add Twilight Time has released on a Special Edition Blu-ray). Many might
remember him as Tony Vincenzo in the 1970’s classic television show Kolchak:
The Night Stalker. He was just an all-around amazing performer. Another
talented soul who died way to soon, 68 years ain’t long enough. Also keep an
eye out for the beautiful Jeanne Cooper. Many will know her from her daytime
soap opera fame as the character of Katherine Chancellor in her long character run in The Young and the Restless from 1973 to 2013. Sadly, she is no
longer with us, but she always shines in any part, and it was great seeing her
in Tony Rome.
Both of these films are based on Novels written by author
and screenwriter Marvin H. Albert. Albert was a fantastic writer that
adventured into the realms of Western and Crime, and twisting adventure. I
guess one could say Albert was a Pulp type writer that gave, heroes and bad
guys thick, fun, simple stories to grab the reader or watcher. He wrote some of
my favorite Western novels which also became some of my favorite western films,
such as The Law of Jake Wade (1958), Bullet for a Badman (1964) and my personal
favorite 1966’s Duel at Diablo which the novel was titled Apache Rising.
Another fantastic experience that Twilight Time has given the movie loving world which is another prime example of a placing great care into quality transfers and Special Edition.
Audio/Video:
My Rating: 4 out of 5
Yet again Twilight Time has taken two older films and
brought them to a new outlet of High Definition. The films have never looked
any better. They sound spot on. I think one of the strongest points to these
Twilight Time Special Editions is the reality and care that is put into these
products. Vibrant color, crisp sound and equally crisp imagery.
LANGUAGE: English
VIDEO: 1080p High Definition / 2.35:1
AUDIO: English 1.0 DTS-HD MA
SUBTITLES: English SDH
1967/1968 / Color
110 MINUTES / 93 MINUTES
Tony Rome: NOT RATED, Lady in Cement: RATED PG
Extras:
My Rating: 2 out of 5
Isolated Score Tracks (with some effects)
Billy May worked on both films Tony Rome and Lady in Cement.
For Tony Rome as conductor and for Lady in Cement orchestrator. May is truly a
gifted musician. In his life he won many amazing awards for his musical talent.
Not only a composer, but played the trumpet, was a song writer, and an arranger of music. He
like many musicians in the entertainment world worked on both TV and feature
film projects. TV fame for the TV series Naked City, Green Hornet, Batman, Mod
Squad, Emergency! CHiPs.
For Lady in Cement the music is composed by Hugo Montenegro.
Many will mainly know him as the man who recorded the theme song for the
classic one of a kind western The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.” Always a
memorable theme. Also Hugo worked on television in a great style composing the
themes to such TV shows as The Partridge Family, I Dream of Jeannie, and The
Outcasts. He died at 55 years old. Cannot imagine what other amazing and great
music that would have been composed by him. This was a wonderful bonus feature.
Audio Commentary on Tony Rome with Film Historians Eddy
Friedfeld, Anthony Latino, Lee Pfeiffer, and Paul Scrabo. A fantastic listen. I
always, as I have stated in the past, love to hear other views, thoughts and
history on the film. Audio Commentaries can be jam packed with information, and
this one is.
Original Theatrical Trailers
The all-important booklet insert. These always contain stills,
original poster art, in this one, it's for both movies. And is always a wonderful experience to read film
historian Julie Kirgo’s impressive thoughts on the films.
Overall:
Yet again this is a perfect Special Edition of two films
brought to Blu-ray for the first time, in a high quality reality that any movie
lover could really enjoy. Amazing acting, direction. Twilight Time brought out
another product worthy to praise, share and enjoy Blu-ray.
INFO:
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the wonderful Twilight Time Blu-rays. The main page that gives you these
beautiful releases on top quality Special Editions.
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