Tyrone Power Matinee Idol Collection

A new collection of 10 features new to DVD starring Fox's biggest heart-throb Tyrone Power.This FIVE disc collection of NEW TO DVD double-features and new VAM about Hollywood s most handsome leading man.Includes:Disc 1:CAFE METROPOLE '37GIRLS DORMITORY '36Disc 2:JOHNNY APOLLO '40DAYTIME WIFE '39Disc 3:LUCK OF THE IRISH '48I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU '51Disc 4:THAT WONDERFUL URGE '48LOVE IS NEWS '37Disc 5:THIS ABOVE ALL '42SECOND HONEYMOON '37Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA/CLASSICS UPC: 024543523444 Manufacturer No: 2252344 Product Description

Dead for 50 Years, Tyrone Power is Still Big Box Office

Tyrone Power died on November 15, 1958. In 2007, 20th Century Fox released a five-disk set of Power's swashbuckler films and was overwhelmed by its success - so overwhelmed, in fact, that a year later, they are following it up with 10 more films, the majority of which are from Power's early days at the studio where he spent about 17 years of his 22-year career. In addition, Power's anniversary is due to be celebrated at the Egyptian Theatre in Los Angeles in November, with tributes at the Film Society of Lincoln Center and in his home town of Cincinnati to follow. It's probably not enough for a tremendous star who doesn't benefit from Turner Classic Movies network or books because TCM doesn't own his films, and it's definitely not enough for this highly underrated actor whose breathtaking looks received most of the reviews.

This second collection, the "Matinee Idol" collection consists of Girls Dormitory, in which he has a small role but received most adulation on the preview cards. It's said that Hedda Hopper sat through the film twice to make sure she had his name right. Next is Love is News, a wonderful film showing Power's ability at comedy; Cafe Metropole, a delicious Lubitsch-like comedy; Second Honeymoon, a "Private Lives" takeoff about the beautiful people - Love is News, Cafe Metropole and Second Honeymoon all co-star Loretta Young; Daytime Wife, costarring a very young Linda Darnell, a rather flimsy comedy also starring Warren William (this light film is said to be Power's punishment for defying the studio and marrying his first wife, Annabella). Gangster drama Johnny Apollo rounds out the '40s, Power costarring with the lovely Dorothy Lamour.

This Above All was based on the best-seller by Eric Knight, and although all the hot sex was removed from the film, it still holds up as a war drama and wonderful acting vehicle for Power and Joan Fontaine. Jeanine Basinger, author of "The Star Machine" feels this film could have helped Power turn a corner into more dramatic acting had not World War II intervened. Post-war, a remake of Love is News with Gene Tierney, That Wonderful Urge; Luck of the Irish, a sprightly comedy popular around St. Pat's Day, and I'll Never Forget You, which hasn't been seen in decades due to legal problems. It has been one of the most requested films to be put on DVD for several years.

Features include a career retrospective, a scene cut from Cafe Metropole, Judy Lewis talking about her mother Loretta Young's relationship with Tyrone Power, and a film narrated by two of Power's children.

Discontented with Hollywood, Power went on to distinguish himself in theater in London and on Broadway. He made some of his best films away from 20th Century Fox, particularly Witness for the Prosecution, Abandon Ship, The Eddy Duchin Story and The Long Gray Line. It is estimated that his films grossed $1 billion during decades when films cost a nickel, a dime, a quarter and at the time of his death, an average price of $.68. That's a lot of people - and a lot of popcorn. April 26, 2008

More Tyrone Power movies for your collection

Last year's volume one of Tyrone Power movies did very well, and Fox is giving us another box set of Power's films as a result. This contains some of Power's less remembered films and is completely absent the swashbuckling roles that dominated the first set.

Luck of the Irish (1948) American Steven Fitzgerald is visiting Ireland when he meets a beautiful Irish girl. However, Steven is ambitious and he has a chance to marry the boss' daughter back in America with all of the priveleges such a union would entail. What will he do?

Johnny Apollo (1940) In the title role Power is the son of a man who is embarrassingly guilty of stealing from his corporation's shareholders. With his father in prison and the money all gone, Power's character is also labeled as untrustworthy because of his father's behavior, and thus he cannot find a job. He takes up with gangsters and eventually ends up in prison next to dad. Will he turn his life around or attempt escape?

Day-Time Wife (1939) Power plays Ken Norton and Linda Darnell plays his wife Jane. Jane finds out that Ken is stepping out with his secretary. Jane is determined to find out what these men see in their secretaries and takes a job as one herself, always making excuses for her daytime absences. Her own boss makes a play for her that ends up with Jane, her boss, her husband, and hubby's secretary all in the same night spot at the same time. Will it be divorce or reconciliation?

Cafe Metropole (1937). So early in Power's career that he isn't even top billed at this point. Power plays a young American in Paris who is in debt to a nightclub owner (Adolphe Menjou). He impersonates a Russian prince so he can woo wealthy Laura Ridgeway (Loretta Young), get his hands on her money, and repay Menjou. A good but rarely seen comedy.

Girls' Dormitory (1936) This movie is so early in Power's career that he is buried in the credits. This really isn't his film at all, but it is still above average. This is a melodrama in which a teacher in a girls' school (Herbert Marshall) is loved both by a colleague (Ruth Chatterton) and by a student (Simone Simon).

I'll Never Forget You (1951) The best film in the set, and previously entangled in a rights issue that prevented its release on DVD. If you've seen "Somewhere in Time" you've seen at least part of this film. Power plays a modern day scientist who wills himself back to the 18th century. He uses his modern scientific knowledge to build models of modern devices such as the steam engine in an effort to move progress forward more quickly than history did. However, in the superstitious past his inventions scare people rather than spark their creativity. He does fall in love with a girl from that century though, but loses her when reality brings him back to the present.

Love is News (1937) - A screwball comedy in which Power plays newspaper man Steve Layton who is hounding heiress Toni Gateson (Loretta Young). Toni turns the tables by announcing that she is engaged to Layton, something that is completely untrue.

That Wonderful Urge (1948) - An attempt to remake the screwball comedy "Love is News" that just didn't work for me. Power did several comedies that were good, but this just wasn't one of them.

This Above All (1942) - Upper-class Englishwoman (Joan Fontaine) enlists in the WAF during WWII. She falls in love with American Clive Briggs (Tyrone Power) whom she learns is a deserter.

Second Honeymoon (1937) - Loretta Young and Tyrone Power are a divorced couple who run into each other after Young's character remarries. April 13, 2008

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