Four Film Noir Classics Vol. 2 (1944-1955) Arrow

[Dailyan]

• High Definition (1080p) Blu-ray presentations of all four films
• Original lossless mono audio on all films
• Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing on all films
• Audio commentaries by leading scholars and critics Farran Smith-Nehme (The Suspect), Imogen Sara Smith (The Sleeping City), Josh Nelson (Thunder on the Hill) and Samm Deighan (Six Bridges to Cross)
• It Had to be Done, a new interview in which author and scholar Alan K. Rode takes a detailed look at the life and work of Robert Siodmak director of The Suspect and other classic noirs
• The Real Deal, a new visual essay by author and critic Alexandra Heller-Nicholas looking at realism and reality in The Sleeping City
• José Arroyo on Thunder on the Hill, a new appreciation by the esteemed film scholar and critic
• Style and Place, a new visual essay by film critic Jon Towlson examining the work of celebrated cinematographer William H. Daniels
• Vintage radio play versions of The Suspect and Thunder on the Hill starring Charles Laughton, Ella Raines, Claudette Colbert and Barbara Rush
• Theatrical Trailers
• Poster and stills galleries
• Reversible sleeves featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Scott Saslow
• Double-sided fold-out posters for each film featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Scott Saslow
• Hardback collector’s book featuring new writing on the films by film critics Kat Ellinger, Philip Kemp and Jon Towlson [Limited Edition Exclusive]

Tormented protagonists, sadistic villains, sublimated sex and murder most foul. Take a walk through the shadowy streets of Film Noir in these four atmospheric classics.

In The Suspect (1944) a genial shopkeeper, Philip Marshall, is constantly nagged by his shrewish wife, Cora, while secretly yearning for a pretty young stenographer. When Cora falls to her death the police are suspicious, and Marshall’s neighbour sees a chance for blackmail. A classic noir with an unusual Edwardian setting directed by Robert Siodmak (The Killers), and starring Charles Laughton (The Big Clock), Ella Raines (Phantom Lady) and Henry Daniell (The Body Snatcher). Meanwhile, The Sleeping City (1950) sees an undercover policeman investigating murder and narcotics racketeering at New York's Bellevue Hospital. Starring Richard Conte (Thieves’ Highway) and Coleen Gray (Nightmare Alley) this tense, semi-documentary thriller was shot entirely on location by director George Sherman. In Thunder on the Hill (1951) convicted murderer Valerie Carns is being transported for execution when a flood strands her and her guards at a convent hospital, where Sister Mary Bonaventure becomes convinced of Valerie’s innocence and sets out to find the real killer.

Celebrated director Douglas Sirk is best known for his classic melodramas, but he made a number of noir thrillers and this is one of the best; starring Claudette Colbert (It Happened One Night) and Ann Blyth (Mildred Pierce). Finally, in Six Bridges to Cross (1955) streetwise delinquent Jerry Florea is shot and wounded by rookie policeman Eddie Gallagher while fleeing the scene of a robbery. Despite this, the two develop a friendship as Eddie and his wife take Jerry under their wing, trying to keep him on the straight and narrow. As an adult Jerry marries and seems to settle down, until an armoured security company across the street from him is robbed of two and a half million dollars. Directed by Joseph Pevney (Man of a Thousand Faces) the film stars Tony Curtis (Some Like it Hot), George Nalder (Robot Monster), Julie Adams (Creature from the Black Lagoon) and Sal Mineo (Rebel Without a Cause), with cinematography by the great William H. Daniels (The Naked City).

This showcase of lesser known noir classics features sterling performances from a host of screen greats, as well as taut direction, stunning cinematography, and superb screenwriting from the likes of Oscar Saul (A Streetcar Named Desire), Jo Eisinger (Gilda, Night and the City), Andrew Holt (In a Lonely Place) and Sydney Boehm (The Big Heat). Embrace the darkness with these hard-boiled genre gems.

[CouncilSpectre]

Good to see that noir still gets a look in at Arrow

[justwannaboogie]

Bloody hell, it's been a solid while since we got some Noir from Arrow, and a follow up to the first box set at that. I was wondering just the other day if we'd ever get The Suspect.

[CZDK]

Originally Posted by Videovore

Reverse Art & Posters.

I don't particularly mind the new artwork but those sleeves are getting reversed as soon as I get my grubby hands on that set!

[trobrianders]

Originally Posted by CZDK

I don't particularly mind the new artwork but those sleeves are getting reversed as soon as I get my grubby hands on that set!

Same.

[Si Parallel Universe]

Long time since I said this to Arrow but

"Just take my wallet already"

[rapta]

Originally Posted by justwannaboogie

Bloody hell, it's been a solid while since we got some Noir from Arrow, and a follow up to the first box set at that. I was wondering just the other day if we'd ever get The Suspect.

Honestly expected The Suspect and Thunder on the Hill would be in the Universal Noir series from Indicator (I also highlighted Ride the Pink Horse, Obsession, You and Me, Blood On My Hands, and a whole bunch of others).

I guess Arrow saw how well Indicator's sets were doing and snapped up four whilst they were doing other business with Universal (to be fair to Arrow, they're close with Universal as much as Indicator with Sony).

I'll likely pre-order this, especially since Black Sunday turned out to not be a UK title (bit grumpy about that).

[P.A.C.O.]

Is Vol. 1 the two film set with Burt Lancaster on the front?

[hanz0]

Originally Posted by p.a.c.o.

is vol. 1 the two film set with burt lancaster on the front?

[Si Parallel Universe]

Originally Posted by P.A.C.O.

Is Vol. 1 the two film set with Burt Lancaster on the front?

No that would be the repackage of Brute Force with Naked City in a doublepack.

[P.A.C.O.]

Originally Posted by hanz0

Originally Posted by Si Parallel Universe

No that would be the repackage of Brute Force with Naked City in a doublepack.

Thanks.

[scofield19]

Will Arrow launch a re issue of "Volume 1" following same design and stuff?

Bothers me a bit that the first one doesn't have "Volume 1" written on it and the fact that it was released by their "Arrow Academy" division, not "Video", they reissued the Fassbinder set, they should do the same with this one.

Bit of an OCD...

[Matt89]

Very surprised to see this get announced, but also a very welcome one. I've had the first set since it came out (which was all the way back in 2017!) and was hoping that Arrow would eventually release another volume. The Big Combo was probably my favourite title from the first set, and I'm really glad to see The Suspect included in this round.

March is shaping up to be a GREAT month for Arrow.

[JoePo]

Originally Posted by Si Parallel Universe

No that would be the repackage of Brute Force with Naked City in a doublepack.

For what it's worth I think they were new scans not just a repackaging of the old discs

[CouncilSpectre]

Originally Posted by JoePo

For what it's worth I think they were new scans not just a repackaging of the old discs

They were newer scans yes.

I swapped out both my older discs for the new boxset, although not all the old extras were ported over.

[paulboland]

Originally Posted by scofield19

Will Arrow launch a re issue of "Volume 1" following same design and stuff?

Bothers me a bit that the first one doesn't have "Volume 1" written on it and the fact that it was released by their "Arrow Academy" division, not "Video", they reissued the Fassbinder set, they should do the same with this one.

Bit of an OCD...

Arrow Academy was merged into Arrow Video label since 2021

Arrow already did a standard edition box set of Vol 1 in 2020 4 Blu-ray discs in 2 amaray cases in a slipbox and is still available to order
https://www.arrowfilms.com/blu-ray/f.../12639296.html
https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Four-...lu-ray/272569/

Does not include the Hardback Book or DVD's as they was exclusive to the limited edition that was released in 2017

Unboxing of Standard Edition
Not my Video
https://www.youtube.com/supported_br...tube.com/watch


Arrow will also do a Standard Edition of Vol 2 after that Limited Edition sells out or when is close to been sold out

[scofield19]

Originally Posted by paulboland

Arrow Academy was merged into Arrow Video label since 2021

Arrow already did a standard edition box set of Vol 1 in 2020 4 Blu-ray discs in 2 amaray cases in a slipbox and is still available to order
https://www.arrowfilms.com/blu-ray/f.../12639296.html
https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Four-...lu-ray/272569/

Does not include the Hardback Book or DVD's as they was exclusive to the limited edition that was released in 2017

Unboxing of Standard Edition
Not my Video
https://www.youtube.com/supported_br...tube.com/watch


Arrow will also do a Standard Edition of Vol 2 after that Limited Edition sells out or when is close to been sold out

Hi Paul - thanks for message mate. I know all of this, but I was just asking whether Arrow has plans to re-release the first boxset matching the same design volume 2 will have. And adding "volume 1" to it.

They recently released the 3 Fassbinder boxsets with new designs and adding new films to the previous one that was launched by Arrow Academy.

I've asked them via social media but haven't heard back... It's a bit weird they haven't announced it and, I know it may not mean much to many people, but from a collector point of view it bothers me a bit that first boxset was:
-Done by their Arrow Academy division
-Misses "volume 1." from the cover
-Has a different design/style

Thanks!

[trobrianders]

I don't mind your "collector point of view" at all. To each their own. But I'm a collector too and I don't mind if the packaging reflects the new circumstances.

[Arch Stanton]

The Suspect is a really good film

[T4ffer]

Just received mine. What a nice packaging! I also wouldn't mind getting the first volume as a Limited Edition again, because it now looks pretty sad next to Vol. 2