Humphrey Bogart New Signature Collection

Humphrey Bogart New Signature Collection is out and is loaded with the best of Bogart. The DVD series includes: “The Maltese Falcon” (1941) and two other versions of the same story, “Falcon,” (1931) with Ricardo Cortez & Bebe Daniels, and the 1936 version with Bette Davis as the femme fatal in “Satan Met A Lady.” It also includes these masterpieces: “Across the Pacific” (1942), “All Through the Night” (1942), “Action in the North Atlantic” (1943), and “Passage to Marseille” (1944).

“The Maltese Falcon” is the centerpiece of Warner Brothers new “Humphrey Bogart Signature Collection,” a seven-movie set that showcases Bogey’s brand of cool. If you’ve never seen “Falcon,” I highly recommend it. It’s one of the sharpest, most enjoyable old movies you’ll find. In fact, even if you have seen it, I still recommend it. The plot is so complex that it’s almost impossible to remember how everything fits together.

Besides a restored print of “The Maltese Falcon,” the set includes two previous versions of the same story. The 1931 “Falcon” stars forgotten stars Ricardo Cortez and Bebe Daniels in a version (filmed before the Hollywood Production Code took effect) that puts more emphasis on Sam Spade’s sex life. It’s no classic, but it’s entertaining and surprisingly saucy. The 1936 version, retitled “Satan Met a Lady,” stars a young Bette Davis as the femme fatale, but lacks the zip of the earlier film.

Though not as well known as “Falcon,” the other films in the set are very entertaining and showcase Bogart’s special brand of cinema cool.” (Source: go.rrstar.com)