Los Angeles (October 28, 2010) — On November 9th, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment will release the “Elia Kazan Film Collection,” an 18-disc DVD gift set including 15 of Kazan´s most acclaimed and noteworthy films. The full collection, in addition to the documentary, includes: “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn” (1945), “Boomerang!” (1947), “Gentleman´s Agreement” (1947), “Pinky” (1949), “Panic in the Streets” (1950), “A Streetcar Named Desire” (1951), “Viva Zapata!” (1952), “Man on a Tightrope” (1953), “On the Waterfront” (1954), “East of Eden” (1955), “Baby Doll” (1956), “A Face in the Crowd” (1957), “Wild River” (1960), “Splendor in the Grass” (1961), and “America, America” (1963). Of the collection, five films have never before been released on DVD: “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn,” “Viva Zapata!,” “Man on a Tightrope,” “Wild River,” and “America, America.” The “Elia Kazan Film Collection” will be available for $199.98 U.S. / $349.98 Canada.
The box set also includes “A Letter to Elia,” Martin Scorsese´s new documentary exploring the life and talent of Oscar-winning director Elia Kazan. The film, co-directed by Scorsese and Kent Jones, made its world premiere at the Venice International Film Festival and its North American premiere at the Telluride Film Festival. It is also an official selection of the New York Film Festival, where it screened alongside Kazan´s America, America and aired earlier this month as part of PBS´s “American Masters” Series.
Disc 1
A Letter to Elia (2010): Martin Scorsese directs and narrates this look at director Elia Kazan. From his triumphs with films such as On the Waterfront to his controversial naming of names during the McCarthy hearings, Kazan is shown in all his complexity.
Disc 2
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (1945): Based on Betty Smith´s novel, the film tells the story of a girl who strives for a better life, despite her family´s poverty, which is caused in part by her father´s alcoholism. Joan Blondell co-stars as free-spirited Aunt Sissy. James Dunn won an Oscar for his role as the girl´s father.
Disc 3
Boomerang! (1947): When a local priest is murdered, a nervous drifter is fingered as the murderer. He denies committing the crime, but it´s up to a prosecutor (Dana Andrews) who believes the man is innocent to convince the court. The film is based on a true story. The film was nominated for an Oscar.
Disc 4
Gentleman´s Agreement (1947): A journalist (Gregory Peck) poses as a Jew, and soon discovers what is to be a victim of religious intolerance. The film won three Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director.
Disc 5
Pinky (1949): A light-skinned black woman (Jeanne Crain) who´s been passing for white at a northern nursing school returns to the South, where she´s asked to care for an ailing white woman (Ethel Barrymore), who wants nothing to do with her. Pinky must negotiate tricky racial politics in life and love. The film was nominated for three Academy Awards.
Disc 6
Panic in the Streets (1950): A public health worker (Richard Widmark) and a police captain (Paul Douglas) have only 48 hours to stop a pneumonic plague outbreak from spreading across New Orleans. Zero Mostel and Jack Palance co-star in the film, which won an Academy Award for Best Screenplay.
Discs 7 and 8
A Streetcar Named Desire (1951): Based on Tennessee Williams´ play, Vivien Leigh stars as Blanche DuBois, a fading Southern belle who´s not quite what she pretends to be. All is revealed when she comes to New Orleans to stay with her sister (Kim Hunter) and her volatile husband (Marlon Brando). Leigh, Hunter, and Karl Malden took home Oscars for their performances.
Disc 9
Viva Zapata! (1952): Marlon Brando stars as Mexican revolutionary Emiliano Zapata who takes on corrupt president Porfirio Diaz, topples him, and then becomes disillusioned with his brother (Anthony Quinn) who takes Diaz´s place. John Steinbeck wrote the film´s screenplay and Quinn took home a Best Supporting Actor Oscar.
Disc 10
Man on a Tightrope (1953): Fredric March stars in this story of a Czechoslovakian circus troop whose members are drafted into the military when the communists take over. But as they near the Bavarian border, they decide to make a break to escape to the West.
Disc 11
On the Waterfront (1954): Marlon Brando stars in this controversial film about an ex-boxer turned longshoreman who decides to stand up to his corrupt union bosses. The film won eight Oscars, including Best Actor, Best Director, Best Picture, and Best Supporting Actress for Eva Marie Saint.
Discs 12 and 13
East of Eden (1955): Based on John Steinbeck´s novel, this film is a loose retelling of the Biblical Cain and Abel story. James Dean stars as Cal, who competes with his brother Aron (Richard Davalos) for the love of his father (Raymond Massey). Jo Van Fleet won an Oscar for her role as Cal´s opportunistic mother.
Disc 14
Baby Doll (1956): Based on Tennessee Williams´ play “27 Wagons Full of Cotton,” this film´s racy plot about a virgin bride (Carroll Baker) caught between her husband (Karl Malden) and his rival (Eli Wallach) provoked an outcry from the Catholic league. The film was nominated for four Oscars.
Disc 15
A Face in the Crowd (1957): Andy Griffith stars as Larry “Lonesome” Rhodes, a drunken drifter stumbles into fame and power on a new medium called television. But will he be unmasked as a fraud?
Disc 16
Wild River (1960): Montgomery Clift stars as a Tennessee Valley Authority administrator who must deal with the racial politics of hiring black workers. He also must evict and old woman (Jo Van Fleet) from her home, but then he falls in love with her daughter (Lee Remick).
Disc 17
Splendor in the Grass (1961): Warren Beatty made his film debut in this story of a girl (Natalie Wood) who love for a local boy and pressure to be a “good girl” from her parents drives her to madness. The film won an Oscar for Best Screenplay.
Disc 18
America, America (1963): This film is the loose adaptation of the real-life story of Elia Kazan´s uncle who grew up as part of the Greek minority in Turkey. He travels to Constantinople to escape persecution, but dreams of living in America. The film was nominated for four Oscars.
