- Actors: Barbara Stanwyck, Henry Fonda, Claudette Colbert, Joel McCrea, Brian Donlevy
- Directors: Preston Sturges
- Writers: Preston Sturges, Ernst Laemmle, Monckton Hoffe, René Fülöp-Miller
- Producers: Albert Lewin, Buddy G. DeSylva, Paul Jones
- Format: Box set, Colour, Dolby, DVD-Video, Full Screen, Subtitled, NTSC
- Language English, Russian
- Subtitles: Spanish, French
- Region: Region 1 (US and Canada DVD formats.)
- Aspect Ratio: 4:3 - 1.33:1
- Number of discs: 7
- Classification: Unrated (US MPAA rating. See details.)
- Studio: Universal Studios
- DVD Release Date: 21 Nov 2006
- Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B000HT3Q2S
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 157,003 in Film & TV (See Top 100 in Film & TV)
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Reviews
Amazon.co.uk Review
Among the earliest writers to set his sights on the director's chair, Preston Sturges brought a frank, unsentimental view of the war between the sexes to his mid-'40s features that exemplify his style, as demonstrated in this prescient 1942 gem. Architect Tom Jeffers (Joel McCrea) and his wife, Gerry (Claudette Colbert), further refine the archetypal Sturges couple--the male embodying strength, idealism, and a certain naivete, the female ultimately stronger, smarter, and (as revealed early on in an astonishing speech by Colbert) clearer-eyed and more pragmatic about the subtext of sex. This giddy shaggy-dog story follows the couple's split, and Gerry's subsequent flight to Palm Beach. This head-snapping frolic is paced by double-entendres and lampooning looks at the very rich, with standout performances by the predatory Princess Centimillia (the delicious Mary Astor), who's more than ready to comfort Tom, and the wealthy, dim-witted John D. Hackensacker III (Rudy Vallee, staking out a new career, post-crooner, as comic foil), Gerry's new suitor. Even the predictable reunion of the star-crossed lovers is achieved with an antic surrealism. Sturges's strength in building strong character ensembles is matched by his affection for coupling screwball dialogue with physical slapstick, seldom to better effect than in the drunken target practice of the Ale and Quail Club, who make Colbert's train ride to Florida a different kind of shoot-'em-up. --Sam Sutherland
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I need to correct the previous user, claiming that these editions are sub-par. Actually they look brilliant, the prints are the exact same that were used for the exceedingly expensive Criterion editions of some of these titles, they have English subtitles, clean sound, and are hugely recommended.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
The Palm Beach Story is often forgotten when reviewers wax lyrical about Preston Sturges, the writer and driector of this superb film. It may not have the more serious point of Sullivan's Travels, Sturges' most famous film, but I actually prefer the more farcical Palm Beach Story.
The plot is of Geraldine (Claudette Colbert), who tired of the shame of debt, leaves her inventor husband Tom (Joel McCrea), when a rich old man gives her money. She heads off to Palm Beach (courtesy of the drunken Ale and Quail hunting club's private train carriage) to obtain a divorce, encountering on the way an extraordinarily wealthy heir, John D. Hackensacker III, who falls immediately in love with her. Tom, then, follows Geraldine to Palm Beach to win her back.
The plot becomes a bit complicated as all farces do, but Sturges has written a witty script full of absurdity, sarcasm, quotable lines and a very very funny array of supporting characters. The cast consists of great comic actors, such as Mary Astor and William Demarest, who bring Sturges script alive. There may be no deeper layer to this film, but it is tremendously good fun and always has me hooting with laughter.
The plot is of Geraldine (Claudette Colbert), who tired of the shame of debt, leaves her inventor husband Tom (Joel McCrea), when a rich old man gives her money. She heads off to Palm Beach (courtesy of the drunken Ale and Quail hunting club's private train carriage) to obtain a divorce, encountering on the way an extraordinarily wealthy heir, John D. Hackensacker III, who falls immediately in love with her. Tom, then, follows Geraldine to Palm Beach to win her back.
The plot becomes a bit complicated as all farces do, but Sturges has written a witty script full of absurdity, sarcasm, quotable lines and a very very funny array of supporting characters. The cast consists of great comic actors, such as Mary Astor and William Demarest, who bring Sturges script alive. There may be no deeper layer to this film, but it is tremendously good fun and always has me hooting with laughter.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Yes I know it stars Claudette Colbert but watch out for the arrial of Mary Astor as the man eating glamour puss. She is equally wonderful with La Colbert in Midnight (Not yet released on Region 2 ). The plot is mad and complicated but the vintage comedies often whisk along at speed and care more about the set pieces than the story line.There are so many funny set ups in the movie that writing this review makes me want to watch it again. I love the old man with the money who sort of starts the plot rolling - like all the great golden age movies the casting is impeccable. So pop this in the dvd player, forget the world outside and prepare to laugh your head off.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Enjoyed
A classic film, which i enjoyed.From the days when films were made to entertain the family, and not show violence for the sake of it. as todays films are.
Published 22 months ago by peppermint
Great films, very poor quality transfer
This is a great collection of films by a comedy genius.
Sadly the transfer done by Universal is muddy, without contrast and grainy. Read more
Sadly the transfer done by Universal is muddy, without contrast and grainy. Read more
Published on 16 April 2008 by Sully
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