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Product Description
SYNOPSIS: The great Charles Laughton found one of his most iconic roles in Leo McCarey's definitive screen version of Harry Leon Wilson's best-seller Ruggles of Red Gap a wryly humorous tapestry of the American West at the turn of the 20th century.
When the Earl of Burnstead (Roland Young) transfers the services of Ruggles (Laughton), his immaculate English valet, to Egbert Floud (Charlie Ruggles), a wealthy, brash American, the repercussions prove more dramatic than anyone could have anticipated. Relocating to Red Gap, Washington, Ruggles slowly overcomes his disconcertment as he encounters new alliances, enemies, the route to independence, and, possibly, love.
A riotous clash between the Old World and the New, McCarey's legendary comic instincts combine with his customary tender respect to make one of the most glorious and enduring comedies of classical Hollywood.
The Masters of Cinema Series is proud to present the UK home viewing première of McCarey's "Best Picture" Oscar-nominated film and for the first time anywhere in the world on Blu-ray.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
REVIEWS: "A brilliant, hilarious and fondly satirical look at Anglo-American relations and culture gaps, faultlessly directed by Leo McCarey with Laughton in masterly form - " Radio Times
"This is the archetypal film they don't make any more" - Time Out Film Guide
"Rapturously funny." - The New York Times
When the Earl of Burnstead (Roland Young) transfers the services of Ruggles (Laughton), his immaculate English valet, to Egbert Floud (Charlie Ruggles), a wealthy, brash American, the repercussions prove more dramatic than anyone could have anticipated. Relocating to Red Gap, Washington, Ruggles slowly overcomes his disconcertment as he encounters new alliances, enemies, the route to independence, and, possibly, love.
A riotous clash between the Old World and the New, McCarey's legendary comic instincts combine with his customary tender respect to make one of the most glorious and enduring comedies of classical Hollywood.
The Masters of Cinema Series is proud to present the UK home viewing première of McCarey's "Best Picture" Oscar-nominated film and for the first time anywhere in the world on Blu-ray.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
- Beautiful new high-definition master, officially licensed from Universal Pictures
- Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hearing impaired
- Optional music and effects track
- Ruggles on the Radio: three adaptations made for radio broadcast, all featuring Charles Laughton and Charlie Ruggles in a reprisal of their famous roles
- Laughton reciting Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, originally released as a 78-rpm record in 1937.
- PLUS: A booklet featuring rare archival imagery, and more!
REVIEWS: "A brilliant, hilarious and fondly satirical look at Anglo-American relations and culture gaps, faultlessly directed by Leo McCarey with Laughton in masterly form - " Radio Times
"This is the archetypal film they don't make any more" - Time Out Film Guide
"Rapturously funny." - The New York Times
Product Description
United Kingdom released, Blu-Ray/Region B DVD: LANGUAGES: English ( Dolby Digital 2.0 ), English ( Dolby DTS-HD Master Audio ), English ( Subtitles ), SPECIAL FEATURES: Black & White, Blu-Ray & DVD Combo, Booklet, Cast/Crew Interview(s), Interactive Menu, Remastered, Scene Access, SYNOPSIS: An English gentleman loses his stuffy manservant, Ruggles, in a poker game with an unmannered cowboy and his wife. Ruggles accompanies his new employers to the tiny, wild town of Red Gap, Washington. Rich, rowdy Egbert Floud introduces Ruggles as 'Colonel' Ruggles, and the town ladies are quite taken by the sophisticated servant in disguise as he enamors them with fictitious stories of battles gone by. Ruggles proves his newfound patriotism in one of the best scenes of the film, his recitation of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address in the Silver Dollar Saloon. The dream of freedom leads him to open his own restaurant, where one of his first customers is the nobleman who has come to reclaim his former servant. SCREENED/AWARDED AT: Oscar Academy Awards, ...Ruggles of Red Gap (Blu-Ray & DVD Combo) (Blu-Ray)
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Blu-ray|Amazon Verified Purchase
"My father was a gentleman's gentleman... and his father before him. And from that heritage of service miraculously there comes a man. A person of importance, however small. A man whose decisions and whose future are in his own hands."
Rarely revived and never on UK TV, Leo McCarey's 1935 version of Ruggles of Red Gap was the third to reach the screen in just 17 years, but it's hard to imagine the other versions topping it. It's not a particularly credible plot, with Charlie Ruggles (not actually playing Ruggles despite the film literally having his name on it) `winning' Charles Laughton's reserved and soft-spoken gentleman's gentleman from Roland Young's vaguely lubricated English aristocrat and taking him out West with him, where his socially ambitious wife Mary Boland hopes he'll have a civilising effect on his wardrobe and manners. Naturally the opposite is the case, with the initially quietly horrified Ruggles the butler finding the Land of Opportunity - and widow Zasu Pitts - much to his liking...
The comic misunderstandings and mistaken identity shenanigans are pretty much standard issue and the comedy generally more restrained and understated than expected, yet it's such a charming and delightfully good-natured film it's practically impossible not to embrace it. Ruggles the actor has the down home commonsense speak-yer-mind nature to carry off a part that could potentially be irritating thoroughly likeably, while Laughton's quiet, buttoned down performance is a marvel of understated depth, doing so little yet revealing so much.... Read more ›
Rarely revived and never on UK TV, Leo McCarey's 1935 version of Ruggles of Red Gap was the third to reach the screen in just 17 years, but it's hard to imagine the other versions topping it. It's not a particularly credible plot, with Charlie Ruggles (not actually playing Ruggles despite the film literally having his name on it) `winning' Charles Laughton's reserved and soft-spoken gentleman's gentleman from Roland Young's vaguely lubricated English aristocrat and taking him out West with him, where his socially ambitious wife Mary Boland hopes he'll have a civilising effect on his wardrobe and manners. Naturally the opposite is the case, with the initially quietly horrified Ruggles the butler finding the Land of Opportunity - and widow Zasu Pitts - much to his liking...
The comic misunderstandings and mistaken identity shenanigans are pretty much standard issue and the comedy generally more restrained and understated than expected, yet it's such a charming and delightfully good-natured film it's practically impossible not to embrace it. Ruggles the actor has the down home commonsense speak-yer-mind nature to carry off a part that could potentially be irritating thoroughly likeably, while Laughton's quiet, buttoned down performance is a marvel of understated depth, doing so little yet revealing so much.... Read more ›
By Stephen
Format:Blu-ray|Amazon Verified Purchase
Once I had got over the 'Ruggles' confusion, one a character, the other an actor, I enjoyed this as one of the very funniest thirties comedies. I actually laughed out loud at Laughton as a drunken Ruggles. Charlie Ruggles and Mary Boland are brilliant as the very American couple who win the very English butler Charles Laughton in a card game with an English Lord (Roland Young). it succeeds in being very pro-american without being anti-british, which is quite an achievement! Leila Hyams in her duet with (Lord) Roland Young is sensational!
By Mandy
Format:Blu-ray|Amazon Verified Purchase
Very old film, but thoroughly enjoyed it. Bought it for my Mother,but watched it as well,It was really good. It arrived on time and was in excellent condition.
Format:Blu-ray|Amazon Verified Purchase
I can never make up my mind whether Laughton is an exceptional star actor or a very gifted amateur . He appears to have no technique and , in fact, spent only 1 term at RADA I believe. In this entertaining film , he plays the English butler in a very strange American household trying to keep his superior calm .
His perfomance is nothing like the typical ' English butler ' that one is used to seeing portrayed in American films of the 30s . This performance verges on the camp and disappears into amateur night very often .
An interesting curio.
His perfomance is nothing like the typical ' English butler ' that one is used to seeing portrayed in American films of the 30s . This performance verges on the camp and disappears into amateur night very often .
An interesting curio.
By Mario
Format:Blu-ray
Charmingly scripted gentle diversion with some great performances especially Roland Young in great form as mumbling upper-class twit and Charlie Ruggles (!) as Laughton's (Ruggles the butler's) millionaire hayseed employer. Laughton is a bit uneven perhaps - you start by expecting a comically stoical Anthony Hopkins from 'The Remains of the Day', but his unevenness is perhaps intended and brought about by the liberating effect of the 'true' Americans and not those desperate to ape their European cousins who correctly get their comeuppance. The famous Gettysburg address sequence perhaps anticipates a more tragic bar-room speech: Victor Mature's brilliant 'To be or not to be' from 'My Darling Clementine'. In its way, it's similarly moving. You'll not laugh your socks off, but charming can sometimes make '5 stars'!
6 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Blu-ray|Amazon Verified Purchase
I don't understand why this is 'dual format' as the BluRay and the DVD look very similar, which is at best ROUGH! It should have been a DVD only release. It really doesn't compare to the recent Island Of Lost Souls release, which is of a similar age, in any way.
The film is pretty awful too! There is an interview with Simon Callow, who says that the film was a great success in America, but flopped in Britain, and it's not hard to see why, as America is given an extra, super-sized, coat of sugar... The only interesting aspect in all of this is Laughtons acting, which is very, very odd indeed.
The film is pretty awful too! There is an interview with Simon Callow, who says that the film was a great success in America, but flopped in Britain, and it's not hard to see why, as America is given an extra, super-sized, coat of sugar... The only interesting aspect in all of this is Laughtons acting, which is very, very odd indeed.
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