40 Pounds of Trouble

An Absolute Delight!
This is a wonderful family flick for all ages and boasts a "who's who" list of very funny character actors from the 1960's. Tony Curtis is outrageously funny and charming as Steve McClusky, a Nevada casino manager who winds up caring for Penny, a 5 year old orphan with amusing results. Suzanne Pleshette as a romantic endeavor never looked better. And Phil Silvers' portrayal as the loveable tough guy Uncle Bernie can't be topped. The "chase" scene thru vintage Disneyland is pure fun. This movie truly is a family classic!

This is a great movie, director Norman Jewison's first film, and this is shameful disrespect by Universal Studios with a DVD-R release. This film is deserving a Blu-ray treatment.

But we take as we get them......

UPDATE: 02.21.10 - a little viewing 411

Despite the claim that this disc may play only in "Play Only" players, I've found my copy plays fine in my Panasonic DVD burner AND in all of my optical drives on three...

Welcome to the DVD-R revolution...
Like the airline industry, home video seems to be veering toward the cutting of corners in order to stay afloat at a profit.Is it nice to finally see FORTY POUNDS OF TROUBLE in it original 2.35:1 widescreen aspect ratio? Yes. Is it nice to see the entire film, minus commercial interruptions and at its original length? Yes. Is the print good? Not really -- there's no crispness and a fuzz that dims the Panavision perspective, especially on an LCD TV. Do I like having no idea how long this DVD-R disc will last? No. Was it worth the $14.99 I paid for it? Yes, as it would cost nearly this much to see it once in a NY revival house theater.

Here's the point: I'm collecting these Universal Vault Series titles, but with caution. Whereas the sky would be the limit if the discs were pressed, it means I'm holding back. For starters, I'd rather get a Region 2 PAL edition from the UK if it's a standard pressed DVD (I strongly advocate getting a region free DVD player -- you would...

40 pounds of F U N !!!!!
This film reminds me of my first trip to Disneyland (1963) on my way to Viet-Nam. I'm a retired G.I. and this movie says so much about a time in the past. Tony, Suzanne, Phil, & Larry (Storch) should all have received Oscars for their performance in this hilarious romp thru this most appealing fun center (Disneyland). It's with a very sad feeling of regret that the Casino where this film was shot is now gone. (Stateline) My Wife and I visited the spot a couple of years ago. I have an old VHS copy of this funny, funny film and I watch it with much happiness, but I'm afraid it is getting worn out. They (producers) should make this film available on D V D !!!!! Nuf Said.

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