Natalie Wood Collection – DVD Review - CLIP ADDED!

By June L. Feb 10, 2009, 16:47 GMT

The "Natalie Wood Signature Collection" includes "Splendor In The Grass", "Gypsy", "Sex And The Single Girl", "Inside Daisy Clover", "Bombers B-52" and "Cash McCall". "Splendor In The Grass": Directed by Elia Kazan ("Streetcar Named Desire"), and written by William Inge ("Come Back Little Sheba") "Splendor In The Grass" stars Natalie Wood and Warren Beatty (in his feature film debut) as teenage lovers full of angst and lust, ripped apart by ...more

Natalie Wood was one of the great stars that died too young.  She had easily made the transitions from child star to ingénue to leading lady, and was about to step into the next phase of her acting career when her life was cut short. 

Too often the gifted and talented artists of this world are lost to us before they can reach their zenith, and Natalie Wood would have been a great actress at any time in her life.  The Natalie Wood Collection allows viewers to have some of the best works of this beloved artist in a single boxed set.

Beginning with Bombers B-52, we see Natalie as the romantic interest of pilot Ephrem Zimbalist, Jr. and daughter of less than thrilled air plane mechanic Karl Malden.  In a post Korean war film about air planes and the men who fly, fix them, and maintain readiness during Cold War Natalie had a plum role.  The daughter and love interest were easy material for the actress, but she gave the role her best dramatic input. 

Bombers B-52 is presented in widescreen with a running time of 106 minutes and in English and French subtitles.  With the main feature are specials of a classic cartoon “Boyhood Daze” and the original theatrical trailer for the film.

In Cash McCall with James Garner, Natalie again is cast in the daughter/love interest role.  In a corporate world where no one is good, Cash McCall is vulgar by his own admission, but that doesn’t stop Natalie as Laurie Austen from falling for him.

The movie is presented in widescreen, color with a running time of 102 minutes.  English and French subtitles are available for the feature.  Included is the Oscar nominated cartoon High Note, and the original theatrical trailer for the film.

Splendor in the Grass, is the coming of age film that many people remember resonating with their own experiences.  While this story takes place in Kansas in the 1920’s. it could be any time or place. 

Natalie Wood is the young girl whose sanity is taken for a ride by Warren Beatty’s seemingly callous treatment of the romance.  Beatty (in his first film role) is told by his father to cool his romance with the love of his life Wood, events are set in motion that will change their life paths completely.
The movie is presented in widescreen format, with English and French subtitles available.  Included are the Oscar nominated cartoon Beep Prepared and the original theatrical trailer for the film.

Gypsy is the story of  stripper Gypsy Rose Lee with Natalie Wood playing the lead.  Vaudeville is the scene of the story where Rose (Rosalind Russell) has her children in show biz.  Louise (Natalie Wood) is the less talented sister and is put in chorus roles.  Eventually she will discover her ability and emerge as the sophisticated stripper Gypsy Rose Lee.

Remastered, the film has a fresh look and is presented in widescreen.  Included are two outtake musical numbers, an Oscar nominated cartoon The Pied Piper of Guadalupe and the original theatrical trailer.

Sex and the Single Girl is based on Helen Gurley Brown’s best selling book.  Natalie Wood plays Dr. Brown, a young woman who has written the book on love, without having ever experienced it herself.  With a cast including Henry Fonda, Lauren Bacall, Mel Ferrer and Tony Curtis there is plenty of sophisticated bedroom comedy.

The film is presented in widescreen format, and includes a cartoon and the theatrical trailer.  The film is available with English and French subtitles.

Inside Daisy Clover is the story of a teen screen star who has grown up to a less than glamorous life and career.  It is a look at what might happen to an adored teen star, who is swept up into the Hollywood dream, and then abandoned by a fickle public.  Starring alongside Natalie Wood are Christopher Plummer, Roddy McDowall, Ruth Gordon and Robert Redford.

The film is in widescreen format with a running time of 128 minutes.  Included is a class cartoon War and Pieces and the theatrical trailer.

This is a nice set for collectors and fans alike.  Natalie Wood was an accomplished actress and brought a special element to each of these films.  

Natalie Wood Collection is now available at Amazon. As of yet, there is not a release date for the UK. Visit the DVD database for more information.