TCM’s Classic Murder Mysteries on DVD this week

TCM has been releasing some fantastic collections on DVD lately, and this week brings “TCM Greatest Classic Films Collection: Murder Mysteries.”

The set includes “The Maltese Falcon,” “The Big Sleep,” “Dial M For Murder,” and “The Postman Always Rings Twice.” I can see myself vegging out on the couch for an afternoon with these lovely murder mysteries. More detail on this two-disc set from Warner Home Video (Buy it on Amazon):

• The Maltese Falcon. This is classic Bogart in his prime, with plenty of rat-a-tat banter as he plays a detective so tough, he beats someone with his own gun and then hands it back to him! Also stars Sidney Greenstreet and Peter Lorre. Every time I come across this movie while surfing around, I’m compelled to watch the entire movie. It’s that gripping.
• The Big Sleep. Bogart teams up with real-life love Lauren Bacall in this well-acted film noir that takes a couple of passes through to really get what’s going on. The complicated plot doesn’t dumb things down for viewers, though, and it’s totally worth it. Bogart’s Philip Marlowe is classic stuff.
• Dial M for Murder. This 1954 Hitchcock film stars Grace Kelly as the cheating wife of a tennis player, played by Ray Milland. But even after he learns about the affair, his main concern is losing his wife’s money in a divorce. An unexpected turn in the middle kicks this movie up a hundred notches.
• The Postman Always Rings Twice. This 1946 film stars John Garfield as a drifter who gets a job at a restaurant run by Nick and his young wife, Cora (Lana Turner). Again, money plays into things as Cora falls for Frank, but doesn’t want to give up her husband’s money. The scheming pair plot to commit murder, which raises the suspicion of the D.A.

Also check out:

• TCM Greatest Classic Films Collection: American Musicals (The Band Wagon, Meet Me in St. Louis, Singin’ in the Rain, Easter Parade)
• TCM Greatest Classic Films Collection: Romantic Comedies (Adam’s Rib, Woman of the Year, The Philadelphia Story, Bringing Up Baby)
• TCM Greatest Classic Films Collection: Broadway Musicals (Show Boat, Annie Get Your Gun, Kiss Me Kate, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers) 

Image: Amazon.com