Sept. 22 — Paramount Pictures’ 1955 cinematic adaptation of author Joseph Hayes’ novel The Desperate Hours will get the re-issue treatment next month courtesy of Arrow Video.
Originally having made its theatrical debut Oct. 12, 1955, the movie is set to receive its latest re-issue Oct. 17 on Blu-ray. Humphrey Bogart (The Maltese Falcon, Casablanca, The African Queen) leads as escaped convict Glenn Griffin. Griffin has escaped from jail along with his brother, Hal (Dewey Griffin — The Thing From Another World, Land of the Pharaohs, The Big Sky) and fellow convict Sam Kobish (Robert Middleton — The Court Jester, The Big Combo, A Big Hand For The Little Lady) and the trio takes a suburban family hostage as they await Glenn’s girlfriend to bring them money. When the woman never shows up, things get tense between the felons and their captives, leading to a powerful outcome in the story’s final act.
Paramount Pictures’ take on Hayes’ novel (and stage play, which was also based on Hayes’ book and starred none other than Paul Newman in the role that would later be played by Bogart) was written by Hayes and Jay Dratler. The movie was directed by William Wyler (Roman Holiday, Ben–Hur, The Best Years Of Our Lives), who would later go on to be considered at the top of his game in directing the movie.
Included as special features with the movie’s forthcoming Blu-ray re-issue are a brand-new feature-length audio commentary from film historian Daniel Kremer; a new commentary by University of Warwick professor of Film and Television Studies, Jose Arroyo; a new visual essay by Eloise Ross, co-curator of the Melbourne Cinematique; a new interview with William Wyler’s daughter, Catherine Wyler; collector’s booklet with liner notes composed by Philip Kemp and Neil Sinyard; and a gallery of lobby cards.
A trailer for The Desperate Hours is streaming here.
More information on this and other titles from Arrow Video is available at:
Website: http://www.arrowfilms.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ArrowVideo
Twitter: http://twitter.com/ArrowFilmsVideo