We're playing catch-up again here on missed news stories by combining three press releases from the past week from Network Distributing detyailing four of their DVD titles for January as part of their ongoing 'The British Fiulm Collection': Fascination, an early talkie from 1931 about a wronged wife who discovers her husband’s dalliance, starring Madeleine Carroll; A Nice Girl Like Me, a romantic drama from award-winning director Desmond Davis about an unworldly schoolgirl who travels the world; You Can't Escape, a crime drama starring Robert Urquhart, Guy Rolfe and Noelle Middleton, about a novelist who accidentally kills his former mistress; and the four film set, British Musicals of the 1930s: Volume 3.

Fascination (1931)

Childhood sweethearts Vera and Larry Maitland have been happily married for several years. When Larry encounters vampish actress Gwenda Farrell, however, he lets himself be led astray. When Vera finds out the truth her solution is a novel one.

A light-hearted drama directed by multi-talented writer, director and actor Miles Mander (Murder!, The Flying Doctor), Fascination stars a luminous Madeleine Carroll – Mander’s co-star in 1928’s The First Born and soon to take a career-defining leading role in Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps – heading up a distinguished cast in this early talkie.

Fascination is presented here in a brand-new transfer from the only remaining copy of the film known to exist - a nitrate print. Though cleaned up as much as possible, these 80+ year-old film elements have intermittent damage throughout and should be viewed with that in mind.

Fascination will be released on UK DVD on 12th January 2015 at the RRP of £9.99, courtesy of Network’s ‘The British Film’ collection.

A Nice Girl Like Me (1969)

On her father's death, cloistered schoolgirl Candida inherits a house and a small sum of money, and leaves for Paris, set on fun and adventure. Her unwordly upbringing, however, leads her into trouble, leaving her to rely heavily on Savage, the caretaker.

Barbara Ferris (Catch Us If You Can, Children Of The Damned), Harry Andrews (Battle Of Britain, The Hill) and triple Oscar-nominee Gladys Cooper (Rebecca, My Fair Lady) star in this wry, romantic drama from award-winning director Desmond Davis (Clash Of The Titans, Girl With Green Eyes).

Released in 1969, A Nice Girl Like Me is featured here in a brand-new transfer from the original film elements, in its as-exhibited theatrical aspect ratio.

A Nice Girl Like Me will be released on UK DVD on 12th January 2015 at the RRP of £9.99 from Network Distributing.

You Can't Escape (1956)

Novelist Peter Darwin is engaged to heiress Kay March. When he accidentally kills Claire, his former mistress, during a quarrel, he persuades a reluctant Kay to help him bury the body in a wood. When the body is found and with the truth close to being uncovered, Darwin resorts to desperate actions to cover his crime.

Directed by Wilfred Eades (Armchair Theatre), 1950s British drama You Can’t Escape stars Noelle Middleton (Court Martial, John And Judy), Guy Rolfe (Dolls, Yesterday’s Enemy) and Robert Urquhart (Dunkirk, The Curse Of Frankenstein) in the story of an accidental death and the lengths they go to cover it up.

Filmed in the 1.33:1 aspect ratio, You Can't Escape was framed for 1.66:1 for those theatres that at the time were able to exhibit widescreen images. Both versions are included on this release.

You Can’t Escape will be released on UK DVD on 12th January 2015 at the RRP £9.99, courtesy of Network Distributing’s ‘The British Film’ collection.

British Musicals of the 1930s: Volume 3

From playful romantic comedies to variety extravaganzas, the pre-war British musical films offered audiences a source of much-needed escapism throughout the decade haunted by the Great Depression and the growing menace of war.

Often adapting much-loved hits of the music hall as well as serving as vehicles for the era’s composers, performers and band leaders, they showcased home-grown talent alongside some of Hollywood’s most bankable stars.

This ongoing, multi-volume collection makes available a wealth of rare gems from the very earliest days of the British talkies, many of which have remained unseen since their original release. Each film is presented uncut, in a brand-new transfer from the original film elements in its as-exhibited theatrical aspect ratio.

Disc 1

For The Love Of Mike (1932)
Broad humour and knockabout comedy characterise this rare cinematic gem based on an often-adapted highly popular farce. A useless secretary and his private detective friend try to help an heiress from being swindled by her guardian.

Facing The Music (1933)
A joyful medley of farce, romance, song and slapstick starring Stanley Lupino (Happy, Over She Goes) as an impressionable youth whose pursuit of an opera singer’s niece lands him in trouble. After pursuing her persistently he wins his way to her affection, but the path of true love never did run smooth.

Disc 2

My Song Goes Round The World (1934)
Set in Vienna, the touching and sometimes comic story of a diminutive tenor who falls in love whilst striving for success. Joseph Schmidt (A Star Fell From Heaven) reprises his role in the hugely popular German film of 1933, and this British remake richly showcases the talents of the world-renowned Austro-Hungarian-born tenor.

Heart’s Desire (1935)
Richard Tauber, the great Austrian tenor, features in the story of a singing peasant from a Vienna beer-garden who conquers London, but loses a lady’s love.