Elia Kazan

Panic in the Streets (Fox Film Noir)
$14.98
There are no wasted moments in this film which takes on momentum and interest as the various characters are caught up in the potential panic. The performances give a great documentary feel along with the rich and real New Orleans locations. This is B&W artistry-moody, stark, expository, dramatic; the whole gamut.
Jack Palance as Blackie is a dark demon; pscyhotic and seductive. His physicality adds an extra dimension to the whole film.

Baby Doll
$19.98
I don't believe that this film is can be charactrized as a "Black Comedy", as some suggest, since the humor here is actually quite cruel--with an angry, weird and threatening dimension. "High Drama" is more like it, and there are clear implications for morality and ethical thought. It was regarded as quite daring and sexually tinged for its time.

Nonetheless, the "Negroes" in this film are portrayed in a dated and stereotyped way, while other ethnic slurs abound. I believe this material is of historical value rather than a deliberate attempt to denigrate others. In any case, anything by Tennessee Williams is guaranteed to be frightening, ourageous and entertaining. Recommended.

Elia Kazan: A Biography
$16.95
A paste up job, ill written, with some rehashed material, and very dubious conclusions. A shameful, inebriate performance from a once interesting enthusiast.

East of Eden (Two-Disc Special Edition)
$26.98
The Bottom Line:

This adaptation of the second half of Steinbeck's epic novel isn't a great piece of storytelling but it succeeds in being interesting because setting the method acting James Dean against old-school Raymond Massey (who genuinely disliked the young Dean) electrifies their scenes together, generating enough tension to keep the viewer engaged despite the less impressive secondary players and plot.

3/4