Public domain Douglas
Annie Van Auken | Planet Earth | 12/04/2007
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Of the three titles (all on one DVD) in ST CLAIR's KIRK DOUGLAS SIGNATURE COLLECTION, only "The Master Touch" isn't in wide circulation. This fair-to-middling Euro-heist story has Douglas as an aging criminal who wants to pull off one last job.
In "The Big Trees," Douglas as the owner of a lumber company goes from villain to hero, all in lavish Technicolor.
"My Dear Secretary" is the best of this small lot. With a fine cast featuring show-stealer Keenan Wynn, this is the tale of a playboy who marries his latest in a long line of secretaries. Look for Irene Ryan (Granny in THE BEVERLY HILLBILLES) as the housekeeper. Also, check out Kirk's pre-surgery nose.
The AVA GARDNER COLLECTION is a similar DVD set from St. Clair.
Parenthetical numbers preceding titles are 1 to 10 viewer poll ratings found at a film resource website.
(5.8) My Dear Secretary (1949) - Laraine Day/Kirk Douglas/Keenan Wynn/Irene Ryan/Alan Mowbray/Rudy Vallee/Grady Sutton
(5.7) The Big Trees (1952) - Kirk Douglas/Eve Miller/Edgar Buchanan/Alan Hale Jr.
(5.5) The Master Touch (Italy/W Ger-1972) - Kirk Douglas/Giuliano Gemma/Florinda Bolkan
BONUS: Kirk Douglas Trailers--
Cast a Giant Shadow
Detective Story
Lonely Are the Brave
The War Wagon"