Favorite DVD commentaries?

[Nighthawk]

What are everyone's favorite film noir DVD audio commentaries? I'm sure we all know the heavy hitters and frequent contributors -- Muller, Silver and Ursini, etc. -- but which specific commentaries do you find carry a lot of insight and useful information?

[Roger Wade]

I am very fond of Eddie Muller's commentaries of THE HOUSE ON TELEGRAPH HILL and THE SNIPER, both films set in Muller's birth town San Francisco. He has so much knowledge about the history of his city and often goes back to his own memories from childhood. Every little bitplayer gets his due, nothing escapes him.

[Rufus T]

The one that comes to mind for me is the commentary for Fallen Angel (1945). Eddie Muller does it with the daughter of Dana Andrews. I found it very entertaining and informative; plus it's one of my top 10 favorite noirs.

[Steve-O]

You shouldn't forget any of Alan Rode's commentaries -- or the French noir commentaries by Ginette Vincendeau on some Criterion releases. They are always outstanding.

However, my personal favorite is Eddie Muller and Kim Morgan's commentary on Roadhouse. They come across on the DVD as friendly (and friends). It's very entertaining and I like how Kim comments on Lupino's outfits and other observations -- and not just listing folks IMDB credits. There's some big laughs on the commentary as well as being informative. DVD commentaries pretty much went out of vogue right after this DVD. This one is a good example why they should never stop making them.

[Surly]

I am very fond of Eddie Muller's commentaries of THE HOUSE ON TELEGRAPH HILL and THE SNIPER, both films set in Muller's birth town San Francisco. He has so much knowledge about the history of his city and often goes back to his own memories from childhood. Every little bitplayer gets his due, nothing escapes him.

I'm also a fan of Eddie Muller, and I wanted to listen Eddie's commentary on San Francisco set THE LINEUP. I tried, but I was finally defeated by the very obnoxious James Ellroy, who kept interrupting Eddie to hurl some unpleasantries at a cast member. I can only imagine how frustrating it was for Eddie himself.

[Roger Wade]

Eddie's commentary on San Francisco set THE LINEUP. I tried, but I was finally defeated by the very obnoxious James Ellroy, who kept interrupting Eddie to hurl some unpleasantries at a cast member. I can only imagine how frustrating it was for Eddie himself.

I agree, I would have preferred to have Muller done the commentary just by himself. It is the same with a shared commentary on CRIME WAVE, lots of panting and wolf whistling by Ellroy every time a female is shown on the screen. Ellroy has actually very little to add in film knowledge. Muller is always well prepared and I love the way he sometimes has to laugh about a silly or dated scene without ridiculing the film or actor.

[Arthur Bannister]

...I was finally defeated by the very obnoxious James Ellroy, who kept interrupting Eddie to hurl some unpleasantries at a cast member.

...lots of panting and wolf whistling by Ellroy every time a female is shown on the screen. Ellroy has actually very little to add in film knowledge.

Glad to see I'm not the only one put off by Ellroy's so-called commentaries. It's bad enough that he brings nothing of substance to the table, but his shtick is so irritating it actually makes me grab for the mute button!

On a more positive note, let me add Foster Hirsch to the names already mentioned as someone who can generate a good and satisfying commentary.

[Nighthawk]

On a more positive note, let me add Foster Hirsch to the names already mentioned as someone who can generate a good and satisfying commentary.

Which Hirsch commentaries are your favorites?

[Night Editor]

I agree, I would have preferred to have Muller done the commentary just by himself. It is the same with a shared commentary on CRIME WAVE, lots of panting and wolf whistling by Ellroy every time a female is shown on the screen. Ellroy has actually very little to add in film knowledge. Muller is always well prepared and I love the way he sometimes has to laugh about a silly or dated scene without ridiculing the film or actor.

Agreed. Ellroy's DVD commentaries are an embarrassment. However, he came through well enough a couple of years ago where he guested on TCM to introduce and follow-up on screenings of 'Murder by Contract', 'The Line-Up', and 'Armored Car Robbery'. Robert Osbourne acted like he was negotiating with a suicide bomber but Ellroy turned out to be a prince throughout. However, there's still some debate over whether TCM had written into his appearance contract that he be injected with horse tranquillizer.

[Steve-O]

I asked Eddie about the Ellroy commentaries a while back. He said that he was just as annoyed by him as the crew recording it. Apparently there were lots of off-color remarks that were edited out.

The TCM introductions were very good, however. Much easier to get 30 seconds out of him than 1 1/2 hours, I guess.

[Muscle Mike]

I think Dr. Drew Casper is the best.



Just kidding. Actually I find him unwatchable. His dramatics cloy.