German genius in the U.S.

With Hitler’s rise to power in Germany in the 1930s, several European filmmakers fled their countries, including German director Fritz Lang of “M” and “Metropolis” renown.

Lang’s first American film, 1936’s “Fury,” made its DVD debut earlier this year. Two more of his films, 1945’s “Scarlet Street” and 1949’s “House by the River,” arrive today on DVD (Kino, $25 each).

“Scarlet Street” is an exceptional film noir -- a no-holds-barred remake of Renoir’s first talkie, 1931’s “La Chienne.”

Edward G. Robinson plays a henpecked middle-aged milquetoast who works in a dead-end job as a cashier. One night on the way home from a celebration, he rescues a beautiful but manipulative streetwalker (a deliciously wicked Joan Bennett) from being beaten up by her volatile boyfriend (Dan Duryea). Robinson’s world collapses when he falls head-over-heels in love with the vulgar femme fatale.

Extras include a photo gallery (that features images of deleted scenes) and informative commentary from film historian David Kalat.

Though “House by the River” drifted into obscurity, it’s a crackling good murder mystery starring Louis Hayward as a homicidal ne’er-do-well who murders his wife’s housekeeper and enlists the help of his handicapped brother (Lee Bowman) to get rid of her body. Extras include an image gallery and an interview with producer-cineaste Pierre Rissient.

Also new from Kino is “Therese Raquin” ($30), Marcel Carne’s inspired updated adaptation of Emile Zola’s tragic drama. Simone Signoret gives one of her best performances as an unhappily married woman who falls madly in love with a handsome truck driver (Raf Vallone). The star-crossed lovers murder her husband, but their plans go awry.

Rounding out the new Kino releases is “A Double Tour” ($30), a delectable psychological thriller from France’s master of suspense, Claude Chabrol. Released in 1959, “Tour” revolves around a dysfunctional family caught up in infidelity, murder and obsession. “Tour” is stolen by a pre-”Breathless” Jean-Paul Belmondo, as the Marlon Brando-esque boyfriend of the daughter.

Also new this week:

“War of the Worlds” (DreamWorks, $30): Steven Spielberg’s post-9/11 take on H.G. Wells’ classic sci-fi tale of alien invaders. Tom Cruise, Dakota Fanning and Tim Robbins star. The two-disc set includes well-crafted documentaries on the making of the film including numerous interviews with Spielberg and his stars, as well as with his creative team.

“The Polar Express” (Warner Home Video, $29 for a single disc with no extras; $30 for the special edition): Critics were divided on director Robert Zemeckis’ performance-capture computer animated adaptation of Chris Van Allsberg’s holiday tale. Tom Hanks plays five roles, including the little boy, the train conductor and Santa Claus. The two-disc set features a look at how Hanks brought his roles to life and documentaries on performance capture, the film’s hair and wardrobe, music and the creation of the North Pole.

“The Tales of Hoffman” (Criterion, $40): Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger’s haunting 1951 Technicolor extravaganza seamlessly combines ballet with opera. Moira Shearer stars. The disc features several extras, including an introduction by “Night of the Living Dead” director George Romero and fact-filled commentary with Martin Scorsese, who became obsessed with “Hoffman” as a boy, and film music historian Bruce Eder.

“Leave It to Beaver -- The Complete First Season” (Universal, $50, $70 for the lunch-box gift set): Seminal sitcom (1957-63) that offers a rosy depiction of American family life.

Jerry Mathers starred as Beaver Cleaver, a rambunctious 7-year-old who always was getting into trouble; Tony Dow was older brother Wally; Ken Osmond was Wally’s obnoxious best friend, Eddie Haskell; and Barbara Billingsley and Hugh Beaumont were the parents, June and Ward Cleaver.

The only extra is the original pilot, featuring different actors as Ward and Wally.

What’s coming:

Nov. 29: “Mr. & Mrs. Smith,” “March of the Penguins,” “Sky High,” “Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo” and “Murderball”

Dec. 6: “The Fantastic Four,” “Dukes of Hazzard,” “Cinderella Man,” “Ladies in Lavender” and “Dirty Love”

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DVD sales

Here are the 10 top-selling DVDs for the week ending Nov. 13. Ranking are compiled from a variety of major retailers, including Amazon.com, Best Buy, Blockbuster, Circuit City and Tower.

1. “Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith”

2. “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: Deluxe Edition”

3. “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”

4. “The Devil’s Rejects”

5. “Christmas With the Kranks”

6. “Batman Begins: Deluxe Edition”

7. “Office Space: Special Edition”

8. “Herbie: Fully Loaded”

9. “Family Guy Presents Stewie Griffin: The Untold Story”

10. “Cinderella: Platinum Edition”

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Source: DVDExclusive.com

Los Angeles Times