Product Details

• Actors: Walter Matthau, Jack Lemmon, Julie Harris, Ozzie Davis, Roddy McDowell
• Directors: Wombat Productions
• Format: Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: All Regions
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: G (General Audience)
• Studio: Janson Media
• DVD Release Date: June 2, 2008
• Run Time: 51 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• ASIN: B0019K4YR0
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #206,459 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The team player, December 5, 2009

By 

Robin Benson - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Hollywood Collection - Walter Matthau: Diamond In The Rough (DVD)

A warmhearted and therefore predictable video biography of this wonderful character actor. His professionalism meant that he never got stuck with 'star' status but I always thought his very individual performances were a joy to watch. You've probably got your faves, mine are 'A New Leaf' and 'Charley Varrick'. (Incidentally, why Paramount has never released Elaine May's 'A New Leaf' on DVD remains a mystery; it surely has to be one of the top comedies of the Seventies, DVD copies are available if you Google the title).

This Hollywood Collection disc runs to fifty-one minutes (though the packaging says eighty-six) and it was made in 1997. I was expecting more, in particular more clips from more movies than are actually here. Nothing from Plaza Suite; Bad News Bears; Taking of Pelham 123; A New Leaf or Charley Varrick. No doubt the costly copyright fees prevented this but it does leave me with the impression that this is a rather half-hearted production (so a generous three stars). There isn't even a list of all his movies, with a poster or maybe a still, in the dull Extras. Plugs for other Hollywood Collection DVDs are here, though.

Various directors and actors contribute generous praise for Matthau's acting and fortunately he is included, too, talking about some of his Broadway days, Hollywood movies and the fun he had with various leading ladies. His childhood and teen years are summed up with newspaper historical black and white photos or stock newsreel material to tie in with the commentary.

Overall I thought this was a rather predictable lightweight documentary and considering the length definitely overpriced.