DVD Review: “Robert Mitchum: The Signature Collection”

Despite the presence of good co-stars (Jane Russell, Jean Simmons, Deborah Kerr, Eleanor Parker) and top-drawer directors (Otto Preminger, Fred Zinnemann, Sydney Pollack, Vincente Minnelli, Josef von Sternberg), this is a mixed bag of Mitchum (1917-1997), underrated tough guy and romantic lead. Worth a look is The Sundowners with Kerr, filmed on location in Australia; also the action-comedy Macao with Russell from their years at RKO when Howard Hughes was running the studio. Too bad Bob and Jane only did two pictures together. Also fun (although long) is Home From the Hill, despite the melodrama’s belonging more to the two actors playing Bob’s sons (George Peppard and George Hamilton). For top-drawer Mitchum, you need Out of the Past, Night of the Hunter, Cape Fear, even Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison (also with Kerr). Commentaries, trailers, and vintage featurettes included.