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The Animal Kingdom |  | Directors: Edward H. Griffith, George Cukor
Actors: Ann Harding, Leslie Howard, Myrna Loy, William Gargan, Neil Hamilton
Studio: Alpha Video
Category: DVD
List Price: $7.98
Buy New: $3.46
as of 11/7/2009 22:18 CST details
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New (17) Used (3) from $3.46
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Rating:  12 reviews
Sales Rank: 36490
Format: Black & White, Dolby, DVD, NTSC
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Region: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Number Of Discs: 1
Running Time: 85 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: BAYD6251D
UPC: 089218625199
EAN: 0089218625199
ASIN: B0001ZMXAY
Theatrical Release Date: December 28, 1932
Release Date: May 25, 2004
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
Studio: Gotham (dba Alpha) Release Date: 05/25/2004
Amazon.com
Though a bit stodgy, this 1932 film adaptation of a Philip Barry play features the star of the original Broadway production: Leslie Howard. While Barry had later, greater successes with film versions of his plays Holiday and The Philadelphia Story, The Animal Kingdom is something of a blueprint for those better-known comedies. Howard plays book publisher Tom Collier, a bohemian at heart and an enthusiast for great literature and artistic integrity. His lover, Daisy Sage (Ann Harding), is an equally open-minded artist. But while she's off in Paris, Tom considers making a show of respectability, and marries socialite Cee Henry (Myrna Loy), who intends to groom Tom for polite society. Cee's ambition and Tom's conflicts set the stage for one of Barry's comedies of manners, as desire and responsibility square off. Unimaginatively directed by Edward H. Griffith, the production is anchored to its stage-bound origins, but Barry's dialogue and the charming performances make it all worthwhile. --Tom Keogh
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 12
 A neglected classic June 10, 2009
flickfreak (USA)
This almost forgotten film is a must-see for the wonderful and subtle performances of Leslie Howard and the underrated Ann Harding -- and Myrna Loy shows that she can be convincing in an unsympathetic role.
The dialogue is written by and for adults -- little is stated outright, everything is implied. I've seen this several times on late night (about 1 a.m.) TV, and I never tire of it. I'm looking forward to owning a copy.
"for all our big talk, you know, we still do belong to the animal kingdom" April 7, 2009
Matthew G. Sherwin (last seen screaming at Amazon customer service)
The Animal Kingdom sports some mighty terrific acting by a wonderful cast. The plot of this pre-code drama moves along at a very good pace; it could have been edited just a little but this is very minor. The cinematography is very well done throughout the film; and the choreography works best in crowded scenes including the surprise birthday party. There are two very minor disappointments: The quality of the print could have been a little bit better; and once or twice there was the very obvious and distinctly different noises of the two cameras that were rolling when a scene involved two people talking.
When the action starts, we quickly meet the somewhat bohemian Tom Collier (Leslie Howard) who happily owns and runs The Bantam Press, a small independent publishing company. He lives with his girlfriend Daisy Sage (Ann Harding); Tom and Daisy snub the conventional wisdom of the time that a man and a woman had to be married before they could live together. Tom's father Rufus Collier (Henry Stephenson) has nothing but disdain for Tom's lifestyle; but it is the pretty society girl Cecilia "Cee" Henry (Myrna Loy) who steals Tom from Daisy when Daisy is away for a while. In fact, as the picture begins, Daisy is sailing into New York harbor that night only to find out that Tom, who she still thinks is her man, will be marrying "Cee" very soon.
Daisy certainly does take it very badly, although she admits along with Tom that they never had any real strings attached to their relationship. Tom still wants to be friends with Daisy and see her from time to time; but Daisy angrily refuses and Tom leaves without even taking his belongings. After Tom marries "Cee," he never sees his old friends anymore; his quirky butler and friend "Red" Regan (William Gargan) stays on--but only for a while. "Red" can't take the stuffiness of life in Connecticut with "Cee" and Tom so he leaves just as "Cee" has convinced Tom to fire him anyway.
Tom eventually simply shows up at Daisy's Manhattan apartment and they quickly rekindle their friendship--and their old flame, too. Tom doesn't tell all of this to "Cee;" but "Cee" decides to test how everything is going by throwing a surprise birthday party for Tom--and "Cee" makes sure to invite Daisy as well as Tom's old friends "Franc" Schmidt (Leni Stengel) and Joe Fiske (Don Dillaway).
What happens at that party? "Cee" has also invited a man who has not so secretly wanted her for a long time, a fellow named Owen (Neil Hamilton)--how will he figure into all this? Will "Cee" and Daisy get along that night? What will happen if "Red" has trouble on his new job and wants to return to his old job working for Tom and "Cee?" Watch and find out!
The DVD comes with nothing in the way of extras except scene selection; but with these budget DVDs that's the way it goes, I guess.
The Animal Kingdom showcases the fabulous talents of Leslie Howard, Ann Harding and Myrna Loy. Look for a wonderful performance by William Gargan as "Red" the butler, too. Most if not all of the plot could even take place in these times so the film remains relevant despite the passage of time. I highly recommend this film for classic movie buffs; and of course people who are fans of the actors in this movie will want this DVD as well.
Above average print, but where's the Radio Pictures studio logo opening? April 2, 2009
G. Alan Hicks
Alpha's release of this early pre-RKO classic is definitely above average compared with their other releases.
My only complaints are the lack of contrast (the faces of Myrna Loy and Ann Harding often look a bit washed out and over-lit), and the fact that Alpha always chops off the studio logos at the beginning of their pictures. Other than those two things, I am content with this DVD until at some point Time Warner releases it under their own banner using the original film elements as the source material.
Well worth the purchase if the price is less than ten bucks.
 Timeless story about true love August 25, 2008
Edward Rasen Jr. (Maui)
Stodgy is the best word to describe this classic starring Leslie Howard with Myrna Loy in a supporting role. There is little comedic action and what is intended as such has not improved with age. Based on a stage play by Philip Barry who later wrote The Philadelphia Story, this screenplay has been eclipsed by the decline and fall of morals and marriage, which makes the alleged wanton behavior seem trite and ponderous.
The source print used by Alpha is far better than the usual used by Alpha. Although it is clean with only a couple of missing frames, it is soft and the contrast is thin, which means some scenes are washed out, so to speak.
When released during 1932, this pre-code film produced by David Selznick, was a shocker due to it's blunt and realistic portrayal of romance and marriages of convenience. But, what was schocking during 1932, is common today and therefore the drama now seems trivial. Historically it is interesting but the entertainment quotient is average at best.
Unusual romantic comedy (sort of) April 28, 2008
Deb Oestreicher (Chicago, IL USA)
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
We expected a much lighter-weight movie than this turned out to be--Leslie Howard plays a wealthy young man with a sort of free-love relationship with an independent artist, but while the artist is out of town he falls for Myrna Loy and decides to marry her. The movie is surprisingly frank about the complexities of these relationships, including sexual complexities, and the end is MOST unusual when you are used to Hollywood endings.
Worth seeing for excellent dialogue, performances, etc., but not least the unusual details of the plot, and also seeing (very young) Myrna Loy in a less-than-sympathetic role.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 12
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