Here are some highlights of the recent releases to the Warner Archive Collection. DVD’s and Blu-rays are manufactured on demand. They also have a streaming service. Before you visit Warner Archive to check out their selection, check out the selections below an a few of my thoughts.

Oscar Nominees & Winners

Our primary reason for highlighting each week’s selections is to showcase new and reprints of Oscar nominees and winners. Below are the Archives most recent releases in this class.
Trial (1955)
A prime example of Hollywood’s attempts to define the anti-Communist sentiment running rampant in the United States, Trial explores the trial of a Mexican-American boy (Rafael Campos) accused of murder whose execution would help raise money for the law firm owner’s (Arthur Kennedy) Communist interests while the noble law professor (Glenn Ford) tries to protect the young man from death for a crime he does not believe he committed.

The film also stars Dorothy McGuire as a law clerk, Katy Jurado as the boy’s mother and Juano Hernandez as the trial judge.

The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, Arthur Kennedy.

Torpedo Run (1958)
Glenn Ford stars as a submarine commander intent on blowing up the Japanese Aircraft Carrier responsible for the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the impetus for U.S. involvement in World War II. The film also stars Ernest Borgnine as Ford’s second in command, Dean Jones as a tyro officer and Diane Brewster as Ford’s wife. The film was directed by Joseph Pevney.

The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Special Effects.

Other Films

Here are other notable film releases coming to Warner Archive Collection
The White Tower (1950)
An unconquered mountain provides the fulcrum for this existential ensemble drama that pits a group of desperate people against the icy summit, each other and themselves. What drives the woman determined to conquer the slopes that killed her father (Valli), her guide (Oskar Homolka), her father’s friend (Cedric Hardwicke), a wannabe Übermensch (Lloyd Bridges), a dipsomaniacal writer (Claude Rains) and a burnt-out World War II vet (Glenn Ford) to push themselves to the top? As the needs of the many collide with the arrogance and weakness of the few, the mountain’s lessons become ever deadlier. Final script penned by Paul Jarrico for the studios before HUAC sent him overseas, adapted from the novel by James Ramsey Ullman. Directed by Ted Tetzlaff.

Young Man with Ideas (1952)
A young associate (Glenn Ford) at a Montana law firm is trapped in an all-work/no credit grind until his tipsy spouse (Ruth Roman) gets him canned, creating the “opportunity” to pack up the clan and try to strike it rich in the land of L.A. law. Unfortunately, he still needs to pass the California bar. So, what’s a young man to do but loan his last dollar to a provocatively named chanteuse (Dorianne Grey, played by Denise Darcel) and become study-buddies with the enchanting Joyce Laramie (Nina Foch). And soon after his wife accidentally takes a bet for the ex-bookie who used to live in their cheap apartment, life leads our young man to court where he has to plead for his life. Mitchell Leisen directs.

Ransom! (1956)
Crime procedural based on an acclaimed teleplay (The United States Steel Hour’s “Fateful Decision”) and the basis for Ron Howard’s 1996 remake. Glenn Ford and Donna Reed play a successful midwestern couple whose idyllic existence is up-ended by the kidnapping of their only child. Emptying his assets in order to meet the kidnapper’s demands, Dave Stannard (Ford) reverses course thanks to a reporter’s errant remark (Leslie Nielson, in his film debut) and stuns all with his dangerous decision. Juano Hernandez is on hand to lend support as the Stannard’s able, loyal, and pious major-domo. Directed by Alex Segal.

Imitation General (1958)
In the midst of the European campaign, a company of GIs are surrounded by the Nazis. GHQ sends in one-star General Lane (Kent Smith) to help rally the trapped troopers but is killed, leaving his aides, MSgt. Murphy Savage (Glenn Ford) and Cpl. Chan Derby (Red Buttons), in dire straits. But when the desperate sergeant stumbles into a con of court-martial proportions he may just be able to lead the stranded soldiers to safety. With Dean Jones as a combat fatigued vet tasked to assisting Ford’s faux general. Directed by George Marshall.

Television

The occasional television program or series is released in Warner Archive Collection. Here are this week’s offerings.
Bronco: The Complete First Season (1958-59)
Ex-Confederate Officer Bronco Layne (Ty Hardin) rides back to the Texas Panhandle only to discover his home ­ and his honor ­ are now lost to him. And so Bronco wanders the West, armed with a lightning draw and thunder in his fists, fighting for the justice he was denied. Initially filling in for Clint Walker on Cheyenne, the Texas twister proved a quick hit with viewers, alternating adventures with Will Hutchins Sugarfoot. Cheyenne starring Ty Hardin as Bronco Layne might have been a mouthful but, thankfully, Bronco came complete with his own catchy theme song. This 5-Disc, 20-Episode collection sees Bronco defend besieged settlers, uncover fatal locomotive sabotage, tackle the mystery of a man frozen inside a glacier, and sail the prairie with a landlocked Navy officer (Lorne Greene). Sharing the sagebrush with Bronco are notable guests the likes of Wayne Morris, Jack Elam, James Coburn, Robert Vaughn and Troy Donahue.

Wizards and Warriors: The Complete Series (1983)
TV¹s first real foray into the realm of high fantasy was a truly ahead of its time combination of awesome adventure and witty self-awareness. Prolific sitcom writer Don Reo (The John Larroquette Show, Two and a Half Men) had a different vision in mind than previous grim and gritty attempts at the genre as seen in cinema ­ a vision underscored by the show¹s own opening titles, which frame the action as comic book panels. Jeff Conaway (Taxi, Babylon 5) stars as valiant Prince Erik Greystone who, along with his strongman sidekick pal Marko (Walter Olkewicz), battles evil Prince Dirk Blackpool (Duncan Regehr, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine) and malevolent magic-user Vector (Clive Revill) for control of the continent of Aperans, his country of Camarand and for the hand of fair, spoiled and leather pants-obsessed Princess Ariel (Julia Duffy, Newhart). Now the time has come to heed the call of adventure – and comedy!

Beyond Westworld: The Complete Series (1980)
“How Do You Kill a Man Who’s a Machine?” That¹s the question confronting Delos Security Chief John Moore (Jim McMullan) as he confronts killer androids under the control of rogue scientist Simon Quaid (James Wainwright) in the world that lies beyond Westworld. Following the events of The hit film, the super-human androids of Delos¹ infamously deadly amusement parks have been sprung by a psychotic programmer who intends to use them to create a world of perfect order. Delos¹ agents, led by Moore and backed by Delos¹ ample technological resources, fan out across the globe on the look-out for any and all android actions. Moore¹s right-hand woman, fellow agent Pam Williams (Connie Selleca) mixes know-how and show-how in the field, while back at Delos, computer genius Joseph Oppenheimer (William Jordan) tries to counter-program against Quaid¹s malevolent moves. From the mind of TV producer Lou Shaw (Quincy, ME), inspired by the work of Michael Crichton.