On DVD, a New Collection Of Classic Mitchum Men

Robert Mitchum was the sort of actor who made even bad movies watchable. Whether he was in a formulaic Western, a complicated noir flick or a gangster picture, he had presence. As famed director David Lean was quoted as saying, "Mitchum can, simply by being there, make almost any other actor look like a hole in the screen."

Warner Home Video is paying tribute to the actor with the "Robert Mitchum Signature Collection" being released Tuesday. Some of his best work may be missing, but the collection does have six new-to-DVD titles: "Angel Face," "Macao," "Home From the Hill," "The Sundowners," "The Good Guys & the Bad Guys" and "The Yakuza." You can get the collection for $59.98 or purchase individual titles for $19.97.

These films pick up near the end of his run of roles in various noir thrillers, most of which were in the 1940s. "Angel Face," a 1952 Otto Preminger-directed flick, ranks high among fans of the genre. Mitchum plays a regular guy with a steady girl and a dream of owning his own garage when he meets Diane (Jean Simmons). She's either hot for him or she's setting him up to be a patsy when her stepmother plunges off a cliff, leaving Diane a wealthy woman. Extras include a commentary by Eddie Muller, who has written several film-related books.

"Macao," also from 1952, pairs Mitchum with the era's sexy icon Jane Russell. The movie, directed by Josef von Sternberg, gets going when Mitchum's character saves Russell's from a lecherous oaf and she shows her gratitude by picking his pocket. Stolen diamonds, undercover cops, mistaken identities, double crosses and murder make for a twisty plot. Bonus features include commentary by Russell, Muller and screenwriter Stanley Rubin and a "TCM Private Screenings" with Mitchum and Russell, hosted by Robert Osborne.

The collection jumps a few years to 1960 with "Home From the Hill." Mitchum is the patriarch of a Texas family in this film, directed by Vincente Minnelli. George Peppard and George Hamilton play his sons.

Also from 1960 is the "The Sundowners," directed by Fred Zinnemann. Set in 1920s Australia, Mitchum and Deborah Kerr play Paddy and Ida, a devoted couple suddenly at odds over Ida's desire to settle down. The movie earned five Oscar nominations, including Best Picture. Extras include the vintage featurette "On Location With 'The Sundowners' " and the theatrical trailer.

Next up is 1969's Western comedy "The Good Guys & the Bad Guys," starring Mitchum and George Kennedy. It's a good pairing. The two play a couple of aging cowboys on opposite sides of the law who end up working together to stop a band of gold thieves led by David Carradine. A vintage featurette is among the extras.

One of Mitchum's mid-'70s works, "The Yakuza," rounds out the collection. Written by Paul Schrader ("Taxi Driver") and Robert Towne ("Chinatown") and directed by Sydney Pollack, the film is a violent piece set in the world of Japanese crime. There is a commentary by Pollack and a vintage featurette.

Spanning 23 years, these six films are a better-than-average introduction to Mitchum and his deceptively relaxed on-screen style. Deceptive, because you never know when his laconic movement will suddenly erupt into driven action. And thus, you watch. And, after watching these, you may find yourself compelled to seek out more from his scores of films.