Seven movies that mattered

The Controversial Classics Collection

Warner Home Video, $20 each; $80 for the set

Warner is advertising this tantalizing DVD collection as “Seven Reel Revolutionaries that Brought About Real Reform.” Spanning 1932 to 1964, the seven classic movies explore such hot-button topics of their time as prison abuse, lynching, prejudice, juvenile delinquency, homosexuality and the folly of war.

I Am a Fugitive From a Chain Gang

“Chain Gang” is one of the seminal socially conscious movies of the 1930s and a film that Woody Allen satirized with great affection in 1969’s “Take the Money and Run.”

Paul Muni gives an indelible Oscar-nominated performance in the 1932 film, based on the autobiography of a chain-gang escapee, Robert E. Burns. With masterly directing by Mervyn LeRoy of “Little Caesar” fame, the film sparked protests against prisoner abuse and actually led to changes in the penal code.

Extras: A strange, short musical spoof of the film called “20,000 Cheers for the Chain Gang” and informative commentary from Richard B. Jewell, professor at USC School of Cinema and Television.

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Fury

This searing 1936 drama was an odd film for MGM’s lineup. The studio was known for its musicals, melodramas and family fare, and unlike Warner Bros. and several other top studios MGM tended to avoid social debate. Perhaps the studio should have produced more topical films; “Fury” still packs a wallop and must have shocked and moved audiences nearly 70 years ago.

Spencer Tracy plays an Everyman who is unjustly accused of a crime while on a road trip in his new car. After a lynch mob burns down the jail in which he is being held, they believe he died in the fire. Truth be told, he miraculously escaped. Bitter and filled with revenge, he sets out to make sure the mob is convicted of his “murder.”

“Fury” was the first American film of German director Fritz Lang, who fled after the Nazis came to power.

Extras: The trailer plus compelling commentary from Peter Bogdanovich interspersed with his audio interviews with Lang conducted four decades ago.

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Blackboard Jungle

Richard Brooks wrote and directed this 1955 adaptation of Evan Hunter’s novel, which examined racial tensions, juvenile delinquency and gang violence in an inner-city New York high school.

The America depicted in the provocative movie was a far cry from the country’s image of itself in the Eisenhower era -- happy, bland and prosperous. “Blackboard Jungle” also was the first film to use a rock song over the titles -- Bill Haley and the Comets’ “Rock Around the Clock.” Glenn Ford, Sidney Poitier, Vic Morrow, Paul Mazursky and Jamie Farr star.

Extras: A Droopy cartoon, “Blackboard Jungle,” along with the trailer and affectionate commentary from Mazursky, Farr, who was just 19 when he did the film, assistant director Joel Freeman and Ford’s son, Peter.

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Bad Day at Black Rock

Spencer Tracy received a best actor Oscar nomination -- he lost to Ernest Borgnine in “Marty” -- in this taut 1955 drama. Tracy plays a one-armed World War II veteran who arrives by train at a dusty desert town. Unknown to him, Black Rock holds a deep, dark secret regarding a former Japanese resident, and it doesn’t take too kindly to Tracy’s arrival. He’s met with threats and violence because he won’t explain why he’s come to Black Rock.

Directed by John Sturges, “Black Rock” also stars Robert Ryan, Anne Francis, Lee Marvin, Walter Brennan, Dean Jagger and Borgnine.

Extras: The trailer and perceptive commentary from film historian Dana Polan.

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A Face in the Crowd

Three years after winning Oscars for 1954’s “On the Waterfront,” director Elia Kazan and writer Budd Schulberg teamed for this riveting, disturbing drama, which explores the power of the media. Andy Griffith -- in his film debut -- gives his best performance as Lonesome Rhodes, a megalomaniac Southern drifter who becomes a radio and TV sensation.

Patricia Neal and Lee Remick also star.

Extras: The trailer and a candid retrospective on the film.

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Advise and Consent

Otto Preminger helmed this addictively entertaining all-star 1962 adaptation of Allen Drury’s bestselling political novel set in Washington, D.C. “Advise” was also one of the first mainstream Hollywood films that dealt with homosexuality. Henry Fonda, Charles Laughton (in his final role), Peter Lawford, Walter Pidgeon, Don Murray, Franchot Tone, Burgess Meredith, George Grizzard and Gene Tierney star.

Extras: The trailer and scholarly commentary from USC film professor Drew Casper.

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The Americanization of Emily

After “Mary Poppins,” Julie Andrews made this underrated 1964 black comedy beautifully penned by screenwriter Paddy Chayefsky. James Garner plays a U.S. naval officer stationed in London during World War II who spends his time acquiring the finer things in life for his commander (Melvyn Douglas). Andrews plays a war widow who falls for Garner. Arthur Hiller directed.

Extras: A vintage featurette “Action on the Beach” and poignant commentary from Hiller -- “Emily” is his, Garner’s and Andrews’ favorite film -- who chokes up when he talks about his friendship with the late Chayefsky.

-- Susan King